New Blog

I've created a new blog, and we've gone private. If you haven't received an invite and would like to continue viewing our blog, please email me or leave a comment with your email address.

Our new blog address: http://fortheloveofgross.blogspot.com

Pardon Me

As I "disconnect" to re-connect. Right now our family is making an extra effort to disconnect from the world in order to re-connect as a family. Haven't been spending much time on the computer as a result, and I don't plan on spending much time on the computer** in the future. We'll see about blogging. I think the time to go private on our blog is imminent. Please send your email address to me (suedongross[at]yahoo[dot]com) if you would like to continue following our blog once it is private.

Because there is NOTHING more worthwhile than this. Right here.

Meanwhile, we are REALLY enjoying the added positivity in our home.

Hope this post finds you all well!

**If we were "friends" on facebook: I have deleted my account, but would LOVE to keep in touch. Please email me, give me a blog address if you have one, etc., so we can remain in contact.

Ellie's Handwriting

{Almost 4 1/2 yrs.}

LAGOON!!

We surprised the kids with a trip to Lagoon last weekend. They've been asking to go since we went last summer. They were so excited when we realized where we were! We had so much fun -- I am pretty sure they rode every single ride they were big enough for (at least once). Poor Ellie wanted to ride the big roller coasters SO badly; unfortunately, I think it will be a few years before she's tall enough! If only her height matched her courage.

I was so proud of Ronan -- he went on everything, even though he was pretty nervous on everything. He cried on a ride, and when they got off he decided he was SURE he wanted to go again with his sister. So he got right back on, and he cried the entire time again. It was pretty sad, but we couldn't help but chuckle. I was glad he wanted to give it another try!

Even Ahri had a nice day! (Well, she mostly slept in the Ergo, but was very happy to have some time to stretch and play on the blanket for a while!)

(Ronan even rode the kid roller coaster!)

It was such a fun family day.

Recently

Sweet sisters LOVE to hang out together.

A beautiful day at Strawberry Reservoir, fishing, catching crawdads, flying kites, running,

playing and enjoying each other with our cousins

Stone and Bridger, and Aunt Carrie and Uncle Jake.

Ellie captured this shot of me wearing Ahri,

just getting home from our daily trek to pick up Ellie from school.

Fun day at the aviary with Sam, Stone and Bridger.

Boy, this kid can CRUISE on that trike!

Reflections on Gratitude and Cleaning Up

Sometimes, in the very early morning before there is any hint of light yet, I lay in bed while Ahri nurses (usually for the first time since I laid her down for the night) and Ronan climbs in and snuggles up on my other side and gently falls back to sleep. As I look at their peaceful, sleeping faces and listen to their soft breathing, feel their young, supple skin, I am left to marvel at the surreal-ness of it all, to bask in the beauty emanating from these perfect, innocent beings. How could I be so lucky? These magnificent little people came FROM me, are a part of me -- I am forever bound to these wonderful children, who will one day grow into adults.

I am so thankful for these quiet moments before the day begins, because all too quickly everyone is up and life gets busy for the day again. It is so nice to have a quiet moment to reflect on just how special my three children are to me, and their significance in my life and their limitless potential to have a positive impact this world.

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The other day when Ellie was blessing our dinner, she mentioned how thankful she is that "our daddy can go to work, even though our hearts cry when he is gone," and that, "we are so thankful that we have everything we need" (among a detailed list of things she's thankful for, including: toys, refrigerator, each other, and mama making yummy dinner for us).

I am so proud of her -- she is so thoughtful.

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I found that I slowly slipped into apathy during my pregnancy with Ahri. I was so tired, and sick, and feeling a bit overwhelmed I started to let things slide. Recently I realized just how much I have been slacking and decided it was time for me to start cleaning up our home life. For instance:

*TV: I never envisioned my children watching any TV -- I don't feel like it is healthy for adults, let alone children. (There are so many healthy, constructive things to do in a day.) I realized the other day how horrible our TV habits had gotten. My children were watching TV (only ever PBS Kids, but still...) EVERY day! Sometimes one half-hour show, sometimes several. I found it way too easy to let the TV entertain my kids. Yikes! Time to cut that out. We're back to only watching a little on the weekend for a treat.

*cold cereal: I don't buy sugar cereals, but even so -- cold cereal has never been "breakfast" in our house, always just a snack. Ellie LOVES cold cereal, and for a long time she has been allowed to eat it for breakfast on the weekend, if she chooses. Recently I realized that more and more Ellie has been eating cold cereal for breakfast regardless of the day. Oops. (Never have had a problem with Ronan. His favorite breakfast in the world is a huge bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and yogurt mixed in.)

*impatience: Much to my shame I've been increasingly impatient with my kids over the last year. There is no excuse (well, I've had lots of excuses, but none are valid ;). It is my determination every day when I wake up to not lose my patience with my sweet children; they deserve all the patience and love in this world. Instead of losing my patience, I've been trading it for loves. It makes for a much more peaceful, content household.

It is simply amazing to me how SMALL changes can make such a HUGE difference in the way we all feel.

Plastic Be Gone!

The more I read and learn, the more plastic scares me. So excited to be replacing all of our plastic storage containers with glass. I feel so much better about eliminating plastic in our household, one step at a time. That goes for the microwave too. If you are ever up for some extra reading, Google the effects microwaves have on your food. Yikes. We never really used our microwave much, but now it serves the exclusive purpose of a night light. Will never be using a microwave again. Period. Just some "food for thought" (haha!!).