Summer 2014 & Benjamin's 2nd Birthday

Aw. The littlest blog that could.  Where on Earth have I been, and why oh why haven't I taken the time to sit and reflect?? This blog was and still is a passion of mine, but I guess as cliche as it sounds, life's just kept me busy! I really and truly hope that I come around more often though!

Our summer has been crazy to say the least.  Naomi broke her arm AGAIN - second time in a year...except this time at the beginning of the summer and not the end of it.  Truly a terrifying experience both times around....more so the last time!  As a mother, you feel your heart in your throat when the initial nurse at the ER asks your baby girl to squeeze her finger, hoping and praying for no nerve damage.  It's a living nightmare to see a child so small, at less than 35lb, hurt that badly.  It is awful, and even the largest and strongest of men shouldn't have to endure such pain. Here we are with a tiny, precious child..  I didn't take it so well this time, I was able to handle myself better the last time, and in both situations, I was at our local bakery drowning the entire family in donuts, sugar bread, as Andrew puts it.  There is something so comforting in sugar bread around times of hurt!  Martha, step away from the baked goods! 

Family has been a true blessing through all of this, especially Andrew and his folks.  We took a trip to see them in the mountains less than a week after the incident occurred, and being there with them lifted up all of our spirits.  We had a blast just being there.  Memama and Papa, as the kids so lovingly refer to A's folks, helped the kids build an awesome teepee out of nature and turned the entire yard into a kid's dream play place complete with it's own kitchen and diner. Naomi was begging to go play in the yard at 7am most days! We took a beautiful drive to Banner Elk that Saturday and hit up an outdoor art show, and I scored a simple yet beautiful spoon rest that I've been needing for the kitchen. It even came from a potter out of Atlanta.  Proud to support one of our own!  The next day, we walked down the mountain a little ways to a neighbor's house and watched the 4th of July fireworks. They were spectacular!! It was a pleasant trip and a much needed break from the summer we've had!

not so sure about the loud fireworks! "one mo...boom!" Ben and I walked back up to the house before the grand finale. 

taking a break at the art festival in Banner Elk

Memama's so crafty! Love it.

With the arm, life has slowed down, and we have spent most of our time indoors instead of out in the sun and water where we belong. A Savannah summer without water is just plain ol' mean, but surprisingly enough, it feels so good to get back to my usual homebody self; the cook, wife, and mama I tend to be towards the fall.  I like to spend my time in the kitchen as the weather cools, as the oven is not my friend in the hot months, but we - Naomi and I - have been canning and playing in the kitchen this summer....adding new and exciting things to our perpetually hot days spent inside. We've been canning pickles, jams, hot jellies, and the likes, and I am looking for new recipes daily.  I really enjoy it, and Omi does too. Best pickles I've ever eaten - making a triple batch later this week. We've been making our own dough for pies and pizzas too, and I'm hoping to find a bread recipe soon that is not intimidating and proves true.  If you know of one, please send it my way. My great Aunt Martha made the best bread, and I have yet to find the recipe. Aunt Robin?? Aunt Gayle?? You reading this? :) Not only is it fun to get in the kitchen and get messy, but it's saving money too.  Always looking for ways to save!

We've been busy yet slow progressing with our kitchen redo too.  Walls are painted, and next up are sanding and painting the cabinets.  Quite a project on our hands and a little hesitant to take it on...especially in this heat!  I've also been dabbling a bit into making homemade wooden signs.  More on that later though. One thing at a time!

good ol Moschoppers getting bigger by the minute!

The best day of summer was easily last Friday, our sweet little boy's 2nd birthday.  Benjamin is such a blessing to our family with his sweet and sensitive little soul.  Although on the same token, he is a funny little guy who likes to walk on the wild side - always looking for an adventure. He is our little ninja, that Benjammin'.  Also Wild Ben. Fitting that his Deddy gave him a miniature skateboard for his birthday.  As ludicrous as that may sound, it fits him well.  We spent the day adventuring around town with our first stop to the Children's Museum. We then made it to Savannah's Candy Kitchen where we got to watch salt water taffy being made, packaged, and hoisted up to the conveyor belt and delivered to the bin on the other side of the store.  The machine that makes it all happen is 100 years old.  Fascinating to say the least, and Benjamin scored quite a few pieces of free taffy - so fresh and still warm.  Like a kid in a candy store was an understatement!

