What a Blessing

Yesterday, our Valentine's day was okay... some things went according to plan and some things did not (more about that later this week).  But there was one big surprise and big blessing.

Hubby, Tracey Ann and I went out to dinner -- a litter later than we normally would because Tracey Ann took a late afternoon nap and didn't awaken until 5:30pm.

The details of our actual dinner are not that important, except to say, as we were finishing our deal we agreed that we weren't thrilled with our experience at this restaurant.  We waited a LONG time for our food (with a toddler who is still working on the concept of patience), and when our food arrived it was fine... but not so amazing that it outweighed how long we had to wait for it.

When the meal was over, Hubby asked for our bill and the waitress informed us that we didn't have a bill.  We couldn't believe it.  We both immediately felt a change of heart towards the restaurant.  They must have realized how long they had made us wait for our food and wanted to make ammends.

As we clarified this point with the waitress, she informed us that our bill was not comped by the restaurant... but covered by another patron.

We had run into a family that we knew a little before dinner -- a family that Chris had had their son in class last year -- and this lovely family, who had left the restaurant fifteen minutes or more, earlier had anonymously paid our bill and treated us to dinner.

We were -- and still are -- stunned, and blessed, and speechless.  I have heard of patrons doing that for random strangers, and I have heard of patrons doing that for Military personal.  But we are just average people, and we are small town teachers.  The last thing we would ever expect to end our Valentine's meal was to find out that the parents of one of Chris' former students had treated us to dinner.

How do you repay a blessing that is so out of the blue, and unexpected, and you are so humbled to receive?  The words "Thank you" seem so inadequate... but the only thing one can say is "Thank you."

My Valentines

I have the two best Valentines in the world.

One big, one small.

One my husband, one my daughter.

I am so incredibly lucky.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

1000 Words

1000 Words

This is one of my good friends from college.  I haven't seen her since Chris and my wedding.  Yesterday she met Tracey Ann.

Treasuring the Present: Still Nursing

Here is my treasuring the present... Thursday, instead of Tuesday.

I am still nursing Tracey Ann.  She is more than twelve months and two weeks, and nursing is still a very big part of our daily routine.

While I plan to nurse her as long as she needs, or as long as I am able, I confess, I am beginning to think about life post-nursing... but I am also stopping myself mid-thought because I want to cherish this beautiful time as long as I can.  Tracey Ann will not nurse for the rest of her life, but she and I are so blessed that I've been able to breastfeed and that we share this beautiful bond that she still gets milk from me.

Not to mention, breastfeeding is SOOO convenient.

She still feeds early in the morning -- around 4am, and last thing before she goes to sleep at night-- around 7:30pm, and a few times in between.  It is not at all lost on me how much more complicated my life is going to become when she is no longer nurses.  Let's see -- do I want to awaken to a crying baby at 4am, put her in bed next to me and let her nurse while I snooze... or do I want to go to awakened to a crying baby at 4am, stumble to  the kitchen to sleepily, and clumsily assemble a bottle while she gets more and more upset about the delay.  Um, I'll take "nursing in bed" for another month, please, Alex.

Also, I love that Tracey Ann still feels so safe and secure and cared for in my arms and through this kind of nourishment.

If you're an expectant mother, don't be afraid of the struggles of breastfeeding.  The best things in life are hard... and this prolonged method of feeding is incredibly worth it.

10 (Plus) on 10

So last month, I saw that a friend had posted 10 on 10 -- Ten photos taken on the tenth of the month.

I decided to take ten photos on the tenth... and I took 84 pictures.  So, I had to pair things down... and here are 10-ish pictures taken on the 10th.

Little Miss awoke as I was leaving...

So, I got to see her before I left and she cuddled with Daddy (she's wrapped in the blanket)

The photos I keep up in my office - 75 mile from home by 7:15am

 It was sunny on my drive... by snowing by 10:30am, when I head to my next school

... but blue skies 50 miles down the road

Working on a Braille assignment at home, with help from Lexie

Workout with weights while Tracey Ann naps (her monitor is on my iPad)

Hit my goal of 10,000 steps by 6:00pm - 12,000 by the time I went to bed

Up from her nap, Tracey Ann played ball with Lloyd

Dinner time!

Giggles post-bath

Daddy's home, and Tracey Ann and I are so happy to see him!

Reading Proverbs 10, on the tenth

Now that Tracey Ann is in bed, Lexie wants some love...

"Just Wait 'Till The Second"

I've just got to say it...

I find it very condescending when people pass judgement on the way I parent Tracey Ann by the coy off-handed comment, "Just wait 'till the second."

I usually hear this from a variety of other mothers when I:

• tell my mother-in-law that we don't want Tracey Ann to eat yogurt (or whatever the food) because of all the added sugar
• try to keep up with her at children's play places to wipe off the objects before she climbs on them
• mention that we use cloth diapers at home
• take the time to teach her how to interact with her peers in the church nursery

Frankly, I find the comment really condescending.

Are they implying that I will not care as much about the second child as I do the first?  Or perhaps they are suggesting that I should not be caring for Tracey Ann the way that I am, and I will realize my mistake the second time around?  What if I do not have a second child -- you're still implying that I should make a change -- that if I could go back and do it differently, I should.  Either way, its certainly not a compliment about the way I mother.

Now, I know these mothers are not trying to imply all of the above, and they are not trying to insult me... but the fact is, every day, I make thousands of choices, thousands of little decisions that impact Tracey Ann, and, in every choice, I am trying to do what I believe is best for Tracey Ann (period).  First child, second child, twentieth child... I'm simply trying to do what I believe is best for her.

Sure, maybe my methods and opinions will evolve over the years, as I gain more experience parenting, as the world changes, and as, yes, I have more children for whom I am responsible... but let me come to those changes on my own, in my own time.  Don't imply that everything I believe is important, or every decision I make will be different once I have a second one.

 Whatever changes may come, I hope that, when I have more children, and I am talking to a mother of one, I hold my tongue and never say to her, "Just wait 'till the second."

Flashback: Rome Update 3

Flashback: Rome Update 3

September 13, 2004

Hey Everyone -
The past week was the first week of classes here and I believe mine
will be pretty good.  The work load seems very doable, and the material
seems interesting.  So far, I find myself with plenty of free time which
is a nice luxury when one is in Rome.
I had a disappointment this weekend when I could not find ANYWHERE in
this city televising the Michigan v. Notre Dame game.  I spent the
majority of last week exploring the city by way of going from pub-to-pub
speaking broken Italian trying to ask about the game.  In the end, all
efforts were in vain, AND, to add insult to injury, Michigan lost!  :(
I guess that's what happens when I'm not able to cheer for them.
For those of you who are interested, my address here is:
Brooke Sanden
C\O John Cabot University
Box 457
Via della Lungara 233
00165 Rome
Italy
I would not recommend sending anything breakable or valuable or that
can't afford to not make it to me.  I understand the Italian mail system
is not very reliable.  Also, rumor has it that any mail that arrives in
a box requires me to pay a tax on it, while any mail that arrives in
paper, padded or manilla envelopes are fine and are exempt from the
tax.
My phone number, for those of you wishing to burn money is:
335-775-8730... but I think first you have to dial a 011-36 or
something like that.  I don't know.
Everyone will be very happy to know that my apartment has had hot water
for five days now!  YAY!  When the plumber finally arrived, he told us
cold showers were good for our skin.  We assured him that our skin was
just fine and that we had enough cold showers to last our skin a very
long time.
I send my love to you all and hope everything is going well for you.
:)
- Brooke