Five Favorites

Linking up with my friend Ashley to share Five Favorites currently:

1. One of my favorite ways to start the day is by singing in my shower.  The acoustics are awesome in my shower, and it just puts a smile on my face.  I highly recommend buying yourself a waterproof bluetooth speaker if you don't have one. The one I linked to is similar to the one I have.

2.  Good pens always put a smile on my face.  These Bic Atlantis pens have been my favorite since 2004.  A pen that has been my favorite for more than ten years is pretty amazing. I have at least three in my purse, one on my bedside table, two in my car and ten in a dollar spot can on the craft table in the dining room. #nevertoomanypens

3. Calm app for meditating.  This has been my go to for at least a year. It's not free, but let me assure you, it's worth every penny.  I tend to use the Body Scan meditation the most.  It walks you through releasing stress from every muscle, head to toe, and you can choose how long it takes, from 3 minutes to 25 minutes.  I love it.

4.  As a mom, I am constantly taking someone's temperature.  And waiting around when a kid is sick for an underarm thermometer to finally beep is the worst.  Maybe a year ago, I finally splurged and spent $25 on a forehead thermometer, and I am so glad I did.  It's ridiculous how easy it makes taking temperatures!

5.  The last thing on my list is this amazing cast iron frying pan from The Pioneer Woman.  You can get it at your local Walmart (which is where I got mine) or order it online. We got tired of constantly replacing our "nonstick" pans, and have just loved having the cast iron.  It makes especially amazing tortillas!  Get one.  You won't regret it!

Around Here: Week 13

Singing... in the shower since Josh bought me these waterproof speakers on Amazon. He asked if I liked them, and I told him it was the best day of my life. I was only slightly exaggerating. I LOVE singing in the shower, and our stand up shower has the BEST acoustics. Now I can really belt it out!

Getting... excited about Logan's grades this quarter.  He has been working really hard to improve his spelling and his hand writing in particular, and his teacher and I are both so happy to see his hard work paying off!

Taking... both twins to get sealants on their teeth at the dentist. It's funny, we already hate driving to school after walking just a few days. We were all bummed to have to drive so I could get them to their appointments right after school.

Suffering... alongside Carly as she suffers from teething.  The last three days she has been completely unhappy unless she's eating, nursing or being held. It's been exhausting.

Enjoying... a fun birthday party at the gymnastic place in town with the twins.

Watching... the boys do baseball tryouts. Our life's about to get crazy with three boys on teams.

Learning... more about epilepsy in this book I got on the neurologist's recommendation.  I am only two chapters in, but it is answering a lot of questions and teaching me so much about the brain and how seizures happen. I promise to share more when I'm done reading it.

Grateful... that Logan's side effects have been quite minimal this week.  I'm praying that this trend continues.

Finding... this article online about celebrating mediocrity. I love every thing about it.

"What if I never really amount to anything when I grow up- beyond mom and sister and wife? But these people in my primary circle of impact know they are loved and I would choose them again, given the choice.  Can this be enough?"

In regards to my blog being "small beans":

"What if I don't want to write a cookbook or build a six figure business or speak before thousands? But I write because I have something to say and I invest in a small community of women I care about and encourage them to love and care for themselves well.  Because bigger isn't always better and the individual matters.  She is enough."

Gah. Go read it!

Buying... some new clothes (at Walmart, hah!) & anticipating spring days and less layers. So exciting!!!

Reading... The Gift of an Ordinary Day, still, after finishing The Girl on the Train on audio. Both are so, so good.

Wrapping up... my 21 days of gratitude.  This challenge has changed how I view my everyday and has really planted a seed of contentment in me. I highly recommend giving it a try.

Looking... forward to spring break!!!  Ready for a little down time and a little play time with my family.

Meditating on:

"Resistance creates suffering.  

Stress happens when your mind resists what is... 

The only problem in your life 

is your mind's resistance to life as it unfolds."

-Dan Millman

***