Hurst Family News

I know that time will eventually tick itself down and Friday will in fact be here.  But it feels that time is stuck to the side of the jar.  Killin' me Smalls.  Our house has exploded.  The walls are still here but the inside needs a good purging to get better.  We got all of our stuff out of storage the other day.  A swift reminder that we (by which I point the finger mostly at myself) have yet again over indulged and have WAY TOO MUCH stuff.  Things.  Time.  Energy. Space. Money. Wasted.  And now all of that stuff is clogging my brain and spirit and it just NEEDS TO GO. Which it will (Cue yard sale next weekend). But for the next two weeks we will be wallowing through the mire of bad choices and over spending.  So getting ready for an quick overnight trip to SLC is putting me on shutdown.  I can't find socks.  Heaven knows I have washed and dried and even folded (some) socks.  Lots of them. ("Some" referring to th...

Dan, a blogger, wrote a post a while back "The Disease Called Perfection" .  It's worth a gander.  We get so caught up in appearances that we forget to be real and forget those we idolize are real too.  So here's a glimpse at my real life (mostly so *I* remember to give myself a break).  Currently: -We are trying to get out of debt.  Which means we drive cars that are 20, and 17 years old. Which means they break down occasionally.  Like this week. (Wheel bearing) So I don't have a vehicle and will be walking to help at Ian's class today.  Not a big deal and better for my health for sure.  But it's COLD outside.  My ears hurt when we got home from walking Ian to school. Blessed to live close enough to do that but still kinda bummed my easy option is gone.    -We also live in an unfinished house because we're being frugal.  Now, we do happen to have shelter from the storm and for that I am intensely grateful....

Sunshine: that dries the laundry, soothes the soul and brings with it hope of brighter days and longer hours.   Children who still want me to hold them and read with them and enjoy life with them.  We had some "Mommy time" in the last weeks spent painting and creating and enjoying.  It was lovely.  My baby who is still ok with being called my baby, despite his intense need for independence.   A dear sweetheart who spontaneously tells me often that I'm wonderful.  Music: singing with the church choir speaks so deeply to me and I am grateful for our great director who gives countless hours and challenges us with music that is amazing and difficult.   Color: to be blind would be an awful loss in my mind.  A month that brings family and celebrations of milestones.   When I was having a difficult time with homesickness working 2000 miles from home, a dear friend told me to count my blessings, find 3 things every day to be grateful ...

So I've been holding off on showing pictures of our house until we're more settled in.  As in CLEANED UP. But that may be a while.  I know a few people who want to see it in all it's "glory".  We are in fact living here.  Which explains the mess.  (I know I should be cleaning instead of blogging but I have all day to do that and the boychild is napping...) Also after listening to "Gifts of Imperfection" (audio book ) I've decided to show you the REAL thing.  I did make my bed before taking pictures. But that's it.  Here she is, with no further ado (and still no name) OUR HOUSE:  When you first walk in you will see this: Our living room. Conduit on the ceiling means our house won't burn down from crazy old wiring.  Looking back to the front door now.  (All of the decorations on the mantel are so I can see them all and take stock of what I want where.)  (Still standing at the door) to your left we have the craft/play/c...

Me: I love you Boychild: I love you more. Me: No, I love YOU more. Boychild: No. I love *YOU* more. Me: Dangit. You win. Boychild: smiles and lays his head back down on the pillow. "Goodnight, sleep tight. Don't let the bedbugs bite.  If they do take your shoe and beat them till they're orange and pink." "No, Mom! It's Black and BLUE! " "Oh sorry. Black and Blue." Snug as a bug in a rug. Snug as a train in his shed. Snug as a boy in his bed. Grandpa: See ya later Alligator. Ian: How soon Baboon? Grandpa: After while crocodile. "Mom, if the Polar Express comes tonight I'll wake Landon up so he can come too." "That's so nice of you to make sure he doesn't get left out." Charlie now signs Please, More, Sorry (though that's only in context because he's actually signing Please again) and Finished/All gone.  Landon can count to 36.  At least he shocked Ms. Melissa when he randomly co...