A great day of nothing.

Today was a great day. We got the kids back from Grammie about noon, made a quick stop at Target, and then came home.

That's it.

But that's not really it. On this rainy day we played wii games, painted the dogs toenails, (sorry Delilah!) made cookies, cooked together, and watched movies.

And I didn't have to discipline any of my children at all. Seriously.

I can hardly believe it myself.

We're 2 1/2 days into Spring Break 2012, and so far so good. I don't think I've ever been able to say that.

Today was a very normal day for some families, for us...it's amazing. And I don't take it for granted, not for a moment.

Thank you God for a beautifully perfect, great day of nothing.

Shelley

Music

UGH my blogging silence is killing me! I have started writing about 16 blog posts in the last month, but nothing has stuck. So I'm jumping in, be warned, it may not make sense!

My silence has been caused by many things...Laundry, Dishes, Kids, Doctor's appointments, Exercise, The Real Housewives shows... So I have a LOT to catch up on. Today though, my thoughts are on music.

I love music. I used to always have something playing loudly, then I had kids.

Now they are what's playing loudly.

Lately though, I've rediscovered my love for loudly playing music. While I clean, while I workout, while I drive, when I'm trying to drown out the sound of screaming children...

I was listening to a lot of country and pop, but started turning on the local Christian radio station more and more, because I wasn't loving a lot of the DJ's commentary while my kids were in the car. Not to mention the news reports, yikes.

So I've discovered a few new to me, super awesome songs, that pretty much sum up my life right now.

All things MANDISA. OH my word she is awesome. My favorites of hers:

Shackles: Fun, upbeat, truth. Love the words...

"Everything that could go wrong
All went wrong at one time
So much pressure fell on me
But I know you wanna see
If I will hold on through these trials
But I need you to lift this load
'Cause I can't take it anymore"


Broken Hallelujah: Not upbeat, but so speaks to my heart right now.

"When all that I can sing
Is a broken hallelujah
When my only offering
Is shattered praise
Still a song of adoration
Will rise up from these ruins
I will worship You and give You thanks"

So I realize it sounds like I'm going through a lot right now, and that's because I am. We are. I believe with all my heart things are heading in the right direction though, and I will be more specific soon. We are still seeking help and answers for Ellie, and have a fairly good idea of what's going on with her, we're just in the waiting process still. Which brings me to my next song...

Stronger:

"When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger"

and

"'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this"

And finally, to wrap up Mandisa's songs...

Waiting for Tomorrow: In all this waiting, I have to remember that I can't put off everything, including taking care of myself.

"Maybe tomorrow I'll start over
maybe tomorrow I will finally change my way
said the same thing yesterday
don't know why I'm so afraid
to let you in to let you win
to let you have all of me

I can't live my whole life wasting
all the grace that I know you've given
Cause you made me for so much more than
sitting on the sidelines
I don't want to look back and wonder
If good enough could have been better
every days a day that's borrowed
so why am I waiting for tomorrow"

So, yeah, big Mandisa fan now!

Another song I am loving is Blessings, by Laura Story. Such beautiful music and lyrics that also speak so strongly to me right now.

"'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"

And finally, Hold us Together, by Matt Maher. Love this song's vibe, and it's message.

"Love will hold us together
Make us a shelter
to weather the storm

And I'll be my brothers keeper
So the whole world will know
That we´re not alone"

I don't know what I would have done without my "keepers" lately. My friends, my family. People I can lean on, cry to, talk to, call to pick up kids. They are what keeps me going. Thank you SO much. I know I'm not alone because of you all.

So like I said, I started turning on the Christian station to avoid the not so great commentaries for the kids. Then I found these great songs, and added them to my playlists. Then one day I noticed Ellie was singing the words to ALL of these songs. These are the words that are getting in her head now, instead of whatever was on the radio before. Wow, count me convicted. I'm not saying I was a bad parent for playing non-Christian music, I'm just saying it really hit me that what's playing in the background really does matter.

