Redirecting...

This week Drew and Liv are attending our church's Vacation Bible School and I have volunteered to post a blog for the week's activities during the events at our church. 

Please feel free to visit

http://www.devonshirediaries.blogspot.com/

To see what the kids and I are up to this week.  Due to the time demand, I will not be posting on this site but will be posting on the above link in a shorter, more general dialogue. 

Regular posting here will resume next week... thanks for checking us out!

Homemade Champions

The Devonshire Softball Team has become the iconic gathering of heros for our family and our church.  For a group of ordinary men, this team has fused together in a most extraordinary way.  My husband is one of these men.

Crawling into a black tee-shirt, they imagine themselves dusty and focused.  They pull the familiar red jersey over their heads and smooth it out; "Devonshire' announced from their chests.  In their cars, the music prepares them for battle.  Something loud and blood churning - something to heighten their senses and summon their inner champion.   

Once they begin to assemble, the neuro-processes begin to fire.  Where they were thinking of time in terms of minutes and hours, they now think in terms of innings and outs.  Their biological needs narrow to only one: thirst.  Their minds race in only one direction: win.  They are no longer individuals; they are now a team.

The last game they played was last Tuesday, in the throws of a record-breaking heatwave.  I took these pictures before the kids finally gave in to the heat - we had to leave... it was just too hot.  But the men carried on.  They went on to win their second game (always a double-header) and with it, moved onto the Championship games.  If they win both on Sunday night, then its over and they enjoy the title of Champion once again. 

This is a group of ordinary heros, who are already champions to us. 

Good Luck on Sunday! 

A Change of Opinion

Have you ever looked back on some passed opinion you once had and

realized that maybe, just maybe, you were wrong? 

This summer with my family has been the most fulfilling time I can ever remember having.  The kids are growing up and as they do, I appreciate more about them:  their more sophisticated sense of humor, the thoughtful comments and observations... but most of all, I enjoy hearing their opinions about "life".

My husband, Sam, is a traditionalist by nature. 

One thing I like about him is his willingness to share his opinions,

however sometimes it ends up biting me in the ass. 

Were it up to him, my main purpose in life would be much like that of what you would read about in a 1950's Home Economics text book - complete with lipstick and a string of pearls.  He loves it when I'm home because the cooking is done - the laundry is folded and fresh every few days.  The towels are arranged accordingly in the linen closet and a hot meal is on the table every day at the same time.  The kids are well-adjusted.  The dog is walked.  The bed is made and the wife always smells pretty.  Who wouldn't love to come home to all that?  I sure would.

There was a day when my younger, more immature self was totally offended by this description of what a woman "should be".  The resentment I had was blinding and my intention to prove it wrong was tireless.  After having the babies, I was a SHM (stay-home-mom) - a title I loathed.  Eventually I started work and during my days of working evenings and weekends, there were many times when Sam was home with the kids - cooking, cleaning, and child-rearing.  (Daycare was a last resort scenario and they have spent little time under the care of anyone other than Sam or myself).  Now, ten years later and with corporate experience under my belt, I have stumbled upon the realization the 1950's description isn't so bad.

I remember working such hours that I would go weeks without doing any laundry.  Somehow, my socks had begun to miraculously appear in my drawer and his clothes were pressed.  I was astonished and infinitely grateful.  Where I would once do laundry begrudgingly; today I fold so it fits easily into its space, with crisp lines and extra fabric softener.

When I make the bed, I think about how good it feels to toss the covers back right before crawling into a well made bed, after a long day of work.  I have had days when the bed represented the portal into a new day and I have felt the comfort of sinking into a bed that will wipe the day clean. 

I once had a demanding schedule - and I remember how endearing it was when Sam would surprise me with a meal after a grueling day.  Now, each meal - once tackled at the last minute and thrown together - is carefully planned, flavored and timed to suit his demanding schedule. We sit, as a family each night around the dinner table and we fill each other in on the day - what we've done, what we've been thinking about or what we'd like to do.  These conversations are the elixir to shot nerves and impending deadlines.

