Currently (Daybook 09.07.2015)

My semi-regular update about life in these parts.

Excited for the annual residency trip to Colorado next weekend!! The first and second years get to go -- which is pretty much the biggest perk to being a first or second year resident. The weather looks about as perfect as can be, and a nice little getaway will be lovely. At the very least, there will be no pager and no time at the hospital.

Unrelated, but too cute not to share

Thinking about the close of summer. It feels a little surreal that Labor Day is today -- it's so late! It has been September for a week already! In some ways, my mind is already turned to fall. In others (weather, I'm looking at you), it still feels like summer. We enjoyed our last family trip to the (outdoor) pool yesterday, and have a BBQ with some friends today. 

Reading book after book after book after book. Peter has reached that stage where he brings one book after another for reading. If you sit down, you will be handed a book. He's also started climbing into your lap, just in case you didn't get the memo. It's gotten so bad that we have given it a name: to book (v. to be forcefully given a book to read by a young child. As in, "Honey, Peter just booked me again!") Then, Clare sees you reading and wants to listen, so she climbs on the other side. Then she starts bringing books and before you know it, you've read 5 books -- and only one of them was a short little board book!

My kids are book worms, and Charles says it's my fault.

Wearing glasses, at least part of the time. I've known that I had some astigmatism for awhile now, and I finally got around to getting my eyes checked, because night driving just didn't feel quite right. The optometrist rightly predicted that wearing glasses part (or even most) of the time would also help with headaches. I'm trying to wear them most of the time at home, but stick to regular sunglasses outside, so I haven't bothered with the on and off game for errands and such. Definitely something I'm still getting used to.

Just call me 4-eyes! (Also pictured, sleeping baby)

Watching Project Runway, of course. I mean, no it isn't what it used to be, but it is still fun to watch every week.

Making A really long packing list. Packing 2 kids and an adult for 5 days of really varied activities -- everything from hiking to nice dinners -- really forces you to be organized. Especially when your son has decided that he can sleep (for now), so long as he has 3 (specific) stuffed animals and 3 (particular) blankets. I mean, I need a suitcase just for him, but anything for a little sleep, you know. So everything, probably including the kitchen sink will head to Colorado, and we'll likely still have to make a run to the store, because that's just how it goes. Alas, I'll be list-making my little heart out anyway.

Peter and his Sheepie

In Residency Charles is wrapping up a classically terrible -- almost to the point of a stereotype -- residency weekend. Work Friday. 24 hour shift Saturday to Sunday. Back in (not)bright and (very)early this morning -- for a holiday shift, meaning minimal staff. Of course. Thank goodness for rest next weekend. ;-)

Grateful for the gift of baptism. Clare's baptism day is coming up this week, and I'm just so blessed to watch her grow in her faith. St. Clare, pray for us.

Praying for the Syrian refugee situation.

I'm also praying that everyone has a safe, enjoyable holiday (and that it is relaxing, too, if you're blessed to not be working)!

Currently (08.24.15)

Bringing it back old school. Hoping to make this a (semi-) regular feature 'round here. No promises. Ever. Because I'm writing while entertaining two sweet ragamuffins, which makes it hard as heck to get stuff accomplished on the computer. But the weather is nice and they are happy outside with me, so I'm trying.

Excited for: This is a big week 'round these parts -- Clare is staring preschool on Tuesday! There will definitely be pictures and more on that later in the week. (At a minimum, Charles is off this weekend, so I'll get something pulled together then.)

Thinking about: Peter's sleep/teeth/whatever issues. 'Cause man, does he have them. Every time I feel like we have him sleeping well, something happens and we regress, regress, regress. I blame teething, but I don't know. He's just not the best sleeper, and he's a great example of how different kids need different things, so what worked for one just might not work as well for the other. 

But he's walking and throwing (EVERYTHING) like a pro, so there's that.

Reading: Thanks to Peter not napping, my afternoon time has been pretty limited, so I've not read nearly as much as I would like to have. I'm stalled out mid-way through Go Set a Watchman, but because I'm "reading something," I haven't picked up anything else. Dreaming of a day when I have more time to read -- wishing it didn't mean wishing away the future.

