Holidays, family

In response to my husband's prodding, I am finally updating this blog. It's a good thing because there's so much happening in our lives, individually and as a family, that I really should be recording things somewhere!

It is now late December and we are in the midst of slowly enjoying our Holiday break from work and school. It is so wonderful to be home, to be fully present with Caitlin, to have some time to bake, to sip wine and read before bed, and to catch up with family and friends whom we have not seen in some time. We are still staying with family until the right house materializes, but in the meantime it is nice to have the present love and support of grandparents. Cait is toddling around and exploring. She points ahead of her all the time, saying "dah!" She is now enjoying the surprise of some new toys from old St. Nick--her favorites being the wind up cars that dad picked out, the pretend breakfast in bed tray ;), and her new books (a mom favorite). She appears to be cutting another tooth (finally! number 3!) which causes her some discomfort.

We have much to look forward to in 2011, but I'd like to take a moment and pause and (as inspired to do so by another blog friend) remember my favorite things/moments of 2010--a year of change and blessings! In 2010, we endured Snowpacalypse in Pittsburgh hibernating with friends, Caitlin went through a million changes (crawling, eating solids, interacting more!), we moved from PA to MI to be with family, I started my first teaching job (teaching Honors and At-Risk Social Studies, two diff. grade levels, and managing student gov't.), Stephen started law school and we live in someone else's house! I said to Stephen the other day, I think we are pretty darn flexible given all of our insane life circumstances! ;)

Things we are looking forward to in 2011:
-becoming more involved at Mack Ave
-moving into our house!
-going to the cottage with family! (and maybe camping with grandma and grandpa)
-visiting Pittsburgh in January!
-exploring more of our beautiful state!

We have been blessed beyond proportion, and despite the amount of energy and creativity that it takes to get through each day with our challenging work and school schedules...we all lay our heads to rest each night with full bellies, and very grateful hearts. We have been enjoying the warmth of this Holiday as we embrace friends and family and as we sit in stillness and ponder the wonderful mystery of Christmas.

Autumn is upon us...

My favorite season is here and with that comes sweaters in the morning, treasured leaves pressed in books, and snotty noses. ;) So many things have changed for us in the past few months and we are emotionally and physically tired and overwhelmed. However, there is goodness amidst the chaos.

I am thankful for...
-a job! my first REAL teaching job and all the frenzied stress that comes with it
-a great babysitter (thanks to a friendly connection whom I'd like to get to know better); Caitlin is cared for by loved ones and a wonderful new family w/ children and a dog that she can play with...knowing that she is safe and happy allows me to go to work with ease
-the prospects of a great church: Mack Ave...we've only visited once, but the teaching was excellent and it seems like good community of people who care passionately about the city and its economic revival
-5 years of marriage to my best friend in the world...and the coffee maker that he got me for my classroom as an anniversary present ;)
-FALL! and the prospect of getting to the cider mill...i LOVE Michigan in the Fall; I'm so happy to be here

Stephen is doing what he can amidst the law school work to find us houses to look at; I believe we'll start touring a few next weekend. I'm so antsy to get out there and look!...esp. now that we can get approved for a loan! ;) He's at a new home buyers class right now getting some know-how...and he's been watching HGTV like crazy for tips and insight.

I do hope you're all enjoying the splendor and warmth of this season...

hot and sticky summer

We have officially relocated. We are now Michiganders. It is so nice to be back home after years away. We certainly lived in a beautiful place, but this is home. And now begins the work of transitioning our lives. There are many logistics to changing states, esp. when you own and operate vehicles. It is exhausting to try to get our ducks in a row, and it is exhausting to not know what awaits me, professionally, in the next month or so. I continue to pray for a miracle teaching position. But I recognize the high likelihood of having to sub full-time (or at least nearly full-time). Subbing is horrible. You have no authority and no relationship with the students and students seemed to be hardwired to take advantage of subs. But before I stress about something in the future, I will just continue to hold out hope that more secure employment is out there. I love History, I love making difficult information accessible to students, and I just love working with young people. I had so much fun teaching at Hillel Academy in Pgh; and I do believe that my own classroom awaits me someday.

Stephen is preparing for law school and I am so excited for him. I am nervous about feeling like I'm going to be a single parent w/ the amount that he will have to study. But, hey, I did it this last year when he worked weekends and evenings and I know I can do it again. I will just miss him and I'll be wishing I could just sit w/ him and talk through the day. I married my best friend and I just like to talk to him! I know that he will enjoy stretching his mind in new ways as well. My dad was working, going to night school and raising two very small kids around this age. He is very empathetic to what Stephen's personal demands will be in the coming years.

