I've been neglecting my blog lately. It's not that I don't want to post or that I don't have anything to post about, it's that life is dynamic right now and I've had to take on more responsibilities.
Luke and I have been without Mark since Easter while he finishes up law school. In less than two weeks he'll be back with us to stay, but the past month it's been just the two of us. Luke is a good boy and I fortunately have been blessed with added patience and energy while Mark has been away. However, it still leaves me with added things to do since I can't depend on Mark to help with dinner, bath, and bedtime. That, on top of working and keeping up with laundry has left me little time to blog. I miss spending time at the computer writing out my humdrum little posts, and thankfully after graduation is over I will be able to return to a more regular posting schedule.
There aren't many comments on this blog, but I do count visitors and I know that more people read it than comment on it, so thank you for reading! I feel like I have a lot to share, it's just the challenge of finding the time in the midst of such a busy life!
God bless!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Accomplishment!
Without question the most difficult thing for me to do everyday is shower and get dressed. It stresses me out, and my whole day revolves around when I can complete this task. There are many terrific mothers who shower in the evening, who can leave the house without showering, or have no problem showering during naptime in the middle of the afternoon. Although I've experimented with all of these options, none of them are for me.
I'm your typical Type-A morning person who, before children, was a slave to my alarm clock and morning routine. However, after two years of motherhood I've far from mastered my former morning organization. This is due largely to the fact that I've been tired, and it takes an incredible amount of discipline to wake up before your child wakes up. Also, it seems that every couple months the Lukester will decide on a new time waking time varying from 5am to 8am.
Slowly but surely I've started to take charge. I write "take charge" because with a boy nearing two years old, the idea of me being in charge is something I must remind myself of daily, or...hourly. So, as awful or rational as it sounds, I've decided that Luke is old enough to stay in his crib until 7am, regardless of what time he actually wakes up. This has allowed me to wake up at 6am, shower, dress, make coffee, and get started on the steel-cut oats, which take about 45-min to cook. It's amazing how something so small can make such an improvement in our day.
Reading the previous paragraph may sound a little selfish, and in some ways it might be. This situation is primarily for my benefit. However, I think that my waking up earlier than the rest of the family in order to organize and help our lives function a little easier might counteract my not being available to Luke at his every beck-and-call. I don't have it all figured out, and as my blog-heading states, I have no idea what I'm doing. But, we're happy, and that's what matters right now.
I'm your typical Type-A morning person who, before children, was a slave to my alarm clock and morning routine. However, after two years of motherhood I've far from mastered my former morning organization. This is due largely to the fact that I've been tired, and it takes an incredible amount of discipline to wake up before your child wakes up. Also, it seems that every couple months the Lukester will decide on a new time waking time varying from 5am to 8am.
Slowly but surely I've started to take charge. I write "take charge" because with a boy nearing two years old, the idea of me being in charge is something I must remind myself of daily, or...hourly. So, as awful or rational as it sounds, I've decided that Luke is old enough to stay in his crib until 7am, regardless of what time he actually wakes up. This has allowed me to wake up at 6am, shower, dress, make coffee, and get started on the steel-cut oats, which take about 45-min to cook. It's amazing how something so small can make such an improvement in our day.
Reading the previous paragraph may sound a little selfish, and in some ways it might be. This situation is primarily for my benefit. However, I think that my waking up earlier than the rest of the family in order to organize and help our lives function a little easier might counteract my not being available to Luke at his every beck-and-call. I don't have it all figured out, and as my blog-heading states, I have no idea what I'm doing. But, we're happy, and that's what matters right now.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Montessori
With Luke approaching two, I've been trying to think of activities for him that are both educational and stimulating. Blocks are great, farm animal toys, puzzles, and the outdoors in general.
I recently purchased Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years . Luke is hardly a preschooler yet, but there are some fantastic Montessori ideas in it.