Making: I'm getting back into my bread routine. The weather has been ever so slightly cooler, so it kicked my bottom back into the kitchen. I made these beauties Friday afternoon. 

Artisan baguettes

In Residency: One more week of this rotation (outpatient pediatrics), which means lots of clinic time, which is more of a mixed bag for all of us than you might imagine. I think we're ready for another service month. Remind me of this in 4 weeks when we're sick of OB and so so so ready to be off service again. ;-)

Grateful for: The aforementioned break in the weather. It was beautiful all week -- cool in the mornings, not too hot even in the late afternoons. Spoiled. We've been able to go to the park and the zoo and go outside and on walks. Plus, we've had some rain and cloud cover. Lovely weather never goes out of style.

From the train ride at the park. 

Praying for: I have several friends who need prayer for various situations. Praying for them. 

Currently -- March 23

Doing my own daybook thing, but keeping the (on a break? defunct?) Currently title, because I've already got the graphic.

Thinking about: Last week, Kelly wrote a great piece about Writer's Block, and in contemplating it, I've come to realize that I am suffering from Writer's Block's evil cousin, I-hate-everything-I-write-itis. I'm sure anyone who writes in any way has been through this, where you're not necessarily short on ideas, but when you try to write, it just comes off bla. Very bla. You're rambling. The point you're trying to make is just not getting made. Your humor is flat. Your voice is off pitch.

Anyway, diagnosing the problem actually makes me feel better. It explains why I just keep writing and rewriting drafts and never hitting publish. And it gave me a game plan:

First, I'm trying to push myself to keep writing and rewriting those drafts. Even if I'm not hitting publish, I'm honing my skills and working through thoughts.

Second, I'm doing what I do when my writing it at its best -- making myself write more posts about everything and nothing. More updates. More link-ups. More practice.

Third, I'm going to keep reading. Blogs and books and articles and anything I can get my hands on, which is my favorite thing to read anyway. ;-)

Hopefully, in a few weeks or months, I'll feel like I have my voice back and can get back to writing things I like. In the mean time, it means lots of pictures of the kids for the family.

Like this.

Reading: I just got Unbroken off of the library's wait list, and I cannot wait to start it. I've heard great things!

Making: A new starter. I've really turned my bread making up a notch in the last few weeks. I'm excited to give sourdough another go.

In Residency: A week of nights. When Charles left last night, we were both already over it. Probably because it seems like he just did nights. And really, it was just a couple of weeks ago. This back-to-back service month thing, well, let's just say that I'm glad that it happened during Lent. It is very penitential. And, as if that was God's intention all along, Charles is off on the last day of the rotation which just so happens to be . . . Easter. Believe me when I say that I'll be excited to bust out the Alleluia! We all will be.

Clare likes eating meals next to Peter. 

Grateful for: Charles. In every way. Today is his birthday, so of course, I'm so so thankful for him, for him as my husband, for his fatherhood, for the ways he blesses those around him. I feel so blessed by each day I get to spend at his side. We had a little family celebration Saturday evening because of the whole night float thing, and it was lovely. Happy birthday, Honey!!

Birthday cupcakes

New year, new fire pit 

Praying for: Charles on his birthday, of course. I'm also praying for a long-time family friend and his family, and especially for the soul of his son who died tragically over the weekend. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord.

Happiest of Mondays.

Currently . . . 10.27.14

Joining Hannah at Joyful Life for another go 'round.

Thinking about Christmas. I know, I know. It's not even Halloween yet, but there's a method to my thinking ahead. Mostly that I try to do as much shopping and such before Thanksgiving and Advent and Christmas as I can. That way, I can spend my time enjoying December instead of stressing over it. It's also going to be a different kind of holiday season around here, for lots of reasons, so I'm trying to wrap my mind around it in advance. Expectations are everything to me, so I need to get mine fixed appropriately.

Dreaming of a big, open kitchen full of people. Yeah, that's related to my Christmas musings, but I'm, for whatever reason, doing a ton of soul-searching and growth in the self-awareness realm lately, and it just seems like a big, bustling kitchen full of food and love and life and people is pretty much my love language. I've mentioned before that our kitchen has some shortcomings by way of space, but the biggest is that it doesn't have a warm and inviting feel. Someday, I hope, that will no longer be the case.

