tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47573535044126128652024-03-13T11:03:20.500-05:00Letters After MidnightThe life of a stay-at-home mom, finding her way in the crazy world of parentingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-75736325227418620742014-04-03T02:28:00.001-05:002014-04-03T02:28:13.011-05:00After Midnight Here I sit, long after midnight. Once again, I am reminded of the reason I named this blog "Letters After Midnight." My mom once told me that when I was an infant I was colicky and would be up screaming at all hours of the night. She, being the good Army pilot's wife that she was, had night duty with me. She would sit at the kitchen table with me draped across her lap (attempting to provide Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-87933460693930199002013-03-01T15:36:00.000-06:002013-03-01T15:36:21.545-06:00A Change of Season
Not the weather, I have been loving all the snow around here, but a season of life. So much has happened since my last post. We have been traveling, homeschooling, praying, living, loving, worshiping...being. I find myself suddenly (and not so suddenly) homeschooling a first grader, watching an almost 5yo grow, and getting nervous/excited about the impending first day ofAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-62619977653504122472011-12-26T20:22:00.001-06:002011-12-26T20:22:09.248-06:00My Heart is FullThe gifts have been opened, the mess (mostly) cleaned up, the newness has worn off of the presents and the season, but my heart remains full. We have had such a wonderful time making memories, doing the mundane, getting excited, and just being together. We are blessed with so much. We are healthy, happy, and can openly give thanks to the most amazing God who provides. He Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-55815021516096277672011-05-27T11:55:00.001-05:002011-05-27T11:55:13.978-05:00AbsenteeismReading a few insightful blog posts by great women, I thought about my own blogging efforts and cringed at the fact that I haven't posted in months and before that it was only sporadically.I could point to our three small children, a husband who travels for work, the house I can't seem to keep clean, the ever-present laundry in need of washing, the dishes that never seem to all be washed, any Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-77389916184268288222010-10-08T12:42:00.002-05:002010-10-08T14:13:56.635-05:00A Matter of SurvivalThis week has been dubbed International Babywearing Week. In light of the recent recalls of unsafe bag slings and the resulting CPSC warning about slings it is imperative that we not only celebrate babywearing, but call attention to the myriad benefits to SAFE use of baby carriers.I was first introduced to slings when my oldest child was a colicky infant, my husband traveled for work a lot, and IAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-16465369990925933372010-09-03T11:01:00.004-05:002010-09-03T11:41:07.221-05:00The baby(wearing) frame of mind...As my due date quickly approaches (and I progress further beyond the point at which my first two were born...ugh), I am in nesting mode. With the help of my mother during her visit a few weeks ago and the understanding of my husband, I have been washing, folding, stacking, organizing, stockpiling, cleaning, arranging, installing and planning.It began months ago with bigger purchases (an extra Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-12707719213483103382010-08-25T10:01:00.002-05:002010-08-25T10:37:16.120-05:00GuiltyI feel like the last couple of weeks have been spent in complete limbo. I am now 38 weeks pregnant. I have passed the point at which Katherine was born (37 weeks 2 days), but not yet reached the point at which Jack was born (38 weeks 4 days). I feel huge although I know it could be worse. I am tired, uncomfortable, grumpy, and emotional. I am accomplishing less and less around the house as aAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-11087126688628508362010-08-24T11:29:00.001-05:002010-08-24T11:29:38.872-05:00My Review of City Micro Single - KiwiOriginally submitted at Diapers.comBaby Jogger City Micro Single - Kiwi Features:- Quick-Fold Technology- Accessory Mounting Bracket- 6" Front and 8" Rear Lightweight, Quick-Release Wheels with Sealed Ball Bearings- Swivel Front Wheel Locks in Place ... City Micro Single - KiwiLOVE this stroller for a toddlerBy Mama Kat from Kansas City on 8/24/2010 5out Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-80747618854363322892010-08-19T10:55:00.003-05:002010-08-19T11:57:47.458-05:00Down Time...sort ofToday getting the kids and myself up early and out the door to get Katherine to "school" was just too much. We are not morning people...at all...so waking a toddler and preschooler, getting them dressed, fed, and into the car while sporting a beach ball-sized belly full of baby (not to mention getting myself presentable enough to walk her into the childcare facility for my husband's company) is Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-20204000106639837422010-07-12T00:34:00.001-05:002010-07-12T00:34:16.721-05:00Silly KidsThere is nothing better than the spontaneous laughter of children! No reason required. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-10365248946316591262010-06-03T11:44:00.001-05:002010-06-03T11:44:14.952-05:00Something you never WANT to think aboutThis link is to an excellent post on introducing fire safety to toddlers and preschoolers. http://codenamemama.com/2010/06/03/fire-drills/ House fires are never something you want to think of, but I imagine this subject to be one of the most important you address with your kids.We have been dangerously lax in this area of education. I plan to remedy that as soon as possible. Plus, the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-39006960752900480382010-05-26T14:29:00.001-05:002010-05-26T14:29:34.526-05:00Summer rain...storm!Unexpected thunderstorms - awesome. Dashing around the house to close windows and clean up water - not so awesome. We have had a string of days in the 80's, but we have been able to stick it out without turning on the air conditioner. We keep all the windows and doors open 24/7. Thanks to the forethought of the people we bought the house from our glass storm doors have screen inserts to replace Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-36271248781893084142010-05-25T17:52:00.001-05:002010-05-25T17:52:39.419-05:00Summer diversionsIt is amazing what kids find to occupy their time. Katherine picked up the broom of her own accord and insisted on sweeping!Jack, of course, would rather dig the sand from between the pager stones.