Mom Remembers

I have been looking forward to Michaelmas so much this year!   Michaelmas is a season for courage, something our family has been feeling a need for this past month.  The children especially have been struggling with the encroaching darkness, both in the night that comes earlier each day and, at least for Soren, in his own awakening mind.  We needed to celebrate the gifts we have been given by God: strength and power to slay our own dragons! * In my excitement, I started decorating as soon as September began.  We brought a toy shield back from Nan's house that I hung on some invisible wire.  I put some of the boys figures up on our shelves and made some cool transparencies of St. Michael and the dragon.  We also picked lots of Michaelmas daisies! * I began preparing the kids for Michaelmas two full weeks in advance by telling the story of Michael and the Star Children during our Kindergarten.  It's the same story that I told last year in Kindergart...

Sven can do it.  And he doesn't fall over.

Goals for Soren: * learn visualization and relaxation techniques * practice loving his "enemy" * help to cook breakfast Goals for Carl: * learn to put on his own shoes * help to cook breakfast Goals for Sven: * sleep * play independently in the crib for 10 minutes every morning Goals for Carolyn: * get up at 6:30 every morning * exercise with Michelle 3 afternoons a week * read fiction Goals for Mom: * talk less, sing more * respond consistently and lovingly to Soren's distress (grown-up PUPD) * safeguard regular wake-times and nap times for Sven * use a calendar--don't over-schedule our family!

Last night was the first night that Sven slept from sun down to sun up. Of course, it was also the night that my neighbors had a huge screaming fight on their porch at 2 in the morning.  So, although Sven  slept through the night, I  sure didn't. I'd like to hope for another try tonight but I'm not sure that it's going to stick.  Two nights ago, he woke up at 12:30, which is pretty normal for him.  We've been doing one night feeding around then since the middle of August, when I dropped the "dream feed". Once a night is very do-able, so I won't be too disappointed if he wakes up tonight.  I can't say that about a repeat performance of my neighbors' fight.

We're driving in the car to Provo for the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival.  It's a hot afternoon and Carl exclaims: CARL:  It smells like hell  in here. Scott and I just look at each other, amused and surprised.  We don't say anything, hoping that Carl will elaborate.  Thankfully, after a pregnant pause, he does: CARL:  It smells like fire and that's what hell smells like. (A comment on this: I don't believe in a fire and brimstone hell and I definitely haven't taught my boys to believe in one.  I believe in a hell that is like fire and brimstone.  It is more a state of the heart than the body.  But Soren likes to read the Bible to himself and his interpretations are much more literal.  Then he tells Carl about what he reads.  So they are getting some ideas of their own ...)