Taking Karate

Going to Karate is kind of a "given" when we visit Florida, where Sid's Mom lives.  My husband is a 2nd degree black belt in shotokan karate.  His dad's got his 4th degree.  We named our son for Sid's dad, his sensei.   So, one of the things we do here is Karate.  4 nights a week, Sid is there for 3 hours (give or take).  My kids love it, too! But we only spend an hour or so at the dojo.  Papa Bruce loves it when we're there.  He loves my husband, loves my kids.  He can't wait to get the chance to teach them some karate, and he puts a belt on them every time. 

This trip Stella loves to go and wear her belt, her karate "uniform" which consists of a pair of white pants and a tshirt or tank top, and when we get there... head gear for sparring.  But, she's not so interested in participating in class.  Bruce loves the sparring gear too.  And his belt.  He's a little too little to still participate, but he's watching.  He is loving to drop into a straddle leg stance and throw an excellent punch.  His dad's loving it! 

Last night we went a little early so Sid could help a friend go over a kata for a tournament.  I love to watch Sid when he's there.  He's in a whole different world.  

  Papa Bruce tying a belt on Buck

Papa Bruce tying a belt on Stella

Dustin, Sid, Bruce, Checking out a kata.

Sid, Dustin, Bruce, practicing the kata.

My kids in head gear

Sid and Bruce

Cabin Camping

Last Weekend we went "camping" with friends.  They have a cabin about 3 hours from here.  It's truly in the middle of nowhere.  It was beautiful.  I forgot my camera.  Of course.  But! I did have my phone.  So, please, enjoy the sub-standard quality of these photos!

A visit...

From Grandma!  March was a busy month!  After our trip to N.C. we had about a week and then Grandma came to visit us.  We had a wonderful, low-key, no major events, no big plans kind of time.  We just relaxed, and did little everyday things.  It was fantastic.  We played, and loved, and played some more!

North Carolina - March trip

So, as G.G. has pointed out, I am still a bad blogger.  As a result I am going to give her the pictures and quick updates she likes!   At the beginning of March we spent a week (almost) in North Carolina.  It was wonderful.  We spent time with good friends and enjoyed some wonderful, if unseasonably warm, weather.  I spent a lot of time outside at a park with the kids.  They had a blast. 

Looking for that Silver Lining.

Finding the mythical "silver lining" is usually an easy thing for me to do.

Last night Sid and I were talking and I told him that I was an eternal optimist and a hopeless romantic.   He laughed at me.  He'll easily concede the optimist point, but the romantic... not so much.  But I think that he's just confused.  Romantic as defined by dictionary.com  "imbued with or dominated by idealism, a desire for adventure, chivalry, etc."  granted it's definition number 3. But that doesn't make it less valid.   But that's not really what this post is about.  It's about the difference between finding the silver lining and appreciating the silver lining.

Right now, I see the silver lining.  Sid's job sucks.  I mean really sucks.  It's hard physically and emotionally.  It is best described as soul crushing.  I can't wait until he finds a new job.  So what can the silver lining of having a crappy job, surrounded by crude people, and no hope of the situation improving possibly be?  Well, I'm glad you asked.

It's this.  It has reinforced a conviction in both us that Sid belongs in full time ministry.  It has solidified The Call.  It has made us realize that we want to be in ministry.  Sid was told by his pastor growing up "if you can do anything else (non-ministry, that is) and be happy... do that."  Or something along those lines.  Well.

Sid will only be truly happy when he is serving God in a full time vocational way.  I'm glad.  We're sending out more resume's.  I'm glad.  We've expanded the area we're willing to search in.  I'm glad.  We're communicating more clearly on where, and why and what-about-part-time? I'm glad.

So what is the silver lining?  It's being closer to my husband.  It's seeing his passion for ministry renewed.  But... I wish it would have been accomplished without the crappy job, thankyouverymuch.

Things I love right now

This is a random post.  A list of things that I'm enjoying, that are making me smile, or laugh.  In no particular order. 

• Stella's ever-growing vocabulary.  Careened?  Really?  You're 4.  Slow down.
• The books I ordered to teach her to read just came. Thank you UPS.
• Bruce would rather not be fulled clothed inside.  Even if it is only 35 degrees out there.
• Sending out resumes and tracking the hits on Sid's website.
• Coffee every morning.
• Bruce falling asleep on my lap.
• Finishing a school workbook with Stella.
• Cuddly reading time with the kids.
• Nap time.

No more Milk

For this boy.  At least not regular grocery store milk. Nope.  He has a "dairy sensitivity."  We (finally) took Bruce to see a homeopathic doctor.  I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner.  He got him on his funky little machine and 5 minutes later says it's a dairy sensitivity.  Probably to the casein. Probably to the casein that is broken (he described it as folded in half) during the pasteurization process.  This was not a real big surprise to me.  I have known since he was still nursing that there was a connection to my milk consumption and his gut reactions. 

So we have switched him to raw milk and cheese and I am learning just how very much dairy we eat!  No cheese! no goldfish! no pizza! Aren't those like the 3 food groups according to toddlers?  Oh I forgot chicken nuggets.  They're still ok.

We're figuring it out. And I'm learning.  He sleeps better and talks more when he feels good.  So I'm all for it!  We're grateful to have an answer that doesn't include surgery (for tubes) to getting rid of all those pesky ear infections!

Stella's New Dress Up Storage

Stella's dress up clothes have been housed in a cardboard trunk who's lid had been torn off and an empty diaper box.  Glamorous. Or not.  Anyway I had seen this thing on Pinterest.  It was a converted dresser.  I was stoked.  I repinned it to one of my boards and then I went to see if I could find the original location... and I couldn't.  I clicked through the pin and it took me to google reader.  Well, that is less than helpful.  Besides that I had just read this thing about pinning with integrity.  Which basically means I will find the original post and pin that instead of the link to the link to the link, or whatever the case may be.  So in any case. 

I have a very talented and handy husband and I said "Can we do this?  Would it be easier than building one from scratch?"  and he said, "Yes."  I said " Sweet.  I found this $10 dresser on Craigslist.  Will it work?"  he said "Yes." I said "Should I call her and see if it's sold?  Will you go with me to pick it up?" He said "Yes."  Anybody see a theme here?  I have the best husband EVER!

Anyway...We bought the dresser.  It looked like this: 

 Then We pulled the top 3 drawers out and cut out the front supports.  We opted to leave the side supports in so that when it has outlived it's usefulness as dress up storage in Stella's room it can be repainted and re-repurposed into mostly open shelving.  He's smart.  And it was easier than cutting them out.  We added a bottom "floor" to cover the bottom drawer, and put on a new, sturdier back.
Then we sanded it down, painted and added a bar to hang clothes on.  Easy.  And functional.  And very well recieved!  

 Here it is in all it's glory!

  

Also, I did find the original post about the inspiration piece.  It can be found here at Rambling Renovators.  You should check it out. It's way prettier than mine. And the rest of their site is pretty cool too!