We are new to a city that we both grew up in (Steve) and near (Me) and we are optimistic.



Before orientation, buying a car, and other craziness ensues...we are running away to Holland to meet up with friends from college. It will be fun to meet their new little one and catch up.

Be back in a few days...!

Food

I am feeling like I do not have many profound things to say so I will do what many bloggers do and simply list the things that are currently giving me joy!

-Feeding my baby! She loves to play with the food on her tray and put it in her mouth.
-Watching Caitlin climb (literally) to new heights
-HGTV (It feels like "research" as we head towards a house hunt in Detroit and Detroit Metro)
-the hopefulness that new job possibilities brings
-A long, morning nap for baby = shower for mom, time to clean bathroom, make bed, switch laundry and putts around on the computer
-Homemade macaroni and cheese!
-A gentle breeze...

I hope you all are finding some simple joys in your morning on this lovely Wednesday (I'm surprised I recalled the day of the week! I've lost track since school let out)

on moving...

My husband and I are no strangers to moving as we've done it four times in the five years that we've been married. First there was our 1st apt. in our current neighborhood. Then the unit below our friends opened up and it was in an old town house so we thought it'd be cozy to be "virtually" living in the same house. Those friends relocated months after we moved in (only across the neighborhood), and we quickly grew discontented with that place (really high cost utilities and leaking water and strange smells) and moved into a studio behind our former business. Then the studio got a bit cramped and Stephen needed space from work so we moved up the street to our current residence. We have actually been here for 2 years--a record for us! In retrospect, I would've been fine w/ our first place for all 5 years...but hindsight is always 20/20. Our current apt. has room for a nursery, a front porch, and laundry in the basement so I've been pretty content here. However, we are definitely "house hungry." I think that's expected since we've been married 5 years and been through so many changes; it's that desire to settle into something more long-term and to make it our own.

So we are embarking on our 5th move this month. It is unique for us in that we now have an (almost) 8 mo. old "crawling" around and we are moving in with family. We are trying to avoid a separate storage unit, but there's an obvious amount of sorting involved based on what things we will need immediate access to, and what can be tucked away in respective family basements.

Purging is good.
Sorting is healthy.
Trying to sort while Caitlin investigates the dangerous things in her room does not work so well.

I believe we will get there.
It helps to have deadlines.
We just really need to buckle down.

Wish us luck!

Father's Day

We recently spent 9 days in Detroit for a sort-of vacation. Our intention was to go to the cottage in Canada for some of that time, but that's hard to do w/ an expired passport ;(. So we just took our time with both families, a few friends, a grad party and some Father's Day celebrating. I was also lucky enough to get a last min. surprise interview. It may turn into something, it may not...the market is VERY competitive over there as there are so many teachers out of work and folks graduating from teacher's colleges in the area. The fact that I've had 4 interviews is encouraging in and of itself.

We got to spend time with Caitlin's new cousin, Hudson..I'll post more pics in the future. I can't believe I forgot how SMALL Caitlin was @ the nb stage! And she got to play with her cousin Lily who seemed to enjoy entertaining her. It makes me feel good to know that Caitlin is learning her family faces--all the grandparents and her cousins. I grew up seeing one set of grandparents and aunts and uncles pretty frequently and that is something that I want for my child.

We also got to go on a DATE! Our budget has been tight and we don't have as much free babysitting around here, so we've just been enjoying the post 7pm hours as "adult time" for conversation and renting movies. BUT...it was extremely nice to finally get out and spend the whole evening together. We went to a vegetarian restaurant in Ann Arbor, got coffee at Espresso Royale and sat in the park. We lucked out b/c it was 1/2 off wine night @ the restaurant...I look forward to more dating in the future! ;)

We also did a bit of preparation for moving into Stephen's family's house. I am so grateful that they're allowing us to land there temporarily while we begin the hunt for the right house, the right price, and the right neighborhood.

dreams

Since it is on my mind so often, I thought I should write about the house/space that I dream about as a way to process it/get it off my chest! ;)...in a good way, of course. A few years back my husband and I did a wee bit of house hunting in Pittsburgh. We came across one very cute 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath, finished basement, big backyard house just up the hill from where we live. It was in very good shape as an elderly couple were taking care of it for 40 years and when I say "taking care," I mean it. Sure I would rip down all of the wall paper, re-do the whole kitchen, rip up the carpet, etc. But it really seemed like it might have been worth our while. The one BIG plus to me, was the big, long, sturdy wash line out back. It turns out it just wasn't the right time, and we didn't want to rush if we weren't sure we were staying in Pittsburgh for years to come. I am glad that we waited.

