It's the little things

Today, I've been taking things a little slow, not because I should (I shouldn't) but just because I can. It was kind of an interrupted night, sleep wise, so I'm taking a more relaxed approach to life. There are definitely advantages to not having to get up and go off to work or take my kids to school!

 I realized from reading my last several posts that one could gain the impression that all I do is complain. Or that my life is terrible. And neither of those things are true. So I want to talk about all the little things that make my life wonderful.

In no particular order:

- every night, without fail, when I go in to check on the kids, Gabriella has deserted her bed and snuggled up with James in his. They are kind of like a pair of puppies - sleeping all piled together in a heap. Last night they were side by side with their noses touching. So cute!

- delicious lemon bars that I made. And ate. With coffee. ;-)

- reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe out loud to Joseph for the first time. The Narnia books were my absolute favorite childhood books and are still one of my all-time lifelong favorites, so getting to read them to Joseph is very special! He is loving them - I finally had to take a coffee break to let my voice recover because it was so hoarse after 5 straight chapters! We probably won't finish before we go watch the play tomorrow but at least he will understand what's going on.

- finally getting outside and working on the yard in the fresh air and sunshine yesterday! The weather was almost summer-like! Amazing how good that feels. Theoretically I'm going to have a garden this year.

- Joseph asking to read the Bible again, after we finish Bible time. He said "Please can we read the Bible again because I love reading the Bible! It's God's book to us." Is there anything better a mama can hear? I think not!

- my Elora walking around jabbering and basically being Elorable. It's impossible to look at her smile and not smile back. Im-possible. I defy you to try it.

- my dear husband being extremely supportive during a very stressful week, and coming home early yesterday to spend time with me

These are just of few of the many blessings I have in my life. I am so thankful for every day I get to spend at home with my family, especially for lazy days like today. While so many little annoying things often drive me crazy, it's also the wonderful little things that fill my life with joy!

Walking! (aaaahhhh...)

Sooo...guess who started walking today?

Good guess!

Today has been kind of an unproductive day in many respects, because the kids have been uber-fussy and I spent the whole afternoon trying to get them to take naps! It was kind of like herding cats. As soon as you get one back in his/her room, the others all swarm away...

BUT I did manage to make our homemade gluten free pizza for Family Night, which we attempt to observe every Friday, with pizza and some form of game or movie or interaction with us all together! And then about 5 o'clock, my father in law dropped by for a few minutes, and all of us sudden Elora started walking for him! She has been standing incredibly well for almost 2 months, and "cruising" along all the furniture, and about a month ago she took 3 steps and then decided she would rather crawl. I haven't seen any walking at all since then...until today! I was so excited that she did it while Dad was here, because even though they live here in town (or in the mountains), we don't get to see them that often due to my mother in law's health problems. (Let's face it, 4 kids ages 5 and under can be quite overwhelming even when you feel well!) Joseph took his first steps on Dad's birthday, and now he's seen Elora's too! Yay!

So I am chalking this day up in the "win" category even though the house is messy and I have a killer headache and didn't get anything done today. Focus on the victories, right? ;-)

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Just a really great day

I had a terrific day today! It wasn't really due to any one big thing, but rather a bunch of little things that were wonderful and enjoyable.

Woke up this morning to find Mom at my house! She picked us up on her way home from dropping Dad at the airport and took us to her house, where we spent a lovely day together. I got to help my sister Lydia with her paper on Taming of the Shrew, which was super fun to me because I got to brush up my old literature knowledge and skills, and actually use that rusty part of my brain! ;-) Then I worked a little bit on a dress for my sister Sophie to wear to the Regency Ball! It is the MOST gorgeous dress, based on the American Girl Felicity doll's dress. It is also the most complicated pattern I've ever attempted, and we didn't get much done on it, but we will work more next time. (Promise, Sophie!)

Then Mom and the kids and I drove back into town and I got to stop by my friend Sarah's house and see her new baby boy! He is an adorable CHUNK, and it was so nice to see her after such a long time. After that we went to the pet store and admired all the animals! (Going to the pet store is way better than having a pet - the kids get to see and play with animals that I don't have to clean up after!) Then Daddy surprised us by meeting us there. He did something very sweet for me - actually went to the beauty salon and bought me a curling iron I had been wanting, along with some chocolate! ;-) Then he drove us home, and we had a crock pot full of spaghetti ready to eat when we arrived! Hooray!

I am feeling very blessed tonight and thankful for a such a wonderful ordinary day! I hope your day was half as good as mine!