Because I'm Magic Like That ;)

Yesterday, I started to throw two water jugs away and then told the girls to keep them, that I could make Easter baskets out of them.  Doc heard me and said, "You can do that?!?"

 I said, "Yeah."

Her voice filled with awe, "Wow! Are you magic?"

"No."

"Then you CAN'T make Easter baskets from water jugs?"

"Yes, I can."

"Then you ARE magic!"

So today I made two Easter baskets for the little girls.  Then we hid eggs and let the girls find them.

Busy Bee found one that was camouflaged to look like a stone and asked, "¿Esta hegg?

"Si."

So she picked it up, looked at it more closely and threw it back down exclaiming, "No hegg!"

"Mira, " I said as I opened the egg to reveal the candy inside.

Every time she found the camouflaged eggs after that, she made me open them so she could see the prize inside.

After coming inside and emptying the candy into their baskets, Busy Bee said, "Abuela gave me candy."

Ayer, empecé a tirar dos jarras de agua de distancia y luego dije a las chicas para mantenerlos, para que yo pudiera hacer cestas de Pascua fuera de ellos. D me oyó y dijo: "¿Puedes hacer eso?!?" 

 Le dije: "¡Sí!" 

Su voz llena de asombro: "¡Vaya! ¿Eres la magia?" 

"No." 

"Entonces usted no puede hacer cestas de Pascua de jarras de agua?" 

"Sí, puedo." 

"Entonces usted es mágico!" 

Así que hoy he hecho dos cestas de Pascua para las niñas. Entonces nos escondimos huevos y vamos a las chicas las encuentran.

B encontró una que estaba camuflado para parecer una piedra y le preguntó: "¿Esto Hegg? 

"Si." 

Así que ella lo cogió, lo miró más de cerca y lo tiró hacia abajo exclamando: "No Hegg!" 

"Mira", me dijo mientras abría el huevo para revelar el caramelo dentro. 

Cada vez que se encontró con los huevos camuflados después de eso, ella me hizo abrir los para que pudiera ver el premio dentro.

Después de entrar a la casa y vaciar el caramelo en sus cestas, dijo B, "Abuela me dio dulces."

Today I am thankful for these little girls. (#338)  I am thankful for the opportunity to be involved in their lives. (#339)  Mostly, though, I am thankful that Easter is so much more than baskets and candy filled eggs (#340) and I will forever be grateful that I had the opportunity to explain that to Doc yesterday. (#341)

Lent: candy, toys

Yesterday - #330-337

Last night I gave up on the plan to blog when it was 11:00 and I had been asking for access to the computer for an hour... I decided to go to bed.   

Yesterday was good. (#330) Angelica had to work and it was the last Freemont skate before the rink closes for the summer so I took the girls to the rink and let them skate. (#331) Doc loved it (#332) and Busy Bee preferred to run in the bleachers as usual.  That was good for me since I was tired before the day even began. (#333) We left the rink just minutes before a friend showed up there looking for me.  She had mentioned earlier that she needed a sitter and I said that I could watch the boys if she brought them to me - an hour drive each direction.  Initially she didn't take me up on it but thankfully I outlined my day so she knew where to find me! (#334) We then had the privilege of keeping her four boys. (#335) She met us at the house and Miracle and I took all six kids, age 6 mo to 12, to the park to play.  I'm glad it was a nice day! (#336) Being at the park makes things so much easier. (#337) The only negative is that I forgot that I have a reaction to sunshine so after three hours in the sun my body is achy, I am feverish and my joints feel as if they have been infused with poison.  I probably won't forget my hat again all summer.  

Lent: 3 games

Just Being Honest Here

Today I am sad.  There is no moment or reason that I can explain, it's just a feeling. There's a bit that I know about it, mainly that it is unusual for me to feel sad in this manner, but nothing concrete or definable; just sadness that swallows me whole. I could blame it on something physical: I'm tired, achy, have a migraine, and feverish.  All of those are true, but I know that's not the reason I am sad.  Rather than spending time figuring out why, I am just going to do the one thing that I know that combats it...