I've also noticed that I wake up with these songs in my head, I hum these songs when I'm working, I go to bed with these words on my mind. And my attitude is much better because of it. I've always known that music had a lot of power over me, but somewhere along the road I'd forgotten just how much.

I know this was crazy long, but check out the songs when you have time. Maybe they'll brighten your day too. :)

At least he still naps...

One bag of chips on the floor.

All the books on the bookshelf on the floor.

A few time-outs.

The dogfood spilled.

Lots and lots of running.

Leap frog over the couches.

A few stolen chocolates eaten.

3 potty successes...1 miss.

A typical weekday morning. And then it's naptime.

Ahhhh Naptime!

Every day when I lay down with this boy I thank God that he still naps. His sisters had given up naps by this age, but he's still going strong. On most days he sleeps 2-3 hours, and in that time, I regain my sanity. This year he'll go to school 4 mornings a week, and I have a feeling he'll be worn out and still nap in the afternoons. I gotta say, I am REALLY looking forward to our fall schedule! :)

Little Hands, Big Voices!

Tuesday night was Annie's preschool program, Little Hands, Big Voices. Those sweet preschoolers stood up and sang like little angels! And no, of course I'm not biased! Ha! There's sweet Annie Grace with the yellow sweater and bow, sitting with her sweet class of friends!


They also showed off their marvelous artwork! Seriously, I think we have the most talented children here in our little town. Again, no bias. :) Here's a little sample of Annie's work...


I love seeing these sweet kids preform together. I love this sweet school. I just loved last night! Me and my sweet girl...(and that's Ellie and Nana in the background :)


And I love this great teacher! Mrs. B has taught both my girls, both years they went to preschool. She's been a wonderful influence on them, and me!

What a wonderful way to spend an evening!

It's my birthday, and I'll sit in the Starbucks parking lot if I want to!

Yes, here I am again, in my favorite place, the Starbucks parking lot!

Since I discovered that Austin will happily sit and watch a movie in his car seat, while I happily sit and enjoy the free WIFI with my laptop, life has unleashed never before seen possibilities!

Okay, maybe that's the caffeine talking.

But it is GOOD!

Anyway, so today is my Birthday!

And I put an exclamation point on that, because it is a beautiful day!

My grumpiness is gone. It's amazing what a great haircut, an hour yesterday afternoon ALONE in my house, a fun little shopping trip with my oldest daughter, a dance party with my kids in my kitchen, a decent nights sleep, Starbucks, and some free WIFI time, will do to my mood! :)

I mean, what more could a girl ask for?

Well, since you asked...

Lunch today with my Mom, Dinner tonight with my Husband, and Lunch tomorrow with my Friends! Not to mention another lunch next week, and a girls night out in a couple of weeks. All for me.

What in the world was I thinking, being all grumpy? I am blessed, truly blessed. Remind me of that when I get grumpy again, okay?

So, I'm off to shop a little more, with my sweet boy by my side.

Or running 15 steps ahead of me.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

:)

I am Thankful for...

As we wrap up this Thanksgiving weekend, and head into the wonderful world of Christmas, I thought I'd share some of the smaller things I am thankful for right now. Of course I'm thankful for the bigger things...My family, my friends, my health, my wonderful God...I am SO thankful for all of that. But there are small things too, simple things, that are making me happy right now...

My new coffee pot! The not-so-old one bit the dust a couple of weeks ago. I found one I wanted, but thought it was too pricey, and decided to wait. One week later my sweet husband surprised me with it!

My Christmas Decorations! I am loving our single large Christmas tree this year. I went with just one big tree (we usually have 2 or 3) because I didn't want to spend the entire month of December picking up broken ornaments my son flung across the room. Jason, Ellie and I made paper garlands for the big tree this year. They turned out SO cute! Seriously, that tree looks adorable. The girls have smaller trees in their rooms as usual, but Austin...yeah, not so much. Since I'm 99% sure he'd destroy a tree in his room, we skipped that this year. Instead I hung a garland above his window, and hung his ornaments from that. So far he hasn't reached it. :)

Speaking of decorations...they're done! I am so thankful for that! I had pulled everything out three weeks ago thinking...I'll get it up fast, and get this mess put away...or not. Instead the mess took over several rooms while we battled colds and injuries. When I finished a week ago, I wanted to shout AMEN!

