Back Porch Weekend

I sort of started this weekend early on Thursday afternoon.  I used my 1:00 release pass to come hang out with Jude, and while I did work on Friday, it felt like it started Thursday.  I picked Jude up from school, which was a first for me.  We randomly decided to go to the library.  He picked out a pirate book and 2 Christmas books, which was fitting since our HIGH was 45* that day.  In May.  In Texas.  Needless to say, we came home and snuggled the rest of the afternoon.  Jude even fell asleep on me as pictures above.  Such a precious, precious moment.  I always worry about the day where Jude no longer feels like a baby to me.  Very thankful that day hasn't come just yet.

*****

 This weekend Jimmy's parents and nephew were in town while his father spoke at a couple churches around here.  To say that Jude loved Elijah would be a gross understatement.  He thinks Elijah hung the moon and is possibly the coolest person alive.  Elijah is one of the most tender, patient 9 year olds I've met.  It was the sweetest thing to see them together.  Jude kept asking Elijah to hold his hand :)  We spent Saturday afternoon exploring 'Mars rocks' and the lake near my house.  It was still kind of cold, but super sunny and gorgeous.  The perfect day to just sit outside.  Plus, there is something about walks along the prairie grasses as they rustle in the wind that soothes my soul  in such a deep way.

We also took the boys down to the playground where they enjoyed swinging.  Jimmy ever the amazingly tender and patient man that he is pushed Jude most of the time and took his picture for me.  I wish there were words to describe the ways I love his heart, but there just aren't.  All I know is I wish I could be half the person he is.  

And this shot- oh my.  The sunlight on those golden locks.  I don't know how he is mine sometimes.

*****

I got in a bit of reading this weekend.  While at the library, I checked out a collection of Robert Frost poems.  Don't you just love that book?  I am seriously considering not turning it in so I can keep it.  Half my house has teal.  And I love vintage books more than almost anything decor wise.  And Robert Frost makes my heart swoon.  

**Side comment- I have been reading my kids a poem a day from a 'poet of the week'.  We started with Robert Frost and have since also read WB Yeats, Emily Dickinson, Robert Browning, and Rudyard Kipling.  However, it's been amazing.  Remember I teach 2nd grade and 'low income'.  My kids have made amazing poem to poem connections and poem to life connections.  And we are reading Classics! I mean I never would have given kids so young the credit to be able to do this, but they are doing it amazingly.  When my kids and I were on a field trip a couple weeks ago, we went on a path in the woods which divided 2 ways.  My kids were soooo excited because it was like the road not taken.  It's been a huge lesson for me.  Never underestimate what kids can do if you expose them and believe they can understand.  Beautiful!**

I also finished the top book Friday night.  It's written by a lady who struggled with depression.  I struggle more with the anxiety piece, but they somewhat go together.  It's pretty good if you struggle with those things.  The thing I think that helped me the most was remembering to think on what is true and real.  I am so guilty of overanalyzing things until they are completely contorted from reality.  This is a good challenge for me.  Especially, as the book points out, when it comes to people's actions.  It encourages you to take people at more of a face value instead of trying to figure out what they really mean.  This will be a big lesson for me, but the way the book explained it was powerful for me.  It's not an amazing read, but if you struggle with those issues, it has some good pointers.  

I started Jane Eyre tonight (Sunday).  I am 3 chapters in and hooked.  I never was required to read that one in any of my classes.  I can already tell you I missed out!

I have been working on sprucing up my back porch as you can see below.  Today was sunny and in the 60s and you better believe I spent 75% of my day out there.  Just sitting mainly.  Hanging with Wild Jude Pie.  He actually has been super energetic this weekend.  It's one of the more stressed parts of our relationship.  I am a true introvert.  I love quiet and alone time.  Jude is a true extrovert.  He loves people and talking and loud.  I sometimes feel like I'm going to go insane if I don't have a moment's peace.  He probably gets his feelings hurt because I am not as excited about talking as he is.  God always seems to put the people in your life who will cause you to grow the most.  As much as I adore my child, it's a stretch for me to serve him sometimes.  But if he were like me, it wouldn't be much of a selfless act.  Him being so different really causes me to lean on God's strength to parent.  I have no doubt of my being ill equipped to parent him.  Today I started struggling with the constant activity.  But keep reading, because God was faithful to redeem!

