Fighting Like a Girl

Tuesday, March 25

Saturday, March 22

The Gift of Music

An unexpected gift showed up at my apartment on Thursday afternoon. I was busy cleaning up the kitchen and preparing chili for dinner when an unexpected knock sounded on the front door. I answered the door, expecting it to be one of Jeremy's friends asking if he could come out to play. To my surprise, Mary was standing on my doorstep. I gave her a quizzical look and inquired as to what she was doing at our house, but she only smiled and asked me to move my van (which was parked directly in front of our townhouse) so that they could unload something. Confused, I glanced across the parking lot to where their truck was parked, and saw a piano tied securely in the bed of the truck. As reality sunk in, tears sprang instantly to my eyes. I have literally hungered for a piano since I left my parents house behind 8 years ago. We stored Mary and Russ's Clavinova for about a year while we lived in Utah, but other than that I have had only sporadic access to my favorite instrument. The worst has been since we moved to Cincinnati because I had become accustomed to being able to use the piano as my self therapy in Hyrum. Also for the four months that we lived in Dayton. Amongst all the stresses of life in the last four months, I have sorely missed having a way to release tension. I immediately and joyfully cleared a space large enough for the piano just inside the front door, and the instrument was barely in place before I had pulled a few of my favorite pieces of music out and sat down to play. I am so grateful that my thoughtful in-laws recognized a need, and when the opportunity came to take advantage of an unwanted instrument, they jumped on it in my name. The piano originally came from their small branch in Dayton when a newer instrument was purchased for the building, but I credit Mary and Russ with being thoughtful enough to claim it for me. In the long term I am considering teaching piano lessons, but until all the difficulties surrounding such an undertaking are resolved, I will simply enjoy being able to fill my home with music again. Because I know I will never be able to adequately express my appreciation to you, Mary and Russ, I offer these pitiful words: thank you. Thank you from the very, very bottom of a grateful heart. I love you.

Wednesday, March 19

Photo Proof

I've been asked when I'm going to post pictures of my new haircut, so here goes. It's a kind of 'come hither' look that I'm sporting here, it just kind of worked out that way. I love that it's easier to blow-dry in the morning, and I love the versatility of having much shorter hair. It doesn't weigh my head down as much, and I know it's going to feel great this summer when it gets muggy. Speaking of weather, there is much flooding going on here right now. It's been raining steadily for about the last 36 hours, and is slated to continue into this afternoon. Areas near here are flooded up to the license plates of vehicles, but so far we're okay here. I think it unlikely that our house would flood, but worry about some of the roads near us. All the same, we're headed to the grocery store today to pick up some essentials just in case. In other news, Ammon's childhood friend Peter is scheduled to fly into Columbus this evening for a visit. Ammon has the next five days off work, and we're all looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. We don't have much scheduled past a lot of board games and fun, but it should be a nice break from the humdrum schedule.

Tuesday, March 18

99 Balloons

This video was sent to me by my sister-in-law several days ago, but I didn't get around to watching it until this morning. Ammon warned me that I would need tissues, and he was absolutely correct. Grab several for yourself, and prepare to be touched.

99 Balloons

Monday, March 17

American Accent

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
Boston
The West
North Central
Philadelphia
The Northeast
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Huh. Whaddya know, I actually DO live in Southern Ohio!

Sunday, March 16

Brotherly Love

The other day my boys were sitting on the couch watching TV, and asked me to take a picture of them. I feel blessed to have captured such a beautiful memory, one that I'm sure would have quickly been forgotten without photographic proof. Lately I've felt very caught up in the day-to-day workings of having three small children. Brooklyn hasn't slept well for several weeks. She has gone back to waking up three or four times during the night, and only takes short cat-naps during the daylight hours most days. I've been feeling worn around the edges for a while now, and am struggling to figure out how to manage my household when I feel as though I rarely get a break. Unfortunately, it's usually the boys that end up getting shorted when my attention and time is limited, which is terribly unfortunate and unfair. I wish that there were at least two of me, one to take care of Brooklyn and the more mundane household tasks, and another 'me' that could take more time to play games with the kids and pursue other more enjoyable pastimes. Until I learn to clone myself, I will struggle to fit everything into the hours that I have been given. I need practice remembering how truly blessed I am. We have so much to be grateful for, more than seems fair, really. We have health, resources, and a love that goes far beyond anything that can be described with mere words. Our children are beautiful, healthy, and caring toward one another. My relationship with my spouse is something beautiful and pure, something to be cherished every day for the rest of eternity. Really, what are a few missed naps and sleepless nights when compared to the blessings that I enjoy? Why should I fret about having to spend hours every day holding and comforting a fussy baby? I know people who would give almost anything to have a baby to hold and soothe, and to hold close during the long hours of the night. I know parents whose children are grown, and ache to go back to the days when children's toys litter the living room floor, and chicken nuggets are normal fare. I am grateful for the days of peanut butter kisses, smeared fingerprints on the windows, and early morning wake-ups. I'm thankful for sweet smelling hair after a bath, and chubby thighs to be kissed during a diaper change. I'm grateful for tickles, cuddles, and hugs that make even the darkest day seem brighter. Today, I'm grateful to be the Mom of three children who possess unlimited potential, unmatched potential for love and greatness, and affection with each other that warms my heart. I'm grateful for life.

Monday, March 10

The Chop

I'm headed out in a few minutes to get my hair cut again. I've tried and tried to set up a badly-needed haircut several times in the last few weeks, with no success. Either money problems, illness, or lack of time has foiled me from getting my tresses near any scissors. My hair at this point has spent the last two weeks being tied up and out of my face, because I can't stand having the dead and split ends brushing against my skin. I'm planning to drastically cut it today, and unless I chicken out at the last minute, will have several less inches to worry about by this evening. Ammon sent me an email from work today pleading with me not to chop it all off, but I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to heed his request this time. Our massive snowfall over the weekend is already beginning to melt, and it's a balmy 40 degrees outside, much warmer than it has been since last Monday. It's starting to feel like spring might actually come to Cincinnati, and I want to meet it with a new, fresh look.