And the ice has returned...

After a couple wonderful days of temperatures in the mid 50's

the cold and ice has returned.

But, even though it is freezing outside,

I have a yard of fallen branches,

and there are downed power lines due to the weight of the ice...

there is still a sense of hope that soon the cold will be done.

I love the winter, 

but by the end February even I am looking forward to some sunshine.

I am gazing longingly at gardening books, 

visiting the greenhouses for inspiration

and when it reallly gets cold going to the Rainforest at the zoo 

for some much needed warmth.

Even when the kids are driving me bonkers from being inside

I try to remember the words to a song that I love

"The colder the winter, the warmer the spring."

Here's to a VERY warm spring!! 

:this moment:

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. 

A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

see more moments at SouleMama!

Just Dance!

Late last year, as a family Christmas present, we bought the Kinect for the XBox 360. This is something that Klint and I have been holding out for ever since we first heard about it in development and despite the ever popular Wii coming out. For those of you who don't know what the Kinect is, it is a controller free gaming device that is connected to the XBox 360, very similarly to the Wii in how you interact with you game in terms of movement. The beauty of the Kinect though is that there are no controllers at all and no special mats.... just you and your game.

There are many cool features about the Kinect but for me personally, I wanted it for the dance game called Dance Central.



This game is a BLAST!!!! It doesn't matter whether or not you are a dancer because the flashcards teach you and in easy mode even little kids can do the moves. But, if you are a dancer it is even better! The game uses actual dance moves like a jazz square so it is really easy to start to learn the hard versions of songs. And let me tell ya, the hard dances are HARD! I am really digging the music choices and can't wait to bring some of these moves to the studio for jazz and hip hop.

For those of you who really want a good workout (I spent over an hour dancing the other night!) but don't want to feel like it is work, I highly suggest a dance game like Dance Central! The characters are cool, the moves are hot, and you will drop the pounds dropping it like it's hot!!!

The Last Couple of Days...

In the last couple of days I have...

♥ Traveled two states away to see my brother and....

♥ Visited cousins that haven't been seen in a long, long time!

♥ Bought a minivan, something that I used to dread but now am enjoying more than words can say!

♥ Made chocolate covered Oreos and strawberries for some special Valentines!

♥ Eaten some really good Mexican food, the best on the Westside of Cleveland actually  =)

♥ Got to take everyone to the zoo and 

watched Klint enjoy his new DSL camera, a long awaited birthday present!

♥ Started sewing some cute plush blocks for a special little boy

♥ Spent more money than I would admit, 

but am happy to announce that we have no more credit card debt!

♥ Taught a tap class and realized that I am ooooold! (At least in dance years!)

♥ Celebrated Klint's 29th birthday with him and the girls... 

here's to another year that my awesome husband has been here! 

Dealing With Depression

I am not a person with depression. I have always been a "glass half full" type of gal and I think that that fact is one of the many reasons why I am not in a mental institution, thanks to my childhood. But I know first hand what it is like to live with someone who has severe depression.

Last Wednesday evening, my youngest brother tried to take his life by putting a BB gun to his chest and pulling the trigger. He is only 18 and although we talk often, he is two states away from me. Never, in a million years, would I have guessed that he was depressed. But he was. Enough to have warning signs for the last couple of months that he kept hidden... depressed enough to decide that it was better to be gone than be a failure in his mind.

Luckily my sister, who lives with him, found him before he bled too much and got him to the hospital in time. He will live, but has permanent damage to his heart as well as a pellet lodged in the heart region that is too dangerous to remove. I got to see him yesterday in the hospital and although he is very sore, he is alright. We got to talk for awhile and I am thankful that he will now get the help he needs.

Depression to me is so scary because I don't know anything about it and feel so helpless because I truly don't understand it. It is pretty easy for me to pull myself out of a funk, even in the worse cases in my life. But I know that people with depression just can't. All I can do is be there, listen, and let that person know that I love them very much.

