A Restful Vacation

School vacation came and went without too much excitement. I really enjoyed being home and not feeling the pressure of having to leave for work in the afternoon. I spent one day just cooking some new vegetarian dishes to stick in the freezer. I made Cauliflower Cheese Pie and Lentil-Walnut Burgers. Both tasted much better than they sound. I was so proud of myself. Had a girls' night with Jennifer and watched "Secret Life of Bees" and ate DELICIOUS pizza from Upper Crust. Then, I got a yucky cold which left me useless for Thursday. But, I was glad to not have to get up and go to work. I was able to rest and get better.
Tuesday I went with my sister and the kids to visit my niece at Gordon College. It has been 10 years and I STILL get that longing to go back to college when I am on that campus. Just being in her dorm and walking through the quad and hearing her say hi to everyone and point everyone out was so fun. College life was just the best. I can't believe my 10 year reunion is coming up. Has it really been that long? I am so looking forward to going back out to Wheaton and seeing all my friends. I am thinking that the campus has probably changed alot. Will I be sad to return to a Wheaton that is not the same? Maybe. Right now I am really looking forward to it.
So, now it is back to work. I'm hoping that spring is going to come soon. I can't wait to air out the apartment and get rid of all these germs! We've had a rough winter. My pediatrician is livin' large thanks to the Bielawas this winter.
By the way, I'm reading a book called "A Severe Mercy" right now and it is really good. It's about this couple that met and fell in love before they were Christians and then went to Oxford and became Christians there and then eventually the wife gets sick and dies. That's as far as I am now, but it is a really interesting book. Especially for me, as I have been a Christian for as long as I remember. I always wonder how people come to Christ in adulthood - it is such a leap of faith. I'm anxious to see how the author's realtionship with God changed after he lost his beloved wife. He was struggling before with it. Does it get stronger or fade without her encouragement? I guess I will just have to let you know. Over and Out.
(That's how Oliver has been ending conversations lately. Either that or Amen. ie. "Mommy, I would like a drink. Amen."or "Mommy, I am going potty. Over and out.")

I know, I know

I have been sucky at blogging, I know. I'm sorry. Forgive me. Okay, now that we are over that. One of the blogs that I stumbled upon a long time ago and have been reading ever since, is So The Fish Said written by mom of two, Beth. She is so funny and I wish I could write like her and with as much frequency as she does, even with two kids. Our oldest kids are the same age, so I love being able to relate to the milestones. Anyway, she posted an interview type thing on her blog and I thought I would play along.

Ready? Here we go!

1. Remember the movie Brewster's Millions? That happens to you, except on a smaller scale. You receive a million dollars that you must spend in 30 days. However, you cannot have any assets to show for the money at the end of the month (and you can't buy something and then destroy it), you cannot waste the money, you cannot give it away, and you cannot tell anyone what you are doing. How do you ditch the dough in a month or less? I have never seen this movie. Should I? Does it count if I prepay all my bills and rent for as long as a million dollars would cover them?

2. You are locked in a toy store overnight, with no way out until it reopens in the morning. What do you play with all night? A jigsaw puzzle.

3. If you could have a dinner party with any three famous people, living or dead, you would be wasting your supernatural powers on hosting dinner parties. What would you do instead? Hmmm...I would travel back in time with my grandparents and learn about their childhoods, courtship and marriage.

4. What's the best thing since sliced bread? Now, sliced bread ain't all that impressive, so what's the best mediocre, hum-drum improvement or advancement that has made modern life just ever so slightly more convenient for humanity, along the lines of saving yourself five seconds every time you want a piece of bread. I'm going to go with cell phones here. Every time I call Joel real quick to remind him of something or to have him bail me out of an emergency, I think about what I would do without my cell phone. Seriously, what did we do without them?

5. What's your best quality? The response to this question must be a simple declarative statement. You may elaborate on that statement, provided that your elaboration does not include the words "but," "however," or "although," or any other hedging, equivocating, back-sliding, gerrymandering (which is not at all appropriate in this context, but I think it should be, don't you?) or any other type of backing down from the simple declarative statement with which you began your response. I am a good mom.

If you want to play along, too, copy and paste the questions, fill in your own answers and then let me (and Beth!) know so we can check out your answers. Fun, huh?

I'm Inspired

So, reading Sarah's blog has inspired me to plan my menu online for all of you. So, here goes:
Sunday: Ravioli with homemade sauce
Monday: Stir fry Veggies and Brown Rice
Tuesday: Tacos (We're hosting Family night, so it will be ALOT of tacos) and spanish rice
Wednesday: Vegetarian Chili and Cornbread Souffle

Okay, so I only got to Wednesday, but that's pretty good considering our schedule and eating habits. I'll be surprised if we actually go by this menu exactly because Joel has a tendency to fill up on Veggie Burgers before I get home from work at 6pm. So, I'll let you know! Off to the grocery store!