Organizing the clutter. Kinda. We are facing a constant battle against the clutter. Toys make their way upstairs and overcome the living room. Stuff comes home and gets dropped on the table. Stuff. Piles. We're constantly working on finding new homes for things, so that we can put them away, but it's a war we're fighting!

Laughing at my kids. They do the silliest things. I don't have the art of the tell, so I usually don't try to post silly stories; they fall flat in my writing style. I can't help but laugh at Peter Army-crawling after Clare's toys, followed by her outraged, "NO, PETER!!!!! That is MY _______________!!!!!" I can't help but laugh when Peter smiles and giggles. I can't help but laugh when Clare "finds" something lost right in front of her face. Especially when she announces proudly that, "I found it!"

Reading Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy. It's the current read for Michaela's Stella Maris Book Club. I'll (hopefully) have a fuller report down the road.

Currently . . . (10.20.14)

Joining Hannah at Joyful Life for Currently.

Doing the hospital hang out. Yesterday, while Charles was working a slower shift, we paid our first visit to the hospital. We got a tour and had lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Believe me, nothing says "resident life" more than visiting Dr. Daddy at the hospital. In spite of nap time meltdowns at lunch, it was a fun visit.

Hospital chapel

Praying in the chapel

Cafeteria feast

Planning for a couple of rough days. Clare has a couple of doctor's appointments in the coming weeks -- nothing major, just follow-ups from the stuff last spring, but it is new doctors and new environments. And Clare is always challenging at doctor's appointments. Fortunately (?), she's getting more bribe-able, so there may be treats for good behavior happening. Even so, prayers would be appreciated, please and thank you. :-)

Remembering my mom. Today would have been her 64th birthday! Happy Birthday, Mommy! I love you always.

With Baby Me--just like she's always remembered, laughing and wearing red lipstick.

Wishing my allergies away. I have had a couple of rough days of allergy action, and managed to lose my voice over the weekend. Mostly, the histamine overload is expected, but when it gets going like that, I can't help but want to scream NOOOOOOOOOO!


Loving autumn. It is our first real fall in a long time, and the first I've really appreciated. The weather is perfect right now. Cool in the mornings and evenings. Perfect in the afternoon. The light is that shady, shadowy, slanted light of fall, but hasn't faded into the grey of winter. The leaves are starting to turn, but haven't fallen yet, so the light dances through them.

Currently . . . October 6

It's been awhile. Joining Joyful Life for another round of Currently. Thank you, Hannah, for taking the reigns.

Thinking about: My thoughts wander. Home. Fall. Weather. Sleep. Love. How stinking adorable my kids are. Finding my niche. Dinner. Dessert. TV. God. The spiritual life. Contentment. Heaven. Food again. Changes. Family. Friends. Lots of thinking, but not a lot of answers.

Making: baby food! Peter is juuuuuuuuust getting started in the world of real food, but I'm super excited. I make our own baby food. Yes. I'm that mom when it comes to baby food. But you know what? I love it. I find it fun to roast and puree and freeze.

Getting too big

Watching: Parenthood. From the beginning. I've never watched it, but have heard rave reviews. Charles has another tough rotation coming up in a couple of weeks, so I anticipate extra time for solo-TV. Thank you, Netflix.

Loving: Clare is all about -- no, obsessed -- with her ABCs. She finds them everywhere, and loves to read off the letters for the words she finds. A recent gem (while looking at a container of milk): "O-R-G-A-N-I-C spells cow!" Moo!

C-L-A-R-E spells Clare (with assistance)

Thankful for: Saturday morning, as I was pouring my morning coffee on the first truly chilly morning of the year, I felt that giddy rush of warmth that only comes from this time of year. That feeling of savoring the warmth and the chill all at once -- it makes me thankful for all that I have and for having all that I need.

