I just put the all the children to bed, Brian is out with a friend, and I have a quiet moment with a cup of peppermint tea. I'll ignore the laundry that needs to be folded and the dinner dishes for a little while and chat with you. I found "Quick Takes Friday" and thought it would be a fun addition, since much of my posts are more "topical" than "newsy".
One: Preggy Stuff.
The day after my whiny preggy post, I started feeling better. About a week later, I can safely say I'm beginning to consistently feel better and less fatigued during the day. Which is good for everyone. Although, everything is not yet "2nd Trimester-all-is-right-with-the-world-boundless-energy" stage yet. Any time now would be lovely.
Two:Date Night!
Last Tuesday was our 8th wedding anniversary. Brian suggested we plan our very first date night in over a year!! He had found a fun fondue restaurant to take me too. We found a babysitter, plans were made!
After Brian's morning meeting, he came home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and the news that the fondue restaurant was closed for renovation. Not surprising. We decided on an Italian restaurant instead. It was so nice to sit, eat dinner and talk without competing with three other little women for the conversation. I didn't have to get up and get juice for anyone even once!
After dinner, we drove to the Khan Al Khalili and bought glass Christmas ornaments. We've been planning on doing this for months now, but taking three little people into a glass store is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who are interested in shopping. We picked out ornaments, chatted and drank tea with the store owner. Then we walked through a part of the Khan I had never been through before. I love the Khan at night. The mosques are lit with colored lights and the people are friendly. The streets are busy and there is always something to see.
Three: Cute Baby.
Sophie has started saying "Thank you," the cutest, sweetest little "dank oo" that has ever graced your ears. She hasn't figured out the correct usage, typically she says it when she is handing something to you. Emily has started getting her out of bed in the mornings and Sophie will run into my room and pick up my Ipod which is on my nightstand and hand it to me, saying, "dank oo". At least she doesn't sneak in and run off with it, yes?
Yesterday, Brian and I were working in the kitchen and Sophie was digging around in her kitchen drawer. She pulled out a heavy, wooden rolling pin and I guess she didn't know what to do with it. She came up between Brian and me and was holding it out saying, "Dank oo", we were busy so we didn't immediately turn around and take it from her. "Dank Oo!" She repeated. "DANK OO!" She said in that tone of voice that means "Hello, I'm here, talking to you and you are ignoring me." Already such a funny little person.
Four: Sad News.
About three weeks ago, in the deepest throes of my early pregnancy woes, I was becoming increasingly sorry for myself when I received an email from one of our dearest friends, concerning another dear, dear friend. It was one of those emails that immediately put my petty feelings in perspective and made me weep. My friend Carol has Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer. It is considered operable, but they must wait for her health condition to improve.
Carol is one of the most gracious people I have ever met. She always has a sweet word for everyone, but she is not afraid to tell you like it is, however, she has a way of saying that does not offend. I learn from her each time I am with her. Please join me in praying for her health, the wisdom of the doctors and grace for her family.
Five: Treats from Home!
Last week we received boxes from my sister and my mother. We are talking the jack-pot of all boxes from home! Microwave popcorn, M'n'M's, Nerds, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, chocolate chips, brownie mix, beef jerky, real dill pickles... It was quite the haul! My mother sent some maternity clothes for me and my sister sent cute clothes for the girls and some t-shirts for Brian. The girls love their new outfits! They also love the new hair clips--Savannah wears multiple sets at a time. I think the eight has been the most I have seen her wear at a time.
Six:Food Delivery
One of the awesome things about my city is "otlob" (I'm pretty sure I have mentioned it before). A website where participating restaurants put their menu's online, you can choose anything from the menu, order it and 30 minutes to an hour and a half later, it will show up at your door.
I was looking through menus tonight and found some really funny things.
Viagra sandwiches are very popular in local restaurants, don't worry, it is really fried shrimp on sandwich bread. There was a Bikini Hot Dog - no description, so I can't even tell you want it is. And the Pizza La Playa - a cheese pizza with chili's.
I decided to cook dinner tonight.
Seven: Confession.