Today I am thankful for this - blogging that provides a space for me to express and a community to be a part of. (#313 & 314)

I am thankful for Easter and all that God gave to us in this holiest of seasons - salvation from sin, healing for our bodies, renewing of our minds.  (#315, 316, 317, &318)

I am thankful for the basics - my home filled with modern conveniences, my children.  (#319 & 320)

I am thankful for memories of people no longer in my life.  (#321)

I am thankful that my children have health and that they know to appreciate it and not take it for granted.  (#322 & 323)

I am thankful for the opportunity to rest and listen to my body, that I have the freedom to take care of myself.  (#324)

I am thankful for lists of what needs to be done so that I can be more purposeful and so that I can know what to say when someone asks if they can help.  (#325)

I am thankful that we have two cars and that Angelica can drive.  I am also thankful that the doctor gave Miracle the right to drive today.  (#326, 327, & 328)

I am thankful for the change in perspective that giving things away for the last month and a half has made in me.  Perspective to realize that I was already quite generous, perspective to realize the joy that comes of giving something that I still want and use to fill a genuine need, the perspective to realize that I was holding too tightly to some things.  (#329)

Sadness is an inevitable part of life.  What do you do to combat sadness when it comes?

Lent: book, stuffed toys, dolls, Easter baskets, clothes

A Better Easter Garden

Yesterday, I posted a purely secular, purely fun "Easter Garden." Today I came across a much better idea. (#305) I don't want to re-post without permission, so I just put the link.  I know.  I know.  It seems I can't go more than a few weeks without mentioning Ann Voskamp and referencing something she has written, but applying the concepts she writes about is changing my life and the lives of my children.  (#306) God uses her voice in a powerful way.  

As far as the rest of my day, it was uneventful.  Thankfully, I am beginning to actually see proof that I am being productive. (#307) Miracle has been quite helpful. (#308) My foot hurts a lot less. (#309) Specifically, I have only taken 1/2 of a pain pill today. (#310) Both girls were able to go to church this evening (#311) and they took the little girls with them. (312) 

Lent: dolls

Easter Garden

It's good to be home. (#299) I am thankful that the cough I had on Friday didn't turn into anything more. (#300) For Miracle and I, today was calm. (#301) Miracle didn't leave the house at all and I only went out to see my favorite chiropractor.  (#302) Angelica had to go to class and was a bit stressed because the events of the weekend didn't allow her time to complete an assignment.  Thankfully, she was given a reprieve from the professor and will turn it in on Thursday. (#303) I look around at my house and it looks worse than it did this morning rather than better.  What I see completely contradicts what I know to be true; namely that I accomplished quite a bit today. (#304)

And then there's this that I saw on fb and wanted to pin... 

Lent: bookcase, storage boxes, bandana

My Day - #262-264

Emotionally I'm a bit off kilter today - agitated and struggling to find center.  Physically, I'm struggling to focus my brain which is just contributing to the emotions.  I purpose to think of God and His word and the blessings He has given but before I can even cement them in my brain, they have fluttered away.  Living with a debilitating disease is difficult some days.  These days serve as a preview of what's to come and that always sets me off a bit.  It also makes me thankful for the abilities I have now. (#262) Maybe I overdid it earlier in the week.  It felt so good to be able to accomplish things and focus my thoughts and I took advantage of the moments when they were there. 

I am also thankful for my daughter's relationship - how they love each other and enjoy being around each other and find ways to help and encourage each other. (#263) That might be 5 things, but I'll count it as one. 

I am thankful that the weather is a bit more temperate and I was able to air out the house a bit today. (#264)

Lent: stuffed lorax

Make Shift Diapers and Other Things :)

Today was good. (#257) There's nothing that stands out as making it good, but it was.  I was productive again, getting some paperwork done. (#258) Angelica was able to go to church and she took Doc with her. (#259) Doc is reading much faster and doing math without as much struggle. (#260) She also had to list as many words she could think of in 5 minutes for one assignment.  She came up with a sizable list and only misspelled one! (#261) I am so proud of her and how hard she is working to catch up!

Now for some comic relief...

Around 3, Miracle came upstairs with Busy Bee to get something and accidentally locked them out of their apartment so we all stayed upstairs this evening.  We had fun figuring out how to fashion a diaper from what we had on hand.  In the end, we used a t-shirt like they describe in this tutorial.  Ours didn't turn out quite so perfectly, but being as it has been 18 years since I last tried to "create" a diaper from things around the house, I think it turned out pretty good.  At least it did the job.  ;)

Lent: clothes

My Day - #251-256

I enjoyed knowing it was a nice day. (#251) Honestly, I didn't get outside to enjoy the weather until after dinner and by then it was chilly, but somehow just knowing spring is coming gave me a flicker of happiness. 

I accomplished quite a bit today. (#252) It's odd.  Recognizing that I accomplished a lot given the stage in life I am at and feeling content rather than comparing my now to my then.  I'm glad I am able to do that now, but it is still a bit odd. 