Currently . . . Vol. 8

Thinking about: God's sense of humor. Yesterday, Peter had trouble going down for a nap, and finally fell asleep snuggling in my arms. As I held him, I was reflecting on how little I'm savoring him these days. Too often, I don't take advantage of the baby snuggles. I'm too quick to put him down to play. I hold him to feed or when he's fussy or in the Ergo so my hands are free. I resolved to enjoy his tiny babyness more, because it is going to be gone all too soon. Then, we woke up at 10 last night, super congested. I got to snuggle him allllll night long, because he needed love . . . and an incline. Just looking for a little middle ground, here!

But in all seriousness, I'm struggling with presence right now. I'm spending too much time watching the clock, waiting for this or that to just get here already, and I'm missing the gift of today.

Maybe now has it's challenges. Toddlerhood with an already spirited kiddo. Residency. Finding a niche in a new place. But I don't want to look back on this time with longing on what I missed out on, because I was spending too much time looking forward to ________.

The days are long. It's only too true. But the years are short. That is too true as well.

Making: We're grilling burgers for dinner! I am more excited about this than I probably should be, but they sound seriously tasty today. It's a cool, hot, muggy Labor Day here (yes, all at once), and I'm anticipating a lovely evening grilling on the deck.

Reading: The Map Thief. Okay, seriously, y'all, this book was a great find! When I took the kids to the library this week Clare was seriously impatient to get to the kids section, so I had to do the world's quickest browse through the new releases to find something for myself. I spied this and it looked interesting, so I grabbed it, and it has not disappointed! It is narrative non-fiction (which I love!), and it weaves the history of map making, the history of map collecting, and the story of a map thief together. It is good reading and so interesting. I would readily recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about unusual things. And the fact that it is narrative means it lacks the bore-factor that weighs down too many non-fiction books.

Watching:The Sixties on CNN. Charles and I have been catching bits and pieces here and there, and really are enjoying it. [Insert usual history major geek out about learning more about an interesting topic, and how awesome it is.]

Thankful for: I've got the best husband. I know I say it a lot, but I don't think I can say it enough. I'm lucky to have him for so many reasons, but recognizing my need for a break -- even a quick errand alone or a trip to Starbucks -- makes him a rock star. Heck, sometimes, he sees me needing a break before I realize it myself.

Loving: After a homily a couple of weeks ago, I redoubled my efforts to make Sunday a day of rest. To make it the Lord's Day, as we are called to do. Being the mother of two little ones, "rest" is somewhat relative -- diapers need to be changed, families need to be fed, and there is always something to clean up. BUT there is plenty of work that I can make an effort to do on Saturday or Monday. Laundry can usually wait. Errands can nearly always wait (or be condensed to the bare minimum). I can choose to do those To Do list items that bring joy and refreshment. I can choose to snuggle, rest, or play.

Praying: along with Blessed is She. Y'all are awesome!

{Linking up with A Mama Collective and One Lyric for Currently.}

Currently, Vol. 7

Joining Jenna from a Mama Collective and Kenzie from The Ashcraft Bunch for Currently.

Thinking about . . . Fall. Yeah, I've been thinking about fall a lot lately. Charles told me the other day that he was ready for fall, too. I don't know if the humidity is addling our brains, or if it has been the busyness of the spring and summer that have us ready for change. Specifically, lately, I'm thinking about wardrobes. I have a decent set of basics for fall and winter, so I'll only need to add odds and ends to my wardrobe. Charles has some good basics (and will spend too much of the winter in scrubs anyway), so, again, should be able to get by with some odds and ends. But both kids will need clothes -- and with growing and stuff, they would need clothes anyway. But I've (surprise!) never dressed a kid for real winter for the long-term. So I'm thinking about what we need, in what sizes, and what quantities. I'm trying to start slowly picking up basics that I know we'll need so that we're not BAM! facing two whole new kids' wardrobes when the weather changes. Or maybe I'm using all of that to justify dreaming about fall clothes and fall weather. You be the judge.

Reading . . . A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine. I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I'm also not very far into it. I have read Ella Enchanted like a million times, and some of her other books are good, but some of them just don't do it for me. Like they're trying too hard to recapture the magic. Anyway, I stumbled across this one at the library, and I'm giving it a shot. It's easy reading and Clare like to discuss the castles on the cover art, as well as the girl on the cover. I identified her as a princess, which leaves Clare asking on repeat where the girl's "headband" (tiara/crown) went.

