Today is such an unNORMAL day for me. Christmas still lingers in the house, DH is home from work, DD is still on Holiday Break from school. We have no planned activities (karate, art class, T-ball, going to the gym). We have no schedule, no place we have to be. Everyone has been sleeping late (I got up at 7:20, DH at 7:50, the little one at 8:15, the older one at 9:15). We've been lingering in our PJs until almost noon. Ahh, how I treasure the unNORMALness of today:I awake in my bed, all snugly and warm. It's after 7, but the light is that heavy dark gray that beckons you to sleep a little longer. My little one is snuggled in bed with me, where she is almost every morning now. I watch her sleep for a bit ... kiss her cheek, stroke her hair. Her word would be MOVEMENT -- she always going and going like the Energizer bunny -- I relish this moment to snuggle with her, enjoy her warmth and adorableness -- I know it's fleeting as they grow up so fast.
It's still early and the house is quiet. DH is out running with the dog and my 6yo is still in slumber land. My 2yo is now up and hanging out with me at the computer. She likes to move her mouse around, just like me, although it's not really attached of course. She starts to sing -- random tunes and words. I can pick out bits and pieces -- Rudolph, words about the potty, her sister ("hey-hey"), princesses ("la-las" after Cinderella). I just smile and savor the sweet melody, the freedom of it.
DH is dressed and brushing his teeth, preparing for our day. I give his cute butt a little squeeze -- it makes me smile, it's makes me feel young, it reminds me that I'm still in love.
It's late morning now and we are all out together running errands. I'm waiting in the van while DH is in the bank. The girls are behind me in their car seats coloring. My Picasso is working on a seascape -- and the little one randomly mentions frogs -- she says "what a great idea" and adds in frogs above the waves. I say she was inspired and she asks what that means -- so we talk about inspiration while she colors on. I love her drawings -- the colors, the themes, the freeness. I love her questions, she's such a sponge soaking up knowledge, soaking up life. I snap a quick pic as I have my camera with me almost always now -- it's stunning -- just like her.
We stop for lunch at Chic-Fil-A. The girls go into the playroom to romp for bit, let off a little steam -- errands are hard and not always so fun. I watch them together -- taking off their shoes, going up the tunnel together, waving at us through the playground window. They make such a cute pair -- a perfect balance: One older, wiser, more reserved. One younger, freer, a bit more reckless. I'm content to stop at two (I think). I can't imagine a life more full.
We are at the doctor's for a well visit. My eldest is nervous about having to get a shot. Unfortunately she asks about it and discovers that yes she needs ones. I would have preferred she not have known until the end, but she's too worried and wouldn't let the topic go -- that's just her nature. When we finally get to the end she is crying, even screaming a bit -- I have to help hold her arm so it doesn't move too much. Thankfully the PA is quick although I know in it's quickness it probably hurts her more. Despite the theatrics and ongoing tears I know she was just afraid, I know she could have truly fought us off, but didn't. Despite her fear she was brave and of that I am proud.
DH is late picking us up from the Doctor -- the cell phone somehow turned itself off after my first two calls. It makes me roll my eyes even now as I write this. For all he is an engineer, he's so un-technical sometimes -- he doesn't carry a cell and actually has mine today just for this purpose. We waited over an hour outside -- I call several times to no avail. I envision him playing at the park with the littlest while 'waiting' for a pick-up call, only to have left the phone in the car.....To pass the time, DD and I stack rocks in little towers, walk around the boring little plaza, sit in the shade and envision what Daddy and Sister are up to. Finally thirsty and needing a bathroom we start to walk down the street to a different Chik-Fil-A for a break. I figure if he shows up and we aren't there then he can wait us on for a bit. Ahhh, there he is driving down the street towards us, gives a little wave. I don't wave back, he knows he's in trouble. I'm peeved and have a few words as I get in. Afterwards, he's says it was like seeing that little Bugs Bunny cartoon bull -- turning red, snorting, stamping it's foot. He's so good to me -- he says how he really wasn't all that long and didn't linger at the park or something similar like we imagined -- only doing what he said he'd do. As we continue on our errands, he makes little jokes, proffers little loving touches, pokes mild fun at the situation and even gives a peace offering (he'll drive tonight as we are going out to dinner with friends). Slowly my anger dissipates and my mood lifts. He knows me so well -- accepts the Hungarian hot-bloodedness that peeks out sometimes and sweeps it away with his smile and humor and love. I am so lucky.
It's late afternoon and we are outside in the backyard. All day I have had a vision of the self-portrait I want for today but I need DH to take it. I'm nervous as I am not that great in front of the camera. I'm nervous as DH is not all that great behind the camera. I gather the girls and start giving commands to DH and the girls -- things like "take lots pics", "don't worry if we aren't all looking at the camera", "come in close you tend to be too far away". I can tell our positioning is not all that great for the picture in my mind but it is hard with a 2yo and a 6yo. I review his work and am disappointed, I don't see my picture in there. We try again, this time a different set up -- not the picture in my mind anymore. I am more realistic now and just hoping for something decent, maybe even good. I review again and don't see what I am looking for....Oh well, we'll see what I can do with what we have. I start to even look forward to the challenge -- to being stretched by this experience yet again.
It is dinnertime now and we are out with our best friends and neighbors. They have a little girl, she is 6 too. We are at a little traditional German restaurant -- I have a big glass stein of fabulous beer and am looking forward to the arrival of my goulash. There's a Oom-Pah-Pah band playing songs -- the girls are dancing in their seats. This place is great -- wonderful atmosphere, good beer, good food, good times. The icing on the cake is being there with our good friends. How lucky we are to have another family we get along with so well -- and they live only a house away too! It's a rare treasure that makes me smile again and again and again.
It's late at night and everyone is asleep. I'm still up cruising the Internet, thinking about tomorrow, reflecting back on today. I love the life I have and I feel so fortunate to be living it that way I am, the way I want.
Twitterings: What a difference focusing on your daily life can make! I carried a little notebook with me all day and thought about what I did and what I thought as it happened. Did I really think all these things? Wow! I'm now a bit behind on the Challenge, but it was oh so worth the work!
1 comment:
great picture!
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