Guilty

As I was getting ready this morning at like 8:45AM, I felt a tidbit guilty.  Why?  Because it was 8:45AM!! This time last year, I had already been up for almost three hours, gotten myself ready, my kids ready, had breakfast with my students, AND taught a science class.  Then, I started thinking about all of the things I've been guilty of doing this year SO FAR and I was astounded.  Really?!?!?! 

 

I am guilty of getting up at 7:15AM this morning.  It was my turn to sleep in (and I earned it this weekend!!) and I only woke up because little Miss Mallory ran into our room and said "Mommy!  It's time to get up!"  Love her.  Not the wake-up call.

 

I am guilty of being in comfy pants today.  I'm sure you've heard.  I have declared Monday comfy pant day.  I dress the kids comfy as well as myself and we enjoy a day of leisure and fun with less strain on our bellies:o)  Side note:  I do change into jeans (usually) when I take Mal to dance in the evening.

 

I am guilty of letting my daughter watch a bit of TV so I can blog.  This morning, her daddy watched sports and news all morning so she was unable to get her Georgie in.  Why should I not give her the pleasure in watching her dear friend?

 

I am guilty of enjoying the fact that my husband made me french toast this morning.  It was requested by Mal, but then she changed her mind and wanted cereal.  Her loss, my gain.  Thank-you honey. 

 

I am guilty of having a pile of laundry to do and a pile of laundry to be put away sitting RIGHT next to me as I type this.  It will get done, but probably not today:o)  

 

I am guilty at doing random things at random times of the day.  While the kids were running around with pom poms and shouting "Go Blue", I was cleaning the fridge and pantry out.  Seriously.  It's Monday.  Before 9:00, and I am randomly cleaning my fridge. 

 

I am guilty of rocking my 18 month old before his nap this morning.  He is getting so big and I miss the cuddles he used to give me ALL the time.  I take what I can get now.

 

I am guilty of have less stress, being calmer, feeling more put together, and enjoying my life a littler more.  It's amazing what life feels like when you slow it down a bit.

 

I guess you could say that I've really fallen into my new job.  And ALL the guilt and pleasures that come with it!! 

 

 

Top 10 for the Week:

 

10.  Forgetfulness.  No clue what got into me this week, but I was very forgetful (NO--I am not pregnant).  I forget Mal's backpack on Tuesday and her picture form on Thursday (which I set on the dryer before heading out the door).  That's all I can think of at this moment.  But my mind was in the clouds.

 

9.  Playing Baby.  BOTH of our kids are obsessed with babies.  So I thought it would be fun to play "babies."  I first pretended Clay was a baby, rocking him, and cooing at him, then I let Mal hold him.  It was a HUGE hit.  Then I did the same with Mallory.  Clayton was a RIOT.  He was like "I-need-to-hold-her-now.  You are NOT taking her away from me."  It was really cute.  LOVE my babies.

 

8.  SICKness.  Going on day EIGHT of my sore throat.  Was tested for strep LAST Tuesday.  I almost wish it would have been cause then maybe I wouldn't STILL have it now.  I'm ready to be done with the tiredness, cough, and soreness and back to working out and feeling myself.

 

7.  Perfect Park Weather.  Wednesday we met some friends for a picnic and park time.  It was GORGEOUS.  Love this weather...and I hear we are getting more this week!! Woohoo for nice weather. 

 

6.  Woodsy Girl.  On Saturday of this past weekend, Mal went out in the woods with my dad.  I remember as a kid doing the same thing.  We'd tool around on the four wheeler, look for animals, do anything else that needed to be done for his hunting hobby.  She LOVED it.  Didn't surprise me since she's obsessed with being outdoors and animals.  Oh and the men in her life:o)

 

5.  Malloryisms.  I'm realizing more and more each day that Mallory is getting older--four in less than three months.  She observes more, says more, and remembers more.  Which can be a good AND bad thing.  Like for example, on the way home from the pumpkin patch yesterday, I said what I thought in my head ("Daddy is grumpy.") and YES, she repeated it to him.  Which made us both smile and helped me make a mental note in my head to keep things to myself. 

 

4.  Trip to Ludville.  Spur of the moment trip to Ludington for the weekend.  Jay was heading to the Michigan game and I didn't want to be home by myself all Saturday, so I decided to head up.  We really didn't do much.  But it was nice to get away and have a new play area.  Too bad Clayton didn't sleep very well which means that his Momma didn't sleep very well either.  Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us! We enjoyed our stay.

 

3.  Ladies Night.  I had a 31/Creative Memories party this past Thursday.  I had VERY fun drinks for the ladies with some yummy sundaes.  It was great to have adult conversation and to spend time with women.  Thanks ladies for coming out and visiting me:o)  And thanks Tonya and Melissa for being great hostesses as well.

 

2.  Gene the Pumpkin Man.  We have visited Gene every year since Mal was born.  It's a tradition of ours and like thousands of other Kalamazoo people.  It was the perfect day.  Which made Gene extremely busy.  It was neat for me to see both of our kids participating in picking out their pumpkin and then helping pull the wagon.  Thanks to the lady who asked to take our picture for us...we scored this adorable picture of our family.  Thank-you stranger!

 

 

Us at the Gene the Pumpkin Man in Kalamazoo, MI. 

1.  A simple act.  I might have to say that this is my favorite memory of this fall SO FAR.  After visiting the clinic for my sore throat, we headed out of the building.  Mal noticed this huge patch (I say patch because it's surrounded by cement and by a somewhat busy street) of grass and asked if we could run around in it for a bit.  Normally I would have said "No, we have lots of things to do at home.  Maybe another time."  But today I said, "Sure!  Why not!"  First they ran around chasing each other, laughing, and smiling.  Then at one point Mal laid down on her back, closed her eyes, and took in the sunlight that was shining down on her.  Clayton noticed and followed suit.  Watching both of them, soaking in the sun, eyes closed, enjoying their life, made me feel great.  It was a memory I will never forget.  I also snapped a few shots of them fooling around and that partially captures the moment but not entirely.  I have the best snapshot in my head:o) 

 

I am thankful for this life God has provided for me.  Who would have ever thought a year ago I'd be where I am at now.  Truly blessed and in awe.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next week,

Mrs. Newell