Sitting around the table with my husband and my kids, I think about what each of us contributes.  Liv's gift is of laughter and love.  Drew astounds us each night with a new engineering masterpiece of Lego's and magnets or some mathematical equation he solved.  I see Sam now, differently than I did ten years ago.  Now I see a provider who give us the financial nourishment our family needs.  He sees me differently now, also: a working business owner who sacrifices time from work to make the house a home.  Because he works hard, I am able to create a soft, warm place for him to land at the end of each exhausting day.  Because I have created a lovely place to be, he can relax at home and greet each new work day with a fresh mind.  Were it not for his dedication to work, I wouldn't be home with Drew and Liv this summer.  I wouldn't be building a business of my own.  I wouldn't have the time to create this "modern day scrapbook" (as a dear friend recently put it).

I have willingly resigned myself to a lifestyle I once scoffed at - I am a homemaker. 

The difference in the 'me' now, versus the 'me' then, is appreciation. 

I have learned the value in giving to gain. 

I have realized the benefits of having children who have had the daily tenderness of a present parent. 

I have enjoyed a beautiful, organized home filled with happiness, laughter and love. 

I have worked and I have been cared for and now, it is my turn. 

As the pendulum of home economics swings, I am proud to say I have adapted and swung with it.

We are a modern day family - I am a modern day woman.

4th of July Weekend

July 4th Baby: My Mum, Paula

July 3rd Baby: Our Daughter, Liv

(Notice the way each of them holds their face in this picture.  We have long remarked on the similarities between Liv and Mum - in personality, looks and language)

Our Fourth of July weekend started, as you all know, with a trip down memory lane - to Letort park in Carlisle - my husband's home town.  On Saturday we all laid low and really enjoyed the day without much activity, all in anticipation for the follow day, Sunday, July 4th.  At the last minute we decided to drive to Philly and celebrate the two girls' birthdays together.

Mum and Dad surprised us all with a special treat of fresh lobster for lunch.  With my family (and my roots) hailing from the beautiful state of Maine, having lobster is like a call to the senses: not only am I eating the very food that reminds me of 'home' but I am with my parents and my own family - it couldn't have been a better combination.  A beautiful chocolate torte followed for dessert - the perfect finale.

After the visit to Philadelphia, we headed back west to

Hershey - our favorite location for July 4th Festivities.

Once in Hershey, we had little trouble finding a spot to park - the same spot we got last year, and directly across from the building where the fireworks are set.  It is a small, unimposing building with a very serious flourescent light on the corner of it.  About 50 yards from it's front door is a white fence lined with mesh.  This keeps eager firework's fanatics away from the delicate igniting ceremony and out of harm's way.

While we waited and the sun was setting, my ever-resourceful husband helped the kids to pass the time.  He seized my painter's tape and a plastic cake pan and before we knew it, a game of basketball was underway.  I love how he get's them involved and teaches them how to really "play" - even without toys around.

A few quiet moments together on the blanket...

Then, the show starts.

Fireworks are a tough thing to photograph and it has been one of my major challenges.  Sam got me this new camera for Christmas two years ago and I still have yet to successfully capture the spectacle of such beautiful moments.  From where we were sitting, the fireworks exploded directly over our heads, filling our periphery.  If fireworks could hug, we were absolutely embraced - it was beautiful.

Above - The white building with on-lookers in the background.

Above - Panning out from the above picture, this the small white building from which the fireworks were set (around back).  Note the trucks in the bottom left corner of the picture.  They are two large moving vans that were used to transport the fireworks to this location - their presence in the picture helps to relate the size of the building and the vastness as the 'works launch into the sky above.

Happy 4th to all of you.

Eight is Great

Letort Park - Carlisle, PA

For her birthday, Liv wanted to revisit the park she has heard so much about over the past 7 years or so.  You see, when she was little - very little - our spirited young lady was sound asleep after the half hour drive to this magical childhood land.  Not wanting to bother her, I pulled her carseat out of the car entirely and walked her to the nearest picnic table and leaned the seat back against the bench of the table.

As the story goes, Drew and Sam were off exploring the wooden maze of Letort when Liv began to stir.  She didn't rest often and when she did, she was out - cold.  So any stirring while in her sleep tended to mean the end of her nap was near.  Before I could coax her awake and introduce her to the playground, her eyes snapped open like a roller shade, she saw the giant castle of a playland and threw her body florward with the trajectory of a canon. 

She was on her feet and running toward the playground - from a dead sleep.

There were no words.  I yelled after her, shocked and laughing, "Livvy, where are you going?!"  She slowed down only to yell back to me, "Pay, Momma! Pay!"  (Pay, of course being the one-year-old translation of 'play')

Anyway, this story has been told to Olivia over the years and each time she is reduced to giggles galore.  When she asked us to have her birthday here this year, we couldn't say no.  It was the perfect idea.

