{why is she hiding?} #sol18

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Why is she hiding? 

Last week she showed her glorious face 

on a day of sunshine and 70s. 

Then as quickly as she came, 

she was gone. 

And the tears of rain came 

pouring down, leaving hints of 

tiny, fresh buds on trees, 

sprouts emerging from the wet, brown dirt 

and a glimpse of renewal 

of new life, of hope. 

But then she turned her back

those tears turned cold

ice, freezing rain, sleet and 

now today snow. 

Blowing, blustery snow 

in the middle of April. 

The gray, snowy day fills 

my view out my window. 

And I ask again, 

"Why are you not ready 

to reveal yourself? 

What are you afraid of?"

I will continue to be patient 

because I know she will come 

again in all her glory. 

And, yes, I will close my eyes 

look heavenward and thank God above 

for this season of change. 

I will embrace and accept her 

when she decides to show her face

and arrive with a newness and

splendor of revival. It's time.

But, why, oh, why is she still hiding?

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I was surprised over the month of March during the challenge, I never wrote about the weather. Perhaps, because spring decided not to fully arrive to bring in the new growth and beauty. Yet, here I write about the weather in the middle of April, still wondering where spring is ...

{pie night} #sol18

Slice of Life is hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

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When I get a text that says: "I'm free for pie night! Check your calendar!" I know that it's been too long since we have gotten together. We used to all work together at the same building and saw each other every day, but over the last couple years, changes have occurred and we are in three different buildings. Yet, these are my people. My tribe.

And pie brings us together.

Two of my closest friends (and colleagues) and I meet up for pie night. Pie night sometimes includes dinner and sometimes it's just pie. All depends on our mood and the time we have away from our families.

Last night was pie night. We gathered for dinner and pie. It was two hours of talking, sharing life updates, gossiping about school, laughing, sharing photos, reminiscing, dreaming about the future ... and more laughing.

It's a fun evening out that I treasure. And I can't wait for the next pie night.

{shoe shopping} #sol18

Slice of Life is hosted at the Two Writing Teachers

Join in and share a slice of your life. 

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The girls love shoes. It's the shopping part of it that makes it difficult. When they were little, it was so easy to buy online. I found cute, reasonable, practical shoes. And I bought two pairs in a click.

Now, shoe shopping with almost eight year old twin girls has it's challenges. And they have strong opinions that usually differ as well. We bring our patience and try to have fun ...

They look for style. 
"What about this one? It's cute."
Wrinkled nose. Shake of the head. Nah.

They look for colors they like. 
"Oh, this has a little purple ... and blue."
Roll of the eyes. Nope. I don't like that one.

They look for comfortability.
"How does that one feel?"
Too big. I. Can't. Get. My. Foot. In. It's too humpy.

They look for the right size.
"We need this in a size 1 1/2 or 2."
"Sorry, we have a 13 or a 3."

After several stores and  trying on many different shoes and styles, Madison walked away proudly with a new pair of Chuck Taylor All Stars, but still needs a pair of "real" gym shoes. Peyton was lucky enough to find a cool, colorful, and comfortable pair of Adidas gym shoes, but still wants a fun, stylish pair of shoes. Just not Converse, those were too humpy. 

Their personalities are coming out in their shoes. 

{challenge complete} 31/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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I open my laptop. And I sigh. It's the last day of March and I think about what to write. There are no stories worthy of the "last slice," but today I share some thoughts at the end of this journey ...

This year the challenge was different. It was easier for me to write my slices of life -- about my every day, ordinary, small moments of life.  I wrote mostly about my girls. I wrote to capture memories that I knew I would soon forget. I wrote to share those stories with them.

In the past, I thought I never wrote for the comments. I thought I wrote for myself and the comments just came. I thought this was still true, but this year the commenting was different. I had my core visitors that I have connected with over the years (thank you!), but rarely anyone new. This surprises me as there were over 200 committed to the writing every day and I wonder why. I would have over 50 - 60 views of a post, but as little as 4 or 5 comments. Did I not connect with the reader? Did I link up at an odd time? Was the catch line not catchy enough? 

Sometimes I wonder if the community is too big. I started this challenge eight years ago with about 60 slicers. It was manageable to visit blogs several times throughout the month. You get to know each other and the styles of writing. I am happy to see the community grow and more teachers are writing, but I think about the impact and the challenges it brings. 

I did my fair share of visiting and commenting on at least 3 other slices, and usually I did way more than the expected. Yet, I still feel like I didn't do enough because most new blogs I visited had only one or two comments ... and some usually had none. Is everyone doing their fair share? Are all slicers visiting and commenting? Yes, the goal is to write every day, but the goal is also to support the other writers. Comments matter.

In years past, I was sad that March came to an end and I continued to write anyway. That habit of writing and creating and posting was alive. This year though I am relieved that the challenge is over. I don't have any more to give. With such a busy life, I try to participate without interrupting my daily life, but you know how that goes. I'm still going to take more photos and capture words and stories in my notebook. But that daily writing habit is just plain old tired and needs a break.

Yet, I will be back. I am closing the door on March with a sense of accomplishment and also with a sign that says: See you on Tuesday! Thank you for joining me on this journey!

{reflecting on my writing} 30/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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My birthday is over, but I am so thankful for all the birthday wishes and reflecting back on all that I believe in. I also love to reflect back on my year of writing. However, I rarely take the time to click through my own blog.

I have something even better.

