Monday, May 31, 2010

Day 70

*SWIM :)

Day 69 & 70

Today is Memorial Day and it's nice to be home with nothing to do. I have been so busy/tired from jury duty that the thought of actually writing a post has been too much. Today I feel rested and relaxed and hopeful that my trial will end this week. I'm getting really excited for my trip to CA. It's been 6 months since we were last there and I'm excited to be with my family with my kids and husband. The traveling can be difficult, but I'm choosing to have a positive attitude ahead of time. Gracie is going through a screaming phase (mainly when she can't express with words what she wants-she screams!) and that has Gabe apprehensive about the flight. I've explained to him that we're going to do the best we can and that we cannot control her-so we shall see. Maddie should be a breeze, hopefully, but she too is in a phase. Her phase is more of the grouchy, 3 year old type. You know the one...it starts with a furrowed brow and then morphs into throwing something on the ground all while saying "I want to go home!" What can I say? Our house is a place that time-outs are abundant right now :)

I was thinking this week that this jury duty/switching daily roles with my husband thing has been tough on us. First, I have to say that Gabe has shined in his role. He took it on (after much grumbling) and then gave it his best shot. I felt very proud of him week 1. Then week 2 came around and he was still fulfilling his role but was so sure I'd be done at the end of the week that when I had to call him and say I have to go back tomorrow, he got sort of bent out shape (nice way to put it). You see, I was really looking forward to this weekend; 3 days of nothing to do and at least I didn't have to be stuck in a window-less room with 11 strangers. But, Gabe and I had to get back on board with one another. After 2 weeks of a trial (both in the court sense and in the being tested by God sense) we were at each other's throats. He was frustrated that he couldn't go back to work (read that as his realization that staying home with kids all day is no walk in the park) and I was sensitive, zoned out and really stressed about the verdict I'm rendering. So, just like normal people,we took it out on each other. He lashed out at me and I shut down and then got mad. Let's just say Friday evening wasn't my proudest moment. By Saturday morning we had enough time to gain a desire to clean our sides of the proverbial street clean and with apologies we were back on "our" team.

My point in sharing all of that is to show that there was a realization I had during our fight. That when we are going through something tough in life, we have 2 choices. We can argue and be mad or we can lean on eachother and God. I started jury duty with that in mind; that maybe God was trying to teach us something about appreciation. So, we approach week 3 of jury duty with that in mind. The fact that God never gives us more than we can handle has been helpful. Also, the fact that even when it's been tough these last 2 weeks, we are still doing fine. And, that's what really matters.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 67 & 68




*Top to Bottom: Wings, Library, & First Harvest (Yes! It all came from our garden ;)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Day 65 & 66




You guessed it...still on jury duty. We're making progress in that we're deliberating :/ On the other hand Gabe has had a great day with Grace. He took Maddie to school and then took Grace to Dog School, the mall, and then for a walk. Here's the pic's. I sure hope life get's back to normal for me soon; I'm missing it :(

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Day 63 & 64

As my jury duty continues I find that I have more to say but cannot! Yesterday I left my house at 8am and stayed at court until 5pm. Then I drove to MD for my weekly Monday night meeting and afterwards went to dinner with friends. I walked in the door around 10:20pm! It was a long day but after group and dinner I felt refreshed. Tired, but refreshed. Sometimes you just need some good laughs with some girlfriends to feel like part of the world again :) So, this morning I'm off to court again. Yesterday was incredibly boring and I'm hoping that it's not as painful today.
Yesterday Gabe took the girls to work with him and then headed into DC to the Air and Space Museum-alone, with both girls. I was so proud of him. He's really doing an amazing job with them; last Friday when I was off court Maddie sobbed when Gabe headed off to work...At first it hurt my feelings but then I realized how sweet that was. We have dinner plans tonight with another couple at a restaurant we love. Can't wait :)

*I'll post the pic's Gabe took later. I'm running out the door!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Day 62





Gabe and I just walked in from a wonderful wedding and I'm tired, but had to post a few pic's before I head to bed. Enjoy!

