Jogging Strollers: Usually when Karl gets on the bus and it is pouring down rain, I hustle Phillip and Rita inside and I pull out one of my beloved exercise videos and we get a good workout indoors. But an exercise video wasn't going to cut it today. You see, Phillip, who has been getting up multiple times each night for the last three weeks, woke up at 5:20am and would not go back to sleep. The result being that I wasn't too happy most of the morning. So, I decided that today needed something special to snap me out of my bad attitude about mothering. I bundled Phillip and Rita up really well and we went for a run in the pouring down rain. And just as I had hoped, going for a run helped a lot.
Random Strangers: While at the grocery store this afternoon a kind, older lady stopped us and asked if we knew where the peanut butter was. I pointed out the isle to her. She then told me what a beautiful family I had. I thanked her but internally grumbled. This kind lady asked me the ages of the kids and I told her 5, 3, and 1. She told me that she also had two boys and one girl in the same order and about the same age difference. Then she said, "It's worth it." I almost burst into tears at that moment because I had been asking myself all day if it really is. During the course of our conversation she mentioned that she used to go into her bathroom and cry because it was so hard. How did she know that I had spent 10 minutes crying in Rita's room this afternoon? Our conversation was quick, only lasting less than three minutes, but this kind lady made my day. Granted, Phillip still threw a 20-minute raging fit this evening while Rita and Karl were in the tub and Dusty was gone at graduate class. But we survived the day and I will thank Heavenly Father for this kind stranger who was an answer to my prayers.
Grandma's Visit & Thanksgiving
As I've mentioned before, my mom came home in November for a two week stay while my brother had his surgery. It was great to see her. And it was great to see how much other people love her. I've realized as I've become a mother that my mom has always had her own personality and friends. Somehow I never realized that growing up and so it is neat to really recognize my mom as the wonderful lady she is and not see her only as my mom.
Our time with mom was quite limited because she did come home to help run back and forth to the hospital and take care of Stephen and Shara. So we enjoyed some really simple moments with her. One of the things us Blunck girls look forward to when we are together is exercising. And I guess it rubbed off on Karl, so he joined us for a session of yoga.
And since mom was in town, I volunteered to host Thanksgiving so family could come visit with her. It was fun planning the meal with Shara and then getting everything set-up for our feast. Shara made these super cute turkeys for each place setting. Just a side note, Shara was so delighted with how they turned out that she couldn't eat hers. It sat on our counter for a few weeks so she could admire her work...until Phillip swiped it. That boy has got a sweet tooth out of this world.
And of course, mom, being one of the greatest hostesses I've ever known, helped to make things look especially nice for our meal. Thanks mom!
Phillip was insistent that we have our picture taken on Thanksgiving day. When he first saw Grandma at the airport he was rather shy. But he quickly warmed up. When mom walked into the house and started commenting about items she had forgotten about, Phillip quickly piped up and informed her that they were his things. "Grandma, those are my cups." "Grandma, that's my couch." Mom started laughing... Don't worry, we are already talking with Phillip about the day when we will move into our own home and have our own belongings again.
Miss Rita helping in the kitchen Thanksgiving day. She is such a delight to all of us. I've called Rita my peace baby. Shara nicknamed her "My ray of sunshine on a rainy Oregon day."
Our time with mom was quite limited because she did come home to help run back and forth to the hospital and take care of Stephen and Shara. So we enjoyed some really simple moments with her. One of the things us Blunck girls look forward to when we are together is exercising. And I guess it rubbed off on Karl, so he joined us for a session of yoga.
And since mom was in town, I volunteered to host Thanksgiving so family could come visit with her. It was fun planning the meal with Shara and then getting everything set-up for our feast. Shara made these super cute turkeys for each place setting. Just a side note, Shara was so delighted with how they turned out that she couldn't eat hers. It sat on our counter for a few weeks so she could admire her work...until Phillip swiped it. That boy has got a sweet tooth out of this world.
And of course, mom, being one of the greatest hostesses I've ever known, helped to make things look especially nice for our meal. Thanks mom!
Phillip was insistent that we have our picture taken on Thanksgiving day. When he first saw Grandma at the airport he was rather shy. But he quickly warmed up. When mom walked into the house and started commenting about items she had forgotten about, Phillip quickly piped up and informed her that they were his things. "Grandma, those are my cups." "Grandma, that's my couch." Mom started laughing... Don't worry, we are already talking with Phillip about the day when we will move into our own home and have our own belongings again.
Miss Rita helping in the kitchen Thanksgiving day. She is such a delight to all of us. I've called Rita my peace baby. Shara nicknamed her "My ray of sunshine on a rainy Oregon day."Rita warmed up to Grandma pretty quickly and even let her feed her breakfast. Unfortunately, Rita started walking just one week after Grandma left, so she missed that exciting event. But it was fun to share those first few steps with Stephen and Shara.
