Comical Like Calvin

Perhaps all this time I have to "sit around" and recover had left me with too much time to think... but as I've been nursing and caring for my son it's dawned on me that his facial expressions are just like my favorite comic strip character, Calvin, from Calvin & Hobbs.

Here's what I mean...

For instance, sometimes at night I'll nurse Wright while laying down. When it comes time to burp him I'm too tired/lazy to sit up so I prop him up on my big squishy belly (I guess that's one perk to having a flabby after-birth belly.... it's like a big water bed for the baby to lay on). He looks something like this:



(this is also a good likeness of myself when Mr. Wright won't sleep at night lol)



And then there's the nights where he's wide awake! Bright eyed and bushy tailed! He always has that cute little look on his face like, "What? I'm innocent!" ...as Mom and Dad are trying to figure out why, after three hours, he's still not sleepy!



I love how when he is sleeping he'll do funny things with his hands like the picture below, and you're like, "Hey, kid! Take it easy or you're gonna scratch your eyeballs out!" Babies have such sharp little nails, too! Yikes...



 This is what happens when we take off his clothes or change his diaper (he has this funny little cry that resembles a donkey's he-haw)...



The craziest, cutest thing ever was the first time Wright laughed in his sleep. His little laugh startled me as I'd been looking away from him and I turned to see his closed, happy eyelids and a huge toothless smile. So precious...



Then there's nursing time. This is by far the most hilarious. When he hasn't had a sip in a while and feels like he's so, so hungry, he'll latch onto the breast with this little grumpy expression as he clutches my boob:



Then he'll close one eye and peep at me with the other. I call this his "one-eyed-Jack" expression:



Then he'll come unlatched and bobble his head around in search of the boob... all the while maintaining the one-eye-Jack face:



He doesn't always have a grumpy face to start off. Sometimes he's a cute little wide-mouthed mister:





When he's almost done with a feeding he'll often have such a sleepy face and I'm constantly having to tickle him to keep him awake enough to finish. I have to remind him that he's not supposed to fall asleep on the boob... even if it is comfy.



And then you get to burping time at the end of a hearty mother's-milk-meal and after a couple huge burps he'll get this worn out look on his face! So cute! Poor fella....

All-in-all he's a cute little dude and he makes Jeff and I laugh so much.

(don't worry... I fixed his head so it wasn't falling out! lol)

He's getting more and more alert too! It's so much fun to watch his bobbley little head checking out his curious new surroundings. We really can't get enough of him!!!

All Things New

It's January. It's a new year. And I'm a new mom. Well... the kid isn't hatched yet; we're still in the brewing stage.

 With (most of) my family on Christmas Day

 Jeff and I laughed at how different things were last New Years holiday. Back when he first asked my Dad for permission to court me on New Year's Eve. The humorous part was that my dad gave Jeff the green light and the next day my parents had a conversation with the two of us, as well as announcing to our church that Jeff and I were in a relationship... and all this time I had no clue that Jeff had talked to my dad or that my dad gave him permission. Of course, I assumed my parents were okay with Jeff because of their actions. Rather, I was worried that they were just assuming things without Jeff actually wanting things to progress in such a manner! I was worried Jeff thought it was all too much or too fast. It wasn't until after church on New Years Day on our drive home that Jeff told me of his conversation with my dad. What a relief!

  Jeff and I, last year on my birthday.
I'm still wearing that coat but it's extra snug across my belly!

Now here we are a year later, just about to hit the 6 month mark of our marriage and expecting a baby into our home, due sometime in April. I've gotten to know more about Jeff each day and am delighted at what a strong leader he is. He prays with me before our meals, he spends time in the Word of God and is always working at learning or reading something new. He's not the kind of guy to sit around and waste his time, and the few occasions that he does take it easy it's always well deserved. He makes me want to follow in his shoes and continue learning new things each day. It's enjoyable to know that on top of having a team mate to help pull through all of the daily chores and responsibilities I also have a friend.

