Having my Sh-- Together

It was an extremely strange week.

It was partly a little celebration.  In the back of my head, I was secretly rejoicing in the fact that I didn't have conferences to get ready for and deliver.  So much work, time, and effort goes into two nights and one afternoon.  No one knows the pain of conferences unless you are a teacher.  It is an extremely stressful week.  And I was SO glad that this week, I was no where near there.

It was also a week for "going through the motions."  I did what needed to be done so that the kids were cared for, fed, and clothed.  Luckily, I have my hubby and mother to help in some of the transportation, grocery shopping, and other stuff that I just didn't get to.  THANKS!

It also had a grin-and-bear-it feel to it.  With this stupid (yes, stupid) kidney stone, I have been constantly drinking water which means that I am constantly peeing.  Try doing that with a 1 1/2 year old and almost 4 year old.  If you see Clay and wonder why he has a few extra bruises on his forehead this week, it's due to my eyes not being on him ALL the time this week.  Boy--does that boy like to climb and fall into everything and anything.  Sorry Clay--I should be more on my A-game this week.  And you know better!!!

It was also a little cabin feverish.  GOSH...I wanted out SO bad.  From Sunday until Thursday, I had only been out twice, to take Mal to school and to go to another doctor's appointment.  The kids were bouncing off the walls and I was getting an itch to go somewhere, anywhere.  Can we say Winter?  What the heck am I going to do then???

It's funny everything stands still in your little world for one week, while everything else around you keeps going.  I'm hoping that I will have my sh-- together (pardon my swear word) this week.  I want play dates, errands to run, and things to keep me busy.  This IS the year of:  declutter, organize, spiritualness, parenting, crafting, discovery, enjoying life.  (I know that technically this is suppose to happen every year, right?  But teaching and I just don't go well together when I have kids.  It's so strange).

Here's to having my sh--* together soon.

*I know that sh-- is a bold word.  And I almost feel guilty writing that on my blog.  But no other word describes what I am trying to say so accurately and strongly.  I know my mother word approve.  In fact, I'm sure she'd say this same exact phrase.  You know what, I think I got this phrase from her.  So, that makes everything right when your mother will say it.  Right?!?!?!

Top 10 for the WEEK:

10.  Time Change.  I really dislike you time change.  I dislike how it turns dark at 6PM and how my kids get up at 6AM.  End of story.  I look forward to fall back.

9.  New Shades.  While visiting Walgreens for like the fourth time this week, I found the perfect shades to replace the ones I sat on in my car.  It was getting a bid old only having one arm (dude--what's the name of the ends of sunglasses.  My brain can't think). With these sunny days, sunglasses are a must.  (I could seriously be a spokesperson about Walgreens.  I LOVE that place).

8.  Great-do.  Thank-you Vicki.  You have saved me or shall I say given back to me about 15-20 minutes a day.  My new do is SO easy to do.  I thought I could handle a more maintenance haircut--but who was I really fooling?!?!  I am not ready for that at this time in my life.

7.  Kidisms. Oh Mr. Picky Clay.  He is turning out to be such a picky eater.  He grunts, gets his pouty face on, and pushes his dish away or drops his food on the floor when he is done.  It's splendid.  At least last night we got him to eat hamburgers Jay made.  It only took about 20 minutes or so when the rest of us were almost finished, but he ate it.  And Miss Mal.  Her sentences and word choice are growing drastically.  It really amazes me some of the things she says or notices.  And how she is still learning how to talk correctly.  This week she said "chair high" instead of high chair.  I thought it was cute.

6.  House Arrest.  Like I mentioned above, I seriously felt like I was on house arrest.  My poor kids and husband.  Two major outings this weekend to the Raider Nation game (so bummed they lost) and church this morning.  I am hoping to get OUT this week.  Please!

5.  Tag-teaming.  As we were heading into the car this morning before church at like 8:25ish, I had to smile.  My husband and I have this tag teaming thing down.  Seriously.  We have fallen into a rhythm of he does one thing with the kids, and then I do the next.  It cracks me up.  It went like this.  I set their clothes out, fed them, while Jay was taking a shower and getting ready.  Then he clothed them, put their coats on, while I was taking a shower and getting ready.  He had them in the car and buckled as I was walking out the door with the "prepared" diaper bag and hats (which we didn't need because it is so warm! yeah!).  Did I tell you Jay even asked me what I was smiling about when I got into the car?  I love the fact that SOME days we get it right.  Now know that not all days are like that! Ha!

4.  Crochet Love.  I've been obsessing about starting a new hobby or shall I say hobbies.  I couldn't decide if I wanted to knit, make jewelery, or crochet.  At Michael's this past Thursday, my mom and I decided it would be crocheting.  So, we bought a book.  And I'm in the process of teaching myself how to.  It's fun.  I can see myself doing this.  I just need to have someone teach me how to do more than just one line or row of stitching.  I just keep practicing and unraveling.

3.  Shopping with Nana.  My mother knows what truly makes me happy.  She came on Thursday and we jointly decided it was time to do some shopping.  Just the two of us.  Which NEVER happens.  We always shop with the two kids and then kick ourselves in the butt thinking that we really shouldn't have done as much as we did with the kids.  But it always seems like such a great idea when we are at it.  Until the meltdowns start on the way home from Kalamazoo.  And the 30 minute drive feels like 60.  We have put in our time of shopping with the kids, so to have this chance was appreciated.  We went to the mall and Micheals.  It was the best out of house arrest I had all week.  Thank-you MOM!  I look forward to hopefully have some time to do Christmas shopping together without kids.  (Did you get that Jay??) :O)

2.  Scrappin' Friends.  We have these great friends called the Northrups.  They live a few miles from our house.  We have these crazy ideas to do things as families, couples, girl time, guy time--whatever the case, we enjoy their company.  Last night it was after the kids were in bed at both houses, Kattie came over to our house and we scrapped (online now!! So cool!!) while Jay went over there and they watched football games or did whatever manly stuff they do together.  Crazy isn't it? But so doable.  And a nice catch-up time.  I'm tired today for staying up so late last night, but I enjoyed the time of scrapping and friendship.

1.  The Member's Box.  Today we officially became members of Southridge Reformed Church in Kalamazoo.  I know it doesn't really seem like a big deal.  But it was to me.  It felt great.  And I am proud to be a part of such a great church.  When the blue notebook was passed to us, I got to check the Member's Box.  I was giddy and elated to do so.

Let's hope for a MUCH better week than last. 
I have lots to do in this year-of-change and year-of-slow-down. 
I hope you all have a great week!! And are enjoying this warm weather. 
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

P.S.  I totally just had to run after my 18 month who was IN my daughter's room playing with her Barbie dolls (sorry Jay) while she was sleeping IN bed.  He's now buckled into his high chair so that I can finish up my thoughts.  Yes--I am that Mommy.  Who isn't at some time???