*Top to Bottom: Farmer's Market pick's, Washington Masonic Temple (wedding location), GW himself, & Us

Friday, May 21, 2010

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Day 61




* A Day with Dad: Office, Bite, & Lunch (Grilled Cheese and Green Beans)

Day 58, 59 & 60




Well, as I had said previously, blogging this week and next will not be the same. I have SO much to say and I'm not allowed to say any of it. That's what happens when you're a juror. I can say that yesterday was tough and I'm thankful that today we are getting out early and that tomorrow I get to just be a mom ;) I've been looking forward to Friday all week long. I'm taking the girls to the zoo and plan to enjoy every single minute! That's one thing I realized when I came home last night. I am definitely hugging my girls a bit tighter. My friend Katie had a great idea about why I may have been selected for jury duty. I had been thinking that maybe they saw that I could be fair, or maybe they needed someone with a Hispanic last name. But I had been sharing with Katie all the ways that Gabe has been truly amazing with keeping up with the house work and the kids. I even commented that "he's doing everything the way I do it!" Katie responded that maybe that's the lesson here. That God wants me to really appreciate Gabe for what an amazing husband and father he is. And, for Gabe to realize what my daily life is like and gain a new appreciation for me. I LOVE this idea. What better way could God have us to gain compassion for each other? So, this morning I'm up early and going to leave very soon. This experience also gives me a new gratitude about my own job as a mom. It was definitely a job meant for me! It is very difficult at times; can even feel stifling (just being honest) but it's exactly where I'm supposed to be. The following pic's were from yesterday and they don't have much to do with my post, but here ya go :-)

*Top to Bottom: Teeth, Super-Sleeping Dog, ZaZoooo, & Salad (The lettuce is from OUR GARDEN :)

Monday, May 17, 2010

Day 57


Well, today I had jury duty. I went into it sort of looking forward for a break from my life. A place to go and read and knit and just hang out. The day started that way but it took a turn at a certain point and all I can say is that I was selected to be a juror in a trial that will last the next 2 weeks of my life... Obviously I cannot talk about what kind of trial it is, etc. but I do need prayers. If you pray, please pray that I can be fair; that my kids will be well taken care of without me; that Gabe can balance his workload and our homeload on his own; that I may be patient; and most of all that through this trial (literally) I can somehow serve God. That was my prayer today heading to the courthouse. I wanted Him to show me how He could use me, and to make me available to that. So, here we go. I'm blogging this mostly to say that for the next 2 weeks (except Fridays and weekends) I won't be living my normal life which means I won't be carrying my camera around for snapshots to use as "picture of the day." Bear with me if there's times when nothing gets posted. I'll do my best. But, today Gabe took the girls on an outing that has become something of a tradition in our home. When the girls need new shoes, Daddy takes them and buys them a pretzel afterwards. Because Gabe is so great, he even did what I would have really wanted him to do: he took a snapshot of the new kicks. Maddie wears a size 8.5 now (OMGoodness) and Gracie is in a 6 wide :) Classic.

* Zapatos Neuvos

Farmer's Market May 2010

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Day 56


*Top to Bottom: Zora, & Published

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Day 55

Today was a fun day! The girls and I headed out early to the Farmer's Market (not our usual one) to meet up with my friend Katie and her kids. There was so much going on and so many foods to try/buy. But, we found this trio playing music and Maddie was drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Before I started recording this video one of the men asked Maddie if she liked snakes. She replied, "yes." Then he asked, "do you like them for breakfast or for lunch?" to which she said "breakfast" very matter-of-factly! They were surprised and said kids are usually caught off guard by that question and don't really have an answer :) So, they played this song and the kids all loved it! Enjoy the video above!

