tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25612082681299501832024-03-05T01:09:20.078-08:00Moving MountainsTrusting the Lord to move mountains -- city styleEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-28174796154421798222021-06-13T11:14:00.002-07:002021-06-13T11:14:28.538-07:00Family Camping Trip (The First Ever)<p>Camping is something Chris and I have always talked about doing as a family. We went on a handful of trips prior to having children and Chris has gone with his men's group several times, but going all together seemed challenging and I wasn't sure I was up for the work required. But the desire never left. So this year, with our boys ages 5 and 7 we ventured out for a 1-night camping trip.</p><p>We drove north to Tomalas Bay/Point Reyes area and camped in a little town called Olema. The campground had a fun little playground and decent bathroom facilities. Great for our first attempt. The boys were enamored with the fire -- mostly interested in putting out the fire with their squirt guns (which I had packed for the beach trip on day 2). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aruuDoSSG6z8Y0FlJ4AUnDHvueBBhZcS3Bcq73cQeVe-AWcHDe0fmW6HNYucEuwmS3k-PbSaP_2tG9RW1fHe7hboCEaKFCXAbD6bybK4o5QHdXyXYqCdUtC3TJdgwHEabtULKibgMODe/s900/PXL_20210612_015716243.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="900" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aruuDoSSG6z8Y0FlJ4AUnDHvueBBhZcS3Bcq73cQeVe-AWcHDe0fmW6HNYucEuwmS3k-PbSaP_2tG9RW1fHe7hboCEaKFCXAbD6bybK4o5QHdXyXYqCdUtC3TJdgwHEabtULKibgMODe/w400-h270/PXL_20210612_015716243.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We arrived in late afternoon with just enough time to set up the tent and start dinner. We cooked macaroni and cheese on the stove and grilled hotdogs once we got the fire going. Then of course, roasted marshmallows for our s'mores dessert. The boys did great roasting their own dinners (with a lot of supervision of course).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zLuWpM8SflEYio_os_Ksr4c-AnLOnm5yFdMCiNsJu3fcxJXrLgCMbUChdbNnZKtWiM_wVRUXUyR-l7DuoVzVaJeUql2X_Uh3UW7dnJTd_x5889d15JV0ZvSajSL8uFPXu44pzzyD9Bsn/s900/PXL_20210612_025157213.MP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="900" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zLuWpM8SflEYio_os_Ksr4c-AnLOnm5yFdMCiNsJu3fcxJXrLgCMbUChdbNnZKtWiM_wVRUXUyR-l7DuoVzVaJeUql2X_Uh3UW7dnJTd_x5889d15JV0ZvSajSL8uFPXu44pzzyD9Bsn/w400-h236/PXL_20210612_025157213.MP.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKYY2H7oh_0mJFGcxrZeMdgcxJHUj6DKGDC4DFZ5xdXyVQpzg7TOjct3qGwyjqXDZCn6iFdojbC-7DX8q_DYUDBAnRvrcUDVJ1WAdUiYzB1hAbBYnEUdWecjOFGOFRi0EbNz3OOpSZ9aE/s900/PXL_20210612_025356658.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="900" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKYY2H7oh_0mJFGcxrZeMdgcxJHUj6DKGDC4DFZ5xdXyVQpzg7TOjct3qGwyjqXDZCn6iFdojbC-7DX8q_DYUDBAnRvrcUDVJ1WAdUiYzB1hAbBYnEUdWecjOFGOFRi0EbNz3OOpSZ9aE/w400-h301/PXL_20210612_025356658.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sun finally started setting around 8:30 so we got the boys ready for bed. They were much too excited and talked in the tent until 10 p.m. when we joined them. We finally had to separate them with Chris and I in the middle. And no one slept well (which was expected). I guess we didn't realize how active Stephen is in his sleep; and William couldn't quite hold still either (at one point he was sleeping on my knees!). We got up a little before 6 a.m. and noticed this guy walking nearby:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uAhKR9GWUwhJuK83_14sombno8b3sQ8Y0mTpZnDjHTuTB1GXYwXthHB1Tctel60LyEtC2rjyLGyNzK0GjfgtHbTDLIufjpZvRgtjv-4aiSyZc-TGea-OW2G9b21sp8pFLkPntWZxT261/s900/PXL_20210612_134741496.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="697" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uAhKR9GWUwhJuK83_14sombno8b3sQ8Y0mTpZnDjHTuTB1GXYwXthHB1Tctel60LyEtC2rjyLGyNzK0GjfgtHbTDLIufjpZvRgtjv-4aiSyZc-TGea-OW2G9b21sp8pFLkPntWZxT261/w310-h400/PXL_20210612_134741496.png" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Heron</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Other animals spotted over the weekend: deer, fawn, raccoon, pheasant, rabbit, gophers, and chipmunks.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a leisurely breakfast of instant oatmeal, scrambled eggs, coffee, and hot chocolate, we packed up our site and headed for a nearby hiking trail. We decided to make our way to the "Divide Meadow" which was a 3 mile round trip hike. We don't do a lot of hiking so this was going to be a stretch for the boys, but the trail was well marked and an easy walk. That didn't stop Stephen from begging to be done 5 minutes from the starting point. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ocbVIpzD5dZg3TKaBByaU-ShXTlJBqMdo80lb1la6RZBEzws4yv3lmR5XotltWCQB-ManP6AbeEJx-2FsQ0D-Fr3s4DDWPNKWNdX_JJOUZjcvOfR9Lpgpf-GuhSCEZr-oma2wKfDkInt/s900/PXL_20210612_155617684.MP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="663" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ocbVIpzD5dZg3TKaBByaU-ShXTlJBqMdo80lb1la6RZBEzws4yv3lmR5XotltWCQB-ManP6AbeEJx-2FsQ0D-Fr3s4DDWPNKWNdX_JJOUZjcvOfR9Lpgpf-GuhSCEZr-oma2wKfDkInt/w295-h400/PXL_20210612_155617684.MP.png" width="295" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OQQXtSM937sYfrh6yoFrCgGEua8CvC_ff75AubUvQ1FG4KCsc2Er850-JMEPS5UzHFT7RvnLdG-cP6KjCpdv1nwCm16Ysy6YH-gRBk6V8ljxg7h2NEGhprc7hQplPW4lCBCa9tr8ShEr/s900/PXL_20210612_163126562.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0OQQXtSM937sYfrh6yoFrCgGEua8CvC_ff75AubUvQ1FG4KCsc2Er850-JMEPS5UzHFT7RvnLdG-cP6KjCpdv1nwCm16Ysy6YH-gRBk6V8ljxg7h2NEGhprc7hQplPW4lCBCa9tr8ShEr/w300-h400/PXL_20210612_163126562.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chris did a great job keeping Stephen motivated and he did walk the entire thing on his own. On the way back Chris started singing <i>99 bottles of beer on the wall </i>to keep him entertained and it worked! He loved counting down with dad . . . and singing about beer.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNlfDPl4bvCYAWitJIyKyrWQzSKkku3kAKCIBKhddI4-DQtFGZffH4hCtHrOCtPRhQgPlb_q9pRis2bX7rvMg3T4OcMJV0dAGyQQHxir-2kjtJ1K_EKfS_rb5pFJTQANjg9uSN6_2sbGn/s900/PXL_20210612_164635719.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNlfDPl4bvCYAWitJIyKyrWQzSKkku3kAKCIBKhddI4-DQtFGZffH4hCtHrOCtPRhQgPlb_q9pRis2bX7rvMg3T4OcMJV0dAGyQQHxir-2kjtJ1K_EKfS_rb5pFJTQANjg9uSN6_2sbGn/w400-h300/PXL_20210612_164635719.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Destination: Meadow Divide</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the hike we took a drive up to Tomales Bay; there is a small beach called "Heart's Desire" which was beautiful. It was a really warm day which was a treat. Very rarely are we warm when at a beach! I even went in the water to cool down. We only stayed about an hour and then packed up for home. We were all very tired.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTf3edTPRMf02L4u2YM8b2lZO_M9HY3-hhHx8mGGojU3CGu-_FahaRcbXZF_BLeYgw2CHhS92ouul9gp4w0gUWtRqIzDPTO2b4dUdn_qSN4c_SCIYbKi3RRO_6-t7Oxu9IlSBf6wiHUzr/s900/PXL_20210612_195217893.MP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTf3edTPRMf02L4u2YM8b2lZO_M9HY3-hhHx8mGGojU3CGu-_FahaRcbXZF_BLeYgw2CHhS92ouul9gp4w0gUWtRqIzDPTO2b4dUdn_qSN4c_SCIYbKi3RRO_6-t7Oxu9IlSBf6wiHUzr/w400-h300/PXL_20210612_195217893.MP.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIK3TPm9ZK7jTPK5YC5vQQHsBpNvZbF2TcWfMg7YhVhqe0J2_LN671-SVDZwFA_8jeghBLOTvSsbCEHIGte_qaSWuInN9wl99T2yS4ifT9al-eehKywLsB9Q6a6j-2Q9OoR3bhuPgExRd/s900/PXL_20210612_195227994.MP.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIK3TPm9ZK7jTPK5YC5vQQHsBpNvZbF2TcWfMg7YhVhqe0J2_LN671-SVDZwFA_8jeghBLOTvSsbCEHIGte_qaSWuInN9wl99T2yS4ifT9al-eehKywLsB9Q6a6j-2Q9OoR3bhuPgExRd/w400-h300/PXL_20210612_195227994.MP.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our first camping trip was a success. I do hope we can try it again soon. (Really helped to have friends lend us everything we needed for this one!)</div><p><br /></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-54576006420879875972021-05-20T22:00:00.004-07:002021-05-20T22:02:42.280-07:00Another Covid Birthday <p>Everyone has had a Covid Birthday and now we are moving on to the second rounds. This time, it's a little less scary and a bit more hopeful. <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2021/05/preschooler-b2-five-years-old.html">Stephen turned five on Tuesday</a> and it was worth celebrating! We made it a week long party.</p><p>On Tuesday, we started the day with two presents. Enough to keep him entertained during the morning while William was in school. Then after we picked him up, we headed off to the zoo. Bruce the Hippo shares the same birthday with Stephen so we thought there might be some festivities happening, but not this year. We had fun anyway. The boys had been begging to ride the Little Puffer Train since January, and I had promised it could happen on Stephen's birthday. And they loved it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREI-BdBBDH_SB-zTpc0QhL4Ibm89BjUa5Cp3hB3fjPwo-UJPuA_9JupA-erCWv9h84HTYY8Etg8VbfwuJ2RRoAgkgWSowMfpR0pemNUj2txpKvBsdT0FUo_ad08RpI67HnN4jsuyzFaLB/s900/PXL_20210518_220417538.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjREI-BdBBDH_SB-zTpc0QhL4Ibm89BjUa5Cp3hB3fjPwo-UJPuA_9JupA-erCWv9h84HTYY8Etg8VbfwuJ2RRoAgkgWSowMfpR0pemNUj2txpKvBsdT0FUo_ad08RpI67HnN4jsuyzFaLB/w300-h400/PXL_20210518_220417538.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Since the day was so busy, we waited until Wednesday for own little family party for him with presents (he loved getting so much mail and packages from all the relatives), cake and ice cream. He requested vanilla cake and vanilla frosting (his brother favors vanilla... I think he was just trying to pick something William would like) and he wanted his all time favorite Pokemon on the top. Wailord. I did a decent job putting a whale on the cake.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWckde9RFmi-Ov05a77Ia0RflOznBAt1bVzti3PKkrGDYWlH3NXbKSUcqk5dKV8SkS1vN-7N_5aB7Mb5F6U6fc4bZ9RfR4XUTJ3ga3vBDUKish2ZjHovj_wC0RxnCzo8ezFUE1SEkbOKE/s900/PXL_20210519_181139999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="877" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWckde9RFmi-Ov05a77Ia0RflOznBAt1bVzti3PKkrGDYWlH3NXbKSUcqk5dKV8SkS1vN-7N_5aB7Mb5F6U6fc4bZ9RfR4XUTJ3ga3vBDUKish2ZjHovj_wC0RxnCzo8ezFUE1SEkbOKE/w390-h400/PXL_20210519_181139999.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWknjLiun-ofSdNeA3XZJYcwCh0mgvKT6idmnWtjw_zZnE2azhZnGBrfgN17-7tE1kImTe-aowl_O7Ct37ywNcqKZq47GyLA2CNcRpt2WsEDER5gTVFLEs-hT0ogMsIY1EfP4F2sbee8k/s899/PXL_20210519_213242457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWknjLiun-ofSdNeA3XZJYcwCh0mgvKT6idmnWtjw_zZnE2azhZnGBrfgN17-7tE1kImTe-aowl_O7Ct37ywNcqKZq47GyLA2CNcRpt2WsEDER5gTVFLEs-hT0ogMsIY1EfP4F2sbee8k/w301-h400/PXL_20210519_213242457.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><p>And then on Thursday we did a very non-Covid thing and had a mini party at the playground. With one other family who have become such great friends over the last couple of years. I hadn't planned anything big or really planned anything ahead of time but wanted to have a game and dessert to share. So, I made up a theme on the fly and it became a Lego party. We played pin-the-head-on-the-lego-man and had lego head cupcakes. Then they played in the playground and had great fun together.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kSRyt5Azols8-Zmxt2tE-qcgMVBUJgehvT6pL-k19TFS0TmD57rosPPHxhrIIj0DObJzFfXnxohlW6OkSq6Ky6lqepzRRRAyjBLA418smROqhPdUd4lHkfz32BIaPnm5cHXQZM4G26SF/s900/PXL_20210520_222152271.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="783" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kSRyt5Azols8-Zmxt2tE-qcgMVBUJgehvT6pL-k19TFS0TmD57rosPPHxhrIIj0DObJzFfXnxohlW6OkSq6Ky6lqepzRRRAyjBLA418smROqhPdUd4lHkfz32BIaPnm5cHXQZM4G26SF/w348-h400/PXL_20210520_222152271.MP.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stephen picked out this hat at the dollar store weeks ago!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaifG_lco073NBkfa9PXYHA1lNI5Td9OBPy9auSX8cxdH6HqLoXUtRVOmfGvVgKjPwQrAhZGe6TMHRW53kcsoYJJHlkSjlbw2y5aAe2SE2qaGRk4ou9K7DBUzeb0x95fcOk7vkY5FmMjT2/s1200/PXL_20210520_231539548.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaifG_lco073NBkfa9PXYHA1lNI5Td9OBPy9auSX8cxdH6HqLoXUtRVOmfGvVgKjPwQrAhZGe6TMHRW53kcsoYJJHlkSjlbw2y5aAe2SE2qaGRk4ou9K7DBUzeb0x95fcOk7vkY5FmMjT2/w300-h400/PXL_20210520_231539548.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3gH7M8EfebH-zPsuj_hgsQN8y9Eg7KhcphhX1FpqewmT4TvErEVRtMPcSsLwZ1w8-DlpZR__rjqTsRRq9Bj67Peyxe_CzJWY65qWsmdX2WqKrn2t9GtdCHcVtV1r1iZx26-dY1Tm-ql7/s1200/PXL_20210520_231707267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3gH7M8EfebH-zPsuj_hgsQN8y9Eg7KhcphhX1FpqewmT4TvErEVRtMPcSsLwZ1w8-DlpZR__rjqTsRRq9Bj67Peyxe_CzJWY65qWsmdX2WqKrn2t9GtdCHcVtV1r1iZx26-dY1Tm-ql7/w300-h400/PXL_20210520_231707267.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f3WgO7CDCehThHSJo9QlNHY5prII1cCRakPjBWvqwSc3mKcLli6Pqcgo_xiu7asKRWN7u3a290PpsfKSOhHj3Mk57XWRijWUdkYwZAXNzZFl7G6Hsmj5jb-OcYQtVLTuBHRlzAdyGgnK/s900/PXL_20210520_232021829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="900" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5f3WgO7CDCehThHSJo9QlNHY5prII1cCRakPjBWvqwSc3mKcLli6Pqcgo_xiu7asKRWN7u3a290PpsfKSOhHj3Mk57XWRijWUdkYwZAXNzZFl7G6Hsmj5jb-OcYQtVLTuBHRlzAdyGgnK/w400-h373/PXL_20210520_232021829.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh2ZNTFkstGsdLRQk-T6NyqRmvckyCppgNDHqUvivkKLCl5DSm0R4Nzr0WscmCIDh7OLW1ggKod6MCesbRKAkAh_yeHG2l2wnA4Ytoio-NqFd43qS3WAL1SAkwIRD9zXnm1jH6IyuhyxE/s901/PXL_20210519_173125886.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="763" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh2ZNTFkstGsdLRQk-T6NyqRmvckyCppgNDHqUvivkKLCl5DSm0R4Nzr0WscmCIDh7OLW1ggKod6MCesbRKAkAh_yeHG2l2wnA4Ytoio-NqFd43qS3WAL1SAkwIRD9zXnm1jH6IyuhyxE/w169-h200/PXL_20210519_173125886.jpg" width="169" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These look more like jack-o-lanterns than I hoped.. but they were delicious.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHL4uMcAd584J2cncVmRsMtB5g11J7ZHhzojEtA5ZXdFBcaODESNFgfxr5121e_xEeQr0s6u5c3UwOuj2IML99Gw7vQJ2SFfWtynUKLgzBRCsHWtPMAV3HEGHXhzKTzne-7B_zJ2tI0q/s900/PXL_20210520_233146990.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWHL4uMcAd584J2cncVmRsMtB5g11J7ZHhzojEtA5ZXdFBcaODESNFgfxr5121e_xEeQr0s6u5c3UwOuj2IML99Gw7vQJ2SFfWtynUKLgzBRCsHWtPMAV3HEGHXhzKTzne-7B_zJ2tI0q/w400-h300/PXL_20210520_233146990.MP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so fun to get to do something so normal! And Stephen had so much fun. So glad we could celebrate. Mini-parties might be my new favorite thing.</div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-87223712845537564672021-05-20T21:38:00.002-07:002021-05-25T11:56:39.240-07:00Preschooler B2: Five Years Old<p>My preschooler turned <i>five</i> on Tuesday. This feels big. It's the end of my preschool parenting. I'm no longer a Mother of a Preschooler (MOPS). I don't talk about MOPS a lot on my blog... maybe I should. It's a mother's group I've belonged to for six years -- a community of women who come together regularly to learn, grow and encourage each other. It really shouldn't be done alone! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumJH-aOQ3X8W1_pbBmUHGXnywVpygZAOIg0NimwRdckPMpupldVzomzGHJuIDvx7CkxaRegUiJD_ENbVsUANbeoq67sonZYDy71hstDqfbImqjmPD-vMymfLlP8MDSvgD6W4D9t2oNMIF/s632/PXL_20210519_213621101._exported_585_1621465383944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgumJH-aOQ3X8W1_pbBmUHGXnywVpygZAOIg0NimwRdckPMpupldVzomzGHJuIDvx7CkxaRegUiJD_ENbVsUANbeoq67sonZYDy71hstDqfbImqjmPD-vMymfLlP8MDSvgD6W4D9t2oNMIF/w379-h400/PXL_20210519_213621101._exported_585_1621465383944.jpg" width="379" /></a><br /></div><br />At his latest doctor's appointment, he measured 44.7 inches and weighed 40 pounds! He is grown a lot in the last year! Stephen is still my cuddly little boy who loves to crawl up on my lap and roll up into a ball while I warm him up or rub his back. He still fits on my lap when I read him books and more recently when he reads to me! If he isn't in my lap while he reads, he is rolling on the floor, jumping off a chair or putting something in to his mouth. But when I hold him, he is so focused and still. And he is learning new words everyday!<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIg6QFzIIcNs-566NSL_DbcMOyWEL3sSnhrDPaaEKSCMdGJHk6L-5TsWVkCjMSaQBGNoheF0WJcdDyb0xdfNWi4zh6DkKN8As-ooT8mXdPZTQJE_roVABoZ9mKYlWQqxx0wozqbwQ3M5X/s4160/20210428_104656.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisIg6QFzIIcNs-566NSL_DbcMOyWEL3sSnhrDPaaEKSCMdGJHk6L-5TsWVkCjMSaQBGNoheF0WJcdDyb0xdfNWi4zh6DkKN8As-ooT8mXdPZTQJE_roVABoZ9mKYlWQqxx0wozqbwQ3M5X/w400-h300/20210428_104656.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We started using the Bob Book series a few months ago. By the time I had heard about this series with William he was already reading. The short simple stories and sketches are great for Stephen. He isn't quite ready for the longer books that I had for William. That's my summer goal!</p><p>This month, as more things re-opened in our city, Stephen started gymnastics classes. It's just once a week and is more of a fun movement class (and listening to a teacher!) than any actual tumbling yet. This has been so good for him for: 1) a safe place to move around and jump that isn't breaking my couch 2) exposure to a class setting with other children and 3) listening to someone other that mom or dad. We haven't actually been apart of any amount of time in a year so this is a big deal! I was afraid he was going to resist it and fight me when it's time for class but he actually loves it and doesn't resist at all! So thankful we found something he enjoys.</p><p>Stephen has really enjoyed having William home this year. They played between every zoom call and Stephen even watched a few of them. It has been an adjustment for him having William back in school two days a week. Stephen is very sweet to share anything William missed out on while at school. When we made cookies and I gave Stephen 4 chocolate chips, he saved 2 for William... and one time he waited to eat his half until William was home so they could eat them together. One of his favorite answers to the question "Stephen, what do you want?" (food, drink, color, activity, anything...) is "Whatever William wants." We are hoping he'll start voicing his own opinion again soon, but for now it's very sweet how close they have become. </p><p>Stephen loves legos, Pokemon, and stuffed animals. This winter the boys watched dad play Zelda (video game) and created an entire set of Zelda inspired lego creations to give dad for his birthday. It's amazing what they will transfer into their play. The boys have started playing MarioKart on their scooter trips to the park; scooter rides become races with pinecones becoming "bombs" or "turtle shells" to blowup the other player. They watch a WildKrats episode and then become animals or play with their growing assortment of stuffed animals. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bYZzRjzPuelR6XN6iBQBQ6rSK0n4f3amsAjIpFRSTGMXftNObpyvxxxZw6pb-Q8uHgreAaK9E4zN2rBwtXajFakcaLc5CKCqVI1vkbSspjLusaVH231BkgytzYc1arEZYAx0ojmW29LZ/s4160/20210416_155314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bYZzRjzPuelR6XN6iBQBQ6rSK0n4f3amsAjIpFRSTGMXftNObpyvxxxZw6pb-Q8uHgreAaK9E4zN2rBwtXajFakcaLc5CKCqVI1vkbSspjLusaVH231BkgytzYc1arEZYAx0ojmW29LZ/w400-h300/20210416_155314.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>He loves when we read Geronimo Stilton books and still loves Richard Scary's "What do People Do All Day?" We read a lot of chapter books for William but Stephen seems to enjoy them just as much. He can sit and listen for very long stints, which surprises but also blesses me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPM2IxV8PlIPrbMUvN_H4dn1i1bZDoNabAgW4W781_9-28uibM3hq2vCcZHPar76uIuiV04bm67SHBFYteWdzo7kNJfs8mmWsZnHvPbhiHCDwMiB1rMFgFwxlANj5umF1JbLNaoIi9uYu/s900/20210510_103454.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwPM2IxV8PlIPrbMUvN_H4dn1i1bZDoNabAgW4W781_9-28uibM3hq2vCcZHPar76uIuiV04bm67SHBFYteWdzo7kNJfs8mmWsZnHvPbhiHCDwMiB1rMFgFwxlANj5umF1JbLNaoIi9uYu/w300-h400/20210510_103454.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">He has grown and changed so much this year and I'm thankful for this space to pause and take notice of it. We have been together the entire year, so those changes are happening right before my eyes (if I'm paying attention). To see more about his actual birthday celebration, read <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2021/05/another-covid-birthday.html">this</a>.</span></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-33540223295259880932021-04-10T11:49:00.000-07:002021-04-10T11:49:31.774-07:00Quilt for My Newest Niece <p>My brother and his wife had their second child last month, a daughter named Mabel Molly. They announced the news and I got busy picking out a quilt pattern and fabric. (I'm not local so it's not like I could run to their house to meet her. So, in my excitement, I sew!)</p><p>I had seen <a href="https://cluckclucksew.com/2012/03/pink-classic.html">this pattern</a> years ago and loved it, but back then it looked a little intimidating, to be honest. But when I came across it this time I thought it was perfect! And it was actually very similar to another process of piecing I had done, so it wasn't that hard. It was quite a process, with a lot of steps and a lot of seams. So, after working on it every spare moment for a month, I'm very happy to say, it's finished! </p><p>And here it is:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigslrA_ffDTFwQDi0RSAAiP8kVMdlwjXfAxPpe1ePP7kafiumtTcPlBZsJhSEAr4D1TmUUAy9YQxLzCitAYZErL1ZGg_1e9_ouaFHYKHykzpMEu1oEvJ0_buUIrvkPmol-9DTWT21QJxlg/s900/20210330_080504_HDR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="837" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigslrA_ffDTFwQDi0RSAAiP8kVMdlwjXfAxPpe1ePP7kafiumtTcPlBZsJhSEAr4D1TmUUAy9YQxLzCitAYZErL1ZGg_1e9_ouaFHYKHykzpMEu1oEvJ0_buUIrvkPmol-9DTWT21QJxlg/w373-h400/20210330_080504_HDR.png" width="373" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've been to my house, you can tell I love teal. And I loved finding a peach/light pink and teal floral fabric as my starter. It's very bright, feminine and pretty. I'm not sure if this quilt pattern has a technical name, but I think of bows when I look at it ... or hourglasses. I'd call it my pretty bow quilt!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's 40" x 45" and made of 90 squares! I haven't made a quilt with so many squares in a while. The last two I made had much larger squares so it wasn't nearly as many to work with. It took some perseverance to keep going this time!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSutTSY5dYuhs2Nqd-k7kyfOV-yeRkSml1nADHN6qiw-RQd8O2FCoB5pvlk-0zjC19y9wB8XcSiFH2a86NamEKOYBMHjuZmhCyh06vYBxUbzcsSF9eKjNxG05DtW4W55_feB3CT2kjRdl/s900/20210330_080517.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSutTSY5dYuhs2Nqd-k7kyfOV-yeRkSml1nADHN6qiw-RQd8O2FCoB5pvlk-0zjC19y9wB8XcSiFH2a86NamEKOYBMHjuZmhCyh06vYBxUbzcsSF9eKjNxG05DtW4W55_feB3CT2kjRdl/w300-h400/20210330_080517.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqykkx2VOz_ZkzPLEc44jXrtzbgFV5ue6uk4gS7dRpuAiBAOzAL5wYDx90KiO2ewoS0kbF6Vnb_cfz9mo5tgZ5hZnF1gk4ybhrQWGCpD0mjFiMySj2-aqwJHPJ1BK4HkUywCNWX-lbbgnE/s900/20210330_080554.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqykkx2VOz_ZkzPLEc44jXrtzbgFV5ue6uk4gS7dRpuAiBAOzAL5wYDx90KiO2ewoS0kbF6Vnb_cfz9mo5tgZ5hZnF1gk4ybhrQWGCpD0mjFiMySj2-aqwJHPJ1BK4HkUywCNWX-lbbgnE/w400-h300/20210330_080554.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back is a peach swirl fabric. I used it on the front as well.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOE4gjv9yITMDpE0M-xX2efrKPcPdDq2sTurOFYxtZ_X-YymcEdSg_oVzyf0fJ2AfUdz7OF22mp32x8jt9PcNJFltKemtxKIMIzYEGktPocsb9RIoockzS7Gg000ZnyDS8l-KjlJRSpyE/s900/20210330_080647.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOE4gjv9yITMDpE0M-xX2efrKPcPdDq2sTurOFYxtZ_X-YymcEdSg_oVzyf0fJ2AfUdz7OF22mp32x8jt9PcNJFltKemtxKIMIzYEGktPocsb9RIoockzS7Gg000ZnyDS8l-KjlJRSpyE/w300-h400/20210330_080647.png" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>All folded and ready to be mailed. I never thought I would sew with white fabric. It scared me. And I'm sure it scares a new mom too, but the crisp look has grown on me and become one of my favorites. <div><br /></div><div>Congratulations to my brother and his wife! Mabel Molly, I'm looking forward to meeting you! </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-45099512630006692892021-03-14T09:41:00.001-07:002021-03-14T09:41:19.320-07:00Be Strong & Courageous<p>I started following She Reads Truth (.com) during the Advent season and loved their reading plan/book so much that I decided to do their plan for Lent too. Over the 40 days of lent we are reading the book of Joshua and Mark. I just finished Joshua this morning. Easter is coming!</p><p>The memory verse they included in the study was Joshua 1:9, which I had chosen two decades ago as my confirmation verse, and memorized it again in college so I knew it well and it came back to me easily. But as I stewed on it week after week (as the book has you do) the words took on greater meaning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xvOVKrrN3kgjNQ8JYb16eYPhRNBwgjcM_b9SgU3FxWMr3ByESKaD6VMZyzlqiv0hZrIvozEtxAJr0qrWOayVEzfmUk6Gu0hwOJI78621lSaRryiC2OY8XlShmARxMA4utlPlBdqwzDld/s1080/159924959_4625027340844755_3528584561014475611_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xvOVKrrN3kgjNQ8JYb16eYPhRNBwgjcM_b9SgU3FxWMr3ByESKaD6VMZyzlqiv0hZrIvozEtxAJr0qrWOayVEzfmUk6Gu0hwOJI78621lSaRryiC2OY8XlShmARxMA4utlPlBdqwzDld/w400-h400/159924959_4625027340844755_3528584561014475611_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Courageous/Discouraged</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Strong/Afraid</i></p><p>The word courage is defined as "the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief." So to be <i>courageous</i> is to be full of courage... to take on the things that frighten you or to move forward with strength in the midst of pain or suffering. </p><p>To be discouraged would be the opposite -- to have a lack of courage. To be unable to move forward in the present pain or fear. The dictionary says "having lost confidence or enthusiasm; disheartened." Some Bible translations use "dismayed" which can mean to be afraid or broken, shattered. </p><p>If Joshua were discouraged or afraid, he may not have followed the Lord's directions and taken Jericho. Or any other cities God had given them. If he were discouraged, he may have let Israel wander for another 40 years in the desert. Who knows what would have happened if Joshua forgot that God was with him!?</p><p>This exhortation to be strong and courageous certainly makes sense for Joshua who was the new leader of Israel looking to take over the land God promised them. It would indeed require strength and courage to face many battles. Does it apply to us?</p><p>I think it does. We received the same promise of God's presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. God is with us wherever we go because the Holy Spirit is <i>in</i> us. We are also told in 2 Timothy 1:7 " For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." </p><p>The other word that came to mind as I read this was "encourage" -- to give someone support, confidence and hope. Our words have such strong powers -- we can encourage someone just as easily as we can discourage someone. Our self-talk can do the same. </p><p>I'm hoping that I can fill my mind with scripture so that my self-talk is really gospel talk. That I can be encouraged by the Word of God to be strong and courageous -- for whatever task lies ahead. After all, God is with me wherever I go.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-81359730515810452862020-12-31T08:37:00.001-08:002020-12-31T08:37:40.319-08:002020 in Review<p><i>What a year.</i> Everyone is saying this. Everyone is thinking "Thank goodness it's over." And yes, while 2020 had a lot of really intense challenges, many of these challenges will carry into the new year as well. It isn't going to all magically heal or go away. If this Advent season has reminded me of anything, it's that my HOPE is in JESUS. Not the world, economy, politics, or even my health.</p><p>San Francisco was very restricted for most of the year. Even when things opened up, we stayed to ourselves most of the time: I went to stores a handful of times, Chris got a haircut once, we went to a museum four times and we get take-out dinner once in a while. My MOPS group gathered once a a month outside (staying distanced and wearing masks). We did a few outdoor meet-ups with friends with children and once the playgrounds opened in October, our days felt a bit more normal. While at home, the boys have gotten very good at Mario Kart video games, playing Pokemon and other card and board games, building legos and reading books together. (They love the Geronimo Stilton series... it never ends.) It has been a very quiet, slow year.</p><p>I had to laugh when I went back and re-read my <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-goals-and-intentions.html">post</a> for my 2020 goals. Here's an except: <br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1b1b1b;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>I want 2020 to have balance of all the good things -- healthy eating, moderate and regular exercise, time in the Bible, focus on my marriage, time to myself, time with my community, focus on my kids eating better meals, focus on my kids education and friendships, wisdom in financial issues, more self-confidence, etc. I want so many things to be more intentional. </i></span></blockquote><p></p><p>What made me laugh? Well, the part about focusing on my community, my children's education and friendships specifically. Community changed drastically this year. When Covid-19 first arrived our calendars remained quite full with Zoom calls. Nearly every evening Chris or I had something going on. But then it dwindled. We (and others) got tired of the screen time. We still had our small groups and my MOPS group to attend virtually, but other things fell away. </p><p>Education has been at the forefront of my mind all year. I didn't expect this when I wrote that goal. I had been thinking about Stephen starting preschool . . . not homeschooling preschool and managing distance learning for 1st grade! But this experience has opened my eyes to many things about my children's learning experiences. William is very compliant and listens well to his teacher in Zoom class. He has a stellar internal clock and knows when he needs to be logged in without me saying much. He is fairly independent. BUT, he isn't challenged very much and when things are easy he tends to not care or try harder than the bare minimum. Trying seems like work. We need to exercise that muscle! Stephen would not do well in a distance learning environment... so praying we get this figured out by next Fall when he starts Kindergarten! He learns by active playing. He has learned a lot this year -- from watching/listening to William, from playing games, and putting up with mom's attempt to teach.