Heard around the apartment:
Hanna sleep in the sky. Mommy sleep in the sky. Angie sleep in the sky. Daddy sleep in the sky.
Baby Angèle crying! Mommy probably go get her.
Mine.
Holy Mary, mother god, pray per us dinner, now. Amen.
It get dummer, get warm, go outside.
(Her 's' doesn't work very well right now. You should hear her ask for a sandwich. :)
Mommy, rock you.
Get ready--date with daddy now.
Dolly so tired. Cover her up. Quiet time now.
Daddy home soon? No, daddy work. Be home later.
My not get out of car seat. Get very hurt. (she's learning!)
{while reading anything} Hanna Marie Harlan ... Hanna Marie Harlan.
Tony Tony turn around,
Something's lost that can't be found!
I want to get these snippets on video, but currently can't find our camera...say a prayer it turns up!
5.18.2011
5.16.2011
Be Still
On my Mom's piano is a little pewter plaque that reads "Be Still and Know that I am God."
These days, I read it when encouraging Hanna to play that piano. She is not still while sitting at (or standing on, or twisting around on, or dangling from) said bench, nor is she a little Mozart. She has fun. She bangs on the keys. She laughs and shrieks. Nothing about the experience could be described as 'still.'
But. I still love the reminder of that verse. It's almost like God telling me to chill out. Eventually, Hanna finishes the clashing noises and settles for a nap, but until then, she is learning body control, and that she can make noises...there is SO much discovery and learning! Angele is learning to fall asleep on her own (not against me), and I find myself confronting a to-do list. It's almost like starting from scratch. Sudden independence. As if I have never successfully written out and completed a task list before (true, it is a bit of a distant memory), every day I have to stop and really think: How do I organize? What is most important?
Those questions are not my strengths, and I am grateful about 800 times each morning and evening that it is one of Jesse's strengths, otherwise I would spend an entire day organizing 4 year old pictures rather than packing lunches, organizing laundry, and actually tackling the priorities within my to-do list.
Often I sit and just want to START. NOW! It's a frustrating thing to find myself needing growth at this, instead of immediately being good at focusing and completing even just a task list: dishes, laundry, thank you notes, returning a phone call.
As both girls nap, I opted to write for just a few minutes. Be Still and Know that I am God. Chill out. It's almost like I need to learn how to master something just like Hanna with those piano keys. One of the blessings of looking at my girls through parental eyes is to be able to get a glimpse of how my parents must still look at me, and even more so how God must look at all of His people: your effort is heartwarming, but you have so, so much to learn, Little One. The two year old doesn't know she is playing 'music' that sounds abrasive.
How many times I am a two year old doing my best but needing so much growth!!
I don't need to look for any more evidence; Hanna woke up from a short nap as I was writing and now my to-do's must be done while she is underfoot.
Hanna helped me pick this one out. That's about all I can do with her near my computer...until next time!
~C
These days, I read it when encouraging Hanna to play that piano. She is not still while sitting at (or standing on, or twisting around on, or dangling from) said bench, nor is she a little Mozart. She has fun. She bangs on the keys. She laughs and shrieks. Nothing about the experience could be described as 'still.'
But. I still love the reminder of that verse. It's almost like God telling me to chill out. Eventually, Hanna finishes the clashing noises and settles for a nap, but until then, she is learning body control, and that she can make noises...there is SO much discovery and learning! Angele is learning to fall asleep on her own (not against me), and I find myself confronting a to-do list. It's almost like starting from scratch. Sudden independence. As if I have never successfully written out and completed a task list before (true, it is a bit of a distant memory), every day I have to stop and really think: How do I organize? What is most important?
Those questions are not my strengths, and I am grateful about 800 times each morning and evening that it is one of Jesse's strengths, otherwise I would spend an entire day organizing 4 year old pictures rather than packing lunches, organizing laundry, and actually tackling the priorities within my to-do list.