She invited three little friends, but only two could make it.  Hot dogs, cake and presents - lots of running around and a beautiful place for pictures... it was a wonderful party - for a wonderful little girl.

Nyah, Liv, Abby and Drew - the keepers of Fort Letort

Drew asked me earlier in the week to return to a store we had visited.  He had seen his sister oogling at this barbie and all her miniscule pieces and he wanted to get it for her birthday.  I thought is was such a nice gesture and I was touched that he was paying such close attention to her little wishes.

Liv, Nyah and Abby

Couldn't ask for more beautiful subjects.  When I look at these girls, just eight years old, I remember my own childhood and wish for them all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me.  Growing up is tough, but together with her friends, a girl can get through anything.

Due to a busy day yesterday, I was unable to bestow my 2 cents onto the World Wide Web – my sincerest apologies to those of you who contacted me to make me aware of my abandonment. I had no idea how much you were all looking forward to reading about “C-Day” and seeing the pictures that go along with it!

The Problem

As the attempt to hone my cooking skills develops, it is important to make the motive behind C-Day very clear: While I don’t mind the occasional cooking for guests and entertaining purposes, it is the daily meal planning I have a problem with. I don’t care for the daily planning ahead, taking inventory of what I have, and determining what is for dinner only when my children are ravished. It always feels rushed and I always do a mediocre job. I know I can do better.

So, ten years in this, I’m at one of my favorite shopping boutiques, Ollie’s (Good Stuff Cheap), and I happen upon a bound treasure: a book on how to cook in one day, for the entire month. Eureka! Strolling through the aisles of a discount warehouse, I find the answers to my infinite nagging displeasure: for only 3.99.

First, when I got home, I read the book cover to cover. It talks about the life I was leading – the burden to cook and clean and plan – every day to feed my family. This book was written for me.

The Concept

Use your freezer chest (Which we recently acquired) to store fully cooked meals instead of the ingredients. Simple right? Oh yeah, baby. For the next two days I devoured this book and wrote down recipes and made a list like I’ve never made before. My ‘starving’ children and husband looked on with awe as I announced with fervor: “I am going grocery shopping!” (I think the Rocky theme song was playing in the background somewhere, but I could’ve just been me.)

Two days later, starting at about 8.00, my cooking day (C-Day) commenced. I rotated three recipes at one time: prepping one, cooking one, and cooling/packaging the other. Once one was packaged, in the freezer it went and I started a new one. Eleven meals later, I was beat and my kitchen was a mess – but my freezer was full and I was looking at a full month of very little planning/cooking/rushing.

For those of you who have silently despised the meal planning process but did it for your family and to show the world that you are the domestic slave you should be – There is a way!

Photos shown in order of top to bottom:

Lemon Chicken and Carrot Manicotti, Cheese Burger Pies, and Lime Cilantro Crab Cakes.

Up to Speed

Today is "C-Day"!!

That is code for 'cooking' day.

I have made it a well known fact that I'm not a big fan of cooking, so I've been on the prowl for a new strategy. I will detail it in tomorrow's blog.

For now, I'm going to get you all up to speed:

Before I decided I was going to make time for blogging, we had about 2 weeks of the kids' summer vacation that has gone un-witnessed. The photos below will fill you in on the events that have led us up to today.

Last Day of School - June 11th

Drew and Liv walk to school each day - Boston and I following closely behind.

Once at the school, at the top of the stairs, we bid them farewell. Boston gives out one desperate yip as they disappear into the school. Their last day as 3rd and 2nd graders.

After school the celebration begins over elaborate hot fudge sundaes and a good silly band trading session!

Local Recreation Center

Liv and her gal-pal enjoy hours at the pool together, while Drew and his buddy spend their time ballin' in the courts. This recreation center has been a big part of our lives for years. The kids have come to know it as their second home.

The colors in the picture are so great. Liv and her friend have known each other since they were babies. Their friendship strengthens each year.

Drew is getting in touch with his inner sports star. The friend in this picture is one year older than Drew and a gifted athlete. He is teaching Drew the way around the court.

I could add more, but I think for now... you have a pretty good idea. There are days spent at SPRAMA - there are days at home - there are days at the library... all kind of boring to try to blog about.

One thing I don't care for are blogs where the post-master is nothing more than a narcissistic writer who loves to hear (read) their own words... I will do my best not to be that way.

I suppose time will tell.