Constant Beginnings

This blog is my journal. It is the place that captures my thoughts, feelings and memories. My hope is it will be where my children will gather together to reflect, revisit and savor when memories fade. I came across a journal project where you essentially journal on a given topic. I remember receiving a journal from my parents when I was about 12 or so. We were just beginning  our East Coast vacation, which was a 2 week road trip. I remember writing what I saw, what I loved, what was totally crazy to me (naked sunbathers on a roof in NYC), and private (well, not so private as I would find out--with sisters, nothing is private) thoughts thereafter. That focus faded as many things do. I bit off more than I could chew. However, as an adult, I can't help but think I could write one page on a specific topic. I think I can do it. Let's see how this goes. I think it will be fun to reflect on my life, what I remember, and when I am old, lo...

I talk fairly openly about our challenges with parenting, life, fertility, etc. I have nothing to hide and I feel I censor what I write so that it will never embarrass me or my family. When Chris and I first started to talk about having children, I admit I entered the whole process with an "ask and you shall receive" mentality. You want a baby? Okay. It will be done. Just like that. Honestly, it worked just like that--twice! I'd listen to other women's stories about struggles with infertility, etc. and couldn't even relate or wrap my head around the emotional toll it takes. Until I faced this demon for myself. The emotional piece is wearing. I get caught up in wanting a baby so badly that it consumes many thoughts each day. I hear Mya and Claire talking about their desires to have a "moving baby." We talk about names, we talk about gender. It becomes a popular, gut wrenching topic and not by force. Our day to day life involves seeing babies, playing ...

I frequently wish I could bottle my children and keep them as they are. Right now. They are so innocent and pure... I asked Claire how she and her friend Diane were different. She responded with this...."MOOMMM, Diane wears glasses and I don't." Duh. I should have seen that coming ;)

So we have an Apple TV. The crazy thing is that when we use the remote, it will turn on the music/Itunes through my macbook. It happens all the time. We put the kids to bed tonight, Chris started flipping channels on the Apple TV, my music started and Claire began talking: "Momma? Why does the music turn on when Daddy is using the Apple TV?" Me: "It is because they are both Apples." Claire: "Oh....(pause)  I think we should get an Orange TV, so it doesn't do that anymore." So stinkin cute ;)

I love the idea of parties. I love to plan them, organize the decor and activities, but hate to execute. Needless to say, my kiddos have not had a birthday party of their own. In my defense, they both have summerish birthdays and we make a big fuss over their birthdays as we are with family in the States. I also have some pretty strong beliefs about parties  with friends for young children--hence, no parties. Anyway, I decided that I instead will make playdates a bit more special. This is our first one. Claire was super excited to have Emma over for lunch, cookie decorating and play. It was a nice afternoon. I discovered that three is in fact a crowd. Poor Mya came down crying 3 times in 1 hour. I ended up convincing her to help me cook and she was tickled like no other. It all worked out and the girls had a blast. Claire working on her cookie masterpiece. Emma My little chef making heart shaped pizzas. Add caption Our Valentine's--2013. The table. ...

Our trip to Portugal was a success. We flew Ryan Air again, now that we have become experts on the system. One really cannot beat the inexpensive tickets. As usual, we reserved seats. Many people feel this is a waste, but for us, it eases the stress of traveling with little ones as we are guaranteed a specific seat which is typically near the front of the plane. We also pay the extra 30 Euros to check one piece of luggage. Again a nice stress reliever for us. We arrived in Porto and took the train to Lisbon. We first hopped on the metro (the station is attached to the airport, which is super convenient). We took the metro to the Camphana stop, then boarded the train to the Oriente station in Lisbon. It is a 3 hour train ride which cost about 44 Euros (round trip). The train is far from luxurious, but it offered a scenic view of Portugal. We arrived in Lisbon, then ventured on the metro again to find our hotel. We ended up staying at the Holiday Inn, which wasn't our first choic...

I yearn for snow days like only children do. I love them! Intense feelings of jealous fill me when I hear of snow days for my friends in Massachusetts and Korea. Yes, even Korea has had a few snow/monsoon days since I left. None for me while I was there mind you. That's the way it goes, folks. I guess I should be happy that I bring happy, delightful weather that anyone can handle, but I am not! I want to be held up inside my house, snuggling with my children, hanging out in my jammies, messing around for a whole entire day. Well, my dear friends, I am soooo pleased to share that we had a 2 hour snow delay this morning! Yipppeee! It was a glorious extra 2 hours! I made muffins, cleaned a little, completed a couple orders, hung out in my jammies, organized a few things for our trip and simply enjoyed. Chris probably enjoyed it a bit less than I as he was out shoveling the 6 inches from our sidewalk and driveway, but it was lovely. Simply lovely. We leave tomorrow for Portugal! I a...

This post is a mess of randomness, so consider yourselves warned ;) Remember when I made that silly promise to myself about one month ago that I would not purchase any clothes or accessories for myself for a period of at least 6 months? Well, I am pleased to say that I have successfully made it through one month! I was going to make it a blanket promise and not shop for my kiddos either, but we are finally attending church again, so proper church attire was needed. I was simply not raised with the mindset that wearing jeans or fleece pants to church was okay. I cannot do it. Anyway, I did purchase a few dresses for them to wear, but got some pretty good deals too ;) Too bad our traveling and babysitting costs have increased this month, so we couldn't see the difference in our bank account. OH well. It's all about principles anyway. So, for all you crazy-people haters (Lisa and Jessica), I'm on my way! I may be crazy, but I am holding strong. Now if only I could be as de...