This picture was also taken Christmas Day.

My brother Channing and his wife, Rachel are expecting in February. 

Rachel and I are only 9 weeks apart!

As for growing a baby, it's a curious and exciting process. To watch as my body changes in fascinating and sometimes not so glamorous ways, knowing that in all of this a new little life is maturing in my womb. It's weird at the same time. I look down at this large lump of a belly at times and feel like an egg. A giant woman, human egg. The baby has been growing stronger each week. Ever since week 19 I've been able to feel it kick and lately it's kicks are so strong you can see it jumping around rather than just feel it. My belly looks like one of those energizer bunny commercials where the bunny is bouncing inside of the battery! It's quite startling at times, really, but I love it! And baby gets especially active when there's music or when daddy talks or sings. It makes my heart full with joy. We don't intend to find out the gender so it'll be the best surprise Jeff and I have ever experienced.  We do have names picked out though... which we formed partially from long time family name traditions.

 

 Jeff and I visited his family just this past week!
This picture was taken after an exciting escape room adventure.

It's an exciting new year full of new adventures. I can barely imagine having a little baby to care for each and every day. It still seems unreal to me. This will be a big, challenging and wonderful time for Jeff and I. 2018 is already full of so much wonder and it's only just begun.

One Week

In one week I will marry my love. It seems so natural and right. You hear of 'cold feet', hesitation and doubts and it is all mystifying to me. All I feel is warmth and readiness.
My single years have been full... almost too full. I don't know if I could stuff in any more satisfaction or contentment into the singleness I've experienced. The joy in my life has overflowed... and I suppose that is why it is time to start filling a new cup. Open a new chapter. Stitching the threads of one cloth to another.

Last night one of the other employees where I work told me a story of one of the residents. Apparently this resident, who is a sweet, kissable old woman, was engaged once. In her bedroom there's a picture of herself and her husband when they were first married. She was only 18 or 19.... and he wasn't much older. She'd always smile when she talked about that picture. But what this employee told me surprised me! This elderly woman, in her youth, was engaged to be married when a fellow asked her on a date. He must have been quite the fellow because this gal told him to come back in week and ask her again. She went home and broke things off with her fiance... and married this other guy. It's almost an amusing tale.... seems like something from a movie!

Yesterday, Jeff and I went to the courthouse. We filed for our marriage license. We had to raise our right hands and repeat some words. An oath or vow of some sort. I honestly don't even remember what we said, but it was some sort of official agreement that we were definitely getting married.

It's interesting how each life unfolds and what unexpected events await us. I couldn't have ever guessed that in beautiful July of 2017, I'd be marrying a handsome, intelligent and kind man from Canada. O, life. It is a wonderful, mystic thing.

A Very Extraordinary New Year

It's a brand new year! Although it's an ordinary year in that there have been many years before it and there will be many years that follow it, it is unique because of the events that occur within it. 

For myself it is an extraordinary year because on the very first day of the very first month of this new calendar a wonderful man changed my relationship status from 'single' to 'in a courtship'. His name is Jeff and it's been quite a blessing getting to know him.

We changed our Facebook statuses. It now says that we're "In a relationship", but Facebook doesn't have a courtship option. The only other option that would even come close other than "In a relationship" would be "It's complicated". Perhaps, "It's complicated" would be the most accurate of them all, but it sounds too negative and therefore doesn't fit. Because there's nothing negative about this relationship. 

 *isn't his smile contagious?!*

There ARE a lot of challenges... but none that are the worrisome kind. Mostly challenges that have to do with him being from Canada and how far apart we are from each other. Oh, a long distance relationship is quite interesting. Dating a foreigner comes with a few road blocks... like visas, passports, immigration, paperwork, and enough laws and regulations to make your head spin. No just hanging out in our time off, meeting up on the weekends or taking things casually. Yet, these are merely challenges for us to work through that will only make us grow stronger together. 100,000 miles of distance wouldn't make me change my mind about this guy. 

