You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'Uncategorized' category.
I haven’t posted for ages mainly because our computer has been running so slowly, coupled with the fact that the space bar was popped off by wee fingers and we don’t know how to replace it. All is well though…the weather is warm and illness has fled the premises. Speaking of illness, have you ever used one of these? Ahhhhhh. Breathing is nice.
And now, as lent is upon us I’ll probably be posting less. I’m not officially “giving it up” but just trying to be more productive and thoughtful with my time. Plus, it just gets plain busy!
Do check in on I am Basil though….that kid is full of ideas.
To those whom it may concern have a blessed Lent…and to all, I ask your forgiveness for the sins I’ve committed against you.
Take care all.
check it out…some good old four year old fiction.
My mom and grandma (Gigi) visited us for lunch today. They made it a happy Valentines day…squeeze your loved ones and be thankful for them :)
May our hearts be moved by the merciful beauty of the Incarnation, God with us.
Merry Christmas!
Laughing three-month-old takes over all soft cushion-y surfaces and charms your socks off in the meantime.
Local amateur photographer captures this girl (who is known to prefer lounging in naught but her diaper) in a rare moment of stillness just before trips to the bathroom to unravel the toilet paper roll and to the baby seat to “feed” her brother pretzels and other small snacks.
Recipient of this cool scooter (thanks Grandpa) in honor of his 4TH BIRTHDAY, the wreckless Mr. B shows off his skinned knee. Duuuude sweet ride, eh?
BC, the baby black hooded rat, joined the Plew family on Basil’s birthday as well. His friendly personality and potential for awesome behaviors like “coming when he’s called, like a dog” makes us all hope that he fares better than Timothy, the guinea pig.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BASIL!!
…..and a happy weekend to all :)
Denise, a beautiful and much admired woman whose family recently moved from our parish to the community of Eagle River Alaska, has started a blog! I’m glad she did…now we can keep in touch.
Check out the moose she spotted in her yard!
Apparently their home resembles the Weasley Burrow, hence the name :)
Welcome to the blogosphere Denise!
We love you Juliana, sore eye and all!
Happy Birthday spunky monkey.
Walking in Wonder…..I just finished re-reading this. I really enjoyed the fresh an positive perspective of this book. Written by an Orthodox woman, it impresses the importance of fostering a sense of wonder in children, helping them learn to serve others, cultivating a willingness to obey, as well as the ability to be still and listen. She suggests that these virtues will serve as tools in develping the ability to worship and to observe the Wonder of God and to see His hand in His creation and this life. The author is a mother as well as a Montessori teacher. She offers very practical applications at the end of each section…written with children under eight in mind. Definitely a good read.
The Last Child in the Woods…haven’t read it but I heard a blip on NPR about the author and the concept of the book. Basically the idea is that modern children spend little to no time playing in natural environments. It encourages outdoor play. With the onslaught of video games, television, and the cringing attitudes of parents toward the “dirtiness” of the outdoors children are missing out the opportunities children of previous generations took for granted. Building forts, digging in dirt, exploring, climbing trees, skinning knees, breaking bones, gathering sticks have been traded in for neatly polished activities which offer far less rewarding and lasting developmental benefits. The points seem obvious and I might not buy the book because I think I can pretty much surmise what he has to say, but it was inspiring to hear about…especially living in the borg (as James calls it) where exposing my kids to dirty, natural play does happen in the backyard, on hikes in the hills, etc. but is harder to come by and much less encouraged than in other areas of the world.
Lots to think about…
Hope you’re having a good Sunday!
Now I’m not a dozen roses type of girl. In factI’ll take a potted plant that will last or hand-picked garden flowers over a cheesy dime a dozen bouquet any day. But I do like celebrating Valentine’s day.
I believe we Orthodox actally celebrate this Saint’s feast on July sixth, but why not celebrate along with everyone today? Growing up my parents always had a little something for us…treats, a card maybe even a small gift. It was fun. This year my dad sent me a card and gave me a copy of Shirley Temple’s Heidi. My mom is stopping by this afternoon for a Valentine’s visit. I think we’ll have something special for dinner and read about the Saint. Why not celebrate a day of loving others and remembering the life of one who lived exemplary?
For the record…Basil just walked in drinking soymilk out of a carton which he snagged from the fridge (almost empty, thankfully!) and Juliana is singing Silent Night songs to her animals behind me (which sounds more like: saaaagh naaagh, hoooy naaagh and gets really cute when she gets to “all is calm” because her voice gets squeakily high) Time to finish morning chores and then we’re off to the post office.
So, love some loved ones and maybe even someone who’s more unlovable. I leave you with these words about Saint Valentine…
Troparion (tone4)
Thou hast become likethe Apostles in their states, a successor to their throne, finding indeed the intelligent ladder, O thou God-inspired. Therefore, thou hast followed the Word of God in righteousness, and striven unto blood for the Faith. O martyr among Priests, Saint Valentine, interecede with Christ God to save our souls.
Valentine wasmartyred in Rome in the year 269 under Eperor Claudius Flavius. He had been put under the charge of general Asterius, who was supposed to persuade him to deny Christ. Instead, St. Valentine healed the general’s daughter from the blindness that had afflicted her for two years. He then baptized Asterius and his whole household. The Emperor, in his foolih rage, had them all tortured and killed. Christ welcomed then home into His Heavenly Kingdom.
What better motivation to get myself and the kids dressed and packed into the car than 10 cent monday at my favorite thrift store? In case you happened to pass by, I was one of the sorry looking folks looming outside St. Vincent de Paul before the doors opened this morning. Sad but true. I only found two things that I wanted for ten cents but scored some other treasures at a good deal nonetheless (only items tagged with one specific color get the sweet dime price). My favorite was an unstained, unpainted Noah’s Ark with an opening door and paired wooden animals inside. You know what they say, “one man’s trash…”
As if the day could get any better, the woman at the coffee shop “comped” my decaf because she felt bad that I had waited so long.
Plus the kitchen’s clean and toys are tidied and ready to be tossed around for the second half of the day.
So there, another shiny happy post. I guess I’m usually feeling swell while the kids are sleeping. Maybe tomorrow I’ll come up with something real, candid and possibly depressing…stay tuned ;)
Aaron has been creating a website for his dad’s church using WordPress. I’ve been impressed with lots of things about it…so, here I am. So long Blogger. I’m not going to delete my old blog. In fact, I’ve linked it on the sidebar mainly because I like to go through archives…and for anyone else that’s interested.
So please update your links if you would be so kind.