A Winter Wonderland

We have gotten so much snow this winter! Seems like every weekend we are getting something. It makes me thankful that we live where we do and are not having to go out and shovel for hours and hours. My sister and I took the kids sledding today. So much fun! Oliver loved it. Morgan, not so much. She cried the whole way down the first time and refused to go down again after that. My sister did take her down one more time, this time with real tears. After that we let her just watch. Maybe she'll be more into it next year. I was proud of Oliver's bravery - he wanted to go down all the "big boy hills". We did one really big one and he got a face full of snow the whole way down. Still had a smile under all the snow but was ready to go home after that one. I think I will be sore tomorrow. Going up all those hills and pulling the sled behind me was quite a workout. It felt good to move my old bones.

I was glad to get out and do something today. I feel like I have been in a funk lately. Not wanting to talk to anyone or see anyone or do anything. Maybe it's the winter, not enough sunlight blues. I don't know. But I do feel better today. I'm enjoying the snow and the winter, but I am ready for some sun. Makes me wish we didn't decide to take this year off from going to Florida. Even a weekend at the beach would do me good, I think. A weekend at the beach BY MYSELF would do me even better! How about you? How do you survive the winter blues?

I LOLed

Thanks to Sarah (of One More Thing From Sarah B fame) I have found a new and hilarious blog. I will be adding it to my list over yonder. It is called Stuff Christians Like and it is hilarious! Especially if you have grown up in the church. I will admit that at first, I thought it was going to be a blog of literal stuff Christians like, ie Life Application Bibles, books on disciplining your children, "Witness Wear", etc . But no, it is funny stuff! I laugh out loud almost every time I read it. I especially loved the post about Massages During Church. We all know the discomfort of having a touchy couple in front of you rubbing each others backs and necks. Eww! He captures it perfectly! Anyway, while you're waiting for me to write an interesting, witty blog, go check out this one. Thanks, Sarah!

Have To Laugh

Mommy, upon finding Morgan with a small hairclip in her mouth:
"Morgan, don't put that in your mouth! You could choke! What are you thinking?"

Morgan:
"Ummmm....I was thinking about picking my nose."

Sometimes I just have to laugh.

Post Christmas Post

Hope you all had a great Christmas. Ours was very nice. I'm getting so emotional in my old age. I can barely make it through the Christmas Eve service at church without getting choked up. So many different emotions were going on. I was happy because my mom is doing so much better and was able to come to church. (After having chemo just hours before - she's so strong!) I had been so afraid that she was not going to be able to enjoy Christmas this year. I haven't really gone into detail about it here, but long story short, her cancer has spread a bit and that kind of threw her into an emotional tailspin. She was struggling with anxiety for a few weeks and it was tough. I hate to see her so out of it like that. Anyway, I had been praying that she would be able to enjoy Christmas and I think she really did. So, I was emotional about that. Also, I have been going to SSBC since I was born and feel like it is really an extension of my family. Looking around at all the familiar faces and thinking about how much of my life has been spent in that sanctuary made me feel so blessed. And to have both of my kids and my husband with me made it extra special. And then there was the music. Can't make it through many songs without getting teary lately. Silent Night always gets me.
Christmas Morning was fun. I was able to get a smaller set of blocks and some accessories to go with it. The kids had fun opening their gifts and responded better than they did with their stockings. We try not to get too many gifts - one big gift, one smaller gift and a book. It's hard for me to stop myself, but I'm glad we do it that way. They are able to enjoy what they get. We had a nice time opening and then we had enough time for the kids to play with their blocks before we headed to my parents' house.
Mcloud Christmas was a little different this year. My mother gave us all an envelope of money to buy our own gifts and then she wrapped them and we all opened our gifts as usual. It was fun to see what we all picked out for ourselves. Here are the favorites from Grammie - Morgan got a Fur Real Kitty (which I think is a bit frightening) and Oliver got a jackhammer (which I think is a bit loud).After brunch and gifts we hung out for a while and then in the afternoon we had appetizers and did a wine tasting. Everyone brought a different wine (or two) and we sampled each kind. I don't think any of them really went with the buffalo chicken dip I was eating.
It was a little strange not going to my aunt's house and eating pasta, but I did enjoy not having to pack up the kids a million times and rush them out. It was a nice, low key family Christmas. How was yours?
Next up...ideas for keeping my kids busy in the next few days of no school and no work.