  *you'll have to forgive our chill phone camera photos,
but we're both pretty chill kids so I guess it fits*

To be honest, I'd given up hope that there were any guys left in this world that would be willing to go the extra mile and go through the courtship process. I certainly didn't think that when I sat down at a table next to two Canadian fellows at an organic conference last February I'd be in a relationship with one almost a year later. And I was quite prepared to be one of those 40-and-still-single gals, clinging to her ideals and faith. I wouldn't have made a very good 40-and-single lady though, haha! I think God works these things out in His perfect timing. I feel very blessed that Jeff not only met my expectations but has exceeded them in so many ways! I could dedictate a whole blog post (or a ton) to the many ways he's not only fulfilled my dreams but continues to soar above my wildest wishes. And no, I am not exaggerating (yes, I can read your mind. haha!).

Anyway, without sounding too cliche, he really does inspire me to be a better woman. I can't wait to see where this journey leads.... but I think it's going to be a really, really long journey. This is our hope at least. You know, the "until death..." kind of journey. 

Happy 2017, Everyone! May we grow more each day in our understanding of God's goodness and grace.

Feliz Navidad

Christmas day, and it's rainy and windy outside. Very odd for a WI Christmas. I do remember a number of years ago when we had a thunder & lightning storm in December. I guess Mother Nature just likes to keep us on our toes.

In spite of the dreary weather, we had a warm and cozy day inside. The twinkly Christmas lights glowing throughout the house and seasonal tunes streaming through the speakers.

There's a really pretty song I just discovered this season. It's so soothing, and almost haunting... but I can't find it on YouTube to share it with you. However if you can find it elsewhere I'd suggest you give it a listen. It's called, "In Winter's Cold", by Brittin Lane.

I hope your holiday was cheery and festive, full of all the seasonal blessings.

Merry Christmas, from my family to yours! 

 ...and here's a cute picture of my parents. Aww!

......AND... *drumroll*

Channing proposed to Rachel! She said, yes!

God has truly blessed our family this Christmas. We have so much to be thankful for and can't wait to see what the future brings. ...most especially a wedding this next year!

Roots

The other day I was talking with a friend when the subject turned to our ancestry. It reminded me of the very first article I wrote for the local newspaper. For whatever reason I never shared it here on my blog, so I thought I'd do so now. 

 

Roots

The other day I was looking over some of my family's ancestral and genealogical records. On my mother's side I can trace my bloodline back to William Bradford, one of the pilgrims who sailed to the new world on the Mayflower. He's my 13^th Great-Grandfather. Then there's some connection to Samuel Huntington, who was a prominent political figure during the American Revolution, and John Perkins, who's daughter, Mary Bradbury, was falsely accused of being a witch. On my father's side people like Max Detweiler (“Uncle Max” from Sound of Music) and William Jennings Bryan have their place in the family tree. There's even a Row family crest and a castle in England somewhere. The intriguing findings never cease. My family history is not unique. Most everyone can find some famous or infamous person in their history.

Yet, what amazes me the most is how we all managed to wind up in the Eau Claire area by some means or another. It is incredible to think of the seas crossed, the journeys embarked upon, trials faced and the roads taken that brought each of us here to this peaceful country.

I have a friend who was born in Central America and moved to the United States to study at UWEC. Now a successful businessman and world-traveler, he once told me that the Midwest, specifically this region, is inhabited by the kindest, most easy-going people he's come across.

Malcom Gladwell wrote of the people who settled in the Appalachian region in his book Outliers, “...when they immigrated to North America, they moved into the American interior, to remote, lawless, rocky, and marginally fertile places like Harlan that allowed them to reproduce in the New World the culture of honor they had created in the Old World.”

