Day #34 - And 4 Days In A Row

Woo hoo! And I'm on a roll!!!

Yesterday I got a ton of painting done. Today I took a break on that, so that I could get laundry caught up.

Ready for a confession?

Are you sitting down?

This might knock your socks off...

And if it does, leave those dirty socks at home!

Here it is... I HATE laundry! Oooooo! I said it, well, I typed it.

I'd clean toilets everyday forever, if it meant I'd never have to fold another shirt, pre-treat another stain, or match another sock.

I don't know that I can truly convey the disdain I have for laundering clothing. I abhor it. Despise everything about it.

It could be the lugging of baskets down two flights of stairs to wash and dry. And then the repeat of that trip up two flights to put them away. Or it could be the almost five years of having children who constantly dirty way more clothing than I ever thought possible. (& don't let me get started on the bin of missing socks on sizes newborn to 4 yrs. there shouldn't be this many shades of pink!)

But even with a main floor laundry and no children, I'm sure it'd still pile up... although with no children, I'd have a lot more money... maybe I could just buy new?

Am I onto something here?

Don't have kids, buy clothes!

Bahahaha!

See what happens when Michael falls asleep on the couch early?!?

This rambling is all his fault. I'm bored.

Blessings

311. It's almost Friday
312. An evening of shopping with my friends
313. Counting blessings that I haven't even experienced yet
314. The end of a bible study chapter
315. The beginning of another book
316. The 3 year journey to look forward to
317. Phenomenal women to experience it with
318. Spiritual growth
319. Watching others grow
320. Experiencing a-ha moments

Day #33 - This Is Just A Test

I just installed a Blogger app on my phone... so I'm typing this, just to see how it works...

And as a side note, I got a TON done around my house today!!! I'm excited to see what tomorrow has to offer...

I'll try to attach pictures of the improvements.
;-)

Blessings

301. A semi-finished basement that I could sequester my children to today
302. A freshly painted hallway
303. One project behind me
304. My improved mood because I'm getting things done
305. A feeling of accomplishment 306. Plans with some friends Friday night
307. Another weekend at home with my little family
308. Relaxation
309. Madeline sleeping by 715 tonight
310. No tears when the bigger girls were tucked in at 8.

Day #32 - Is It Me?

Last night on the way home from meeting up with a friend for some chit-chat, I was flipping through channels on the radio. Now let me tell you, it’s not very often that I get the opportunity to “channel surf” on the radio. The vast majority of the time, as in most every single time, as in I can probably count on my one hand how often in the last 6 months it’s been any other way, I have company when I travel. That means, I’m listening to Christian radio… or a Disney DVD.

So as I scanned stations, I came across a Kenny Chesney song. And I turned it up. And then I turned it up louder. And then even louder. And I danced in my seat. And I sang at the top of my lungs. And I loved every. single. minute. of. it. It brought back some great memories. It caused a little longing for a vacation, in Mexico. But it was fun. And it was me.

It. Was. Me.

I’ve always been a big music fan. You name it, at one time or another, I’ve probably liked it. I’ve been to a ton of concerts, ranging from country to r & b to alternative to oldies. In fact, I’d say that music is my “thing”.

It really got me thinking… Have I lost sight of my “thing”?

I also really enjoy decorating. I like making my home look nice, while working with little to no money. That’s actually the part I like the best. Thrifty decorating is another one of my “things”. I love finding a deal, or better yet, a steal and making it my own. I enjoy painting furniture and turning it into something one of a kind that my family can get some use out of.

Michael and I purchased an entire bedroom set – headboard and footboard, tall dresser, and longer dresser with a  mirror – all for $20 at a garage sale before we were married. It was HIDEOUS, but I sanded it, primed it, and painted it. It’s now yellow with pink polka dots and Kate absolutely loves it! It totally fits her too.

I love crafty, fun, artistic projects.

I also haven’t been doing much of any of that lately.

I know that having little children is just this season of my life… I know that one day I’ll look back and long to have these days back (or so I’ve been told)… And in no way do I wish this time away. I love my life with my toddlers. I love being a mommy.

But I also love me. I love singing to music at the top of my lungs. I love being covered in paint and looking back at something that was someone else’s trash that I’ve turned into a treasure.

I think I miss me… The old me… The fun, careless, free-spirited, worry-free me…

And I know that she’s not coming back to stay any time soon.

But I’d sure like her to visit more often.

Maybe I’ll start looking for some concert tickets.

Blessings

291. Alone time in the car

292. Music that can take me back

293. Music that can remind me of how far I’ve come

294. An entire grocery shopping trip with no children breakdowns

295. Breakfast for dinner

296. 3 bathed baby girls

297. Constant change

298. Predictability

299. The little things

300. Reminders of God’s greatness in my children’s eyes

Day #31 - Thoughts

Well, it’s been awhile… I guess I’ve been busy, although I’m not completely sure what I’ve been busy with…

I had thought about blogging a few times, just never really got around to it.

I thought about talking about how this seems to have gotten so negative, and I want to focus on positive for a change. That was a thought anyway.

I thought about blogging about the ever-evolving friendships in my life. They seem to be stretching, and moving, and changing. Another thought, maybe for another time.

I thought about writing about extended family influence in my little “at home family”. I have things to say about the outside stresses of siblings and parents and what seems to be too many opinions often and what can happen in my world because of all that. Another fleeting thought.

