The Train To Crazy

My little dancer

Naomi loves dance. She thrived in her dance class when she didn't thrive in other situations. We miss dance and can't wait until next Fall. 

We move. A lot

Have you moved a lot in your life? I lived in 4 houses from the time I was born until I graduated from High School. I never had to change schools. I really appreciated that. Since I graduated from college I have moved 11 times. In 10 years. We've been married nearly 7 years and have lived in 6 places.

Naomi has already lived in more houses than I lived in my entire childhood. She is 4 years old and has lived in 5 different places and it will be 6 before she has her next birthday. We're not talking about moves across the street either. Each move was a different town. She has already lived in 3 states. THREE states and she JUST turned 4. 

Naomi doesn't handle change well (most kids don't). We've learned a few things in the moves that have helped along the way. These are the most important;

Talk up the move before hand, but not too soon. It is important to give them as much of a visual image as possible about what is about to happen. If you are selling your house and packing up toys and such, let them be involved. Tell them as much as is age appropriate. With our latest move we started discussing that we were selling our house and moving about a week before we started getting our house staged to sell. We'd known for months but telling them so far in advance might have caused anxiety so we waited until a more appropriate time. If they were older we would have let them know sooner. When it came to talking about where we were moving, we tried to let them know what types of things we'd do once we moved and let them know as much as possible. We talked about how big our apartment would be, what toys we'd have, the fact that we'd still play outside and go to the playground, etc., etc. The important things to them. Give them the little details about what is going to happen between houses. Are you flying? Living out of suitcases for a while? You get the idea.

Keep things "normal". We try to make sure to spend lots of family time together during times of transition. Make sure the "special" toys are readily available during traveling and when you get to the new place. 

Get excited! Even if you aren't that excited, or aren't happy about the move at all, get excited for the kids. You don't have to lie, but you also shouldn't doom their move by frightening them either.

Don't plan any new developmental tasks around the time of the move. Daphne needs to be potty trained. She wants to be potty trained. The poor girls hasn't moved on to the big girl panties yet because first she had a baby sister, then moved to a "big bed" then gave up her pacifiers and is now completing a move. It wouldn't have been fair to her to try to train her right before or after the move. We have to give her time to get settled. 

Extra hugs and snuggles. Depending on their age, most little ones can't really tell you what they are thinking or worrying about. Extra snuggles and attention help to soothe them through the possibly scary time.

What has helped your kids during times of transition and moving?

Fabric addiction

I know I said I wouldn't buy any new fabric. But this pique by Robert Kaufman would make such a cute little dress. Are you sewing anything lately?

First bites

Some kids really take to "solids", others don't. At least in my experience. This particular baby was crying with impatience between bites during her first feeding.

Look at that! I mean, who likes rice cereal? I guess she was ready for solids. I've been putting it off, for a couple reasons, but the time finally arrived when I couldn't put it off any longer. The girl wants to eat.

In other, mostly unrelated news, I had to crop this photo tight or else be forced to join The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. I've been successful at avoiding that challenge for some months now and am hoping to keep my exact poundage off this blog permanently. Though, the neighbors are begging me to join before pool season begins.

The Move: Week 2

It is Wednesday. We've been on this coast for 10 days now. WOW, it seems like SO much longer. We've done so much, and we've done so little. This is just a temporary move (6 months), so we didn't bring a whole lot of stuff to this apartment. We'll be looking for a more permanent home here soon. We can pat ourselves on the back and say we've emptied all our boxes already! Now, for the "so little" part. Most of our stuff is laying on the floor where it used to be in boxes. BUT, every little victory counts. 

I've been sick, sick, sick. I finally saw a doctor yesterday. Hopefully I'll get some rest here soon instead of laying awake all night coughing up a lung. Oh, how our new neighbors must love us. I haven't folded or put any laundry away since the first day we were here... There is a lot. I feel sorry for our children and their poor mismatched stocking feet. At least they are clean (the clothes, not the children).

I'm trying to decide what to do with the toys we brought. There is really no storage for them, no shelves or anything so I'm thinking we'll be keeping those in the plastic totes they came in. 

I've stopped complaining about the lack of stuff in the kitchen. I bought some measuring cups. That made me feel better. 

