Totally Worth It.

I believe I've mentioned before that we live in a small town. Like, really small. A no-stop-lights, no-grocery-stores, one-teeny-tiny-gas-station-kind-of-town. There are a couple of other homes on our street, but no children reside in them. I often dream about living in a neighborhood where the kids run from house to house and have a little gang of friends around them all the time. My sister lives in that kind of neighborhood. It seems kind of magical. Our home in Gilbert was located in that kind of neighborhood. But those kinds of neighborhoods don't really exist in rural Maine. I have discovered, though, that because my children don't have a neighborhood posse, they rely on each other. A lot. And while they fight a lot, they also really love each other. Especially these two. And that makes living in rural Maine totally worth it.

Doing Hard Things

I know I've written about this season's cross country team, but seriously, I am loving it! It's pretty much impossible for me to watch a meet without tearing up a little bit. Running is hard work and distance running especially takes so much determination and mental motivation. Running is such a metaphor for life. We just have to keep going. And get up every time we fall. It's a race to become our own best selves, better every day. I could go on and on.

Maddie set a goal at a practice this week to run the entire race on Thursday without stopping. Her coach (and principal) overheard her and said, in front of the whole team, "If you accomplish your goal, I'll buy popsicles for the entire team." Her good friend, worried about the pressure that it might put on Maddie, replied, "That's not fair to her, coach..." Without skipping a beat, Maddie whipped her head around and jokingly but reassuringly replied to Sophie, "Don't you believe in me?!!"

It's hard to catch a smile on Ike's face while he's running. It's usually 100% determination. But there's a tiny one there if you look close. 

Her improvement this season has been so exciting for me to watch. 

Giving it her at as she crossed the finish line. She and her teammate were neck and neck, but the pulled ahead at the end "by an inch" she said. 

I seriously love watching my kids finish a race. No one was near him during this final stretch, but I still watched Isaac push it as hard as he could so that he could beat his own time. 

Maddie ended up running yesterday's race without stopping once (a first!). The coach told me he would make good on his promise. "Looks like your daughter is going to cost me some money."

Welcome to the club, Mr. Russo.

Cross Country

Both Maddie and Isaac are running on their school's cross country team this fall. I made them do it. They were not happy with me, but I felt that it would give them some good experience being part of a team, get some exercise, and learn a great life skill--being able to run a few miles. I think it's growing on them. They no longer whine about all the practices (or how it hurts to walk down the stairs with sore muscles) and they are eager to participate in the meets each week.

There is something special about the culture of running. Everyone cheers each other on and there's just a great team spirit--no crazy parents yelling angrily at coaches and stuff like that. Since running is an individual sport, it's a great way to teach our kids about racing against their own time and beating their own PRs. Isaac improves every week, I love watching him run. Maddie is one of the slower runners on her team, but she finishes every race. I was so proud of her today as I watched her push herself through the very last stretch and give it her all as she crossed the finish line. As she told me, "I didn't want to leave any fuel in my tank, mom!"

Maddie @ Nine Years Old

On a date with her to downtown Camden. 

Making post cards at our family reunion in Bear Lake.  

Marshall Point Light House. One of our most favorite spots in all of Maine. 

Maddie is such a light in my life. There are so many qualities about her of which I am proud. She is kind, thoughtful, gracious, intelligent, hard-working, and compassionate. She loves her family and shows that love often. I want to hang on to nine-year-old Maddie forever. She just ran her first cross-country meet yesterday and I am so proud of her. Running is hard work and she is doing so well with it. She currently loves Harry Potter, white bread, mint flavored ice cream, and sugar snap peas. She still lets me read to her and kisses me goodnight every night. She is one of my life's greatest blessings.

Maddie @ 8 Years old

Today Maddie tried out for the school play, the Lion King. She has no formal acting experience, no formal musical training, and no fear. I am just blown away by this girl's confidence! I watched her during her audition and she gave it all she had! This girl has so much heart. Here is a little bit about Maddie at 8 years old.

Selfies are kind of her jam. She has taken hundreds of them on my phone. 

She planned out this year's Halloween costume all on her own. This girl knows how to make lemons out of lemonade. Instead of wallowing in the fact that she had to get braces, she decided to theme her entire costume around them. So of course she became a nerd. And she won two costume contests in the process. #nerdsrule

She loves all things ocean and wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up.

She loves her brothers and is especially tender with her younger ones.

Full of personality she is.

A couple of months ago, she and I were able to meet up with her kindergarten teacher (who lives in Connecticut). Ms Crocco has really shaped Maddie's educational experience thus far and I will always be grateful for the year that Maddie had with her (and consequently I compare every other teacher to her and they never quite measure up). 

Maddie's Baptism Day

I meant to record my feelings about Maddie's baptism shortly after the ceremony, but obviously that didn't happen! So here we are, months later playing catch up. We had a family home evening lesson last night on the importance of keeping records/journals, and I vowed to start updating this family blog weekly again. Wish me luck. 

