Gearing Up For the Week Ahead

Good Morning!

Monday has rolled around again -- not that I mind. It's one of M's short weeks, so he's home today. {Of course, the trade off is that he worked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday ... so while others were enjoying the weekend, we were hanging solo.} We have a few things we need to take care of today --and then plan to relax for the rest of the afternoon! But all that can wait -- because right now, I have the house to myself, and M has the kids out to breakfast!

Silence ... it's golden!

Our weekend was pretty good for a work weekend. I took the kids to play at McDonalds. I bought one of those fabric-sling bookcases for only $2 {and have plans to DIY it to what I want soon ...}. I worked my first weekend in the nursery at church -- and absolutely fell in love with those babies! Seriously -- I could spend all my time in there and no grow tired of it. One little boy curled up on me and snuggled, before falling asleep. Safe to say -- I didn't put him down!

We also visited with the kids' Pappy -- and went for a golf-cart ride. The kids loved it, and I'm looking forward to more of them, myself, once the weather warms up in a couple months.

We are still dealing with sleep craziness around here -- and true to form, L fell asleep in the living room last night around 545, didn't eat any dinner, and only stirred once I put his pajamas on him. As soon as I laid him back in S's bed, his eyes shut, and I didn't hear a peep out of him. Not really sure how long its going to take him to adjust to no naps ... but this interim? Its rough on all of us!

This week is shaping up to be a fun one: no school all week for S, which means a playdate with her friend at some point. Mops. Church. Dance. And I might even convince M to take me out to a movie!

How is your week looking? Any fun stuff ahead?! 

You Can't Plan It All

This week did not go as planned.

Thanks to Mother Nature, school was cancelled one day, we stayed at the house all day for two days, more or less, and managed to catch up on laundry and some cleaning, but otherwise, we all wound up with a good case of cabin fever. By Thursday afternoon, we were all sick of looking at each other, and the walls inside our house.

Safe to say, I have a few things planned for this weekend to get us out and about -- and hopefully they will quell that discontent.

The roads didn't really ice over, like was called for. It got cold, and rained, but otherwise, it was just another winter day in North Carolina. Blink and it will change, I was told. {As if I didn't already know ... I've been here almost 7 years.}

We are still dealing with some early morning risers -- but I'm getting used to the company. Would I rather have some quiet alone time to read or clear my head before the day? Sure. But its been going on like this long enough now, that if its 545am and they aren't awake yet, I'm starting to wonder where they are.

And L is having a hard time adjusting to the whole "no nap" thing, too. He still really needs a nap of some sort, but refuses unless a.} we are driving in the car or b.} its way past the time he should be sleeping. Most nights, as I'm cooking dinner, I turn around and find him curled up in the recliner with a movie, sound asleep. Waking him up from that is quite the task -- and he usually winds up a bear.

A bear who refuses to eat dinner, at that.

Next week is looking to be a bit of the same: S doesn't have school at all -- between a holiday Monday and a teacher workday on Wednesday, all of her preschool is cancelled. Thankfully, its a short work week for M, a MOPS week, and we will still have dance as planned. If the weather keeps up, we're going to be spending a lot of time either inside, driving each other nuts, or invading the nearest indoor playground.

Anyone want to place a bet on how quickly I lose my sanity?!

How Do YOU React To Kind?

"Excuse me ma'am ... but I think some of your milk might be leaking ..."

It's crazy how one sentence can either garner a pleasant reaction, or something completely unexpected, in today's world. And it's really a sad thing, honestly. People are so used to being mistreated, used and abused, in all matters of the words, that they don't take anything at face value. They assume there is a hidden agenda. As if no one can do something kind anymore.

And sadly, that's exactly what it's all about.

No one does kind things for others anymore. Not for their friends. Or the people next door. Or the stranger down the way. Not for the mailman. Or the cashier at the store. The handyman. Or even the elderly lady who frequents your local coffee shop. No one seems to go out of their way to help others, or treat them to something, unless of course, they think it will get them attention, or even better, something in return.

We were in Walmart yesterday, picking up some sandwiches for lunch. At the check-out line, a lady the next line over happened to be buying 15-20 gallons of milk. She had placed a few in bags, but not most of the cart. Underneath, I noticed a few places where the milk had spilled, and didn't want the woman to get everything loaded in her car, and get home to a gallon missing half it's milk, or something of the sort.

I caught her attention, and let her know that some of the milk was dripping. And in return? I got not only an attitude from her, but also from the cashier that was scanning this woman's items.

"I KNOW! I have them in bags ..."
"She already KNOWS!"

Seriously?! A "thanks!" would have been enough -- even if you already knew!

Another woman behind this lady in line piped up and said "Well ... I think you missed one then ... because its STILL DRIPPING," and smiled at me.

At least she knew I was just trying to help.

This, people.

This reaction?! This behavior from everyone and their brother? That's exactly why 2015 is our year to show the world how kind and loving we can be without there being a hidden agenda.

This is our year.

Weekend Rundown

This weekend was so good for my soul.

So, so, so good.

Fellowship with friends -- a wonderful women's church conference, uplifting worship, wonderful guest speakers, and plenty of company made my heart glad. And full. Overflowing. What a great way to start the year.

We had a birthday party for our friend's youngest, as well. It was so great to see people we hadn't seen in a little one, and just as nice seeing the friends we see on a regular basis, as well. All the kids were running around playing together. Laughing and giggling, climbing in the firetrucks. It was exactly the way life should be! We are meant to journey through this life with others -- holding them close. We did just that!

Sunday was church. A rush to clean the house. A laid-back cake and playtime birthday party for our own L {because Daddy was working on his actual birthday} and once again, we were surrounded by family and friends. Old and new.

The weekend came to an end quicker than I would have liked, but if this is a sign of the year to come: the friendships that will only grow deeper, the relationships that will develop, and the journey through life that we will continue on, I can only have high hopes.

My heart is full!

My Reading List

The tail end of 2014 found me without my nose buried in a book. Which isn't normal for me -- usually, I am elbow deep in a good read, constantly finding time to turn a few {or a lot of} pages. But with the kids boycotting outside play because of the impending cold weather, I found less and less time. And to be honest, after reading a few really good books, I had a hard time getting hooked on another story.

Has that ever happened to you? You really love a story SO MUCH that you just cannot find something else that measures up? Its a real Debbie Downer!

But I started the year off fresh -- and have been reading daily, and enjoying my time doing so. I already have a list of what I'd like to read this year, so I thought I'd share what's on my reading list for {at least the beginning of} the year:

The Alchemist // Strangers At My Door // Unbroken 

Half the Sky // The Magic of Ordinary Days // David: Seeking a Heart Like His

And this is only the first few I plan on reading! Sure -- there's a bit of a "theme": a lot of the books I read/am reading are non-fiction or social science in nature. I've always had a hard time really getting into stories like Divergent or Harry Potter or Twilight: stories I know are far-fetched and unlikely to ever come to fruition.

A few of the books on this list are older stories. Three of these books have movies made from their story. One I've already read two or three times, but its just such a good {and fast} read. Some of the books are recommendations {from family, MOPS leadership, and Amazon Wishlist recommendations}. I am sure in between some of these heavier titles, I'll toss in a light chick-lit read, to change the mood and brighten the day a little. But I'm really looking forward to this list, and reading this year.

Are you?! Do you have a "wishlist" of reading you'd like to get done this year? 

What are some books you might recommend adding to my list?