Happy Mother's Day

This weekend I had a chance to hear a good friend read a piece of her work at the annual Mothers Who Write Mother's Day reading. It was so refreshing to see her and listen to her story. It was also fantastic to hear the other authors read their work. Some pieces brought tears to my eyes, while others made me laugh. All made me think about this space and my own writing.

I haven't been writing at all during the last few weeks. Admittedly I am still a rabid list maker, but my mind has been cluttered with other thoughts and worry. During this time we have had adventures and celebrations - my oldest is now a bona fide double digit kiddo. I just haven't thought to document it or anything else. My mind usually flush with words, thoughts and ideas has been quiet. It has been consumed with the worries of buying a new home, redefining a few dreams and charting our family's course. As these thoughts seem to be falling into place a bit better over the past few days, I have realized how much I miss my journaling here. I am reminded of how this blog helps me focus on what I want for my family. It is a place to recall our life and the little things that bring us together.

Being Grateful

We spent the last several days enjoying time together and great food.
* Thoughts of gratitude and thanks adorned a wreath crafted by me and the kiddos
* Dave mastered the turkey and presented a delicious main course
* Everyone helped in the kitchen. Eamon helped make pie with Grandma while Benton and Aine made the deviled eggs
* The table was set with fewer plates, but the energy was still big
* Granddad shared his love of the game, Euchre. The kiddos were easily taught and played endlessly. Every evening now consists of the game or entreaties to play.
* Lights were removed from the artificial tree due to outages and replaced with new strands. Eamon misses our real tree, but this year Grandma and Granddad's artificial one will have to do.
* Pledges to never buy a pre-lit tree were muttered after removing the copious strands of lights.
* Ornaments were hung and memories surfaced.
* Peppermint ice cream graced everyone's plates after a scrumptious dinner of turkey soup

All in all it was a good weekend spent together. We look forward to more togetherness during this holiday season.

Saying Goodbye

We spent our last day here with friends at the park. It has been a wonderful experience in the Washington DC area. The kiddos have made some great friends and so have I. With these friends we have visited many of the local parks, picked blueberries, swam, and had oddles of fun. The homeschoolers here have welcomed us. Each one has made us feel at home. They have shared local events and must see activities. It was hard to say goodbye.

As we left the park each of the kiddos talked about the amazing people we have met. Eamon mentioned not only having friends among the kids, but also the moms. Aine realized how close she had become with the children and lamented running out of time to play at one friend's home. Even Benton talked about the friend he had at the park and the moms who fed him yummy snacks. We have been very fortunate.

As the car approached home, I realized we had left our rope at the park. It isn't just any rope, but a rope given to us by one of the families. It is a magical rope. Immediately there were calls to turn the car around and retrieve it. I really didn't want to drive back to the park, but I did. Our rope was still there hanging in the tree. I reached up and untied the knots bringing our link to these great people and this place home with us.

A Time for Dates

This weekend was spent dating. Every month Dave or I take each kiddo out on a date (on their birthday date for easy remembering). It is a big deal. Dave missed his dates last month, and I missed mine this past week. The kiddos have not let us forget. So this weekend was set aside for makeups.

Our dates were full of:
* breakfast out
* wandering Old Town Alexandria
* waiting patiently while mama perused the yarn store
* picking out a special color yarn for a shawl all ones own
* spotting a sign for chicken noodle soup and heading in for a bit of lunch
* taking the metro
* hitting all the cancel buttons on the vending machines hoping for a bit of money to be returned
* walking through downtown D.C.
* talking about art at the National Gallery
* bemoaning one's shoe choice
* wondering about nudes and period attitudes toward the human body
* marveling at the beauty of impressionism and noticing all the seemingly random brushstrokes
* discovering the beauty of all those random bites and how they contribute to the whole masterpiece
* deciding a little art can go a long way
* walking home with bits of treasure, holding hands, skipping and talking
* movie watching
* candy store
* trips on the metro and getting turned around
* finding our way
* returning renewed with that feeling of being so very special in the midst of this bigger whole.

Customer Service

I am a sucker for good customer service. When newly married, I shopped exclusively at Safeway for quite awhile due to their amazing customer service. Their employees would help you with anything. What do you need? Let me find that for you. At times I was afraid to ask for something, because I was sure they were running to their cars to find it at the nearby store!

I continue to be lured by good customer service. The way a customer is treated will keep them as your customer. Often businesses forget that I can walk away and spend my money elsewhere. Small businesses seem to know this. My husband frequents the same bagel shop at home because it is independently owner and the owner is now his friend. Why? Because the staff took the time to remember my husband and greet him. Such simple things.

Recently after receiving the replacement computer, I realized my iTunes was now empty. Not a big deal at first. Due to my buying history through Apple, I could easily replace those items. The piece missing, though, were our audiostories. At the end of last year I signed our family up for Sparkle Stories. My children really enjoy these tales. Initially I was just going to subscribe for the $1 trial month. I figured that would be enough. Nope. My kiddos wanted more, so we have continued our subscription and even given the subscription as a gift to family. Now the stories were gone.

I contacted Lisabeth at Sparkle Stories to see if there was any way to retrieve them. She quickly and kindly replied. Yes, she could help. After a few days, she sent me a file with all 24 missing stories!! This was a huge task for her, and she did it with aplomb. This morning, I downloaded the files, and we now have our complete set again. My kiddos will be so pleased when they find out.

Why am I telling you this? It all boils down to customer service. If she had scoffed and told me tough luck, I would have understood. It was a big request. However, she told me she thought she could help and did. She was prompt with her replies and helpful. I do hope her family business continues to flourish and expand. We do love the stories and now the company.

(the photos have nothing to do with Sparkle Stories-the kiddos took these yesterday)

Gratitude

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents, father in law, brothers, sisters in law and many nieces and nephews. Much food was consumed, balls were tossed, football was watched and dishes washed. It was a full day and one which reminds us to express our gratitude.

Here are a few things for which we are thankful:
* a healthy family
* LEGO Universe
* a new Barbie and matching movie
* gifts from friends to pass the time healing
* hospital room service
* Aine's presence at home where she belongs
* amazing out of this world friendships both close and afar
* Minecraft
* family
* beautiful weather
* full bellies
* time with grandma
* cousins
* new babies expected in the family (my brother and SIL)
* a home
* quick healing
* the internet
* yarn
* technology
* each other

Hope everyone regardless of what you celebrate had a wonderful day.