Phoebe is an extrovert. I am an introvert. It’s complicated, staying at home with my little extrovert. We are around each other all day, every day. I’m trying to find balance, a way to meet both our needs, while still completing housework, finding time to work, and investing in Phoebe’s education. Here are some things I’m learning, and some areas where I am struggling… (more…)
Tag Archives | Phoebe
Phoebe’s Work: how we pay our preschooler for extra chores
Phoebe is a hard worker.
There are some things Phoebe is expected to do for the joy of helping, or because she is a member of our family. Things like…
- brushing teeth
- cleaning up her room before bed
- feeding Scooter
- putting a toy away
Phoebe also has the opportunity to work. We used to try paying her with change, but money is a concept she is still learning to grasp, so a coin was never a big enough incentive for her. (more…)
A Year In The Life
Today is Phoebe’s birthday. She is three years old.
In commemoration, I chose to feature one photo for each month of her life as a two-year-old. Of course, these photos don’t contain every nuance of her year (how could they??)…but I hope they represent a bit of her personality, her spirit and her growth.
Enjoy!
^_^ Erin
Phoebe Turns Two
I’m filled with joy. I’m filled with sadness when I think of time passing. I’m so happy; Matt and Phoebe fill me up in ways I could have never dreamed. I want to always be this happy. And part of being happy, I think, is not trying to hold onto happiness like a Thing, but to let go and let life pass through you. And sometimes you’ll be sad. And that’s ok. And it will pass. And sometimes you’ll be over the moon. And that’s ok. And it’s ok when it passes. But the JOY comes not from any one innocuous moment or feeling, but from Being OK no matter what comes to pass. So. On this birthday. I remind myself: there are joys unknown yet to come. And all thing that come must pass. And JOY lives eternal.
Birthday breakfast.
Lunch at Phoebe’s favorite spot: Shakbrah Java.
Juggler & painter & acrobats in the park!
She picked out a bouquet. Yellow roses? Girl’s got CLASS.
Impromptu mini party with family & close friends!
“How old are you Phoebe?”
“TWO!”
By Erin
4/14/2013
PS: Yes. We had a zillion outfit changes. ^_^ It was a messy day. Lol.
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The joy of my heart
I find myself caught up in adorable moments, full of laughter and silliness; suddenly I realize my mind isn’t deep enough to bottle up each nuance of glee. Oh. There is so much happiness. And it passes through my fingers like water. And I know I shouldn’t try to capture it…I should embrace it and set it free. But that’s hard to do, because sometimes I’m so happy it makes me sad…sad because I wonder if I’ll ever be this happy again. ^_^ The Greater Truth is that we experience slices of heaven on earth, and there is fullness of joy to be found in God. My heart opens and closes, like a baby’s eyes open and close while waking from a dream. I still have fears to overcome, and my faith muscle still has growing to do. But…in the meantime…I’m grateful for these moments. My day is punctuated by smiles. And in this I find peace.
By Erin
2/11/2013
Outing after a Sick Week
I’ve been sick and stuck indoors for a week, so it was nice to get out and stretch my legs with my little lady today.
She carried this calico critter around in her pocket all day.
We made some new friends at the beach. They had a dog. Love this dog.
By Erin
1-25-2013
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Phoebe’s First Train Ride: To Portland
By Erin
1-17-2013
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Dahlias and Pie
It’s been one of those days, filled with sunshine and sweet family moments, that I’d like to bottle up and savor for years to come. We woke early and made a pie to share with friends. Then we left for church; Phoebe fell asleep 1 minute from the building, so we downloaded a sermon to listen to in the car and hit HWY 16. We drove West until the highway ended in Gorst, turned around and headed back to Tacoma, through the September foliage and Washington evergreens. On the way back home, we detoured at Point Defiance Park, shared a sandwich at the duck pond, and explored the flower gardens. A lovely day.
PART ONE: Lemon Meringue Pie, made from scratch
PART TWO: Dahlias in the Park
(For the record, we didn’t pick any of the dahlias at Point Defiance Park, today. But there was one on the ground, already severed from the stem; this is the one Phoebe is holding in the pictures, and afterwards, we placed it back on the curb of the flower plot.)
^_^ Erin Wetzel
2012-09-23
Been Gone So Long
Who are these people????
It has been almost three months since I’ve blogged. Three. Whole Months. I know, I know…that’s like a BIG blogger faux pas. But I have no regrets.
I spent one month with a sick family: Phoebe was sick, then Matt, then me. Then my cold turned into a sinus infection and I was sick for AWHILE. Then I was recuperating and still weak…you get the idea.
I’ve also been pursuing other things.
I started drawing and painting to build my skill level back up and eventually stock an etsy shop with my art prints and related artsy things (like stationary or whatnot). I started a tumblr feed ( ekwetzel.tumblr.com ) tracking my progress on a day-to-day basis. I know most artists don’t want to share their work until it’s complete, but I think that there is a lot to be gained from inviting others into my creative process.
I’m also babysitting my friend’s kid, Scout. She’s mega-super-cute. The proof is in the pictures:
Aaaand Matt and I have been working hard to get out of debt, Dave Ramsey style. We are selling tons of things we bought on credit cards that we couldn’t afford at the time, but now we know better. And we’re growing up. Maturing. Gaining perspective and discipline. And selling the artifacts of our impulsive youth to help dig us out of the debt trenches. It. Feels. Liberating. I’d rather have freedom than stuff anyday.
Also? I’ve just been enjoying the sunshine with my spirited little girl! She is so much fun, you guys. She is growing into such a dynamic and vivacious little lady. I could spend an hour blogging just about her. But, instead, I’ll throw up some pictures, then go prep lunch so that we can eat once she wakes up in a few minutes.
<3 Erin
2012-07-27
Scenes from Phoebe’s first birthday
Good morning, Phoebe!
Presents!
Breakfast & first taste of sugar.
Shy baby during her birthday song.
The moment she turned one year old…was perfect.
Decorations for the party.
A year in the life
Lots of photos!
Guests brought notes for Phoebe that we hung up. I requested that people write one of the following:
– A memory from the last year
– A favorite thing about Phoebe
– A wish for the coming year
I will work these into an album for Phoebe, along with the photos from the day.
My friend, Stacy, took photos during the party so that we could just enjoy ourselves. Thanks Stacy!! You can check out her photography on Facebook: Fox and Wagon photography.
Pooped out party girl ^_^
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone, 4/16/2012