TGIF!!!!

Is anyone else out there glad it is FRIDAY??? I loved the start of the week, with a nice snow and all, but the rest of it with all the sickness was not my favorite. I love knowing the weather is warmer, we're starting to recover (almost there...we'll see....) and some extra rest the weekend brings.

I wish you all a great and upbeat weekend!! Sorry for the lack of "personal" posts this week (unless one counts "Small Successes"), but I'll be back when I can. Hopefully with fun activities to report and better health!

Much love!!!

Small Successes

Good Morning!

Hi from Sickville! It's a beautiful sunny day outside, but inside I'm a prisoner of my own cough. I'm hoping to find a way to get to the doctor - with 2 kids (one being a baby) I'm learning it is harder and harder to get to the doctor for ME (I hate waiting rooms and my kids being in them - especially at adult waiting rooms). I'm trying to go when Hubby gets home, but unlike the pediatrician, my doctor doesn't have cool evening hours. I'll aim for Friday morning if Lovely is well enough for school (she's better, just a mysterious fever that does not go away and preK guidelines say STAY home).

When stuck inside all week with little energy, it is nice to celebrate the small successes. Another blog I follow, a mom blog, has this neat Thursday segment that does just that. There is no set topic - it is simply for us to remind ourselves of something we've accomplished. Most of the readers are SAHM's, so the 9-5 work world of feedback, interaction, and deadlines don't apply. It's easy to look around a messy house full of kids, laundry, etc and feel overwhelmed and under appreciated - so this segment is for us to report SOMETHING we've succeeded at to pat ourselves on the back as well as others who link to the post. So, with no further adieu - here is my Thursday "Small Successes" (if you want to do this for your blog, you do NOT have to use the button below!!! But, the idea is great if you want to make your own list!!!)



To participate, just write up a list of 3 of your recent Small Successes and post it on your blog.

1. Though our house has been hit hard with colds and viruses, I've managed to still read stories at bedtime. This is kind of big, because sometimes I'm so bushed I try to pass it off on Hubby, but he works so many evenings he can't, so we skip the story and just do night night prayers. I always regret it. Starting last week, I made it a goal to not miss a night, and so far - so good!

2. I made a meal on Monday night after Lovely got sick and we got her back into bed that has managed to feed us dinner the rest of this week. With me feeling worse everyday, this ended up being a lifesaver in the evenings (sorry the sharing part didn't work out lol). It may not have enough for tonight, but I have some other reheatables on hand - so we're good, yeah!

3. Last week, and this week, I've managed to have a dinner "menu". I keep it on the fridge. We make a lot of changes if we have extra leftovers (like push some meals back) - but to be planned out for meals is a great feeling! The last time it was like this was when I paid for a weekly menu mailer lol and the work was done for me.

Hmmm, 2 out of the 3 are food related. Now I'm hungry. I hope my few readers out there will add this to their blog routines on Thurs. I'd LOVE to read yours!!!

Have a healthier day!! I'm signing off!

Day 8

Fast: If it doesn’t build you up and strengthen you in your vocation (life's work), why read it, why listen to it, why do it, why bother?

Pray: Remember that work can be prayer too. Give God your most gruesome task today. Do it with diligence and love.

Give: Think of the kind of person your husband was when you were dating. Love and serve that person today.

~ from www.faithandfamilylive.com

Day 7

Another Mini Meditation - This is Day 7's (today! I know, I'm on time!) I know I have friends from all walks of life, etc. I just want to keep sharing these short lists because they really speak to me, and really offer great ideas to just boosting your day, your faith, or whatever you need boosting. They are helping me for sure. I hope they speak to your heart in some way. Blessings to you!

Fast: Limit your time online today. Ask God to make you aware of how much time you have gained and to show you how He wants you to fill that time.

Pray: “Prayer reveals to souls the vanity of earthly goods and pleasures. It fills them with light, strength and consolation; and gives them a foretaste of the calm bliss of our heavenly home.” — St. Rose of Viterbo Ask God to conquer your vanity and to inspire you to bring peace to your home on earth so that it can become a foretaste of heaven for your family.

Give: Go outside and play with your children. Don’t just watch them, engage.

www.faithandfamilylive.com

I'll be honest...these are not always easy. When I'm stuck inside all day doing chores, I turn to the phone or internet for some connection. This challenges me to use that time for better things. I've been sick for over a week now..."engaging" with my kids is barely on the list, though it should be. And focused prayer time seems to get put last on the list.....so, I'll be struggling with these today too. Happy Lent!

2 more meds for us...

Two more "days" worth of things to think about...the fasting ones really speak to me as areas I totally need to work on! As for Day 6's giving excercise, that's a stretch for me today. I don't know if I can push myself for that - but I should......


Day 5

Fast: When you compare yourself to someone else and come up short, give thanks to God for the opportunity to grow.

Pray: Read a passage from Scripture and then sit, without saying or doing anything, for 10 minutes.

Give: When you make dinner for your family tonight, make it good enough for “company.” Because they are.

Day 6 (Today's)

Fast: Compare yourself only to the person you were yesterday, or even just this morning. Make forward progress.

Pray: The next time you go out in the car, keep the radio turned off. Listen.

Give: Clean your heart. Clean your house. Make both shine.

Again, for these daily Lenten meditations - check out www.faithandfamilylive.com

Snowday Part II

See below post for Part I, but here is a pictorial recap of our fun today. I'd say more, but pictures speak a thousand words and I need a NAP! I will say it ended with (homemade and REAL from snow) SNOW CONES!! SB rocks!!! Gotta love sledding, and snow cones, and time with friends!

Snow softly falling...

We had a snowfall!!!! What a GREAT day!!!! The kids loved it. Lovely was at my sister's most of the day, so we got her back in the evening, but we did get pics of everyone at the end of the day.



My favorites?
~ The snow surprising us after a week of 60-70 degree weather.
~ My daffodils popping out of the snow. A mixture of colorful new life and wintry white!
~ Enjoying Val's 1st snowfall!
~ Spending that time with family while listening to it lightly fall.

I'll end with pics from the day! Much love!