As you can see, Phillip really warmed up to Grandma and was constantly asking her when she was going to come back. Just the other day a few friends came over and were asking about Grandma. Phillip grabbed them by their hands and took them over to the refrigerator and pointed to a picture we have of mom and dad with about 100 of their missionaries and explained "That's grandma and grandpa. They take care of 200 missionaries. They are in Peru."
According to Karl: "Grandma is fun. She is nice. I love her."
Our best attempt at a group shot.
Taking mom to the airport and saying good-bye was hard. Can you tell that I bawled my eyes out the night before? Like I told my mom, I wouldn't cry if I didn't enjoy you and dad. But I do enjoy my parents tremendously and so it's hard to say good-bye. In fact, I'd cry as I would head off to every semester of college. As a family we joke about Lynette being a mamma's girl, but I guess I am too.
It was hard to say good-bye but I'm grateful that I can share my parents with all their missionaries. They have always been such a blessing to me so I know they are a great blessing to them as well.
The Last Two Months
The story of the last two months really began back in June. Only twice this last year have I felt like I really couldn't handle any more in my life. One occasion was back in June when summer was in full swing...and by summer I mean yard work. A large lawn to be mowed twice a week, berries to pick and prune, roses to keep trimmed, weeds to spray, flowers to plant and keep watered, and a pasture to keep watered and mowed. All this mixed in with book work, family weddings, scout camp outs, callings, and so forth. And when you do all of this with three little kids, everything takes about three times as long and requires three times the effort to complete. And it was just one of those days when I felt like I couldn't handle another single thing on my plate. Randomly, out of nowhere, I decided that I should e-mail the Relief Society President and let her know that I was comfortable visiting teaching the two sister that I was assigned to and to ask that she not add any more sisters to my route. When I sat down at my computer that day to send out the above mentioned e-mail, I was shocked when I opened an e-mail from the Relief Society President asking me to visit another sister. I sat and stared at the computer for the longest time while the kids ran around in chaos around me. I was stunned. Finally, after doing some deep self reflection, I decided that I wouldn't turn away this opportunity to serve, even though it would mean that I would have two sisters on polar ends of our ward boundaries (50 miles round trip for visits) and scheduling visits was going to get really complicated.
Then in September, life again felt like too much. It was one of those times when I wanted to pray and ask Heavenly Father not to send anything else my way because I didn't feel like I could handle it. I should have realized then that something else was going to come up, but I didn't. My mom called that same day letting me know that my brother and his wife (Stephen and Shara) would be coming home to live with us for a while because Stephen needed to have his colon removed (He has had ulcerative colitis for many years. Recently his colon had developed so many pre-cancerous polyps that it was time to get it out). I couldn't cry, I couldn't talk, I just felt overwhelmed. Not about Stephen and Shara living with us because I knew that would go well, but about supporting Stephen and Shara through this very challenging time in their lives. Again I had to do some soul searching and then dig deeper than ever to keep my head up.
I wanted so badly to ask my mom to try and get permission to come home while Stephen had his surgery. But I also felt as though I couldn't. As though it would mean I lacked faith. When my mom finally asked me if I wanted her to come home and help, I told her that I had wanted to ask her to try. My dad shorty thereafter sent off a letter to the area authority seventy seeking permission for my mom to come home for two weeks during Stephen's surgery. They gave her permission.
November and December have flown by in such a flurry that I feel sad in that I don't feel like I really enjoyed them. Dusty and I moved out of the master bedroom so Stephen and Shara could use it during their stay, Stephen and Shara came home, Mom came home, Dusty and Rita took a trip to California, Stephen had his surgery, Mom and Shara spent a week going back and forth to the hospital while I tried to keep things as "normal" as possible at home, Stephen came home from the hospital, Mom made a quick trip to Hermiston, we hosted Thanksgiving, Dusty and I made a trip up to Washington with Grandpa and Grandma Blunck to attend an uncle's Christmas performance, Mom left, Primary put on our ward Christmas party, Stephen and Shara left, we all got sick and it took a week and a half before everyone felt better, year-end book work kicked in, Christmas came and went, we made a quick trip up to Hermiston to visit family, preparations for the new year in Primary took longer than expected, I spent more time finishing up year-end book work, we dashed out to McMinnville to visit Grandpa and Grandma Blunck, we visited a childhood friend of Dusty's and spent time with family in Salem, we went to the temple, and so many other "little" things in between.
I have felt over-stretched in many ways all at the same time in the last two months. Perhaps I will look back at these days a few years down the road and be able to see that I grew because of them. But right now I feel a little sore and just want January to be a slow month. I want to spend more time reading with my kids, riding bikes with them, listening to their endless stories, laughing with them over the silly things they do, and posting their sweet pictures on my blog so I don't forget about the days we've spent together. They already seem to be flying by.
