Extreme Adventures in Motherhood (and life and knitting and photography and trying to keep a house with 3 boys from smelling like a locker room!)

Skipping church to see a Harlot?

Nope, not me. Didn’t do it. I may have THOUGHT about it, but I didn’t do it.

Went to church FIRST. (Which was a phenomenal worship experience)

Then went to see The Harlot.

Much better.

The Yarn Harlot that is. If I am freak and an addict when it comes to knitting- then she is the QUEEN. (as long as there is someone worse than me- I’m fine, right?) She writes books about knitting. She blogs, about knitting. And yes, She actually does knit.

There was no actual “Harlotry” in the making of this blog entry, so please don’t worry about me. She is a humorist and her name? Is Stephanie Pearl -McPhee. AKA : The Yarn Harlot.

I joined over 200 other knitters at the Ann Arbor Library, where The Harlot beguiled us with “yarns” of knitting, not telling us HOW to knit, but talking about the fun of it. The people of knit, and the people who don’t get “knit”.

In the pic above- you see Mrs Harlot herself holding my completed “hedera” sock (mine is the sock on the left;) finished while waiting for the book signing) if you want to know about the sock picture thing- well- click over to her site and read about it;)

Interesting things happen at Knitting book-signings:

1) Estrogen, when concentrated in a super heated room, can be palpitated. It was mainly a female audience. Estrogen levels peaked at an all time high in the Library.

2) At a Knitting book signing, people you don’t know, may fondle your knits. Be careful if you choose to WEAR them. (I DID. Can you say boundaries? Though- its also true, most will ask before they pet your silk shawl… besides- they liked it;)

3) People at knitting book signings take interesting pictures. They hold half knit socks, into the frame & they photograph other people’s knitting. One woman asked to take a picture of MY shawl. (hello? I’m NOBODY… but it was sweet- so I let her;)

4) People at knitting book signings know they are somewhat crazed, and they are FINE with that, it’s the rest of the world who has the “issues”. (Hmmmmm yes- that’s crazy, I get that;)

5) Nobody at a Knitting Book signing even bothers to try to act “cool” please, it’s about KNITTING. Duh.

So that’s my story- and I’m stickin to it.

BTW- please note- My sock is bigger than the Harlot’s sock;) Just sayin.

Below- a shot of the knitter lining up for the signing- (umm it started as a LINE but ended more of a spiral as women snaked around the room- though most were kept civil, by knitting)

I think the guy below had a full head
of hair when he arrived-must a been the estrogen;)

See- It’s not just ME: blurry pic;)

Christian Women Online Team Blog- is where you’ll find my post today!

See you there!

Mom was making milkshakes on that hot afternoon. Dad? He and the little guy had just come in from playing soccer. Nickjr.com was loading on Daddys laptop they were about to play ridiculous internet games…..then “IT” happened.

Noah started to do his happy dance (he’s ALWAYS dancing) just as he spun into the kitchen, his head met the corner of the cabinet, the cabinet was not dancing.

There was the heartstopping “thud” that causes moms to hold their breath and wait for the cry, then run to evaluate the damage.

Noah is the third boy, we don’t panic when it comes to bloody head wounds. “They always bleed alot.” (How many times have I heard that? More than I care to remember.) This one was perfectly shaped like the corner of the cabinet, and deep-so after cold compression to stop the bleeding- and a sip of his vanilla shake-for strength, (ummm Mom and Noah both needed a sip:) We headed out to the Urgent Care Center.

That’s where I became forever indebted to Dermabond.

I do not “do” needles well. I tend to faint. And I cry. When it comes to stitches- that’s Daddy’s arena. He’s the strong loving “holder” and attention diverter- while mommy tries not to cry and make it worse. However-this gash proved to be treatable with Dermabond.

Instead of the classic tag team, wrestle and suture match between preschooler, parent and Doctor, where the result is a full grown (very full grown in our case) Daddy’s pinning a preschooler to the mat and holding him down for however long it takes the Doctor to sew up the damage. This time, the nurse asked distracting questions- the Doctor broke out the Super Glue and Dad helped where needed. Mom was safely within view, at the foot of the bed- where she would not passout, and where here tears wouldn’t be noticed. Whew.

WOW. What a difference a decade or so makes! The trauma was minimized. Noah is good to go.

Mom, however? She needs a good cup of coffee, a bit of mindless knitting and maybe a nap. Or a Napoleon Dynamite type stupid yet funny movie. Dad will recover when Mom does.

Good thing dinner was already in the crock pot!

