Blessings

I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about how blessed we are. It seems like there is always an opportunity to complain about things, or to dread certain things in life. Lately I have just felt so amazingly blessed, and all the things that could spark a complaint or form a ball of disgust seem small in comparison. I know that there will be moments in life coming up that I will not always have this same feeling so I am enjoying the moment.

William is growing like crazy! No so much in his physical appearance but in his vocabulary. He is so receptive to the things we say now. He is also picking up little cues that Kurt and I did not know we were establishing. When he brushes his teeth at night we tap the tooth brush on the sink to get some of the water off before putting it back in the container. He is starting to do the same. Just goes to show how much they watch you even when you don't think they are. I am loving this stage. Everything with Christmas is new and he wants to just sit and stare at the Christmas lights. Just a great time.

Baby Bun-Bun is growing as well. We go in on the 28th to find out what we are having. This baby seems so unreal at this point. I think because things are so busy right now that we have yet to realize that we are truly adding another child to the family. It will seem more real when we see the ultrasound pictures!

Although our house has not sold yet we feel we have to be getting closer! :) Hopefully someday some the right person will come through and fall in love with the little house like we did. I am so glad that the snow has not been heavy between Grand Rapids and Lansing. I know it is coming but the longer it stays away the less I have to worry about Kurt driving. It will be nice to move and be closer and have more time together.

Blessings Blessings Blessings!

Christmas Trees

This weekend Kurt and I took William to the Fredrik Meijer Gardens to see the Christmas trees. We are not having a big christmas tree this year because of the house showings and tiny fingers. So we thought it would be good to go and see some big trees. William loves the Christmas lights I put above the front window so we were sure he would love the trees.

The trees were fine but he loved the train! He was running around the railway garden yelling choo choo! It was so funny! I was not sure he was going to let us leave...EVER. I wish he had room in our little house to have a kids train, I guess we will have to visit more often. It was great to get out as a family!

On Sunday we set up the tree that my Dad gave us. We just set up the top on a stand that Dad made special for the tree. After finding plastic bulbs (just in case!) and some lights we set up our little tree.

Advent Is Here!

I am not even going to mention how long it has been since I blogged last because it is obvious that I have not in a while. When I logged on today it was amazing to read back through all the post from the past couple years and see the pictures of my bald little boy!

It started to snow today, which for a middle school teacher means that the students who at times seem so grown up and want to be treated like adults revert back into thier childhood ways and run to the window excited that the white stuff is once again falling. It is priceless to see them excited about the snow. Annoying to hear them ask if there is going to be a snow day tomorrow. (although I am secretly wishing there will be one.) The season of gloves, hats and boots is upon us.

It is also the time of way too much to do and not enough time to do it all. Meetings, concerts and parties to go to on top of Christmas shopping, decorating and card sending. Lots to do.

Lots to Blog About

It has been awhile since I have blogged, it is not for a lack of things going on for sure. We have been busy the past few months with family outings, work and the house selling.

William is so big now. He started walking a few weeks back, he has been enjoying his new freedom. He has discovered that he can put toys in Daddy's subwoofer! So I am sure that there is a ball, a few blocks and a shoe in the subwoofer in the living room. He is popping out some new teeth this week and has expanded his palet to include lettuce, mushrooms and blueberries!

Work is good for both Kurt and I. Kurt loves is job, just not loving the drive. I have been busy with Teens In Motion the summer work for Blessed Sacrament parish. The program has been a success just a lot of work. I just got back from Chicago with the ASA crew. We went down for a conference on Professional Learning Communities. It was good and energizing.

Our house is still for sale. We are anxious to sell but as a friend said recently, you have a beautiful family and no matter where you are you are a happy clan. We are happy, and every day that we are here we are building memories and expectations of what we want the new house to look like.

