Little Things in April

They say that when you stop blogging you take less pictures with your camera. I can say for sure that since I stopped Instagramming I have way less pictures taken with my phone. I kinda miss having a ton of quick pictures to look at toward the end of a month. Maybe I'll go back... maybe not.

Abigail needed a hair cut.. don't ya think?





6 inches came off and it looks beautiful.



I love how Lana (who I've known since I was in 7th grade and who did my hair on my wedding day) makes my girls feel extra special when they leave the salon.





This song that Scott sent me one day (I love him)



In the small chappel (in the back of our church) is where the Rosary group meets. We're working on making our own rosary beads.



Fun with a friend



Oh she loved finding these at a store. Bear lip gloss. Is there anything better in life?



Taped on the inside of my shoe... I know Anna... I want to too...



Trying to make after school snacks that show my love



but 'baking' early in the morning before school means rushing and the Abigail 'butter' exploded



New medicine



Hawaii clothes are starting to come in the mail



A Judy Garland night with my girls... swoon... that dress!



We went to see Grandpa's Lion King and she got to see her summer theatre choreographer!



My brother is good toddler daddy.



Huge rainbow



Hail



Sewing



All before teaching





When Abigail won this... Anna made her this



better than a trophy



Happy in a Chinese noodle bar



Cool, old town, independent bookstore with creaky floors, and piles of books... best kind of bookstores ever!



He loves me... cought him adjusting the tulip wreath on the front door.





Another book day... this time on April vacation week to a vintage/used/out of print bookstore. Swoon

Mental Heath is Just as Important as Physical Health

It took me a loooong time to learn this.  And really just this week I feel like I understand it more.  I believe and know that

Mental Health is just as important as Physical Health

I know because I deal with both every day.  In both of my daughters.



Sometimes I wondered why I had a 'Normal Rockwell' childhood.  I grew up not knowing that people suffered from things in their heads and their hearts that they couldn't escape from.

I grew up not knowing that physically people suffered every day even if you couldn't see it.

I certainly grew up not knowing that CHILDREN could live with mental or physical illness.

I am blessed to be physically and mentally very healthy.

God has made me strong in both areas so that I can raise daughters that daily struggle with issues.

While Anna physically appears to be "fine" she deals with issues relating to her early childhood that impact her every single day.  She's come so far, so very far from a million billion acts of deliberate love.  But we can't erase what happened to her for fourteen months in an orphanage.  Some things she mentally healed from. Some things she's just not ready to do yet.  And that's okay.  We love her anyway.   Her pain is real and it is deep.  And they only thing I can do is have empathy,  love her more and pray.

Abigail's physical health is more visible.  You can see it.  (Although I can see pain some times in Anna's eyes) Abigail has doctors visits.  She has hospital procedures.  She is extremely little for her age.  Everyone knows at a restaurant that she can't order any of the food from the menu.  She's never had pizza or ice cream.  Mac and cheese, what's that?  And when we're out and about it obvious that she struggles physically.  She's often in pain and on many medications to help her.  It's visible.

And I'm grateful for their struggles.  Yes, I'd take them away (and pray for healing every day) if I could.  But I've learned so much from them.

I've learned to be patient and willing to be quiet and wait of God.

I've learned how to hold on to my husband for dear life.

I've learned to keep my peace while I pray and wait for healing.

I've learned to be more compassionate, more caring, have more empathy for all others.

I've learned that my way is not the only way or even the best way.  That I can love more, be more kind, enjoy people for who they are - that we're supposed to all be different,  and that our families can run differently.

I've learned to remember how it feels to have a hurt heart and use that to be more loving, more kind, and more accepting of others.

I've learned that those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the almighty.  (Psalm 91:1)

We Did Nothing

I pulled into my garage on Friday afternoon after picking Abigail up at school and didn't leave again until Monday morning when I drove her to school. Otherwise known as THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!



Scott stopped at a bookstore and brought home some non-fiction for the girls.



Anna and science lately. Biology, cells, genes, the periodic table of elements... she can NOT get enough! She squealed when this book came with a periodic table of the elements poster inside. Asked if I could laminate it for her room.





I love cleaning. Last weekend we deep cleaned the girls rooms. Curtains down, washed, ironed. Rug up, hard wood washed, windows open, kinda cleaned.



"The ordinary arts we practice everyday at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest" Thomas Moore



I decided not to put back the sheers around their canopy beds for a lighter, airery look for the summer.





Baby shoes from China and this poem I love



All washed pretty again



books that are too far if they're in the chapter book library (in the playroom)



I wish I had pictures of my little bookcase and my bedroom from growing up. I can still see it all in my mind but I wish I could show the girls.





... because you're never too old for fairy tales



Letters down, ribbon washed, letters back up



Polished this little silver baby brush and comb. If I took my time taking the photo you could see Abigail Mei, May 18, 2007 engraved in it.

"Have nothing in your homes you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."  (William Morris) Oh how I looooove the beautiful.



Their favorite part of deep cleaning is putting everything back. And finding new places for things. Like her tea party bistro set under her desk.



Teapot's on, cups are waiting
Favorite chairs, Anticipating
No matter what I have to do
My friend, there's always time for you... 

A little mouse is on his way!



Grandpa came over with gifts



and made her eyes light up







Abigail had a fever on and off all weekend so we didn't go to Mass and instead said the rosary.



Scott did a lot of spring work outside



The earth is singing again and green is coming up all over



And we ended our weekend on the couch watching a movie.





We picked birthday party dates and planned the themes. I'm going to have a 13 year old and a 9 year old soon! Oh my heart swells!