Spring Fever

Every year, Mother Nature decides to reward teachers and students with a beautiful and unexpectedly warm weather day sometime during the week of Spring Break.  A blue sky, plenty of sunshine, and above average temperatures to invite us outdoors and get us that much more excited for summertime. 

And this year, well, she was out to impress.

This Spring Break week has not only provided blue skies, plenty of sunshine, and above average temps., but a week of record breaking temps.  Shorts, t-shirts, walk-around-barefoot-turn-the-furnace-off-and-sleep-with-the-windows-open temps.  I don't remember a March this warm for this many days in a row, and it's starting to feel like June instead of March.

I'm not sure what I'm enjoying more --- the weather, or the week away from the toxicity of school right now.  I didn't even realize the extent of how much of my life was consumed by the uncertainty of my job status until I had a chance to step away from the environment for a week.  It's truly been a vacation --- a chance to let it all go for a week and focus on my family, my house, and the simplicity of everyday life.

It seems we've went non-stop this week, yet, we've filled our days with the 'non-stop' that leaves you replenished and relaxed instead of stressed and spent.  My Spring Break has included afternoons in the sun with one happy boy, that is, until a motorcycle or neighbor's yellow lab comes barreling down our street (insert frightened shriek and hang-on-for-dear-life-excuse-to-cuddle-moment).  My Spring Break has included lazy mornings in pajamas, blue plastic playground slides, vinegar solution on windows, and evening baths to soak dirty feet.  My Spring Break has included easy, content, and the calm assurance that everything will be okay.  

What else has this glorious Spring Break included???

...the park!  Last year, we'd stroll by the park and I'd dream of a rough and tumbling little bruiser running through the park.  And this year, I'm sure I'll dream of a sweet little immovable baby sitting on a blanket!  Cruz loved the park, so much that we visited three different ones in three days.  Although the slide and the swings were definitely his favorite part, he also enjoyed staring in awe at the 'big kids' showing him the ropes.

I hope I never forget his reaction during our first trip.  He was so excited, so in awe, that he'd move from one thing to the next, smiling from ear to ear, and letting out this sort of low-pitched 'ah-ha-ha' as if he'd just found his own little slice of heaven.  And I tell you what --- there's nothing better than seeing your babies that happy.   

The next day, Beau couldn't resist the two of us home without him, and decided to take the entire day off to be with us.  We made sure to make good use of every minute of it.  It began with breakfast at our favorite hometown cafe, Newton's, followed by a morning for Cruz to show Dad his moves at the park.

We slid down the slide,

 

 

...tried out the swings,

...and mostly stared at all the other kids playing.

 

(maybe they'll play with me if I make my fish face...)

We picnicked.  Popped a squat at George Wyth with some cheese and crackers, fresh berries, and our favorites from local food market, Sweet Basil Market, and munched, lounged, and enjoyed each others' company.  I love picnics, and after seven years of convincing my husband that summer food is best enjoyed from a quilt in the grass, I think he's finally coming around.  I guess it doesn't hurt that he now has a little miniature to keep him entertained ;)

 

Forrest Gump, anyone?

...and we walked.  Decided on a whim to leave the car parked at George Wyth and walk the three miles back to our neighborhood.  Cruz got in his afternoon nap, Beau and I talked like old times, and my white arms basked in the afternoon sun. 

...our night ended with pork and roasted red pepper kabobs on the Big Green Egg, compliments of Stonewall Kitchen's Roasted Apple Grille Sauce. 

  
...and who could forget our post-bath walks at dusk.  The perfect night cap before bedtime.  

And last but not least, a long (and yes, I admit), overdue haircut.  By dad, on the deck, sitting on mom's lap with a bath towel draped around his cute little neck.  He did much better this time, and although I was close to tears at first, shrieking at the sight of the long locks falling to the deck floor, I got over it when I saw how handsome he looks....

The 'before' shot...

And the 'after'...I can't believe how grown up he looks!

Lots of fun coming this weekend.  Who doesn't love some March Madness, St. Patty's Day, and 70 degree weather?!  

Holy, Seventeen!