Today I am fully aware of the fact that it may still be a few more years before the right house is ours for the owning. However, I am just taking a moment to dream...IF I could have the ideal house/setting, it would have:

1) 3 bedrooms
2) 1.5 bathrooms
3) connect living area and dining room
4) MUD ROOM (this served my family WELL as kids came tromping in with boots in the winter, etc.)
5) laundry hookup
6) room for a wash line!!!!!
7) room for lots of gardens
8) room for a bit of grass for caitlin to play in...and for steve to get the satisfaction of mowing
9) room for a sewing table & desk (3rd b.room?)
10) basement or attic storage
11) NATURAL LIGHT (I'd rather only use the lamps on overcast days or during the evening)
12) lots of counter space in the kitchen, a pantry, and a gas stove (I realize I may have to provide that appliance...)

And in the spirit of a walkable community...I would like to be able to walk to many places (library, drug store, coffee shop, farmer's market)...and there a only a few places in Detroit-metro where this is possible...so we start praying...NOW! ;)

Ah...that's what dreams are made of...

summer is here

Caitlin has now been to two weddings this summer. There are two more to go and, unfortunately, we missed one of a Pittsburgh friend. I have always enjoyed weddings, but I have enjoyed them even more since I've been married and I truly understand the hard work and wonderful benefits of married life. I know I was naive about the commitment that I was making when I said, "I do" almost 5 years ago. But I felt that I knew Stephen well and I felt confidant that our families would love and support us through the growth process. I am glad that I waited a year out of college to get married because I did learn a lot about myself during that year. Hopefully I can pass that advice on to my daughter if she is making similar decisions in the future.

What I also love about wedding celebrations is I find myself listening to the words of the officiant (pastor, priest, etc.) and taking them to heart in whatever stage I find our marriage to be in. It's a nice chance to just hold each other's hand, listen to the sage advice, and be reminded of the blessings that we have in our love.

Stephen's cousin, Tom, is getting married in July. Again, I look forward to celebrating with and for them as they begin the journey that we began 5 years ago. Marriage and now parenthood can be stressful, but the ways our love has strengthened over the years humble me.

Managing

This may seem like stating the obvious, but I was just realizing how much more responsible parenting has made me. I am so much better at balancing my checkbook, and keeping track of finances. I am way better at being mindful to try and get the dinner dishes cleaned every night (I said "better"...not 100% successful ;)). I am more keenly aware of how many food groups are involved in the meals I'm eating (that started in the 1st Trimester). I am far more organized at work....I'm hoping this soon transfers over to the home office. I am also better at meal planning so that we don't waste fresh food.

I have great aspirations for heading into this task of moving with incredible organization. I am going to start a family binder to keep a family calendar, to organize bills to pay, and wedding invites ;) and other pertinent info. that I can just throw in my purse during the move. I also started a packing list for every room with two columns, one column for storage items and one for "take with"...as we'll be moving in with family and it's going to require major sorting! I admit that I stole the idea from a blogger...but the packing info. is my own twist as that section applies to our current situation.

Last day of work for the 2010 School Year! Wahoo!

Off to organize this great binder!

Family

These are the reasons that my husband and I want to head home. And it appears that this year will bring more significant changes for my family as my dad will be taking work that has him away from home. We will be more available to mom when she needs us; instead of being a 5 hr. drive away. We will be closer for visits with Caitlin's great grandma and grandpa. I am so much looking forward to coming home. I am challenged by the writings of Wendell Berry to plant roots and help grow community. I know it will take us months to discern which community is the best fit for us in the Detroit area, but I am confident that the answers will come in the right time. If there's anything I've learned in the near 5 years that I've been married and in the 7 months that I've had a child, it is that God's time is the best time. And if I commit my plans to Him; I will not fail. I really believe in the promise of an abundant life and I thank my husband for helping me to be mindful of that promise from time to time (esp. right after I birthed our daughter and i was so sore, tired and at my wits end that I allowed my anxiety to rob me of my joy).

Today I am thankful for the generations that have raised me and for the family that holds me near.