</p><p>My diet plummeted as I was home all day and found myself snacking because there was nothing else to do. On the other hand, with Chris working from home since March, I started walking again each morning and in August started running a bit too. </p><p>I did keep up with my Bible reading plan! Up until December when I switched over to the She Reads Truth Advent book - which is still scripture everyday, just not the plan I had been following. So, that goal was met! So thankful for the quieter pace to keep that a priority this year.</p><p>And the kids still refuse to eat what I make. Or rather, William flat out refuses. Stephen will try it. It is hit or miss if he eats it all or requests something else. Breaking this habit of mine/theirs has been harder than I had expected.</p><p><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Other highlights from this year were:</b></span></p><p>- In February, Chris's parents took us (without the kids -- Thanks Kate for watching them!) to Napa for a weekend. We toured a few lovely vineyards and had a great time together. Then they spent a few days in the city with us so the boys could see them. It was so fun. And looking back, it is so fortunate that this happened when it did. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGF1jT7Mr7jryYGkoh4uJv_STDdLgCMWEPgzEmWGnsqlSwTdjpwA03iio-vGofpMZYNybfk0V17pxk1Rm0KGHATIzBMeJeyoSuHMzyRjKYtVZqJptDbzOLq8YmpOJAEmyeLNV-PUqWLu1/s900/Photo-from-Emily-Babiak.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="544" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGF1jT7Mr7jryYGkoh4uJv_STDdLgCMWEPgzEmWGnsqlSwTdjpwA03iio-vGofpMZYNybfk0V17pxk1Rm0KGHATIzBMeJeyoSuHMzyRjKYtVZqJptDbzOLq8YmpOJAEmyeLNV-PUqWLu1/w241-h400/Photo-from-Emily-Babiak.png" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NIZOcOujKxgaPKmExoPGHIa0LT-OH_aJke8eUrSR40Hk07LdZmvU3CbdtKcMEJxqY6h7VH_ZuRJ5xLQSjZrWkO1ge1qLRcQ_Ib6m0dksogI4v7AjZSpoUZGAGDl1iW553JqdQAc9Srf-/s900/20200224_095229.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NIZOcOujKxgaPKmExoPGHIa0LT-OH_aJke8eUrSR40Hk07LdZmvU3CbdtKcMEJxqY6h7VH_ZuRJ5xLQSjZrWkO1ge1qLRcQ_Ib6m0dksogI4v7AjZSpoUZGAGDl1iW553JqdQAc9Srf-/w300-h400/20200224_095229.png" width="300" /></a></div><p>- Stephen turning <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/05/preschooler-b2-four-years-old.html" target="_blank">4</a> in May, growing in speech, abilities, and cuteness all the time. William turned <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/10/big-boy-7-years-old.html">7</a> in October; he is loosing teeth, growing taller, becoming a quick thinker and figuring out what respect/disrespect is.</p><p>- We enjoyed more nature this summer with beach trips, park hikes, and renting a <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/07/family-outing-stow-lake.html">row boat</a> one morning. The boys also got better at biking! We've done one family bike day in Golden Gate Park, but otherwise Chris takes the boys and I get some stuff done at home.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd9ct0rZ0ECQ_IBwFqzY0IQEvJLHBjyydJhtK5sX1M3SAw7Q8wQtk7-Xcsjss9axagn_RVSUXNcs5qpDgXVVIpEbQtmvlUukDgYnL0S82xkb-WgoH_BbTN5R5zPo92RH4qUUig8JQF221/s900/20200808_151802.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd9ct0rZ0ECQ_IBwFqzY0IQEvJLHBjyydJhtK5sX1M3SAw7Q8wQtk7-Xcsjss9axagn_RVSUXNcs5qpDgXVVIpEbQtmvlUukDgYnL0S82xkb-WgoH_BbTN5R5zPo92RH4qUUig8JQF221/w300-h400/20200808_151802.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefGN4pZuUBaTgjhkRdKLZLBges28fxa7B7Iq8eohgtnl6In_werXy9mCG6Ksz0FwNm2rwtY3rGhA6UFLmLdhcnCyAwkAHpoHQIZe3NcHrke3om5Wt9q80rVsaat0A1ZmXFcx1PgvrAOBf/s900/20200818_155632-%25282%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefGN4pZuUBaTgjhkRdKLZLBges28fxa7B7Iq8eohgtnl6In_werXy9mCG6Ksz0FwNm2rwtY3rGhA6UFLmLdhcnCyAwkAHpoHQIZe3NcHrke3om5Wt9q80rVsaat0A1ZmXFcx1PgvrAOBf/w300-h400/20200818_155632-%25282%2529.png" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDM2KrE3Wprt_jgod9WZW5KiVZhJ3nrr744pQufKfVD89Si7RMHzDxW3xFmx8mQlVvvetPfQeCznLFKE-OK_qzY0BQs-AsEdd-q68wKUMbCIoETBaXd3mKbBOzmrxFEIYPEteoP8okkRZq/s900/20201123_095311.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDM2KrE3Wprt_jgod9WZW5KiVZhJ3nrr744pQufKfVD89Si7RMHzDxW3xFmx8mQlVvvetPfQeCznLFKE-OK_qzY0BQs-AsEdd-q68wKUMbCIoETBaXd3mKbBOzmrxFEIYPEteoP8okkRZq/w300-h400/20201123_095311.png" width="300" /></a></div><br /> - Putting finishing touches on our <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/06/rearranged-furniture-and-quiet-corner.html">home</a>. Still many things left to do so maybe "finishing" isn't the right word... but it feels more like home now. We've been in our condo for nearly <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-condo-one-year-in.html">two years</a> now! So thankful it has space for all we need to do from home these days. I also loved decorating it for Christmas.<p></p><p> - <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/08/our-week-in-utah.html" target="_blank">Road trip </a>to Utah to help my sister move. This is the only trip we took all year and the only time we saw my family. So grateful it happened. My sister has since then had another baby so I can't wait for when its safe to to back to meet niece (and see all of them) again.</p><p>The year wasn't a waste. We had several highlights! Plus, we loved being together as a family more. I know my boys better and they love each other more than ever before. But outside our walls, the city seems to be changing and friends have moved/are moving away. Our nation is struggling to find unity and do the right thing. There is division on so many levels. There is a heaviness from this year that will linger for a while I'm sure. So, while we had highlights and many blessings to be thankful for, we are grieving too.</p><p>That's all for 2020. Wishing you a very Happy New Year filled with HOPE, LOVE, and FAITH.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-12754257102828071912020-12-24T10:48:00.002-08:002020-12-24T10:48:17.960-08:00Christmas Time in the Year of a Pandemic<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd-85a7TZQw1ZS04BXti8bmGptPEbCsHqMTjtwXlee3GBS0HYIolPsvnj3weZAiBAJD5K5-uHxAyrSt5uo9adE94rzLoIg8cQoWtWUnWI5A_r8h62P4NwfMSd5CnEw-W98kQqYgYOZnN2/s900/family-photo-8928-fixed.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd-85a7TZQw1ZS04BXti8bmGptPEbCsHqMTjtwXlee3GBS0HYIolPsvnj3weZAiBAJD5K5-uHxAyrSt5uo9adE94rzLoIg8cQoWtWUnWI5A_r8h62P4NwfMSd5CnEw-W98kQqYgYOZnN2/w400-h266/family-photo-8928-fixed.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Merry Christmas from the Babiaks!</b></span></div><br /><p></p><p>We hope you found a way to make this Christmas season special. Maybe the quieter holiday allowed for more reflection, more prayer, more thankfulness for Christ's birth than ever before. </p><p>This year has provided a multitude of challenges for every single one of you, my dear readers, as well as my own family. Some of you have lost loved ones, jobs, and friendships. And those losses are strongly felt during this holiday. I mourn with you. </p><p>Virtual life - school, work, MOPS group, playdates, church meetings, etc have taken over our normal social/communal style of living. We aren't running around seeing our friends or racing to the next thing. We're at home. With our children. All the time. Our calendars contain links to Zoom calls, but little else. </p><p>So, for us this Christmas, as we stay at home (yes, we canceled our trip to Texas) we are making space for Christ's birth to touch us deeply. Making time to be in the moment with our children (and each other). And I hope you can pause a bit to do the same.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF6uQxxRuVJo2Q6rfTxLc5lg8hF0PpZPkKM7-QNmFj0G1z8ahx7pFlNg6keoT1hc1_QZr-3NDqmipwex6EXvI7Anz1QIE4SxEFXisig75WqkfEpQuHDb9ijKGxvtBv6oSbcpGW6vAoJy3/s900/20201222_101138.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCF6uQxxRuVJo2Q6rfTxLc5lg8hF0PpZPkKM7-QNmFj0G1z8ahx7pFlNg6keoT1hc1_QZr-3NDqmipwex6EXvI7Anz1QIE4SxEFXisig75WqkfEpQuHDb9ijKGxvtBv6oSbcpGW6vAoJy3/w400-h300/20201222_101138.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Our Advent craft countdown with the boys is finished!</p><p>Some things I've enjoyed doing this month to help prepare my heart for Christmas:<br /> - She Reads Truth <a href="https://shereadstruth.com/plans/advent-2020-jesus-christ-is-born/" target="_blank">Advent Reading Plan</a> & Podcast<br /> - <a href="https://truthinthetinsel.com/" target="_blank">Truth in the Tinsel </a>Advent Reading/Crafts with the kids<br /> - That Sounds Fun Podcast by Annie F. Downs<br /> - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vwu-t7QRaE">Noel</a> by Chris Tomlin & Lauren Daigle<br /> - The <a href="https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/finalstretch">Lazy Genius Podcast </a>Episode #189</p><p>May you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. Praying 2021 brings something amazing your way.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-4473217232919839952020-12-21T13:01:00.006-08:002020-12-21T13:06:27.300-08:00A Quilt for my Niece<p>My sister Molly had her fourth child in mid November. Which means I got to make another quilt this winter. I had so much fun making the one last December for <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-quilt-for-my-nephew.html" target="_blank">my nephew</a> I decided to use the same pattern and make a similar one for sweet Johanna Monet. </p><p>With all the Covid-19 restrictions, I'd only been to the craft store once this year. So it felt a little surreal and somewhat indulgent to walk into Jo-Ann Fabrics right before the holidays. And yes, I used the opportunity to stock up on a few holiday projects as well. But this is about the quilt!</p><p>I had originally intended to go with a red color scheme, but couldn't find exactly what I envisioned. Then my eyes landed on this floral/butterfly blue fabric and I fell in love with it. It took some hunting for coordinating fabrics and patterns but I did it! So, here it is:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTtNRsDRr5HS93MDNG-5GDWuNCSa7UKJPCZfGWVO3-nVjIALMOQ2Hoc-QORw3G3t0XrdTthKAFnHvpGPnpZrV14RBii2LkdbbM9p99risPWdyzsd-gNLGnsaJHS1wU0-Ul7OoTwIs9jfo/s900/20201215_095838.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="900" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTtNRsDRr5HS93MDNG-5GDWuNCSa7UKJPCZfGWVO3-nVjIALMOQ2Hoc-QORw3G3t0XrdTthKAFnHvpGPnpZrV14RBii2LkdbbM9p99risPWdyzsd-gNLGnsaJHS1wU0-Ul7OoTwIs9jfo/w400-h274/20201215_095838.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9TEpABI1ozGSRHpWQloGl_l1kF6Q23DqIpGUlm2HQizxlZcUfSJduJQtTBhgSY64Beh5-lchK4W5flNbyfo7aJscTOoXcmvJDljYAlQJt1VnSbOljiZLD1vxCjWNTFsRxcNFGZfx1WXQ/s900/20201215_095848.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9TEpABI1ozGSRHpWQloGl_l1kF6Q23DqIpGUlm2HQizxlZcUfSJduJQtTBhgSY64Beh5-lchK4W5flNbyfo7aJscTOoXcmvJDljYAlQJt1VnSbOljiZLD1vxCjWNTFsRxcNFGZfx1WXQ/w300-h400/20201215_095848.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh6zIOxUGhh1_zOMHlIa3-t1VuEeGnOpUs8wewcf_5nOojYO_ONPlXGtGQADsxUKPHyPIJfDcBeahl6Gv0lEzEoyW5IyyFcGkXhhRAKMw7Onig5KSKi0ulvDSj8XwOGsr983RdM3Zzds6/s900/20201215_095933.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQh6zIOxUGhh1_zOMHlIa3-t1VuEeGnOpUs8wewcf_5nOojYO_ONPlXGtGQADsxUKPHyPIJfDcBeahl6Gv0lEzEoyW5IyyFcGkXhhRAKMw7Onig5KSKi0ulvDSj8XwOGsr983RdM3Zzds6/w300-h400/20201215_095933.png" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't find anything orange that I loved at the store, but I knew I had two orange fabrics from previous projects. This orange square with the circles is from a <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2013/08/baby-boys-quilt-dots-and-stripes.html" target="_blank">quilt</a> made over seven years ago. Glad I had a stash -- and even more glad to get to use it!</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEInwADMiJQcAri6nosbkQduBIaQpvTEXzrdfnTH0S30LuTKgYq8T3KAmZFhk1nToBPTLQ2Yv3b4VyDCHg_MNr_1hnFTRlKjGQHsGV_bVMI6bvncEoRNVepqvZggR5ii9j23O9GauNZ6P/s900/20201215_095911.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="900" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEInwADMiJQcAri6nosbkQduBIaQpvTEXzrdfnTH0S30LuTKgYq8T3KAmZFhk1nToBPTLQ2Yv3b4VyDCHg_MNr_1hnFTRlKjGQHsGV_bVMI6bvncEoRNVepqvZggR5ii9j23O9GauNZ6P/w400-h269/20201215_095911.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>With our slower than normal life style these days, this quilt came together very quickly. It still took me several days, but with Chris's help with the boys, it wasn't hard to find the time. I really enjoyed making this one and am very pleased with how it turned out. Hopefully Johanna will have it for years to come!</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-25854448907570334052020-11-21T15:13:00.008-08:002020-11-22T10:35:55.196-08:00Challenge Complete: Foster the Bay 6 Day Fitness Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4DxPMK9bfMBZG-NBe2FTcys6_C49oBGI_013WHSTwQaGb1vkvEQ30PM-f1X0-SHOq7142undH6ibRdj-aIyyDKqsk-a5YryW68oVhWUVfbgPZjC6K7egsyymfVk3yVUcTPvUkCbq88s4/s900/125857756_10101984920801240_8640010254956687084_o.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="557" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4DxPMK9bfMBZG-NBe2FTcys6_C49oBGI_013WHSTwQaGb1vkvEQ30PM-f1X0-SHOq7142undH6ibRdj-aIyyDKqsk-a5YryW68oVhWUVfbgPZjC6K7egsyymfVk3yVUcTPvUkCbq88s4/s320/125857756_10101984920801240_8640010254956687084_o.png" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Challenge week is over! Whew! Foster the Bay hosted a 6-day fitness challenge to raise awareness and funds for their organization, which partners with churches to raise up foster families in the Bay Area. You can read why I wanted to support this organization <a href="http://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/11/challenge-accepted-foster-bay-fundraiser.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Each morning of challenge week (November 16-2), I was given a fitness challenge and the reason behind it. Here's how the week looked:</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><h2><p style="height: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Monday:</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Juggle</span></span></span></span></p><p style="height: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">3 reps of 20 lunges in the living room, 3 reps of 20 jumping jacks in the kitchen and 3 reps of 20 shoulder taps in the bedroom. <i>Why? </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Foster families juggle appointments with social workers and therapists, family visits, school calendars, trainings and a whole myriad of other responsibilities. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">This challenge reflected the chaos and exhaustion that foster families face.</span></span></span></span></p></h2><p></p><h2><p style="height: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p></h2><div><i style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<br /></i></div><div><i style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre-wrap;">This one wasn't too bad - but my legs did feel it by the end!</i></div><h2><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Tuesday: Peaks & Valleys