Due to my need for quiet, I put Jude to bed about 30 minutes earlier.  It was just getting too hard for me to be patient, so I avoided a problem by creating some space.  I got him in bed and I took myself to the quietest, most peaceful place I have right now- my porch.  I had been on the porch all afternoon, but with Jude, it was constant car ramming, dumpster trucks slamming down the slide, don't climb that, don't scream at the top of your lungs kind of afternoon.  But this time, I had an introvert's dream.  I laid down upon my loveseat, wrapped a blanket around me, faced the rose bushes which are about to bloom like crazy, and read Jane Eyre.  The air was cool and breezy.  The sun was setting to my right.  The only sounds were cars going down the Farm Road near my house and birds chirping their evening songs.  These are the moments that feed me.  I need these times of quiet to rejuvenate.  I can't give to Jude and all my little kiddos without these moments of serenity.  And oh how perfect this moment was. Complete 1000 gifts....

After 3 glorious chapters, I heard Jude crying inside.  Probably because he got up and realized I wasn't inside.  But after that peaceful time, I had the ability to love and serve him with every ounce of me.  I was able to fully hug him and be present for him.  He came outside with me and we laid under the blanket together for the last remaining 45 minutes of twilight.  We saw the first stars rising, airplanes flying.  He told me all about the bible story he learned at church today.  I was able to give him the extroverted people and conversation he needed to be filled because I had had my time alone.  It was a beautiful thing.  And I love how instead of ending the night feeling frustrated at myself because I couldn't give him what he needed, God redeemed the time so that it came full circle, and I was filled just enough to serve so completely.  This weekend was one of the most simple I've had in a long time, but also one of the most fulfilling.  And what a great reminder that God is with us teaching and guiding in the most simple.

A beautiful April- thankful post

It's been awhile since I've done a thankful post.  And these posts date from all through April because of that.  I've gotten way behind with blogging this month because sometimes real life takes precedence.  But just because I haven't blogged it, doesn't mean I'm not thankful for it.  (you should follow me on instagram, because I am always posting my thankfulness there... @thistleashd)

* thankful because Jude is all about going big or going home.  He creates the most elaborate places of relaxation I've ever seen.  His favorite thing in the word is to concoct pirate campouts like you see above.  I wish I could know all that was going through his brain in these instances.  Thankful for his creativity.

* thankful for little boys in cowboy boots.  Enough said.

* thankful that still today his feet are little and cute and smell sweet.

* thankful for bluebonnets.  Texas has a lot of wonderful things you just can't help but fall in love with. I love farms probably more than anything.  And that flat, prairie land up there?  Oh it makes my heart go pitter patter.  In my dream world, I live on a farm.  Just preferably one that has more water :)

* Denton Arts and Jazz Fest- which is literally my favorite holiday.  I have gone every year since I discovered its greatness with a friend back in college.  It's basically a hidden gem here in North Texas.  Full of *free* concerts and the quirkiest people imaginable.  I can't imagine anything better to do on a Saturday night than sit with my guy under an oak tree listening to music.  Seriously.  Perfect.

* relaxing on a Sunday afternoon, feet up.  with my room actually CLEAN

* this face.  It was actually cold this morning so Jude and I took the blankets out onto the loveseat and sat under them.  It was cloudy and cool and we were snuggling outside.  And his face- oh my gosh!

* a new windchime for the porch.  although it doesn't ring at all that i've heard.  it looks pretty :)

* This happened today.  Jude played in the sprinklers in the back, naked.  He also informed me that he peed out there.  I think his precise words were 'I left my pee out there'.  It was warm and lovely and he's 3 so why not.  nevermind tomorrow the high is like 55 or something.  Today, we embraced spring and played in the water.

* thankful for long blonde goldilocks and long lashes

These posts are my favorite to do.  The reflecting on how blessed I am never fails to nourish my soul.  So good to remember the beauty in life!

Thankful- budding artists and being late

  Thankful for Jude's painting of the sun and the forest.  He was so proud of this one.  Normally, he doesn't want to paint at home, but this one, he was excited about.  I think it's supposed to be Abraham Lincoln's log cabin.  Regardless, I love seeing him proud of himself :)

 Thankful for time for myself.  This week has been less than ideal.  A lot of that has to do with late appointments and things after work 3 out of 4 nights.  I'm not the kind of person who does well being on the go all the time.  Last night I had to force myself to just step back and do some self care.  By the time I got home, there wasn't time for much.  Squeezing a tiny bit of yoga in though was just what I needed.  Just enough light to get me to Friday. 

Who isn't thankful for kiddo feet?  I don't know what I will do when Jude becomes a real kid.  I am so thankful he's still a preschooler and still little and cute.  It breaks my heart to think of him grown up.  All the more reason to treasure those moments of adorable where they are.

Having Jude enjoy his time in the bathroom was what one of my blogging friends called those 10 minutes of wonder.  I wrote the other day about all the moments I lose.  I'm thankful to have been so encouraged by so many other moms out there who've struggled with the same thing.  And I'm thankful that I was able to enjoy this moment fully.  Jude was showing me how he was an artist and how he could make paintings with the soap bubbles on the wall.  I love watching him just be proud and excited about himself :)

I'm thankful for the unexpected.  One morning this week, my babysitter ended up needing to meet me to get Jude.  Which meant about 5-10 minutes of Jude and I hanging out in my back seat taking selfies.  Instead of worrying about being late, I embraced the moment and just enjoyed being with him.  Such a sweet smile for the morning.  And the best part?  I ended up being 10 minutes early for work.  Go figure.