Yesterday, our little sprout turned seventeen months, not so little anymore!  He's continuing to develop his budding personality and continues to reveal the boy in him every day.  There's nothing delicate about Cruz, and I find myself asking 'are all kids this busy?' on a routine basis!  With every toy I pick up and mess I clean up, the laughter and love this boy brings to our life is worth every back bend :)

At seventeen months, Cruz B...

  
-LOVES Elmo.  He refers to Sesame Street in general as 'Mee-mo,' and requests it from his crib every morning.  We've set a series recording for the show so we always have them on hand.  And now, instead of the daily news, we get a daily dose of Big Bird.
-also loves boxes, especially when they're big enough to sit in.  Laundry baskets, wicker baskets, and diaper boxes are awesome because they're not only big enough to hold Cruz, but his juice, his blankie, and an entire set of duplos.  
-can 'roar' like a lion and 'meow' like a kitty.
-has his 'b' sound down pat.  'Birds' (for 'Angry Birds'), 'Book,' 'Bath,' 'Ball,' and 'Bubbles' are my favorties.  
-got four new teeth this month, and seemed to have a cold symptoms through most of it.  Those 'i' teeth aren't fun.  
-says 'all done' and 'up'
-loves going outside.  The world is his playground.
-loves kitchen utensils and bowls. 
-likes to test us.  This can be funny at times, and quite frustrating at others.  Take the last two baths for instance...he likes to stand up in the tub and give us this mischievous little grin, just waiting for us to ask him to stop so he can do it all over again.   
-has officially moved into size 18-24 months.  He's a heavy weight. 
-loves to read books and play in his toy room.
-THROWS his food.  Only the kinds he doesn't like, which amounts to just about everything we give him lately, minus string cheese, cereal, and every fruit under the sun.  
-gives the best kisses and bear hugs, per request.  
-knows just what to do when you give him a cell phone.  He has make believe phone conversations (and a few real ones with Grandma and Daddy), and knows how to find, click, and slide the screen to find Angry Birds. 

-is still a snuggle bug, which makes this mama very happy.

   
We love you, CB!  Looking forward to a week of seventies to celebrate seventeen!

       

Springing Ahead with Balance

Tonight is the Sunday evening before my Spring Break week starts, and while I should be more than ready for a week off from school now than ever before, I feel more on edge tonight than I should.  This inevitably happens to me before any kind of break from school.  While my husband thinks a break of this nature equates with no worry, no schedule, and nothing to do, a break for me becomes riddled with expectations of what I should do to make it something.  I drive myself crazy with all these thoughts on what I can accomplish - what I can clean, sort, bake, make, read, do, wear, buy, and photograph.  And before Cruz, I did just that.  I filled my days with new house projects and new recipes, cleaned windows with vinegar and newspaper, and made sure the table was set, candles were lit, and wine was poured just in time for Beau to walk through the door and croon - 

Honey, I'm home...

(funny how the past always seems easier when you're in the present).

A part of me blames the internet for these expectations.  The world of Pinterest and the mom blogosphere are chock-full of just enough ideas and picture perfect images to make you feel completely overwhelmed and disgusted at your inability to hold it all together and look cute while doing it.  It's the world where I feel like a bad mom because I don't have 'busy bags' of fun, homemade projects for Cruz every day of the week, or well-balanced, organic meals for him to eat, or a clean-house-skinny-vanilla-latte-size-two-yoga-pants-kind-of-life.  Because lately, Elmo and string cheese are about as well-balanced as it gets around here.  

So tonight, as I make my Spring Break list and fill it with things like 'Make Lucky Charms Cupcakes,' and 'Figure Out How to Start a Garden,' I pray for balance.  I pray for a week to rejuvenate and de-stress from what's been four weeks of major stress.  I pray for the energy to accomplish some things on my list, and more importantly, the power to forget the list and soak up my little one.  Most of all, I pray for more play than work, more laughter than worry, and more sun than clouds.   

Today, I had an opportunity to practice this art of balance.  Since Spring Break usually calls me to complete some hardcore spring cleaning endeavors, I decided to tackle our very unorganized kitchen pantry.  I started by removing every single food item from the pantry, and made sure to stack them on the kitchen table and counter top, completely out of the way from our busy bee's reach.  

