January

Well, January came and almost went, and here we are.  I have typed about 3 paragraphs worth of quite beautifully descriptive glimpses into Lewicki life this past month, but all has been deleted because they failed to give any sort of accuracy into what the whole of life has actually been like!  I have written about the love I have being stuck in my nest with my littles, and the claustrophobia of sickly people in snow storms in a small apartment.  I wrote about peaceful school time with Benjamin followed by both loves napping while I tidy up, and then thought about Violet's three sleeps in a row of continual trips to the living room followed by reprimanding worth (in a 2 yr olds mind) many minutes/hour of tears.  I think about telling you about how great my law student is doing, and the extra things he has had the opportunity to be a part of this semester, and then doubt what I know about any of his last month, and how time together has been sparse to  say the least and then I get antsy and impatient for multiple date nights to begin to catch up on life and feelings etc.  

Can you tell I'm feeling all sorts of emotional tonight?!  

I do love this stage of life so very much, in spite of my slight crazy person speak.  Benjamin is all sorts of fabulous right now with an imagination that is vivid, innocent and nonsensical.  He loves God's creation with such a pure curiosity and awe.  I feel that we have limited media time until I think about our sickly last 9 days and the amount of time he gets to watch BBC Planet Earth and PBS Wild Kratts.  He loves them, and I love that he loves them.  He also loves differentiating between boys and girls...What him and daddy do, what violet and I do, what violet can't do because its a boy thing, what he won't do because its a girl thing...etc.  I remember very little specifics about Bringing Up Boys, by Dobson except that around 3 and 4 the pride in being a boy starts, and although they still love their mommas, they can't wait to be just like their daddy...and thats where we are!  He is a social guy who can't wait to play with all his friends in our little village, but his innocent world is being marred by the harsh reality that people can hurt with words and actions and he's not sure how to handle it.  Neither is momma.  How to help mold the character of an individual who is strong in their identity, sensitive to others feelings, bold about right things, and willing to walk away from wrong...The thoughts consume me, and I'm going to have to drown myself in a good read about these issues soon before I go crazy.  Suggestions are welcome. :)

Violet eyes make it impossible to have tragic days.  Bad moments and tired days, but no bad days.  They are oh so blue with incredible power...power that she controls every chance she can get :)  She is so verbal, not to mention expressive.  She repeats even when she doesn't understand it, and especially if it gets a reaction.  Her attention span for DVD's and TV is about 3 minutes and her desire to create is much less than her longing to destroy.  She loves pretending with Benjamin and has started to sing - mostly Jesus loves me so, but also random thoughts and words which is my favorite.  Thankfully she is enough of a follower that her early morning wake up call is being matched with books in bed till the timer goes off.  It's not perfect every morning, but I would say 80% of the time, is a pretty good success rate :)  She is still the master of cuddling, and giving Benjamin competition in his title of best hugger.  His 2 yr old hugs were tighter for longer, but she gives a great squeeze and gets her points by her "I wuv you" proclamation followed by giggles. swoon.  She still is not a good eater, and her size is still peanutish, but she still is rolley polley despite lacking girth...Lastly, much to her father(and kind of mother)'s  dismay, that blue eyed beauty loves mirrors, she loves getting her hair dried, loves chap stick, loves shoes, and is not afraid to tell you that anyine, including herself is "sooo pretty".  oh dear.

Well that about sums up January.  We had snow for 2 or 3 days, and since we were struck by a sinus bug, we only managed to catch some play time the last day before the melting floods took over.  I have gotten antsy and since I'm trying to treat the ants in my pants less with personal hair alterations and more with...anything else, I've managed to whip out some crafts.  Most people set up their homes and then live in them,,,I tend to live in my home so I can continually set up differently :)  Here's a little January - pictures style.

Benjamin Leon and Violet bundled up on the last day of snow

One of my favorite views of the house.  Those sweet little feet in those sweet little boots! 

I was waiting to put two canvasses behind my couch, but then I got impatient and convicted that when I had money for two large canvasses I just use it for something other than canvasses...So I whipped out these trusty shelves, stole some pretty vases from my mom, bought some frames for less than $10, and went to the forest for inspiration.  I'll be honest that I've never liked a picture I've taken of this wall, but in person, I think it works :)

This was my last craft project.  I have developed an infatuation for these forest finds and cant get over the texture they give to my paint-less apartment walls.  The frame was a thrift store find for $3.89(I might be the queen of bartering) and although the wall isn't finished, I don't hate it anymore :)  Oh, I also took down those dorm decor looking squares above the kitchen cabinets and it is like a breath of fresh air in that tiny space!  I still don't know why it didn't work...but it didn't ,so down they came!

Good Bye January.  See ya next year.