Often I sit and just want to START. NOW! It's a frustrating thing to find myself needing growth at this, instead of immediately being good at focusing and completing even just a task list: dishes, laundry, thank you notes, returning a phone call.
As both girls nap, I opted to write for just a few minutes. Be Still and Know that I am God. Chill out. It's almost like I need to learn how to master something just like Hanna with those piano keys. One of the blessings of looking at my girls through parental eyes is to be able to get a glimpse of how my parents must still look at me, and even more so how God must look at all of His people: your effort is heartwarming, but you have so, so much to learn, Little One. The two year old doesn't know she is playing 'music' that sounds abrasive.
How many times I am a two year old doing my best but needing so much growth!!
I don't need to look for any more evidence; Hanna woke up from a short nap as I was writing and now my to-do's must be done while she is underfoot.
Hanna helped me pick this one out. That's about all I can do with her near my computer...until next time!
~C
5.02.2011
Hi :)
In a special attempt to create a better habit than clicking around on Facebook (it was not something that grew me as a person; I am not saying it is bad for YOU), I am going to give family updates, etc. on this site. Since there has to be a starting point of some kind, here is quick update number 1 and background on the site’s name.
Jesse and I were married in June of 2008, and we LOVE sharing our life and our vocation with each other. We met during college and were friends until graduating--when we discovered that we had seen something special in each other from the first day of classes of our first year.
Right now we are in Ohio, near my parents, and Jesse works for an industrial supply company. I wound up working within data entry and medical billing until Angie was born this past December, and I am still learning the ropes of being a full-time Mama. Learning curve or not, I love it! We go to Church where I grew up--and also where we were married. We know we will be here for a while, but we don’t feel like this is our forever hometown.
The West really romances our hearts...and we dream of having a working Ranch and Retreat Center some day. Jesse’s family is from central Pennsylvania, and I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind a place in that region, either. Wherever it winds up being; lots of kids, lots of animals, lots of chaos...sign us up!
Hanna turned two a little over a month ago. She is TINY and sweet and feisty! Right now we are in the throes of learning exactly how to discipline with strength and love, and she is almost potty-trained. (!!!!!) It’s made extra entertaining because she’s learning slightly early, but her little tush fits into 12 month size bottoms...so you can imagine how a normal sized toilet almost swallows her! She’s getting more and more verbal by the day. I am sure there will be updates on the funny things she says, but right now Jesse and I melt to hear her say prayers with us, and she has loved wishing everyone a Happy Easter.
Angele (pronounced “On-gel”--think Hair Gel), will be 5 months old this week. She is...NOT tiny. :) But she has a lot of peace, patience and sweetness to her little personality already. She sleeps really well for us, so we are not zombies as we were with Hanna.
As far as things we love to do: to be honest, if we are together as a family, we love it--some of our best times together are in the grocery store! I was a soccer player in high school and college, and my newest resolution is to run the Akron Roadrunner Half Marathon in September of this year. Jesse really misses biking--but it’s really hard to find time to keep up with that right now. I love to cook and bake and do crafty things, have always loved writing, and the big joke is that I have a ‘reading problem’--I can’t STOP myself from reading something if it’s in front of me. Most families have a ‘no texting at the dinner table’ rule...but mine was ‘no books at the table.’
All that to say that I don’t pretend to be an expert on anything as I write here--with such little people underfoot, I can only dabble. Hold me accountable to the Half Marathon, though!--that’s a family commitment at this point. Topics that I research for further down the road: nutrition, home schooling approaches and options, natural/organic living, self-improvement, home decor, and being wise with finances. We are on a mission to get our school debt GONE asap!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Why Out of My League?
Jesse and I danced to this song at our wedding. stephen speaks: "out of my league"
It makes me grateful and star-struck when I hear it. Prior to discovering this song, the phrase ‘out of my league’ only meant negative things. And it's double-better that someone put clips from The Office to the song :)
I’m all out of time, folks. Much love and many prayers, be back soon!