I am thankful for yesterday morning. Yesterday morning my girls played nicely together for 3 hours. I don't think that has ever happened. They fight, a lot, and it's hard for me to understand. I'm an only child. Anyway, yesterday morning they really enjoyed each other, and that just made me so happy. Little victories.

Snow! I woke up this morning to snow flurries! There's just something about a little snow to make you REALLY ready for Christmas!

And last but not least...Being caught up! My mom kept the girls last night, and between that little break, and a couple of mornings at home, I have caught up on things. Things like laundry, dishes, and Sleep!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Blessings from my home to yours!

Just blessed.

Well, I'm feeling abundantly blessed today.

But it didn't start out that way.

It started with more of a "blah" attitude. Just another morning at home, when I couldn't keep up with the messes the kids were making. Which highly frustrates me. So I sent them outside, and got on the treadmill. Even though I didn't want to.

Our treadmill is positioned so as I walk/run, I can watch them play. As I bumped my walk up to a jog, my legs felt like lead.

Ugh. This is going to be hard today. I thought. Just like my morning so far.

Not the best attitude, huh?

But I ran anyway. And kept running. And as I ran and watched the kids, I noticed something. They were truly playing together. Big sister was teaching little brother. Leading him. Showing him things. He was following, watching, learning from her. It was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes.


Suddenly my running became easier and my attitude made a drastic turn for the better. As music pumped into my ears and I watched my babies playing together, I was suddenly very very grateful.

Grateful to God for this life he has given me. Grateful for beautiful, healthy children. Grateful for a nice day, a nice house, a nice yard, a nice playset, and lots of fall leaves.

Just blessed.

Thought for the day...

Sometimes not being able to smell is a good thing.

For instance, when you find a full bottle of milk that's been missing for a week.

Perspective...

OK, well, I was going to blog about how stressed I was about the 234 things I need to do in the next few days, but then I read this, this and this. So, instead I would just like to say Thank You, to all my friends who help me realize that it will all be OK. Seriously, a LOT of stress just melted away in the 15 minutes of "blog reading" I just did. It does help that in that same 15 minutes 2 of my kids went to sleep! Oh, but the other one is just waking up, so off I go to get him...but seriously, Thank You!

A New Year!

It is 2:01 am. I needed to unwind after my crazy day, so here I am, blogging. I doubt I'll have time tomorrow, (actually today) so here goes...

Happy Birthday Annie!!!

I have just spent the last 4 hours icing your cake and cleaning up the kitchen!

I really do love you!

You'll be so excited with your little family party tonight. I love that about you, that your so easily pleased. You were so excited that I was making you a Dora cake. When I asked you what you wanted for your birthday, you said "Dora toys." You have a true love for Dora, I think she is your best friend, along with Woof Woof.

You are so precious my darling girl. I love your sweet face, your cute speech, your spunk, your love for jumping, your dancing, the way you play with your baby brother, the way you call for me when you wake up in the morning, your bright smile, your singing, your giggles, your love for candy, your imagination...I love everything about you.

You have been an awesome 2 year old, but you're ready to leave that age behind. I could see the changes coming, your ready to be 3. I will miss the tiny, 2 year old Annie, but I know that this year will be full of fun!

You are a blessing sweetie. You have filled our lives with more joy than we could have ever imagined! You have a gentle spirit, an ease about you, that amazes me. Before you were born we named you Annie Grace. Your name means "Blessed with the Grace of God" and it completely fits you. I truly feel that God sent you to me, to our family, as a blessing. I am so glad you were born!

So, Happy Happy 3rd Birthday Annie Grace! You're going to be a fantastic 3 year old!