#thankful2014

So lately I've been feeling the winter/I'm stuck at home with an infant blahs.   Not as bad as I've had before but I felt them rearing their ugly head.   That feeling of being unsettled, discontent, wanting more.    All feelings that if I did a hard stop, I would realize, aren't worth it.  Each child reminds me that sacrificing of self for others is hard!

  I read a book last year called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp and it takes you through the journey of how giving thanks each day really changed her outlook on life.   Now I don't think there's a magic pill, or set of rules that we can follow to live the ultimate life (at least this side of heaven).   There are going to be hard days and hard seasons that are just...hard.   But, I do think there is something to be said for not dwelling on those hard things.   Is it possible that if we were to just look around we could see all that we have and things just wouldn't seem so... Hard?   

Ann voskamp says " Live like life’s an emergency and your soul ends up dead. Life is not an emergency. It’s a gift. Why race past the gift? What else are you trying to get to — the presence of God is in this present moment.

Slow and see and unwrap the gift of your life — or your life will unravel."

So I've decided to take her up on her "joy dare".   I hope that "at the end of a year, over crumpled pages counting One Thousand Gifts — I can choke it back, brave and defiant straight into the wind, because my very cells know now forcertain who God is… and I know for certain who I am: God is unwaveringly good — and we are unfathomably loved".   

Some things to keep in mind:  "And don’t confuse the idea of personal pride with radical gratitude. You aren’t actually thankful for something if you think you actually earned it. That’s pride, not gratitude.You are only actually grateful for something if you see it as actually a gift -– as anunearned gift that was bestowed unexpectedly upon you."  -Ann Voskamp

I will be sharing my gifts on Instagram not only because I hope they encourage others, but also to keep some sort of a log that I can then print at the end of the year.   Also pictures are easy : ) Right now my posts are private, but if you want to follow send a request to leahwarren via Instagram. #thankful2014

...and now it's (almost) February...

...and I am finally writing a blog post : )  Totally wish I had something EPIC to say, but I don't.  Just wanted to tell my future self and kids, and the 3 of you that look at this, what's happening in our lives right now.  The picture above perfectly expresses it.   The 3 of you...Sam looking concerned, Eli being silly (sometimes to the discomfort of others) and Anna smiling and enjoying life's moments (until the wind blows the wrong way)....and an ironing board in the background.  No, I don't iron.   The only reason it's out is because I was doing a pinterest experiment and haven't had a chance to put it away....4 days later.   I never thought I would live moment to moment.  I thrive on a schedule and a plan for my life.  You however have shown me that sometimes moment to moment is better, and COMPLETELY OUT OF MY CONTROL.

Here is my daily "to do" list.   (after of course doing the most essential, truly life giving thing.  Spending time with Jesus and His Word over 2 + cups of coffee an hour before you wake up).  I've learned that 3 things is all my list can handle at the moment, if it's going to be realistic at all.

1) Keep the three of you alive and functioning like human beings (clothes on, fresh underwear/diapers, boogers wiped from noses, shoes on, not killing eachother)
2) Working out.   (For so many reasons, but one of them being so that I can do #1 the best I can)
3) ....this one is variable... sometimes its making that phone call I've been meaning to make, sometimes it's taking you on a field trip, sometimes its responding to an email and sometimes its putting the ironing board away, and sometimes (once every 3 months) a blog post : )  

Everything else is just BONUS.  Sometimes I'm able to get a ton done because you are all acting like angels, and #1 takes 0 effort.   Sometimes #1 takes most of my time and I can barely get #2 and #3 done.  

I keep on waiting for this season to end and having all the time in the world to do the things I dream of doing (pedicures, hair cuts, scrubbing the grout in my kitchen, coffee with friends) but rather than just sit and long for the future I am trying to be present in the now and not only ENJOY it, but be THANKFUL for it.  I hear these days go quickly and I believe it.   I wouldn't trade it for anything. (except maybe a trip to the Bahamas for just 3 or so days...)  

143,
Mom.

These are a few of my favorite things...

....
Here are a few of the things "trending" in my life right now,

1) Essential Oils.

I know I've been headed down the hippy path for quite some time, and this might just seal the deal, but it is what it is.   If there is an ailment or concern in my life I first turn to food...always.  Have a cold?  Make some soup (with homemade broth of course....see below).  Had a bad day?  Eat some chocolate.  Have ADHD/autism tendencies? Remove dairy.   There are some things that food can't fix, or that would be enhanced with other methods.  So next I am turning to essential oils (but they have to be food grade...things I and my kids can ingest).   So far, I put theives in Sam's diaper spray (Oh, you didn't know I don't use baby wipes?  Yep.  I'm a hippy.  AND a cheapskate.)   I also rub lavender on his feet before bed : )  I am not a 100% believer yet, but I am definitely giving it a try!  I have all the ingredients for homemade deodorant, body butter and lip balm so watch out at Christmas time ; )

2)   Sprouts. 

 
I almost love it as much as Trader Joes...almost.   Their produce prices are exceptional and I can find Eli everything he needs.   I made the mistake of taking him with me last week and he caused our grocery bill to go up at least $100, I'm sure, because he was so excited about all of his options.  

3) Emerson

Click on link above to see Todd's new digs.   They opened last month and it is beautiful!!   On top of that he is now only 2.6 miles from our house!!!  

I can think of so much more, but Sam (another one of my favorite things), needs his mama.  

