Project Thankful Week: Tuesday

1. I am thankful for being able to pack up the majority of my maternity clothes!  (even though some of my clothes are still not wearable) (Although upon inspection of my non maternity jeans I found I have sizes 6-12...think that is excessive?)

2. I am thankful for errands getting easier with my daughters and the wisdom of getting them out of the house everyday! 

3. I am thankful for my husband (and really looking forward to our "family" date night tomorrow.  I think we're going to the park...photo op! :)

4. I am thankful that I get to see one of my best friends this weekend.  She is seriously like a sister to me and I CANNOT wait to see her.  She has been overseas and we've only talked twice in the past month...we usually talk 3-4 times a week!

5. I am thankful for my "kiddos" (attic kids, technically adults at this point I suppose) who are now old enough (and trustworthy enough) to babysit, don't mind being paid in cheesecake and still think I'm cool to hang out with :)

6. I am thankful for parenthesis and "..."  - I may over use them.

Project Thankful Week: Monday

Thankfuls on Monday!

I am thankful for Grace’s beautiful smile and delightful laughter.  Nothing beats tickling a 2 year old!

Emails from friends I haven’t seen in a long time!  I love my friends!

Coffee…wow, I’ve gotten SO much done today!

My baby girl’s red hair!

My insanely dirty house…and knowing that it WILL all get done…eventually.

Homemade bread pudding.

Homemade baby sling.

Week In Recap

Funnies for the week:

- Grace has no working knowledge of an "inside" voice.  The kid is just loud.  She woke up the other night screaming - happy as a clam, but SO loud.  I went downstairs and told her she needed to stop yelling and go back to sleep. 

- Later in the week we were in the car and Abi was crying.  Grace put her little finger up to her mouth and said SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.  It made me laugh....a lot.

- I put footie pajamas on Grace last night for the first time this year.  She thought this was amazing.  She was laying in her back with her feet in the air, holding her feet going "wow".  So cute!

This has been a crazy week.  Husband called me on my crankiness yesterday (with love) so my goal for next week is at least 5 thankfuls per day.  We'll see how it goes.  I love my kiddos...I just don't have enough time while they sleep to get all my work done, all the house work done, and breathe!  :)  It's all good though.

Abi has a diaper rash that doesn't want to go away and we're still dealing with thrush.  I keep forgetting to treat it after she eats so that isn't helping any...and it wakes her up when I rub baking soda in her mouth so that's no fun either.  It is DEFINITELY better though (and since I never actually finish these posts when I start them the diaper rash is gone now too).  So far today she has spit up on two outfits and peed on one.  Ha ha, this girl is out to get me!  Grace actually played with some of her activity bags today.  She is also getting MUCH better with being gentle with Abi so I'm excited about that!

Hope you are having a great week!  Enjoy it, they go by too fast!

Elizabeth

Thankful Thursdays Top Ten #25

1. I am thankful for our family pictures!!!

2. I am thankful for busy bags (even though we're going to have to work at them keeping Miss Grace busy while I work!)

3. I am thankful for an understanding husband!

4. I am thankful for getting details in place for the Bible study we're starting soon!!  LOVE working with teen girls!

5. I am thankful for falling asleep quickly and staying asleep.  I have sleep issues usually but when I'm baby sleep deprived I sleep SO MUCH BETTER when I'm actually asleep.

6. I am thankful for mocha fudge brownies.

7. I am thankful for my team of people who help make my job easier!

8. I am thankful for all the people I know who just had babies or are pregnant!  OH MY!  I was telling a friend that everyone who is in the "having kids" stage at our church is pregnant...making it my turn again.  ACK!

9. I am thankful for growing up in a godly family.  My grandpa is in the hospital this morning but no one is panic, they just asked for prayer.  I love that although it is hard they know where to find strength.

10. I am thankful for great (although sometimes overly rainy) weather!

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Trying.

I am sitting in the quiet darkness of my bedroom as I email this one to myself. Both girls are asleep and peaceful - oh if the entire day was this peaceful.  I suppose that would take away some of the intrigue but peaceful seems good right now. 

I have been learning a lot about myself lately. I've learned how I act when all eyes are on me because of kiddos acting up in the store.  I've learned how I act when my child tells me no all day long. I've learned my response when my work is undone but someone needs attention.  I have to admit, I don't always like what I see. What's worse is I feel judgment from myself and sometimes those around me.  My two year old knows how to push my buttons.  My "I mean it mommy voice" has not been perfected.  And dang it, I only have two arms so sometimes they do get into things.

But ya know what, I'm trying. I am exploring ways to make trips out smoother. I am figuring out how to keep everyone happy and get all the important emails sent. I am paying attention to routines and patterns so I can better predict what my kids can handle. I'm trying.

It is encouraging to remember now that the girl who says no all the time may be the one who will not get talked out of what she believes in.  The kid who climbs the changing table may conquer mountains.  The one who just wants to be with mommy is learning how to love.  I pray they never lose their ability to speak up for themselves and be heard.

I am a imperfect mom and I will fail my kids and lose my cool - but I'm trying, and I think that is what they will remember.

Elizabeth