29 for the first time

Another birthday rolled around for me last week . . . this one #29. It was good--busy (and tiring) but good, just like most days these days. I spent the morning with family and flowers.

I spent the afternoon and part of the evening at a women's conference for my church that I helped plan and organize.

My responsibilities at the conference included welcoming our 300+ attendees from the podium (eek!), introducing our various speakers and presentations, and moderating a group discussion (still with the 300+ attendees). Maybe not my preferred birthday activity, but I was glad to do my part and didn't sweat too badly.

I also got to participate in a slightly more comfortable part of the program with my cello. Back in Iowa I arranged a little string ensemble number for a church youth meeting--I dusted it off, pulled together some musicians, and we played it as our final musical number for the conference.

The chapel didn't have an orchestra pit or much open space in the front, so our little ensemble was in a very unconventional formation--but we made ourselves heard and our sound made me happy. The whole conference felt very successful, and I definitely felt like celebrating by the end--celebrating the great turnout and spirit of the meeting, celebrating that it was over, and celebrating 29 years with my baby and my sweetheart at home.

Twenty-nine is good, although a lot of the time I feel much older--perhaps it is the sleep deprivation or the bewildering fact that I have three children now. Also, I wasn't openly mistaken as a high school student this past year. And I'm okay with that.

I wish I could sleep a little more and shower more frequently. It would be nice to have a few more moments of calm and a few less moments that evaporate in chaos. But I guess fatigue, greasy hair, and fast-flying days are just part of this stage of life for me. And I'm okay with that.

Valentine Wishes

For Valentine's Day I had three main wishes: 1) To spend time with my loved ones (of course), 2) To eat strawberries and chocolate, and 3) To get pictures of of my daughters in matching pink attire. 

My life is so good that I am almost always surrounded by those closest to my heart. I'm sure I take it for granted that wish #1 comes true all the time--not just on Valentine's Day.

My life is not quite so good, however, that our family never gets sick. We have had all kinds of runny noses, coughing, sneezing, and even a little bit of puking in our house the last couple of weeks. I got hit with some of this pretty hard on the 14th, so neither chocolately fruit or photo shoots happened that day.

Thankfully, Presidents Day was much kinder, so wishes #2 and #3 both came true then. Here are the results of wish #3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was obvious when it was time for the photo shoot to end, but I am so happy that my Valentine wishes came true. And that these three little valentines love each other so much.

Orchestra Date

Last week I got to go on an orchestra date with Ramona and Paula. It was my first time attending a Loveland Orchestra concert from the audience perspective, and Ramona's (and Paula's) first orchestra concert ever.

I really enjoyed our conversation on the car ride over. Ramona seemed genuinely excited as I tried to explain how our little experience would unfold. It would be a little like the ballet date she went on with Daddy last year when I played in the orchestra pit for the Nutcracker--she still remembered.

The girls behaved quite well for the first half of the concert. Still, after Ramona got her cookie at intermission, it was time to go home.

The next day was cousin Ella's first birthday. We took a photo to send to her and miraculously caught all three girls smiling on the first try.

I decided to play the next orchestra concert and was able to go back to rehearsals this week, thanks to Forest being willing to tackle bedtime on his own at home (and Paula being willing to drink from a bottle). My family is so good to support me and my orchestra-love.

Flying Solo

2014 has had a lively start at our home thus far:
We had a little New Year's party with Annabel's family on the first . . .

 

. . . Paca and Teresa stopped by for a visit on the third . . .

 

 

  . . . and Jii and Baachan were here helping out until the sixth.

 

After almost a week without extra adults living in our house (and Forest fully returned to work), I think I am gaining a more accurate perspective of mothering three children on my own during the day. Surprisingly, so far I have yet to be panic-stricken, overwhelmed, or consumed by sobbing fits, as previously feared. There is still plenty of time for all of that to occur, of course, but for now I am just grateful for how peaceful and pleasant my first week has been as I've flown solo. Among the many to thank for our relatively smooth transition, may I just mention:
1) My parents for giving up so much time and providing the older girls with plenty of adult attention
2) Thoughtful friends for their encouragement and meals
3) Ramona and Mika for being awesome big sisters--they have been so loving toward our new addition and have played so well together while I focus on baby care and all of the associated laundry.

 

 

 

 

 

I have a great job.

Final Photos of 2013

The last few days of 2013 have had many sweet moments for our family. I tried to capture some of them in photo-form:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So long, 2013--you've been good to us.