Decision Made

Well, it's done.
And I feel good about it.

The actually task of turning it in was the toughest.
But I'm glad to have it off my list of things to do.
And to get on with staying at home.
Without it lingering in the background.

There was just NO way I could go back. 
Seriously.

Too many good moments.
Times spent together.
Lunches.
Car rides.
Outdoor and indoor fun.
Words shared.
I can't even put all of it into words.

AND we still have SPRING:o)

Too many days already missed.
And too many more days to go,
Before BOTH our kids will be in school.

So, we will see what happens in our future.
I'm blocking out the questions about that:o)

And focusing on the next few years being with our kids...
Because that's all that really matters to me right NOW.

Thanks to all that have really supported me this year.
You've helped tremendously.

LOVE to you all.


Top 10 for the Week:

10.  Ants!  Ants!  Ants!  While Jay was gone we had a few things go wrong--of course right?!?!  Besides the wood stove having issues, Mal getting sick...we also had a small ant farm in our laundry room.  Went to Tractor Supply and got LOTS of liquid traps.  Seemed to instantly clear up the problem.  Yeah, they're back.  Now, it's Jay's turn:o)

9.  Lazy Day.  One day when Jay was gone, the kids and I stayed in our PJ's ALL day.  It was great!  Sometimes you just need one of those days.

8.  Vitamins.  The kids LOVE vitamins--the gummy ones of course.  Mal gets two and Clay one.  Seems Mr. Clayton thought that was unfair and decided to take one of his sister's this weekend.  A call to the pharmacy, and we find out it's fine.  Yeah, I was a bit worried.  I know, I shouldn't have been, but I was a bit.  So, if your 2 year old eats two gummy vitamins--it's OKAY. 

7.  Food!  This week I made GF oatmeal raisin cookies that were a HUGE hit as well as lemon poppy seed muffins, homemade waffles, Carmel corn (delicious!!), and my own salad dressing.  I seem to be having some issues with the muffins.  After the first day, they become really dry (probably because they don't have all the preservatives in them!).  I'm trying to solve this problem.  Not sure if I should add some applesauce or maybe put them in the freezer and warm them up.  Suggestions???  Will have to google that one.  Cause google solves EVERYTHING.

6.  Qdoba.  We went there this weekend.  One of my all time favorite places.  And I LOVE their chips.  Like could eat a whole bag.  This visit I didn't eat even a crumb.  It was SO hard, but I knew the effects and how I couldn't eat just ONE.  So I skipped them.  Seriously.  If you would have asked me a year ago or even months ago that I would pass up Qdoba chips I would have laughed in your face!  Yep.  Jokes on me. 

5.  Museum Trip.  Since we really haven't had much family time in the past week or so...we decided to try out the Kalamazoo Museum downtown.  It's FREE.   One major bonus.  And the kids seemed to enjoy it quite a bit.  BUT not as much as their Daddy.  It was so cute to see him experimenting/working on some of the older displays with Mallory.  And of course she was eating it up as well.  Clay and I hung out in the toddler room where he was obsessed with the trolley.  So obsessed that he wouldn't give other kids a chance.  We enjoyed ourselves.  Even if our kids had NO nap.  Hey--it made daylight savings time a bit easier!! Ha!

4.  Malloryisms.  She has this great imagination and intuitive mind.  It seriously shocks me the things that come out of our 4 year old's mouth.  This week, on the way to somewhere, she said "Sun makes us feel better Momma.  It needs to get into our bodies."  As she's closed eyed, face in the sun, looking out the window.  Boy--does it!  And I feel everyone feels that way too.  One smart cookie I tell ya.  We also have a bit of a problem with our dog.  He runs away.  Well, Mal told me this week that Tipper plays the BEST Hide and Seek game ever.  That she's a really good hider.  NO kidding!  When asked what she wanted for breakfast one day this week, she asked for cucumbers, carrots, and smoky links.  Seriously.  She's also getting ready for her recital in May.  Watching her dance is so stinkin' cute!!! Can't wait to see her on stage:o)

3.  Clayisms.  Oh boy.  This week he's come quite far on his language.  Tipper, Good One, Blankie and Stinky.  It's hilarious to her him say stinky.  Guess I tell him too many times that his feet and diapers are stinkY:o)  He's also been obsessed about walking everywhere.  He does not want to be held at all and has to be on the go all the time.  But surprisingly this week, he actually started watching TV.  This is really new to us.  He usually never sits down for longer than like five minutes....well, this week he's been able to stay focused for a bit longer.  Don't know if this is a good OR bad thing:o)  Two funny stories about him this week.  I gave Clay a dog treat to give Tipper when she came in.  I told him to wait until she sits to give it to her.  Well, he thought I meant he needed to sit down.  He sat down and gave Tipper the treat.  It was cute.  And the last thing about Clay this week--he ADORES his sister.  I know we all know this.  But let me tell you how much.  While Mal was in a time out due to hitting her BROTHER, she kept screaming for her corner (AKA blankie).  So what does Sir Clayton do.  He runs into her room, grabs her blankie, and hands it to her, AS I'm telling her she'll have to wait until her time out is over.  Yeah, he's that sweet.  And thoughtful.  And smart.  Really Clay?!?!?!  She's in trouble for hitting you and you help her out.  Amazing love there.  (Mind you, this is actually the second time he's done that for her). 

2.  Resignation.  It's official.  I turned it in on Friday.  I had until April 1st, but wanted to get it out of the way  AND off my list of to-dos.  No worries.  It's all good.  Cried a bit (after like the 10th person asked me about it).  But as my so understanding husband stated, "It's tough to give up something you love."  So well said and so spot on to what I feel.  Love you Jay.

1.  Hubby Home:o)  I love having him home.  It's not the big things, but the small things.  Or even just having him here.  SO glad he's home.  Period.

Well, my one little should be getting up soon.
Hope you have a GREAT week.
Spring is hopefully around the corner.

Take care!
Until next week,
Mrs. Newell