</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span><span style="font-weight: 400;">100 burpies. <i>Why?</i> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Every person involved in the foster care system (case workers, judges, parents, foster families and the child) experience highs and lows along the journey. I did 100 Burpies to represent and remember those ups and downs. </span></span></h2><h2><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><i>I don't have a photo of the burpies, but believe me when I tell you this one was a struggle! Wow, my arms, back and legs hurt all day and the day after. But I did it. I had to break it down into smaller sets of 10 but I finished!</i></span></span></span></div></h2><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Wednesday: Walking Wednesday</span><span style="color: #050505; font-weight: normal;">
Walk for 30 minutes and pray. <i>Why?</i> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Foster care is one of the hardest journeys one can walk through. Walk 30-minutes (or more). You could also take the time to pray for those in the foster care community! Here are a few prayer points:
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pray for peace, hope and love for kids in foster care across the Bay Area.</span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pray for wisdom, stamina and provision for Foster Families as they care for children in the midst of a pandemic. </span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pray for creativity, generosity and perseverance for Support Friends as they seek to provide critical help to Foster Families. </span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pray for the necessary resources for the mission of Foster the Bay to continue moving forward.</span></span></span></span></li></ul></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>My body needed this day of walking. I had a dentist appointment that morning so I walked there... showed up with a very sweaty top (oops!). I enjoyed the walk and purposeful prayer time. </i></span></span></span></span></h2><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday: The Bag
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carry/role a packed bag or suitcase around the block three times. Then do 3 reps of dead lifts, over head press or other exercise with your bag. <i>Why?</i> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">The trauma that kids in foster care experience can be complex and heartbreaking - being removed from their family of origin, shifting across multiple homes, new family dynamics, new schools and new communities. This fitness challenge is a small reminder of what these kids walk through and how important it is for us to stand beside them in this difficult season of their life. <br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Foster the Bay strives to provide stability for kids in foster care by providing loving and safe homes until these precious kids are reunited with their families or find their forever homes. </span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: normal;"><i>This one was a little awkward. I did the workout outside so it felt weird to do bicep curls, upright rows and dead lifts with my backpack (which weighed 13 pounds). But I did it! </i></span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Friday: The 6,000</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Run 6,000 steps. <i>Why?</i> At any given time, there are approximately 6,000 kids in foster care in the Bay Area. These are babies, children and teens who each have a name and a story…and every one of their stories matter to God.</span></span></span></span></h2><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-weight: normal;"><i>I go usually do a 20 minute walk 5 days a week, and I've been working on running more but this one was definitely a stretch. This is the most I've run in a long time, maybe ever. It took me a little over 45 minutes to finish with lots of walking breaks. But I stuck with it and finished! I felt really proud of myself... and a little challenged to do something like this more often.</i></span></span></span></div><h2><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="color: #741b47;">Saturday: 429</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Do a combination of different strength exercises adding up to 429 repetitions. Why?According to the national average, a foster child will stay in foster care for approximately 429 days. As we cross the finish line of our challenge today, we’re going to reflect on these difficult days when they are separated from their families.</span></span></span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>This one looked so daunting. 429 reps? Wowzer. I thought this would take me all day, but once I started it was easier to just keep going. Here's what I did (in sets of 20 with short breaks):</i></span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">60 push-ups (on my knees)</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">60 plank knee-to-elbow</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">60 squats</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">60 crunches</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">80 jumping jacks</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">40 lunges</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">49 shoulder taps</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">20 tricep dips</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">I learned a lot this week. About Foster Care and about myself and what I'm capable of. I'm not one to push myself to do a hard workout so I just assumed I couldn't do it. But this proved that I could. Chris and I have been inching our way into finding out more about fostering in the city and now more than ever it's something I want to pursue. It's intimidating, just like these workouts were, but the purpose behind it and the child it impacts are too important to ignore. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">I didn't reach my goal of $1000 (yet!), but I'm so proud of how much good we did! Thank you to all those that give. We raised $650!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">If you are interested in donating, here's how:</span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-weight: 400; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><span><b style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;">Online Payment Page:</b><span style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;"> </span><br style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;" /><a href="https://pushpay.com/g/echochurchfosterthebay" style="color: #7e6592; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: normal;">https://pushpay.com/g/echochurchfosterthebay</a><span style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;"> </span><br style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;" /></span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; white-space: normal;"><span>(Choose FTB 6-day Challenge from drop down and put my nam</span><span>e in the comment line)</span><br /><b>Mail a Check:</b><span> </span><span><span style="color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Foster the Bay; </span><span style="color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">1172 Murphy Ave., Ste. 130; </span><span style="color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Jose, CA 95131</span></span></span></span></div></div></h2></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-52408728957512923042020-11-02T14:09:00.010-08:002020-11-02T14:11:22.590-08:00Challenge Accepted: Foster the Bay Fundraiser<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gTbOzG8mxJDc0JSPGcKmE4WyhV9lv-_lbXETinkPThyphenhyphenxEuyd6_j6iDvyQooFJckJerwNyfpfgQKh1zDXo4wXGshMCQQqH6n5YRa0BRmGP533psg30H0DG61w74Mb3Sgh2pX8Mk1Kzg2y/s1296/IMG_0987.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="1296" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gTbOzG8mxJDc0JSPGcKmE4WyhV9lv-_lbXETinkPThyphenhyphenxEuyd6_j6iDvyQooFJckJerwNyfpfgQKh1zDXo4wXGshMCQQqH6n5YRa0BRmGP533psg30H0DG61w74Mb3Sgh2pX8Mk1Kzg2y/w400-h266/IMG_0987.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />In 15 days I will begin a six-day fitness challenge to spread awareness and raise funds for an organization I have come to really care about. Foster the Bay is a nonprofit working to increase the number of foster homes available in the 10 counties that make up the Bay Area. They do this by partnering with churches, raising awareness of the need for homes, providing support and walking with families as they enter into this new endeavor and they also work with these churches to build support networks so these families are not doing it all alone. These support networks help gather necessary supplies (cribs, mattresses, clothing, etc) for new placements as well as bring meals, babysit, provide needed breaks and support. <p></p><p>I heard about this organization through a couple at our church when they first started looking into fostering; then I found myself going to an interest meeting last year and feeling my heart strings being pulled to help in some shape or form. We invited the organization to speak at our MOPS group and share their vision and heart for foster kids, and this summer Chris and I attended their virtual fundraising gala. </p><p>I have several friends from college who have fostered children and eventually adopted; my brother-in-law and his wife are also raising a foster daughter. I've wanted to be a part of caring for kids in tough places for a long time and I love that I get to watch others actually do it. I'm praying that someday we will be in a place to love and care for child in this way. </p><p>But until then, I'm doing what I can. And that is bringing this to your attention. </p><p>There are 6,000 children in the Bay Area in the foster care system. One of the biggest concerns is that there aren't enough foster homes in the area to keep these kids in their counties. So they end up being moved farther away and uprooted from their city, their schools, and nothing is familiar anymore. All of this (including being taken from their parent or moved from one home to another) is really traumatic for these children. We can help. We can raise funds for this organization to reach more churches, more families that have a heart to help children to have safe and loving home and we can pray.</p><p>Would you consider sponsoring me on this challenge? I'm 25% to my goal already, so I know we can make it the $1000 mark in 2 weeks time! I have no idea what the fitness challenge will include, so stay tuned. I'll share more the week of November 16-21!<br /><br />There are 3 ways to give:</p><p><b>Facebook Donation: <br /></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/donate/792093014680769/">https://www.facebook.com/donate/792093014680769/</a><br /><b>Online Payment Page:</b> <br /><a href="https://pushpay.com/g/echochurchfosterthebay">https://pushpay.com/g/echochurchfosterthebay</a> <br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Choose FTB 6-day Challenge from drop down and put my name in the comment line)<br /><b>Mail a Check:</b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">Foster the Bay; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">1172 Murphy Ave., Ste. 130; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e2b3f; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Jose, CA 95131</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e2b3f; font-family: UniversLTCondensed; letter-spacing: 0.72px; text-align: center; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you!</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-80393396741205798402020-10-19T14:19:00.002-07:002020-10-19T14:19:31.781-07:00Decorating Attempt: Couch Pillows<p>I have found myself being inspired by author <a href="https://thenester.com/blog" target="_blank">Myquillyn Smith</a>, also known as The Nester over the past few years. I discovered her website and book, <i>Cozy Minimalist</i> a couple of years ago when I was desperate to purge and think more minimalistic with my home. She has a very warm style and is very intentional in how she decorates her home -- yes she decorates even though she believes in having minimal stuff. Now, I have a long way to go before my home even remotely resembles her's (it never will...), but I loved the way she talked about using texture and color to compliment her home instead of clutter it. </p><p>I recently heard her being interviewed on the That Sounds Fun Podcast with <a href="https://www.anniefdowns.com/2020/09/15/episode-243-myquillyn-smith-welcome-home/">Annie F. Downs</a>. They were talking about the top three things to have in any home to make it feel welcoming and cozy. I believe they were 1) rugs 2) curtains and 3) pillows. </p><p>One of the first things we purchased when we moved into the condo was rugs, mostly because we had laminate flooring, children and neighbors. We desperately needed to reduce the noise! So we have a large rug and two runners in our upstairs hallway/living room. They all match with the same whimsical teal, blue, beige pattern . . . because I couldn't comprehend how to match rugs and runners any other way. And then we purchased our couches which are grey. And this is what it looked like for a long time:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugr2lEfUjUAVRxH0VfK9G6hGi1lqyb2ret77iJ5j4Qxk5YMFIQFS-0i8pF-UOs1xYA3MLx3gT0MZDLFnOJvaDiyfk54O86ZV8Vl6NrEMpYINESgGf2TjGjEDvdR3oRjV3K796fmX852U4/s900/20200923_163840.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="900" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugr2lEfUjUAVRxH0VfK9G6hGi1lqyb2ret77iJ5j4Qxk5YMFIQFS-0i8pF-UOs1xYA3MLx3gT0MZDLFnOJvaDiyfk54O86ZV8Vl6NrEMpYINESgGf2TjGjEDvdR3oRjV3K796fmX852U4/w400-h285/20200923_163840.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have a loveseat and couch and it came with four pillows that matched the fabric of the couch and one more decorative pillow seen above. Hearing the podcast recently reminded me about using colors and textures to decorate for seasonal changes. With Fall approaching I was compelled to make a change. And the pillows were an easy way to do it. I didn't even buy new pillows, I just bought new covers. And being this was my first attempt at really decorating I went on the cheap side because I had so much doubt about what I was doing... and even things like pillow covers can add up quickly!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS586PE7sAcVRy-TbGpjb9I1ThDsJgtjrA4YlJbJz1bNuiDdlsDBBM7m6l-TU1y1GIQpXxs8R7kKASdatC5H9YtsDajMJnA8WgU2JguOfx2mf_hrNg1OeIKPA3aYe7QlqaSx58zxoSndT/s900/20201009_154449.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQS586PE7sAcVRy-TbGpjb9I1ThDsJgtjrA4YlJbJz1bNuiDdlsDBBM7m6l-TU1y1GIQpXxs8R7kKASdatC5H9YtsDajMJnA8WgU2JguOfx2mf_hrNg1OeIKPA3aYe7QlqaSx58zxoSndT/w400-h300/20201009_154449.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I purchased two teal covers (which ended up being more shiny than I had anticipated, but match the rug fairly well), and two cream, pom-pom, corduroy-like fabric covers to bring in a bit more texture and warmth, and then one smaller orange frilly cover for a Fall accent. It looks so different, right?!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuERXCqx74Pc5Ei460bINJY3-EqaUGHn1h6v0kDMxQnLgDD9C2W49tWj2fwI0bhvtGK5JnxMviI9jvz9h1UQU44xDcJdZPve7hfeKSAVfaF7qlqEWICxLjTUD9a51QwBdeDj7_ZH6T7Pjv/s1200/20201009_154514.