around here week 4 2021

{January 17th-23rd}

Carly in her clip ons

Carly's "marshmallow lips" from the dentist

New Laundry Rotation Schedule

Instituting... a new laundry schedule after feeling like it is feast or famine when it comes to the laundry around here.  I either have ALL the laundry to do, or NO laundry to do. And that was not working. So I made a schedule with our personal loads split up by towel days or excess loads, and I am so excited to start it. This way, I'll be doing some laundry everyday, and I won't have to think about what to put in.  It's already decided for me. 

Reading... Anne of the Island, The Best Kept Secret and Angel in My Pocket.  Anne of the Island I am somewhat leisurely reading.  I just love Anne Shirley.  The Best Kept Secret was engaging but hard to read, and Angel in My Pocket is our February book club choice. 

Taking... Carly to the dentist for her cavities and being so proud of her. She had zero tears or complaints. The dentist even said she was better behaved than most kids twice her age. She is just amazing. After the work was done, she was swollen, and she said, "It's like my lips are marshmallows." Hah! Perfect description. 

Feeling... tired and kind of down on Tuesday, which was hard because the twins were fighting a lot on that day.  Some days I think being home all the time with all the kids is just a lot.  Thankfully the schoolwork side of things is going well, but the whole "parenting middle schoolers" part is ROUGH.

Napping... Wednesday after feeling just worn out, and then completing some necessary paperwork and life management stuff. I am grateful that I am better able to let my feelings be when I am down instead of fighting them. 

Seeing... my counselor from Doctor on Demand and feeling so grateful that I have her on my side.  We talked about my working out and eating right and other emotional things, and (as usual) I felt so much better afterward.

Baking... some banana bread to share with my mother and father-in-law, and mostly just talking Jack through it.  He is so good in the kitchen and it's my favorite!

Purchasing... a new bedspread for us when I randomly saw one I love by Pioneer Woman at Walmart.  I had sort of decided a new one wasn't meant to be because I have purchased two since we moved here four years ago, and they haven't lasted.  But this one seems great (so far, anyway!) and is exactly my style.  (You can see the design on it under the pic above of Anne of the Island.)

Weighing... in at 217 pounds, down another two pounds this week. Woot woot!

Working out... twice this week, which was one less than my goal. But I keep telling myself "Something is better than nothing" and "Progress not perfection." 

Loving... Carly's reaction to the clip on earrings that her cousin Liesel sent her.  She feels so fancy when she wears them. It's adorable. So far, she hasn't show an interest in getting her ears pierced, but I think it's because she thinks it will hurt quite a bit. I imagine pretty soon she will start asking. 

Watching... Mile 22 with Mark Wahlberg while enjoying sandwiches from Subway for date night this week.  The movie was intense and good, and the sandwiches were delish!

Celebrating... Carly's fifth birthday with a purple cat party thrown by my sister at my mom's house.  She is the best aunt, and when Carly mentioned she would like a "Purple Cat Party" while we were shopping together at Hobby Lobby, I laughed out loud.  But a week later my sister texted me and asked if she could actually throw her one. I said, "Of course" and the planning took off.  
There was all sorts of purple food- grapes, blueberries, purple wrapped granola bars, berry gummies, grape KoolAid, and lavender bags of Boom Chicka Pop.  She made kitty cat cupcakes with Romy & Carly's help, and had decorated my mom's entire kitchen & dining room with kitty cat posters and yarn balls. It was so fun! 
Another bonus was we all got to hold my new, precious, itty-bitty niece.  Oh she is just super sweet and I am in love!!

Here for... all the baby texts from my sister.  I squeal each time I hear that little ping, knowing it might hold another picture of sweet BabyLu.  

Learning... why we cry when Wyatt googled it the other day.  Turns out we cry because it releases endorphins and oxytocin. These chemicals relieve emotional distress.  So crying soothes us. Who knew?!?

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