About an hour into my project, I had both my boys busy - Beau was alphabetizing and reorganizing our spice rack, and Cruz was sorting chocolate covered raisins into two empty pantry containers I had rinsed out and given to him (take that, Pinterest).  All was well and I was finishing my first of many projects in record time.  

I have no idea how Cruz got his hands on the near-full container of Quaker Oats, or how he attempted to empty the entire thing onto the kitchen floor in what seemed like two seconds, but he did and he was quite pleased with himself.

  
And while my first instinct was to scream, grab a broom, and remove Cruz from the messy situation, I instead looked at Beau from across the room, grabbed my camera, and laughed hysterically as our obliviously destructive one did a rain dance in the middle of a pile of oatmeal.  He kicked his feet and stomped as if he was playing in the rain, and had the time of his life throwing oats across the room.  We let him play longer than we should have, let him 'attempt' to sweep them up, and took him outside to brush the rest of the oats out of his hair.

And although it did take me three hours to clean our pantry, it's done and we had fun while doing it.  It felt good to be productive, and even better to let go a little bit.  Because five years from now, I won't remember how clean the pantry was that day, but I will remember Cruz doing snow angels in a sea of Quaker Oats ;)

Happy Spring, everyone.  May the art of balance find its way into your homes this week and on into this next season of life.   

 

Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day

It happens every year.  One long awaited sixty-degree day in March, following months of a cold, dark, and snow-filled winter.  A day that results in the windows down, flip flops on, and the smells of a barbecued dinner permeating throughout the neighborhood.  The sidewalks come alive as people break out of hibernation, and even the daylight itself decides to play a little longer.  Soon, I will greet Spring Break with a list of Spring essentials - a day to clean windows, an afternoon of baking, and daily walks with a little man who is thrilled to have new territory to roam.  

Cruz LOVES it outside.  Loves as in kicks and screams and throws a real fit when we finally drag him in.  I get so excited when I think about this summer, and have a feeling our home will exist in our backyard.  It's amazing to think that last summer, Cruz was barely crawling, and this year, he's ready for slides, sand, and sun.  Beau and I have already discussed fencing in the rest of our backyard and creating a little haven for Cruz to run free all summer long.  

Last night, we grilled pork chops and asparagus, sat on our deck, and took Cruz on a walk. 

Things started well...

 

And quickly changed when Cruz decided he'd rather pull his little red wagon than ride in it. 

 

   

Needless to say, it took us awhile to get home even though we barely made it off our street!

It's been another wild week with lots of ups and downs, however, it's been therapeutic to pick out the small but important little things sprinkled throughout each day...

Friday: a stress-free, easy, and relaxing dinner at Soho. Love the atmosphere and the sweet potato fries, the beautiful oak woodwork and the chocolate chip cookies. 

Saturday: definitely all the family time with the Jorgensen crew. Quiet time with Cruz in Gabe and Gina’s Love Sack, and falling asleep in their cozy, lake-view abode. 

Sunday: a new baby nephew to snuggle and love...Hayes Warren Henrichs was born just before 7 a.m., which gave us something to do on our lazy Sunday afternoon.  And it turns out, baby Hayes decided to take advantage of his lazy Sunday, too.  What a tired little guy!

Monday: After a crummy day, holding a swaddled baby is the best medicine. 

Tuesday: My husband, who realizes that flowers 'just because' mean far more than flowers for an occasion.  And if you've ever received flowers from Pro Flowers, you're in for a real treat.  Pro Flowers arrive in a box, and requires that you assemble your bouquet yourself.  This always makes for quite the scene when someone from the front office delivers a giant, awkward shaped box during the middle of class.  These flowers, unfortunately, looked half dead by the time I opened the box.  I will spare you the details of my audience's response, and instead share the email Beau sent Pro Flowers...

"Dear Pro Flowers,

My wife found out her school is closing two weeks ago, and when she opened up these flowers in front of her high school students, the only response she received was, 'well, it's the thought that counts.'  

Please do better.