One Revolution Around the Sun

William will be one tomorrow! It does not seem possible, one year ago at this time we were counting contractions and debating on going into the hospital. When I think back on that time it amazes me how much Kurt and I have grown too! A friend congratulated us on being parents for a year. I remember some very distinct growing pains: freaking out about William's imbilical cord, struggling with breastfeeding, figuring out how to get him to sleep through the night without having to run around the island in the kitchen jiggling the carseat, learning that at times a party has to end at 6:45, and how to make time for the two of us. It has been a great year together!

Lots Going On

May in 8th grade is like standing on the edge of the diving board just waiting to jump off into the deep end. Our students are ready to dive into something new and exciting yet are scared out of thier buckets! They are geetie and anxious. Inching closer but longing for soild ground but still wanting to take the leap.

With graduation, end of the school year, Blessed Sacrament youth ministry, selling a house, and playing with a one year old has kept us pretty busy.

William is pulling himself up to a stand, and shuffling along the furniture. He is also learning some baby sign. He tries to imitate us, he is learning! He is all over the house now, and loving his new freedom.

I will be starting to work for Blessed Sacrament this summer to put together a youth program for thier awesome kids. It is good I have had a lot of the students in class and am looking forward to working with them this summer.

This is a picture that was taken recently while "cleaning" the house for a showing!

Relaxing

This past week off was wonderful. We should take more time away from the things that need to be done to do the things that really should be done. I was able to get a lot accomplished this week, and at the same time spend some quality time with our little crawler. I talked with people whom I normally do not have time to, I read a book that I wanted to read, and spent some time outside enjoying nature. It was a great week. As I mentally and physically prepared for school to start again I found my mind racing with things that had to be done. The list started to pile on and I began to dread going back to school. Not because I do not like my job, but because I would once again be put on another persons schedule and doing things another persons way. I guess we all need structure in life, but I surely enjoyed the non structured time of play this past week!

Opportunity

I was wondeirng today during stations of the cross, specifically when we read the station when Simon helps Jesus carry his cross, about the opportunities we have in life. I began to wonder why people say opportunity knocks. I am convinced that at times it is little more than a small seemingly insignificant wrap on the door. At times barely noticable with all the noise that surrounds us every busy day of our lives.

I am also aware that at times the opportunity is more of a bang on the door. Almost scary. The banging startles us and makes us abandon whatever it is that we are working on. We cautiously make our way to the door wondering and often speaking the words "Who/or what is calling at this time in life."

Then there is the in between where we are expecting an opportunity or possibly waiting for it to come our way and we may continue on with life ready to stop at any moment to seize the opportunity. During this time we do not start anything deep, nothing that could not be dropped at the sound of the expected knock.

I wonder how often I am in the waiting stage or how often I am silent enough to hear the soft wrap on the door. It may be time for me to sit quietly and listen.

A Good Day

Today was a great day. This whole week has been crazy. Grades were due at school, Science Olympiad is coming up this weekend, and multiple meetings after school. It seems like I am more efficient when there is more to do. I am finding myself taking care of business sooner than later this week. It has been a great feeling of accomplishment. Being so busy also helps me to really enjoy the small moments that make me slow down; reading The Cat in the Hat before bedtime, snuggling for a morning bottle, and actually talking with my husband about things that matter. It has been a good day!

Spring Was Here!

This past week has been beautiful. The weather was so nice that I was able to walk over and pick up William from daycare. We were so blessed with nice weather. I took William outside just yesterday to see what he thought of the grass. He did not like it so much! Snow covers the ground now. We woke up to it this morning. Bummer!?

Kurt and I went to the Mall today and took William to get his picture with the Easter Bunny. We were a little nervous about it but he did really well. He is such a laid back kid! I hope to get some picture of him this week in this whole Easter outfit. We bought him this ridiculously cute hat. Hoping that he will actually leave it on. We will see.

Very busy at work this week. Report cards are going home this week and Science Olympiad competition is this weekend so much to do before the week is out. Next week is conferences so that will make it a long week. Then SPRING BREAK!

Crawler

Despite having an ear infection, sprouting 4 teeth on the top, not being at the normal daycare (but with someone who surely loved on him!) he started crawling! It was becoming obvious that it was only a matter of time before he was showing off his moves! He crawled the length of the hallway tonight in search of his cow!