Watching . . . Project Runway and Top Chef: Duels. I have to admit to being a longtime fan of both series, even though both have had their ups and downs. I'm really enjoying this season of PR (though nothing will ever touch the magic of Season 1 or the talent of Season 4). I'm not sure how I feel about TC:D, but I can definitely tell you that I'm not enjoying the editing. The freeze-then-fast-forward thing they have going is super annoying.

Dreaming . . . of Charles' upcoming Golden Weekend. Good grief. Prior to the start of residency, I'd heard of these "Golden Weekends" or weekends where a resident is off Saturday and Sunday. At the time, I was oblivious to how golden that time off really can be. We are both counting down the days. This has been one looooooong rotation. It's been good, because Charles has learned a ton and grown a lot as a doctor. But oh my gosh! are we both ready for some down time and some family time and some veg on the couch and just be together time.

Loving . . . dry shampoo. Okay, I know I'm more than a little late to the party, but I finally picked some up over the weekend after thinking about it for forever. I was so excited by the difference in made in my day-old dirty hair! I generally only wash every other day, but by the end of day 2, I always feel so greasy. With the dry shampoo, though, I felt so much better. As a bonus, I didn't feel like the only option for my hair was a ponytail, which often ends up giving me a headache, so double-win.

Needing . . . a hair cut. All this hair talk reminds me. It's getting long and limp and more difficult to manage. Blegh.

Thankful for . . . the fact that, in spite of Charles' crazy schedule, he was able to join us for Mass Saturday evening and dinner afterwards.  We always prefer to worship as a family, and it was close this week, but he made it!

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary . . . I will never tire of having time in the morning to drink coffee, spend some time on the computer, and have it be quiet, peaceful, solitary. I talk about it a lot, because sometimes, oh, is it hard to get up. But once I do it, I'm so glad I did.

Praying . . . I'm actively seeking to add some prayer and scripture into that morning quiet time, beginning, simply, with the readings of the day, which always provide the perfect amount of text for reflection. So often, when I read scripture, I try to devour it like a novel. In that way, I get burned out and don't experience spiritual growth. Instead, I need to take it in small increments so that I can ponder and pray.

Currently . . . Vol. 6

Joining Jenna from A Mama Collective and Olivia at To the Heights for Currently.

Thinking about: Princesses. Clare is 150% girl. She loves princesses and pink and sparkle. She loves to dance like a ballerina. When she is awake and at home, she is almost always wearing a tutu and a sparkly headband. If she had her way, she would wear dresses every day. I love all of that about her. She brings a smile to my face so often throughout the day. I find that it's a balance, though. As much as I want to encourage her to be who she is -- who God made her to be -- with all of her unique tastes, talents, and interests, I also have two competing concerns.

Firstly, I don't want it to turn into an excessively commercial love. It's easy to get caught up in buying all the princess stuff (thanks, marketing team at Disney), and that focus on material goods is not the kind of family culture we are trying to create. I don't have issues with princesses or Disney in and of themselves. I just don't want it to take on a life of its own. I want it to just be a little girl being a little girl.

Second, it preys on my fears of a long-term, slippery slope into "princess culture." As women, indeed as humans, we are drawn to beauty. Famously, St. Thomas Aquinas uses that as the basis of one of his proofs of God's existence. For a little girl, pink princess sparkle ribbon is just that -- an expression of beauty. Princess culture, on the other hand, raises it to the good. It is a ditzy materialism that we see in so many celebrities who get too much exposure during their flirt with fame. I want more for my sweet girl than that. And I know that, in all likelihood, all too soon, she'll grow out of it and move on to the next passion, as kids are wont to do. But it impresses upon me the weight of parenting a girl in these times where "respect for women" too often means objectifying them more.

But how sweet is that: headband, dress, "tutu"?!?

Reading: I finally read Something Other Than God this weekend. Like everyone else on the (Catholic blogging) planet, I was totally captivated and couldn't put the book down until I had read the whole thing (at least it felt that way). Heck, I even knew the ending and still couldn't wait to find out what happened.

