Links I Love {Vol.14}
37,000 feet above the Canadian Prairies
Well, I’m here. Not there. Where is home, anyway?
Gosh, change is exhausting. It’s midnight and I haven’t found a spare moment to write in days and days and my brain is growing cluttered and tiresome from all the thoughts and snippets of blog posts tumbling around in it.
I really should go to bed but I’m getting just a little cocky from my amazing 8-week-old super-sleeper, and I’m sure it will bite me in the butt sometime soon, maybe tonight. I sit in the lazy-boy recliner here in my parents’ living room, surrounded by stuff that’s not mine, and routine that’s unfamiliar. My feet don’t quite touch the floor like they do in our rocker, and I feel short. We sold our rocker, and I feel lost.
The Honey is somewhere in the Canadian Prairies surrounded by flat fields and straight roads. He should see a tree again by Friday, maybe. The kiddos are adorable (especially because they are currently all sleeping) and I still can’t believe they’re all mine. Three extra people in the world thanks to me and Honey, can you believe it? I still marvel at the craziness of it all, especially since I usually still feel like a teenager. They’re having a bit of a rough time with all the changes, but nothing we can’t walk through together. Lots of connecting, gentle parenting on my part, and attention from extended family is helping.
It’s a very disconcerting feeling to be homeless (we have a roof over our heads, but it’s not our own), unemployed, and in a new place (this particular neighbourhood of the Big City is somewhat new to us, since this wasn’t where we lived before). It’s like a wave that we need to ride out, with patience and perseverance.
(Oh, and PS – I heart West Jet. When I got home from the airport I realized we’d forgotten to get the playpen (amidst our 7 pieces of checked bags, 3 car seats, 5 carry ons, and 1 cat), so the next day West Jet called me and offered to deliver it (30 minutes away!). When I asked if there was a charge, the guy said “nah, don’t worry about it”. LOVE it.)
So. While I’m processing and adjusting and unpacking (there are still suitcases in the front hallway, which makes finding us all clothes to wear in the mornings kind of a circus), I thought I’d share what I’ve been perusing lately on the ol’ interweb.
A random assortment. Enjoy!
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Alternatives to Punishment @ The Natural Parent :: “Many parents recognize the harmful effects of physical and verbal punishment. They know that yelling, slapping, hitting, and spanking teach violence, destroy self-esteem, create anger, interfere with learning, and damage the relationship between parent and child. But knowing what not to do is only the first step; parents wonder what they should do instead.”
I have a feeling this one may ruffle some feathers among my non-AP-friends… feel free to share your thoughts!
iPods in the Classroom @ Love Two Teach :: This post has a bunch of great apps for small kids. A few months ago I got an iPod touch thanks to some sacrificial generosity, and hubby recently sold his laptop and bought an iPad instead. While we were at the Apple store buying the iPad, the kids were playing around with some iPads (that are sitting there in the “kids’ corner” – how brilliant is that?) and found a puzzle app. It was pretty simple – just drag and drop pieces. Both my 4 and 2 year-olds got the hang of it pretty quick, so hubby downloaded it. Then on our recent trip to Banff, the kids took turns playing puzzles, and absolutely loved it.
As an aside, my dear friends… my nosy controversy-loving mind wants to know: do you use technology as an educational aid for your kids? Do you think it’s just more “screen time” and therefore not great, or do you think it’s a positive tool used in moderation?
Surrender: When God’s Plan Doesn’t Line Up With Your Own @ The Adventures of Mr. Magoo :: “He had interview after interview….we thought it was a done deal, and it fell through…..and God quietly nagged the entire time…..and I knew. Oh how I knew what He wanted…..where He had been leading us the entire time.”
Love this story from my good friend, Serena, who incidentally was the one who first set up Chris and I waaaaay back in high school… I still remember that day, outside the music classroom. Oh young love, how naive and beautiful you were.
5 Simple Snacks and Beverages for Hot Days @ The Nourishing Gourmet :: Of the five, the one I shall be trying first? Simple Chocolate Banana Ice Cream… mmm, looks so yummy!
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Annnnnd… 12:31am. Good night!