Snowed In

It has been snowing here since Friday afternoon. At first I was so excited about being cozy at home and watching the snow fall without having to go anywhere. Now it is Sunday and all I want to do is get out of this house!! Our wonderful apartment community has been plowing and shoveling the sidewalks constantly, BUT my van is completely trapped. The snow is as high as the top of the tires. We don't even have a shovel to get it out with. I'm not sure what we are going to do. We're supposed to get another storm today that may turn to rain, but may not. I hope we are able to dig out by this afternoon.
I've also found myself in a predicament with the kids' main Christmas gift. Boy, Christmas has sneaked right up on me. I have been planning on getting them a nice, big set of blocks. I also have been planning on splitting the cost with Joel's parents. But, we waited too long to call them and have not gotten that money yet. I was thinking I could easily go out to the store in Needham and get them, but now we are snowed in. I could have them shipped, but the shipping will be over $75!! Maybe Joel will be willing to take an adventure together today. I HATE driving in the snow.
Christmas excitement has started around here. We have adopted Joel's family tradition of opening one stocking gift each day leading up to Christmas. Yesterday was the first one. After the initial excitement of his coloring books, I asked Oliver if he liked them and he enthusiastically said "No, I don't think I do." I hope my other choices will be a little more exciting.

OK, I'm Here

Whew, what a busy day! Started out with church and my last sunday school class until after Christmas. We attempted to do an art project today! Big mistake with 17 children and a teeny tiny classroom. I was so frazzled by the time we were done. I feel terrible because one of the kids brought me a gift and I was so distracted that I forgot to open it AND to bring it home. Ooops! I'm a horrible teacher... I am looking forward to our lives settling down a bit so that I can really focus on Sunday School and the lessons that I am teaching. I'm tired of throwing something together on Saturday night.
After church, Joel and I headed over to the old apartment to do the final clean-out and getting rid of the last few things left behind. Gave the crib and high chair to my cousin who is expecting, gave some old toys and the changing table to Nikki and Lucas and ended up losing the battle to keep my mom's sewing machine and table that she gave me. It is old and a bit worn and, ok, I'll admit, ugly, but I use it and it was my mom's so I like it. But, Joel was pretty adamant about not wanting it in the apartment, so I tried to be a submissive wife. I'm kind of sad about it, but maybe I'll be able to get a newer model with more bells and whistles. For now, my mother has it back at her house. Not sure what its fate will be.
We also picked up the fish tank that we hadn't brought over yet. We were so undecided about what to do with it. We didn't really want to bring it to the new place. We're nervous about the carpet. The tank and stand are older and a little worn out too but a new one is out of the question financially at this point. Anyway, we were kind of hoping that after a week or so in the old apartment with no heat and no food that they would have gone to fishy heaven, but no such luck. So, we cleaned it off as best as we could and lugged it over here. At least the kids are excited.
I can't believe I have to make it through another week before Christmas break. I wish I had more time off before Christmas to get everything done. I feel so behind! We did get our tree up this weekend and that makes me feel good.
So, on the list for this week? Finish shopping for the gifts for our family from my mother (long story, I'll get to it later), call old landlords and pray that we get our security deposit in time for Christmas, buy wine for our Christmas day wine tasting - a new McLoud tradition, make gifts for girls at work, go to Oliver's Christmas show, buy groceries, finish unpacking... I'm tired already! But, on the bright side, I love the Christmas music and lights and festivities. I love the little traditions that we are making up as we go with our little family. And, I love my apartment, have I mentioned that?

Weighing My Options

I really want to blog. I also really want to sleep. I think the sleep is going to win tonight. I feel like I might be coming down with something. It's about time, I've been stressed for weeks. I've been waiting for sickness to strike! I do have so much to write about. My lack of preparation for Christmas, my inability to send out an e-mail Christmas card, my lovely new apartment all decked out for Christmas, my son's obsession with me having another baby (He thinks we're having one for Christmas. - Uh, no), my mom's cancer set-back and therefore also my lack of child care. I'll get to it soon!! Promise.

Pictures!

OK, here are some shots of the new apartment. More to come when we are all unpacked and set up. We are still so excited and every time I come home, I think "Is this really where I live?"

Kids' room enormous closet.

Living room/dining roomKids' Bedroom

New Digs

We're here! We are moved in, not totally unpacked and completely exhausted. AND...drum roll please...we can pick up the free, yes free, wireless internet from the main building. Woo Hoo!!! That means I am back to blogging. But for now, I must unpack. I will try to post pictures tonight.