I thought about saying something about sickness and illness and even death, because that has been on the forefront of my thoughts lately… but because of my first thought of steering away from negative for awhile, I quickly changed that plan.

I thought about documenting my thoughts regarding the recent “semi-diagnosis” of hypoglycemia in my oldest… And what a tailspin I went into, quickly I might add, when thinking about the garbage that I have allowed my children (and myself and Michael) to consume as of late. Ugh. Boo.

I’ve had thoughts about years passing, and seasons changing, and losing time you’ll never get back… Probably due to the celebration of Lauren’s birthday… She’s 3 now! I still can’t believe it! But then, I thought better of that.

So I guess what I’ve decided, is to post this for now… And then I’ll think some more on these topics… And come up with future blogs with some of them.

Blessings

281. Birthday celebrations for an excited now 3 year old

282. Heart shaped, sprinkle covered, pink colored, strawberry flavored, birthday cakes

283. The toughness of my 4 year old when getting blood drawn and now her twice daily finger pricks

284. Wonderful phlebotomist that handled Kate so gently

285. Super nursing staff dealing with a scared little girl and her scared mommy

286. My hubby’s patience

287. And his understanding

288. And his reassurance

289. Madeline using the “poppy” chair

290. Developing personalities

Day #30 - Got me thinking...

A conversation with a friend today got me thinking...

Why do I blog?

What purpose does it serve?

Do I do it for others? Or for myself?

Do I want input or feedback? Or do I really not care?

Do people check up on me because they're interested in what's going on in my life? Or to have a good laugh? Or to judge?

Does blogging help me to lay things out so that I don't have so much floating aroud in my head? Or do I do it because I want people to see that I have so much floating around in my head?

Here's what I'm trying to get at... If I am doing this for the reason's I have told myself, why do my stats matter? Why do I check to see how many page views I've had? What difference does it make that yesterday I had 35 page views, but still only have 11 followers and not a single comment at all?? Why do I keep noticing that the only people to comment are my mother, and a friend that I talk to every day? (I mean, come on, those people know that i'm nuts - they don't need to read this to verify my cooky-ness)

What's the reason behind all of this??? And if I continue to drive myself bonkers trying to figure out who's reading what, and blocking idiots, and feeling crappy that no one comments, and missing the days that I had a ton of traffic due to facebook... does it even make sense to write publicly?

I started this as an online journal of sorts. I thought it would be interesting to look back at what was happening in my life, years down the road. But has it morphed into an unhealthy outlet like facebook did?

UGH! Why do I think so much???!!??

Maybe I need a job...

Blessings

261. Kate coming out of her shell and participating in preschool
262. Madeline's new favorite word "Poppy"
263. Lauren being 16 days away from 3 years old
264. Reminders to cherish the time with loved ones
265. True friendships
266. Real feelings
267. Michael finally coming home today
268. The look on his face when the girls ran to him
269. The excitement in my babies when they saw their daddy
270. Surprise lunch at Subway
271. Getting back into our routine
272. Red paint
273. A weekend ahead with no plans
274. Smashed popcorn when I just put the vacuum away
275. Jan 5th and no snow
276. 40 degree days in January
277. Clean sheets
278. Clean towels
279. Homemade chicken noodle soup
280. Good conversations

Day #29 - Quiet Time

So… I’m a bit behind… Any blog that I would normally read already has “The Year in Review”. I think I might skip that.

I’ll do this instead.

Babble.

That’s something new, right? Hardly.

Its 826pm. My tree is down. All of our Christmas decorations are packed up and put away. My main floor is clean. The girls are in bed. And I’m alone… ugh… Michael left for Wisconsin at 5pm and I haven’t sat down until now…

We’ve come a long way. He doesn’t travel nearly as much as he used to. He doesn’t really travel barely ever.

It still stinks though.

He’s been gone for 3 ½ hours and I already miss him.

I have plenty to keep me busy… 3 girls for starters… But other projects I want to finish.

I have an end table that needs to be painted, a curtain for Kate’s room I need to finish sewing, a bedroom that desperately needs to be cleaned and possibly rearranged, a Lauren sign and a Madeline sign that I need to make, a basement floor to mop, a kitchen that we want to get painted, trim and doors in the basement that need to be painted too, a closet that needs to be organized, photo books that need to be completed and ordered, laundry (always!)… wow… I’m exhausted just thinking about all that!

He’s only going to be gone until Thursday… And it’s already Monday… No way am I getting all that done in this short amount of time…

I’ll get something accomplished though. I do have 3 evenings all to myself. TV all to myself too, which def doesn’t help. But I’ll stay on task.

I’m thinking about going to look for paint for the kitchen tomorrow. If I could get a jump on that, he’d be blown away.

As long as he doesn’t read this.

That’d ruin the surprise.

He doesn’t read this.

He wouldn’t know the website if you asked him.

And we know you won’t tell him…

Don’t we??

Blessings.

251. Amazing Christmas with an even more amazing family

252. Family pictures

253. The farm

254. Girls night out with my Mother-in-law and Sister-in-laws

255. A great Father-in-law to watch my kiddos

256. Ringing in the New Year with some fun friends

257. Actually making it to midnight for the first time in a real long time.

258. Not needing a babysitter because we have understanding friends that also have kids

259. Back to school routine to start back up tomorrow

260. Quiet evenings to myself