Little Children, Little Problems. Big Children... I Don't Even Like to Talk About It.

Well, that's the saying.  And, of course, when we have little children, their problems seem awfully big.  Getting your child to sleep through the night is a huge problem.  So is potty training.  Getting your kid to eat their veggies or not bite other kids, survive teething or  learn how to share-- it's big!  But, now that I have a range of kids (and if you've raised teenagers, feel free to laugh at me), I realize how those little problems and their solutions build on each other to create (or solve) the big problems.  How do I teach my child to manage his anger- sure we learned this in Joy School when he was 3, but that was small potatoes compared to now.  How do I teach my kids about pornography, same sex marriage, puberty, sexuality?  I've always been open about talking about things, even telling my girls "the facts of life" when they were 7 or so, but now that they can "get it" more, it's hard for me.  Painfully hard, and it's especially hard because they aren't the chatty kids that want to just know stuff and talk about stuff.  We haven't even reached the stage with peers making crazy choices, drugs, teen pregnancy, and oral sex.  I can't even fathom that life.  I just have to take a deep deep deep breath and talk to my son about how to cool down when he gets overheated (his words).  And pray, really really pray and figure out how to talk to my girls about growing up and the world around them.  How to keep them innocent and pure while still getting a small glimpse of life is going to be a challenge.  By the grace of God we'll get through it, even if it takes a chunk out of me while it happens. 

So Far, the Hardest Part is the Grocery Store

I can't believe that I'm saying this, but the hardest part of being moved (for a week) so far is going to the grocery store.  I love travelling and visiting new markets because I'm a weird foodie like that, but for some reason, going to the store here promotes a great deal of anxiety.  I almost had a panic attack today.  I don't know if it's just because I don't know where anything is in the store, or if cooking/shopping is totally visceral for me, but I hate going there.  I think I'll swear off cooking for the next week!

Moving

We are moving.  The packers came today (yes, we have packers, lucky us, and thanks, University of Pennsylvania!).  Tomorrow come the big trucks for the stuff and the cars.  We've accumulated a lot of stuff in the 5 years that we've been in this house, and in the 9 years since we moved to Santa Monica.  12 years of marriage, and 35 years of life, the stuff keeps rolling in!  But, it's packed now, all these boxes that it might be better if we never saw again.
I can't believe that I'm leaving the home that I love.  It feels like the first time that I've left home, and I'd like to think that I can be especially sad about this move.  But, I've had homes before in Chicago, and Provo, and Hemet, and I know (or hope to know) that Philly is going to one day be my home- the one that I hate to leave.  With precious friends and family that I'll leave behind.  Dear memories, amazing weather (ha!), wonderful work to do, and amazing lessons to be learned.  We're not there yet, Philadelphia, but I know (hope!) that we will be one day (in love with each other- not just physically there.  You know what I mean).

To all of you who have made my life so sweet during my time here- bless you!  Thank you for helping me and my family learn and grow and be the people that we are.  I can't believe that we're leaving this blessed land, but I know (hope!) that there are good things in store on the other side of the continent.

Last pictures of friends and fun:

 I'll miss going to church in this awesome chapel- complete with stained glass and mural

 At the annual July 4 parade

 Friendy with my brother, Seth

 Downtown at the fountain for a fun LA day.

 Going away party with slack line and friends

 Clark loving aquarium camp

 Farewell picnic with friends

 End of school picnic

 Music makers friends climbing the gates at church

 At the beach

 Clark's best buddy, Brooklyn

 Me and Rose at the photo booth

 Our "triplet", Gigi

Me and my dad

Happy Mother's Day!

I've been thinking lately of the mothers in my life.  Maybe I'm biased, being a mom myself, but it really does feel like moms make the world go 'round.  My own mother is an amazing example of selfless service.  I am not so selfless when it comes to helping my kids, but my mom drove us everywhere, for any errand, playdate, church activity, or school event without complaint.  Just one small thing that was actually a really big thing for her to do for her 5 kids.  And, in an age before cell phones!

This Tuesday my dad is undergoing a major operation.  I get to go wait with my mom for much of it, and I'm so glad that we can hang out with each other and comfort each other.  I'm able to go because of the help of 5 moms who will be watching my kids (excluding teachers, which would bring the total to 8) throughout the day.  I'm thankful to be part of a mothering team- these countless friends who help each other out with advice, rides, kid-watching, a listening ear, friendship, and a second mom to my kids.  What would I do without them?!  I'm loathe to think about it.  We are in the process of planning a move (where to, we're not sure yet, believe it or not!) and while the idea of building up another mom network scares me not a little bit, I'm so thankful to know that there are other moms and mom types out there, who will get my back, parent my children a little, and be a friend to me, just as I will for them.

2 posts in 2015!? Shocking!

It's come to this.  Poor-quality pictures from my phone.

It hailed, which never happens here, and was very exciting.  The girls were ice skating in it (in flip flops, of course.)

Rose loves to take the time to stop and smell the roses, which I take as a good sign.

Owen and Rose after a playdate of dumping dirt on each other's heads.  

I got to go with the girls to a concert downtown and after we went to an ice cream shop called Peddler's Creamery.  The fun thing is that if you pedal the bike (attached to an old fashioned ice cream churn behind the window) for long enough to churn a batch of ice cream you get a free scoop!  Hey, who needs the gym?!

Clark was in the Kindergarten Chorus.  They put him on the end of the row, which was a terrible idea.  He was the life of the party, really owning that riser on the left.  

Camille and I rode our bikes to the beach one day.  Riding home uphill is the hard part, but we made it!

Grace did not like Clark's paparazzi pictures taken the day of the award's assembly.

We went to the wetlands and had fun spotting animals.  I think the fuzzy caterpillar was the most interesting animal.  But, hey, it's an animal!

Rose playing a little too well with the oobleck gone wrong.

Rose loves playing with this little dollhouse from my childhood.  

A common sight in our neighborhood- all the kids playing together and having an awesome time!

My brother, Seth, took good care of the kids on the ice one night when we went ice skating.  When I say "we" I mean "Seth and the kids".  Thanks, bro!  Clark, especially, had a wonderful time.

homework

I hate homework. I hate that the kids come home from school and have to do over an hour of homework before they can pay with their friends. I hate making dinner, but not as much as my kids hate eating it. I hate cleaning up before bed, and my kids hate it too.  Why they continually dirty the house if they hate it so much is beyond me!  I hate that every evening begins with the promise of fun with the family and ends with a battle to get teeth brushed and people in bed.  I wonder if there's anything I can do to make afternoons relaxing and peaceful or if this is just the way it is with a busy family.  Maybe my expectations are too high?