A Post in Pictures

Old Kids On the Block

I got a surprise free ticket to see the New Kids on the Block Friday night. Back in the day, I was completely OBSESSED (ok, obsessed isn't even the word) with them, but now that they have reunited, I've been a bit skeptical. Would seeing them now ruin my 14 year old image of them? Would they be old and sweaty and forget the words to the songs? Would they try to reinvent themselves and forget all the old stuff completely? So, I wasn't that upset about not going and when I got the call on Friday afternoon, I almost said no. But, I thought if it was free I would have nothing to lose, right?

I went with a woman I know at church who was also a big fan and a girl who is a senior in high school and was 2 at the prime of NKOTB. It was her cousin who gave us the tickets. So, I was expecting just regular seats, since they were free, but we had a executive box!! Complete with private bathroom, stocked refrigerator, tv, leather arm chairs, etc. I might never be able to go to a concert as a normal person again. It was great! Natasha Bettingfield opened and she was pretty good. I was still sort of blah about the whole thing until they showed clips of old New Kids videos up on the big screen, then they got all sentimental and the screen said "15 years ago we said goodbye and walked away and now we're back" and then they came out on the stage and it was so exciting! It was like seeing old friends again! Their performance was great, they had a perfect mix of new stuff and old stuff, they danced just as well if not better than before and they were just as nostalgic I was about it. You could really tell they were having a good time.

All in all, it was a really fun night and I am so glad I went. Had I known it was going to be so fun, I would have made more of an effort to get tickets for me and my group of NKOTB fan friends. I feel like they are the only ones who truly understand my obsession. I did have fun with the people I went with, but sometimes, you just need your best buds. It was great to look out and see groups of women with their old NKOTB shirts on, singing along and having fun together just like we were all 14 again.

WOO HOO!!

We got picked for an apartment!!!!! YAY YAY YAY! Now, we just have to make it through the rest of the paperwork, criminal background check, credit check, etc. and then we are all set. Move in dates are set for December to January. I hope my brief stint as a bank robber doesn't impede our progress. I'll be holding my breath until we actually move in, I think. I can't believe it!
ps. Our landline phone is out of service, again. Thanks alot, Verizon! So, if you need us, call our cells.

My Hopes Are Officially Up

We recently applied for reduced rent housing at a new apartment/townhouse community in the town I grew up in. Since I work for the town and still have close relatives who live there, we qualified for the lottery. We would only have to pay about $100 more a month than what we are paying now and the apartments are so nice. Since it is a "community", there is a pool, playground and gym. AND, it is on the water. So, I have been thinking about it and praying about it and up until this week was somewhat guarded about it. But then, I went and looked at the floor plans on the website. I'm no longer neutral about the whole thing. I WANT TO LIVE THERE!! Every 2 bedroom has 2 bathrooms, there is a dishwasher (dear Lord, a dishwasher), washer/dryer and every apartment has a deck. The drawing is sometime around the end of the month. So, if you are a praying person, please pray that we get this apartment. And if we do not, please pray that I will be content with that.

Could You Pick Up That Piece of My Heart Right There?

My baby boy starts preschool next week. He'll be going to the school that Joel works at and that my sister teaches at. Two full days each week. He had his orientation ("orimatation" in Ollie- speak) this morning and seems pretty excited, though he has had his share of tears recently. The other night as I was putting him to bed, I brought up the subject of preschool and his little lip started to quiver as he was bravely trying to keep it together. He said, "I don't want to go to preschool because I am afraid I will not see you." So we talked about it how it will only be two days out of seven that he won't be able to see me all day and how much fun it will be and how Daddy and Annie will be there if he needs them. Then he said, and this is when my heart shattered into a million pieces, "But, I am afraid that there will be a mean kid in my class who will hit me or push me." At that point, I just wanted to gather him up in my arms and tell him he will never have to leave me and that I will never let a mean kid even breathe on him. Ever. But, then it was my turn to put on a brave face and explain to him that yes, there may be a mean kid in your class, and if something happens you need to use your words (man, how many times do I use that phrase every day?) and let the teacher know and try to be extra nice to the kid, etc. Meanwhile, I'm thinking that if any kid lays a finger on my boy, they will have to face the wrath of the Mama.
So, then I start to tell him that if he is really feeling nervous about going to school then we should pray about it and ask God to help him feel brave. This seemed to be the straw that broke the camel's back. The tears really started flowing now, he was sobbing and said he didn't want to pray about it. He just doesn't want to go. So, in we went to Daddy because at this point I was about to start crying. He was a typical Daddy - very matter-of-fact and you'll-be-fine, with Oliver and with me.
Actually, this preschool thing is going to be more Joel's thing than mine. He went with him to orientation today since I had training for work, he'll be taking him in and getting him to my mom's afterschool AND he'll be there at school if Oliver needs anything. It's kind of hard for me to be so hands-off, but I think it is good for the boys to have a little bonding time.
Tuesday is the big first day - I'll try to blog and maybe put on some pictures if I can. This dial-up connection is super-slow, though, so no promises on the pictures.


