Sunday Quote
27 Sunday Feb 2011
27 Sunday Feb 2011
26 Saturday Feb 2011
Posted Adventure
inAfter two Saturday adventures in Boston (see here and here), we decided to take advantage of New England and headed north for a sleigh ride. We drove up past Lake Winnipesaukee and up into the mountains to take a sleigh ride at Gunstock Mountain at the Cobblestone Stables.
It was our first sleigh ride, Susan’s as well, and it was lovely to be drawn by horses through the woods.
And just as fun to see all the goings on at Gunstock Mountain: cross country and downhill skiing, tubing, and a neat jump called “the air bag” where skiers and snowboarders would jump and land on this pillow of air . . .
Colton took it all in with a bit of awe, especially the horses . . .
At the end of the ride there were s’mores!
Man I love these blue eyed boys!
What a sweet day!
20 Sunday Feb 2011
Posted Quote
inI always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble.
~ Rudyard Kipling
I have always loved the beginning of a new school year, where everyone starts with a clean slate. To be able to do the same with people, I believe allows a place for the best in people to come out.
Have a great Sunday!
19 Saturday Feb 2011
Today we headed back into the city for our Saturday Adventure . . . we brought Susan to the Museum of Science (science is her favorite subject in school). It was good to be inside on such a windy, cold day.
Andrew was ready to go nose to nose with whatever we encountered, including this bear.
Our friend, Thomas, joined in on the action today, we loved having him join us!
Everyone, even Cole, agreed that Dippin’ Dots were a highlight of the day. Ice Cream made in liquid nitrogen is scientific, yummy, and cool!
Susan was on top of the world most of the day . . .
19 month old Cole asked for “more” as soon as he saw the lightning, he loved the electricity show.
Thank you Boston Museum of Science for a lovely Saturday Adventure.
18 Friday Feb 2011
For Fridays in the month of February, Andrew and I are going to answer a question. Each of us will write a post about our marriage and share it with one another online . . . at 5:00 pm on Friday. We will not see one another’s post until it has been posted for the world to see. This week’s question: What is your favorite thing that your spouse has done for you?
The absolute truth is that I married the kindest human being on the planet.
I adore all of who Andrew is, and he does so many things for me in so many different ways that I am daily humbled. This is a man who is gifted at SO much. I feel such gratitude every time he fixes something, or shovels, rubs my back, or plays with Cole. He is a wonderful cook and prepares three meals a day and does the grocery shopping. Every little thing he does, I so appreciate.
So I could list a thousand acts of kindness I am grateful for, probably almost a thousand a day!
But the one that really touched my heart happened after we had a disagreement. In all honesty I do not really remember what it was that disagreed about . . . the times that we argue are few and far between. I do remember that I wanted space, and that we lived in a little tiny condo and did not feel like I could have the space. We had one car at the time, so Andrew headed out on foot, encouraged me to have a good day, take the car, do whatever was best for me and that he would be back later.
When he returned, this is what he showed me . . .
This is my introverted husband. He walked all over two towns. What a wonderful gift to this woman’s soul.
18 Friday Feb 2011
Posted Adventure, Celebration, Family, Gratitude, Marriage, Reflecting on the Past
inThis Friday we decided to write about something the other has done that we have appreciated.
I always thought of myself as being a nice guy. I was never big on compliments though or making any real deal about special occasions. Don’t get me wrong, I loved a party as much as the next guy but never really put any thought into it and just went with what came to mind first.
Liza on the other hand has always had a lovely way about understanding others. Gifts, compliments, words all seem to strike a chord with the person on the receiving end. She is able to find a way to celebrate people and circumstances like no one I have ever met.
One of my favorite things Liza has done for me is taught me the joy of celebration. If you spend any time with the Sharpteam, you’ll hear quite a few “woohoos!”, random cheering and of course clapping. And when it comes to birthdays, we break out the singing and dancing.
It is something that has become part of who we are; we celebrate.
Big moments, small moments and everything in between. It has made life much more fun, much less serious and much more enjoyable.
So thank you to the love of my life for helping me learn how to celebrate, wherever we are!
17 Thursday Feb 2011
When I meet the mom of a thirteen year old, I am immediately compassionate.
I look back on my own journey and think of how hard I was on my mom around the age of thirteen. I remember it was hard, but I also remember lots of good things as well.
My parents were not big disciplinarians. I had a lot of choice growing up, and it worked for me and for my brother. But there were some real teaching times in the choosing.
In seventh grade my friends were headed to the movies. I had never had restrictions about going out, so I just assumed that I would go to. I was a little surprised when my Mom asked what movie we were headed to . . . and when I told her I assumed she had never heard of it and would let me go.
She didn’t.
Instead she asked me what I knew about the movie.
“Not much.” I said, thinking the discussion would be over.
“Then let’s look it up,” she said.
I had no idea you could find movie reviews in the New Yorker Magazine that sat on our coffee table.
She sat down and had me look it up and read her the review.
It was mortifying. And then she asked me, do you think I should let you go?
And I knew I wasn’t going to be going to that movie. And I am to this day so grateful that I did not go.
My mother’s lesson to a thirteen year old girl is now my own goal as I walk beside a teen.
I want to help her to make the choices, answer her questions with questions and celebrate when she chooses well.
It is a good life lesson and one that I am getting to practice.
Grateful for the lesson and the opportunity.
16 Wednesday Feb 2011
Posted
in UncategorizedAnother recommendation that has been wonderfully helpful are the signing time series of videos.
Our nephew used baby sign language and it made his ability to communicate and our ability to understand him a whole lot easier.
The videos have catchy songs that sit in your head all day, but also sit in our little Colton’s head too. He has been able to communicate basic words before he could talk and even now, when we have trouble understanding him he is able to sign.
Sharpteam recommends baby signing time: http://www.signingtime.com
15 Tuesday Feb 2011
Posted Family, Foundations, Intentionality, Parenting
inCole has started saying “want it” for various things…
We have been working with him to replace “want it” with “please” and then a smile.
We are getting there.
And he is starting to add the smile on his own.
It has been a great lesson for us that being intentional with Cole really does make a difference. And it doesn’t hurt to add a smile most anywhere.
14 Monday Feb 2011
Posted Foster Care
in
“Today was a great first day of school. I met new people and had lots of fun. I am mostly caught up with my work. The school is a great school. The kids are nice. Not one person is mean, and the staff is an astounding staff. Their lunch was ok, but not great. Overall I like that school very much and look forward to going back tomorrow.” ~ Susan on her first day of school