~Col
In a special attempt to create a better habit than clicking around on Facebook (it was not something that grew me as a person; I am not saying it is bad for YOU), I am going to give family updates, etc. on this site. Since there has to be a starting point of some kind, here is quick update number 1 and background on the site’s name.
Jesse and I were married in June of 2008, and we LOVE sharing our life and our vocation with each other. We met during college and were friends until graduating--when we discovered that we had seen something special in each other from the first day of classes of our first year.
Right now we are in Ohio, near my parents, and Jesse works for an industrial supply company. I wound up working within data entry and medical billing until Angie was born this past December, and I am still learning the ropes of being a full-time Mama. Learning curve or not, I love it! We go to Church where I grew up--and also where we were married. We know we will be here for a while, but we don’t feel like this is our forever hometown.
The West really romances our hearts...and we dream of having a working Ranch and Retreat Center some day. Jesse’s family is from central Pennsylvania, and I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind a place in that region, either. Wherever it winds up being; lots of kids, lots of animals, lots of chaos...sign us up!
Hanna turned two a little over a month ago. She is TINY and sweet and feisty! Right now we are in the throes of learning exactly how to discipline with strength and love, and she is almost potty-trained. (!!!!!) It’s made extra entertaining because she’s learning slightly early, but her little tush fits into 12 month size bottoms...so you can imagine how a normal sized toilet almost swallows her! She’s getting more and more verbal by the day. I am sure there will be updates on the funny things she says, but right now Jesse and I melt to hear her say prayers with us, and she has loved wishing everyone a Happy Easter.
Angele (pronounced “On-gel”--think Hair Gel), will be 5 months old this week. She is...NOT tiny. :) But she has a lot of peace, patience and sweetness to her little personality already. She sleeps really well for us, so we are not zombies as we were with Hanna.
As far as things we love to do: to be honest, if we are together as a family, we love it--some of our best times together are in the grocery store! I was a soccer player in high school and college, and my newest resolution is to run the Akron Roadrunner Half Marathon in September of this year. Jesse really misses biking--but it’s really hard to find time to keep up with that right now. I love to cook and bake and do crafty things, have always loved writing, and the big joke is that I have a ‘reading problem’--I can’t STOP myself from reading something if it’s in front of me. Most families have a ‘no texting at the dinner table’ rule...but mine was ‘no books at the table.’
All that to say that I don’t pretend to be an expert on anything as I write here--with such little people underfoot, I can only dabble. Hold me accountable to the Half Marathon, though!--that’s a family commitment at this point. Topics that I research for further down the road: nutrition, home schooling approaches and options, natural/organic living, self-improvement, home decor, and being wise with finances. We are on a mission to get our school debt GONE asap!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Why Out of My League?
Jesse and I danced to this song at our wedding. stephen speaks: "out of my league"
It makes me grateful and star-struck when I hear it. Prior to discovering this song, the phrase ‘out of my league’ only meant negative things. And it's double-better that someone put clips from The Office to the song :)
I’m all out of time, folks. Much love and many prayers, be back soon!
~Col
in process
i am in the process of revamping this space as something family and friends can interact with rather than me clicking in on facebook. some people can be disciplined with that when they are home with little ones, and then there's me. it's not a bad thing, it's just a fact of my life right now.
more details (and probably changes) to come.
~c
more details (and probably changes) to come.
~c
10.18.2009
5 Some-Days on this Sunday
Some day I will:
1. Run a half marathon.
2. Write a book. Possibly also illustrate it.
3. Own a big, lazy, dumb, loyal and loving dog.
4. Get a tattoo.
5. Have my own combination Library-Art Studio, complete with a piano in the corner.
I am excited just thinking about all these things :)
1. Run a half marathon.
2. Write a book. Possibly also illustrate it.
3. Own a big, lazy, dumb, loyal and loving dog.
4. Get a tattoo.
5. Have my own combination Library-Art Studio, complete with a piano in the corner.
I am excited just thinking about all these things :)
10.14.2009
Things You Can Think...
My Mom passes her old magazines on to me. It's great; she's being green and recycling, and I have all sorts of fashion and celebrity fodder (albeit outdated) at my fingertips for free.