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-51963764097539083752010-05-09T08:43:00.001-05:002010-05-09T08:43:05.335-05:00Bittersweet CelebrationToday we celebrate mothers. We call or see our moms, grandmothers, mothers in law and mother figures. It is a good day. It can be a celebration tinged with pain as well.Today I revel in the hugs and kisses of my beautiful children, eagerly anticipate the addition of another, and mourn for what will never be this side of heaven.To all of the women who have mothered me (Mom, Grama, Mom Kanary, MaraAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-81834242251687521282010-05-06T21:14:00.001-05:002010-05-06T21:14:03.302-05:00School PicturesWow, school pictures sure have improved since I was in school! I did not expect to purchase more than the obligatory class picture for scrapbooking purposes, but these are actually pretty good.I can't believe how grown up Katherine looks. I swear I am going to turn around and she is going to be posing for senior portraits! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-86246011969048142672010-05-04T14:33:00.001-05:002010-05-04T14:33:49.073-05:00RedecoratingApparently Katherine has been adding her personal touch to our landscaping. The pink plastic barrettes are a nice touch.The weather has been amazing so we are spending more time outside. The completed fence has been a blessing. The kids can be outside more with a little less supervision. The playset has also been a good investment for our family - one we use quite a bit! We put an inexpensive Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-9694459076626611842010-04-12T10:18:00.005-05:002010-04-12T11:22:24.637-05:00SurvivingThis morning, as I look out at the beautiful, sunny day the Lord has given us, I am reflecting on the mode my life has been in lately (ok, more than just lately...). I have set aside any attempt at thriving for the bare necessity of surviving. This sounds melodramatic, especially considering I lead an extremely blessed life. But, this has been the posture of my heart - one bent on survival. IAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-58750134544532717852010-03-15T02:36:00.001-05:002010-03-15T02:36:43.764-05:00I should be sleeping......but instead I am eating sunflower seed cookies (yummy) and playing on my new phone.I have been such an insomniac during this pregnancy so far, it is driving me crazy. I have to pee three or more times a night, I wake up starving in the middle of the night, I get really thirsty (which does nothing to help with the potty trips), and my mind just will not slow down.Unfortunately I NEED lotsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-79964111366969504902010-01-25T10:15:00.003-06:002010-01-25T10:20:56.724-06:00Little WhispersI wonder what it is about the act of telling a secret that is so appealing? Is it the closeness created both physically through the act of leaning into someone and whispering and emotionally through sharing something not many people know? This act appeals to even the youngest among us. Jack's new thing is to lean in close to me, put his mouth by my ear, and whisper nonsense. It is the cutest, Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-57077977765268141132009-12-21T17:30:00.000-06:002009-12-21T17:31:32.126-06:00Goofing Around!This is what happens when having fun goes to your head! Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-79822088444392694002009-12-11T11:13:00.004-06:002009-12-11T13:24:07.432-06:00What a journeyIt has been quite a while since I last posted - sometimes life just gets in the way. My last post was about my grandfather being ill. Unfortunately on Saturday, October 31st 2009 Donald Duane Hannaman left us and joined the Lord. My brother had been the only one of us who had not seen Papa since he was diagnosed. Thankfully, my mom flew him up that week to see Papa and spend some time with Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-26507377845727831942009-09-30T19:43:00.002-05:002009-09-30T20:10:06.668-05:00Heavy HeartToday I carry a heavy heart. My grandfather has been ill for a couple of months. He was diagnosed with brain cancer (stage 4, inoperable), but had been doing well throughout his course of radiation. He did the treatments on an outpatient basis, going home to the farm on the weekends and staying with my uncle during the week. James, the kids, and I went to visit a couple of weeks ago. We had Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-26849742235391360642009-09-23T21:53:00.002-05:002009-09-23T22:12:48.937-05:00Silly, I know, but it is how I feel right now.I feel silly even writing this - Katherine hurt my feelings. I know I should not look to my preschooler for validation. In fact, I don't look to her for validation - I am blessed to know that God provides it free of charge. Unfortunately, days like today just put me on edge emotionally. Nothing major, she is really a sweet kid. Just enough, unprovoked, intentional slight to make me take Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-47139331542718659732009-08-04T19:45:00.000-05:002009-08-04T19:46:44.115-05:00Little brother woesHere is Katherine holding on to Princess Jack!Sent via BlackBerry from T-MobileAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4757353504412612865.post-68480215998565543272009-08-04T19:34:00.002-05:002009-08-04T19:42:30.632-05:00Poor Little BrotherMy son is beginning to experience what it means to have a big sister. I am sure there are good things (I will have to consult my own little brother) and even great things, but being dressed up by your big sister is probably not one of the highlights.Poor Jack is, at this very moment, wearing a fluffy pink tutu that plays music when you move and his sister is dragging him around the house callingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17729861398591901681noreply@blogger.com0