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuERXCqx74Pc5Ei460bINJY3-EqaUGHn1h6v0kDMxQnLgDD9C2W49tWj2fwI0bhvtGK5JnxMviI9jvz9h1UQU44xDcJdZPve7hfeKSAVfaF7qlqEWICxLjTUD9a51QwBdeDj7_ZH6T7Pjv/s320/20201009_154514.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I intend to keep the teal covers on year-round and I might keep the cream ones on too but to me they feel more Fall/Winter. So, I'm going to keep my eyes out for something else for Spring/Summer. But can hold off until I find something I really love. The orange covers will be transitioned to other covers as the seasons change too, but it was really fun to try something a little "out there" for me. </div><p>We still have to tackle the idea of curtains which is fairly daunting to me. But slowly our space is coming together. </p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-78241784999349210842020-10-03T13:02:00.002-07:002020-10-03T13:02:52.635-07:00Book Review: Too Much and Never Enough<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqLiyFQEVHy6cTz5oWOvUa8WEKOoLeKSLGAtqH4TTLvARBB5llJ1Cnbk-y4OoRCawk2TFfK89x1nKVND3JZ8Ra5ukCW_SAid7cvO8qnEp879WlRhhReRZsUzZ__erloYXU8r6U5o0pVML/s488/GUEST_a78ede78-fce9-46e6-80a9-2ffee68ab1d5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqLiyFQEVHy6cTz5oWOvUa8WEKOoLeKSLGAtqH4TTLvARBB5llJ1Cnbk-y4OoRCawk2TFfK89x1nKVND3JZ8Ra5ukCW_SAid7cvO8qnEp879WlRhhReRZsUzZ__erloYXU8r6U5o0pVML/s320/GUEST_a78ede78-fce9-46e6-80a9-2ffee68ab1d5.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>It has been a while since I've written a book review here. I've been reading a lot and blogging less. I hope to add more in the coming weeks. But this was worth writing about. This week, I read "<b><span style="color: red;">Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man</span></b>" by Mary L. Trump. </p><p>I had not been very aware at all of President Trump's past so when I heard about this book I was intrigued. Our childhood stories have so much to do with how we handle our current relationships and how we see life. Mary L. Trump is Donald Trump's niece and a psychologist so she carries some unique perspectives to his childhood and how that created the man we see today. I will say that the bias she carries as the daughter of Freddy Trump who died young and was seemingly the black sheep of the family is highlighted throughout her writing, but the relationship between brothers does reveal a lot about President Trump's character.</p><p>I jokingly told Chris, "If you need motivation to be a good parent (showing empathy and being present for your kids), read this!" Meaning it tells the story of what can happen when both parents are absent (physically, emotionally or mentally). Also, how dangerous it is to have a "favorite" or compare your children to each other.</p><p>Fred Trump didn't like what he saw in his son Freddy; he only spoke critically, offering no praise or support. Donald watched this and quickly learned how to be "the best" and ignore anyone who said otherwise. Although several years younger than Freddy, Donald saw himself as better than Freddy from early on. And very quickly became is father's favorite. </p><p>The book goes on to describe how Fred ignored behavioral issues and essentially encouraged Donald to bully others to get what he wanted. His whole family believed that Donald got what he wanted, so there was no reason to stir the pot or disagree. And in his current role, he has surrounded himself with people who will agree with him or risk being fired for challenging him. He has been this way since childhood.</p><p>I was also shocked (and outraged) by how many millions of dollars he has lost in his business and how his father kept bailing him out. How banks supported his failing businesses because of the publicity it brought them with the Trump name. And how he and his family have gotten away with tax evasion for decades. And he sees nothing wrong with that. </p><p>I wish no disrespect for our President; there are certainly things I wish would have been handled differently. Knowing his story (albeit from someone else's perspective) helps paint the bigger picture of why he makes the choices he makes. I will continue to pray for the decisions on his shoulders and that he would see those around him as equal, valuable humans. I wish his father would have seen his children that way.</p><p><br /></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-31512918682389103912020-10-01T20:34:00.002-07:002020-10-01T20:34:32.440-07:00Big Boy: 7 years old<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8F_zwnnLb_Ad_wovuQQ_wWKt483aSwygZGqeg-WzUxcP5XTZtq-ftD1QnK3YlhzMpJ__2J_EMVKuauvWwYIuyL5F3bijyQTIHHz5dyyOxZqZ3KttGpWfKqn1Yj0S-6xQYjQdfz-Xs71k/s900/20200926_080746.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8F_zwnnLb_Ad_wovuQQ_wWKt483aSwygZGqeg-WzUxcP5XTZtq-ftD1QnK3YlhzMpJ__2J_EMVKuauvWwYIuyL5F3bijyQTIHHz5dyyOxZqZ3KttGpWfKqn1Yj0S-6xQYjQdfz-Xs71k/w300-h400/20200926_080746.png" width="300" /></a></div><p>My first born turned seven this today. I can't even begin to describe how crazy this is to me. So much has happened in seven years. He has grown and changed so much since that first day I held him. This 7th birthday was unique as are all the birthdays celebrated during the pandemic. Parties and plans have been canceled for everyone. But William was not going to let this dampen his excitement about his birthday. He declared months ago that we would be having a Pokemon party - just for the four of us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1r9yRO3HT98fAaHjEohXHVt8BrOxHg1hyphenhyphenL-VMQnGXV292u9Q8dRGpoIFvqTwBdKe5Ak1-2MO-iKCtOmKjHwerp8Gc6AjwXcXqArJvXqOF3gsfrVto3X1MVZUvzzjRdbP8aXTNWwX23TT/s900/20200926_135929.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1r9yRO3HT98fAaHjEohXHVt8BrOxHg1hyphenhyphenL-VMQnGXV292u9Q8dRGpoIFvqTwBdKe5Ak1-2MO-iKCtOmKjHwerp8Gc6AjwXcXqArJvXqOF3gsfrVto3X1MVZUvzzjRdbP8aXTNWwX23TT/s320/20200926_135929.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>And so on Saturday, we put up a homemade Pokemon birthday banner (thanks to the help of a Cricut a friend let me borrow) and watched the Pokemon Movie and ate a Pokemon cake with ice cream. We let him open one present early and held off on the rest until his actual birthday. (So this morning at 7:30 a.m. he opened the rest!) And at the end of the day he was so happy and felt so loved. Just as he should on his special day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLcoBT43RtwYAGewUgWWurIMKw-hFqDUuzvH6BKNOsFz-mndIOdIXrRLGonaCfOaSscUeAlDMWWS30yPKDB35GB935HE0GZ3hfgm7iwKtxTeKFBEjBWspjw9mPooiJt-KSNwxvRF7hW6N/s900/cake.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="900" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLcoBT43RtwYAGewUgWWurIMKw-hFqDUuzvH6BKNOsFz-mndIOdIXrRLGonaCfOaSscUeAlDMWWS30yPKDB35GB935HE0GZ3hfgm7iwKtxTeKFBEjBWspjw9mPooiJt-KSNwxvRF7hW6N/w400-h149/cake.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>He requested the candles be the flame that come out of Charizard's mouth.</i></div><p>William is growing as fast as ever. The jeans I bought six months ago are now getting to too short. He is now 52 inches tall and 53 pounds. His feet look huge. I've been saying these things for 7 years . . . and I'm sure I'll be saying them for another decade. He isn't going to stop growing anytime soon.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8mNQhex34rcLu5uALJ_mnFuIpKATdo4U274M5HITwG9MzKLp_TR6Fkv2X7RoECfi21MOihrE5YSMRlh-HRR0zXaiW_BTXNJo0lGleaknWoEANk0qckEi2Id0j32HzLYSJo10-1Ryk_b3/s900/20200926_161010%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="650" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8mNQhex34rcLu5uALJ_mnFuIpKATdo4U274M5HITwG9MzKLp_TR6Fkv2X7RoECfi21MOihrE5YSMRlh-HRR0zXaiW_BTXNJo0lGleaknWoEANk0qckEi2Id0j32HzLYSJo10-1Ryk_b3/s320/20200926_161010%25281%2529.png" /></a></p><p>William loves legos, Pokemon, and duplos. He loves being read to. Throughout sheltering in place, we have been reading books by Geronimo Stilton, about a mouse solving mysteries. And since the library has reopened (for curbside pickup) we have been reading new ones nonstop. Thankfully Stephen likes them too! His favorite shows are Wild Kratts and DinoTrucks. And our newest "toy" has been letting the boys pay video games with Dad - MarioKart is a favorite now.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-ghpeEIQcoNs9WpvyvLhVZDdSGawKEzWDZ6liQ3TZIMyC2dF5Y8UZW5MSX4tCmCop0Yuy0m79v1KQ1v3VDOVHgZIE0sARY_8oij9XdLeMaMPhdiiKI3WoLyLVV8yBU4a5EaLTHObWdGP/s900/20201001_090107.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="739" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-ghpeEIQcoNs9WpvyvLhVZDdSGawKEzWDZ6liQ3TZIMyC2dF5Y8UZW5MSX4tCmCop0Yuy0m79v1KQ1v3VDOVHgZIE0sARY_8oij9XdLeMaMPhdiiKI3WoLyLVV8yBU4a5EaLTHObWdGP/s320/20201001_090107.png" /></a></p><p>He has been doing first grade virtually for the last six weeks and although he doesn't love it (or even like it slightly), he does participate without too much fuss. When the zoom classes run long he gets upset and asks to leave early. And he doesn't like showing up for the class before the teacher. He is very prompt on his own and I barely have to remind him to "go to class." He learning a lot about responsibility this year - signing in to his zoom class on his own and deciding when he wants to do his homework. There aren't any forgotten lunches or homework left at home right now. He misses recess and seeing his friends in person. He was so looking forward to playing soccer with his class (and beating the new kindergarteners). That will have to wait. Still no word on when they can go back to in-person learning. </p><p>During this season of being home so much more than we are used to, we've added a few chores to William's list. He is now big enough to take out the trash which we give a "commission" for. He was so interested in earning more money that we even had him washing dishes, but his interest was very short lived with that one. And the level of cleanliness we expect in the bedroom has gone up a bit. </p><p>As William gets older we are seeing him explore boundaries and experience bigger emotions. When he was young, he was fairly compliant and went with the flow. Now, he is very willing to put up a fight to get his own way and complain when it doesn't happen. He tends to show a bit of anxiety when we are running late or things are uncertain. I'm seeing more of myself come out of him all the time in this area. He also has new fears of spiders, fires and death that lead to long conversations and prayers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiuiGrC4FPJQ51zaeeiPmtkkgI5BMhOW_ocdDV-3etwutBZrUNLszFc0z-ObkgZnP30b7is-tYtjjPUlem4xLEqvEoPKOWd6BwmTBHkWKvI3yK_Egdf8_8ULY83V9TFXNETQxyh7wyHqF/s900/20200924_160937.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiuiGrC4FPJQ51zaeeiPmtkkgI5BMhOW_ocdDV-3etwutBZrUNLszFc0z-ObkgZnP30b7is-tYtjjPUlem4xLEqvEoPKOWd6BwmTBHkWKvI3yK_Egdf8_8ULY83V9TFXNETQxyh7wyHqF/s320/20200924_160937.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pandemic life and fire season have certainly changed our year. And he is old enough to know that things aren't quite right. Thankfully he handles it like a champ most of the time. </div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-8468257688251573212020-08-22T11:53:00.001-07:002020-08-22T11:53:40.552-07:00Distance Learning: First Week Done<p> William started First Grade this week. It was not at all how we intended our son to experience school but with Covid-19 infecting every area of life since March, distance learning is how it needs to be. Six weeks ago we attended a virtual town hall meeting with our school district. It became very apparent from that conversation that I had two choices: 1) expect the district, our school and William's teacher to create and execute an actual distance learning plan and be able to teach my son in Spanish (He's in an Immersion school) better than what happened in the Spring; or 2) Take on the job myself and homeschool him (forgetting about the language, since I don't speak Spanish).</p><p>We discussed both options and prayed about it and we kept coming to the conclusion that it would be better to ride this out with the support of the school and keep him at least somewhat exposed to Spanish so when in-person classes became an option he could still attend and not be completely behind in the language. We have been working on math and reading over the summer so we don't have any real concerns of being behind in those subjects if distance learning is a flop.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cNu6y0lXeplvuFcPHjGOl6rOnyvKoUy0BIbgKPB8APXzSRx6Y1PjdheBlNMiWhfHjdZH6YUCbs3m2OHDgNIUPS-xVJ0bGGPboX6M32rmUg4Yfs0jvAWBIfeUmILP6SRsg6frASGn_mex/s900/20200817_120902.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cNu6y0lXeplvuFcPHjGOl6rOnyvKoUy0BIbgKPB8APXzSRx6Y1PjdheBlNMiWhfHjdZH6YUCbs3m2OHDgNIUPS-xVJ0bGGPboX6M32rmUg4Yfs0jvAWBIfeUmILP6SRsg6frASGn_mex/w384-h512/20200817_120902.png" width="384" /></a></div><p><i>So, how did the first week go? </i>It was interesting. The first grade teacher seems to be very experienced and I can tell she did her work this summer to make online class doable for six and seven year olds. She started things off very easy -- Just one zoom call a day and three assignments that had the kids drawing, writing and reading. Even with that little of an expectation, William still struggled with motivation to do the work. He didn't fight me on the zoom calls, but was never really looking forward to them. </p><p>Our quiet corner was converted to a school corner using my old standing desk. We hope to get him a better desk soon, but this actually works quite well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBZ4pyxYmwUoJ-JrPUKRFExNvw2dhTKKj9FlXZhKQZsddBCS0_oDAn1yE2qFZ3DAMGWEgpnqs999RHcz1Ajyejz2utw2gOlUZgccDgaqrtttCMPzCwEHpTYfgxbS0z0IaQ6yJcEtoPb1h/s900/20200817_085856.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBZ4pyxYmwUoJ-JrPUKRFExNvw2dhTKKj9FlXZhKQZsddBCS0_oDAn1yE2qFZ3DAMGWEgpnqs999RHcz1Ajyejz2utw2gOlUZgccDgaqrtttCMPzCwEHpTYfgxbS0z0IaQ6yJcEtoPb1h/w512-h384/20200817_085856.png" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"> <i style="text-align: left;">Things William learned this week include</i><span style="text-align: left;">: how to use a touch-screen chromebook (provided by the district) and login to his zoom call and use a new program called seesaw. If I let him, he can do all of these things on his own. I was impressed with the way they had set up the computers so this could happen! He met his teacher and found out who was in his class. </span></div><p></p><p>Next week they'll add a couple more zoom calls and make the school day a bit longer. The end goal is that he'll have school from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with several breaks for at-home work/projects and lunch, but they're working up that slowly. That is a bit longer of a day than I was planning, but hopefully we'll still have time for getting outside, distance playdates, and free play. </p><p>But the really <i>crazy </i>part of our week was what was going on outside. A heatwave hit last week bringing the temperatures up to 100 degrees. We hit the beaches several times and enjoyed the feeling of an actual summer. I can't tell you what it was like to stand in the water, watching my kids splash in the waves, running free and realizing how <i>trapped</i> I had felt most of the summer. All our plans had changed. We stayed home except for the essential trips to the grocery store and the daily excursion to the park. There was very little that felt <i>free</i>. And here I was, watching my kids jump, run, and laugh as free as the birds. It filled me up.