Quality Control

2012 has brought some very mild, new year's resolutions. Rather than lofty outcomes, I wanted to engage in meaningful processes. I broke it down into 4 categories and have been trying to do something from each category everyday... or at least every couple days. (The idea being to support and encourage myself rather than berate myself for failure.)

1. Giving! I've got a groovy husband, sweet kids, supportive family, house, vehicles, plenty of food, Health, a good job, thoughtful friends, heat, running/clean/hot water. And quite honestly, in comparison to what I have been blessed with, I share very little. Like a percentage of a percent. So in my effort to be more aware and give more I have:
Shared Paczki with my patients, taught Yoga at C's school, signed up with Interfaith to be an occasional driver, brought cupcakes to the neighbors, donated clothes/books/ toys to a family that lost their possessions in a fire.

2. Receiving! Even with all I have to be thankful for (see above), I often feel exhausted and frustrated. I take SO much for granted. I want to be more aware of positive energies, thoughts, and actual things flowing into my life. So far in my attempt at grace-filled receiving I have accepted:
An entire weekend of childcare from my parents, a free drink and chips at the bar from my favorite wedding officiant, a Valentine from C.C. , giggles from Lulu, orange juice when I was sick from Kevs, and a nap both to myself and from myself.

3. Creating! This is one aspect of myself that I have let slip away to some extent since filling my life with a spouse and kids. Lack of time is somewhat to blame, but I know it doesn't take much time to add creativity to everyday activities. So with a little effort we were able to:
Do chalk drawings outside (it's been a mild winter!), stamp cards and decorate gift bags, create Mardi Gras masks, make tub paint for the kids bathtime, make a set of thank you cards for a glowing Bride to Be, make Valentines, write a poem, and work on a handmade recipe book.

4. Moving! This is a nice way of telling myself to exercise more. And to enjoy it! And that it doesn't need to be difficult, complex or painful. And that my family is depending on me to be around for a while. That involves me participating in some sort of exercise for my sake, their sake and as an example for my kids of how to do it.
Well this has been the hardest for me so far. It usually consists of doing some quick exercise before bed when I realize I haven't done anything all day.
Most pitiful journal entries include, things like "knee bends", "squats" or "hip circles". As in, I did 15 knee bends in an entire day...
Most proud moment... leading that Kids Yoga Class! (and seeing all those little 3,4, and 5 year old "trees" attempting to reach and balance in unison)

Well it's 9:15. Time to do some paperwork and then maybe a few sit-ups...

they say the darndest things

Sometimes what kids say (or hear!) is good for a chuckle. Sadly, I forget most of these hilarious comments, but here are a few that have not yet floated away.
When Big Brother C was angry at his teacher he exclaimed, "I'm gonna get Mrs. Becker!..." (He saw mom's eyebrows go up) and quickly added, "A present". Good save kid, good save.

Or when I didn't want to discourage him from eating a healthy dinner by letting him know what was really in it. I told daddy there were hidden V-E-G-E-T-A-B-L-E-S in it. Four year old C looks at me with wide eyes and asks "Really?" I am so impressed! When has he learned to spell?! Until he adds, "There are REAL letters in this?"

What about Toddler L? Well, I put on her mittens and she says, "AHHHH, NOO!" and shakes her hands vigorously until mittens fly into snowbanks. Then she notices her exposed, cold fingers and shrieks, AHHH, NOOO!" So mommy offers her the now slightly damp mittens and she responds, "Why thank you mama, you are ever so kind. Please forgive me for my previous outburst." Or something like that.

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

I find Christmas Eve a night of trying to fit everything else in, so why not a blog post?
Thinking about multitasking makes me feel tired, but framed as "hitting two birds with one stone" or finding the "silver lining" in a task, these ideas breeze by as smooth and efficient!
Why not:
1. Use up old Metamucil cookies while also providing a sweet treat for Santa?
2. Get the kitchen floor swept of dried crumbs and vegetables, and package the contents as soup mixes to use as last minute holiday gifts?
3. Allow husband to nap, while stealthily sampling vacation chocolates? i mean, wrapping gifts for him!
4. Mop the kitchen floor in preparation for holiday guests and so I no longer have to walk around the spot that toddler L pooed on yesterday?
5. Hang up Christmas cards to provide Holiday Decor while simultaneously de-cluttering the counter?
6. Plan for Red and Green Christmas Smoothies tomorrow morning (Grandpa Frank says use mostly fruit and sneak in a few frozen veggies) that also find a home for our overripe bananas?
7. Munch on those cookies sitting out for Santa while also addressing chronic constip....
SORRY OUT OF TIME! GOTTA GO WRAP GIFTS! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Cold Season Already?