What I love about Montessori in the early years is the insistence that anything a child is able to do on their own should be done on their own. The second principle is "A place for everything, everything in its place." After reading the book I'd say it would be most beneficial starting at age three, but I'm hoping some of the activities can be modified for a two year old. In the next couple weeks I hope to be putting together some projects that I'll take photos of and post.
Yesterday I finished a color-sorting game using pieces of colored foam and a muffin tin. While Luke can distinguish the different colors and understands the concept of the game, all he wanted to do was put the foam the pieces into a cup and carry them around all day. So, we've got some work to do. I'll post a pic later though to show how I did it.
I recently purchased Teaching Montessori in the Home: Pre-School Years: The Pre-School Years . Luke is hardly a preschooler yet, but there are some fantastic Montessori ideas in it.
What I love about Montessori in the early years is the insistence that anything a child is able to do on their own should be done on their own. The second principle is "A place for everything, everything in its place." After reading the book I'd say it would be most beneficial starting at age three, but I'm hoping some of the activities can be modified for a two year old. In the next couple weeks I hope to be putting together some projects that I'll take photos of and post.
Yesterday I finished a color-sorting game using pieces of colored foam and a muffin tin. While Luke can distinguish the different colors and understands the concept of the game, all he wanted to do was put the foam the pieces into a cup and carry them around all day. So, we've got some work to do. I'll post a pic later though to show how I did it.
Informer
Not much to comment on this article. I report, you decide.
My decision: homeschooling looks like a better option everyday.
Pax
My decision: homeschooling looks like a better option everyday.
Pax
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Life
It's too sunny outside to be on the computer.
There's too much to do to be on the computer.
In the next three weeks we have two graduations, one Confirmation, one First-Birthday party, and the last move from St. Paul to Deerwood.
Then...our summer starts!
There's too much to do to be on the computer.
In the next three weeks we have two graduations, one Confirmation, one First-Birthday party, and the last move from St. Paul to Deerwood.
Then...our summer starts!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
John Sullivan
I was on Fox News Radio today!! I called the John Sullivan show and spoke with him! The topic of the segment was "Catholics in America" and he was citing a survey by Georgetown University that stated demographics for Catholic Americans along with their views in compassion to Church's Teaching.
Luke and I had gone to Target this afternoon. He's getting sick and I was trying to him to nap in the car and The Fray wasn't doing it. I turned on Fox News Radio and listened to John Sullivan talking about the Pope's visit and the phenomenon of American Catholics who purport to be Catholic yet openly disagree with fundamental teachings. He asked for callers and I called in.
This isn't really my thing. I mean, I love debate and discussion, but on a very intimate level. On certain topics (like this one) I feel that I have a lot to contribute, but calling a radio show randomly isn't something I have the guts to do. I didn't think I'd get on, but after driving a few minutes on hold I heard him say "Mallory from Minnesota," and there I was on the air!!!
I said something along the line that Catholics being Catholic in name only are often not in communion with the Church even though they label themselves as Catholics. A survey that finds that the majority of Catholics are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-death penalty, etc., is very misleading because these are fundamental aspects of Church teaching, and if one isn't compliant with Church teachings then they are not in communion with the Church and ultimately aren't a Catholic beyond the label they give themselves.
He complimented the points I made and then went to commercial. My heart was racing and I just about drove off the road, but I said my piece and felt happy about it. Of the three callers one was a former Catholic born-again Christian, and the other was a Catholic who "loves the Church, and goes to Mass every week" but "doesn't believe" in certain teachings. I was glad to be a voice for Catholics, if only for thirty seconds.
If you don't believe in the Church you claim to be a member, then what do you believe, and then why do you say you are a member of that congregation? Such is the phenomenon of Catholics in America.
Luke and I had gone to Target this afternoon. He's getting sick and I was trying to him to nap in the car and The Fray wasn't doing it. I turned on Fox News Radio and listened to John Sullivan talking about the Pope's visit and the phenomenon of American Catholics who purport to be Catholic yet openly disagree with fundamental teachings. He asked for callers and I called in.
