Too Busy to Blog

Dear Readers,

I apologize that I have been neglecting you so much of late. You see, between feeding Margaret 8-10 times a day, making sure that Bronwen is always in sight, keeping my boys from getting "so bored," and attempting to nap any chance I get, I have pretty much filled all my time. Add to those things that mentally I am busy thinking about and planning the new school year, pondering changing my life when it comes to healthy habits, and plotting household projects that I want done as soon as possible, and perhaps you can understand why reading and writing blog posts is barely on my radar right now.

However, I do miss this little creative outlet and the interaction it stimulates with all of you. As I mentioned a few posts ago, I have a giveaway coming up that I am really excited about as well. So this isn't meant to be any sort of long-term hiatus. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a little Best of Relishing Motherhood.

• The recipe you need the most (and the one that I've gotten the most positive feedback on from my readers.)
• The post in which you get to laugh out loud at my expense
• The most-commented on post (also my 100th post, in which I beg pathetically for comments:-)
• The post in which I preach the doctrine of nurturing through food
• The post in which I sing the praises of a new fridge
  
• The post in which I bid farewell to a beloved friend
• The post in which I attempt to sell my childhood home (now sold)
  
• A post I wrote this week last year
• A post I wrote this week two years ago
• A funny post about Kimball
• A funny post about Henry
• A funny post about Ian
• A funny post about Bronwen
• And of course, if you have lots of time, you can read all about Evan and Tamara and 31 Dates in 31 Days. (hint: start at the bottom of the page, as the posts are in reverse chronological order.)
  

Have fun reading and feel free to leave me comments on any posts you read. I promise it will get me blogging again sooner.:)

Wordless Wednesday

Good Things in the Mail

While I was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago (yes, I am behind on my blogging. Averaging 3 1/2 hours of sleep at night really motivates you to nap instead of blog during the day), I got a few things in the mail that I am very excited about.


The first is a baby carrying-pouch sling from Dittany Baby. Even though this is my 5th baby, I've never had a pouch or wrap before. I have used a Baby Bjorn from time to time, but it is really a pain to take on and off and your baby needs to hold their head up before you can use it. Not so with this goodie. I've already used it a few times in the past week to hold Margaret when I needed to multi-task. I plan on writing a review in the next week or so after I've used it more, and when I do there will be a giveaway of some of DB's products, so be sure to check back in. And go check out Dittany Baby's other great items, including some GORGEOUS tights, skid pants (leg warmers), and car seat blankets, and more.


I also received a letter in the mail from Dreyers, informing me that I won an essay contest that I entered to have a block ice-cream party (a Neighborhood Salute, they're calling it) for 100 people in my neighborhood this summer! They are sending out a big box full of party supplies including decorations, invitations, yard signs, etc, and enough Dreyer's Slow Churned ice cream to feed 100 people! I squealed with delight. I'll blog about it later--our party is scheduled for Labor Day weekend-- but this is a contest that has been going on for years, so you should be sure to enter next year and win won for your own neighborhood.

Last but not least, my birthday present arrived.


You may already know what a fan I am of the Bosch mixers. Last fall, my mini Bosch bit the dust and I replaced it with a 20 year old Craigslist model. Then, a few months ago, that mixer, too, gave up the ghost. When my birthday rolled around, we decided it was time for us to take the plunge and actually buy the machine we really wanted and would happily use for the next 20-40 years. Hooray!

Unfortunately, since I had major surgery on my birthday and brought a new baby home shortly thereafter, I have not had the opportunity to use this already beloved and much anticipated machine. But I am going to bake bread again this week if that's the only thing my family eats one day for dinner. I'm sick and tired of Orowheat!

Have you gotten anything good in the mail lately?

Overheard At Our House

Kimball: Mom, was Dad skinny when he was younger?

Me: Not really skinny--why do you ask?

Kimball: Because I know I didn't get my skinniness from you.

Just what a post-partum mommy needs to hear to keep her spirits up and make her want to go out in public!

Lessons and Gratitude

We had an experience this weekend that reminded me to really savor this time I have with my children and to show them more love and tenderness. I was also reminded how constantly vigilant I need to be about their safety. Our sweet little Bronwen came very close to drowning and I can't stop thinking about how different everything might be if Henry hadn't seen her when he did. I am so indescribably grateful to Heavenly Father for sparing her life. I know that others have had to endure different outcomes and we don't always know why some are spared and some are taken, but I cannot deny that she was spared because of His tender mercies.

We have all been squeezing her a bit tighter in the past 24 hours, shuddering when we allow ourselves to contemplate what might have been or reliving those harrowing moments when we weren't sure what the outcome would be. I have never had a more awful feeling in my life, and I have had some terribly painful moments before this.

I wasn't sure if I was going to share this or not, partly because it is so horrible that I don't really want to talk about it, but I decided to because I wanted to share what I'm taking away from it with you. Please, please, please don't take your children for granted and this time you have with them. My kids have been pretty challenging in the past two weeks since I had Margaret-- and even though I knew it was because they lacked a routine or anything like normalcy, I have had a hard time being patient with them. I know that it's natural for kids to get under your skin, but I am just so grateful to have them that I found myself today having a greater capacity to be calm and to show tenderness inspite of my fatigue.

We have also been too casual about our kids in the pool. The boys are strong swimmers and Bronwen is a pro in her waterwings, paddling all over the pool. If we are near the pool and they are in, I don't have my eyes on them all the time. But this time, Bronwen got out, took off her waterwings, and then wandered back over and went into the pool because she saw a ladybug. No one noticed her take them off. No one saw her get back in. No one saw or heard her go under. You can bet that I will be sitting at the edge of the pool (if not in it) from now on with my eyes on any non-swimmers more vigilantly than I have in the past. The risks are too great. So please be very very very careful.

My little Meg is crying now for her late-night supper and I'm off to fatten her up. Go kiss your kids and say a prayer of gratitude for them. I know I will.

Wordless Wednesday-- Homecoming