Fall Break

It's been something!  But . . . most importantly, it's been a time to regroup.  The fall is such a busy time of year.  I am thankful to have a week off of school and religious education classes.  I have been able to cook, shop, and just hang out with my kids.  I, of course, had a list of things to accomplish.  Not sure that I will get them all checked off of my mental list, but I've enjoyed this break from the norm, the hustle bustle. 

. . . Long time

Been a long time, been a long time. . .

No kidding.  If I could figure out all my passwords and which ones I've changed and which ones I haven't, man, I'd be set!

What's new?  What's different?  What's the purpose to answering any of those questions?

Welp . . . I'm no longer teaching 4th grade. I'm back to my original teaching position. Middle School Math and 6th grade religion. I like both positions very much. I'm glad to have had the experience in another grade. I'm glad to have spent that time with those students. I enjoyed the bonding! I enjoy the pace of Middle School, kids coming and going.

We (the family) have finally hit the stage where we have 3 kiddos in ball at the same time and no one is on the same team.  So far, so good.  It hasn't been too crazy with running around at this point.  Every day is an adventure.  I know many moms who've got all this running under control.  But for those who don't, I'd say, "Let it Go! Let it Go!" Be ready for plan B, plan C and possibly a plan D.  With 4 kids, my ideas of a day can't be too solid. 

Shopping

I 💗 shopping.  I don't 💗 clothes shopping.  Earlier tonight I made a trip up to the Fort, and left feeling defeated.
I am really starting to wonder if there is something wrong with the mirrors in the dressing rooms.  Here's an idea:  putting those mirrors from fun houses that make you look a bit slimmer in the dressing rooms.  I bet they'd sell a lot more clothing at Macy's and Penney's.  Only put them in the juniors and misses sections!  Wouldn't that be AMAZING!
I realize that I am not "Skinny Minnie" but GEESH!  I felt horrible after the experience.
One of my children asked me about shopping, and I said, that while I typically like the end result of finding a cute dress or outfit, I don't like the process.  It is exhausting.  I try on about 20 things, no exaggeration, and may settle on one or two items.  😩
Online, in-store, it truly doesn't matter at this point.
I've heard about things like stitch-fix, but I don't really want a clothing subscription.

I like what I see . . .

I do.  I like what I see; I just hope I do tomorrow.  Tonight, I read Lucy several stories.  I tucked Natalie in for the third time.  I have given her everything she could possibly need to sleep tonight.  I prayed with the girls and then went to pray with the boys.  After our prayer, Noah shared the synopsis of a book he is reading.  And my heart is happy.  He continues telling me the play by plays.  He shares his like for these books.  I smile and share a final, "Good night!"  And he follows me out into the hall, where I stop and turn to listen to him talk about another book by the same author.  I glance into the hallway mirror still smiling about the info he is sharing and again, my heart is happy.  I like who I am.  I LOVE these children.  They can be challenging, but I LOVE them.  I can do this!  I am doing it, and I think I'm going to be alright!  :)
I think I am getting through to them about life, learning, and how to love.  
These moments are so precious.  I hope we're still talking about books and things we've been reading when I'm an old lady!  

The Lonely Road

The Lonely Road I am referring to happens to be very crowded, but most people don't say a word when walking down this road.  Their heart is too heavy, their pain is too deep, some don't even know they are hurting.

I had a miscarriage 4 weeks ago.  My baby was just over 15 weeks gestation.  I saw her on the screen 3 weeks prior, her heart beating rapidly.  I went in for a checkup and to get my blood work done on March 24th and there was no heartbeat.  Again, I saw her on the ultrasound machine, but there was no heartbeat.

My heart aches.  I am faced with so many decisions, and I don't really know which way is up.  I have received many lovely cards and notes.  I have learned of so many mothers that have experienced the same heartache, many not knowing that they could request their baby's remains and have a proper burial.  They could have closer.  It's a baby.

Her heart was beating.  She has hands and feet.  She wasn't fully developed, but I recognize her life.

Lauren Rose

Laundry Tip

Posting this because a friend said I should! 

Most of us hate folding laundry.  It seems so tedious and time consuming.  A couple of years ago, I read something that suggested setting a timer for 5 minutes and going around your house and cleaning up the clutter and throwing it into a laundry basket.  It got me thinking about time. 

How long does it take to wash the dishes?  How long does it take to clean the bathroom?  How long does it take for me to vacuum?  How long does it take to fold a basket full of laundry?

How long does it take for me to fold a basket of laundry?  8 minutes or LESS!  I timed myself one time and it took only 8 minutes.  I was fascinated.  So now I constantly try to beat my 8 minutes.  I can do it in 6.  I can fold towels in just 4 minutes if I'm really focused, but a mixed basked of laundry I try to finish in less than 8! 

Now, it's folded.  Who wants to put it all away?  I have 4 children, and I sort of despise this part.  Everytime I open one of their dressers I want to clean it and organize it.  So, I started getting my boys to race each other.  I stack their clothes in piles by drawer.  All the socks and underwear in one pile.  The pj's in one pile,  The shirts in one, and finally pants and shorts in another.  I used to hand them the pile, but now they can get it on their own and they race to see who puts all of their clothes away first. 

I sort my own clothes the same way because it makes the put away much less annoying! 

I've heard if you can make it a game, it won't seem as terrible.  I kind of think it's true!  :)

Where has the time gone?

Poof!  Just like that the summer was here and gone and we are into fall already!

Things have changed.  Oh, so much has changed.  I have a new job and the girls attend a day care.  The house was put up for sale again and we have had several showings and an open house.  I've painted and painted and cleaned.  I've cleaned some more and purged some here and there.  Currently, I am not really sure what's left or where it's all located!  Fall Fest at our church has come and gone, and now I'm trying to get back into the groove that I never really had to begin with! 

I told a friend of mine that I haven't written on here in months.  Oh, that is true!

Back to teaching; back to trying to find time to get everything done!

Tonight my husband asked me to make this chicken dish.  I told him if we ever go to the grocery store again and buy some chicken, I could make it! 

I'm not any busier than most people I suppose.  The nice thing is that our time isn't focused on baseball, football, soccer and dance lessons.  I suppose soon enough.  Right now, it's all the stuff that Matt and I are in that occupy our time.

Matt and I celebrated 11 years of marriage a little over a week ago.  To celebrate we had a little getaway to Indy.  We toured some wineries and ended up at the JW Marriot.  Oh, it's beautiful.  We had a corner room that overlooked the state park and some of the museums downtown.  I would love to have the same room again sometime.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  Breathtaking! 
I seriously could have sat down on the ground and looked out the window for hours.  I enjoyed that room with that view so much!  It was a great little getaway just for the two of us.
5 wineries and 2 margaritas took us until 10:30 p.m. or so.  Unfortunately that wasn't late enough to hit the dance clubs so we stayed in and watched television while eating our chocolate baby grand piano!  You really do need to check out that hotel!!!!!