This isn't really my thing. I mean, I love debate and discussion, but on a very intimate level. On certain topics (like this one) I feel that I have a lot to contribute, but calling a radio show randomly isn't something I have the guts to do. I didn't think I'd get on, but after driving a few minutes on hold I heard him say "Mallory from Minnesota," and there I was on the air!!!
I said something along the line that Catholics being Catholic in name only are often not in communion with the Church even though they label themselves as Catholics. A survey that finds that the majority of Catholics are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-death penalty, etc., is very misleading because these are fundamental aspects of Church teaching, and if one isn't compliant with Church teachings then they are not in communion with the Church and ultimately aren't a Catholic beyond the label they give themselves.
He complimented the points I made and then went to commercial. My heart was racing and I just about drove off the road, but I said my piece and felt happy about it. Of the three callers one was a former Catholic born-again Christian, and the other was a Catholic who "loves the Church, and goes to Mass every week" but "doesn't believe" in certain teachings. I was glad to be a voice for Catholics, if only for thirty seconds.
If you don't believe in the Church you claim to be a member, then what do you believe, and then why do you say you are a member of that congregation? Such is the phenomenon of Catholics in America.
Commentary
Open commentary about The Office:
I've been disappointed with the last few episodes of The Office. It seems that since Jan and Michael started dating and Jan was fired from corporate that the humor and shock from The Office is missing. "Funny Ha-Ha" has changed to "Funny Strange" to just-not-funny. Jan is psycho, Michael is miserable, and it's not fun to watch. Just my opinion. Just about everything in the world is more important than this show, but the older episodes brought so much fun to my days that the new episodes have been a big letdown.
I have better things to do, this has just been on my mind. Feel free to disagree, I just had to get it out there.
I've been disappointed with the last few episodes of The Office. It seems that since Jan and Michael started dating and Jan was fired from corporate that the humor and shock from The Office is missing. "Funny Ha-Ha" has changed to "Funny Strange" to just-not-funny. Jan is psycho, Michael is miserable, and it's not fun to watch. Just my opinion. Just about everything in the world is more important than this show, but the older episodes brought so much fun to my days that the new episodes have been a big letdown.
I have better things to do, this has just been on my mind. Feel free to disagree, I just had to get it out there.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Our New Thing
I hope to not be one of those moms who thinks my kid is smarter than yours. Luke isn't talking yet, can't figure out how to go up and down the stairs without crawling, and has great difficulty following instructions. However, he's awesome at puzzles.
He's not doing a 1500 Neuschwanstein, but he can successfully put together puzzles with pegs, shapes, and letters. He loves it. The last thing Luke loved was balls. Mark and I went crazy and bought him a new ball every week. Our apartment was covered in balls, and Luke would wake up every morning and from every nap pointing and saying "ball." Now, it's puzzles, and and I'm constantly looking for new puzzles at Target and Wal-Mart. Now that Luke has mastered the peg puzzles, I'm moving on to jigsaw. I found these and a couple others on Amazon today for only $2.98. I can't wait for Luke to get started on them. And since we're piled with snow around here, I need a few more activities to get us to spring.
He's not doing a 1500 Neuschwanstein, but he can successfully put together puzzles with pegs, shapes, and letters. He loves it. The last thing Luke loved was balls. Mark and I went crazy and bought him a new ball every week. Our apartment was covered in balls, and Luke would wake up every morning and from every nap pointing and saying "ball." Now, it's puzzles, and and I'm constantly looking for new puzzles at Target and Wal-Mart. Now that Luke has mastered the peg puzzles, I'm moving on to jigsaw. I found these and a couple others on Amazon today for only $2.98. I can't wait for Luke to get started on them. And since we're piled with snow around here, I need a few more activities to get us to spring.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Complaints
There is a blizzard on the way. It's April, there was just a snowstorm less than a week ago, and now we're preparing for another six inches. The good news is that the wind is blowing and it's promising the snow won't last long. The bad news is that it's April! I'm tired of jackets, sweaters, playing inside all day, and overcast skies. We better have an amazing summer! Assuming that we'll be stranded indoors for the remainder of the week/weekend, I went grocery shopping this morning to get a few essentials.
