Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Now that we have gotten just about everything in personal care switched to non-toxic..

I found a “0″ toothpaste (Tom’s of Maine at Trader Joes)!

I started on a new path.. reading the labels on the food we eat.. gasp… what a concept, right?

I’ve dabbled in this before, but never the extent that I am now.

I’ve been buying organic and actually focusing on the ingredient labels and I’m not buying what’s not natural.

It’s amazing how lovely food can taste when it’s fresh and preservative free.

Even the children noticed the difference in their snacks and have embraced the change whole-heartedly.

I’m not necessarily a fan of the cost, but I’ve been buying things on sale.

Above all I think it’s worth it.

Good for our bodies.

Good for the environment.

You can’t really go wrong.

 

 

 

A group of powerful storms blew through Central Columbus last night, though I slept soundly, peacefully. Wind and rain lashed just outside the walls of my bedroom while I was wrapped in a dream.

A loud boom of thunder shook the house at it’s foundation, jerking me from an adventure now outside of reality, blurred at the edges. Hard to recall.

No power.

The children filed into the room, smallest to largest with battery operated princess and Tinkerbell candles to guide their way.

Alex now snuggled up into my curves, warm with fever and sucking furiously on his binky. Katie infiltrating a space between Brian and I, laying her head on my side while Brianna took to the end of the bed.

They chattered about the thunder waking them from their dreams and asked if there would be school in the morning, disappointed when our answer was yes.

It was eerily quiet, the thunder and lightening had vanished leaving the rain softly rapping on the window.

The girls were sent back to bed to cuddle with each other after the promise of us waking them if the weather turned more serious. Alex was given a dose of medicine to reduce his fever and more snuggle time with me.

We all burrowed deep under the covers to find sleep once more.

Yet it evaded my grasp, slow night terrors crept in trying to gain entrance to my thoughts, the unique rush of ethereal sound to my ears, my heart and breath seized as I fervently prayed to be released from it’s grip.

One.

Two.

Three assaults.

The adventurous dream of before slowly came back into focus.

Freedom.

For six years I have had to live with horrible shrinking linoleum in our kitchen and then the foyer followed suit. A large swatch of concrete slab peeked through, it taunted me with it’s dried floor glue ridges every time I swept or mopped.

I hated this floor, even worse I wasn’t a fan of my husband who did not see why we needed to spend the money to replace it.

Something changed in him this year, and along with his bonus from work we asked family for cash this Christmas instead of gifts so that we could get the dreaded floors replaced…. finally!

We knew we wanted laminate. The search went on for weeks. We went to several different stores. Some were too cheap, the big box stores were to expensive and some were just laughable. We had it between two stores and then we had to decide what type, color and price worked best for our budget.

Brian and I were at a stand still. He liked one type, I hated the color. I loved one type, it was too expensive. He went out without me and brought home two samples, we placed them on the floor by the kitchen cabinets and the decision was made…. finally!

We procured a wonderful man from church to install our new flooring. He used to do it for a living before he needed something more secure for his family and now he does jobs on the side.

Ryan, is amazing. Not only did he do an incredible job he taught Brian how to be a little more handy during the process. Even I got in on the action. I pulled a few nails which turned out I’m not a fan and took off some baseboards which was much more fun.

I don’t have a quality before picture as my husband took it with his phone and I never thought to take one at all. Why would I want to remember the horror that was my kitchen and foyer floors?

But here is what it looks like now and I am thrilled that it’s done.

Finally!

The girls played basketball this winter for their school league. Wednesday night practices and Saturday morning games. Two very different girls, two very different games to watch.

I was proud of Brianna, as always a head taller than her teammates,  passing the ball, giving others a chance to score, when she could take it down herself with no contest. 40+ point games and she would score half of those points on her own. In the zone and loving the game.

I was proud of Katie’s quick pace, her willingness to dribble, strangely left-handed, and try to shoot when she had the chance. I cheered loud and clear when she scored her first basket!

The basketball awards were held last night. The teams were all introduced on the stage to upbeat music, clapping and cheering. A basketball entertainer, funny, mesmerizing to watch as well as sharing the message of Christ, it is a Christian school and league. Then came some special awards for most Christ-like referee, coach, and player in each age group/gender, nominated by players and parents.

Brianna received the honor for 3rd grade girls, she went up on stage and smiled broadly accepting her award.

My heart soared and I clapped with a beaming smile on my face and a quiet whisper entered my heart, This will hurt Katie.

We separated, Alex and Brian off to get Brianna and I to Katie.

Each child received a basketball award and Katie smiled, meekly for the one picture she allowed me to take of her team.

As I led her out to the lobby to meet up with the rest of the family, her small hand in mine, I heard her tiny voice, “Why did Brianna get to go on stage and not me?”

“What did you say?” I stalled, my heart breaking at my sensitive little girl’s sadness, her sister being a shining star, again, and Katie feeling not good enough, not-included.

“Nevermind.” She whispered.

Not the oldest who outperforms at just about everything she tries.

Not the youngest, the baby too cute to do wrong and an all-star at sports at such a young age.

Just the middle.

With a tiny voice.

Feeling insignificant.

And I’m scared…

She is 6 and already shows signs of a crushed little spirit.

I don’t want her to feel that way.

Ever.

I do what I can to build her up.

But what if it’s not enough…