Dear Son,

Eli, Age 6

It's official.  You are in Kindergarten.  As I walked you there on that first day of school, I didn't feel sad or anxious.  I didn't feel guilt or remorse.  Or relief. (all emotions I expected to feel) Instead,  I felt proud.  I felt peaceful. I felt content.  Not only are you smart, but you're confident. 

You're friendly, you're funny, and you turn even the most simple moments into something silly and fun.   

You're a "creator" (You told me that one time...) and you are a fantastic big brother.  

Most of all?  You are Elijah, "the Lord is My God", and you are His...not mine.  He is creating you everyday into something fantastic.  It's been great to watch the past 6 years.   Yes there are some things I mourn.  I wish I would have built your more train tracks.  I wish I would have read that book just one more time.  I wish I wouldn't have yelled when you weren't moving fast enough.   Will there still be regrets? Absolutely.  I'm not perfect.  One thing remains though.  I trust that He has you, and He will always be with you.   He knows how fantastic you are...he made you : )  I am so excited to see what this next chapter of your life brings for you and those around you.   And I am so very thankful that I get to be your mommy.   

143, 

Mom.  

Eaisms

A after cutting her own hair to look like a princess. 

A:

-"sharks are nice animals.   They put people in their mouth to protect them from the jellyfish."

-"dad why did you step on the sparkly thing" (her response when Todd ripped his foot on a sprinkler head)

-*possibly TMI*. "Mom, why is Sam is smelling you?" (In response to me breastfeeding and his heavy breathing)

-"my throat is my favorite skin"

-after completely melting down i asked her what was wrong and she said, "no one was downstairs to save me" (from nothing...she just needs 24 hour protection)

-"look its the Statue of Liberty" (after seeing an angel on gravestone) (secretly impressed she knew what the Statue of Liberty was...)

-"anna why are you opening the front door?" ...response... " I thought Cinderella was here"

-"I want the cheese with the trash on it"( aka string cheese)

- after telling us what everyones middle name was we asked what hers was...  "banana"

-"eli i know where they get the sand for the timer" (one of those hour glass ones) ... "at the red sand store "

-"The storm needs a timeout it's loud and unkind"

-"mom I hear Sam, he's sleeping."

Talented kid.

E  (he's really winding down)  :

-I'm almost 6 that's why I have growing pains

-Should I wear an Indian outfit today? (When he saw it was Ramadan on the calendar)

-After anna told him boys were mean to girls he responded.  "not all of them.  Jesus is nice to girls."

-When Sam turns 5 I will be a dad, right? (God help me if you are...) 

Celebrating 6 years with FORCE

ALL year, we have heard from our eldest child that he wants a Star Wars party.   So, come July 21st we were armed and ready!   Through many hours scouring pinterest (while feeding the little one) I was able to come up with the perfect gluten/dairy free party that was out of this world. : ) 

The first step was to get Sam settled so we could set up....check!

Add caption

Next we set up the spread (the most important part in my opinion...)   All are gluten and dairy free for my favorite Jedi! 

 Next we hung some pictures that I had printed at Staples for a whomping total of $3!!!   All you need for a poster size print is to pick your image and select "engineering print" when you upload the image to their website.   It only prints in black and white, which was fine by me!!!   

Eli chose Darth Maul  

I downloaded a special Jedi font for this one and uploaded a document from Word.   Thank you, Rachel and princess Leia for posing.  

You too, Anna.   (In case you cant tell she has Princess Padme hair...we left our costume at home) 

We also brought some of our favorite star wars toys and placed them all around on the tables.  

The birthday boy and one of his buds.   Each kid received a badge with their name, height and weight before they went into Jedi training.  

Let Jedi training begin with Obe Wan!  (aka as my hot jedi husband) 

Each jr. jedi received their own saber, aka a pool noodle cut in half. 

Let the training begin!   While he was a natural, we did have some training sessions at home (while watching you tube video) before the big event.  Best workout I've had since Sam was born.  

Training ground. 

Trying to take Todd (err....Obe) down.  

Awesome. 

The cookie cake.  Thank you immacualte baking company for making an AWESOME gluten/dairy free cookie dough...sold everywhere (even Walmart!)   You should've seen my first draft...pinterest.worthy.  (Ok, maybe pinterest fail)   Thank you Obe Todd for saving the day! 

1 month down...

This past month (and a few weeks) have been precious and exhausting all at the same time. We've laughed, we've cried. We've yelled, we've whispered. We've played, we've snuggled. We've grown.

2 weeks after we brought Sam home we realized he wasn't gaining weight : (. Through various drs appointments, lactation consultants and lots and lots of time feeding, pumping and bottle feeding I can finally say we (he) is good. On Friday he was finally up to his birth weight! In the midst of that "set back", Todd cut (or should I say ripped) his foot open while running on top of a cracked sprinkler head. Five stitches and two crutches later we had yet another "set back" on our hands. At that point we waved the flag of humility and realized we needed to slow down and just spend time at home as a family. Friends and family jumped in and cooked for us, played with our kids and even cleaned for us. It was such a blessing to have so many willing to care for our family!

Anna and Eli are amazing brothers and sisters and their excitement for Sam has yet to fade (although Anna did ask what time Sam was going back in my tummy). Eli seems to want to know when every milestone will occur so he can mark it on his calendar (when will he walk? When can I pick him up? When can he make fart noises?). Sam thinks they both hang the moon and lights up (and has even started "talking") when they get near.

All in all this past month has gone as expected ! "Can't wait" to see what this next month brings : )