Beau Jorgensen"

It turns out, the flowers shaped up quite nicely after being stuck in the box for too long.  And now, I have two vases of beautiful lilies ;)

  
Wednesday: Playing the laundry basket game with Cruz.  First, put Cruz in a laundry basket.  Next, fill the laundry basket with duplos.  Next, take turns throwing duplo after duplo back and forth.  Cue, incredibly adorable laughter from our easy-to-entertain little man. 

Thursday: the army of purple in honor of Becky, my friend and colleague, who is gearing up to slay the Jabberwocky of breast cancer.  Every one knows her favorite color is purple, so purple pixie dust is flying through the College of Ed. today.  She's an amazing person and the army of faculty support behind her is a testament to her awesomeness. 

Friday: Savoring not only TGIF, but TGIF BEFORE SPRING BREAK!  The sun is shining, Spring Break is approaching, and there's a 70 degree day in the forecast.  Can't complain about that! 

Slay the Jabberwocky

In Lewis Carroll's, Through the Looking-Glass, the White Queen tells Alice that in order to believe in something, she simply needs to 'draw a long breath and shut her eyes.'  While Alice finds this advice ridiculous, the White Queen proceeds to say it takes practice.  

'I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.'

We're spreading purple pixie dust throughout the halls today in honor of one of our own!  With her army behind her, Becky is facing the breast cancer Jabberwocky today and we are ready to fight with her.  

In a time when our school has been referred to as emotional, angry, not 'real world,' and unable to 'see the bigger picture,' I'd say we have a pretty good handle on it today.  And it turns out, the bigger picture is a whole lot bigger than budget cuts.

Spread the love and say a prayer of purple for our friend and her family.         
 

"Because when you step out to face that creature, you will step out on your own." 

-Alice in Wonderland

Hello, Spring

Thoughts...

"And be less quick to anger,

and show appreciation more

and love the people in our lives

like we’ve never loved before."

-Taken from the poem, The Dash, read at Grandma J's funeral, March 3, 2012...

As I held you and rocked you to sleep tonight, I breathed in your baby smell and felt your little body folded into mine as if we were two perfect pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.  The TV was off, the lights were dimmed, and I had nothing to focus on but the sounds of your breathing and the softness of your hands.  In this stillness, I tried to think logically about my priorities, the next steps to take in this uncertain stage of life, or to even say a prayer for someone, something, anything --- but...to follow suit with my brain the last two weeks, I fell short of any organized thought, or plan, or prayer, and used the time to simply hold you and accept the limbo state of this life right now.    

The four lines in the poem above, recited at your Great-Grandma's funeral last weekend, have become a mantra of mine this week.  The last two weeks have been a test for not only our family of three, but for many families we love very much.  It seems a rain cloud has settled over a lot of people we care about, and while we desperately seek to band together and pull our friends through these crises at hand, we learn that sometimes, we don't have the control or power to do so.  And that it's in these times of powerlessness that we learn to survive.  And sometimes, when we strip everything down to the bare bones of survival, to the mere essentials of this life, we figure out what's truly truly important.  The things that can't be stripped away by even the world's biggest budget cut.

...like the power of your voice, and the importance of empowering others to share their voice.  Because perhaps even more importantly than being involved and sharing your perspective with others, is your willingness and desire to get to know and learn from others.  My favorite author, Sherman Alexie, said it best when he said, 'if you let people into your life a little bit, they can be pretty damn amazing.'

...actions truly do speak louder than words.  We waste a lot of time wondering or worrying about what might be done instead of just doing it.    

...being there for others who are in far greater need than oneself.  While life hasn't been too easy the last couple of weeks, we are still so blessed and so thankful for what we have.  I watch the news on these devastating tornadoes, or hear from families of students involved in the school shooting last week, and feel overwhelmed with blessings.   

...and the importance of indulging in simple pleasures.  A Scratch cupcake, a quick trip to Target, or a few snaps of the camera are necessary always, but perhaps even more during times of despair.  Notice and appreciate them when they arrive out of nowhere, and make 'em happen when they're hard to come by.  Someone once said we create our own happiness (they must have a Pinterest account ;).     