A friend stopped by today. (#253) I really enjoyed our visit.  Plus, she brought gifts! (#254) She brought me a toaster and a framed photo of her family. Both are cherished.  I have been wanting a toaster for almost a year. She also brought pants for my impossible to fit daughter. (#255) My beautiful Angelica has long legs, a tiny waist, and she is allergic to nickel.  It is difficult to find anything that doesn't have to be modified after purchase, but she did!  

And then there's Miracle. (#256) I couldn't put here what the struggle was and I therefore can't put here what the praise is, but I am so very thankful for the work God is doing and has done in her heart recently.  The scripture that says "he makes all things new" is truly being exemplified in her life before my eyes.

Lent: stuffed pig

Disappointment

Today I faced one disappointment after another and yet I was able to maintain perspective and know that God's right there with me. (#250)

I am tired and achy and have a long week ahead.  Please pray for me to remain healthy until Tuesday.  '

I have been unable to focus my energies to give anything away these past few days.  Hopefully I can get back on track tomorrow.

My Day - #239-242

Busy Bee is feeling better. (#239) My ankle is healing nicely and I am more able to walk. (#240) Although I may have overdone it a bit today, as it is quite sore.  I am looking forward to tomorrow; (#241) the only thing on the agenda is to go to the rink to watch A skate.  Both girls seemed satisfied with themselves, knowing that they had accomplished a goal at different points today. (#242) 

Lent: book

My Day - #237-238

Busy Bee is still not feeling well and consequently took a 2 1/2 hour nap today, this time in Miracle's arms, who is also not feeling well  

B aún no se siente bien y por lo tanto tomó una siesta de 2 1/2 horas de hoy, esta vez en los brazos de Milagro, que también no se siente bien

  

Doc busy doing studies.  Everyday she practices math and spelling and reads for 20 minutes even if she doesn't have homework.  In the very beginning she sometimes complained about this, but has come to understand this is the reason she is improving so quickly and astonishing her teachers.  (#237)

D ocupado haciendo estudios. Todos los días ella practica matemáticas y la ortografía y lee durante 20 minutos, incluso si ella no tiene tarea. En el primer momento que a veces se quejó de esto, pero ha llegado a entender esta es la razón por la que está mejorando tan rápidamente y había engañado a sus maestros. (# 237)

Today I am thankful; as in a constant feeling of gratitude within me, (#238) but I am so tired I can't find words to describe specific things I am thankful for.  Maybe tomorrow.

Lent: today I tried to give away a stuffed pig but the person who said she would pick it up didn't show.  Maybe tomorrow.  As of today, I have given 35 items away and there are still 16 days until Easter, so I'm ahead and will not be concerned about today.  :)

My Day - #232-236

Tuesdays are long days.  They start early and end late.  Last night, all I could do was list the first thing that came to mind simply because I was so tired.  Here are a few pictures taken yesterday.

Busy Bee - apparently any day is a good day to be a butterfly when you're two!

B - al parecer, cualquier día es un buen día para ser una mariposa cuando estás dos!

Even a day that you're so sick you can barely stay awake.

Incluso un día que estás tan enfermo que apenas puede mantenerse despierto.

Doc practicing spelling.  I will try anything to make the words stick.  We made a crossword of all the words she missed yesterday.  I actually think this is one of my best ideas. (#232) She spelled about half of those words correctly today. (#233) She is such a smart girl. (#234)

D practicar la ortografía. Voy a intentar cualquier cosa para que las palabras se pegan. Hemos hecho un crucigrama de todas las palabras que ella perdió ayer. De hecho, creo que este es uno de mis mejores ideas. Ella escribe sobre la mitad de esas palabras correctamente hoy. Ella es una chica muy inteligente.

Doc is feeling much better today (#235), but Busy Bee is still so sick that she slept most of the day.  I love holding little ones while they sleep. (#236)

D se siente mucho mejor hoy, pero la abeja ocupada sigue siendo tan enferma que ella dormía la mayor parte del día.  Me encanta la celebración de los más pequeños mientras duermen. 

Lent: stuffed dog

Smile! :)

It's been a long day.  I need to get to bed, so I am only going to add one thing to my list...

When Angelica arrived home from class, she was all smiles.  It feels good to see her so happy.  (#231)

Lent: envelope

My Day - # 226-230

I am doing better emotionally today than I have been for the last week. (#226) Nothing outwardly has changed, but still I am beginning to find center again.  Part of the healing has come from realizing that I truly am surrounded by people that care. (#227) Sprint may have cheapened the word "framily" but that doesn't change the reality that I have friends in my life that are more like family (#228) and family in my life again. (#229) My foot is beginning to heal.  I can take a step or two at a time now, or several if I am only putting partial pressure on it while still using crutches. (#230) 

Lent: scrubs, stuffed pig, stuffed dog

Skating!

