Boys, Hikes, Forts and Love

Happy MLK day! Boy, as nice as it is to have Finn at school during the week, the whole getting-up- and-rushing-to-get-ready thing is just not our cup of tea. The day goes so much smoother when I don't have to start out begging someone to get dressed and rushing around packing lunches and whatnot. So, today I am thankful to be able to be on our own schedule and not in a rush.
This weekend has been a great one with Mr. Finn. He has been extra happy and agreeable, and what mother wouldn't appreciate that? Yesterday Finn and I got to spend some special time together. While Phoebe napped and Todd watched football, we headed out towards the Gorge to go on a hike. We chose an open area because we wanted to be able to enjoy the sun.....however, when we got there, there were very strong winds (probably about 40 mph). We ended up ducking onto a path in the woods to get away from the wind, which also meant that we were hiking in shade. But, my little man didn't complain once. He was in good spirits and having fun.
On the way home, I thanked him for coming hiking with me and for being such a trooper. He said "Mom, of course I wanted to go with you because I love you so much and I always want to be with you." For a kid that doesn't often give spontaneous announcements of love, this was pretty monumental.
When we got home Finn decided he wanted to build a fort underneath his bunk bed and I gladly obliged. We pulled out some Christmas lights for the inside, some sheets and fabric for the walls, and brought some snuggley blankets and pillows in to make it cozy. When I came home from book club later that night, I found him asleep in his fort. Could it get any sweeter?
Finn and Phoebe have been in the fort all morning. Forts rule.

 

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Gratitude Sunday

Happily joining in with the other Taryn of Wooly Moss Roots for another Gratitude Sunday.

This week I have been feeling very grateful for the sun (and lack of rain) that we have had. A tough day always seems a bit easier when the sun is out, doesn't it?

I have also been feeling grateful for my wonderful friends and family who are there when I need someone to listen or need a good laugh. What would I ever do without them?

I am also grateful that I have a job that I enjoy, and one that also allows me to mostly be at home with my kids.

And lastly, feeling grateful that my husband has been working so hard as of late, trying his very best to build his business so that we can (one day!) be debt-free.




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This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama.

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Yarn Along and Some Finished Awesomeness

Joining in with Ginny at Small Things for another yarn along! So, I had a big week in knitting. Well, more just a week of finishing projects, so it made me feel like I was accomplishing a lot. Don't you love the feeling of finishing something up? I finally finished Phoebe's tiny tea leaves and I am so in love with it. Blue is her color and the cardi is just so sweet. I also finished up a second drop-stitch cowl (I LOVE these cowls!) and decided to keep in for myself. Why not? I also knit up a quick new pair of mittens for Phoebe. Moshi ate her last pair and the weather has been mighty cold. So, what am I knitting now? I am just getting ready to start this adorable cowl/hat for Phoebe. I am a little nervous, as part of the trim is crochet, and I have no clue how to do it, but it is too cute to not try. I just bought yarn for a Milo vest for Phoebe too, so I am hoping to cast that on soon as well.
Just started reading Cutting for Stone. My mom sent it to me awhile back, and after 2 more friends recommending it, I decided I should dig in. It is set in Ethiopia, and I always seem to get sucked into books that take place in Africa. So far I am loving it.
What are you reading? What are you knitting?

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Winter Moments

Portland's winter climate is cool and rainy. Lots of rainy. So, like most Portlanders, I cherish the snippets of snow that we get. This morning we woke up to a dusting of snow on the ground and it lightly snowed on and off all day. There was no accumulation, but watching snow fall is so mesmerizing, so meditative, that I was happy all the same.
Phoebe and I had a chance to go for a short hike. Well, to be completely honest, I needed to 'borrow' some soil for my class tomorrow, so we sort of had to go on a hike, but it was exactly what we both needed. There is something about wintery days that makes the whole world seem so quiet and muffled. We saw several other people on the trail, and heard and saw many birds, yet I still felt like we were in our own quiet bubble.
Spending an hour outside in the woods reminded me that it has been too long since I have done that; too long since I have reconnected with nature. I am glad to have had the chance and hope to be back soon.

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Weekending

Happily joining in with Amanda at Habit of Being for another weekending post.

This weekend was luxurious.
Friday night the kids and I picked hubby up from work
and used our Christmas money to buy Apple TV,
a nifty little gadget that lets us stream Netflix right onto our TV.
It's pretty rad, I must say.....
no more cricked necks while Todd and I both try and get a good view of the computer.
For dinner we went out for Ethiopian, a family favorite,
and we all went to bed happy and full.

Saturday morning we awoke to frost and a very cold morning
(for Portland, at least!)
But the skies quickly turned blue and we enjoy a freezing, yet sunny, day.
We let the dogs run at the dog park
and then we all headed to the community center for a family swim.
Phoebe had a blast
( I think she thought she was actually swimming!)
Then I had a chance to run a few errand sans kids--
a trip for yarn, groceries for dinner, and the library.
In the late afternoon, I had to take my 11 year old dog,
Puppy Cow, (yes, that is his real name) to the vet.
He has a growth on his bottom and, the bad news is....
it looks suspicious.
So, in the next week or so, he will need to have surgery to have it removed,
and biopsied.
Fingers crossed that it is not cancerous.....
Thinking about what the future holds for Puppy Cow
has made me realize, cancer or not, that his time left is likely short.
And, before it is too late, I need to take some time to be with him,
to soak him up, and to love him as much as I can.
We lost 3 dogs within a year and a half a couple years back,
and I still regret not spending enough time with those dogs in their last months.
Anyways....
Saturday night Todd headed to his office to work on taxes
and I had a whole night to myself to read, knit and watch movies.
It was bliss.

Sunday morning I drank tea and lazed around.
We ate a big breakfast, with Todd's (almost) famous sweet potato biscuits.
A quick walk with the dogs-
Another chilly sunny day!
I had a chance to go to the gym,
had an easy nacho lunch,
and did a little sewing and a little reading.
In the afternoon I headed to a Naked Lady Party.
Have you ever been to one?
You  bring your old clothes you don't want
and swap for other gal's unwanted clothes.
Anything left over is donated.
I cleared out my closet and came home with a bag of goodies.
It was fantastic!
Dinner was soup and salad
followed by family movie night.
Now, the kids are in bed (yet not quite asleep)
and I am ready to snuggle under the covers
and knit.

Fingers crossed that this week will be a little easier,
and Finn will re-find his rhythm at school. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!


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Gratitude Sunday

Joining in with the other Taryn of Wooly Moss Roots for Gratitude Sunday.

This weekend I have been feeling grateful for some much needed sun here in Portland. With the sun comes cold temperatures and frosty mornings, but I don't mind the cold so much. It's worth it for some blue skies.

I have also been feeling grateful for a slow weekend with not many plans. Our weeks have been so busy that I welcome a morning with a warm cup of tea and time to putter around the house.

And, as always, I am so grateful for my two beautiful kiddos who bring so many smiles to my face. Hope you are all enjoying your weekend! Pin It Now!