The local grocery store has been around forever. It's a good size, and you can purchase nearly everything you need. However, I have found that the prices are not comparable to bigger city living. As small towns struggle to keep their individuality alive and to avoid succumbing to franchise, I think it's important to support local businesses. My cart was nowhere near full, and I only purchased items to get us through for a week, nothing fancy or prepackaged. I was really shocked at how much everything came to. Now I'm faced with an option. I can shop at a grocery store five minutes away at spent almost a third more than I'm used to, or I can drive over thirty minutes to a larger community and support their business and get cheaper prices.
I know this isn't in the slightest bit interesting, but it's been on my mind all day. It was SO convenient to have a short little drive, shop in a small store and be home in a half hour. I'm not excited about having to plan my day and nap times around an hour of driving to get to and from the store. It's a big ordeal for me!
With the snow coming I took Luke outside yesterday to play in the mud. His shoes are still soaked. Pictures to come!
The local grocery store has been around forever. It's a good size, and you can purchase nearly everything you need. However, I have found that the prices are not comparable to bigger city living. As small towns struggle to keep their individuality alive and to avoid succumbing to franchise, I think it's important to support local businesses. My cart was nowhere near full, and I only purchased items to get us through for a week, nothing fancy or prepackaged. I was really shocked at how much everything came to. Now I'm faced with an option. I can shop at a grocery store five minutes away at spent almost a third more than I'm used to, or I can drive over thirty minutes to a larger community and support their business and get cheaper prices.
I know this isn't in the slightest bit interesting, but it's been on my mind all day. It was SO convenient to have a short little drive, shop in a small store and be home in a half hour. I'm not excited about having to plan my day and nap times around an hour of driving to get to and from the store. It's a big ordeal for me!
With the snow coming I took Luke outside yesterday to play in the mud. His shoes are still soaked. Pictures to come!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Busy Bee
It's April and it's snowing outside. I won't complain, I'll just report.
We've been busy, as usual, and with Mark in the cities, and Luke and I up in Deerwood, we've both spent lots of time commuting back and forth to visit. Last week we all went to the zoo in Minneapolis. It was wonderful. Luke loved the monkeys and running around outdoors. Of course, this was a nice day when there wasn't three inches of snow on the ground, but, I digress.
Life these days is ordinary, and I'm starting to really like it. Tomorrow I plan on taking Luke to story hour at the library. Life is good, and even though I scorn every time I drive forty minutes to Target instead of my two mile drive in St. Paul, I hope that I soon become acclimated to small town life again.
Accomplishment of the day: Luke said "bumblebee," in his own way, of course, but he said it.
Peace.
We've been busy, as usual, and with Mark in the cities, and Luke and I up in Deerwood, we've both spent lots of time commuting back and forth to visit. Last week we all went to the zoo in Minneapolis. It was wonderful. Luke loved the monkeys and running around outdoors. Of course, this was a nice day when there wasn't three inches of snow on the ground, but, I digress.
Life these days is ordinary, and I'm starting to really like it. Tomorrow I plan on taking Luke to story hour at the library. Life is good, and even though I scorn every time I drive forty minutes to Target instead of my two mile drive in St. Paul, I hope that I soon become acclimated to small town life again.
Accomplishment of the day: Luke said "bumblebee," in his own way, of course, but he said it.
Peace.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
OMG!
I turned on the television tonight after Luke went to bed. NBC was airing The Finer Things episode of The Office. It's back. My week will now be filled with a little more sarcasm. I now can live my life vicariously through both Kelly Ripa and Pam Besley.
Who am I kidding. I'm not Pam. I'm Angela. But I can pretend.
Who am I kidding. I'm not Pam. I'm Angela. But I can pretend.
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