Funny Oliver quote:

"Mommy, I love you. I love you EVEN when Mo-Mo (Morgan) poops in her underwear. I love you even when you are disappointed in someone."

Big Words

I worked at the extended school year program this summer in the preschool. We had children who need the extra structure of the classroom during the summer - all have IEP's and most receive some kind of services. Speech, OT, PT, etc. So, it hasn't been a breeze. I have enjoyed it, but it is a challenge. We have one student who is older for preschool - he's five, and he has some major anger issues. I often wonder how a young child like that can be so angry. We had come to expect his outbursts of "This is stupid!" "I hate this place!" Don't talk to me!", but last week he said some words that I have never even said. We were sitting at circle time and this child, we'll call him Mouth, was unhappy that he didn't get to sit next to his friend. When it came time for Mouth to do his job for the day, collecting nametags, he was uncooperative. So, one of the other aides got up and helped him to do it right. This just happened to be the teacher who sat in between Mouth and his friend, so he already had a grudge. He started yeling and called her a stupid, f-ing b-! TWO TIMES! We were shocked, none of us knew what to say. The head teacher handled it very well, removing him from the circle and giving him time to cool off before speaking to him. The rest of circle time went to pot after that, none of us knew where to go from there. I think the other kids realized this and we pretty much lost control. Our cutie-pie autisitc student got frustrasted and bit the same teacher that got called the lovely name. She had a rough day!
Thinking about the situation after the initial shock of it all, I realize that this poor kid is really a victim, not just a fresh-mouthed naughty boy. How could he know these words and the context they are used in if he has not seen it modeled in someone else? There were so many times that he showed his true, little boy self and it made me wonder where all the anger comes from? How can a kid who loves Spiderman and makes sure he sees every picture in the books we are reading, turn around and call someone such a vicious name?
Needless to say, I am glad our program is done for the summer. Though, I do kind of wish I had more time to spend with Mouth and show him that not all adults are angry and it is ok to have fun once in a while.

What's In A Name?

My boy is the most clever, hilarious thing I've ever met. Yesterday, he chose a stuffed animal out of the stuffed animal bucket to bring to bed with him. Apparently, Zebra is not cutting it anymore. So, he chose a orange striped kitty that he got at Build-a-bear a long time ago. He was asking me about where he got it and what its name was, etc. All the questions a 3-year old asks, and then some, including why his kitty does not have a bellybutton. I told him that the kitty does not really have a name yet, so he can name it if he would like to. He thought about this for a few minutes and said, "Hydrogen Peroxide". OH MY GOSH...I about died of laughter right there, I held it in and praised his choice of such a creative name. As he was falling asleep he was quietly crooning to the kitty, "Hydrogen Peroxide, goodnight. Hydrogen Peroxide, I love you." I had to leave the room and laugh and tell Joel about it. Where does he come up with this stuff?? He had a splinter earlier in the day and I cleaned it with some hydrogen peroxide so that is why it was fresh in his mind, I guess.
Tonight I had to hug and kiss Hydrogen Peroxide good night after Oliver got his kisses. I'll take some pictures when I can of Ollie and good old H.P.

Where's Joe?

So, I've started something new. I thought for sure after starting Peapod grocery delivery that I would NEVER go to the grocery store again, but the other day I was in the neighborhood of Trader Joe's and I tried it out. I think I am in love. At first, I didn't really like it - it seemed small, unorganized and without enough options. But, the food is good. Really good. After our second trip there, I think I am sold. I think I can either live without or make a seperate trip for the things that we cannot get there. Also, I thought it would be super expensive, but I've been spending less than at the supermarket. Oliver loves that he can stay in the cart while the lady pulls it through to scan the items and he gets a balloon and stickers. The first time we were there he did ask me where Joe was. Too cute. The only bad part, it is a pretty good hike from where we live. Is it worth it? We shall see.
Ollie was in the paper again this week. This time from the fireworks in Hingham. Of course he is never with me in these pictures. Can't seem to find the link now, but I'll put it on here if I find it.