He has been so fun to watch develop. He seems so inquisitive and curious. Watching the little details. I am so enjoying being a mom!

Kurt finally took the big test that he has been working and studying for PMP (project Management Professional). He took the test on Monday and passed! He was thrilled, I was thrilled for him! He surely deserves it, I have never seen him study so hard and devote so much time to studying for anything. I am so proud!

Spring is finally coming and William has certainly been enjoying it! The kind kind woman who watched him the beginning of this week took him for many walks and he is loving the weather. I can not wait to get him in the grass this spring and the sand this summer!

It Has Been Too Long

The lack of content on this blog is not due to a lack of things going on in the Rowland ranch. Quite the opposite is true. We have been very busy recently. It seems that the weekends have been just as busy as the weekdays. So here is February in rewind.

William spend Valentine's day with Aunt Lisa and the boys while Mommy and Daddy went to dinner. Kurt and I have been interested in going to Tavern on the Square for a while. The atmosphere is very unique and the food was wonderful!

We traded the weekend after and took Lisa's kids for the night. They are so cute together! They entertain each other and I am sure are going to get into major trouble together very soon!

William went on his first snowshoe hike (around the backyard) and seemed to enjoy the ride. Not sure this picture shows the shear joy that he had on our journey!

William is learning how to crawl. He is much better at crawling backwards than forward but he is working on it. He has mastered the from my butt to my belly manouver. It is only a matter of time until we no longer have things less than 3 feet off the floor.

While I was at Meijer tonight getting potting soil and pots for the plants my students are growing at school I wondered through the clerance section and found a giant bag of ducks. William recieved many ducks for his baby shower gifts and loves them in the tub. We lose them often and find them randomly around the house. I could not resist and wanted to get a good picture of his new friends. Can a kid have too many rubber ducks?

Snow Day

The snow fell last night and we got another snow day. I have mixed feelings. William has not been feeling good so I planned on staying home with him but we were recently told that we will have to make up our snow days at the end of the year. This means that Mommy will not be done with school before William's first birthday. :( Anyway we are taking the time and having some fun.

So Little

Our neighbors had a baby a week or so ago and I went over to see him the other day. Wow, I do not remember our little guy being so little. It is weird now to see a baby that was a pound heavier than our little guy. So I have been itching to make another sling, so I offered to make Kristen a sling for her little guy. I bought returned target curtains, from goodwill, which happen to be a little over 2 yards long. I then went to fields (my new favorite place) and got a fabric that I thought was really cute! and went to work. The sling I have for William is nice but i really wish it had a pocket and a place to hang my keys so I made one for Kristen that had both. I think it turned out really cute. I wish I knew what my cousin was having so I could pick out gender specific fabric. I am hoping for a snow day this week so I can make another sling and finish up the hooded towels I have been looking forward to making.

Dusted Off the Sewing Machine

I got out the sewing machine this weekend. I wanted a sling for my chuncky little baby now that we can not carry him in the infant carseat. I looked up instructions online and went shopping with my mom-in-law and got some cute material and put one together. When you buy the fabric it makes two so I made one for us and one for my cousin who is due in July.

I was then inspired to make a hooded bath towel. I was given one for William when he was born and it was heavy duty and big. I found some new towels (2 towels, 2 hand towels and 2 washcloths) on clearance. I bought yellow and green. I made one with a washcloth. It turned out okay. We will keep that one to use with William. (poor kid gets all the screw up stuff). Then made a yellow one for my cousin. I also ordered some towels from overstock.com and they should be here soon. 4 towel: one for William Magee, one for Brody, one for Bobby and one for Scotty. I am looking for some boy ribbon to put along the front or the sides of the boys. * by looking I mean it is on my list of things to do when Kurt is watching William.*

I then saw a website that gives ideas of things to do with old clothes. I am planning on making William a fleece lined wool hat. I bought the perfect sweater at GW's for 3 bucks. That is something I will tackle this weekend or sometime this week.

