Food, Family, and Life
We missed apple picking season last year. So this year I made a vow that we would go early in the season before the trees were picked over. Lucky for us the super hot summer had the apples ripening already. When I saw that Alldredge Orchards was opening up two weeks early we hopped at the chance to go apple picking in August! We were there the first weekend right as the barn doors opened for business! A smiling farm woman greeted us as chickens clucked in the background.
My best friend did this on her blog and so I thought I would join in. Feel free to participate on your blog too! Here are some lovely little randoms about yours truly.
I am deathly afraid of spiders. Sometimes I shake my clothes out in the morning to make sure there isn’t one in there.
I am addicted to coffee. For serious. One morning the Keurig wouldn’t work and I was on the verge of an all out breakdown.
The boys are both in that weird clothing stage where nothing fits perfectly. For Landon, 3T is now too small while 4T is still too big. For Brigham, 18 monthw is definitely much too small (he’s 30 lbs now!) while 2T is a bit too big. It’s so annoying. I feel like they both look a bit homely with their too small/too big clothing because I do not want to buy new winter clothes. I am trying to wait it out long enough for new spring and summer clothes. Sorry, boys.
Brigham is 21-months-old. It is very hard for me to grasp that Landon was this same age when Brigham was born.
You see, Brigham can communicate. He can say a lot of words at this point. But we can’t have conversations with him. We can’t make him understand how things work. He has to figure that all out on his own in the coming years.
So when I look at Brigham and think that Landon was this age when he became a big brother? Well, it just astounds me that Landon handled it as well as he did. He was so young. Looking at Brigham at 21-months solidifies that fact. He just seems so little to me.
Our nighttime routine always includes me singing to Landon. I used to sing to Brigham but he is currently refusing all live performances. I’m not too upset because Landon still has plenty of requests. Once I have finished reading a couple of books it is then time for the musical portion of the night.
As you know, last week was difficult. I found myself feeling very blue. I started singing a sweet song and my voice cracked. I was about to cry. I realized I needed a peppy song STAT. Something to lift my spirits. That’s when I broke out singing “The Sun Will Come Out” from the musical Annie.
On Tuesday, we had to do the thing that no pet owner ever wants to do. We had to say goodbye to our sweet pug Reubin.
For years, he had been unable to use his hind legs very well at all. But over the weekend they gave out completely and his kidneys were also failing him. We wish we hadn’t had to make this decision. No matter what anyone says, your pets become little family members. Then suddenly they’re gone and there is a big hole in your heart.
If you don’t already know this, I’ve been busting my butt to beat a severe depressive episode that began in June of 2011. I think it’s safe to say that I’m finally in the “safe” zone as I like to call it. It took me six long months and a lot (A LOT!) of medication and dosage changes to get me to a good, stable place.
For the past 18 years, I have used a combination of medication and therapy to pull me through these hard times. But I realized something last fall. After struggling with manic/depressive episodes for most of my life, maybe it’s going to take more than just those two things to stay well.
Last week, when I posted my first vlog, I received this anonymous comment:
When I first saw it, I was shocked. I quickly logged into my account and sent it to the trash. I’d like to say that I brushed it off and it didn’t affect me. But I promptly left work, drove to chick-fil-a and inhaled their waffle fries to make me feel better. So I may have been a little upset even though I didn’t know who this person was. That’s the world wide web for you. Sometimes the internet itself can be ugly.
I would have posted this sooner. Then I realized it took me twenty minutes to record all my answers. And since NOBODY wants to watch a 20 minute vlog I knew I would have to figure out how to edit a video.
I had no earthly idea how to do it. But I kinda sorta figured it out last night (yay for learning a new skill!). I made this in iMovie and although it’s a bit choppy it will have to do for now. You know, until I’m winning the Oscar equivalent for vlogging.
See that guy above? That’s Dave Ramsey. He’s the new man in my life. Or I should say OUR lives. Naaman and I took a leap of faith and enrolled in Financial Peace University.
We finally have a plan to get our finances in order. I am tired of being stressed about money and bills and the future. I am tired of worrying about what is in store for my boys’ futures. I am tired of working so hard and not being able to pursue our dreams. We want to control our money. Not having money controls us.
Last week I decided to do a craft with my kids. Something that would help them understand what it is to be grateful for the upcoming holidays. I got the idea for a Thanksgiving wreath from the Chica & Jo website. When I pinned it to pinterest I was like, yeah, whatever. I’m sure I won’t actually do it (Thanksgiving confession: I haven’t tackled a single pin since I started on that website). But I’m in a follow-through-with-stuff-mood right now.
I’m done having babies. At least for now I am. I had an IUD placed a couple weeks ago.
Truthfully, I don’t know how I feel about it.
Naaman and I have talked a lot about having a third child. Correction: I have talked a lot about it to him. I am confused at the feeling of wanting another child. No really, it leaves me quite baffled. I never thought I would want one child let alone three! But here I am with two beautiful sons feeling like someone is missing from the room. It is so strange. I want to take it as a sign.