</p><p>On Sunday night, we had our first thunderstorm in years. Lightening filled the sky throughout the night and into the next day. </p><p>Monday was such a weird, gloomy day. </p><p>Tuesday was hot and sunny so that afternoon we headed to the beach and relived the freedom we experienced on Saturday. It was the most perfect day. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98dlT_1ZQZrZGn-fUr8hkmBUExySM9KFkQNcorPEG3-2njwZv7qz_UInO_dqIzZ9X5RLbYcM9AY0xIhNvMHolQzwHCncx6nG7ZaNp8bjtfwahrDrV8NRlVBAPC0oCdIt8rFKWJuNdXqQr/s900/20200818_155632-%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98dlT_1ZQZrZGn-fUr8hkmBUExySM9KFkQNcorPEG3-2njwZv7qz_UInO_dqIzZ9X5RLbYcM9AY0xIhNvMHolQzwHCncx6nG7ZaNp8bjtfwahrDrV8NRlVBAPC0oCdIt8rFKWJuNdXqQr/w384-h512/20200818_155632-%25281%2529.png" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p>Then we woke up on Wednesday and saw a red sun and a foggy sky. <i>Fires. </i>There were fires on all sides of the bay. The air was thick with smoke and ash. Everyone started checking air quality reports. </p><p>So, with the exception of a short playdate outside with a friend on Thursday, we have been inside our home, once again feeling stuck with nothing to do. Not at all how I expected this first week of school to go.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7qgv8zItRT-CoYgd80zvycw3UO_ndWtp1c8i_S-kSVolwroa4kZz_on7cxdMy8sAfihjDw4A41uZmCmiq9mX2RyDK37PhJQ5LgKoNmIbbb6EBbm7JjigloQI2mA-CBVTp6IJi79UmbpC/s900/20200820_183829.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7qgv8zItRT-CoYgd80zvycw3UO_ndWtp1c8i_S-kSVolwroa4kZz_on7cxdMy8sAfihjDw4A41uZmCmiq9mX2RyDK37PhJQ5LgKoNmIbbb6EBbm7JjigloQI2mA-CBVTp6IJi79UmbpC/w384-h512/20200820_183829.png" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And William lost a tooth! </div><p></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-53173052113882976082020-08-08T10:19:00.005-07:002020-08-08T10:35:37.643-07:00Our Week in Utah<p>After making the difficult decision to cancel our flight to Minnesota this summer we decided to make the drive to Utah to visit my sister. Turned out, my parents, sister and sister-in-law along with their three kids would also make the drive to Utah. So our family reunion still happened! (Minus my brother and brother-in-law.)</p><p>My sister Molly and her husband just bought a house so we timed our trip perfectly to help with the move (and add to the chaos they already had going on). We split up between the two homes - so everyone had a place to sleep. </p><p>My mom and I worked on feeding everyone and watching 5 of the 8 kids. (The youngest kids stayed with their moms so they could nap without interruption.) The cousins had a wonderful time together. They played dress up, acted out Pokemon characters, played outside with a slip n' slide, water guns, soccer and a sand box, picked peaches, and chased chickens (sorry chickens). My sister also had a personal inflatable jump house so we used that nearly every day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3yGq4rvCncTiXXx8jv86vznt-bGIkc6EqYEajB_Kx9I8XSV2fe7dnjykv7AmEXuO0wZwmnJ9JlDD8y4K-wO_UpDEpRdYg-mYLDNYtkIG9qSFjhPWDJ0IUlPthKZPP7oLnfpAnYqOD0iR/s900/20200726_192011.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3yGq4rvCncTiXXx8jv86vznt-bGIkc6EqYEajB_Kx9I8XSV2fe7dnjykv7AmEXuO0wZwmnJ9JlDD8y4K-wO_UpDEpRdYg-mYLDNYtkIG9qSFjhPWDJ0IUlPthKZPP7oLnfpAnYqOD0iR/w384-h512/20200726_192011.png" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79uixQvJR6FzY7AZbRf3iIC8M2FifC5zvFIPpsArEgHjulyzKlE6B1ocPCAIU2eVx1I4Bpt6Ie4A8t1yCQ78HwHYXBjsQlqRtyBiJBMJXXy8YJoEJ5SyLHWfeT9gJiIusmI2pJV-w9x8r/s900/20200727_190715.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79uixQvJR6FzY7AZbRf3iIC8M2FifC5zvFIPpsArEgHjulyzKlE6B1ocPCAIU2eVx1I4Bpt6Ie4A8t1yCQ78HwHYXBjsQlqRtyBiJBMJXXy8YJoEJ5SyLHWfeT9gJiIusmI2pJV-w9x8r/w384-h512/20200727_190715.png" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyK_dkvq_4UshY80AXoxM-ctG1aPvlNtH4pX2M_oCrwCT_zmaYhClanaxZIh8JAmSlNrOroBqzumXTQT4lguoBPCzwTQk_AyfIXWXJabsHIJeNaYnAP1Fkd1TtaFtIpScWvFe8YI8EYjT/s901/20200728_134504.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="623" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyK_dkvq_4UshY80AXoxM-ctG1aPvlNtH4pX2M_oCrwCT_zmaYhClanaxZIh8JAmSlNrOroBqzumXTQT4lguoBPCzwTQk_AyfIXWXJabsHIJeNaYnAP1Fkd1TtaFtIpScWvFe8YI8EYjT/w354-h512/20200728_134504.png" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhie0k3BCIVnrqZoZTGupC7CgdVPqQqkfE1NuK_j6pYLduDq4jizK0Zq3mbjYU1DkuhrX05jsnHmktujmi7M1ATPzosXamYO4oi5WFhtzYCCByhd895N8oNlHj5OyVMwJWsxsFhm-A7tW/s900/20200729_102852.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="650" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhie0k3BCIVnrqZoZTGupC7CgdVPqQqkfE1NuK_j6pYLduDq4jizK0Zq3mbjYU1DkuhrX05jsnHmktujmi7M1ATPzosXamYO4oi5WFhtzYCCByhd895N8oNlHj5OyVMwJWsxsFhm-A7tW/w370-h512/20200729_102852.png" width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxADYKID4yhP9M_TgzOd6maK4Vj-cV-NiNKwWUICEd17XDAAzSi9Re36wsk5iWXckirOr9TLVwmsxHPbzxtmMef6lawyd2OW5-zjSBznk4_QQM0s4Lxlr7VR-X_-V6TwODpyF-XEEFGcVX/s900/20200730_140348.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxADYKID4yhP9M_TgzOd6maK4Vj-cV-NiNKwWUICEd17XDAAzSi9Re36wsk5iWXckirOr9TLVwmsxHPbzxtmMef6lawyd2OW5-zjSBznk4_QQM0s4Lxlr7VR-X_-V6TwODpyF-XEEFGcVX/w384-h512/20200730_140348.png" width="384" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmfGxG8y1FW0ly6NlfugdanFgJsXQaAIrUeopUfbLb0MC3bMS0FTBtvbyFBAwVoUh-g0Ehz3vr3DwMBqCIY1tphW78l0mdFekL3XyANNZA2CRcOELshr2XbTSQsRy9QeKu6t3UQpkNxDX/s900/20200726_173324.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmfGxG8y1FW0ly6NlfugdanFgJsXQaAIrUeopUfbLb0MC3bMS0FTBtvbyFBAwVoUh-g0Ehz3vr3DwMBqCIY1tphW78l0mdFekL3XyANNZA2CRcOELshr2XbTSQsRy9QeKu6t3UQpkNxDX/w384-h512/20200726_173324.png" width="384" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn09uIIKE7LeMfOni8nkbkY7VxHxUROSbCFkEwR6b6uA4PnaRie8SqPpfWxEV0dYPZizZtfJ3-JnAyVFSBpqHpv8myf1mYSJozUg2dsV_tpJA7HtsD9cUz-1dFbuTX_sA-SXuL0ziR4fRa/s900/20200729_124359.png" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn09uIIKE7LeMfOni8nkbkY7VxHxUROSbCFkEwR6b6uA4PnaRie8SqPpfWxEV0dYPZizZtfJ3-JnAyVFSBpqHpv8myf1mYSJozUg2dsV_tpJA7HtsD9cUz-1dFbuTX_sA-SXuL0ziR4fRa/w512-h288/20200729_124359.png" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1346" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnl8RffJYkvWNBlMx8X-ZzEJisk5lznlPsfRhCSCuOdD9HNptJEUa7LX-Wy9BHmRpfWuKLvCqBduXtd6KU08z6Gw6UqRstL0pqn32y1ohx9HF8S-ur6ZIJBIquGcE0OdTdItDNt9B4gV3/w512-h342/20200727_155853.png" width="512" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The other adults tended to the new house -- patching, sanding, painting walls and crown molding and adding ship-lap to the ceiling. My dad and Chris also spent a lot of time working on the back yard. The last day together we got the moving truck to move the large furniture pieces and last of the boxes over to the new house. We didn't get to really help them settle in, but they did get a couple big projects done to make their house feel more like their own.<p>Most days were hot; the temp ranged from 96-104 while we were there. That made us limit our outside time quite a bit, but the evenings were amazing. After dinner we headed outside with the kids for ball play. My niece and I had a great time being silly with a giant exercise ball. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnl8RffJYkvWNBlMx8X-ZzEJisk5lznlPsfRhCSCuOdD9HNptJEUa7LX-Wy9BHmRpfWuKLvCqBduXtd6KU08z6Gw6UqRstL0pqn32y1ohx9HF8S-ur6ZIJBIquGcE0OdTdItDNt9B4gV3/s1346/20200727_155853.png" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1027" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvazf9CbzR13O1Gdz0IqZEyrQ2cynHGj9MtvUwQbWXv2lnIsDp2_tRXw6Kwujv63oOAylE1GyDBo_5Vzes4MbO2ZpFmnbxq4qtfd64BBewKCwsLvRRck_Qz1MFozq33mF1v-Yiw6Yexhe/w410-h359/20200727_125106.png" style="text-align: left;" width="410" /></a></div>One of the highlights was getting to meet my newest nephew, Grayson. He was just shy of 8 months old when I got to hold him for the first time. He is such a happy little boy but somehow still capable of giving my sister grief with sleeping and eating. I attempted to give my sister some help in this area and rocked him to sleep . . . but I couldn't get him to stay asleep unless I held him, so I did. I held this little man for nearly an hour and cherished every minute of it. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGXgEQDVl4fHxi7rxvjMrRyEY0ZKxwXqEhW5roSdc2tozkIBad5ItU1Rkzftnojm-qNbpcB7tcyXqTH1NGuhqR80SB2nm-MLJpvdPYDCpU_ZWN0giw6W8WZnf7KUgQdLHSl8DrJ1H9vf_/s900/20200801_093239.png" style="display: inline; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="900" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGXgEQDVl4fHxi7rxvjMrRyEY0ZKxwXqEhW5roSdc2tozkIBad5ItU1Rkzftnojm-qNbpcB7tcyXqTH1NGuhqR80SB2nm-MLJpvdPYDCpU_ZWN0giw6W8WZnf7KUgQdLHSl8DrJ1H9vf_/w410-h250/20200801_093239.png" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGXgEQDVl4fHxi7rxvjMrRyEY0ZKxwXqEhW5roSdc2tozkIBad5ItU1Rkzftnojm-qNbpcB7tcyXqTH1NGuhqR80SB2nm-MLJpvdPYDCpU_ZWN0giw6W8WZnf7KUgQdLHSl8DrJ1H9vf_/s900/20200801_093239.png" style="display: inline; padding: 1em 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The week went by fast and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. I was very hesitant about this trip before we left because of Covid-19 and all the risks that it posed in traveling and being in the same house with my entire family. But the week together was a blessing. After 4 months of not being with any people, spending 7 days with <i>my</i> people was amazing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTbXOOnt-6F3PqfzllA_6oKuJcCLcGM0uO7bkitYXdPRyFMceyGwetysOC9wvvye0Q3mGFbebc07v3mKGrE2xYxNM8QsMAB5KtFAB39_SK8u1F7tlQfDDCD7O6pYQCOJGpcsh9HQV6RGm/s900/20200801_092920.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTbXOOnt-6F3PqfzllA_6oKuJcCLcGM0uO7bkitYXdPRyFMceyGwetysOC9wvvye0Q3mGFbebc07v3mKGrE2xYxNM8QsMAB5KtFAB39_SK8u1F7tlQfDDCD7O6pYQCOJGpcsh9HQV6RGm/s640/20200801_092920.png" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">There were hugs, and closeness and masks were only worn when we were out in public places. It was so freeing. My boys hadn't played with anyone in close proximity since shelter in place began (other than each other, of course) and you could just see how much they needed this time with cousins. How much they explored, played and were just being together was so sweet. A burden lifted for a time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The boys did a great job on the road too. It was a 12 hour drive and thankfully we hit very little traffic and our stops were brief that we made it there and back with relative ease. The boys loved watching a few TV shows (Octonauts) and movies (Lego Movie, Zootopia, and Toy Story 4) on the drive and did well with the pile of activity books I brought along too. Yes, they asked a hundred times if were close and complained a little when they couldn't get comfortable to nap; but overall, they did well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our summer plans were nothing like we originally planned, but I am so grateful we had the opportunity to visit my family and help my sister. Here's hoping none of us get sick...</div></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-6222122529554007502020-07-12T16:08:00.002-07:002020-07-12T16:08:32.293-07:00Anniversary Celebration: Covid Style<br />
<i>"How do you want to celebrate our anniversary this year?"</i> Chris asked me last week.<br />
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Saturday, July 11 was our 11th wedding anniversary. Typically, our anniversary is celebrated by going to a fancier restaurant, eating amazing food and having a very intentional conversation. It has been my favorite date every year.<br />
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Coronavirus has put a damper on many of our plans. I didn't want it to change our anniversary tradition, too. We talked about it all week, finally deciding that we would do take-out and eat after the boys were in bed so we could continue with our tradition of having that special conversation. And go on a <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/07/family-outing-stow-lake.html" target="_blank">family outing</a> on Sunday morning.<br />
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First, I have to say that we've been on a paleo diet (attempting <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/06/covid-19-whole-30-complete.html" target="_blank">whole30</a>) for 40 days. Our anniversary was our excuse to end the streak and so we went all out (don't worry, I'm back on it again)! We opened a bottle of wine that we got from Chris's parents. It was <i>amazing</i>. And I don't think that's because we hadn't had a drink in 40 days. Paradigm is one of our absolute favorites.</div>
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And then we ordered Italian food for dinner. Getting take-out after making three meals a day for 40 days in a row was an amazing gift in itself. Having it be food that I had restricted myself from was an absolute treat. It was delicious. Not pictured is the chocolate dessert we ordered. It was so rich, I couldn't even finish it!</div>
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And don't let those take out dishes disappoint you. Not having to do dishes was part of our plan. It might not look pretty or fancy, but clean up was a breeze.</div>
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Dinner was a success, but it was the conversation and attention we gave each other that made our "date night" so special. Our anniversary dates are reserved for reflecting, dreaming, and making plans together. And this year, not even Coronavirus could take that away from us.</div>
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Since the pandemic is requiring many of us to stay home, work from home and be with our partner much more than we are used to, I thought I would share how our conversation goes... perhaps you want/need to set aside a night to have an intentional conversation too.</div>
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There are three things we cover during our anniversary date (usually after our meal/catch up time)</div>
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1) <b>Affirmation. </b>We usually start by sharing things we've noticed and appreciate about our partner. Affirming decisions made or character traits tested in the past year. Or things like "Thank you for taking the boys to the park every Saturday so I can ______).</div>
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2) <b>Reflecting on the year.</b> These could be events, trips, big moments or decisions that stand out to you. They could be favorite memories, new places you've been, or new things you've tried. Or they could be really hard moments you've lived through or changes you weren't ready for.</div>
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3) <b>Dreaming of the future.</b> What plans do you want to make for the coming year? What changes do you want to incorporate into your relationship? What's your dream and what do you need from your spouse to make that happen? Here is a great opportunity to set intentions for the following year -- for your marriage, career, and vacations and family life. </div>