Angelica wanted to skate today and I wanted to watch.  Miracle came along just for the fun of it.  I am truly blessed to have such amazing daughters. (#225)

 Lent: toys

My Day - #218-220

Today I had an appointment but didn't accomplish much else.  Tomorrow morning I get my foot checked out again. (#218) Miracle painted my toenails on my sore foot today.  I felt so special and loved. (#219) I am also thankful for Autumn and elizabethd who both left comments of what they are thankful for. (#220) Autumn's comment was in my email rather than here, but had the desired effect nonetheless. :)

Lent: night light

My Day - #211-217

Miracle and I had a meaningful conversation this morning. I am always thankful when we talk like that, even if the topic isn't one that could be called good. (#211) Angelica and I also had time to talk and cuddle. (#212) I am so glad that she hasn't and likely never will outgrow the need for mom hugs. (#213) Miracle had such a pleasant attitude today and that helped me to have a good attitude as well. (#214) Angelica was able to skate. (#215) She came home excited that she is consistently landing her toe loop. (#216) I created a new header which makes me smile. Smiling is good. (#217) The header is a bit big, but I still like it. :)

Honestly, though, I am struggling to find those things I am thankful for right now.  Maybe because I am physically sick.  Maybe because there are quite a few stressors that aren't likely to ever be typed out here. Whatever the reason, it always helps me to hear things that other people are thankful for so could you please leave a comment letting me know something you are thankful for? Thanks.

Lent: magnets

This and That - #200-204

Today is one of those hard days to find what I am thankful for.  I am tired and achy and realized today that by the very nature of the words degenerative disease, I am likely never going to be better than I am today.  That is a hard thing to swallow.  On Friday, I received word that the government has finally decided I am disabled.  This news was initially received with enthusiasm but it has begun to sink in that I am truly disabled.  It's not like I needed someone to tell me this.  I already knew it, but there is something about being told this by someone else that makes it more real.  

Today I had an appointment and then sat downstairs while M watched the little girls. I am thankful for that although I don't know how to put into words exactly what I am thankful for. (#200) Then I enjoyed a quiet evening dozing on the couch while I was home alone. (#201) M came home excited about Mary Kay possibilities. (#202) A came home talking about skating and other things. (#203) I am so very thankful that both my girls still value my opinion and just like to tell me about the moments in their days. (#204)

Here are a few things I saw on fb in the past few days...

How to dye eggs naturally.

I followed this one all the way back to the fb page it was originally posted on, Real Food Whole Health, but since I can't pin from fb, I am sharing it here.

While I was looking for the eggs, I stumbled across this.  

Lent: shoes

Rainbow Fan

I think I might do this.

Today I am thankful for sleep. (#198) I woke up at 9, went back to bed at 10, woke up at 1:30, went back to bed at 2:30, woke up at 7, dozed until the girls got home at 9 and am headed back to bed in a few minutes.  Obviously my body is fighting something.  I am also thankful for friendship, (#199) even if I have been banned from bringing gifts to future birthday parties. Apparently giving toy swords to a three year old who has two older brothers is a bad idea.  LOL

Lent: play swords

My day - #185-197

Spending my day hanging out with this cutie. (#185)

Meanwhile the girls are at Nebraska's Fine Arts Festival.(#186) Angelica uploaded a video of Miracle singing "Need You Now" by Plumb. (#187)

A neighbor was over helping me fix a bottle for the baby (#188) when I was watching the video and I told her that Angelica had posted it.  She said that she would like to hear it. I said it was playing but that I could start if over if she liked.  Her response? "That's Miracle? I thought that was on the radio." (#189)

Miracle also prepared a short sermon.  

I am thankful that God used writing this sermon to teach Miracle and to heal her broken heart. (#190) We were both disappointed that she didn't make it to nationals, but in the end all that matters is that God changed her heart and hopefully touched someone who was listening. 

The girls also sang together.  There were some issues with the sound system, but if you can hear past that, they sound pretty good together.  (#191)

I am thankful that they stepped outside of their comfort zone and decided to do a duet. (#192) Every time they choose to work together on something like this, their bond becomes stronger. (#193) That is an immeasurable blessing.

Angelica did an ASL solo.

I am thankful that through this festival she found her calling so many years ago. (#194) I am thankful that she has continued to grow (#195) and improve (#196) and that each year her desire to bridge the gap between the hearing world and the deaf among us and bring the preChristians within the deaf community to Christ increases. (#197)

Finally, Miracle entered a pencil drawing in 2-D art.  The photograph doesn't do it justice.


Lent: card