I saw this the other day on the playground.  As a girl who is SO OVER winter, seeing this ladybug was probably the biggest sigh of relief.  I mean we can't have them without spring right?  I am so ready for warmer days.  Not however ready for the inevitable 110* days we will have this summer ;)

Finally, I'm thankful to have finished reading through the New Testament cover to cover.  I started like summer 2011 (seriously) trying to read through the Bible.  I started reading a chapter from Genesis, Job, and Matthew.  I just finished the New Testament though, which was pretty exciting!  Still have a ways to go in the Old Testament.  Right now I'm in 2 Samuel and Isaiah.  I'm thankful I managed to stick with it though, and not give up.  It takes a loooong time.  But realizing that's ok was a good thing.

What are you thankful for?

I got my Paxton dude!!

Yesterday, Jude and I went to ride the train in Grapevine.  Every year they turn the train in to a Thomas the Train.  There are lots of other events.  We took a special momma boy date to go take a ride.  It was a lovely spring day- great for a walk down Main Street and to the train station.

We hung out with some friends of mine who live down from Main Street beforehand.  I don't see them enough, but they are the loveliest family.  And some of the angels in disguise God sent me in the midst of divorce.

We got to the station in enough time to get our tickets and get in line to board the train without being at the end of the line.  Perfect timing.  Jude was mesmerized by the whole thing.  He didn't have much to say, but he contentedly stared out the window.  It was mostly a really pretty ride through the Texas prairies.  I don't know if it's because of my obsession with Little House on the Prairie as a kid or that we spent 7 weeks teaching about the prairie in second grade, but I feel so alive when I see prairie grasses blowing in the spring.  So lovely.

After the ride, we tried to do some of the other things they had for the kids.  There are tons of events, but Jude was too tired.  Most resulted in tears.  So we got a Salty the train tattoo, bought a new train named Paxton, and called it a day.

This morning right after Jude woke up he told.  "I got my Paxton.  I got my Paxton dude!"  So all in all it was a great day!

Spring

Spring Break has been gorgeous in the DETX. Ironically as I type this, we are expecting snow in the next 24 hours. Go figure. However, we did have some nice outside time with Jude. He laid on a blanket in the shade while mom and dad weeded. He spent most of the time trying to eat the wind which is his typical outdoor activity.

Earlier this day, I put Jude in his swing while I made coffee and breakfast for Michael. I put on our Baby Einstein dvd just to entertain him for those few minutes. He thinks it is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S.

Walkin' Yes Indeed

Now that spring has finally sprung in DFW we are getting to use our fab stroller. It's so nice to get out and enjoy the pleasant weather while it lasts. I'm all too aware that too quickly it will turn to 100+ degree summers. Yuck.Jude really has enjoyed being in the stroller so far. Although, he really just goes to sleep. Still, that must mean he enjoys it enough to relax right off. Nothing else puts him out like our stroller does.
Jude is particularly fond of the wind. We've always known that Jude liked to have his hair blown on. That hasn't changed. The funny thing is that he sticks his tongue out over and over like he's trying to eat the wind or something.
Anyway, we've been enjoying this and its a great way to lose my 10lbs of remaining baby fat.

Breathe, breathe in the air

We've been going green in our household lately. Spring certainly invokes all manner of earthy sentimentality anyway. Since we are now proud homeowners, we get to think about all sorts of lovely things like lawn maintenance.

In an effort to show our love and support for Mother Earth, we have selected to manual operated lawn mower. It's actually really easy and fun to use! Plus, there are no loud noises to wake up napping babies, no having to run to the Shell station to get gas, etc. Win win right? We think so. It's nice to feel like we are doing our part, plus Jude will grow up seeing us doing at least something right by this old world.

After all, our little future Dentonite hippie needs to know about all things earth loving. I mean all his future classmates will grow up the same way theoretically.

Have I mentioned I love being in Denton? I really do. It has the best of all things American. We are close to Dallas. We have a cute little old fashioned downtown square. There's plenty of festivals and live music. There's plenty of hippies and eclectic folk. Plus we have a great church. What more could you ask for our of life?

On a side note, our yard was full of bluebonnet plants. How to you let bluebonnets grow a foot tall all over your yard without looking raggedy. Literally. We had no grass out front. Just bluebonnet plants. We obviously cut them. I need a botanist to help me deal with our yard plants. Let me know if you are willing.