Day Three

Setting up the train track so that it can stay set up and therefor be more easily accessible.

Day Two

A post-breakfast tea party (when I normally would have been "just checking my Face Book really quick").



And hand holding at lunch. "Mom, take a picture! We're holding hands!!"

Day One

Working on her Heart Tug from church. Coloring in the lines and memorizing. "Jesus is great! Jesus is the Son of God! Jesus is kind!"

Fifty Days of Freedom

Raise your hand if you think Lent is 40 days. (Pick me! Over here!! Me! Me! Me!)

But alas, last year I figured out that it is 47 days give or take. When you decide to give something up for FORTY days, that extra week can really test your resolve.

Last year I gave up Face Book. I figured, I don't spend that much time on the computer, how hard can it be?

Surprise, surprise.

It was way more time than I thought.

I am feeling the need to free myself up from the constraints of the computer and other forms of technology for awhile. Hence the "Fifty Days of Freedom". (Forty-seven Days of Freedom just doesn't have quite the same ring.) Many days I do well with my computer time. Limit it. Leave it off. But some days I let it consume me. I get irritated with the kids when I can't finish what I'm reading, or irritated with the computer when it just. isn't. loading. fast. enough. Too much stress.

Now, don't get me wrong. Computers are a wonderful thing. Obviously, I'm using this medium to get these feelings across. (And I am aware of the irony.) But like anything else, for example: wine, eating out, cupcakes...there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I need to step back, take a break, re-examine and refocus my life and energy right now. Spend more time with those kiddos that are clambering for attention.

I've actually gotten some great ideas from a blog. "The Frugal Girl" did a series on productivity that has really inspired me to make a few changes. Sometimes being a stay-at-home-mom can put you in a rut. Not that that is a bad thing, but for me it can be. The house slowly starts to get way more cluttered than it needs to be, funny smells start permeating, stuff starts disappearing to who knows where. I need some focus in my life. Some "deadlines" as it were. I'm too much of a Type A personality to just go with the flow. (Although I am working on that...)

So here are some of my goals:
I want to purposefully spend my time. I will try to do this through:
*No Face Book
*No blogs
*E-mail for work and basic communication only
*No frivolous texting. (C'mon now, it's really becoming a necessity. But I will stop randomly texting my brother things like, "Are you still alive?" and my mom, "What are you doing now?".
*No TV - Except for "The Amazing Race". I'm trying to cut back, not be a complete martyr.

And hopefully the outcome will be more quality time for God, my family & friends:
*Read and finish "The Purpose Driven Life"
*Daily devotional time (stories, prayers, etc.) with Etta
*Daily prayer time with Bob
*Purposeful blog posting. I am planning on posting one picture a day showing what we are able to do by my NOT being tethered to the technology in our home. (Irony, again, I know.)
*I would also like to reacquaint myself with my sewing machine. Toward the beginning of 2011 there was a Face Book status having to do with giving the first five comment-ers a hand made gift. No fear Cynthia, Sariah, Stephanie, Annie and Michelle. I have not forgotten. Sometime this year something home made will be headed your way!
*And while I truly love being able to "Google" ideas for the dinner menu, I have an entire cupboard full of recipe books that I know I have not cooked every single recipe out of. And while it may take me longer than 0.24 seconds, that will be okay.

I am not trying to be "holier-than-thou". I am not trying to say that technology is evil and those that partake of it are sloth-full heathens. I just need a break. I need to pry my eyes away, put my focus else where.

I've read that it can be done. In the last Reader's Digest there was an article entitled, "Digital Detox" written by Susan Maushart. I can not seem to link to the actual article, but go here to check out the book from which is was an excerpt.

This plan has been brewing in my head for quite awhile. But I've always been able to think, "Oh well, that's a ways off, I've still got plenty of time".

Gulp.

The time has come.

Happy Lent. Happy Spring. Happy Life.

Thirty-Four Month Annibirthery

I majorly dropped off doing monthly observances of Etta's birth after she turned one because, while she is still growing and changing exponentially, it is not as obvious through pictures. And I am terrible at remembering to write down the cute little things that she says on a daily basis. But it has really been striking me lately just how "big" she is getting.

As I was watching Etta and Bob leave to walk to church this morning I knew that I needed to get a picture. And, (after going through six dead batteries and trying two different cameras) I was able to get a shot.



My camera is 5+ years old and my photography skills leave much to be desired, but I just can't believe how she is growing up.

This morning during her bath she said, "I can't wait for Mae to get big and to talk so that we can play together. She will have a car and I will have a car. And we can share toys".



And as much as I love my baby I am pretty darn excited myself.

Six Month Annibirthery

Six months.

I remember that it took a reeeeeeeally long time for Etta to get to six months.

And then she just seemed "older".

But this time with Mae has flown by. And sometimes I think that I am still thinking of her as much younger than she really is.

Tonight I was making dinner and she was motoring around the kitchen in her walker. She zeroed in on Tubs and went for it. Surprised him! And then she explored. Opening doors, checking out anything that was hanging down.

Seriously?

Does it really go by this fast?

The rolling is progressing and she is able to kind of sit up for little bits of time. But I know that she is going to be getting around all by herself very soon. And the well-baby check went well today. 13 lbs. 14 oz and 25 1/2 inches long. Still in the same approximate percentiles. Just under 10% for weight and between 25-50% for height. She is happy and healthy!

And whereas photo sessions used to be a bit easier...

I think that they are becoming a bit more fun.



Although she still doesn't want to stretch.



And here is some more "together" play.

Progress

The girls (or should I say Etta) are making progress in playing "together". Or should I say "playing" together. Either way, it's starting to get fun!

Playing and reading.



Watching the "Scamper" squirrels. (Etta said, "I'm gonna hold Mae's hand. Momma, take a picture!"



Playing Little Bed in the dining room.