Many Thanks

There are so many things I'm thankful for, I just wanted to take a moment to record them. I am thankful for the health of my children. They are vibrant, stubborn, hilarious, sassy girls who will change the world with their footprint, bootprint, sneakerprint, and Jimmy Choo print in the years to come. This year, Ivy will start 5th grade - her first year of departmentalized classes. She has 3 lovely teachers, and I think she's going to have another wonderful year. If I had to take a guess right now, I'd say that Ivy will be a lawyer or designer of some type. In fact, she may be a corporate attorney for a fashion firm. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't end up on Saturday Night Live, too. Isa is in 2nd grade. She will likely go to 3rd grade for some math enrichment. What Isa will be, I'm not sure. I think she might be a doctor or nurse, because she is so caring and concerned. She might also be an engineer or mathematician for some science company. It's hard to say where their paths will lead. I sure hope I'm here to get to see it! I am thankful for my job. Last year I left public education and started working for a software company as their Learning Evangelist. It's such a silly title. I have my sights set on being their Chief People Officer some day. I love this company - Terra Dotta is its name. I love the environment I work in, I love the way we shrink the world for traveling students and scholars. It would be so easy for me to go back to what I know...to teaching and having summers off, and being near the top of my game. But I don't want to. Every once in a while I get an email like the one I got last night, when the CSO emailed me with a new idea that tells me he doesn't think I'm a flash in the pan, but rather someone who will be with company for the long ride. I'm so appreciative of that. I came from education, where I knew I'd be retiring in 15 years. Now, I have no idea when I'll retire, but everything feels fresh and exciting and I can't imagine that I'd WANT to quit in 15 years. I am thankful for Alex. We've had ups and downs and ebbs and flows through the years, and I think I can recognize each season for what it is - but where we are right now, ahead (and behind) our 15th anniversary, it's a special place. It's a place where he holds me close and tells me things I cannot believe about myself - that I'm beautiful, loved, worthy. Like Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman, "The bad stuff is easier to believe." Unfortunately, I only tell myself the bad stuff. It's a journey I'm on, to find some acceptance within myself. I'm thankful that he loves me. I thankful that he's a constant for our girls. I'm thankful that while it seems we're ALWAYS a foursome...we're always a foursome. We have each other, through it all. And I'm thankful for knowing who I am a little better than I did in younger years. 39 feels so young, and so old at the same time. It's time to start looking for a new car; I'm not in a rush. It's time to start planning a few vacations; I can't believe we're finally to the point where we get to do that. It's time to start thinking about an anniversary trip; woohoo! It's time to start thinking about the future. And I'm so thankful that where we are is strong enough that we can look beyond right now, and dream.

The First Day of School

Night Owl: Morning Person

What am I? I'm a night owl AND a morning person. I also count napping as a hobby. How can this be?? As a teacher, through the summer it is exceedingly easy for me to become a night owl. I can stay up until 1 or 2 am without any effort. BUT, if I have something to accomplish, it probably isn't going to get done at night. I do my best, most focused work, early in the morning before anyone is up. I've been up for 90 minutes now and I've made headway on work I've been putting off all weekend. The house is quiet and dark. My coffee is hot and creamy. I've had a productive morning already and the rest of the family is still asleep. I stopped to blog, though, because it just seems like something I want to share...this conundrum of late to bed, early to rise. I will say, though, early mornings like this do bring early nights, and since today is the last, last, last day of summer...the last hours of summer...it looks like grandma bedtimes will begin tonight.

Quiet

Our girls have had a hard time sleeping since we went to Texas. It probably comes from being out of routine, but nonetheless, for 3 weeks in Texas I only slept through the night 2 times. All the other nights one, or sometimes both, needed me. Since returning home it's been a little better (a little more routine) but they are still up during the night at lest twice a week and they are rising EARLY, usually up before Alex leaves for work.

This morning. This. Morning. This morning his musical preparation of sugar jar clinking, coffee cup stirring, water running, chicken sizzling DID NOT WAKE THEM. They are sleeping, peacefully, and he has been gone 20 minutes!

I've had TWENTY MINUTES of a quiet house, all to myself. I thought that deserved some documentation on the bloggity-blog. Oh, yes!

So, while I should be working, I'm going to take a little time to enjoy my coffee and write some thoughts.

Ah. Do you hear that? Me either.

Silent blessings.

Sunday Funday

Today we spent the morning visiting our cousins' church for the baptism of their three little angels. It was nice to visit a new church, and it gave me greater affirmation of the ways that our current church fits our family best - not just because of what's familiar, but because of the style of worship, the friendliness of people, communion, even the sermon (which I sometimes struggle to focus on...). One thing they did that I loved, though, was to take the children out for a lesson during the sermon - so I actually got to listen to this one!

As the babies were being baptized, the pastor gave each of them a cloth to dry their heads. Although I was raised baptist, I was "sprinkled" as baby when my family attended a Lutheran church. That cloth made me remember that I still have mine that my mother saved - and when I looked at it at home later I found that my baptismal birthday is just around the corner. Such a sweet momento.

After church with my cousins' family, we changed and quickly headed to our own church to celebrate the arrival of our new Vicar. Our church had a BBQ picnic on the lawn, and I have a little girl who loves BBQ. It was great to visit - to be missed in a congregation of 400 - and to return to fellowship with our people.

I am blessed.

Low Key

It's been a low-key few days at the Alfaro Abode. We have had fun with friends, but we've also just enjoyed being together, us three girls.

We have gone bowling with some precious people. We have skated and baked (a lot) but I have very few pictures of our goings-on. If you want to see a little more and hear a little less, find me on instagram - I'm kristimarissa.

In the meantime I'll leave you with these 2 sweet shots.

Sensitive Kids

I know that I'm raising sensitive kids. They're sensitive in different ways, but they are tender hearts nonetheless. Also, I was a sensitive kid - so quick to get my feelings hurt. Quick to forgive, too, but oh - have you ever literally felt your heart ache? Felt it feel as if it's pulling in two, right inside your chest? I have. More times than I can count. Unfortunately, at least one of our daughters is the spitting image of me. Tonight, we had just finished watching Annie (old version) and were heading to bed. Out of nowhere Ivy says she needs to talk to me, and she proceeds to burst into tears. Big, fat tears that streaked her face as her lip curled out further and further while she told me the story of what had her upset. You see, in PreK 4, she had a best friend. PREK 4...3 full years ago, and then some. This friend moved away, but came back briefly in 1st grade. When she came back, she told Ivy that she remembered her, but she didn't want to play with her. And then the sobs. SOBS. Because her feelings were hurt 400+ days ago. She may be like me, but I do believe she may be more sensitive than even I was. I asked why she didn't mention it when it happened and she wasn't sure. I know she isn't sure because it happened SO LONG AGO. What hashed up these feelings? I don't know. If anyone reads this blog, can you relate? Do you have a sensitive child who takes years to process typical pains of childhood? If anyone reads this blog, will you pray for us through boys and the mean-girl teenage years? Yikes.