Almost March

Emerson turns 4 on the 15th. Being this is the last day of February, I'm compelled to stop slacking on planning her party. So I opened up my computer to do work and here I am, chatting with you.

Maybe I'll wait till March to start.

Update

I have had a large pimple on the tip of my nose for the better part of 2018. An accurate reflection of the status of my health this year thus far.

Last week I had surgery to release my frozen shoulder. At my consultation the surgeon was so confident about the procedure and the outcome. He said I'd have full range of motion by the next day with minimal recovery. Note to self, and to you, never trust a surgeon. BUT our moms came through in the crunch. Our consummate support professionals.

Emerson keeping me company and just catching me up on her day.

Anyway, each day I've gotten some strength back in my shoulder/arm. The range of motion will be a process but I'm excited to move forward.

Alas, life doesn't stop just because you do. We dedicated Landon, excavation began, we laughed - loud belly aching laughs (pre surgery) with dear friends, PT, school parties, Noe's lavish birthday tea party, and so on.

Life is good even when it's hard.

Also, these girls have been there from the beginning and will probably be there till the end too. WHY AM I EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS PHOTO.

And this is off topic but let me leave your heart with this as you close out your weekend and begin a new week. Maybe it will speak to one of you, as it did to me. 

"We betray who we really are in what we allow our tongues to speak; it's not enough just to control our words - we have to examine our hearts because 'out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.' So owning our words begins with governing our hearts, and governing our hearts requires humility. And humility, when it overflows is a beautiful thing.' - gracelaced 

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Backyard Build - Weekly Catch Up

 Last week we went from this

 to this

This week they'll be moving a sewer line and beginning excavation. 

Sidenote, I love this picture of Josh. This project has highlighted many of Josh's strengths - patient, persistent, thorough. When we complete this (perhaps I should say IF) it will be because of him.

Onward.

For Them. For Me. For Him.

I was tired this morning, and rightfully so, I told myself. I wasn't feeling well. Everyone needed to sit on my lap, at the same time. They both needed the same toy at the same time. Hungry, thirsty, want to play, read, hang on my neck. My patience was thin and I snapped not once, not twice, but maybe three times at my kids, and all before 9am.

Often on social media moms are extending grace to one another for some outburst or failure. And I love to see it, I truly do. But in this instance for myself, I didn't want to hide behind grace as a cover up for what I really needed to do, for who I really needed to be.

I read something online a few months ago that stayed with me. I copied it and taped it to my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder. This is what it says.

"Fight hard as hell to be the mother we want to embody. I know the type of mother my kids deserve, and I know the caliber of woman I am capable of claiming. I know they are worth every since ounce of this intricate battle, in order to leave behind a legacy of love..that will eventually be traced back to me."

Yes. For them. For me. For Him.

Oh S**t!

This has been the slowest process. Excruciatingly slow, slow. Much has happened and also nothing has happened.

BUT THEN LAST THURSDAY THE PERMIT WAS APPROVED AND YESTERDAY THIS. In the infamous words of Chip Gaines, Demo Day.

This was the preexisting garage looking back to the alley. The green overhang is the house on the other side of the alley.

View from the alley

Oh s**t!