...and escape.  While the circumstances this weekend weren't ideal, it was a blessing to be with Beau's family and get away from it all.  I had no computer, no newspapers, no direct access to the trenches, and the time away was the perfect medicine.  And as the weight of my school trickled down my shoulders, I became stronger and better able to hold the weight of my family in its place.  I became a rock for your daddy as he said goodbye to his Grandma J, and a rock to you, who I decided really did need your mama, perhaps more than I even realized.  The chance to bond with you separate from school this weekend was very important for me, and that bond is a pretty powerful thing. 

Thank you for needing me this weekend.  For somehow picking up on the lack of importance I feel during the work week and reaching out to be loved and comforted at the end of each school day.  I don't know what I'd do without you and am so blessed to come home to this face every day.  

And because this was intended to be a 'Wordless Wednesday' post, I'll post a few pictures that make my heart melt.  You were one worn out little wild man :)

Love you...

Your mama

What We Did This Weekend...

...watched 'Mee-mo' (aka, 'Elmo') together in the recliner at 5:30 in the morning.

...topped off a stressful week with a dimly lit dinner for three at Soho.  A Boulevard with a lemon wedge; buy two, get one free maki rolls; and a warm and gooey chocolate chip cookie for Cruz to enjoy with his sippy cup of milk.

...celebrated the life of one very special woman the best way we know how - lots of time with family, an abundance of stories and laughter, and of course, pounds of delicious food.

...took a long and wonderful afternoon nap in Gabe and Gina's Love Sack with my little boy.  After all, it's not very often I have nothing to do but nap.  I relished every second. 

   

...watched Cruz try and keep up with his older cousins in the basement of the Methodist Church.  The Strother boys were showing him the ropes and he was in awe!  He was so funny - he'd stand there and stare at them with the biggest smile on his face, then let out this low-pitched little roar and run and hide behind a pillar, or run and wrap his arms around my leg.

 

...huddled in Gabe and Gina's lake-view family room and watched How to Train Your Dragon.  Had a repeat of THE BEST BROWNIES EVER before our drive home.

...prayed for an amazing friend who is not only fighting for UNI Teacher Education, but now fighting breast cancer.  

...cleaned out Cruz's closet at 6:30 a.m.  Bring on 18-24 months!

...whispered the 'one day at a time' phrase a few many times.

 

...introduced Cruz to spiced apples.  He's a fan.

...welcomed a new and adorably sweet NEPHEW into our family.  Hayes Warren Henrichs is one sleepy little dolly!

...shared some BK chicken tenders with Cruz.

...made the finishing touches on my resume and cover letter {cue deep breath}

...tried on a few dresses at Von Maur.  Decided to stop eating BK chicken tenders FOR GOOD.

...thought about taking a trip.  Somewhere far away.  With sun and sand and pina coladas.  

  

Happy Week - one day at a time.

 

Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day

Inspired by Gretchen Rubin's book, The Happiness Project, I know there is pleasure to be found in writing what makes one happy - even if it's just one sentence (or photo) a day. Thus, starts a Friday ritual of mine - to document the good in every day, through words and pictures.

"5 years. 365 days. 1825 happy moments captured."

  
Saturday: an impromptu, much-needed visit from Mom, who came bearing gifts of books for Cruz and chocolate shakes for all. Because sometimes, Moms really do make everything better.

  
Sunday: Cruz was a mommy’s boy today. The minute he reaches out and nuzzles his head on my shoulder, all of the cares of the world just drift away. 

Monday: Eating the most delicious brownies at Gabe and Gina’s, topped with ice cream, fresh raspberries, and whipped cream. Clutching our bowls and being comforted by food and occasional laughter--- the only thing better would be sweatpants and a cozy bed (and The Bachelor, right Jill!?)

Tuesday: the three of us crammed in our 'cozy' bathroom during Cruz’s bath night - the smell of lavendar-scented bath bubbles, Mumford and Sons in the background, and a happy boy in the suds.    

Wednesday: A Leap Day blizzard, resulting in a welcomed night of sweats, queso dip and chips, and a Scratch cupcake for dessert.

  
Thursday: I stroll through Target for some retail therapy.  A few things to fill Cruz's Easter basket, some sidewalk chalk, and a cute paper pinwheel.  Spring is upon us.

Feel free to play along and link to your own 'Blue Jeans and a Good Hair Day.' Happy Friday!