I've met a TON of people. I'm not exaggerating. I joined a group for moms at a local church. Wonderful women, wonderful! I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. We joined a small group at that church (no kidding, we already went once) and it is a GREAT group. I've met some women through a yahoo group I joined. I went for a walk with some today. We had dinner with a great couple and their two little ones last Saturday night. Like I said, a TON of people. Though, I do hate meeting people when I am a bit under the weather but at least we are getting out. More on all this later... 

The girls are adjusting fabulously. They truly are wonderful little girls. Daphne (the two year old) has asked to go "home" a couple times but on a whole they seem very adjusted and happy. They love our new little playground and have thoroughly enjoyed meeting new little friends. They weren't too pleased with that cold walk we went on today though and informed me when we left that it had been a "bad idea" because it is "way too cold here." They are so right about it being way too cold.

"No, you won't."

Naomi announced to her dad the other night that "When I turn 13 I am going to have a baby in my belly."

Blog Party 2009

5 Minutes for Mom is having a Blog Party! Welcome to all who are reading this blog for the first time! Thanks for stopping by. 

I've been writing this blog for nearly a year now. Most days I think of witty stories and hilarious anecdotes to write and fall asleep and forget what I was planning to say. There is a good reason for that! I'll catch you up to speed.

I write about my family and my adventures in mothering. In real life, I bounce my 5 month old constantly while holding my 2 1/2 year old who needs constant affection all while playing a game with my 4 year old, cooking dinner and cleaning the floor a thousand times a day. I have a wonderful husband who works long hours so it is mostly just me and the girls. He works hard to join us for dinner nightly these days, which is much appreciated! The girls adore their daddy, as do I.

I love to write about things I'm passionate about like teaching your children to be generous or my favorite blogs or organizations. You'll enjoy our 50 Ways for Children to Give. I care about people and hunger and poverty and disease and violence. I care about raising a generation of people who are passionate about helping others not just because it is a good thing to do but because it is commanded of us.

Most people stumble upon my blog looking for a sewing tutorial. You can find them on the left. The rest come to hear my stories about how my children don't sleep or the *wisdom* I've learned from their bedtime craziness. I use the word wisdom lightly to mean "what I've learned." Some people end up here looking for crazy things. We have crazy here, just not THAT crazy.

We've recently (this week) embarked on an adventure, moving across the country from Seattle to Boston. I'm currently writing a post in my head titled "How to survive a 3 hour time change." I'm also considering a post called "Living in an apartment with 3 bundles of energy." Or perhaps, "How to meet new people." I'm still learning that one. 

All kidding aside, I am glad you stopped by. Please add me to your blog reader and join me on my adventure!

Head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom to join Blog Party 2009.

I found my hat.

The sun has come out and it is warmer during the days. The apartment has large closets. It is pretty clean (before we got here that is). There is a great little playground for the girls. We even saw some other kids out there the other day. All of our boxes are unpacked. Some things are put away. The rest will get done at some point.

The flu like symptoms the girls had earlier this week are gone. We've adjusted them to the time change. Opening boxes of old toys was like Christmas here yesterday. We park in a covered garage and have an elevator to get us there. With the double stroller I can get the refrigerator food from the store, and Maggie in her car seat and the other two girls up to our apartment with minimal trouble. We have a washer and dryer in our apartment. 

We are off to a new mom's group. The girls are very excited to make some friends and I am as well! Enjoy your Friday!

My other bad, bad boy rears her little head

We found Costco yesterday. I should write about how we were apparently a 3 ring circus, or at least that is how people looked at us. Gasp! The horror, children out during the day! How does that woman do it?! In fact, I got more comments about how hard it must be than I have ever gotten in one place. Anyway...

We were at the checkout and a woman came up to me and told me what beautiful children I have. Thank you!. Then she said, "and so well behaved!"

Naomi responded. "I'm a bad bad boy!!" That was our finale. 

The magic of FOUR

Naomi turned 4 last Friday. The amazing thing is, she feels older, she acts older. She really does. She even thinks she is taller! We've been building up "four" for quite a while and it worked! 

We spent the morning at the park while my friend, Sarah Ellen, photographed the girls. I can't wait to see the pictures! We then walked on over to Trophy Cupcakes, because who can resist a cupcake on her birthday? We then topped off the day with a party at Chuck E. Cheese. I'd never been there to my recollection and I'm hoping I don't have to return too soon. The girls loved it though and that is what matters. 

I took a few pictures of the day. Aren't they sweet?

