Loving the Little Years

It's hard to find public role models in the stay-at-home world because if someone has written a book or has a platform like a money-earning blog, it means they're not solely a stay-at-home mom. They're doing something external to their mothering that would satisfy that nagging voice always inside a stay-at-home's head, "should I be doing something more?"

This little voice is the greatest challenge I have found as a stay-at-home mom. It's always asking, should I be working? am I supposed to be contributing to the world in a more meaningful way? I'll wonder these thoughts over and over and finally come to the end of myself and ask, can I stop worrying about all of these wonders and just be content where I am at for this split-second-season when they're tiny and at home?

Those wonders linger over everything. And because everyone walks through their season of motherhood differently, it's hard not to compare with how other mom's are walking this road. And wonder.

I checked out a whole stack of books from the library on mothering and stay-at-home mothering this summer. I read a lot. Some of it helpful, some of it not.  But this book, pictured above, is by far my favorite mothering book. The subtitle is Motherhood in the Trenches and it feels that way from start to finish. There is something candid and endearing in how the author writes (it's not masterful writing, but it's so honest) that you really believe she is in the trenches with you.

When I checked out this book from our library it had greasy and sticky residue all over it. I had to give it a special warm washcloth bath before I started reading it. Some mom before me had returned this book after her little one had smeared oily crud all over it.

That, is motherhood in the trenches.

Loving the Little Years is a short read, full of little stories and helpful attitude shifts that helped me refocus my days. It will be the book that I give to new mom's and especially the one I recommend when they're starting to feel the toll of being a mother.

heat for the cabin

It's getting colder here in Minnesota, which means Rory needed to find a heat source for his office in the woods. It actually was a bit of a dilemma because the cabin is off grid, 10 by 12 feed large and most wood burning stoves must be three feet away from any wall...which would put the stove pretty much smack in the middle of his office. And would also mean he'd basically be working in a sauna.

So with some searching, he found this awesome stove. It was created by two former Marines, designed for fish houses, deer stands and other small spaces. Perfect for the office in the woods.

Now that he has a heat source, part of me is worried he might just move into his little cabin for good. It's a good thing I have the food and the toilet in the big house...

But if I see him building an outhouse, I'll know there's trouble.

on the Mississippi

Rory and I took the kid's to Marlene and Madison's early Friday morning so we could have a little get away. We went to Lake City on the Mississipi where we ate ice cream cones out on the pier. We were blissfully happy to discover this cute little water town just one hour from our house. The day was warm and windy and the sailboats clanked loudly, sort of like wind chimes. I love Lake City.

Then we drove to Wabasha and read our books under the bridge. I spent some time in a bookstore, at the eagle museum, and walking around the town while Rory happily kept reading. We had only been gone a few hours from our home, and we were so fully on vacation it amazed me. The whole day and a half we kept saying, "this is perfect. this is such a great trip."

Rory and I made a list of the things that have to be present for me to feel like I'm "on vacation." There must be a large body of water nearby. Lakes are great, but this trip the mighty Mississippi was perfect. We must get ice cream cones and eat them while walking near the water. And we must take a drive that is pretty enough that I roll down the window several times, with my camera flapping wildly in the wind, as I attempt to take pictures in front of the windshield. If those three things happen: water, ice cream and passenger pictures, I'm having a very good time.

We crossed the river and saw signs for Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace! The house is a replica, but this was the place where she was born. These were the Big Woods she wrote about. We were so excited!

Then we drove through Stockholm, the cutest little town of adorable shops. I cannot wait to get back there when the stores are open...

We had our anniversary dinner in Pepin at the Harbor View Cafe. It was awesome. I remember going there when I was little girl and being blown away by the lasagna. Two decades later, and the lasagna did not disappoint. It was amazing.

We stayed in Wabasha at the AmericInn and I got my fill of HGTV. It was glorious. We woke up and read some more, then reheated our leftovers for lunch. The day was rainy and slow and we drove back to pick up our teething daughter and active son.

Thank you so much Mimi and Papa for taking the kids! The 30 hours we were away were magical.

Elsie walking

Elsie walking from Becca Groves on Vimeo.

Well, sort of walking. She's really close as you'll see. And really proud and impressed that she can push this little cart on her own. (She's pointing at the chickens when she yells and gets so excited...)

the sunny room: part two

Monday we painted. Tuesday they prepped for tile. Wednesday they laid the tile and we painted the first coat on the base board and casing (starting at 9:45 pm...). Thursday they grouted the tile and installed the trim, base board and casing. And today Elsie put the base boards to good use as she rammed her little blue cart into every wall. 

We wanted something nice and light for the walls. I told Rory I wanted a blank canvas when we were done, ready for colorful quilts, bright book shelves, fun throw pillows... The color I first found and liked was called File Cabinet. Seriously?

This color is called Antique White, but if I were naming tape I'd call it Masking Tape. Because if File Cabinet can be a name, so could Masking Tape. And it's that exact color (we know that, unfortunately, because I was too hasty and didn't want to go back to Menards to buy blue paint tape. Big mistake. Lesson learned. Don't do this. Your husband will have to go inch by inch with a razor blade to get the tape off the wall.

Our contractors were awesome. I wish there was a National Contractor Day because I'd send them flowers. They were great with our kids, and would not cut corners. Even when I didn't really care one way or the other they'd say, "we're doing it this way, or it will just look shoddy. And we don't do shoddy." They left today and I'm going to miss them!

Next week we'll paint the door, the insides of the windows, grout the nail holes in the trim and give it another coat. We'll put the ceiling fan up and hook up the outdoor light. We'll change the socket covers and plug them up for safety.

And then we'll wait six months until our funds replenish and we can buy furniture for this lovely, sunny room. :)