Then in September, life again felt like too much. It was one of those times when I wanted to pray and ask Heavenly Father not to send anything else my way because I didn't feel like I could handle it. I should have realized then that something else was going to come up, but I didn't. My mom called that same day letting me know that my brother and his wife (Stephen and Shara) would be coming home to live with us for a while because Stephen needed to have his colon removed (He has had ulcerative colitis for many years. Recently his colon had developed so many pre-cancerous polyps that it was time to get it out). I couldn't cry, I couldn't talk, I just felt overwhelmed. Not about Stephen and Shara living with us because I knew that would go well, but about supporting Stephen and Shara through this very challenging time in their lives. Again I had to do some soul searching and then dig deeper than ever to keep my head up.
I wanted so badly to ask my mom to try and get permission to come home while Stephen had his surgery. But I also felt as though I couldn't. As though it would mean I lacked faith. When my mom finally asked me if I wanted her to come home and help, I told her that I had wanted to ask her to try. My dad shorty thereafter sent off a letter to the area authority seventy seeking permission for my mom to come home for two weeks during Stephen's surgery. They gave her permission.
November and December have flown by in such a flurry that I feel sad in that I don't feel like I really enjoyed them. Dusty and I moved out of the master bedroom so Stephen and Shara could use it during their stay, Stephen and Shara came home, Mom came home, Dusty and Rita took a trip to California, Stephen had his surgery, Mom and Shara spent a week going back and forth to the hospital while I tried to keep things as "normal" as possible at home, Stephen came home from the hospital, Mom made a quick trip to Hermiston, we hosted Thanksgiving, Dusty and I made a trip up to Washington with Grandpa and Grandma Blunck to attend an uncle's Christmas performance, Mom left, Primary put on our ward Christmas party, Stephen and Shara left, we all got sick and it took a week and a half before everyone felt better, year-end book work kicked in, Christmas came and went, we made a quick trip up to Hermiston to visit family, preparations for the new year in Primary took longer than expected, I spent more time finishing up year-end book work, we dashed out to McMinnville to visit Grandpa and Grandma Blunck, we visited a childhood friend of Dusty's and spent time with family in Salem, we went to the temple, and so many other "little" things in between.
I have felt over-stretched in many ways all at the same time in the last two months. Perhaps I will look back at these days a few years down the road and be able to see that I grew because of them. But right now I feel a little sore and just want January to be a slow month. I want to spend more time reading with my kids, riding bikes with them, listening to their endless stories, laughing with them over the silly things they do, and posting their sweet pictures on my blog so I don't forget about the days we've spent together. They already seem to be flying by.
Woodworking
There are times I just need to do something with my hands. There is genuine satisfaction in building something. I had a few extra hours to sneak out to the shop this month and built a few toys from scrap wood for the kids.
A mission style bed for Rita's dolls. Every little piece was ripped down from a scrap 2x4 on the table saw. The first thing Rita did: stand on it.
A cowboy Colt revolver for the boys. Phillip has been convinced all week that he needs a pistol. So I planed down an old floor board and rough cut the shape of a Colt revolver. I made two, in case there were any mistakes. Just as I was drilling the last hole on the drill press, the hammer broke and the drill shredded the gun. I was a little dissapointed. But I had a backup. After a few hours of sanding, it turned out okay.
A flintlock pirate pistol for the boys. I figured it wasn't a good idea to have one gun with two boys, but didn't want the hastle of making another Colt revolver, so I decided to make an old flintlock. The boys keep going back and forth about whether they want the "cowboy" or "pirate" pistol.
A mission style bed for Rita's dolls. Every little piece was ripped down from a scrap 2x4 on the table saw. The first thing Rita did: stand on it.
A cowboy Colt revolver for the boys. Phillip has been convinced all week that he needs a pistol. So I planed down an old floor board and rough cut the shape of a Colt revolver. I made two, in case there were any mistakes. Just as I was drilling the last hole on the drill press, the hammer broke and the drill shredded the gun. I was a little dissapointed. But I had a backup. After a few hours of sanding, it turned out okay.A flintlock pirate pistol for the boys. I figured it wasn't a good idea to have one gun with two boys, but didn't want the hastle of making another Colt revolver, so I decided to make an old flintlock. The boys keep going back and forth about whether they want the "cowboy" or "pirate" pistol.Train Ride
This past week we went to Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland on the train. The kids were so excited! It was a cold morning so we tried to convince the boys to wear a hat and gloves.
Rita had a fun train ride. Mostly because she wasn't stuck in a car seat. She enjoyed standing up and waving at all the cars. Towards the end of the ride, she got fussy, jumped back and forth between Dusty and Janeece, and screamed through several stops.
The whole trip was an experience. We had no agenda or schedule, just a bag full of food. The boys stopped at fountains and watched a bear eat a fish. We played the best game of hide-and-seek and chased the birds.
While we were at Pioneer Courthose Square, we looked at the Christmas tree, ate lunch on the steps and watched a dance team perform several Holiday tap dances. As soon as Phillip rubbed his eyes we jumped the first train and headed home before we pushed our luck too far. We had a fun trip and enjoyed being outside.
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