WHAT a day.

This weekend has been one that will truly be remembered forever.

From the NO hot water for almost 48 hours to the kids' Baptism to my annoying kidney stone.  Ups, downs, and stillness.  It's crazy.  But I can honestly say that I am thankful for so many reasons.

The hot water bit the big one.  Fortunately, my husband's parents live close.  So we were able to go shower at their house before the kids' baptism and have enough time to get ready (thank-you time change!!).  I am sure glad that I didn't have to be smelly with crazy hair in front of the whole church.  I'm sure Jay is thankful as well:o)

Mallory and Clayton's Baptism was emotional for me.  Maybe someday I will go into great detail the events that have led up to this day, but right is not the time.  So, just know that we have prayed, waited, and wanted this day for so long.  We feel extremely blessed to have finally had them baptised AND that so many family and friends attended to support them and us.  I cherish the ALL-day look of happiness and excitement in Mal's eyes.  Her knowing what her baptism meant and her loving the idea, made the day even better.  Thank-you God for bringing us to this spot, together.

UGH.  My kidney stone.  I had been experiencing pain in the morning, which brought me to tears.  But pushed it off, with advil and the thought that "DUDE, we are finally getting our kids baptised, I can't deal with the pain now."  As our crowd of house guests started leaving, it came back full force which Jay was able to rush me to the ER.  I am thankful for my parents who were there and took control of the house and kids.  I am thankful for my husband who sat beside me and made me laugh (even when I was hysterically crying in pain). 

And by-golly-gee, I am thankful AGAIN for our hot water being out and the PUMP breaking on our wood stove (after the hot water was fixed!!).  Because it meant that my husband was home and around trying to get it figured out all day today.  Which means that in my pain and fogginess (due to meds),  he was there when I needed him.

Which leads me to everything happens for a reason.  In the situation, you really don't have a clue at why God is putting so much on you.  Our frustrations and awe were high.  But our roll-off-the-back attitude, our humor in the situations, our family and friend's support and love, and each other made the weekend bearable and memorable.  A weekend that we'll remember always.

Top 10 for the week:

10.  Free 8x10 collage.  Exactly what it says.  So simple, yet so cool.  I received an email from Walgreens for a free collage.  It was awesome.  I just put in 20 pictures, and they scrambled them into a collage.  Yes!  I will take FREE.

9.  New Playroom.  Friday this brilliant idea came into my head to change our sunroom into a playroom.  All by myself, just before dinner, with both kids.  It was great chaos.  But I LOVE it.  Hello adult living room with no toys.  And hello play room that has doors that I can close:o)  The kids love it too.  We had dinner in there that night.  Which was a huge hit.  Can't wait to really have it organized (there is still our extra fridge in there that needs to come out).  Now I just need play dates!!

8.  Fellow Readers.  It amazes me.  Sometimes I feel like no one reads my blogs because I don't get any responses.  And then other times people message or call me, telling me how much they can relate to something I've written about.  I love those moments.  I mean, the blog is really for me--to write down my thoughts, stories--a record of "the year."  But I enjoy the feedback.  And knowing that I'm not just typing into space.   
 
7.  Sibling Love.  Each week I am more and more in awe of how much my children love each other.  A few days ago while driving in the car, I looked back in the rearview mirror and I saw them holding hands.  Seriously.  I would not make that up.  They were holding hands.  For NO reason.  Then there was this time this week when I was disciplining Mal and Clayton came up and "yelled" at me and pushed me out of the way.  He was defending his sister in his own way.  Little brother love.  He would seriously do anything for her.

6.  Doggie Love.  I have to admit that I started a new post on our dog, Tipper.  But due to the later events of the weekend, I switched topics.  Let's just say that I loved our dog this week and she LOVED it back.  I'll explain later.
 
5.  Communication Clayton.  When I was in the kitchen, he ran up to me, pulled at his pants, and pointed to the bathroom!  He didn't verbally tell me, but his nonverbal cues told me he needed to use the bathroom.  I am still confused at how my 18 month old can use the potty but can't talk.  Any suggestions or ideas??? I'm clueless.

4.  Flat Tire.  As if this past Sunday wasn't enough, Thursday I had a flat tire on my way to work out at Zumba.  Royally bummed, but thankful that my hubby came to my rescue.  Our kids were great in the situation and I was able to share cupcakes with them.  And THEN I went to Walgreens to pick up my free collage.  Hey--I needed to have my "night-out."  I know, I'm pathetic at times.  You do what you gotta do. (Oh--and I also ran into the garage frame with our car that afternoon. We have had a doosy of a week!!).
 
3.  Mal's Halloween Party.  So fun.  So glad I was able to attend and help out.  She was so excited and adorable.  I loved watching her be with her friends and interact with her teacher.  I still am amazed at how much she learns from preschool!  Oh--and Thank-you to Nana for staying home with the Clayster!  I can't even imagine how chaotic it would have been with him there.  I think he enjoyed his Nana time as well:o)

2.  Halloween Night.  Cold, rainy, yucky weather.  But the kids had fun anyways.  Mal was in good spirits as well as Clay (he always is anyways).  Mal's hair turned out great--just like a princess crown and Clay was obsessed with big pot of candy at Grandma and Grandpa Newell's.  Overall, it was fun and BOTH kids were good sports with the crazy weather.

1.  Baptism.  Almost four years later, and BOTH of our kids are baptised.  At the same time.  Not exactly what I thought it would be like, but not everything always turns out the way you thought it would.  We are blessed.  A warm, supportive church.  Love from family and friends.  And love and blessings from God.  What else could you really ask for? 

It's Monday already. 
Kids are in bed and I'm ready to start veggin' out on the couch.
Have a great rest of the week!!
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell

P.S.  By the way, IF I were still teaching, I would have had parent-teacher conferences tonight.  With a kidney stone?!?!?! Gosh--I'm thankful I'm not teaching right now too!!!