This was after spending last night driving back and forth to DH’s stranded dead car- arranging for a tow, and then being hit with nearly $1000 tab for a repair that won’t be ready until later this week.

My vacation? It will be in the form of a fuel pump for the Aurora. Grand.

Some days are just like this. There is blood, tears, chaos and unexpected junk.

But- I’m thankful.
I’m thankful we have insurance to cover the Doctor.
I’m THANKFUL for Dermabond. (It’s a magical wonder if you ask me!… although when I see the bill and they charge me $500 or something ridiculous for super glueing his head- we’ll see how I feel…;)
I’m thankful for DH’s job- that will (eventually) pay off all this mess.
I’m thankful for having 2 cars. (We can still do what we need to without Dad’s car)
I’m thankful that DH was here when this injury occured. I hate doing this stuff by myself.
I’m thankful the big boys are old enough to be left at home when a run to the emergency room is necessary..(arranging care for the non-injured was such a hassle- when they were younger)
I’m thankful…….well- I’m just thankful, that regardless of what kind of chaos, calamity or trauma we face- God is with us—- I would NOT want to go through this “extreme mothering” thing without Him!

Dear Lord- I love you- I thank you for my Guys- and for being with us today, I thank you for your provision, and your tender loving care, I pray that you’d continue to heal Noah’s head, and help us all to get some rest- I love you Lord- Amen!

Since I was dragging yarn around the mall on my “Girls Night Out” Last night… I suppose the answer would be . YES;)

I suppose I have avoided posting knitting content, for 2 reasons.

1) Because I am in a knitting Quandry.

2) Because I have sunk to a new knit-addictive low- (or high-based on your perspective;)

Let me explain:

First the quandry. In the pic you can see a lovely (if I do say so myself) sock- in Claudia’s Handpaint- Ingrid’s Blues Colorway. The yarn is SOFT, the colors- perfect beach sky sand and water colors…. doesn’t seem like a dilemma, or problem, does it?

Look CLOSELY. Please note the mismatched needles.

I think these socks are doomed. I first Broke a US #1 Lantern Moon needle. I happily found a Pattern that calls for 4 needles- The Hedera Pattern , I thought I had averted a problem…. started knitting away- when I LOST Needle #4. I replaced it with another wood needle- but it’s a bit short- so I’m having trouble keeping the stitches on.

Fine. I’m a trooper- I can conquer this challenge. I keep going, then I try on the sock- and it’s longer than I prefer…. but I figure— It’s ok- I can deal with it….. until I notice that the ball of pretty yarn is NO WHERE Near enough to complete the SOCK.

Disgusted. I put it in the knitting bag- in time out. I’ll start another sock on matching needles from the other ball of yarn before I frog that one. I HATE ripping out work. Such a waste.

Question? Hmmmmm for the LIFE of ME I cannot decide how to rip this sock out. I will probably start from the outside of the ball- put it on the winder- then work to the center and pull from the sock. PITB (Pain in the putt) If you have a beeter suggestion for frogging—- let me know.

Next reason (excuse) for not posting knitting content? See the pretty knit swirl objects? Yes- they are DISHCLOTHS. (Washclothes, actually) I cannot even believe I have knit them. I am a bargain mavin- and am totally aware that I can buy dishclothes and washclothes at the DOLLAR STORE…. but aren’t these cute? All Pinwheelie and prettiful???????

Told you- another level of knitting addiction. ;) (Actually- these are all gifts- they’ll be wrapped around bath bombs and presented with love…. so THERE! ;)

In the Pic is a quick pair of Sassy Stripes Sockies….. Easy and cute.

And On the wheel- I’m still spinning the natural colored Alpaca. Pretty and soft- but I’m slow at spinning the slippery fibers. I have something special planned for it when it’s done though!

So that’s my confession—–Yes I’m knitting…

Oh… and don’t ask about my Amazing Lace Project— i’m afraid of the BORDER, so I’m practicing AVOIDANCE.

This is a ridiculous post. Be forewarned.

Noah changed his “pull-up”- looked at the contents- then happily exclaimed:

“Look, Mommy! I Pooped a Panda! “

I looked and, why, yes- it DID resemble a Panda. Vaguely.

(BTW this did lead into yet another conversation about big boys who can recognize panda’s in their poo, should certainly be using the potty)

In answer to your questions, in advance:

1) No, I did not photograph, said “poo”. (My DH’s first question)

2) Yes, I make him change his own pull-up. He’s plenty big enough.