We had an awesome day celebrating our little wonder.  He requested pie instead of cake, and I happily agreed.  Sweet boy got a homemade pie that was way better than any cake could taste this time of year.  Happy Birthday, Ben. You make my heart smile more and more every single day. We are blessed!

pictures from the Savannah Children's museum

lunch break

Carly came to play too!

my favorite

love that these kids are so easy to please. He wanted a pie for his birthday

straight up STOKED!

ice cream break at Savannah's Candy Kitchen

potty trained a week before his 2nd birthday. buh-bye cloth diapers, hello big boy britches!

Y is for Yoga

My what a crazy week it's been! I haven't been this happy to see Friday in a long time. I'm not even sure why.  Maybe it's due to being constantly on-the-go all week, going from a two car family to one (only temporary but proving difficult nonetheless), or battling sick children, but I am welcoming this weekend with arms WIDE OPEN!  Hoping that the weekend will bring more stillness and calmness, leading me to the reason of this post: yoga.

If you asked me to describe my yoga practice in one word, I wouldn't be able to do it.  You see, it's been such a blessing for me to find an exercise that I like, truly love, and that I can and want to stick with and one that is not only an exercise for my body but also for my mind and my soul.  Yes. Yoga is an exercise for the soul.  Who wouldn't want to get behind that?!

I had a really rough day yesterday.  Safe to say, we - the children and I - all had a rough day.  It was Thursday, we were all worn out from the busy week behind us, and Omi was out with the sickness. Man, when that girl gets sick, even the slightest runny nose....RUN!  Needless to say, we stuck it out survived. Not only was it a day full of three year old tears, but Benjamin is going through a developmental leap right now, so he's clingier and clumsier than usual, so we had all just had it. By 2:00, I started to feel defeated, and I HATE letting those emotions and negativity seep in.  It's hard to turn it around when we are all losing it together...or is it?  We can let the emotions defeat us, get the better of us yet again, or we can do something about it.  Just turn it around.  It really is that simple, yet we have to have an open mind and heart to let those feelings in.  I wasn't defeated, and yesterday doesn't define who I am.  It was just a hard day out of so many days I am fortunate and blessed enough to spend with these little people who won't be so little for very long. 

You know the saying: "get some fresh air?"  It's a simple phrase, perhaps overused, but it's so important to remember to do just that when we find ourselves in thick, mucky situations.  Yesterday was just no good, but by stepping out of the murkiness and into the sunshine, figuratively or literally, we can easily turn it all around.  Yoga very well could be my sunshine. It is my happy place - the place where I can let it all go and just breathe.  It all sounds so simple, and it really really is.  How important is it - yet simple enough - to just be in the moment and breathe?  Thoughts are no longer present - only your breath.  If thoughts arrive, you turn up your breath and as soon as the thoughts trickle in, they trickle right out.  It is the most basic skill in life - breathing - in order to live, yet sometimes, we just can't let go of what life throws at us.  We all too often forget or think it's too hard to find the time to breathe.

Yesterday, that's exactly what I did.  I created a space to just let it all go, let go of what happened earlier, and just be present in the here and now.  Meditation along with yoga is now my most powerful tool in life.  I want to scream it from the rooftops for all to hear.  Yoga is better than any therapy or drug. It's health benefits are truly remarkable and aid in everything from stress-relief to heart health. It has become a way of life for me, pulling me out of stress and chaos that may come my way.  

The simple act of just breathing.  That's all yoga really is.  Becoming one with your breath and body.  Soon, you feel the power of your mind and body working together for the sole benefit of your very soul.  It is powerful, peaceful, and makes you stronger than you ever thought possible!  Since I've been practicing, I can do things that I never thought possible in my adult years.  Not only have I become stronger physically and my flexibility is through the roof, but I feel more connected mentally than I ever have before. I am a better person thanks to yoga and thanks to my wonderful yoga family here in Savannah.  Yoga inspires myself and others to be better, to think clearer, and to eat healthier....to do good things.  It is a total win, and it all takes place right there on your mat. How hard can that be? Go on and give it a try. Still trying to get Andrew to give it a go, but he is a hard sell. I'll never give up! :) Hey, if this lady can do it, so can you! 

This video was taken on Thursday - the worst day of the week, yet I was able to get upside down and turn it all around.  Yoga is my therapy - my happy place!!