Here in the Eau Claire area there's been a lot of expansion and growth since it was founded. Even in the last decade we have larger communities, bigger buildings, greater technological advances... an over all growth of the commonwealth. It is a sort of boom in relations and communication similar to when one switches from dial-up to high-speed internet... or from a land-line to smart phone. The kind of boom that produces instant development in so many areas of life.

Still, the people remain essentially the same as the people groups and regions they came from.

This is no coincidence or miracle. Often it is the deliberate decision of passing on our values to the next generation. What our grandparents passed on to our parents who passed it on to us... who in turn pass it on to our children... and so-on. Then again, it is also a sort of inherited code of conduct, patterns of speech, general temperament that we receive unwittingly from our relations and our community that haven't changed in hundreds of years.

Malcolm Gladwell determined that, “Cultural legacies are powerful forces. They have deep roots and long lives. They persist, generation after generation, virtually intact, even as the economic and social and demographic conditions that spawned them have vanished, and they play such a role in directing attitudes and behavior that we cannot make sense of our world without them.”

Many of our ancestors moved to an unfamiliar land to defend their rights and keep their freedoms. We live in a place where we can carry on the same values that our predecessors fought to maintain.

In this community we share a strong moral standard; a great sense of goodwill toward our neighbors. We wave and smile at the strangers we pass by and though most of us probably don't have a family crest each of us have the right to a 'castle' and the freedom to defend our homes, ideals and the people and things we hold dear.

In the course of a lifetime it may not be life-changing to know who our ancestors were and one might surmise that looking to the past renders little good. Yet, evidence shows that looking back we can see where we came from to better understand where and who we are now. Though here in the Chippewa Valley area we may not have the heritage of a Southern town or the revolutionary roots of the Eastern states, we live in a quiet, kind land... and it takes a kind people to inhabit a kind land.

#inktober

Since Mom is on vacation it's a chill night that Dad. He poured us both a bit of Jameson.... his favorite right now. And it goes down pretty smooth so I don't mind it either. We had a  dinner together and he told me of the crazy events at work like a trench that caved in and concrete that showed up an hour early. Between talking of the day we browsed newspapers and magazines that had come in the mail. That sort of thing. I like these easy-going evenings.

Well, there are seriously 100 things I want to blog about. Okay, maybe more like 10... or 20. Haha... but with so little time I figured I'd take care of "business". That is, I haven't uploaded my Inktober drawings yet. In the month of October there's this epic art challenge an artist friend told me about, in which you draw one ink sketch every day of the month. It's always exciting the first day or two when there's time to draw and some thought out ideas of what to sketch.

 I've put off posting the pictures because some of them are just not that great, honestly. You can tell when I had time and when I was in a hurry. BUT.... I'm sharing the good and the bad because it shows the learning process. I made a few discoveries by branching out with ink and trying new things. Discovery is what it's all about. Without further ado, here are my 31 days of #inktober.


Day 1: #inktober. It was fun coming up with creative images for the letters. Though I could have done better on the 'R' perhaps. But seriously.... what makes the shape 'R' in real life?!


Day 2: Cutest poem I've ever heard. My sister taught her daughter to say this when she blew kisses. Adorable! Plus, I've always wanted to try sketching dandelion seeds blowing in the wind.


Day 3: I wanted to draw a shipwreck. I found an image on google that suited my imagination, but now that I look at it I think it's just a whaler ship? I cannot tell. But... you'll notice that in the sea are lyrics to one of my favorite songs, "In The Eye of the Storm". :)

 
Day 4: The family crest. I especially like the motto: "Innocent but not fearful."


Day 5: ...I had no clue what to draw. I was starting to lose ideas. So I began with shapes and odd things. I kind of like how it turned out.


Day 6: Once again, a little lack of inspiration. It was late at night... should have been in bed... Must. Draw. One. Sketch. ....so I found a few items on my desk and sketched them. Shadows and all.


Day 7: Another day without inspiration was upon me. I had to break out of the funk. I took a receipt that I still had from a visit to Chipotle, cut it and taped it to my paper (double-sided tape of course). With the little umbrella girl protected I drizzled ink diluted with water down the paper. One of my favorites from this #inktober.


