Author: Lindsey P. Brackett

When I'm not wrangling four kids and a middle school classroom, I sit on my back porch in the mountains and write southern fiction that's short and long. I believe in Jesus, library fines, supper at the table, the Edislow life, and strong coffee. Pretty much in that order.
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Bell-E Laughs

Lindsey P. Brackett1 Comment

I realize I haven’t blogged about Belle a lot lately.  She’s been really sweet and into saying “Yes, m’am” and doing what she’s asked in order to show up her big sister.  She also loves baby Amelia and is so good to play with her and cuddle her and read to her.

The other day Belle wanted to know why her daddy and I got married.  I told her you marry someone because you love them and want to have a family with them.  The response I got: “That’s all?!”
While practicing letters we had this conversation.
Belle: Mommy, how do you spell paint?
Me: P-
Belle: How do you spell pee?

Tonight she decided to read a book aloud to Amelia.  The name of this book is Tasha’s Talented Team.  It’s about a little girl who discovers that everybody has different talents.  This is how Annabelle was reading it:
“and the smell was in the house and on the green hair.  The smell was yellow and black and white.  The smell was outside under the tree…”
No, I have no idea what the smell is.

Does your belly hurt from laughing yet?

madelynne

Random Madelynne-isms

Lindsey P. Brackett4 Comments

My Madelynne has been quite the expert on all things recently.  I definitely wish the world was as easy to run as she believes, or even that I have as much power as she thinks I do.

On the way home from school Friday she informed me that if I would just send all my kids to the principal’s office when they “move their clip to red-plus” I would have “a lot more fun at school.”  Ah, if only it were that easy.  If only they hadn’t stopped moving clips in about third grade maybe they would remember how to behave.

On Saturday night we ventured over to a local Corn Maze that she had received a free ticket for at school.  Unfortunately, Saturday nights are haunted at this particular field, and it is “super scary” according to the chick selling tickets who was a recent student of one of my colleagues, I’m sure.  When I asked for clarification on “super scary” and was told about the chainsaws that chase people, we turned around to head back home.  Needless to say we had two disappointed little girls and a disinterested infant.  In the parking lot (loose term for next field over), we ran into several other families we know who had also turned back at the mention of scare tactics that should not be used on anyone but especially six year olds.  While the adults discussed how the folks should really do a better job of advertising the haunted aspect, Madelynne tried to talk everyone into letting her go back.  She must have overheard my discussion with one of the ladies who teaches with me, because she informed me that if “that maze was full of your kids, Mommy, then you should be able to tell them to leave us alone!”  Apparently she doesn’t realize how much teenagers would relish the idea of scaring their teacher to death.

She’s just full of wisdom…and sass.  She had to move her clip to yellow the other day.  According to her it’s because “Mrs. Washington never notices me being good!”  Well, Madelynne baby, I don’t know if I believe that because you’re pretty hard to miss.

Manic Monday

Manic Monday

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

Well, in comparison to last Monday, which I spent marveling at this view, today was quite a typical manic Monday, even if it was a teacher workday, which all teachers know is a pseudonym for meetings and trying out the new lunch place that’s been open since August.

But since I was rambling around the southwest last week, I am so far behind I might as well still be in Utah.  There are finals still on my desk to grade.  I have all these ideas for new strategies I want to try this 9 weeks, but they are certainly not out of my head and into formal lesson plan format.  Oh, and we had photographs made by Katie Rivers this afternoon, so there was no hope I would get grades posted in a timely manner.  Manic.

Or signs that I might be a procrastinator.  What do you think?

I prefer to think that it is organized chaos and that out of chaos comes cosmos (to paraphrase L’Engle).

Plus, we’ve just been really busy.  Obviously.  If you don’t believe me, check out all our adventures and join my site so I don’t look so pitiful.  Oh, and check back often because I really am going to get better about pictoral updates.

In the meantime, Joshua is acting sicky on the couch (did I mention Amelia threw up three times Saturday night?) and I need some rest if I’m going to have a terrific tolerable Tuesday.

amelia · Paynes · thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

This Thursday I am oh, so thankful for…

The most fantastic wonderfully easy and comfy Baby Bjorn. 

This was one of those purchases I didn’t make with either of the other girls but always wanted.  Amelia was blessed by some of my girlfriends who bought this as a gift for her.  (hint, hint mama-to-be: If you it’s something you know you’ll use again and again, it’s worth the investment) We’ve used it a lot, especially when it’s just me and the big girls and I want free hands.  But the Bjorn outdid itself this weekend.  Through the airport, up the sandstone cliffs, and down to the Grand Canyon, it proved itself worthy of the Baby Equipment Hall of Fame, or at least a place on the registry of every expectant mom I know.
I’m also thankful for the rain that reminded me even in the desert places, 
God will supply our every need. 
And finally, I’m grateful for my little sister.  She’s an incredible person whose life is turning out to be more than she ever imagined.  Thanks, Ashley, for letting us sleep in your incredible California king, for rocking Amelia back to sleep at 5 a.m., for making spaghetti, and for showing us the amazing place you get to go to work at everyday!  We love you!
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Little Green Monster

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

It’s a monster alright.  Starts with just a little thought and then tumbles out of control.

Jealousy.

I never used to think of myself as a jealous person.  Far too concerned with what others thought of me, yes.  Too much of a perfectionist, definitely.  Too hard on myself, all the time.  But jealous?

That’s the struggle right now.  I try to make a jokes out of it, but I’m afraid it’s getting out of control.  It is really hard to be patient and wait on God’s timing and see others with all the things I want for our life.  And then I think of how blessed we are in comparison to others and I remember that I deserve nothing.  Everything I have is by His grace and I will never understand that what this world sees as inadequate, God sees as part of His mosaic for our lives.

And while I’m making peace with my lack of understanding, I’m going to try to remember His commandments and my blessings.