Well it's only October, but 3:4 members of this family have already weathered colds. Side effects around the house?
GROSSEST: Big Kid C's garbage can overflowing with used Kleenex... spilled all over the floor
SADDEST: Toddler L's being treated with 3 prescriptions because they weren't sure which of the 3 ailments she really had...
FUNNIEST: Immediately after Daddy clears his throat in the morning, Toddler L attempts to make the same noise. hilarious.
And while on the topic of funny noises, might I mention that Toddler L loves to mimic all funny noises, especially the bodily functions? Just when you think you've gotten away with an unnoticed "toot", you hear an echo from the other room, "ENNNK!"

Memories of Moms and Grandmas

I also wanted to share what my Mom and I read at my Grandma's Memorial Service in June so that it won't be lost..


Our Memories

As I write these memories, the lines blur between memories of my Grandma with family memories of moms and daughters.
I can see Grandma Irene offering my daughter Lucy a toy with a sweet intensity. For that moment they are lost in each others eyes. The kind smile she offers her great-grandaughter is one that has been shared with me and my cousins, as well as her own daughters and son.

Katy: I remember being 4 or 5 years old and licking the beaters offered by mom own mom as she recalls memories from her childhood.

Margie: I can still remember licking the spoon to taste the batter of Mom's Mazola cake, our first cake with oil rather than shortening.

Both: We remember dipping the bottom of a glass into sugar to press dough balls into cookies. And flouring the table to roll and cut Mom's sugar cookies.

Both: And your memories are mine, and mine are yours until they become our memories

Margie: I remember standing on a picnic table with Mom, as we listened to Roy Orbison at Summerfest. And our excitement of flying to New York City together to see Dione Warwick.

Both: We remember visiting the Polish craft booths and sampling foods together at folk fair.

Both: And your memories are my memories and mine are yours until they become ours

Katy: I remember counting deer out the window on our way to the Wisconsin Dells with Grandpa and Grandma.

Margie: I remember the long car ride to and hot summer of Hayward, Wisconsin with my family.

Margie: Do you remember having our Easter baskets and Easter meal blessed on Holy Saturday?

Both: Do you remember Grandma's pudding cake, and her Lamb Cake, and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus?

Both: And your memories are mine and mine are yours until they become ours

Katy: I remember magical moments in Grandma's piano room, surrounded by cousins and plants. I remember pricking my finger on Grandma's cactus that looked soft and fuzzy. And of sitting at the piano learning to sing a Christmas carol in Polish.

Margie: I remember how Mom sewed many of our clothes. I remember the soft velvet top and satin bottom of the special Christmas dresses she made for us.

Both: Through her hands, her heart, and her prayers Grandma/ Mom showed us her love.

Margie: Thank you Mom for bringing us an appreciation for the small things in life:
Reading a good book, playing a game of Yatzee, and enjoying Quality Fairy Food.

Katy: Thank you for a lifetime of memories. We love you and will miss you dearly.

to the many friends and family members I have encountered who act as Caregivers, especially to an adult spouse or parent

Quiet Witness of a Caring Giver

I thought of you the other day, when you weren't even around.
You're a person who's sincere and true; whose heart is warm and sound.

In daylight you offer a guiding hand; At night a listening ear,
You face many challenges along the way; Your kindness keeps you near.

Preparing and caring for two, is extra work each day.
Yet these are the things you continue to do, and not for prize or pay.


I witness your devotion, even when frustrations do arise.
I honor your time and efforts, the concern that's deep in your eyes.

Your loved one my not say thank you; perhaps they don't know how,
Please accept this heartfelt acknowledgement, from me to you right now.

so many words for snow, so many words to describe baby poop

while daddy is busy teaching baby L how to say "papaya", mommy is marveling over all the words that have been added to my own vocabulary since little ones have been added to my life.

just this morning L had "stinkerbuns" so it was off for a diaper change. it was not good. i don't need to bore you with details of color, consistency or quantity, but i will let you know it left an annoying amount of poor crumbs on the buns.

poop crumbs: noun. small flecks of fecal matter that do not, in fact brush away like crumbs on a counter, but suction and stick maddeningly to the skin. you see them; you wipe them; they are still there. poop crumbs.

keep in mind that L's pretty much putting on some kind of baby breakdancing show during the diaper change. she settles down only for a moment to announce "eye, eye!" which is her new favorite word. however in this context, "eye, eye" refers to the eye she has just smeared "butt cream" into.

after many wipes and a quick bath, the poop crumbs are gone. i offer a moment of silent thanks; at least this time she didn't have poop up the back.
(poop up the back: noun. a diaper full of poop that doesn't end where the diaper ends, but in fact goes up the back. poop up the back. )