You see, my parents give me the best gift of all: My slices and blog posts from each year published in my very own book. This week I received volume 13. Over 100 pages -- from January's first post {Sigh.} to my last post of 2017 in mid-November, my interview with my friend/educator/momma/writer Ruth Ayres. I guess I took a break from writing in December!

I took time yesterday, on my birthday, to read and ponder all the words and stories I created over the last year. I'm still amazed that I started this journey in 2011, when my baby girls were a mere nine months old. And in a month they will be 8 years old! I have captured many stories, not all, but so many stories that I will treasure and share with my daughters.

This amazing book also includes your words. Your comments, your words of encouragement, your opinions, your thoughts, your stories too.

Thank you for being a part of my life -- here, in my little corner of the world. Some of you live near, some of you live far, some of you I know in real life, some of you I have been lucky enough to meet, and some of you I will meet one day with a big hug ...

But ALL of you have a big heart for stories and connecting and supporting.

That's the foundation of this community that Ruth and Stacey created many years ago through Two Writing Teachers. I am still in awe that I get to be a part of something so amazing.

And there is still one more day to go in this March challenge. So, I encourage you today: Keep writing! Keep sharing your story! Keep being a part of this something amazing!

{birthday::believe} 29/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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Today is my birthday. Over the last (almost) eight years, I have celebrated with a list of some sort on this day. Today is no different. Today I write about 42 things I BELIEVE in -- my one little word for 2018. (In no particular order, just what came to mind ...)

I believe in ...

1. my God

2. my husband and his patience and love

3. my parents and family and all their love and support

4. my daughters and for who they are becoming

5. a few really good friends that I trust and adore

6. choosing kind, always
7. prayers
8. new adventures
9. experiencing life through my daughters' eyes
10. snuggles and kisses goodnight

11. all children, their future & for making this world a better place

12. hope, hope, hope

13. chocolate and the power it has to make me feel better

14. working out and growing stronger
15. drinking ice cold water

16. reading and writing
17. that both make us more compassionate humans
18. the power of words and stories

19. laughter

20. a cozy, safe home

21. a cleaning lady for a clean home

22. the smell of clean

23. sunshine and happiness

24. a new pillow and small decor
25. a fresh bouquet of flowers

26. singing praises

27. audio books

28. a really good night's sleep

29. saying yes (more than no) to my girls
30. manicures and pedicures

31. peace and quiet
32. learning and growing and reflecting
33. beauty that comes from the inside
34. power of puppies
35. unconditional love

36. being a light
37. encouraging others
38. immense patience
39. loving everyone, always
40. doing hard things (see above)

41. I believe in me and
42. I believe in you

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My previous SOLSC birthday lists ...

41: I missed due to being in Disney on my birthday!

40: ugh 40

39: For Me

38: Celebration of Me and Finding Joy

37: Things I'm Ever-so Thankful For

36: Birthday Wishes

35: Birthday Wishes ... Come True

{graphic novel readers} 28/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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My almost eight year old girls are swimming in the seas of graphic novels. They started with the popular "classics" of Smile and Sisters. I read these books years ago, but cannot recall the details of the content. I wonder if it's appropriate for second graders, but I understand that some things will just go over their heads. I decided I better reread these books, but also thought about introducing them to another graphic novel series I thought they would enjoy: Babymouse.

I brought home the first five books in the series and Peyton devoured three of them in two days. I agreed to bring home the rest of the series -- all 20 of them -- for spring break. She finds pockets of time to read and she told me tonight that she only has three books left to read in the series.

I teased her, "So, when someone asks you what you did over spring break, you can tell them you read all 20 books in the Babymouse series!"

"Yeah. I wonder what series I should read next," she pondered.

"Well, I also brought home the Bad Guys series and you started The Babysitter's Club graphic novel series too. You could also read something that is not a graphic novel ..." I suggested.

"Nah. I'm really liking graphic novels now," she stated matter-of-factly.

That's what I love to hear: A reader who knows what she wants to read and is already thinking about her next book.

{Right Now} 27/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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Right now I am:

::sitting in the family room watching over the puppy who is resting from her surgery yesterday

::hearing the laundry flip and turn in the dryer dreading the final buzzer

::planning a return trip down to the Science and Industry Museum tomorrow

::celebrating how easy the stories have come to me over the last 26 days

::wondering why now -- on day 27 -- I don't know what to write

::borrowing this slicing format from my friend Terje

::accepting her gift of words because it's just what I needed to get me through another day of writing!

Right now

{what if ...} 26/31 #sol18

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The March Slice of Life Story Challenge

hosted at the Two Writing Teachers.

Join us for a month of writing!

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"Mommy ... what if ..." Madison whispered to me yesterday morning as we were picking out clothes for church.

"What, honey?" I asked, wondering where her concern was coming from.

"Well, what if Harley has her surgery and she dies?" And this came with a flood of tears.

"Oh, come here," I whispered in her ear and hugged her close, "Harley is going to be just fine."

Our six month old puppy is going to the vet today to be spayed. We've talked about this appointment for weeks and tried to explain the surgery to the girls. I talked through the surgery again reassuring her that Harley will be okay.

"The vet has done this surgery many, many times. There is nothing to worry about. She'll be sleepy and sore when we pick her up and our job is to keep her calm," I pause. "How long have you been worried about this? Please, anytime you are worried about something, anything, please tell me. Okay?"

I shared this brief conversation with my husband as we made our way into church. He looked at me with worry too.

"What? You too?" I asked him. Apparently, he is also worried about his new baby and the recovery afterward.

All these worries. I guess we need more family meetings to talk and share our feelings. A worry that I wasn't worried about ...

Harley is going to be just fine.