Flashback Friday

This flashback is on the somber, teary side. It's 5 years old. It's something that has been on my mind lately.

5 years ago I was a newlywed wife, newly pregnant, newly grieving. This picture is us Scott & I, a couple weeks before the birth & death of our first child.

February, 5 years ago, began with me on serious bedrest. My new husband lay on the floor next to the couch every night, trying to sleep, but wondering why I was bleeding so much & hoping I wouldn't die. After a week of bedrest, we had an ultrasound. We didn't find the specific answer to why I was bleeding. But, we found out something else. We found out our baby had something called Anencephaly. And, we were told it is 100% fatal.

We were shocked, stunned. We had never heard of this. What was it? It is fatal for sure? Was the ultrasound tech right?

He was right. This was really happening to us. Our baby was not going to live. We were greatly grieved. There is much I could say about grief. But, that is perhaps for another time.

What I have been thinking about is something a little different. I have been thinking about, when we are face to face with great troubles, our priorities are often re-ordered.

Ours were. It didn't bother me anymore if Scott wore his muddy boots into the house, or emptied dirt from his pant cuff onto my clean floor. Morning sickness wasn't something I complained about. I was glad for it. We were able to see things from an eternal perspective. We had a very limited time with our dear baby. We needed to cherish it. Why grumble about the trivial?

I thought that this new perspective was a blessing that we had to keep. That now we would always be well aware of having our priorities straight. But, how quickly we forget. I don't forget Gabriel. Each time we find out that I am pregnant, we wonder if this new baby is okay, wonder if this new life will be so short as our first child's.

I remember certain things.

But, it was way too easy for me to forget to keep that eternal perspective. I get upset with my kids for squealing too loud & waking the baby. And, at that moment, I forget to rejoice that I have happy, healthy children. I get irritated when juice is spilled all over the floor I just mopped, and then stepped in and tromped all over the place.

I read this birth story yesterday. And, while reading more of this woman's blog, I got a good reminder from her.

I pray that God will keep me more & more mindful of what matters.

Thrifty Thursday: My Cheap Wine Picks

I am not going to pretend to know anything about wine. I don't. I like to drink wine. But, pretty much just like the kind I like. I don't appreciate all varietals. I don't understand nuances. The way I describe wine is like, "that was too watery" "that was too sweet" "that was nice & full tasting..."

I like Sauvignon Blanc, but I never can taste the grapefruit or melon. I like Cab, but I don't ever taste the blackberries. It sort of just tastes like wine to me.

I found this list of wines under $10 which looks great. I've never tried any of the wines, nor have I ever heard of them. I would like to give some of them a try.

But, I don't make it to the-little-wine-shop-that- has-everything very often.

Here are my favorites that you can find at Nob Hill or Trader Joe's or Costco or wherever.

All these picks are under $10 & can be often found for around or under $5 if you get 'em on sale.



BV Coastal Estates
We like Cabernet, but other varietals are good, too.

and for a cheap pairing - we had this the other night with out Piroshkis & it was so good. It's also good with Tater Tots.

Barefoot
I never wanted to try this wine, cuz it kinda has a cheap look. And, it is cheap. So, I figured it was bad for sure. But, I tried it. And, it is good. They've won medals for just about all their varietals.
Again, we like the Cab & also the Savingnon Blanc.

Clos du Bois Chardonnay

Jekel Chardonnay

Two Years for our Boy

A little family celebration for our little guy.

It was so cute how Peyton started understanding more & more as the day went on that it was his birthday.

We made pizza together. Ate it. Opened a present & had candles & cupcakes & the birthday song (his favorite part) & strawberry milkshakes.

Thrifty Thursday: Time isn't Really Money

Is time money? I've been pondering this.
I'm pretty sure, for me, it is not.
When you are figuring how much something costs & how to save money & you factor in "your time", what does that mean? Is that time you are taking off of work & therefore losing money? If not, then time is not really money. And, time really shouldn't be factored in. Apparently a stay-at-home deserves to make a 100k + salary. That is so nice & flattering. People are trying to recognize your hard work & value, but no one is going to pay you that money!
I guess, you could say time is money, if you are using your time to save money.
False - When I factor in the time that it takes me to weed my own front yard, it is cheaper to hire someone.
True - If I have the time to weed my own front yard, I am "making money" (i.e. saving money) for my family by doing it myself.
Are you considering the cloth vs. disposable diaper factor? Is it really correct to add into the money equation the extra time the cloth diapers will take you?
Time is valuable, though. That is very true. So, if you don't want to spend your time doing such & such, then, very good. Spend your time wisely, doing what you value.
Time isn't money. It is worth so much more.

Office Deliveries

Christmas Seeds

Remember Gillian's love for Christmas seeds? Well, I forgot, until tonight when I was googling Quinoa recipes, that I used to make this Quinoa & Apple Salad with Curry Dressing & it is so good. You must try it!

Proving to Myself, Once Again, that I am Not Martha

I really like making Valentines. Five years ago, I was so excited to now have someone to make a really nice, real love-inspired valentine for. I quilled a fantastic valentine for my husband. It was inspired by Martha.
This year I made another valentine inspired by Martha. When I say inspired here, I mean, I didn't really read these directions. I just took a photo & glittered it. When I stepped back from my project to look it over & laughed out loud. It is nothing like Martha's beautiful glitter paintings. It is rather hilarious looking, actually.









But, Scott didn't laugh even a tiny bit. He was gracious & grateful. Another reason to love him!

Artful Gardens

We finally have some gorgeous sunny skies here,

after an abnormal amount of rain.

We went to visit Sierra Azul's Sculpture garden this weekend.

It was lovely! The kids had a blast running around.

The three playhouses, carved from tree trunks, are so cute.

There is Little Bear's House, Rabbit's House & Mr. Toad's House.

They all look different.

This nursery is less than 5 minutes from our house.

It's one of daddy's favorite places to go.

It is a fabulous place to run & play & explore.

There was a bit of drama when the kids & I

ran right through a good patch of super slimy mud.
Peyton had the worst time of dealing with the situation.

With many tears, he sat in a dry patch of grass

to try to clean off his feet.

The sculptures are all really fun, even for the kids.

The big pair of hands is one of our favorites.

We also saw a little bunny scurrying through the bushes.

They thought for sure we would find him again in the bamboo forest.

But, he hid himself too well. Maybe we'll see him next time.