Wednesday, June 05, 2019

Real/Art





L's backyard looks a bit like a Monet to me...

#RedCedarRiver #WalkingAdventure









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Tuesday, June 04, 2019

Overflowing


This doesn't even look like Michigan! I even thought that the the little log in the shadows looked like an alligator. All the rain has given the Red Cedar quite the overflow.

I'm having a tough time of it emotionally as well. At and I started watching When They See Us and my feelings are getting to a point where I feel very overwhelmed most of the day.

At DD's birthday lunch today, this came up (at the end after we properly celebrated) and she thought I might benefit from a coach rather than a therapist, because I have to get through this by figuring out what is within my control and learning strategies to cope with what I cannot control.

Anyway... onward, I guess.

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Monday, June 03, 2019

Baby Tragedy


L and I leaned in over the nest because we saw the bits of eggshell and thought the chicks had hatched, but we recoiled at the half made babies and the abandoned egg.

We talked about what to do, but couldn't come up with any real solutions.

It reminded me of all the baby cages on the border and all the foster kids in the system and how L and I and Big A and I and the kids and I and every single friend I have in this world and I talk and talk and talk and we write about it, and donate, and write our representatives but never really get close to resolution.

#Hopeless #WalkingThoughts #WakingThoughts





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Sunday, June 02, 2019

In the Jungle




The kids are outside, finally!

And in the two weeks we've been gone, things turned into a jungle out there.

I've been meaning to make paths and landscape for the two summers we've been here...

Maybe this year :)!




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Saturday, June 01, 2019

Surprise!




Wildflower bouquets from Nu are are my favorite!

My edgiest child has a super soft spot for me--the other day, she picked me a dandelion when she hopped out of the car to collect the mail.

[heart eyes]





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Friday, May 31, 2019

4F (Fun Friday Film Fest)


That thing that LB and Nu named where we hang out with friends of all ages and eat pizza and popcorn and candy (partly inspired by Sarah, but I don't have enough kids, so I borrow around) is back for the summer. We're finished up the Miyazaki boxed set... there may have been some dancing.



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Thursday, May 30, 2019

Some Books

MIL's book (illustrations by her, words by SIL when she was six) is out in print. I love it and we ordered a bunch to give to friends with kids. LMK, if you'd like a copy!











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Tuesday, May 28, 2019

A Big Day for the Babies

Nu had the Math M-Step to make up today since she postponed hers because of the trip. AND I mean SHE postponed it. We got back Thursday and the test was on Friday--she walked up to the counsellor's office and requested a postponement. "Were you upset?" I asked. "No, I just thought it would be better." I love that she is advocating for herself.

At had to be dropped off at the courthouse at 7 am, since he received a summons for jury duty. A big fan of Twelve Angry Men, he is super excited. He thinks it might be the big case about another sex abuse scandal at MSU. All the details check out. He spent the rest of his time there reading about how Twelve Angry Men is a good movie but bad jury behavior. Nerd.

I managed to juggle both important morning drop-offs. L had offered to take one of them when she and T came to dinner last night. I can do it, I said. And I did. I even jumpstarted the car myself to do so.

Big Whoop
Stonehenge 5/15/2019
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unpredictable

 For a few hours today, things seemed to be okay and I did normal things. Then Amma got sent back to the ICU. And... Big A who seemed to be ...