Around Here: Week 41 2021

 {October 3-9th}

pc: my sister's friend Nicole
Isn't it gorgeous?!?

Taking... Carly and Wyatt to the park on a sunny day.  They slid, swung and played bottle flip while I laid on our picnic blanket in the sunshine and read Anne of the Island. It was so, so lovely to feel the sun on my shoulders one last time. 

Listening... to September by Rosamunde Pilcher. I also read Winter Solstice by her, and just like that one, this one is such a cozy read, with the most lovable characters. 

Smiling... as I recieved texts throughout the week from my dad who went to the coast to visit his parents (my beloved grandparents).  Photos of them working in the yard, walking at the beach, and a really cute one of grandma with her dahlias. Oh I love them.

Contemplating... something Cjane said on her Instagram about how the church taught her to ignore the longings of her heart.  It struck me because I was absolutely guided to ignore my inner voice, ignore what I knew was right, ignore what my heart wanted.  Thank God I was such a strong person, and someone who believed in love, because walking away from the church for Josh was one of the best (bravest) things I have ever done in my life. 

Researching... parenting and cell phones and mental health for a friend of mine who is writing a guide for parenting.  I cannot wait for her book to come out.  This research has just whet my appetite!!

Loving... as always, Carly's drawings.  This week she drew Josh and I on an anniversary date on her white board, and I am wearing two necklaces.  Super fancy! Also, she asked Josh and I each (separately) what we would like to eat, and we both chose pepperoni pizza.  She loved that! She went on to tell me that we rode in a very special car, to and from our date.  When I asked her what kind of car, she said it was a fancy van. So there you go. Carly will be planning our dates from here forward. 

Cherishing... the freedom of taking a nap when I need one.  It feels so good to take care of myself in that way.

Feeling... so proud of Wyatt as he pulled out the guitar my dad gave me and put in the Practice DVD and gave it a go. He's so brave to try things!
Also feeling proud of Carly that she came home with a full green tens frame (stickers she gets in class for good behavior) and has stayed dry all week again. She was thrilled to pick a prize after filling her green tens frame up. I love how everything delights her. 

Attending... Carly's kindergarten field trip to the fire station. We had a great time, and I felt so lucky to get to know her classmates and spend a little time with them. 
Also attending... Jack's football game which was in Wenatchee this week.  My mom and nephew Ferris came and watched him too.  It was COLD at the game, but we survived with lots of laughs and excitement.  At the end we were just going to leave, but Jack texted that he wanted to see us all before he hopped back on the tour bus. It made me happy he wanted to see us.  Gosh I love that kid. 

Struggling... with some hard parenting this week as I had some kids not wanting to go to school, not listening and arguing.  Bedtime has been a challenge as well. By the time I am putting them to bed, I am OVER IT, and it feels like it's taking ages to lay them down.  If you're having a hard time, too, just know you're not alone. I think we're still adjusting to this new school schedule, so I'm hopeful it will all improve. 

Watching... a friends' daughter for a few days this week while her daycare was shut down.  The kids all loved having her so much! And she was a delight. (Also, she made me realize exactly how easy my kids are now. Ha!)

Wearing... crowns that Carly made for no reason for us. Wanna be a princess? A queen? And it's just a regular Thursday? No one cares! Wear that crown and own it girl! 
Same with fancy dresses.  Carly wanted to wear this dress (above in the photo collage) that I would call a Christmas or holiday dress, and I said yes.  Even though I knew it was super "extra", even though it seemed funny for her to wear it to school randomly... the joy it brought her was worth it!

Brushing... the dog in the front yard and being blown away by how much hair I got off him. No wonder the house is always such a fluffy mess!

Experiencing... hair envy with Carly.  Goodness that girl's hair is golden magic! My own little Rapunzel. 

Reaching... for toilet paper twice in a row, in two different bathrooms, in my house only to find an empty roll both times. Grr! What the heck?! 

Practicing... my mantras: 

• "Whatever happens, I can face it."
• "I am allowed to have needs."
• "That's not my problem, it's your problem."
• "How I feel right now is not how I will always feel."
• "Avoiding hurting others (or letting them down) often leads to hurting myself. If I'm going to please one person, it may as well be me."

What mantras do you find useful?

Spending... the day with Carly on Friday (there was no school) while the boys spent the day with my parents.  We drove the boys halfway to meet my dad; then we got lunch out; went to the library; built a Lego Zoo/Farm; got some work done (typing up transcripts of my friends' interviews with different parenting experts) while Carly had screen time and read lots and lots of books together. 

Celebrating... Josh's cousin Nathan's son Gabe's birthday with a party at the jump park.  All of our kids had the time of their lives.  They jumped, ate pizza, had cupcakes and even got balloon animals! So much fun! Meanwhile, I got to visit with Nathan's wife Dunnette.  I love her. Such good people they are. 

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