PTL for Weekends!

I am so glad it's the weekend, FINALLY! It has been a very long week. I mentioned earlier that my kids have been sick. Big J had bronchitis and he is finishing up his antibiotic - he went back to preschool this past Wednesday. My Little L is still hanging on to something quite nasty. It hasn't been horrible enough for me to run to the doctor's office, but let me just say that having a 22-month old with a sickness - where he can't tell me what is ailing him - and he just cries at the drop of a hat (ok, we don't have a hat to drop, but you know what I mean!) . . . has almost sent me to insanity-ville. I'm glad it's the weekend because I have my husband here. He works LONG hours, but the weekends are FAMILY time. Even when he comes home in the evenings during the week, he is so tired. Bless his heart, he helps me out, but he's tired, tired, tired from talking his heart out to people all day long. I'm just thankful for the weekend where he can relax and both of us can concentrate on what each other needs . . . and the KIDS!

And to recap the envy topic that I mentioned: It's still a little bit of a struggle. I think that just being aware that it is a struggle helps me to realize that I need to let it go! It also helps me to realize I should emphasize the blessings in my life - kind of like a "no brainer" really. I know we always should do this, but I really don't do it enough.

And I really don't pray enough. I really don't have enough FAITH in my life. I ask God for lots of things . . . but I leave lots of room for doubt.

I really should not start paragraphs with "and". haha! I apologize! :-)

Something positive this morning: I am the first one awake, and I've enjoyed some major quiet time and 2 cups of coffee . . . and it looks like I get to take a shower too without interruption. That is awesome! It looks like it will be a great day ;-)

Green

I had sort of an epiphany in the last few days . . . . it was like I figured something out about myself . . . something that I've been doing and I knew I was doing it, but I put a "label" on it now. I have been struggling with envy! If you knew my life you would SO give me a LECTURE right now because really I have NOTHING to be envious about . . . but alas . . . I created things to be envious about. How about ALONE TIME? How about the worldview that is created when we watch television? (I want this, I want that.) How about when I see some of my own family members without children get all the free time in the world to do whatever they want. OUCH! I could cry right now when I admit that thought out loud. But I just wanted to be honest with you. You see, I "only have 2 kids", but yet I feel like a prisoner sometimes. I know I create that prison myself. . . . I could go out. But that would be a stress to me.

The envy is just eating me inside. I've never admitted it before. I am happy with my life and all that my family is to me! But when I see someone who has an amount of freedom to do whatever they want, it just does something to me . . . . I know I'm not supposed to be envious! My mind says NO! My mind says I need an attitude adjustment . . . . yup, I need prayer.

My 5 year old got hit with Bronchitis on Friday. We're new to that diagnosis and now we're giving him an antibiotic everyday. His cough sounds like croup. This is NOT FUN! My little man is a little sick, too. I'm hoping that my husband and I can stay healthy during this time period of sickness!!

Yesterday I did a little bit of shopping with my sister - and I went to an actual MALL! But we stayed in one store! What is wrong with that picture? LOL I got a few things to wear to some upcoming events. That's something that, as a SAHM, is a struggle! My everday clothes are plain . . . but when I have to go out to a function I know it would be better to look a little bit snazzy ;-) Even for church now we wear jeans, so there is not a need to have a dressy wardrobe. At any rate, I got some good deals and it feels good to have taken that time with my sister, who was a tremendous help to me. She even helped me snag a shirt from a mannequin because it was the only one in my size that we could find. I was sheepishly hiding in the dressing room the entire time. I should pay her for being my personal shopper!

Today I am off to a baby shower (public function that I have to dress up for!!) while my two little boys are feeling under the weather! Praise the Lord for an understanding husband who is able to care for them!!

Tickle the Ivories

Piano is tuned! And he didn't charge me near the amount of money I thought he would! Praise the Lord!! I don't know this man very well, but I know him a little. I know him enough to know that he knows his business well, and I know him enough to trust that he knows what he is doing. I didn't know him well enough to know his price range, nor was I comfortable enough in asking ahead of time. I knew he was pretty much the only one in town! So while I fretted and worried about the whole money thing, I should have just STOPPED and given it up! And one more blessing came my way . . . my piano has been adjusted to have a stiffer touch - something that I didn't know could be done! I am amazed and overjoyed!! I feel like I have a new piano!!

A440 = not in the last 5 years

We have been enjoying some very nice spring days and I just LOVE it!!

The warmth brings extra joy to our psyche. I just sat outside for about an hour - almost felt guilty for it, too! But now I see a neighbor across the street doing the same thing - LOL. It's contagious. We all want spring!

I feel a bit calmer now since my last post! Phew!! I'm so glad to have those baby shower invitations done finally! They went out in the mail today. And the music programs are finished and went well. I feel like I continually look to my calendar to find the next thing to stress out about . . . . that's the wrong attitude!! :-)

But since we're on it: tomorrow I get my piano tuned. I haven't had it done in about 5 years. That's not being a good piano teacher!! I'm always finding something better to spend the money on I guess. :-) I had a dream that it only set me back $100. Yeah . . . I WAS dreaming!! But it really needs done . . . it's embarrassing, and it hurts my ears.

March is in like a Lion

I feel like I haven't relaxed in a long time. Is anyone else feeling like that these days? What is with that? Is it the economy? Is it the weather? Or is it that my schedule has gotten crazy lately and I'm just now noticing it? I haven't really picked up any new responsibilities - perhaps it's just that my kiddos have gone through a bit of a growth spurt and they are demanding a bit more attention than maybe a few months ago. Maybe that sort of creeps up on parents. I'm not sure since I'm not really an expert.

I woke up in the middle of the night last night and couldn't sleep for about 3 hours or more and just couldn't stop thinking of about a million things at once. I think it would be just lovely to take a big vacation RIGHT NOW. It's just so cold outside in this Ohio weather. Well, ok, yesterday it was in the mid-60's . . . but today, it's extremely windy and in the mid-40's. That's March for us - cantakerous and moody. :-) It's the growth-spurt of spring.

Well this week is rather hectic for me now that I admit it. I'm playing the piano for my sister's elementary school music programs (she's the music teacher and she has 2 programs this week . . . . those kids are just so cute!), and I'm trying to hand-make about 50 baby shower invitations for my other sister's shower that is coming up next month. That is going to practically undo my sanity! What was I thinking??? I'm too much of a perfectionist and I think I'm worrying about this in my sleep. Maybe it doesn't sound like much to another person, but to me after juggling the care of 2 kids at home, it's pretty much crazy around here.

OK, well back to my life . . . I thought I'd pop in here for a moment. I still wish for a vacation . . . but I'll take warmer weather. Please!!!

Brotherly Unkindness

Overheard in our kitchen last night:

Big J (5 years old) reciting a memory verse to Daddy:

"Be kind one to another. Ephesians 4:32"

Daddy: "Very Good. I am so proud of you!"

10 seconds later - I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING!
Little L is sitting on a kitchen chair. Big J wants to sit on the same kitchen chair, but doesn't want to share (it's not like we only have 1 kitchen chair!). "Get off! I want to sit here!!!" He shoves his little brother completely off the chair!! Little L (1.5 years old) cries his heart out.

Is this the kid who just recited the kindness memory verse from the Bible???

OK, well at least we're trying to learn Bible verses . . . . the meaning temporarily (conveniently?) escaped our son and that evil sinful nature took over.