Okay, "cook dinner" might be a little of an exaggeration. What actually happened is that I floundered around my kitchen looking for something to cook and happened upon a box of Hamburger Helper my sister sent in her box last week. And "dinner" was born. Emily came in and pronounced it gross, so I also made a box of Mac 'n Cheese.
Now, please don't judge me too harshly. (A little is okay, after all, it is Hamburger Helper.) I would have at least made a vegetable to go with it... but all the vegetables are very ripe when you buy them. So anything you buy must be used that day or it goes bad. I had no vegetables in the house. And it is a long walk with 3 little people to get them...
I'll do better tomorrow.
An Extra for Good Measure
I still have a hard time believing that we are expecting baby #4. I really don't feel old enough to be married 8 years and have (almost) 4 children. Then again, I look in the mirror at the wrinkles around my eyes... so I guess I am old enough.
If you remember, a few weeks ago I posted a book review by Rachel Jankovic. This week, a blog post that she wrote has been fluttering around Facebook and in case you missed it, it was well worth the read. Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank) was both convicting and inspiring. My favorite quote is "Motherhood is not a hobby... You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps."
I do not fall into the camp that believes that Motherhood is the only calling for you if you are a woman, however, I strongly believe that if you are a Mother, that your responsibilities are to nurture and wisely raise your children with much love, tears, prayers, laughs, tickles, cuddles and hard work. Mothering is not a thing to be taken lightly or half-heartedly. It is hard, but it is worth doing well. I think learning Arabic is easier than the intensity that is required to raise your very own children and to raise them well.
One of my favorite blogs I read, by a woman I have never met, yet always inspires me to be a better person, posted this post today about raising children entitled Possession Mistaken for Love. In it she says, "it's not too late, we can open the door of the room so no window breaking is necessary. . . and we can walk out of the cottage into the great world beyond with our children - walking with them along the way preparing them to one day walk on their own. Freedom instead of possession. Love instead of obsession."
It is no easy task to prepare "them to one day walk on their own."
But it will be worth it.
One: Preggy Stuff.
The day after my whiny preggy post, I started feeling better. About a week later, I can safely say I'm beginning to consistently feel better and less fatigued during the day. Which is good for everyone. Although, everything is not yet "2nd Trimester-all-is-right-with-the-world-boundless-energy" stage yet. Any time now would be lovely.
Two:Date Night!
Last Tuesday was our 8th wedding anniversary. Brian suggested we plan our very first date night in over a year!! He had found a fun fondue restaurant to take me too. We found a babysitter, plans were made!
After Brian's morning meeting, he came home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and the news that the fondue restaurant was closed for renovation. Not surprising. We decided on an Italian restaurant instead. It was so nice to sit, eat dinner and talk without competing with three other little women for the conversation. I didn't have to get up and get juice for anyone even once!
After dinner, we drove to the Khan Al Khalili and bought glass Christmas ornaments. We've been planning on doing this for months now, but taking three little people into a glass store is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who are interested in shopping. We picked out ornaments, chatted and drank tea with the store owner. Then we walked through a part of the Khan I had never been through before. I love the Khan at night. The mosques are lit with colored lights and the people are friendly. The streets are busy and there is always something to see.
Three: Cute Baby.
Sophie has started saying "Thank you," the cutest, sweetest little "dank oo" that has ever graced your ears. She hasn't figured out the correct usage, typically she says it when she is handing something to you. Emily has started getting her out of bed in the mornings and Sophie will run into my room and pick up my Ipod which is on my nightstand and hand it to me, saying, "dank oo". At least she doesn't sneak in and run off with it, yes?
Yesterday, Brian and I were working in the kitchen and Sophie was digging around in her kitchen drawer. She pulled out a heavy, wooden rolling pin and I guess she didn't know what to do with it. She came up between Brian and me and was holding it out saying, "Dank oo", we were busy so we didn't immediately turn around and take it from her. "Dank Oo!" She repeated. "DANK OO!" She said in that tone of voice that means "Hello, I'm here, talking to you and you are ignoring me." Already such a funny little person.
Four: Sad News.
About three weeks ago, in the deepest throes of my early pregnancy woes, I was becoming increasingly sorry for myself when I received an email from one of our dearest friends, concerning another dear, dear friend. It was one of those emails that immediately put my petty feelings in perspective and made me weep. My friend Carol has Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer. It is considered operable, but they must wait for her health condition to improve.
