Jude Michael Shiffler, my new nephew, was born last week in North Carolina (!) and...

drum roll please...

the new blog that Bobby has put all of his free time (what you're probably thinking is exactly right: he doesn't have much) into will be complete this week.

And to think I thought we were almost done with it back in September!? That's life with kids for ya!

It has been an ongoing project that Bobby has had to teach himself as he goes: I couldn't be anymore pleased with it or his dedication to me through it.

Not one single speck of cheese in that salad--still no dairy.

We're winding down these cold winter days staying indoors. Oh, but how we're looking forward to the upcoming sun in the evening, even if it still is cold outside.


Stay warm this weekend!

Caroline.

She has been invaluable this last year. Somewhere in the intensity of our lives she has stepped up to become my daily relief, runner of all-things baby, and peacemaker (i.e. giving Johanna what she want even if it's her turn to play with it over and over again).

Late afternoons are once again our time. Whether resting under her blankie together or literally running downstairs while the rest of the house sleeps to make something, it's one of our favorite times of the day.

Thus, the artsy clutch. Something I was recently inspired to finally try out for a special someone who can't even comprehend with her four year old mind what she does for me day in and day out.

It was a team effort, really. She got to design her fabric with whatever comes to a child's mind like, "I Luv You", "Coowl Sci" (Cool Sky), and green-haired hills with fabric markers.

And so the pleasing first child graciously thanked me, hugged me, and went along her way, as always, more in love with me than anything I make her.

How I never want to forget this season.

All of my childhood I shared a room. At one point in high school with fewer children home, I claimed the basement room for myself. That was the first time I felt unsettled going to bed alone.

My girls pile on the bed and quietly enjoy being-- being so close to each other, being still in the safety of their own room, together.

Their room got another facelift from newborn photos hanging, diapers stacked, and soft baby animals scattered to big girl things. Well, just beds and a dresser, with expectations of bed making happening at least sometimes.

Clothes sometime make their way into their shared dresser, rarely folded but nicely laid inside; PJs on top, tops in the middle, and pants/skirts on the bottom.

And once the laundry enters their space, it's transformed into new uses. Much more creative uses than I would of come up with.

And yes, there's the struggles with bedtimes with two active girls that would rather be playing with the other than falling asleep.

But, oh, how it satisfies a Mommy's heart that her two loves love the safety and security found in their roommate.

Food. Stomach. Pain.

It's with me when I wake in the morning until nighttime. I miss having a life-- a real life that involves action, goals, dreams, and variety. If it weren't for feeding people, putting people down, and filling sippy cups I'd like to be on the couch all day.

{How I feel all the time, but without the smile!}

"Eat this, don't eat this, take this daily, have another scan..." around and around and around I go...

Today: I canceled my ultrasound and resisted filling the prescription.

Today: I took myself off dairy.

I'm finally taking this into my own hands since traditional medicine isn't cutting it. I'm so done with this seven year reoccurring sickness. I'm putting everything into a possible adult-onset food allergy.

Hello rice milk, goodbye innocent late-night glass of milk.

Think of me when you're dunkin'.

How inspiring it is to be with friends who love using their hands to make special things for the people they love.

Thanks for coming last night everyone!

Thank goodness for the partnership in marriage and parenting. While he was gone I increasingly felt like my authority as mother was withering away with the time.

His presence has restored that.

Now there is someone else to encourage Johanna to stay in her seat at dinner, keep her clothes on, at least try her peas, and of course, help me clear off the table.

Not one time have we come downstairs this long week to play or create. This evening I needed it.

To celebrate my independence from playing single parent, I had to do something with my hands that wasn't cooking, changing diapers, feeding, scrubbing, or calming.

Here's the result. I have a place in mind for this Mama and baby chick. (Funny that even in my creating, it often comes back to the same themes I love...)

Today.

I'd like to forget it.

Still no Bobby. Growing stomach pains with ultrasounds not soon enough.
And finally, I really lost it with my girls--more than once.

Upon going to bed, I discovered an email from my sister:


"And how would you blog today? For these are the days that challenge what we are and what we are fighting for. No one understands these days unless they are lived through and no appreciation or praise are given for the war of the day.

But we quietly continue our work, fighting for the next night and coming day, knowing that we will never give in and walk away.

love you,

Amylynne"


How will I blog about today?

My girls forgave me and gave me big wet kisses. I told them I'd be happier tomorrow. So I will.

Some differences have risen over the interior design of the library.

Comments like, "It's a little abstract for me" and,

"I don't know how I feel having my face on the furniture" kind of comments.

I've been loving the challenge. Bobby and I have similar taste, but as he recently stated, "Our tastes are starting to veer (turn sharply; change direction abruptly) apart."

Yes, my taste is constantly changing, which is exactly why I want to live up every stage of my transformation.

The down low of the "extreme"room:

Couch: recovered with my Granny's fabric with staple gun.

Pillows: Appliqued our silhouettes from the etchings I did for our wedding invitations. (A bit of a challenge staring at a 1.5 inch head of my and Bobby.

Lamps: Colonial brass hand-me-downs I sprayed with pewter-looking metal spray.

Wall Hanging: repurposed canvas draped in fabric.

I prepared Bobby I would be taking a poll: so what do you think?

Traces of love scattered everywhere...

and piles everywhere to be cleaned, ink and all. Mondays are a bit overwhelming here. Especially when business trips are in their prime.

Let the motivation begin...