 

This video is mindblowing.  It shows how yoga can totally transform a person if you simply just do it. (Thanks Nike). :)

Hey Stranger

That's it. It's time. It's time to jump back on the bus that is my sweet little ol' blog. I sat down to research a past blog, and I got to reminiscing over past posts laughing and smiling at pictures and some of the hilarity that is my writing. I miss it! I miss you, sweet dear blog readers! So, I am hoping to jump back on, but this bus may be slow moving! 

have you seen the new VW van coming out this year?! I'm in love. 

Hop on the bus! (Couldn't resist)!

Lately, I have been busy like any mama of a toddler and a preschooler - well, any mama in general, really!  I am constantly flooded with thoughts of childhood activities, food to prepare, money-saving ideas, and the likes.  I am amazed at how the days fly by, and with that thought, this blog seems to be my way of slowing things down a little and looking back on these days and years with admiration and awe. My babies are growing before my eyes, and I want to document everything!! 

Speaking of documenting it all, are you like me in the sense that every single image is saved to your camera, computer, and hard drive?  I have 3 separate hard drives that I switch in and out, one of which being completely full of pictures of Naomi's first two years!! I'm talking ONLY pictures and videos, y'all. Music files aren't really saved anymore like they used to be, as I really only listen to Spotify or my SiriusXM radio these days.  I really feel bogged down with all of this data, so I guess, subconsciously, I stopped downloading music files to clear up some of this madness!! I have got to get a hold on picture/video files. What do y'all do with all of these things?? Erase them? Store them? Copy somewhere ELSE? There's really no need for every single picture - our mothers and grandmothers snapped pictures and waited to get them developed to weed out the bad ones. Now, we keep even the blurry messed up "whoops" pictures of the grass that we accidentally shot.  I've got to get a handle on it - we're talking thousands of files here, people. We all love our children and want to take pictures, but that is just insane. 

I have at least 30 more pictures from this afternoon of raking leaves! 

but aren't they cute?!

Things are rolling along in this new year.  A year of new possibilities and new hope.  Naomi is finishing out her second year at our church preschool, and even though I am in love with everything about it, next school year, we may be looking into something completely different for her education.  Next week, I am planning to attend a discussion about local options, less expensive options, for her future....and Ben's too.  She is a bright, bright child with an old, kindred soul, so I know she will do well where ever she goes, but I am in constant prayer about it these days because I want her to be in her best fit.  I am currently looking into montessori lottery programs (which are funded by the state and she may or may not get in) OR OR OR OR....I am considering homeschooling.  BIG ORS, BIG DECISION!  I look at it like this: my kids are only little once.  Like I heard this past week, "they are only passing through," and are only ours for a short while. There are excellent home school curriculums, for a fraction of the price of most private educations, and I hold a degree in education.  I know I could do it, and they could excel from home, especially in these younger years, but I have my reservations about it as well. Is it the BEST option for my kids?  Will we get burnt out on the process?  I feel like it can really work out beautifully, especially the more time I put in to it.  I have talked to a few home schooling friends of mine, and it works out so well for their families.  They know where there children are academically and how to help nurture that and help it to blossom - one on one, day after day.  There are so many pros to it, and so little cons in my opinion.  I just have a lot of praying to do about it because at the end of the day, He is in control and knows what is best for my family.  All trust goes to Him.  

I could easily spend all day every day with these faces

Omi gearing up for a cold day at school. 19* - coldest day we've ever had in Savannah!

I have been staying grounded these days by putting myself and my all into my family, becoming more and more involved with our church, and with quality "me time," more affectionately known as yoga.  I go to class here in town 3-4 times a week, and I try my best to practice at home (easier said than done with a Benjamin...yes, "a Benjamin" - he is a WILDMAN through and through!).  It is the meditation and breathing that helps keep me focused not only in class and on the mat but off the mat too.  It calms my inner voice to just be.  How powerful is that simple yet effective solution to daily problems? Just being. Just breathing.  Taking each day as it comes and just letting it go and letting it BE. It really is a wonderful thing.  Yoga strengthens my mind, body, and spirit, and I am hooked.  It helps me to be a better mother, wife, and person in general.  I'll take it!

Naomi's first day of gymnastics and she LOVED it!!!

This post has been a refreshing moment in time, and I thank ya for listening! I hope to be back soon and on a regular basis, taking you all on a journey through our lives and time here in the lowcountry.  I hope you'll come along and join us a few times here and there.  Have a wonderful day!! xo, Martha

can't believe our sweet boy will be 18 months old in 10 days!!

she's got her deddy's smile!

Ben's new fighter pilot hat from Uncle Jason!