3) Yes, I’ve read countless potty training books, and have tried everything ;)

PS does anyone have an inside line on what colleges accept students in “pull-ups” ‘Cause I’m starting to wonder……

Knitting update will be posted later;)

Our job as parents, regardless of our childs’ ages, is not just to keep them safe from the world, but to train them how to live, in the world, enjoying God’s creation, and living to the full, lives that honor God.

Dear Lord- I thank you for my guys, I pray that you’d give us wisdom, in our parenting choices, that we’d be training them, in the way THEY should go, not necessarily the way we would, I pray that I can always see where my fun-noodle rules are, and adjust them. I love you Lord- and thank you for each of my boys- amen.

***FYI- there is a new post at Missional Mom-****click over to view

I wanna be Tired. In the good way.

Do you know what I mean? Sometimes we’re tired in a not-so pleasant way. We’re exhausted because of worry, stress, work and life. That’s not the kind of tired I’m talking about. I mean tired in the good way.

The- “I’ve been playing in the sunshine and fresh air all day- and now I’m sleeping like a rock, way” that children experience. Like Noah- here:

Camping. Sunshine. Fun. Family. Friends.

Playing hard. Working hard. (if putting stuff in the hamper and sweeping out the camper is work;)

It’ll wipe you out.

It’s funny how a little time in the sun and fresh air can help you to rest and relax. To sleep like a baby. But, it is so true.

By the end of each day, he was wiped out. Sleeping like… well, he was sleeping like a baby;)

So were the rest of us, but ,as I tend to drool when I sleep, there won’t be any pictures of me! I’m not as cute as Mr Noah. While we were gone, I would lie down, and tell my DH… “I’m exhausted, from doing NOTHING!” The truth is, I had been doing A LOT.

Being together, talking, laughing, praying, studying, listening, playing, working (well- a LITTLE) wondering, enjoying just BEING. It all wiped me out.;) In the good way.

The MOPS Theme this year comes from John 10:7-10- The focus is on living a “Full LIFE”. Fresh air, Breathing Deeply.

John 10:7-10
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “

While going thru my pictures of the trip, I realized that an example of evidence of a “full life” can be found in the picture of Noah. To me it represents living well, and fully. So fully, that when your head hits the pillow- you rest. I want my life with GOD to be lived that fully.

I don’t mean living on vacation (though- that would be nice too;) I mean living a life so full of God, of living in the Son-light that I plop my head on the pillow at night, exhausted, in the “good way”. I want to play in His creation, do the work He has for me, with all my heart, and love with the love He gives to me. Till, I’m plumb tuckered out;)

For Noah this happens when he plays outside. What about me? What about you?

What are the things that have that effect on us?

Here is my short list:
1) time to read, study-pray, worship and LISTEN. That for me- is playing in the SONSHINE.
2) time outside. There is something about God’s creation that re-charges me.
3) doing the things God has for me. Whatever that may be. Sometimes big- sometimes small, but there is something about knowing what I am to do, and doing it.
4) time loving and being loved. There is something about being with my “Peeps” that just feels like living fully. I think it’s the sense of connection- the sense of being part of a complete Body- instead of being a PART of a body- cut off from the whole.

How bout you? What does your list look like?

Post em in the comments;)

Dear Lord- I pray tat I could learn to live fully- in your presence, at all times, that I would not wait for vacations or projects or scheduled times, but that each breath that I take would be breathing deeply of You and your Spirit, that each exhale would be breathing out to others the same Spirit. that I would live fully and be fully filled- I love you Lord- amen
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This is where I was:

I am now home. I love HOME. But- I gotta admit, returning home afer vacation, feels a bit like a re-entry burn, for the “Discovery Shuttle”.

The Camping trip was wonderful. Just enough rain to visit “Cereal City” (wouldn’t invest a SUNNY dau in it, but didn’t want to miss Tony The Tiger)

A beautiful beach, friends and family.

A Moonlit Luau, campfires, and “Guitar Hero” outdoors. (though, I have yet to decide if it shoud ever be played in public….it’s amazing how COOL adult men think they look, while playing a plastic guitar. We shall not mention the woman in my home who plays “I Love Rock N Roll” Yes, its a loser song but it’s MINE!)

Time to read, time to knit, time to laugh, time to just SIT.

And then, it was over. WAY TOO SOON.

And so- the Burn began.

I’ve posted about the “re-entry burn” over on the Christian Women Online Blog… please click over and have a read!

More tomorrow!

ps….. tee hee I LOOK like I am knitting on the float, but, alas, I am not- I believe I was adjusting my headband;)