MY kitchen essentials

As any good story does, mine had some foreshadowing. I posted last July about what I would find absolutely necessary in a small kitchen. Well, well, well. As I mentioned, this kitchen came "furnished" with the rest of the house. Unfortunately that meant plates, bowls, cups, glasses, a tiny mixing bowl, a tiny sauce pan, a 1 quart pan, a 10 inch skillet, silverware, terrible knives, a spatula and a can opener. OH, don't forget that casserole pan and our ONE dish towel! Of course, I thought ahead and brought some of my essentials with me. So, out of my essential list I made in July, here is what I have.

1. dishes

3. silverware

4. set of glasses

7. onion chopper

14. vita mix

14. food processor (what was with two number 14's?

15. toaster

16. knives (but they are FAR from acceptable

17. kitchenaid mixer 

22. the pizza stone. None of the rest including any baking dishes!!!

24. juice pitcher

30. bulk food storage containers

Honorable mention: ice cream scoop and pizza cutter

I am painfully aware of the missing items. Can I tell you how long it took me to make fajitas in my one 10 inch skillet with terrible knives and a TINY glass cutting board? Too long, that is how long. So the question is, can I survive like this for the next 6 months or should I break down and buy some of my essentials? Here's what I'm thinking.

Knives. I need good knives.

Cutting board. I need a good wood cutting board.

Large skillet. A must.

Bread pans, 8X8 pan... musts!

Measuring cups. A definite must have.

Mixing bowls. Who can live without those?

Cookie sheets.

Storage containers. What am I supposed to do with my fajitas left over??

A spoonula.

Tongs.

Dish towels.

Now I'm off to find my positive hat. Where did I put that? I know I saw it somewhere... What couldn't you live without in your kitchen? 

Hello Boston!

We made it! We survived our day of traveling and our first day in our new city. We've had a few bumps in the road but on a whole it has been pretty smooth. 

Bump #1- Flight delayed. Plane changed. Travel to different concourse. Board plane 40 minutes late. Sit on runway for an hour in a hot plane, buckled up with tired baby who wants me to stand. BUT, the kids did very well on the actual plane ride. Especially considering they "slept" in a hotel the night before, were rudely awakened at 6 a.m. and rushed to the airport to sit and wait and wait and wait.

Bump #2- Time change! Kids up until 11 p.m. first night. Boo! We got them down by 9:30 tonight! Yeah!! 

Bump #3- Maggie started spitting up bright yellow this morning. Found a pediatrician and took her right in. No other symptoms, she appears healthy other than the yellow yuck so we are keeping an eye on her.

Bump #4- We live next to an Old MacDonald's. Right next door.

Bump #5- They don't have Signing Times or Magic School Bus on TV here!! What?!? All hell may break loose tomorrow when we break the news.

Bump #6- This place is furnished. They said the kitchen would have cookware and bakeware. I'm not sure what to bake in my one casserole dish. NOT cookies. NOT bread. NOT a lasagna. NOT brownies. Seriously. I don't make casseroles because we don't eat cream of mushroom soup!

Bump #7- The bathroom smells. Bad. Kind of like mildew. Kind of like dead rodent. No evidence of either. Arthur doesn't mind the smell. 

Our clothes, toys, sewing stuff and video games arrived safely today, along with our cars. We can now function because Rock Band is here. The place doesn't feel like "home" but I'm sure nothing would after leaving our awesome house. Daphne is having a bit of a hard time adjusting and even though she says she likes our new house she has asked to go "home" a couple times. Naomi is doing very well. I'm not sure she really understands this whole apartment living thing. She keeps asking to play upstairs.

I'm not very thrilled with our location but I'm going to put on my positive hat and enjoy it while we are here. I mean, not everyone gets to live next door to McDonalds on a super busy 2 lane road it takes 20 minutes to pull on to. We are excited to start getting to know people and learn the neighborhood. For now though, I think I'll stay inside. It is cold. 

Happy Birthday Big Girl!

Saying goodbye

This has been a long week of goodbyes. I hate goodbyes. I think it is wonderful that we live in a time when we never really have to say goodbye. My friends and family can all check my status updates daily and read my blog. I can talk with my grandmother on Skype and IM with my brother in Liberia. It really is amazing. So for now I'm just going to say see you later. I've enjoyed our time in Seattle and love all the amazing people I've met. We have a great church, great friends, a wonderful neighborhood. I wish we could take them all with us. So, see you, hopefully sooner than later.

Texture

This week's challenge for You Capture is to photograph texture. This was the most texture I could find.