Maddie was baptized and confirmed on June 11, 2016. It was such a pay-back day for me as a parent. Her primary teacher, Jennifer Arbour, spoke on baptism, and she asked her cousin, Carson, to speak about the gift of the Holy Ghost. They both did beautiful jobs and brought the Spirit into the meeting. Then she and Davis and Isaac sang "When I am Baptized." This was the highlight of the meeting for most people, I think. There were a lot of tears shed as the three of them sang so sweetly and innocently (I bribed them with lollipops or some kind of candy and they totally delivered!). I was also impressed with how many people from our branch came and supported Maddie. It was so touching. She invited a few friends from school, and one of them came and brought her mom with her. It was special for Maddie (and me) to teach them a little bit about our faith.

Ryan's parents were able to fly in for the week and it meant so much to us to have them there. 

When Maddie came out of the water, I was waiting between the font and the dressing room with a towel for her. As I wrapped her body in the towel, her face was beaming and tears just started streaming down my face. I tried to explain to her through tears that I was just so happy for her, the decision she had made, and the chance that I have been given to be her mother.

Not only did Lynn and Mary-Ann come into town, but so did Shannon, Matt, Natalee, and Carson! It was extra special to have them with us.

Playing around with her brothers and Carson...

oops. 

An Update for My Poor, Neglected Blog

Hello?

Anybody out there?

I've neglected this poor blog over the past year. Neglect due partially to Instagram and partially to the fact that I don't have to spend nearly as many nights alone (not complaining, not complaining. Residency, I do not miss you. I'm just acknowledging the fact that you did give me ample time to put all my lonely energy into updating our little life on this internet space). Now that we got that out of the way, in no particular order, here are some of the visual documentations of our life over the past month or so:

Every once in awhile, we get a really spectacular sunset. This particular night Maddie took this picture of our backyard. 

Gobble Gobble! I've never been a huge fan of Walmart but I must say that, given it's the only big box store within an hour of us, it makes shopping so much easier.

I just love Davis' kindergarten teacher. So does he. This drumstick headdress that they made during the week of Thanksgiving makes me love her even more.

Santa arrived by boat via the Coast Guard last weekend. We were there to greet him. 

We ran into Ryan's coworker while waiting for Santa last weekend and she offered to snap a picture of the two of us together. In a small town, you run into people you know A LOT. It's one of the things I love about this place. 

Last weekend we spent Saturday doing "Christmas-y" stuff. The art museum downtown hosts a big Christmas party each year and opens it up to the public. We decorated cookies, saw a model train exhibit, and took a horse-drawn wagon ride. I love this time of year. 

Cookie decorating at the art museum. That face!

More cookies! The Apple Jack eyes are my fave.

We took the kids to a Christmas parade of lights last weekend downtown. I have to laugh when I think about it. I mean, a parade of lights for Christmas at Disneyland in California? I get that. A parade of lights in Maine in December? Outside?Whose idea was that?? Lobsters in lights were abundant.

Isaac's class at school got to participate in an art program where they worked with a bunch of different mediums. Here he and his partner are explaining the process that they went through to create their work of art. One of the things that I love about Maine and particularly our county is that it attracts many artists, writers, and creative minds in general. Something about being close to nature fosters creativity. It's pretty cool. Because of this, there are more opportunities to explore art, meet local artists, and participate in programs like the one Isaac just completed at school. 

Isaac and I went to the Nutcracker together last week when I got to be a chaperone for his class field trip. It will be a really sad day when they ask me to stop coming to stuff like this. 

Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake graced our Thanksgiving table this year. This dessert almost ended up on our kitchen floor right after this photo was taken, but somehow I saved it (the shirt I was wearing did not survive, however. It turns out that chocolate ganache doesn't come out of cotton very easily). 

I've been really trying to focus on the true meaning of Christmas this year. For the sake of my children, but also for myself. It is so easy to get caught up in the stress of the season. The LDS Church has released several videos about Christmas and watching them each day, along with listening to the First Presidency Christmas Devotionals from years' past, has helped remind me of what is most important about this time of year. 

"Mom, can I take a selfie of us looking at each other?" I got to be Maddie's date to the movies the other night. She chose "The Good Dinosaur." I love this girl so very much. Sometimes I just look at her and can't imagine what my life would be like without her in it. She doesn't have any sisters but at least we have each other. And I love telling her that she is my favorite daughter. 

I see this red boat in the harbor every morning when I head home from my early morning workout. I just had to take a picture of it on this particular day. Seeing the ocean on the daily never gets old.

The sun sets in Maine just before 4pm this time of year. I'm not going to lie---this limited daylight we are currently experiencing really zaps my energy! I need more vitamin D!

Isaac learned to ice skate this fall through a series of field trips to the local rink. Ice skating skills really come in handy around here. Photo credit: Christine Miller. 