Unfortunately my brother is not the only person in my life dealing with depression. It is a disease that is hitting very close to me, in more ways than one. And all I can do is be here, realize that it is not me who is causing it, and treat the person as if they have any other disease that can't be "thought away". I am very grateful that there are resources out there for people who live with someone with depression because for the longest time I just didn't get it. Now I do... I just wish that I could have seen the signs before my brother picked up the gun.

Some Zen Thoughts from AJ

Me: "AJ, whatcha reading?"
AJ: (who is sitting on the closed toilet, fully clothed, not going potty) "This little book."
Me: "Do you know who is on the cover?"
AJ: "Yep! Buddha!"
Me: "That's right! That book is called Coffee With The Buddha."
AJ: "Ok.... but I don't like coffee..."

So is the deep thought process of a 3yr old aspiring Buddhist!

Well Hello!

This is about as much romance as I get these days!
(photo from here!)

Hey there! Is anyone else feeling the romance in the air? Hearts, red, and lots of chocolate everywhere... Speaking of romance... one thing they forget to mention when you are having a baby is the utter lack of opportunities for romance once your little one arrives. And forget it when you have more than one! Trying to find some grownup snuggle time is akin to finding a good time to repaint my walls... I don't think that having a hubby who works third shift helps the problem either. By the end of the day I am beat, he is snoozing before work, and sure enough one of the kids needs something. Ack!

Today Miss Moira had her 2 month old doctor's appointment. The general thought is that she is cute as a button and perfect as pie. Although she has a pretty bad case of cradle cap on her face and hair line (yuck) as well as some eczema on her arms... thank goodness for Photoshop and Picnik... She wakes up looking like a little scaly dragon-baby hybrid. The only cream that seems to help is this wonderful cream by Weleda.

Homeschooling is going well with Gabby. We are tackling Dolch's Sight Words, reading comprehension, vertebrates and invertebrates, pictographs, and the great state of Ohio. I read a great article today over at Simple Homeschooling that really put the whole thing into perspective though... the most important thing I have to do with her today is just love her. Simple as that. Seriously, go here and read the article... you will feel all warm inside after!

I got an interesting email today from a fellow Etsian, asking me if I want to participate in a craft show in June. I have never done a craft show and have no clue what would sell there...  I make a lot of things... how do I choose? Do I sell a little bit of everything or just concentrate on just one or two things that people really like? Ahhh! Any advice would be welcome! Obviously if you visit here a lot you see all of my craftiness, which my kids love. But what would actually sell? I am thinking of making a whole bunch of really girly things like some pom pom tutus, fairy doors, and spoolie dolls that match hair clips.... who knows though!

2 months today!

Today my little one is 2 months old.

So much about her has changed...

Moira smiles when you tell her how pretty she is,

she also loves to hear that she is funny!

She prefers to snuggle next to me in bed,

although she will lay in her crib while I shower.

Miss Mimi (as her sisters call her) hardly ever cries,

as long as mommy does not eat buffalo chicken sandwiches!

She is finally growing out of her newborn clothes,

and has been able to roll over to sleep on her side for quite a few weeks now.

This little one of mine has completely captured our hearts...

she is a wonder to have and a pleasure to hold.

Such a strong love in such a short amount of time!

Happy 2 months, my little love!

It's OK...

... to wish that they stay this little always...

... to dance around in your undies when no one is looking!

... to not fit into any "standard" schooling belief

... to LIKE the way you look!

... to prefer being happy with what you do over having lots of money

... to let the kids just play without you hovering over them and giving "suggestions"

... to not want to change anything about your husband or boyfriend...

... to not be able to cook like Martha.

... to enjoy winter, snow days, icicles, and frosty mornings!

... to not make the bed every day.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Hope you are all having a great day!

To celebrate the year of the rabbit I have made this pretty poster to color.

Click here to download it and happy coloring!!

Here are some other Chinese New Year links:

Chinese New Year Printable Bunny Craft

Year of the Rabbit Roundup by OhDeeDoh

Year of the Rabbit Spoon and Fork Set found here

2011 Year of the Rabbit Letterpress Print found here

Origami Bunny