I am finding that I have to just make time to do these things, otherwise there would be no time. I am loving it.

Another Thought At Mass

Today at Mass we heard the scripture about Eli and Samuel. The story is about Samuel hearing someone in the night and running ingto Eli's room and saying I am here. Eli responds just as most parents (although ELi was not Samuel's father) would. "I did not call you go back to bed! It is the middle of the night!" It happens again and Samuel again runs back to Eli waking him up again. Eli finally tells Samuel, " Go back to bed and if you hear the call again, it is God talk to him." I do believe that God speaks to us and the story is possible. Having been in a situation similar to Eli I wonder if it was just Eli's way of getting a good nights sleep. It must have worked because Samuel does not return. Maybe because he does not want to wake Eli again or maybe his conversation with God was fruitful and send him back to sleep. Just random thoughts, another angle to the same scriptures.

Mommy's Day Out

Okay so I am a dork and very much enjoy thrift shopping. I think it is because I like to see what other people get rid of, what other people buy and what I can get a good deal on. It always makes me laugh looking through the books. A million copies of What to Expect When You Are Expecting, Purpose Driven Life, Chicken Soup for every soul, and a slew of romance novels. I flash back to the past when I see things like Caboodles in neon colors, floppy disks, computer games that must run on Windows 93, and VHS tapes of movies from my childhood. Every once in a while I find something that catches my eye. Ususally I do not go into Gw's looking for something in particular...you just can never predict what you will find, but I always manage to walk out (payign first of course) with some little treasure.
I enjoy consignment shops as well but they tend to be a little more pricey. When purusing a consignment shop like Once Upon A Child, i can not help but think " I can not wait til we are done having kids and I can cash in all his stuff. But then I think by the time that happens 7 kids will have worn it and a consignment shop would not want it!
More recently I have ventured into the lowest thrift shops. The kind run by a group of old woman who are making money for a charitable organizations. I never liked them before. Too much junk and a small selection but recently I have been shopping for Science Olympiad and have been looking for junk. Goodwill does not sell enough junk, it is sorted too much before it reaches the floor.
I had a great time and found some great stuff for baby cakes.

Guitar Baby

I have wanted to take a picture of William in this outfit for awhile now and I finally put it on him today and said "today is the day because this shirt is not fitting tomorrow!" He is growing so fast! So here is William with Daddy's Wii guitar!

Learning to Sleep and An Epiphany

Kurt and I have been struggling with how to help William go to bed on his own without him feeling like we have abandoned him forever. We of course tried a few other methods with no sucsess. So we ordered a DVD and watched it with William (like he cared) and tried it out. Tonight was rough but hopefully tomorrow will be better. No one tells you about these things or maybe they do and we assume that our kid will be different! They are not and they will not be.

We had Mass today at school and we celebrated Epiphany (always use the weekend readings) and the church was adorned with a nativity and a banner depicting Mary and Joseph and an angel and a little baby in a trough. And I could not help but think about what it was really like. Most likely Mary did not just set her baby in a trough and stare at him as most statues illistrate. ( I get that they are statues and show one moment in time.) I was also thinking about the three wise men visiting and how that must have made Mary feel. Three strange, not commonly excepted men coming, uninvited, after giving birth without pain meds and while adjusting to the crazy birth hormones. I am sure the gifts were a buffer but I am not sure that she would be welcoming them in with open arms! Then some random shepherds show up at the door and say "hey we wanted to check out your kid, we were told he was God." And although I am aware that the little drummer boy has no biblical merit, if some little kid had come banging on a drum. I would have smiled sure, but would have been thinking where in the world is your mother! I just wonder what that event was really like.

Naked Baby Shots

Grandma wanted some naked baby pictures so we took some earlier this week. This was taken before be peed all over the blanket!

We then headed out to the grocery store where he dropped his hat on the way through. Mom was too exhusted to run around the store to find it. I am glad we got a picture of him in it before it was lost.