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.
30 Blog Challenge · thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

In continuation of the days-of-the-week theme (and copying Julia because I’m not above it) here comes a (hopefully I’ll do my best) new feature of this blog:

Thankful Thursday!
Because it is a good idea for someone like me who overwhelms far too easily to take a few moments to reflect on the little things that make life exceptionally wonderful.  You know, like Double-Stuf Oreos.
So this Thursday I am so very thankful for….
…Sick Days.  That’s right.  Especially sick days with my sweet baby who was sweet enough to be sick while at daycare and have moved into the low-grade fever, all I want is Mommy phase for the day I stayed home to ensure her full recovery.  It was a sweet day of cuddling and nursing and snuggling so she would feel better and I would feel reassured that it was okay to let someone else take care of her today.  But mostly I am thankful that I have a job that allowed me to take the day to take care of her.
…Good Friends.  Like Mary Lynn who took a pouty Madelynne to school on Wednesday and also picked her up that afternoon, just so I wouldn’t have to put Amelia in the car and drive the mile down the road to do it.  And Laura who knows how thoughtful it is to get sweet mail.  And April who brought us dinner the week I started school because she remembers how hectic that is.  And a lot more but I better stop before I leave someone out.
…Hand Me Downs.  Noelle was in the “good friend” category for this one, but I had more than a short sentence to say about the gratefulness of having four boxes of clothes for Amelia in storage.  That’s right.  Four boxes.  And they only go up to 24 months.  The best part?  When I return one box, I get to swap it for another of bigger sizes/different seasons.  It’s like shopping for free.  A friend at school gave me stuff for Millie-Moo also, and the best part of it all is that obviously we all share the same taste.  Outfits Belle and Madelynne wore that I got rid of during my brief “this is it” period are back.  Love. It.
So what are random things are you thankful for this Thursday?
30 Blog Challenge · amelia

Tuesday Timeout

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

I’m getting on a roll thanks to my 30 Blog Challenge, but I’m not promising that every day will have its own blog!  But after yesterday’s post, I thought I would reassure you all that today was much better.  Not as manic or frantic or frenzied.

This morning I took some advice from Madeline L’Engle’s Walking on Water and took some time just “to be.”  I had coffee and my quiet time and some sweet nursing with Amelia who was kind enough NOT to wake prior to 5 a.m.  School was productive and Madelynne and I were headed home for some organization of the new furniture when I got the call.

Amelia is sick.  You know.  Sick.  Every year we find ourselves the victim of stomach bugs within the first month of school and Belle is usually the first to fall.  Guess she’s passed that torch to her baby sister. So this means I get to forget my to-do list and my lesson plans and my Wednesday routine to stay home and take care of my baby.

Which is how it should be…..but this is not the time out I was hoping for!

30 Blog Challenge · Manic Monday

Manic Monday

Lindsey P. Brackett3 Comments

I spoke too soon last week.  Today I did not love Monday.  Today was indeed manic.  From start to finish I felt like I could never get ahead or even just caught up.  I had even planned a quiet day for my students to begin working on their independent reading so I could finalize my plans for the novel we’re starting, and nothing went my way.  Planning got away from me, so then I was rushed to pump and while I was doing that I got a call from Madelynne’s principal!  No big deal, just clarification about pickup, but what a panic it put me in!  Then it was all rush, rush, rush to explain their project, correct their quizzes, sign agendas, go to meetings…So by tonight after all was said and done, the girls were in the bed, and I was doing dishes, I fell apart just a bit.  I wished we’d made different choices so I didn’t feel like I have to be pulled in so many different directions.  Deep breath.

Thank you Jesus, tomorrow is another day and I’m forgiven for this one.

30 Blog Challenge · amelia · Paynes

Random Acts of…Aunts

Lindsey P. Brackett2 Comments

Amelia’s reaction to her aunt’s new art…all captions courtesy of my mama.

Oh, boy, pictures!
What, Mama, you want me to look at a picture of Aunt Calley’s new tattoo?
Oh, Aunt Calley….
What were you thinking?
This is Calley’s new tattoo.  She loves music and the sentiment of mixed tapes.  She is not a fan of strapless dresses, conservatism, or her sisters’ opinions.  Actually, she was trying to distract from the chaos of our other sisters lives.  Love you Calley!