Freebies

Ah I love the end of the year as a public school employee! Free food galore! And maybe it's a sign of the times, but I really lucked out in that the school cook out included veggie burgers! So my head is now buzzing from my burger, chips, snickers and soda all provided by the school. Too much sugar! But it was nice to have to put my own lunch in back in the fridge--saves me some work tomorrow morning. The administration, it seems, is constantly trying to keep the teachers happy with free food: bagels and cream cheese after PSSA testing, cookies and punch on the occasional Friday, cookouts scattered throughout the year. I'm sure what would REALLY be appreciated would be a few more bucks in those paychecks for the shenanigans the teachers have to put up with in the classroom. Speaking of which, this morning I had to take a detour to get into my classroom b/c the senior boys had blockaded the hallway as their "prank." Not a very creative prank if you ask me, but hey that's better than pulling the fire alarm.

In other news, I will happily post some new pics of the family once I upload them onto the computer. She was playing in the laundry basket last night and it was truly a Kodak moment: will post. We should've had the video camera with us on Monday as she met a baby at our friend's barbecue who is very close in age. They were squealing and laughing at each other and squeezing one another's hands. Everyone in the room was laughing to the point of tears. I wonder if twins enjoy each other that much as babies?

I cannot believe it: only 4 more days w/ the students!

Mommy recognition

The hardest part about being a working mom during this stage of Caitlin's growth is that she is in a very mommy-centric place because of nursing. She does so well with her main care giver: Jennifer. She doesn't yet understand that I'm leaving when I walk out the door. And she gets to be with dad a good portion of the work week b/c of his evening schedule. So, all of those things help greatly, I do believe. But she certainly knows who her mommy is. I am graced with huge smiles and squeals when I come home. Ah, the guilt of a working mom.

I am fortunate in the regard that I chose a profession that follows the academic year. This affords us all Holidays, summers, and the occasional snow day together. I greatly look forward to this schedule when she will be school-aged b/c I will be home for her in the afternoons. I often toss around the idea of being a SAHM ;) when Stephen is able to find work post-law school. But we may still be constrained by expenses. It will certainly be something that we'll talk about as a family; esp. if our family continues to grow. Given my background in education, I toy with the idea of home school, but I also think there's great merit to the socialization that is intrinsic to the school environment. Again, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Unfortunately, litte Cait has to spend my last 2 wks. of work at day care as my sitter is changing her schedule. It will be totally fine as some of the other little ones there are friends' kids and she just really loves watching big kids play. She'll enjoy their little play ground as well; as this weather's been awesome lately for good outdoor play! And gosh does she ever look like a doll in her sun hat! I love you, bean!

An Evening Walkabout

Stephen and I decided to get the baby outside before going to bed for the evening. And despite the fact that it lengthens our walk just a bit, we decided to go by the ballpark and walk along the riverfront since there was a game last evening. We grabbed a coffee from the new coffee shop down the street and shared it as we walked. Caitlin seemed particularly taken with the baby geese on the river walk. One thing that my husband and I have in common is our curiosity about other people and their mannerisms. My mom and I used to love sitting at the mall just to people-watch and observe. Stephen and I are the same way when we're amongst so many people like last night. We find ourselves noticing the same things and simply exchanging a smile or a puzzled look. I appreciate so much of our unspoken communication. My husband is truly my best friend, I am so fortunate.

UNfortunately, our walk was just a bit too long for Caitlin as we didn't get in the door until 8pm. By the time her jammies were on, and face was washed, she was OVERtired and had a hard time getting to sleep. So it goes...We just need to be more mindful of her bedtime. I think she was also still tired from her immunizations the day prior.

All in all, it was a nice, family evening. I love those late Spring evenings when the weather warms and everyone comes out to play.

On Eating Healthy...

Last night after the babe had been put to bed and my husband and I were relaxing on the couch we started talking about our eating habits. Stephen is scheduled to begin doing "healthy eating" tours at Whole Foods in the coming weeks and he said that the amount that he has learned about food from his job really convicts him. We have, admittedly, made a number of trips to Aldi this winter/early spring to cut down on our food budget. We still get most of our produce from Whole Foods, but we were getting some of our staples from Aldi. The unfortunate thing about those cheaper foods is that they are EXTREMELY high in sugars (unnatural ones) and preservatives. If I am diligent about sticking to my budget, with our 25% discount at WF, I can actually get a comparable amount of food for the same amount as I would spend @ Aldi or a standard supermarket. And the advantage is health. (I haven't been sick w/ a cold or flu for 2 years!!) I end up buying way less boxed and canned goods when I shop at WF and they don't sell my indulgent hash browns--which is GOOD for me! I think the conclusion that we came to is that the real difference in cost-savings and waste is: MEAL PLANNING. I make much better use of my fresh foods if I come up w/ a tentative meal schedule for the week. And hey, ultimately, we will eat a lot of rice and beans and burritos and spaghetti b/c of our limited budget.

