Sick

     A couple of weeks ago I was feeling a bit under the weather and knew that I was just "fighting something". You know how that feels, right? When your throat gets just a little scratchy, but not bad, your nose drips a little-kinda annoying like, but still tolerable (you're just grateful it isn't worse) and you can tell you aren't quite feeling up to speed. This all started on a Friday. Well, I thought I was really doing a good job battling the oncoming influenza. Then it started. The sneezing. Ugh! I don't know how it is for others, but for me-if I start sneezing...I know I'm DONE FOR! Soooo, what's one to do? Especially one that is an M-O-M??

Not only an M-O-M, but one with 3 dependant littles?!? By Monday I was completely sucked under. So sick that I couldn't stand without being dizzy and feeling like my head was in a fog. The only thing I could do was NAP. change a diaper. nap. and NAP some more.  After one of those naps, I went downstairs to see the conditions. 

This is what I saw: 

"So, someone decided to get a snack, huh? Okay, understandable. What a mess. That stinks. Bummer."

 Then:

"To be expected. There's kids here. I'm glad they were enjoying themselves." *sigh*

THEN:

"Whoa!!! Who hired the {help?}!"

It only took my sick, tired body an hour and a half to clean up this oh so joyous mess with the hefty crafsman shop-vac.

That's what I get for:

Getting SICK.

Oh how I appreciate my health!

Blogging

Okay, truthfully...I've hit a little of what I call "blog depression". Usually I have to refrain from posting too much. But lately, I haven't wanted to blog at all. I have to give myself some credit that I have had some contributing factors to my difficulty with blogdom. What kind do you ask?  I'll just name a couple:

1) our desktop broke down on us 2-3 weeks ago.
2) although our wonderful neighbors loaned their laptop to us, it is missing the "b" key and the spacebar. The "b" key...little deal. Space bar HUGE PROBLEM. We have to punch the little round circle button precisely ON THE RIGHT SPOT.
3) until literally two days ago, I couldn't get my camera to upload. This is a biggy. To blog without pictures...not my style. Silly, I know.
4) WHO CARES IF I STOP!?! Sincerely, I've asked myself this question since I started blogging. Then suddenly people will start telling me how they "love" reading my blog, or ask questions that they could only have known to ask by reading. Who knew?! The most comments I've ever gotten were 5. Ridiculous that it matters, but feedback is helpful!

So...there you have it. My feel sorry for myself reasons for blog depression. I see a pot of gold on the horizon, however, for when I was typing this very post...what should the UPS man bring? But our new keyboard!!! WOO HOO---I'm signing off to install it now. Bryon's essays will be SO much easier for him to type!

What they say Wednesday

Lately I've been enjoying Tyler's company more regularly since his schedule this semester is rather lighter than it has been in the past. One day on the way to an event, we were running late and, in my haste, I expressed distaste without thinking as I glanced at myself in the visor mirror. Tyler immediately expressed his love for me, and said, "Mom, you're beautiful. Besides, it's the inside that matters most." Although it wasn't said with this intent, it was a sweet reminder to me that although I was in a hurry, my behavior was most important in the moment.

                                          

Lately I've been acutely aware that with Bryon's Senior year in high school fast approaching, and Tyler following close behind, children are only children in our care for just moments...and then they're gone. What a blessing to enjoy them while that time is ours! I hope to take advantage of every opportunity!

Dresser re-do (also on Shelstring blog)

A couple of months ago a couple at church was getting rid of a dresser. Steve came home knowing I was looking for one for the girls and told me to call them and take a look at it. Initially I saw it and really was kinda disappointed, but after looking it over awhile, decided  it had great bones and brainstormed it's  possibilities. Then, as life kept us busy and not really having the time or desire to conquer the project, I let it sit in the back of  my mind awhile. After blog stocking one day I felt inspired & started gathering paint samples any time an errand presented the possibility. Finally I found my desired color and ran down to Home Depot where I bought a can of Behr Ultra. If you aren't familiar with this, it is a paint and primer in one! Cool! The first opportunity I got I painted the hutch. But as is typical with my first attempt at paint projects, I was not happy and knew I immediately needed to find THE ONE color. I then decided I must go to my main inspiration...Target!