As I was devouring one of these freebies the other day, I stumbled across a list:
Some of the listed items were entertaining, but mostly it was a list that made me feel...oily. I'll admit any day of the week that my inner monologue does NOT match my speech at all moments, but shouldn't I aim to be positive rather than sneaky? Isn't it better to have GOOD secret thoughts rather than bad or super critical ones?
In response, here's my list of...
As I was devouring one of these freebies the other day, I stumbled across a list:
Ten Things You Can Think But Cannot Say.
Some of the listed items were entertaining, but mostly it was a list that made me feel...oily. I'll admit any day of the week that my inner monologue does NOT match my speech at all moments, but shouldn't I aim to be positive rather than sneaky? Isn't it better to have GOOD secret thoughts rather than bad or super critical ones?
In response, here's my list of...
Five Things You Can Think,
And Also Really Ought To Say.
1. Any genuine compliment.
Cool jewelry. Hair color. Shoes. Style. Voice. Vocab choice (Did he REALLY just say, 'cowabunga'?? Did it make your day? Don't let it go without saying!). Children. Sunglasses. Car. Handwriting. The list of potential compliments is endless.
To me, the quirkier or more specific the compliment is, the better! Someone's really paying attention to me! I still remember a high school friend saying to me in a wishful tone, "Colleen, I wish I could wear t-shirts like you." T-Shirts??? This was the stylish, ensemble-wearing friend. Always put together. But I could rock a t-shirt and jeans in a way that she envied. Quirky. But she meant it, and I remember it. My freshman year of college I had a boy say to me, "If you ever want to look your best, you should do that thing with your eyes--the blue eyeliners, and then the light color and the glitter and a bit of mascara. You look great every time." I promise he is straight. He does not have any sisters. I am STILL impressed that he figured out what eyeliner and mascara are. After several attempts at education, my husband has no idea which is which, and he watches me apply makeup several times weekly. Nomatter where the accuracy was from, what made the compliment stick is that I was told EXACTLY what made me look nice. I still think about it.
2. No.
This is especially something to say in the context of being asked to do something which you:
a. Don't want to do.
b. Should not do (and you KNOW you should not do it).
c. Would over-extend yourself by doing.
Say it nicely. Say it honestly. But say it if you're thinking it.
3. Thank you.
I'm especially thinking of this phrase in terms of being on the receiving end of compliments. One of the best admonitions I have ever been given by another person was to be told, "I don't CARE if you don't believe the compliment you were just given. Just smile and say thank you! Let me feel good for telling you something that I believe is true and that you should, too."
I listened. It worked. I tried, for the sake of this one person's comment, not to argue against the compliments that I do x, y, or z well. Or that I looked nice that day. I tried by saying, "Oh, wow. Thank you so much." BAM. I wasn't being all Wahoo-Look-At-Me. I could separate myself from whatever made me feel uncomfortable and notice the joy in someone else's face for making a positive comment. And slowly, very slowly, I started to see truth behind the statements, and I don't think I'm bigger-headed for it.
'Thank you' is really healing. It is very possible to grow in meaning it more and more and more, (It also works similarly by working to be really thankful for something that's challenging. 'Thank you God, for this big school loan payment." I'm not really thankful for the debt, but I am thankful for the experiences of school, and the chance to meet my best friend, my spouse, my favorite professor, etc. etc.)
4. Nicely done. Kudos. Dang, Gina! Good work. Wow.
Any way that you convey respect or appreciation for a job well done should be said. Especially if it's something you cannot do yourself. It's only going to make that action or those results happen again and again and again.
5. This is really hard for me.
Whose walls won't come down when you have to share or do something that is on the edge of your comfort zone? Dive into what's hard WITH someone else rather than IN FRONT OF someone else and whatever you're saying or doing next--an apology, running a meeting, giving starkly realistic or bad news--will be much easier.
6. Anything else jumping to mind? What else is really good to both think AND say?
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