Making: Crock Pot pot roast for dinner tonight. It is one of Clare's favorites, and (not) coincidentally, today is the feast of St. Clare. In our house, you get to pick what we eat for your birthday, your name day, and your baptism day -- and since the kids are still too little to actually pick, I help them out. ;-) In all sincerity, she loves pot roast, and especially loves the "carry-ots." St. Clare, pray for us.

Loving: I'm sure a lot of Facebook users have seen the "challenge" to list three positives each day for five days. My cousin challenged me last week, and what a kick in the rear it has been. Charles is on a classically terrible rotation right now, and identifying three concrete positives each day has really helped me see how blessed I am, even when the waters seem rough.

Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary: On Friday night, we were able to sit around the table as a family of four for the first time. Peter was in a good mood and played happily in the high chair (and maybe eyed our lasagna, too!), not flailing in our laps/arms, not in the bouncy seat, not asleep. He felt integrated into the family, and it felt complete and right.

You know you have an older sister when you are given a pink cup and purple bird to play with.

Praying: for peace, especially in the Middle East, and for the safety of refugees and those persecuted, particularly in Iraq.

Currently, Vol. 5

Joining A Mama Collective and Natasha for Currently.

Thinking about . . . Blogging stuff. I love my little blog, and I love being able to share myself in writing, which is the way I share myself best. I find myself wondering about what more I want (or don't want) out of the blog. I have no interest in changing my content to gain readers or fit formulas or maximize hits or whatnot. That's not why I write, and I can never write if it isn't authentic (or assigned!). I also have been contemplating watermarking (or otherwise identifying) my pictures. I'm juuuuuust starting to toy with graphics (because it's fun!). I'd, in theory, love to use more good pictures (and fewer iPhone pictures), but who are we kidding. Most of my photography these days is on my always-handy iPhone, which better allows me to capture those fleeting moments in my kids' lives. And as worthy and uplifting a hobby as blogging has been for me, my vocation to that of a wife and mother. I don't want this to take away from that. Don't worry, family, the blog isn't going anywhere. I'm just thinking about stuffs. :)

Reading . . . I finally jumped on the bandwagon and read The Fault in our Stars and, I hate to say it, but meh. I found the whole thing painfully predictable, and as if they were trying too hard to make me cry. I choked up maybe a little, but I actually found myself relating more to the parents than the star-crossed teens. How lame and grown up of me. I actually got to the end, and thought, "Wait! What! Where is the profound truth or dramatic tears I was waiting for?!?" Maybe I need to go back and reread the end or something.

Loving . . . Back to School season! Even though I'm not going back, and Clare still has some time, my heart gets all twitterpated seeing school supplies and backpacks and clothing ads. And my Facebook newsfeed is starting to feature more and more First Day of School posts. Ahhh!!! Since we really don't know where we'll be 3 years from now, we haven't made any decisions about schooling for our kids, but I loved school. I still love school. I love learning. I truly hope to pass that along to the kiddos, whatever decision we make. And Charles and I both love school/office supplies, so I assume that my kids are genetically predisposed to the same.

Thankful for . . . family time this weekend. Saturday, we were able to go to the park and then grill brats for dinner. Sunday, in spite of splitting Mass to accommodate Clare's lingering cough, we were able to get out for the evening, making a lap around the mall and getting pizza.

Planning . . . I'm all about meal planning lately. I have a serious desire to stock pile all the meat and all the non-perishables. Right now, I'm planning and shopping for two weeks at a time (with at least one quick trip to the store for fresh foods like milk and produce), but I'm wondering if I could make a month work. Maybe once we have a better feel for Charles' (ever-changing) schedule I can give it a go.

Dreaming . . . of a giant pantry, chest freezer, and space to create the food-prep/meal planning world of my dreams. Alas, maybe someday.

Praying . . . a special intention for a dear family member. And, as is so often the case, my heart turns to Psalm 121.

My first ever graphic. Proud of myself.

Currently . . . (Vol. 4)

Linking up with A Mama Collective and Cassie for "Currently."