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Blessings.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-82298185452874609882020-07-12T15:26:00.000-07:002020-07-12T16:09:36.515-07:00Family Outing: Stow LakeFor the past three and a half months, our family outings have been fairly routine. We've taken a drive 30 minutes north, we've gone to the beach a couple of times and walked to our neighborhood parks. Many of the grand adventures we had planned for the summer had to be postponed.<br />
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We wanted to make this weekend a <i>little </i>more special because it was our <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/07/anniversary-celebration-covid-style.html" target="_blank">11th wedding anniversary</a> on Saturday. Every time we've gone for a hike at Stow Lake the boys ask me to rent a boat, but Chris was never with us. And since we can't go on real dates right now, this family outing seemed to be the perfect idea. The weather even cooperated and we had the most beautiful morning rowing a boat.<br />
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Kind of hard to admit that we've lived here for 10 years and never thought to do this.<br />
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It was the most beautiful morning. We saw geese, ducks, turtles and even discovered statues of rats and spiders hiding near the water's edge. Other than the boys getting bored after the first 20 minutes of our hour-long rental, we had a really great time. I loved it.<br />
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* Sometimes we just forget we can take off our masks!<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-79351902665364434922020-06-30T20:38:00.001-07:002020-06-30T20:38:13.524-07:00COVID-19 Whole 30: CompleteEveryone's lifestyle has changed at least in some regard, if not in <i>every</i> regard since mid-march. Our grocery shopping and diets went through a few phases:<br />
1) Panic shopping: buy canned and frozen goods; stock up on essentials and favorites in case they aren't available later.<br />
2) Drink more. Long days ended with a drink or two. Several trips to the liquor store . . . also, they deliver!<br />
3) Add take-out to the menu once a week to support local business and give me a night off.<br />
4) Back to normal but more comfort food: Shelves are stocked again so buy what feeds the soul. Chocolate. Crackers. Snacks for the kids (that mom likes too), etc. Sandwiches for lunch everyday. So much bread.<br />
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And then the clothes started to get tight and my gut didn't feel too great. I was tired and had low energy. Change was needed. After 2.5 months of eating poorly and not getting the normal exercise I had been accustomed to, I decided to do another round of Whole30. Chris was in, too.<br />
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And for the most part, it was awesome. Day 3-4 were terrible and hard and I was angry at everything (this is actually very normal). We ate good foods, snacked a lot less. Slept better most of the time and wasn't quite so low-energy with the kids. And I lost a couple of pounds.<br />
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I wanted to stick to it as closely as I could, but I ended up slipping a few times completely unaware until I was prepping our meal and adding an ingredient that shouldn't have been used. I use a meal planning app called CookSmarts and it's so awesome and yummy; they have a few whole30 friendly recipes and a ton of paleo options; but I hadn't read the recipe completely before choosing to buy the ingredients and make it.. so got to step 4 and realized, oops... this needs honey. Or this needs coconut aminos (which none of my go-to stores currently carry). So non-whole30 substitutes were used; or we went with grace and used the honey. I also made an error when I bought almond butter. I didn't realize the brand I bought had sugar in it! I used it for a couple of days before deciding that it just didn't taste right and read the label.. Oops!<br />
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I also found it challenging to shop while taking Covid-19 precautions and not be able to do my normal comparisons between products - either the store only had one option or had signs up that asked customers not to touch products unless they bought them.<br />
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<i>So, what did we eat?</i><br />
Breakfast: Turkey, sweet potato egg bake with onions and bell peppers<br />
Lunch: Salad with meat (chicken or steak), roasted sweet potato, walnuts, avocado, homemade dressing and a side of fruit<br />
Dinner: I tried quite a few dishes. Our favorites: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pdF-g-rXLNRR9qf8djnK2UbLlyP6gS5b/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Egg Roll in a Bowl</a> and <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tr-Wchj6EFBK-j5D1wume2Z4NO0C1qvi/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Pesto Zucchini Noodles</a><br />
We snacked on bananas and almond butter daily as well as mixed nuts.<br />
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I said this last time I did Whole30 and I'm going to say it again. I'm going to try and keep it up as long as I can. We have some travel plans at the end of July so if I can hang on until then, I'd be really pleased.<br />
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What have been your shopping/dieting struggles during this pandemic?<br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-6236276431677147712020-06-14T17:02:00.000-07:002020-06-15T14:59:56.386-07:00Rearranged Furniture and a Quiet CornerI'm not sure if any of you are going through a "fix all the things" in your homes as you shelter in place... but we certainly are! Shortly after I posted the <a href="https://embabiak.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-condo-one-year-in.html" target="_blank">tour</a> of my condo we decided to make some changes to our living room; we knew all along that we needed a few other things to make it complete but hadn't known just what we wanted or how it would all fit. And rearranging furniture/decorating isn't one of my strengths so it took some time. But I think we're closer!<br />
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The first thing we did was swap the TV and loveseat and move the loveseat closer so it was easier to watch movies (previously it was just a little too far from the TV). Then after weeks of online shopping we picked out a new entertainment stand. Wa-la:<br />
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This TV stand was one of our first purchases (from the Salvation Army) when we first moved into our apartment 10 years ago. bye-bye!</div>
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By moving the loveseat we created a little nook for the boys which I was hoping would become a "quiet corner" for reading or listening to audio books. Temporarily it looked like this:<br />
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I loved that they had a place to display their art, but it wasn't cozy enough for them to hang out back there. We were also struggling with the "no jumping on the new couches" rule when shelter in place got extended. So, I DIY-ed a few "jumping pads" that could double as cushions in this corner. (Bought a giant piece of foam, cut it in half, put crib sheets on them and called it done.)</div>
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The boys love having an approved place to jump, but it has made them much more daring in finding new heights to jump from. (Eek!) Brightside: I don't have to get mad about couch jumping nearly as much. And since the cushions/pads are movable, they can go anywhere -- quiet corner, bedroom or living room. </div>
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The last step was adding a new bookshelf. One I have wanted ever since I had a little baby. But never felt very functional. But now, in this narrow space meant for reading, I think it fits perfectly!</div>
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We will see if they want to put up their art again and how that changes the look; but functionally I think it turned out pretty nice. (Current artwork are things I had from long ago, someday I will make a big art poster for the corner... or they can make one themselves).</div>
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The whole space looks so different and I am loving it. </div>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-29615280270010927512020-06-14T16:18:00.001-07:002020-06-30T20:04:31.213-07:00Pokemon SchoolMy kids are in love with Pokemon cards. William was first introduced to them over a year ago in Transitional Kindergarten and soon began making his own on little scraps of paper. He had no idea what the numbers meant or how to play, but it didn't matter. He made up his own game with his own rules. With his birthday money, he bought his first actual pack of cards and received a second set for Christmas. But still it was just "his" game.<br />
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Fast forward to April 2020 and we find a plastic shoebox full of Pokemon cards on the sidewalk by our house. I bring it home for William as a fun surprise. But the condition on receiving this many new cards was that he had to learn the actual game. So we did. We all learned how to play.<br />
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And now, we play and play and play. William and I typically play 2-3 games a day; Stephen and I play once or a couple times a week; Chris gets in the action as much as he can on evenings and weekends. It's actually really fun and I'm really enjoying being able to engage with what my boys love in this moment of time.<br />
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But they also still love to draw and make their own Pokemon cards. They get to change the health points and the damage points; they make their favorites even stronger. They create evolves that we don't have. They get really into it. So much so, that we barely have time for anything else.<br />
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In Pokemon "school," Stephen has learned how to write his numbers 1-10, his favorite is 1,000,000,000 (+). He is learning which numbers are bigger than others (bigger numbers do more damage and defeat smaller numbers, etc); he is learning to write more letters as he makes up his own card rules. He is learning matching - each Pokemon is a certain type and requires that type of energy card - so he is finding those matches in his deck. He's working on strategy too, even at the age of 4 he knows that one of my Pokemon is really weak to another of his and he'll play that one to beat me.<br />
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William isn't into writing much; at least not since schooling at home started. BUT, he will write all the things on his homemade cards. His first edition of cards were very simple; name, health points, damage points and a picture; now they include ALL the details. Attach names, weakness types, resistance type, damage, and a more detailed picture of the Pokemon. William is very strategic in this game, he understands it a lot more and knows (remembers) a lot more details about his cards than I do. He knows how many times he needs to attach before my Pokemon is knocked out, he knows his multiplication a lot better as some damages do "x the number of heads" when you flip the coin 3 times, etc. Sometimes I am really impressed with all this game has taught him.<br />
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So, we haven't done a lot of actual school work at home. But as far I'm concerned, they do the following every single day:<br />
- Math<br />
- Art<br />
- Writing<br />
- Reading<br />
- Problem solving<br />
. . . and sportsmanship.<br />
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And they don't even know it!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-56440801332240806152020-05-24T13:39:00.001-07:002020-05-24T13:39:32.482-07:00Quarantine ReadsI'd love to say that the boys have read all the books in the house at this point . . . as we begin our 11th week being home for Shelter in Place -- but they decided early on that story time was no longer their favorite morning activity. Now they bolt out of bed and start playing with all the toys. Books are pushed aside and only for really "boring" moments.<br />
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Except for the audio books. Those have remained a favorite past time. Maybe become even more of a favorite in the last few weeks. The boys love to listen to "Geronimo Stilton" stories. That's it. That's all they want to listen to these days. I'm trying to add in new books, new stories and characters but with very little luck. As long as they are enjoying it, I'll let it be so.<br />
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But what about mom? What is she reading?<br />
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I've been reading a lot. I've been trying to read the books I have at home, preferring a physical book to my kindle reader and audio books just don't hold my attention much at all. But most of my books are parenting books or I've already read them! Our neighbor has a little lending library shelf near the sidewalk and I've picked up a couple of books there. But for the life of me, I can't remember the titles and already passed them on. Oh well, they were very much enjoyed.<br />
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Other titles I've read (and remember) are:<br />
- Hold on, but don't Hold Still, by Kristina Kuzmic<br /> - Surprised by Motherhood, by Lisa-Jo Baker<br />
- The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson (ebook)<br />
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (ebook)<br />
- Chasing Vines by Beth Moore (Audiobook)<br />
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I'm so thankful that we have online reading options. That we really aren't stuck with the books we own on our shelves. I'm so thankful for the little "book house" (as we call it) around the corner that allows us to share books with neighbors. I'm thankful I get a few hours during the evenings/weekends and random moments during the week to enjoy a book!<br />
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<i>What are you reading?</i>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-62311137479007434952020-05-18T16:33:00.002-07:002020-05-18T19:00:56.212-07:00Preschooler B2: Four Years OldToday, my baby turned 4 years old. So much of the past four years seems to be a blur and yet I can find myself lying awake at night remembering the night he was born, me loosing my phone at the clinic while picking up the breast pump and not knowing the way home, the rush to urgent care with my itty bitty baby who wasn't keeping food down (it turned out he just had reflux), the drive to the appointment to get his lip tie corrected, racing to the ER after he fell down the stairs . . . the anxieties I've had while mothering this child stay close and like to revisit me when I'm supposed to be sleeping.<br />
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But thankfully, the last four years have also brought many reasons to laugh and give thanks. He makes the best faces - especially his angry face, it cracks me up every time. His smile is pretty great too, obviously! He loves and hates being tickled. His laugh is contagious. He is healthy. He loves to cuddle. He loves being cozy, all wrapped up in blankets with his many stuffed animals.<br />