Day 8: Having discovered mixing ink with water and letting it run down the paper, I decided to give it another go.


Day 9: It must have been debate night. A stick figure was all I had time for. He is a cute version of Uncle Sam, if I do say so myself.


Day 10: Not a great sketch... but an amazing topic. Babies. I think there was a big discussion about abortion around this time, so it was a matter close to the heart.


Day 11: A field down the road full that inspired this one. Pretty simple because I didn't have time for much else.



Day 12: Tried some more ink/water art. This one turned out curiously. I haven't decided if I like it yet... but that is the nature of art.


Day 13: I didn't put a lot of effort into this one. The shading turned out terribly. Wasn't a very comfortable sketch.... but hey, you can tell what it's supposed to be, so that's good.


Day 14: This was 4 failed attempts. Without any more time or inspiration it was all I had for the day.


Day 15: Humming birds. Zinnias. Oh bring back Summer, please!


Day 16: This one is pretty off the wall. Just entirely random. But I was trying ideas and concepts from a little book on how to draw basic sketches. It was pretty fun.


 Here's a close up of one of the random buildings. Almost a little Edgar Allen Poe.


Day 17: It was Elton's birthday. Inspiration enough! I drew an okay likeness... but still. Faces are so difficult!


Day 18: You just can't spend every day making art. A friendly Box Elder Bug was kind enough to pose for this quick sketch. It was more of an exchange, really, as he was late on his rent payment. He payed me with his photogenic modeling services instead. He is still residing in my bathroom and seems to especially like the sink.  


Day 19: It was a busy day. Perhaps the night of one of the presidential debates? This was all I had time for. Officially one of my family's favorite jokes is to say, "Wrong." in a Donald Trump-like manner.


Day 20: This is a throwback. I didn't draw a sketch but this was one I'd deemed unworthy last year and therefore didn't include in my 31 sketches. It was better than stick figures and therefore it was looking great this year! 


Day 21: It was my sister, Emily's birthday. That was inspiration enough. I tried using a grid in order to get the proportions right.


Day 22: I can't even remember why I drew a rose. ...but a few days later I discovered a special lady named Rosie died. It's Rosie's cheerfulness that I remember when I see this picture.


Day 25: Mr. Darcy. Well... or at least that who I was trying to draw. Terrifying likeness. The ink did not cooperate. I put shading in the wrong places.... oh dear. *wince* It really did start with good intentions.


Day 26: During the trip to Colorado we discovered this little inside joke about my uncle. Uncle Mark is the funniest fellow you'd ever want to meet. Always smiling and joking around. Perhaps it's all the weed he smokes... ;)


Day 26: From a photograph I took in Colorado at St. Mary's Glacier National Park. The trees there looked like they were from The Lord of the Rings or some other fantastic tale.



Day 26: 'Lil Bit. The cutest dog, ever. My Aunt and Uncle in Colorado have two adorable pups and so 'Lil Bit was my last subject for the day.


Day 27: Inspired by a photograph of my friend, Courtney! It was a sunset, silhouette shot. I asked her for an inspirational quote to add to the picture and she suggested the song lyrics. Perfect!


Day 28: Snowflakes. They actually just started out as patterns. I was hoping for something much more like flowers or.... I don't know. But I definitely wasn't going for snowflakes!


Day 28: This was an attempt to draw raindrops on a window. Not my best work... haha.


Day 29: I wanted to spend time with the family, so doodling random shapes and designs was the only thing I could manage while also visiting.


Day 31: This concept was burning in my imagination for weeks. I wanted an artist friend to sketch it for an article I wrote... but they were unable. So I took it upon myself. Murica.
By this last day I'd finally figured out that grids make people easier to draw, and I'd discovered a nice Speedball sketching set with pen tips that actually make detail possible with ink. Now I know for next year!

And so that is all, folks.