We just finished reading the Plum Creek book by Laura Ingles Wilder, and I Have Thoughts. One, these books are a totally different experience as an adult. I just--my heart! The grasshoppers and the fire and the drought and the heat...every thing in that book makes me thank God for what I have and puts a lot of good perspective on my own life. I am not surviving off fish, turnips and potatoes. Those Ingles were made of sterner stuff. I am in awe.
It also reminds me of A Lantern in Her Hand and that amazing prairie story. I hope I never have to go through anything like that, but also when I scrutinize my life: how soft and plush and excessive it all is. Also. Reading Laura Ingles greatly makes me want to write something similar about growing up in the 90s and eating orange push pops in July while coloring in my Lisa Frank notebook. Maybe one day I will. There is so much nostalgia and beauty in my childhood that I would love to capture it into words for my children, too.
Laura is a gem. Pa and Ma were gems. I wish I could meet them. Instead I try to pull things out of a book that doesn't give me all the answers. Like, how did they use the bathroom during the 3 day storm? I bet going to the outhouse wasn't an option. Bed pans? And why do I care? But I do. I want to know. I'm glad they are not alive anymore--we people would bombard their serenity with all these stupid questions. They would have no peace!
I wish she had written a sequel to Farmer's Boy.
I want to try one of Almanzo's mother's donuts. Did you know her name was Angelina? I am sad too--that Ma and Pa's line did not continue. I have three kids and I would be sad if I did not have any grandkids. Ma and Pa had only one granddaughter, Rose, and her baby boy died. God knows. He does, and he is enough--but still, it is sad. I know Pa's brothers and sisters had kids who had kids who had kids and their lines go on today. It has to be enough. I wish Laura's line had gone on though. It is so sad that Ma lost her little boy and then Laura lost hers and had to see Rose loose hers. How tragic and...crazy!
These are just things I am thinking of today. Daddy is holding little Esther so I can write. I am supposed to go down. I just finished some brownies and they were delicious and I am looking forward to a relaxing evening before bed. Goodnight all, and Happy Weekend. It is strange to find time to write when usually I have none!
Esther turns 1 soon!!! So excited to celebrate her first birthday in May.
Well, it has been awhile. How is it March?! Where has the time gone? Brian was sick most of January with pneumonia but he is all the way better now. We are all doing well. I am an exhausted mom.
Life has been so busy. Reuben is in third grade, Becky has piano and I have violin lessons. Both kids do ballet. We pick up raw milk and try to make it to our nature co-op. And see friends each week for play dates. Sitting down at the computer has not happened! Even home-school is hit or miss with a baby. We will be taking the month of May off for our summer vacation this year and spending it gardening! I hope to have a big garden this spring and summer. But June and July will be spent finishing up third grade. Becky starts Ambleside year one this fall and Reuben year four!
I did finally record Esther's birth story but I have not edited it yet. Hopefully I can some time before she turns one, and post it to my YouTube channel.
Here is a little re-cap of the last three months.
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| The kids at UVA |
In January we went to UVA to look at Reuben's nose and get some more scans. On the X-ray they were able to see that he has really large adenoids. We are looking into some natural healing for shrinking those. Praying for healing for Reuben! I went by myself to UVA with three kids and stayed in an hotel for two nights and it was crazy fun. We walked everywhere! The reason I ended up staying two nights is it snowed when we got there! We all had a fun mini vacation and I'm glad to have some answers for poor Reuben's lifelong condition of not being able to breathe through his nose. I got food poisoning the last night which was not fun. Brian was home sick still with pneumonia.
In February Brian finally started getting better when our car died for a week. My husband had to push my car though an intersection. It was scary (very busy intersection) but I felt so loved that he was there for me. After he pushed, by himself I might add--our car--he had an asthma attack and I used some natural remedies to help him. And we both thanked God for, one, him being right behind me when my car died (he was following me home) and two, him being okay after pushing my car as he was still recovering form pneumonia. The car if patched up and we are saving for a van!
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| Esther at Becky's Piano lessons |
Now it is March, and we are resting, enjoying the last little bit of the postpartum season as Esther's first year comes to an end in two months. Esther is having swallowing issues and we have an appointment to see if she needs physical therapy. She probably just needs more time. She's breastfeeding like a champ and growing so much! I can't believe she is 10 months. I almost have a toddler, you guys! AND I'm almost forty. This is crazy.
In other news, Reuben decided to quit playing the violin. I am bummed, but what mother hasn't had unrealistic dreams for their children? He is his own person, and after 4 years of violin he can pick it up when he's older if he wants. I am still playing. It has always been my dream.
Life goes on and I keep creating pockets of stillness for our family in the madness. We have a wonderful family and a wonderful life and I am grateful every day. God is good. I think this will be a slow year for blogging...and a slow year for many things in general. Love you all!