I also took lots of pic's:


*Top to Bottom: The Gang, Front Row, Tag, & Hats

Friday, May 14, 2010

Day 54


Yesterday I finished yet another knitting project! I definitely caught the knitting bug ;) This head scarf ("Kitschy Kerchief" from Stitch n' Bitch) came out really cute and I actually wore it most of today! It fit right in on my Whole Foods errand ;) Also, just had to call in and found out that I do have Jury Duty on Monday. My number was called and so I have to be at the courthouse at 8:15am. I'm not as worried about the duty itself or even the day spent waiting (I've done this before when I was 18) because I've already begun knitting project #3-a purse-and I can just sit and knit while I wait. I'm more worried about getting up, getting ready (not just my famous black yoga pants, but actually ready) and driving all the way to Fairfax in rush hour. Part of me thinks it will be fun to do something totally different than my day to day routine. I'll keep you posted.
*Top to Bottom: The Phish Obsession..., Begins, Kitschy Kerchief, & Voila

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Day 52 & 53

Cannot believe I forgot to blog yesterday! Seriously it didn't even cross my mind, but the truth is that I was recovering from this yucky sickness that's been lurking in my home for 2.5 weeks :( Today is a much better day and even after taking girls to the doctor yesterday to find that they are completely fine they are still a bit cranky. Which brings me to my official "time-out." Sometimes when my kids are pushing every one of my buttons, plus fighting with each other and just being downright poopy, I put myself in a "time-out." It usually entails me putting a gate up between me in the kitchen and them on the other side. That way I can continue what I need to do but they can't get to me. It doesn't help with the noise factor though so I've chosen to run the exhaust fan on high above the stove to cancel out the noise :) It's safe because I can still see them, and let's face it, I can hear them too, but it still feels like a break for some reason. This morning started with one of those "time-outs" for me and here's what that looks like...

*Top to Bottom: Toes, & Waiting

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Day 51




*My, my how your garden grows

Top Picture (Clockwise): Tomatoes, Basil, Cilantro, Beans & Tomatoes
Bottom Picture: Strawberries, Romaine, Bibb, Green onion, Parsley, Beets & Carrots

Monday, May 10, 2010

Day 50





Just got home from group and I'm feeling "light." That's how group makes me feel. It's a place where I've made friends, where I trust those around me with my truths, and where I get stuff off my chest. It truly is a place of recovery and I'm SO grateful that I get to go there.
Earlier in the day I promised a visit to the park for the girls. It's a park that we haven't been to in a while and it's very close to our house. They were loving it especially because we were the only ones there. We headed to the grocery store next and I made a note to myself that my kids are super well behaved when they've just run all their energy out at the park 20 minutes before :) Happy Monday!

*From Top to Bottom: Excitement, Happiness, Girlie, & Sisters

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 49 / Happy Mother's Day!


*Reading to the one who first made me a Mom :)

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Day 48


*Collage: Family Potluck

Getting ready to watch Avatar with my hubby but wanted to try some new collage software first....opinions?

Friday, May 7, 2010

Day 47.5




I just had to put up these pic's of Maddie before she headed off to an afternoon tea party! She was invited and her Grammie took her. Can you tell she was a little excited?!?

Day 47





I should have known I'd be way too tired to blog last night! Ugh. I was sick yesterday so I didn't feel like doing much...but I did manage to go over to see Janie and plan Patrice's Bridal Shower. I took Grace with me & Maddie was at school. I caught a couple of really cute pic's of Gracie and her aunt. Then, I did something I've been waiting a long time to do.....
I finished the blanket I've been knitting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of myself for how great it turned out; considering all I've made until now is some scarves. So, it's done. It's called the "Big, Bad Baby Blanket" and it's from the book Stitch 'n Bitch. Now onto my next projects which include that head kerchief, a Moebius scarf & a purse. So excited to start something new :) Oh, and even though it's a baby blanket, Maddie already hijacked it this morning for watching early morning cartoons. She said she wanted to have it! That was the best compliment :)

*From Top to Bottom: Red Chair, Janie, Cozy, Accomplished, & Still Cozy ;)

PS: I painted our porch chairs 2 days ago and now instead of a faded green, they are a beautiful red and I LOVE THEM!!! :)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Day 45


My allergies are SO bad tonight that even though I want to blog, I simply can't. I'll write tomorrow to explain how BUSY today was but also how fun. These girls were made just for me :)

*Top to Bottom: Dress Up, & Girls