 

From the time I saw this years ago, I knew if I ever had a girl, this would be hers.

Isn't it sweet?

Then I saw this pillow and had to look no further!

I ran home,  pulled out several old cans of paint and started my notorious mixing magic {which is also typical, I don't know why I ever bother having anyone mix a color for me}

I Got these crystal pulls {everyone knows I love crystal ;)} at Ben Franklin Crafts

The results have been thrilling for me! All I want to do is sit and stare at the dresser. I'm overjoyed by the turnout and can't wait to share the finished poduct with all of you!! New computer soon-- *whew* Can't wait!

Mushed fingers

Justin: "Can somebody  close the door on my fingers? Not hard, just softly"
a few seconds later
"Alyssa, you almost mushed my skin".

Even after asking him the reasons for wanting this, I don't have any idea why. Aren't these two sweeties funny?


**I started "What they say Wednesdays" because I'm otherwise terrible about journaling the quotes I hear that either strike me in a humorous or profound way. Join me for "What they say Wednesdays". Just leave a link to your blog in the "comment" section so we can enjoy the things that those you love are saying. Remember, it doesn't have to be from children. It can even be just a quote you love!

What they say Wednesdays

Jeremy: "Mom, I didn't get family home evening treat last night, can I make a shake?"

Mom: "I thought you said you were full from dinner?"

Jeremy: (while outlining the sections of his stomache) "the healthy part of my stomache is full, but my treat section is empty."

                                           Who can argue that? Can't let a boy go hungry!

*Please share your "What They say Wednesdays"!

Just how much

    All Valentine's day with it's pink hearts, frills, and all it's terms of expressed endearments, I couldn't think of any way to adequately express my feelings for the one true love of  my life. So now that it is a new day, and  my heart is not so achy from missing Steve and sulking for his being gone on  my favorite Holiday of the year, I am able to think with more clarity and grasp what I couldn't have before. So here goes:

   The day after we were married,  I remember running with Steve to refill a parking meter, afraid that if he ran to fill it on his own, something might happen and we would be permanently separated for the rest of this life. We had just undergone a 5 month engagement no less than 8 states apart while he started his first job assignment in Schenectady, New York. Throughout the years, he's had to travel off and on as the job has required, and my anxieties have lessened through sincere, heartfelt prayer, although not completely diminished. Over time it's been intriguing  to note how throughout our lives we are sure to recognize the things that people do that are obvious to us, significant even. Things that make a difference and that bless us. But since my husband has been traveling a lot more lately, this being the 4th week running, I have been recognizing the "little" things that are even greater than the "big" things. Things that, when he's around, does--that significantly lighten my load, make my life easier, enjoyable even, while completing the monotonous tasks of the every day. It's amazing how much you can miss things like:

•  someone taking out the garbage without being asked
•  cleaning up a spill that someone else made
•  changing a diaper
•  picking up a crying child
•  getting the mail
•  wiping down the mirror
•  asking "what can I do to help"
•  reading a bedtime story to help put the kids to bed
•  a simple hug when they notice you are really down because they can tell even--when no one else can
•  starting the dishwasher when you forgot so that you'll wake up to a clean load
•  an unprovoked "I love you"
•  a kiss goodbye every time they leave

   These  are the things that I miss the most. The things that  make all the difference. The things that expess just how much someone truly cares and knows how to love. Completely. The little things that aren't so LITTLE. I'm grateful that I know such a love in my life...daily. I realize that in many ways he is my strength, always my support, my true love, my full joy, my calm in chaos. He completes me, he's my best friend. He truly is...

                                                                         the better half of me.