 There you have it: our life in pictures, or more accurately put, a tiny part of our life in pictures. I look at Ryan quite often and tell him that I just can't believe we have it so good. It's not perfect but there are so many things to be grateful for.

Back to School 2015

The Sunday before the kids headed back to school we tried to squeeze in one last family hike. It was foggy and beautiful.

And this was the end of the hike. I can't look at this picture without getting a pit in my stomach. I was so stressed out! All I could see were children plummeting to the depths of the icy Atlantic. Thankfully no one did. And I really want to go back on a clear day. 

And with my parents' visit a few days later, the week just flew by. I convinced Ryan to take this picture with me. I love many things about summer but I must admit that I crave structure and routines, which both get blown to smithereens all summer long. Our days are quieter and lonelier with just Nathan and I, but luckily the kids come home each afternoon.

Full of energy on the first day of school. I love how happy and excited the three of them look. They all seem to really love their classes and teachers. Davis told me he wants to live at school, and could I please live with him there? Because his teacher is so nice and the toys are more fun there.

And now Wednesdays are spent with just Nathan and Ryan and I. Nathan loves Wednesdays. So do I.

From the Mouth of My Babe

There is a hiking trail near Ryan's work that leads to the ocean. A small part of the hike requires the use of a rope to shimmy down the side of the hill to reach the ocean. The older kids can do it on their own but our little guy needs help. Ryan asked Nathan right before I snapped this picture to give him a big hug and hold on tight and he would safely get him past the hill. I think he looks like a little koala bear.

The other day, during Davis' first week of school, there was a little rough-housing on the bus and someone pulled Davis' hair. Apparently Maddie intervened and told the other boy to leave her brother alone. They relayed to me the altercation through giggles after they got off the bus. Then Maddie got serious and said, "Davis, if that kid messes with you again, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."

Life Lately

I'm not really sure how to sum up our summer so I'm going to take the easy way out and just post a barrage of pictures along with a little caption for each. We have had a pretty gorgeous summer here in Maine. It has been lonely in some respects because we are in a new place, but I'm so glad the kids have some neighbor friends down the street that they just adore. And that they have each other. They are really lucky to have each other. I hope someday they will realize that :) 

Maddie loves summer in Maine.

This tree fell over during one of the storms last winter before we moved in. The kids have loved having it as their climbing spot, but our landlords had to remove it for safety reasons. We took one last picture with it this particular morning.

I rarely do crafts with my kids, and while flubber is far from crafty, it's a start, right? Our kids and their friends ended up playing with it for days and days.

Maddie taught Nathan how to plug her nose and they play this little nose-plugging game almost every time they're in the car together. Incidentally, we are in the car A LOT because we live in the country and most things are further away than they were when we lived in suburbia---shopping, swim lessons, and even the park. But not the beach. The beach is really really close to us. I'll take it.

My friend, Becca, came with her family for a visit to Maine and we got to spend an evening with them. It was so great to catch up with her and see her sweet kiddos.

Me and my girl at the beach.

Davis, Isaac, and Maddie spent a week at a day camp last month. It focused on nature and they got to go hiking, to the beach, and to build fairy gardens in the woods. I would drop them off each morning and pick them up each afternoon and they loved it. I think it might become an annual thing. Nathan and I got a little taste of what life will be like when the kids go back to school at the end of the month.

Superheroes unite!

This girl loves taking selfies with her baby brother.

You have to use your imagination with this photo, but if you look really close in that tree, you can see a Bald Eagle. A BALD EAGLE! It was just hanging out in a tree outside our library. I don't think I've ever seen a Bald Eagle outside of captivity. Ever. The librarian told me that it comes to that tree often. It flew away after a few minutes and it was huge! It seriously looked like a man flying through the air it's wingspan was so big.

Ryan and I recently started a new tradition--we cook together one night a week. We take turns choosing the menu. This particular week it was grilled thai chicken kabobs. I love this tradition. It gives us a chance to talk to one another and make yummy food at the same time. And believe it or not, it was HIS idea to start this little tradition of ours. He's my favorite.

These tiny little frogs are all over our yard. Sometimes the wildlife in Maine is really charming--like the Bald Eagles and the tiny frogs, and sometimes it's really creepy--like the skunks stinking up our yard or the mice in our basement. And the ticks. Don't even get me started on the ticks. Is it weird that I'm only partially dreading winter? The silver lining to the frigid temps is that all the ticks die. I can't wait for them to die. But I can wait for winter so I guess I'll deal with the ticks a little longer.

Ryan and Nathan walking up to a lighthouse near our home. We were able to climb up inside the lighthouse because it happened to be open to the public. Pretty cool. 

I know I already posted a camping picture but this one is a little different and Davis' face just cracks me up. I think that this is the picture that I will remember forever when I think of our first summer here in Maine. I love these kids so much.