Patriot Games
Sept 24,2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Commemorating Our Longest House Anniversary.
To commemorate the longest time we've spent in a house-ever, I created some subway art of all our addresses. Saw this idea at The House of Smith's Blog, loved it and had to do it. So here's to us *clink* for staying put in one house for the longest time yet!
Join me for a walk down memory lane will you?
House #1:
{ Jan 2001 - May 2002 }
The kitchen and according to the whiteboard on the right, I had scheduled 'Pain' at 1:00...interesting.
House #2:
{ May 2002 - July 2004 }
The family room and the spacing of the tv speaker smack in the middle of that sofa table. I cannot believe Greg insisted on that nonsense!
House #3:
{ Mar 2005-Aug 2006 }
Best. House. Ever.
The building process.
The Staffeldts building their house two houses from ours. Good times.
Best. Pool & Backyard. Ever.
House #4:
{ Sept 2006 - July 2008 }
The Murphy Mistake
House #5:
{ Sept 2008 - Sept 2011 }
Thanks to the housing market crisis in Arizona, we can celebrate this 3 year milestone!
The dining room, I have to work on this room and make a pretty space for my address subway art...next project!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Growing Up
Something significant happened this morning that left me feeling completely ambivalent. Every school morning, Nathan and I would spend the last several minutes before school either talking or playing until the whistle. I always hung out with Nathan, providing him that extra measure of comfort while he 'warmed up' to the day ahead.
This morning, we walked into the common area at school and Nathan, normally reserved and shy, spotted a friend. "Hey Christian!" Nathan walked up to Christian, said something and then they walked off together toward the playground - never looked back!
I was shocked then I remembered I was holding my camera so I quickly shot this picture of Nathan and Christian walking away together.
I've been purposefully seeking opportunities for Nathan to play with kids his age, hoping to decrease his dependence on me and help him socialize. This was exactly what I had been preparing Nathan for and suddenly it happened but I was completely conflicted in that moment. I was proud of him, he had a friend that he reached out to but I was also sad because suddenly... he didn't need me, he was growing up.
I literally didn't know what to do with myself. So I sat down by the Kidergarten teacher and told her what happened. She laughed and said, "You don't whether to be happy or sad do you?" With three kids of her own she totally understood. I suspect every mom comes to this pivotal point with her children and I'm no different.
The whistle blew and it was time to say the Pledge which was why I had my camera. I made a video of the school saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Again, Nathan always wanted me by his side during this time and suddenly he was standing with his class, on his own, saying the pledge, so grown up. *love*
Here's the video:
And that was it, a significant - bittersweet moment, just like that.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Pinterest and Black Tar Heroin
Pinterest.
How do you pronounce it?
I have no idea. I've googled how to pronounce it and everyone says it differently. I've resorted to saying "I found something on Pin...P-In...on the internet."
What is it?
My friend Courtney described it this way on her blog "There are so many great ideas and creative inspirations there, but it is also a time sucking vortex of epic proportions."
Another blogger, Brittaney Gibbons wrote an article titled "Why Pinterest is Like Black Tar Heroin."
From my personal experience...both are accurate. Think 'bulletin board and tacks'. Pinterest is the same idea but happens online. It is a virtual bulletin board for everything I see online. I can create as many bulletin boards as I want - categorizing those images and url's. Uh-hum, that's a dream come true for this OCD girl!
Furthermore, you can 'follow' other peoples boards that you find interesting. Before you know it, another door to a big virtual world has opened before you! For example, the deliciously sarcastic signs I've posted to Facebook? Found on Pinterest.
This cute little craft project I made for Nathan's PreK class? Pinterest.
Awesome new blogs I've recently added to my "Inspired By" blogroll? Pinterest. Check these out...
For free printables, this lady totally rocks. Don't you just love the name of her blog? I think it's perfect. ;)
For anything about Organizing your home, life, car, whatever, Jen is your go-to girl. I totally heart her blog!
So I've been
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
I Heart Pinetop, AZ!
We just returned from Pinetop, Arizona and I gotta say, I LOVE it there for the following reasons:
- Lower temperatures (high 80's, low 60's!) - a welcome break from the valley heat waves!
- Visually stunning - tall, green pine trees everywhere, just part of the natural landscaping!
- Restaurants - there is no lack of food for Greg to enjoy to his hearts content!
- Shopping - Thrifting /antiquing shops all over the town which I heart big time!
- Cabin rental - We found a very affordable and super accommodating cabin, love it!
This is a picture of the neighborhood our cabin was in, Sara is helping Nathan with his bike in the bottom left corner. I heart this neighborhood!
We visit Rainbow Lake which was about 15 mins from where we stayed.
We also went hiking on Springs Trail No 633, recently featured in Phoenix magazine as one of Arizona's Best Hikes. The article included a kid rating based on the probability of a mid-hike kiddie meltdown, this hike was rated kid-friendly, so Nathan hiked on his own for the first time! He did get tired toward the end and Greg shouldered him the last 1/4 of the hike but for his first hike, he walked a long time and did a great job!
We also recognized the Auger's 17th year wedding anniversary - gooo Augers...and Red Sox too!
You know you've had a good vacation when the kids pass out on the way home...hahaha!
Lovely place, lovely time, can't wait to return...or move! :)
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