And suddenly, we are in November. I don't love that its dark and cold and increasingly brown. But I do love that we spend more time this month being purposefully grateful for the innumerable blessings we've been given.
Especially this month, be purposeful about counting them in your own life. Take notice of the "God winks" or "kisses from the King" that happen all day long, even on the hard days. Like I tell my kids, start with the fact that you woke up breathing and that you get to see the sunshine of a brand-new day and for brand-new mercies along with each new day. Amazing!
This was such an incredible week! I was feeling good and we had NO medical appointments. That's a big deal after having six straight weeks of doctors and tests. I worked, Shaun worked, I spent a little time in the kitchen. We tag-teamed school stuff and soccer stuff and teenager-issue stuff. It all felt wonderful...and normal.
October 26
Amanda wanted to make pancakes for breakfast.
I met my brother and sister-in-law and sister and all my homeschooled nieces and nephews to celebrate my mom's birthday.
I love Amanda's spirit....she sees sidewalks as a nice path to take unless there is a big leaf pile or puddle that is just begging to get walked through and played in. Yes, it will be messy but that never really gets factored in because having fun and being adventurous are far greater ambitions than cleanliness or following all of the rules. I want to be more like Amanda.
Every evening this week when I sat down or reclined on the couch, Aiden brought me my slippers, took my sneakers off and carefully put my slippers on my feet. Slippers are a post-diagnosis thing for me and they make a lot of sense for days when I not doing much and am cold. Or when my son wants to show me love.
Aiden is proud to be able to make his own toast with cinnamon sugar.
My worker boy lured me outside several days this week to rake leaves. Mom, will you come rake leaves with me, pro favor? He talked, I listened and we got some fresh air and exercise.
In the morning this is what I found (and more bags not shown). Seriously...what do you do with all of this?? I told them that if I found candy in their rooms or discovered any wrappers laying around, that I would put it all in the trash. Hopefully that works for me.
Aiden's last soccer game and I got to sit with these two sweeties.
loved your pictures this week and that it was a "normal" week for you!!
ReplyDeleteI always let my kids eat their candy for 3 days..then the "candy fairy" would come and take all the candy and leave a small gift (like silly string) for each one. That saved me from the constant whining for candy each day!! :)
Wonderful, wonderful that you had a normal week. Well deserved! I still often look at the quote you shared a couple years ago: "Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are...Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return." -Mary Jane Iron
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder of how beautiful "normal" can be. Me and the kiddos talk each day about all we are grateful for too, starting with the same things you mentioned. It's encouraging to hear another mama is teaching her kids the same gratitude.
I had to laugh about Aiden wanting to hide his candy - ha! I told Mike to take all our extra candy to school today :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a nice normal week & got to spend some good time with all your people!