Thinking about: Small talk. I am in a small talk season of life. I am not good at it. I am good at long, deep conversations. I am good at listening. I am good at joking with people who get my dry, sarcastic sense of humor. I am not good at idle chit chat as I encounter new people, feel out the water for new friends, and engage the mom pushing the swing next to me. Small talk is hard for me. Yet, on occasion, I'm able to get outside of myself and do it (maybe even do it well). I'm pondering what differences there are those times when conversation is easy and when it is hard. It might to a long way to helping me meet people and make some positive connections along the way.
 
Reading: Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand. So two years ago? Oh well. I think the bigger news is that I actually checked out a grown-up book from the library and am actually reading a book. I've just done so little reading in the last few months, but there is something magical about frothy beach reads in the summer. My favorite thing about summer growing up was going to the library and checking out a stack of fun, easy reads that I tore through all summer long.

Listening to: music on hold. Always joyful. A friend once worked for a telecom company, and taught me the correct term for it is, in fact, "music on hold" or "MOH," and that companies actually select what they use for MOH. I wouldn't be surprised if there were studies done showing what sorts of music are least aggravating for customers, how often there should be a "thanks for holding" and that sort of thing.
 
Watching: The light dance through the leaves and the wind blow the grass out our bay window that looks into the front yard. There is something beautiful and magical outside the window today. Maybe it's just the overwhelming feeling of hope that bubbles and brims over today. Maybe it's the humidity hanging thick in the air. Maybe it's the weather changing before my eyes. Maybe it's all in my mind, but it's enchanting. Together with the elevator music soundtrack, my mind keeps wondering.

That window right there -- paint preview free of charge.

Thankful for: July. July brings lots of good things in our family. Independence Day. Our anniversary. Clare's birthday. Most importantly, this year at least, is that July 1 is the "Medical New Year." Starting tomorrow, Charles will officially be a medical intern. I feel like the last many weeks have been one long transition, one change after another. And they have been good, beautiful changes, but they have been changes all the same. Tomorrow, Charles will walk out the door and he will go to work (real work, not school that's work that we call work but is really school -- did you follow?). As far as I know, things will have a chance to settle into the daily rhythm of everyday life. No changes for awhile. Thankful for the beauty of the mundane.

Via

Currently . . . (Vol. 3)

Linking up with A Mama Collective and Home Away From Home.

Thinking about: Clare's surgery last week. It went well and she is recovering nicely. I've sat down several times to write a post about it -- for myself and my own memories as much as anything, but I'm not sure how much I want to share, about her (hopefully resolved) medical condition, or about my feelings about things. It's a pretty raw emotional state. I'm just glad that we've made it though, glad that she's doing well, that this will only be a story to her, that Charles was able to be with us the whole time, and that we live in a time and place to have access to the doctors and technology that were able to help my baby. I've gotten lots of great baby snuggles from both kidlets in the last few days -- so that is a silver lining.

Reading: Nothing in particular. Womp. Womp.

Listening to: Peter breathing as he sleeps on my lap. Listening for Clare to wake up from her nap. Enjoying not hearing Disney Jr. or The Lorax or whatever else poor Clare wanted to watch all weekend.

Watching: Tonight is the premier of The Bachelorette. Yes, I know it is terrible television and totally fake. No, I'm not surprised that the relationships never work. It's a train wreck and I can't stop watching. Totally guilty pleasure TV. *shoulder shrug*

Thankful for: This is Charles' last week of school. EVER!!!!!!!!! I cannot tell you how excited we are for this, and for everything that comes after. Life is a little bit like a runaway train right now, but I don't think I'd have it any other way. I'm so thankful that this part of the ride is over. I'm thankful to be married to such a hardworking, dedicated, Godly man. He's living a dream come true, and listening to God's call in the process. Our kids have a wonderful role model in him. We are so blessed.

Wishing: I like to think of my To Do list as more than a wish list, but alas . . . the Currently girls are probably more right than I'd like to believe. Especially with a baby who likes to sleep on me -- and there's only so much baby wearing this girl can handle!

     1. Set up a couple of before-we-leave doctor's appointments
     2. Start packing a few boxes a day.
     3. Clean out nursery closet.