movin' shakin' and tryin' to sit too.

Things are moving all around here. We're keeping things cleaner, I'm moving much of my vintage goods into a warehouse space, Drew is working steadily, the girls are changing and growing rapidly--particularly the babe, if I stop to think a minute I become completely overwhelmed by the list of things that need to get done. I see a light at the end of the tunnel, a place where things will calm and the restlessness I'm feeling right now will settle...it helps to read By the Shores of Silver Lake. 

Eliza goes to sleep around 6:30 every night. This was due to the advice of this book, which has also helped a great deal with reestablishing a sleeping rhythm for her. We had a few very trying weeks, moments of feeling like the worst mother on the universe, and days of delirium on account of her difficulty sleeping. BUT, after diligently pushing regular nap and bed times, the girl seems to have found her cycle and we are ALL better for it.

Anyway, back to the reading. After Eliza is in bed the other two need something to distract them from acting like wild gorillas playing king of the mountain. They need an activity that quiets their minds, and with the business that has filled our days lately, it's a difficult feat to convince them that calm is good, that peace does not equal laziness.

We've been reading the Little House series for years, particularly in the winter months they are the perfect evening family activity. Sometimes we mix it up with a little Roald Dahl or other book of Drew's choosing, but we all feel so comfortable with the Ingalls. Since Naomi has taken up violin, the descriptions of Pa's playing for everyone, the breaks in the story for introduction to old fiddle tunes is something we all look forward to. Not to mention the quiet. Their life was so quiet. It was so full, but of love and awareness. In this day and age it seems as though technology is such an interruptor. Often rudely it intrudes on those intimate moments that can only be achieved after some silence, some stillness...we are certainly guilty of letting it disrupt.

So, while I am thankful for the bounty of good things to-do we have in our lives, I'm also grateful for these books, and for the evenings we have to sit quietly, calmly, peacefully remembering these role models. I'm grateful for our weekly sabbath, which also is a great salvation in times like these, when the world seems to be spinning around us. It is an anchor, and these evening respites are little mirrors of it. I truly believe demanding rest in our lives is as important as nutrition, and I'm sharing that now because the blessing it offers has been at the forefront of my mind during these crazy days.

*photos are from our recent trip to Asheville where Drew had to take a certification class, and we took advantage and rode along. just one of the busy events in our life.

Winter Beach Trip

Thanks to one of Drew's customers we had to make a relatively impromptu trip to the coast. As of last Thursday there was no plan, but we threw something together and had a really great 'journey'--as Naomi and Leviah kept calling it. A few days in Eastern NC with nothing to do turned into 2.5 days packed full of fun, learning and even a quick visit with our naturopath/chiropractor. Not bad at all. And, can I just say that NC never ceases to amaze me? I had no idea New Bern was going to be such a beautiful place! Just when you think you know the state you live in...

First, the hotel was great (thank you Amex business card points!) The girls were thrilled to have an indoor pool, especially since swimming in the ocean was out of the question--not that they didn't stick their toes in...Naomi thought we gave up too quickly; she seemed to think if we'd just stay in the water we'd get used to it.

this turtle had his eye on leviah. we just watched this movie on netflix--a great one.

Then, thanks to our new membership at the local science center, we got in free to our favorite aquarium--sweet surprise--that has already paid for itself! Then, back to New Bern for dinner and pool time.
Sunday we spent the day walking around historic New Bern and a visit to Tryon Palace which was really neat! The guides were dressed in period clothing and it was all set-up like the Governor still lived there, I think the girls were really impressed. Though it was a little chilly, it really wasn't too bad and the sun was shining. Drew may have complained a bit, but he was raised in the South; it was late spring weather by western New York standards...barely needed a coat.

Anyway, that wore everyone out making pizza and a movie in the hotel the perfect way to round out the day. Then, home on Monday via Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway--what better way to commemorate?!

snow in the south?

'go'

If you follow blogs of people in the South East, particularly NC, I'm sure you've found, or will, that it's especially white right now. Fortunately, for most businesses, this snow fell on the weekend & there is a potential of it being cleaned off the roads by regular working hours...right now, life is at a stand still. People venture out for one reason--to prove they can.

Such was the case for us at the persuasion of my husband who enjoys a good challenge.

Yesterday

sledding with a lid a.k.a. scooching.

bundled Leviah & no-snow pants Da-Da

Today (Leviah & I stayed home--and warm)

sledding with an older boy makes a little girl MUCH bolder, result of which is injury.

short video of the long hill.

bees do not come out in the snow. neither do chickens.

something more colorful to end with.

riddle me this: What animal never plays fair?

answer to last riddle: Freeze it first! Good guesses though...