A Festival of Lights

Feeling better it's becoming easier and easier to get excited about things that 2 weeks ago wore me out just thinking about. My make-up to do list is growing.

First, it's Hanukkah time. We don't generally make a huge deal out of it, but this year we're planning lots of crafts and fun, almost as a means to apologize to my poor children for 8 weeks of boredom. Fortunately our area has several events going on with the library & downtown. Meanwhile our own friends and family intend to get together and celebrate as many nights of the 8 day holiday as we can.

The relevance of Festival of Lights is in the story of letting it shine, a story of not giving up--standing for what you believe in against all odds. Passion, gumption, strength, bravery, wisdom and ultimately trust.

The kids are super excited. We've hung some lights in our windows & some gifts are wrapped, menorahs are dusted and awaiting their candles, some of which we'll start rolling tomorrow. Should be an eventful and adventurous week. I will try to document as much here as possible, there is catching up that needs to be done.

Thankful Anyway

The strength of my pains are lessening, giving me hope that I'll be able to delight in the delights of Thanksgiving in just a few days. While schoolwork has been put on the back burner these past few weeks as a result of my inability, we did manage to study up on the history of the holiday and fit in a little craft.

 If you haven't bumped into this website, Naomi thought it was very interesting. A nice free resource... Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Expectations

taken with**

Having waited long enough for some clever address to come to mind, it's time to share with those who visit this space the news we have recently confirmed, without afore mentioned address. We're having a baby, again. It's number 3 and this mighty announcement is the explanation for my absence and brevity. We are excited and nervous about bringing a third to the mix as our place is small (and off the market for now), but the thrill of meeting and getting to know yet another individual outweighs even the worst fears. On top of which, there is faith that all will be as it is meant to, a thought we're deliberately trying to maintain.

For some of the ladies I know pregnancy and child-carrying is a beautiful experience that makes them radiant and empowered. I am not that kind of lady. I am a miserable pregnant person. For me, the curse promised Eve on account of her sin, the pain of childbirth, bares more true before the delivery. Not that labor isn't painful, but that kind of pain is more my style; I've always been more of a sprinter than a marathoner...But, amid a myriad of your standard first trimester ailments I'm dealing with a lesser known & more repulsive. Thank God for the internet at large in which I can locate other wierdos like myself--this offers some comfort, the thought of others suffering, too. I won't go into details, but it is not attractive.

Having spent a lot of time on the couch in the past 6 weeks I can officially tell you the guilt of failing at my previously acquired jobs of wife and mother is growing. There are moments in which I muster the gumption to allow distraction, but overall the comfort of simply laying down generally surpasses any other. I've had a bout with dehydration, spent a week with my mother so as to alleviate Drew's responsibilities, and hovered over the sink as a matter of ritual. The thrill of procreation is difficult to remember and the most recent comfort was having heard the baby's heartbeat over the weekend. As it feels as though death has warmed over, sometimes the thought that the causes of my misery were more grim than fantastic. But, I have a tendency toward the dramatic. 

There is a lot of support out there for women in my state--particularly from other moms who know the feeling. Again, I thank God for blessing me with the ability to carry children and for the encouragement of the women who surround me. Not to mention a husband who is willing to pick up the slack and figure out dinner for nearly 2 months straight. 

In closing this window to my pain I want to point out some things I've failed to mention.

1. Leviah is now 2, as of October 29th. She's amazing, crazy, silly, passionate and stubborn. She talks, whether we understand her or not, and she has had far more sugar than her older sister ever had at this age.

2. We are planning our second homebirth with our friend and midwife. 

3. We have taken our home off the market, which seems like a joke. But, if you know someone who really wants it we'd be willing to talk ;)

4. We have turned over the Que Sera, Que Sera leaf. We have decided to keep dreaming, but to stop pushing so hard. We will go in the direction of our dreams, but we will relax and take heed. 

that's all I can think of. and go watch The Young Victoria. and go enter this contest (please).

*the awesome new iPod touch my sweet husband brought home just for me. that's the kind of guy he is...

Back with a Crock Giveaway!

Wow. That was quite a break. & not undeserved--but I'll explain more about that later.

Today I'm going to share the opportunity of a lifetime. Well, a good one anyway.

It's not a crock. Wait, yes it is...it's a Butter Bell® crock by L. Tremain. If you're not familiar with this 'technology', it's better than the iPad for folks who love fresh spreadable butter.  It's especially great for those of us who like to make our own butter. The truth is I've always wanted to try one of these neat gadgets and now that we have I'm sold, for 2 main reasons.
    1. The seal of the water comforts me. The butter is not standing out in the open air as with most butter dishes that deflect most critters and some dust--nothing gets through the seal of water keeping our butter from changing color, scent or taste. It really seems to be doing a bang up job!

    2. It's classic style. Our bisque white crock goes with my vintage kitchen accessories very well and even if it didn't, there are an array of other neat antique-inspired colors and styles to choose from.
   3. And a third--it's fun. Naomi got a kick out of filling our bell & checks it regularly to see all's well...

So, not only do I get to tell you about how much I like this neat kitchen tool, I get to tell you about the sale L. Tremain is offering for the holidays. Want one? Think your mother will too? Right now you can get 1 free Butter Bell Crock just for purchasing two. Gifting covered.

AND, using the following ways to enter you can win the crock of your choice for free! Thank you L. Tremain!

1. Visit ltremain.com or butterbell.com to find what other sweet product you find & comment.
2. Become an L. Tremain fan on facebook & comment here.
3. Follow Life as a Schoolhouse & comment here.
4. Tweet this give away & comment here.
5. Purchase anything from the L. Tremain site & comment here.
6. Watch the Food Network video & comment here.
7. Share the link to this giveaway on your own facebook page & comment here.

Winner chosen at random on November 19th at 5pm. Thanks for entering!

THE WINNER: Lydia said...

I'm following your blog. I was these in a store a while back and thought it looked interesting to try.

Thanks Lydia & Everyone who participated. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving, regardless of not all winning a delightful butter bell. ;)

[Product review &; giveaway disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]

Sponsored by Tomoson.com