Here's a few ways that we've saved this winter:

1.) Buying dried beans v. canned (cook them w/ some garlic in the crock pot)
2.) Bake more! a loaf of Banana bread, some corn bread...these things are better snacks than chips!
3.) Avoiding buying too many fake meat products (I like them more than Steve and they're expensive...but still not as expensive as real meat--yuck!); there are wonderful non-fake-meat protein options: quinoa, lentils, felafel, tofu, beans, sprouted beans on salad, pesto, etc.
4.) No soda
5.) Meal planning
6.) Shopping only every 2 wks.
7.) Getting 1/2 off bread from BreadWorks (local bakery; and buying a lot and freezing it)
8.) Making our own babyfood (baked veggies pureed in the blender--Caitlin loves them!)
9.) Buying bulk rice, soy sauce and olive oil (from wholesalers in the Strip District)
10.) Less eating out (easier to do now that we have a baby ;))

I do enjoy being in the kitchen. Someday we will have a kitchen space that is more ideal, but until then I work with what I've got.

Mange Bien!

Thoughts of Summer Days

Lately I have been obsessing about motherhood. Maybe it's the inordinate amount of downtime that I have had at work. Maybe it was getting to stand up at church when Fr. Chlore asked the mothers to stand and accept a moment of appreciation. Whatever it is, I am just falling more and more in love with my little lady and with this new role of mother. It has taken awhile to really "die to self." She just turned 6 mos. old and I cannot believe how much she has grown! She is eating a few solids and rolling over and she is soooo close to sitting up on her own. I am so very grateful that the work that I've pursued coincides with the academic year because that means that I can spend my summer days with my little one. That also means that I can further commit myself to much of the necessary homemaking that gets neglected during a typical work week. I long to take better care of the house, but there is just so little time for a working mom to cover all of those bases. And the guilt of the working mom can be intense at times. At least I know that Caitlin is cared for by dad and a good friend from college while I am gone. That puts my mind at ease. And despite the new season that our family is about to enter, I do have a few small goals for the summer. (only 15 more days of school!)

1. Finish reading "The Help" by Kathrynn Stockett
2. Get all of Caitlin's baby clothes organized in tubs w/ labels
3. Get daily exercise (whether it's a walk or some stretching in the living room)
4. Cook at least 5 homemade meals a week!

...wish me luck...

Weekending

So, this weekend I decided to get some cooking done since so little of that happens during the week. I made spicey Thai soup for a late lunch yesterday. And then I had a sweet tooth, so I whipped up a quick wacky cake (no dairy, SUPER tasty and easy to make). I sprinkled powder sugar and slicked some fresh strawberries for the topping. It was nice to have a slice of cake and a cup of coffee to close out our Sunday afternoon.

I hope you all had lovely weekends!

A break in the clouds

No pics today as I'm posting from work.

We had a lovely family evening last night. We had a big recycling errand to run across town, so, in conjunction, we stopped at our favorite hot dog 'n beers place. Because of the nice weather, EVERYONE was out and this place was packed w/ a 30 min. wait. So, we got some of their draft root beer and some dogs and fries to-go. We ran into our friends Tony and Angela as we were waiting outside for our food. We always run into them at that exact spot! They informed us that they are expecting! They are due in December, so that makes TWO friends now who will be having babies around Christmas--how exciting. Once we got our food we took it to the park. We watched a softball game while Caitlin played in the grass (we had a mat for her but she kept rolling off). Thank goodness for a break from this gloomy rain!

We continue to wait on word from my last teaching interview. I am hopeful from the prospect of a few new job postings around home, but I do hope it is a while before I make baby C take that long drive with me again.

Happy Friday!

back at it

A pic of Caitlin and daddy!

It's been a year since my last blog post and in that year a tremendous change has taken place for our family. We had a beautiful daughter in the month of November. She graces us with smiles and giggles on a daily basis. We are so thankful for her spirit of flexibility and joy.

Our family is, again, in a time of transition as we prepare to move homeward towards family. We have felt the call for a year now and a scholarship to law school and a few job prospects have seemed to clarify the call. We are waiting on a job possibility for me, but substitute teaching may certainly be in our future given the economic forecast in our home state. We are so eager to be home with family, but in the meantime we are treasuring the warmth of friends and the community of Pittsburgh.