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or playing Zingo with them</div>
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Stephen has grown a lot this year-- in body, personality, and skills. He's 41 inches tall and 35 pounds. He is starting to recognize more of his letters and can count to 30 on his own (with a little help with "20"). He loves to draw and sticks to geometric shapes, lines and circles . . . but to him they are diggers and shovels and machines.</div>
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He loves to run and climb and jump, all things that have become quite challenging while sheltering in place. We do make it outside nearly every day and more recently he and William have taken up fighting trees with sticks, digging for worms, and climbing trees. Tumbling also came into the mix with our couch a month ago, so I purchased some thick foam so he could have his own tumbling pad in hopes of keeping him and my couch safe from harm, but in reality it made him much more daring.</div>
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Stephen has always been more aggressive than his brother but as long as we kept active this was usually not a <i>huge</i> issue. But with staying home more and not having our normal outlets for active play, he struggles keeping his emotions and body in check. He is a little boy with very big emotions and oftentimes doesn't have the words to ask for what he needs.</div>
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The one thing I want to remember about Stephen at this age is his love for his brother. They have been doing everything together for 8 weeks at this point and Stephen loves it. William thinks it's "annoying" but I treasure it. Stephen is learning how to do so many "bigger boy" things just to be able to keep up with William -- play Pokemon, building with legos, imagination play and using a computer (eek!). </div>
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can't forget that we are in our 9th week of Covid-19 Precautions</div>
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Other things that are his favorites: construction toys (he says he wants to be a construction worker when he grows up), building with duplos or legos, Richard Scarry books, Little Critter books, and collecting sticks.</div>
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He is growing so quickly, it's amazing to watch all the things start to "click" - like counting and letter sounds and listening/doing what we ask him to do (sometimes). He is a handful a lot of the time-- with his risk taking and need for adventure but this growing boy is also a joy and my heart is full.</div>
Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-46239720424779616862020-05-02T16:46:00.000-07:002020-05-02T16:46:47.191-07:00Shelter in Place: Week 7We just finished week 7 of sheltering in place . . . 50 days since William has been home from school. March moved at a snails pace and we struggled to find some sort of structure that could be maintained as long as necessary. April did go by much faster, but last week San Francisco announced the mandate to shelter in place would be extended for another month, with a few restrictions being loosened (construction workers can work, realtors can sell homes and people can move, and a few others).<br />
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April had a few special celebrations -- I should say holidays that I tried to make special. The first was Easter -- we decorated eggs, did virtual church, and I hid eggs in the common area of our building. The boys loved it.<br />
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The second was Chris's birthday. Typically on his birthday I would give him the day "off" --he could go wherever he wanted for the whole day (usually includes a museum, movie, cafe, etc). Since that wasn't happening this month we will postpone his actual day off. This year, I made him homemade ice cream and brownies, put up a banner, had the kids make cards and he opened gifts from his family. The kids thought it was great and a lot of fun. Chris can't wait for his day off.<br />
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Our routine has changed a bit with William's class beginning distance learning. He has a zoom call with his class three times a week that lasts about an hour and then a couple of extra small group calls during the week for extra help. I love that he is getting more exposure to Spanish and that his teacher is really focusing on William's reading, speaking and comprehension in the language. In just two weeks his pronunciation has gotten back to where it was back in March. His reading level will get back to where it was too with a bit more practice.<br />
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How does William like distance learning? He <i>really</i> doesn't like it. He loves his teacher but he doesn't like zoom calls; he would also much rather play than do homework or read. He does really well in a classroom environment but that isn't the same as Zoom. After each call he says it went fine and he had fun, but he still struggles before every call.<br />
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Stephen loves being home with William. He sits right by his side most of the day and thankfully William doesn't seem to mind it too much. When we don't get outside he literally bounces around the room. He runs up and down the halls and jumps on everything. I bought a big foam cushion for him to have some extra padding . . . both for his safety and to save my couches. He is having some fun learning to do somersaults and handstands.<br />
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I don't know if it is an actual regression or if he is just out of practice having to talk, but he doesn't use words as much as he used to. He groans to get our attention and tries to tell us things with grunts and sounds. We are working on this with him, but I'm hoping that once we can be around people again, his speech returns to normal.<br />
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We've been taking the boys to the nearby park to play in the trees. They've been collecting sticks and making weapons to fight the trees and now they are in a bug collecting phase. <i>Please, let this be a phase. </i>They haven't been running around as much with this type of outdoor play but I also like that they can be in nature instead of on a soccer field everyday. The truth is, they probably need both everyday and that's hard for me to make happen.<br />
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Chris and I are doing well; Chris manages working from home with ease. Although I know he'd prefer to be in the office and face to face with his co-workers. We have a nice rhythm for our days and I enjoy the extra help with the boys and getting to eat all our meals together. We started ordering take-out dinner once a week - to give me a break from cooking and to just have a little fun with new food.<br />
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Not much else is going on in our house!<br />
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<i>How are you hanging in there?</i><br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-91811341048292851862020-04-07T18:37:00.003-07:002020-04-07T18:37:38.683-07:00Shelter-in Place: Week 4We are heading into our 4th week of sheltering in place. School officially closed in San Francisco on Monday, March 16th but we had pulled William out after school on Thursday afternoon. Chris had been working from home since Monday, March 9th and we he had a feeling we needed to make that call--not knowing the school district was a day away from announcing the closure.<br />
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The last three weeks feel like six. We have a functional routine for the kids and that helps a ton but we are missing our neighborhood playground outings immensely. I should say<i> I miss them</i>. My kids don't seem to care they can't play at our usual hotspots; but the tantrums at the end of the day tell me that even though they aren't asking for it their bodies desperately need to be more active than what we can do at home. And I miss the opportunity to sit outside in the fresh air and watch them play.<br />
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So, what do we do all day?<br />
Here's our routine:<br />
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7 - 9 a.m. = wake up, eat breakfast, get dressed, morning <span style="color: #cc0000;">choice time</span><br />
9 -10 a.m. = <span style="color: #6aa84f;">computer time:</span> abcmouse.com activities and online Spanish books (listening)<br />
10 a.m. - 12 = <span style="color: #cc0000;">choice time</span><br />
12:00 - 12:30 p.m. = lunch and story time<br />
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.= quiet times<br />
1:30 - 2 p.m. = <span style="color: #cc0000;">choice time</span><br />
2 - 3 p.m. = Academic time (currently we do not have work assigned by the school)<br />
3- 4 p.m. =<span style="color: #6aa84f;"> computer time:</span> abcmouse.com activities and yoga<br />
4 - 5:30 = <span style="color: #cc0000;">choice time </span>(sometimes we go outside)<br />
5:30 = Dinner as a family<br />
6 - 7:30 = bedtime routines (boys have staggered bedtimes)<br />
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And then from 7:30 - 10 Chris and I virtually catch up with our men's/women's groups or MOPS, play games or watch movies.<br />
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We miss seeing our friends and having playdates and dinner guests. Zoom and social media help us keep in touch but it's not the same. <i>You know this</i>. Stephen and I had a fairly solid routine before this all started. Nearly every morning from 9 - 12 we had something going on and were spending time with people -- things like MOPS, a child observation class at SF City College, a women's bible study that offered childcare, and a two-day a week playdate/child care swap with a friend. We miss all of that. And William is missing his classmates as well and all the things they did together.<br />
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I am very grateful for how well the boys play together; some days they don't want to split up for quiet time. There are of course times of disagreement, fighting and wrestling. We did end up increasing their screen time with some learning apps and special programs like the videos of Mo Willems doodling or the museums that offer viewings of their animals. One month in and they are handling that okay; the first week was hard as they'd complain or cry or fight me when the program was over. Having our schedule helps keep the boundaries in place.<br />
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And those two hours a day help me get my stuff done. <i>What stuff?</i> you ask. . . <br />
- quiet time/prayer/Bible study<br />
- connect with friends and family<br />
- prepare for MOPS virtual meetings<br />
- clean (dishes, floors, laundry, bathrooms, etc)<br />
- read for <i>fun</i><br /> - prepare homeschool materials<br />
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So, while it's more screen time than I would prefer but it does help me feel like I have some time for myself and the things I need to do. And that way I can be (or try to be) more present during their playtimes so I can play too.<br />
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<b><i>How are you doing with your families at home?</i></b><br />
<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2561208268129950183.post-70033394643656106962020-04-03T16:21:00.001-07:002020-04-03T16:21:23.280-07:00Big Boy: Six and a Half <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
William hit the half way mark between 6 and 7 this week. It didn't seem as exciting as his 4 1/2 milestone but I suppose that is to be expected. He is maturing in many ways but still a young boy needing a lot of attention, love and support . . . and don't forget play. He still needs lots and lots of play.</div>
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I think that is what I'm learning as we finish week three of sheltering in place -- That William loves to play with me, he loves to play with Stephen, and he loves to play all day long. "Homework" triggers all sorts of groans and emotions. It never takes him very long to finish and he seems to get into it once he starts, but disrupting play is a big deal.</div>
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So what does he love to play? Legos, Duplos, Hot-wheels races, Pokemon, and soccer. He also loves water color painting and coloring with markers. He still loves a good read-aloud but is not so interested in reading on his own (which is very capable of doing). Before we were stuck in our homes for days on end, he also loved basketball and baseball. In fact, we had just gotten in one practice of his new coach-pitch baseball league before all the things were canceled.</div>
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He was on a basketball Kindergarten league for seven weeks starting in January and that was a blast. I don't think I'll mind sitting in the stands for another 12 years. He had so much fun at weekly practice and the weekend games were fun too as long as he didn't get too concerned about the score. A few times he was so concerned (in tears) about losing that he asked us to go home before the game even started. We got to work through some hard emotions together this season. He learned a lot of new skills on the court too.</div>
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One of the things Chris and I enjoy a lot at this stage is playing games with William. Once Stephen goes to bed we usually have 45-60 minutes with William. And he loves strategy games - like Pandemic, Carcassonne, KingDomino and Ticket to Ride. He doesn't like loosing so after the game he gets a strategy lesson from Dad. One day he <i>will</i> beat his dad. (Mom is an easy defeat.)</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> He has lost three teeth so far and looks forward to losing more. </span></div>
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He has grown a ton this year. I haven't measured yet but he is in size 7 pants for length and 6/7 shirts. The uniform sets we started with at the beginning of Kindergarten are not the sets he ended with. I'm trying not to be too upset that I bought 4 new pairs of pants two weeks before school was canceled; or that he's missing nearly 11 weeks of learning Spanish. I'm praying that doesn't hinder his experiences next year.</div>
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I'm trying to enjoy my days with him at home; getting a second chance (or a longer summer) to enjoy his company and get to know him more. But I am very thankful for his school and his teacher.</div>
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The photos for this post were an attempt for me to get more practice in photography while stuck at home. The boys were less excited; but I'm inspired to grab my camera a bit more often.</div>
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<br />Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08659579554457982451noreply@blogger.com0