Saturday - coffee cake in the oven ...

Saturday morning here.  We have coffee cake in the oven.  I have coffee cake in the oven?  I guess there wasn't really a "we" in that activity.  Not this time, anyway.  Caleb is up and Graham is still asleep.  Steel cut oats are waiting to be eaten; sitting warm in the Instant Pot He stayed up reading, which I kind of encouraged because it was a way for us to validate his "oldness" as compared to Caleb who went to bed earlier, and it gives him a chance to catch up on Harry Potter.  Caleb is already on the last book and I'm on book 5 (the very end) and Graham is feeling really behind - but he has so much homework to contend with.  

By the way, I am so proud of how he's handling his homework as a freshman.  His binder is still full of dog-eared returned assignments so we have some work to do on handling his educational artifacts, but he's really proactive and often gets a head start on his homework to minimize the aggravation of a deadline later.  He is also intentional about getting his weekend homework done on Friday so that he doesn't have to think about it over the weekend.  Observing all of these things gives me confidence that he's mastering a look-ahead mindset which will serve him well in the years to come. 

Anyone else out there wanting to say hi? 

Well, hi there - want to try this thing again?

Hi - is anyone out there?  Will anyone get notified that I've posted?  

I'm sitting in our recliner, in the family room where we do most of our hanging out and reading and living.  I've been looking at recipes online trying to figure out what to make.  Feeling rather uninspired today.  

I feel more fatigued and uninspired than normal today.  But I'm feeling better knowing I'm talking to you all.  I always try to figure out why I'm feeling this way, it's kind of a weird thing I do - does anyone else do this too?  I wore my contacts and they felt a bit funky and I know that often puts me into a bit of a funk, just kind of off in a way.  Also I am reading an awful non-fiction book called Flow - the Psychology of Optimal Experience.  It's something I was thinking would be helpful as I'm trying to quantify the work I've done at UL and PeaceHealth, but it's far more focused on tactics for "illuminating the way to happiness."  

Very much about dis-order in the universe and chaos and creating happiness.  

I miss you all.  I loved reading through year 1 of our blog and it made me realize how I don't want to lose connection and would love to share stories again.  Anyone up for exploring the blogosphere again with me? 

Love to all, 

M

Leonidas M. Lively - our Great, Great, Great Uncle.

I found this Obituary in Grandmother Lois' High School Diploma. Mom helped out, this is our Great, Great, Great Uncle. Grandmother Bessie was a Hoke, and her mother Celia, was referenced by Leonidas on his death bed. You have to read it.

I am really curious who wrote this Obituary and if this was a typical obituary in 1921. I love and miss you all.
-ab

My heart is so full ... the ruckus sounds of all three of my boys playing together, with Lazslow lagging behind trying to find a place to fit in.  Pat stayed home today with Graham who had no school due to Veterans Day.  I went to work and concentrated on some tough things there.  And now he's been home before dinner, for dinner, and here for the after-dinner ruckus ... uninterrupted because he's been here the whole time.  These are moments that make me hesitate to rejoice in the fun because I hope it's not some sort of strange foreboding of some "missing" in the future. 

When Pat and Graham got back from the grocery store (they couldn't go any earlier because Graham took such a long nap), I aske needed to return with items for dinner.

Pat has been being more intentional lately, in experiencing life and loving family ... and I am so thankful.  I love you, Babe, and I am so thankful to have the gift of doing life with you. d him what they had done (knowing most of what they had planned) ... and the first thing he said was "We went to Menchies!"  (Menchies is the local frozen-yogurt/candy shop.)  They also did the library, had lunch together, played on the computer, and watched a show.  Caleb was at school so it was really and truly a Daddy-Graham day.  And let me tell you, he's noticed.  His smile is so broad and comfortable .. and loved. 

And for me, it is pretty unbelievably validating to know Pat was here for our morning preparation, the departure (seeing how many bags I pack and take to the car on a Monday morning), and to know that he even ended the day with a trip to the grocery store with a boy, knowing he needed to return with items for dinner.

Pat has been being more intentional lately, in experiencing life and loving family ... and I am so thankful.  I love you, Babe, and I am so thankful to have the gift of doing life with you. 

Random, ridiculous postings

For all of you who received an e-mail about some of my strange blog posts: I did actually intend to post those...especially the nostrils one! I just posted them to the wrong blog. I have a blog of student quotes www.whatswrongwithdespair.blogspot.com and that is where all the random, funny, senseless and sometime startlingly amazing quotes from my students belong. So check it out if you want. If you got the message about "the tiki dude" just imagine a little blonde 7th grade girl saying that! Maybe people will now check the Nelbett blog more often!

Fiona pics

Remember how I got on all of your cases for not posting your news on the blog? Ha ha ha.... I take it back. Molly reminded me to share more Fiona pics with my Nelbett cousins. I miss you guys; we need a Cousins' Breakfast at Thanksgiving.

You guys are going to love Fiona. She is a little introvert, I think... she gives us huge smiles at home (and dramatic red-faced, pouty-lipped cries), but when we go into a crowd she immediately closes her eyes and purses her lips. She's getting braver, though.

Our friend Cher Wing took some photos when Fiona was 5 days old. We wanted one with Molly's quilt and Mom's rocking chair. (The rocking chair goes back four generations!) Unfortunately, the goose in the background was decapitated in the process.

Here's one I took for my sis the other day. I couldn't bear to dress her that morning (I did, though!!) because Fiona was so giggly....

And here's one from our walk home from church on Sunday. Fiona's arms are getting so CHUBBY!

Love you guys,
KK

PS. Andy, Blogger is getting irritating. How hard would it be to switch to WordPress?

Crazy Hair Day - so fun!!

Nursery pics

Here's a sneak peak at the nursery! Damon's family came to town last week, and they promptly WENT TO TOWN helping us with the nursery. Chuck and Damon re-did all of the baseboards and window/door trim. Christie painted all of the trim/desk/dresser, and I did the "wall art" with the help of Sheena and Shari. Thanks to AK for loaning us Uncle Tom's sander.... none of the walls were straight, and the trim had to be carefully sculpted to fit. 

This has always been my favorite room in the house... and now I LOVE peeking in and thinking about the little girl who will be here soon! Just 9 weeks to go (I hope).  

The crib, courtesy of (Great-) Grandma Gene. I wonder if anyone makes orange crib sheets??

We bought the goose-and-bicycle artwork last year at a Boise Bicycle Project fundraiser. We already had the chair.  

I've always loved this room because you can see the apple trees out the window.

Changing table and closet. Damon's dad built the changing table top and his mom is now sewing a pad/cover. They both painted the dresser (which was Chuck's growing up) and desk. The stool -- now repainted and recovered -- was mine from growing up.

The room's future resident... 

Painting the geese.