Carol is one of the most gracious people I have ever met. She always has a sweet word for everyone, but she is not afraid to tell you like it is, however, she has a way of saying that does not offend. I learn from her each time I am with her. Please join me in praying for her health, the wisdom of the doctors and grace for her family.
Five: Treats from Home!
Last week we received boxes from my sister and my mother. We are talking the jack-pot of all boxes from home! Microwave popcorn, M'n'M's, Nerds, Peter Pan Peanut Butter, chocolate chips, brownie mix, beef jerky, real dill pickles... It was quite the haul! My mother sent some maternity clothes for me and my sister sent cute clothes for the girls and some t-shirts for Brian. The girls love their new outfits! They also love the new hair clips--Savannah wears multiple sets at a time. I think the eight has been the most I have seen her wear at a time.
Six:Food Delivery
One of the awesome things about my city is "otlob" (I'm pretty sure I have mentioned it before). A website where participating restaurants put their menu's online, you can choose anything from the menu, order it and 30 minutes to an hour and a half later, it will show up at your door.
I was looking through menus tonight and found some really funny things.
Viagra sandwiches are very popular in local restaurants, don't worry, it is really fried shrimp on sandwich bread. There was a Bikini Hot Dog - no description, so I can't even tell you want it is. And the Pizza La Playa - a cheese pizza with chili's.
I decided to cook dinner tonight.
Seven: Confession.
Okay, "cook dinner" might be a little of an exaggeration. What actually happened is that I floundered around my kitchen looking for something to cook and happened upon a box of Hamburger Helper my sister sent in her box last week. And "dinner" was born. Emily came in and pronounced it gross, so I also made a box of Mac 'n Cheese.
Now, please don't judge me too harshly. (A little is okay, after all, it is Hamburger Helper.) I would have at least made a vegetable to go with it... but all the vegetables are very ripe when you buy them. So anything you buy must be used that day or it goes bad. I had no vegetables in the house. And it is a long walk with 3 little people to get them...
I'll do better tomorrow.
An Extra for Good Measure
I still have a hard time believing that we are expecting baby #4. I really don't feel old enough to be married 8 years and have (almost) 4 children. Then again, I look in the mirror at the wrinkles around my eyes... so I guess I am old enough.
If you remember, a few weeks ago I posted a book review by Rachel Jankovic. This week, a blog post that she wrote has been fluttering around Facebook and in case you missed it, it was well worth the read. Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank) was both convicting and inspiring. My favorite quote is "Motherhood is not a hobby... You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps."
I do not fall into the camp that believes that Motherhood is the only calling for you if you are a woman, however, I strongly believe that if you are a Mother, that your responsibilities are to nurture and wisely raise your children with much love, tears, prayers, laughs, tickles, cuddles and hard work. Mothering is not a thing to be taken lightly or half-heartedly. It is hard, but it is worth doing well. I think learning Arabic is easier than the intensity that is required to raise your very own children and to raise them well.
One of my favorite blogs I read, by a woman I have never met, yet always inspires me to be a better person, posted this post today about raising children entitled Possession Mistaken for Love. In it she says, "it's not too late, we can open the door of the room so no window breaking is necessary. . . and we can walk out of the cottage into the great world beyond with our children - walking with them along the way preparing them to one day walk on their own. Freedom instead of possession. Love instead of obsession."
It is no easy task to prepare "them to one day walk on their own."
But it will be worth it.
Very enjoyable to read, Christy! Well written and such a transparent look at your life right now. Thank you for sharing! :) I can relate to the part of motherhood in a new way now, even though I am technically not a mother of my own yet.
ReplyDeletepopping over from jen's place ...
ReplyDeletei love your thoughts on motherhood; sometimes i think being a mom is one of the hardest jobs ever.
it's also one of the most rewarding ... :)
rachel has the same dress that emily has on! and we had a food delivery service like that, too. burger king would come to our door. (in the states, i won't touch burger king, but when it was our only american-ish option, we may have abused it a tad.)
ReplyDelete