Yes, two days without sweeping...

This is my favorite chair. I love it.

And there is also this boring shot...

And this beautiful one.

Now go check out everyone else's texture.

You can help children in Burma!!!

Do you know anything about Burma (Myanmar)? Sadly, most people don't. Here is the short version;

Over fifty years of civil war have left Burma one of the poorest countries in the world. The military dictatorship attacks its own people, killing thousands, and leaving millions displaced.

Many in opposition are either imprisoned or killed. In most of the country there is a false peace due to the dictators' ability to control dissent, however in some ethnic areas the Regime’s army is still attacking the people. There are over 1 million internally displaced people, and over 1 million refugees who have fled the country. There is continual environmental destruction, an HIV/AIDS epidemic, the ongoing laying of landmines, human trafficking and religious persecution. Because of the Regime’s mismanagement and corruption, it’s the world’s second largest opium producer and the main producer of methamphetamines in SE Asia. Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient and leader of the democracy movement, is repeatedly put under arrest.

The Regime’s army extends their control over the ethnic minorities by building roads and camps in ethnic homelands, forcing people to relocate or flee into the jungle. There is documented forced labor and the use of rape as a weapon. The Regime’s army lays landmines to keep villagers from returning home and supporting the resistance. 

For a more in depth history of Burma, read the rest of the article here. It is a really tragic, disturbing situation that gets very little press. I would dare to say most people do not know about the situation.

There is something you and your children can do to help!! Christians Concerned for Burma operates out of Thailand and, among other things, has a Good Life Club in which they bring love, healthcare, songs, games and more to the families and children on the run, hiding in jungles in Burma. You can help your children put together small supply packs. The Kid's Pack should Include these items;

• small comb and a mirror
• 1 box of children's chewable vitamins
• 2 children's toothbrushes
• 1 fingernail clipper
• 1 small toy
• 1 picture of you (or your child)
• 1 postcard from your city or state with a Bible verse 

You can also put together a Mom & Baby Pack including;

• small fingernail clippers
• multi-vitamins for mom
• pediatric vitamins (not needing refrigeration)
• 2 outfits for baby, including a cap, hand mittens, shirt (NOT a onesie) and socks
• 1 teether
• 1 picture of you
• 1 postcard from your city or state with a Bible verse

The items for one pack should be put in a sturdy large ziploc bag. Put in a standard gift sized box and mark "household/ personal goods" on the customs form. **CCB notes that the box coming from the USA should not exceed 79 inches in length/width/girth** Mark the package: GLC. Mail standard airmail to:

Christians Concerned for Burma (CCB)
Box 14 Mae Jo
Chiang Mai 50290
Thailand

This would make a great family or playdate activity!!

Kids with no toys...

Yes, cooking their sister.

My favorite blogs of late

I haven't had any links lately, not that I haven't been reading anything. I have a few new blogs I've been reading that I think are totally worth your time to check out.

It's Almost Naptime!!!! is a fabulously funny and insightful blog by a mom of FOUR little ones. Check out this post which will make you laugh so hard you'll cry.

Mama Sass is hilarious. Fortunately for us (and unfortunately for her) she is currently unemployed and has a lot more time to write!

What have you been reading?

Urgent Need!!

I know this blog has been devoid of real stories and information lately. Not that mint brownies aren't excellent, but you know what I mean. With the move, the house for sale and a house full of sickies there has been little time for blogging anything interesting. This, however, deserves a moment of my time. The following is directly from Tom Davis' blog. Tom is the director of Children's Hope Chest, an awesome NGO that works with orphaned children around the world. Please, please, please read it and respond!

We've just received confirmation from our new Uganda staff director, Joseph, that 357 children in the Rapha community are out of food and at-risk for losing their school placements (due to inability to pay school fees).

You guys have proven that you understand the dire need for food in Africa where one meal a day is considered a luxury.  Just look at how quickly you responded to the February Food Drive!  These children are at risk for losing THAT one meal.  Currently, there is no food to feed these children.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RAPHA

 

How important is education? It keeps the older girls out of prostitution and sexual slavery. It prevents boys from becoming child soldiers and criminals. Without the school, the kids would find themselves working in the fields as child laborers, selling whatever they can find in the market, and exposing themselves to even worse exploitation. 

Ask an African child--which do you need more education or food? They always pick education. "If we have food and no education, we know we're dead anyway." I take for granted my own children's education here in the U.S. In Africa, it is about life and death for kids, and right now 357 kids are staring at a desperate future. If the Rapha school folds, 357 children will face the "orphan future" of drugs, alcohol, prostitution, slavery, crime, and suicide. We can stop all of that at Rapha today and set them up for a bright future.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RAPHA

These children had no hope for their lives before the Rapha school started. Ruth, the founder of the school, rescued these children the first time. Pulled them from abject poverty and provided for their food and their schooling. Now, that's all at risk. I can't bear the thought of a child leaving the Rapha school and turning to prostitution or crime to survive. I can't consider the potential exploitation of hundreds of young children. And it won't happen if we respond together.

Rapha is one of several Ugandan communities that is on track for full sponsorship later this Spring. However, present circumstances are now threatening 357 children. The founder of the Rapha school and orphan community died unexpectedly in 2008.  Since that time money's been tight, and the Rapha school and orphanage have been operating at a deficit. In fact, the teachers and staff at Rapha School are so committed to these children that they have been working for FREE for over 5 months (no money for teachers' salaries)!  HopeChest is ready to pick up this funding for the long term--but we need a bridge to get there. It's about $50/kid that we need right now...
  

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RAPHA

Right now, Children's HopeChest is sending out the call to raise emergency funds of $18,054.

Along with the 55 orphaned children that live at Rapha Village, they have a school for 251 other children (Rapha Primary School) as well as pay for schooling for another 51 children (including 6 university students).  Total, they provide education and food to 357 children. Your gifts will keep the children's school fees paid and ensure Rapha has enough food to meet their need for the next few months.  Also, part of your gift will be used by Children's HopeChest to build a bridge toward sponsorship in Uganda.

Just $50/kid keeps a Ugandan orphan fed and in school until CHC can activate our sponsorship program...can you help?

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO RESCUE FOR RAPHA

Please put "Rescue for Rapha" in the notes section of the giving page.

You can help Children's HopeChest build a bridge to more consistent funding through sponsorship. If this is fully funded, it will rescue Rapha from their current circumstances, and also accelerate CHC's launch in Uganda.

Katie, a Colorado woman who lives part time in Uganda, had this to say of the Rapha school: Rapha School was a forest before Ruth came along to bring education, hope, and love through a school and foster village.  I have seen Rapha develop from a small papyrus school into a full primary school, farm, and foster family village.  The children in Rapha community prior to Rapha school were unable to attend school and thus continue the cycle of illiteracy in thier families! Now the next generation of Rapha community kids will have a chance to succeed in life!

Mint Brownies

This is a total cheat. Buy a box of brownie mix. Ghirardelli double chocolate is the best. It is. Unwrap 16 small York Peppermint Patties. Make brownie batter as directed. Poor half into 8x8 pan. lay patties on batter. Poor remaining batter on top. Bake as directed. Let cool fully before cutting and eating. Yum.

Go to Randi's Recipe Box Swap for more tasty recipes!

Perspective

These are my favorite "perspective" pictures. This is Naomi hanging upside down on her monkey bars. 

This one I couldn't resist. This was taken at noon. We have a Moon Hunter in our house. We must take pictures of the moon during the day.

Check out more "perspective" pictures in this week's You Capture challenge at I Should Be Folding Laundry.

Holidays, shmolidays

Some people love all holidays. Some people don't like any of them. How do you feel about holidays? Here is where I stand.

New Year's Day: Eh. Take it or leave it.

MLK Jr. Day: Great holiday, can't believe it took 17 years for all 50 states to begin celebrating it after it was written into law.

Valentines' Day: Never cared about it. Still don't.

Presidents' Day: Drives me nuts because my birthday is actually on Washington's birthday and it NEVER falls on that day!  

St. Patrick's Day: Very green. I don't care too much for it.

Easter: mmm, chocolate and Jesus.

Mothers' Day: Love it!

Memorial Day: I've never really had a connection to the day.

Fathers' Day: Another great one!

Independence Day: I loved it as a kid and am hoping to have some good ones to come.

Labor Day: Has always meant "back to school" for me.  That's it.

Columbus Day: Against it.

Veterans' Day: Thanks Veterans!

Halloween: I like candy folks.

Thanksgiving: Turkey, family, fun.

Christmas Day: My favorite holiday, by far. I love, love, love it.

New Year's Eve: I wish I loved it but it just doesn't excite me.

How about you? Which holidays do you love or hate?