What I'm Reading Now

I'm not sure how I'm doing on my top 20 must read list.  I think as my book lover self goes...I have gotten distracted by other books.  A month and a half long headache has kept me from reading at my normal rate lately, but some painkillers and doctor appointments later and I am back at it!

I just finished a YA novel entitled "Out of the Easy."  It was set in the Quarter of New Orleans...such a different world from my own.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I am also reading (therapist recommended) "How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong."  I haven't gotten too far yet, but I think I am going to like it.  It is the definition of - kill them with kindness - but yet it doesn't suggest you should just sit back and take crap from anyone either. 

And next up on my list another YA novel entitled, "Splendors and Glooms," which looks to be a spectacularly dark fantasy novel involving puppeteers (and the winner of a Newbery Honor)...more to come as I delve into this one!

I also recently downloaded "The Whiz Pop Chocolate Shop," and am anxious to start it.  This book looks to be in the same caliber as "The Candymakers" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Who doesn't love a book about chocolate!?!

Be More Sloth-Like

We got a new book...PS, I love new books! It is entitled, "A Little Book of Sloth" by Lucy Cooke. My 1 and 3 year old as well as my 32 year old all thoroughly enjoyed it. It is all about the superbly relaxed, odd little mammal that is the sloth. My 3 year old refers to it as "Sleepy Sloths." The boys enjoy the colorful photos and the descriptive language...just chill...cuddle puddle...slothpital, but I enjoy the peaceful feeling the sloths inspire. This is a creature who knows how to relax and my goal is to be more sloth-like in the next month. School is on the down hill slide and the excitement of summer is in the air. I am starting to make lists (to do lists, shopping lists, and wish lists) of all the things I want to accomplish over summer break. But right now, in this moment, I need to channel my inner sloth and just chill.

 

 

Camp Out

It was a blizzard weekend and a snow day Monday.  Hubby was working crummy shifts...the boys and I snuggled and read and watched movies.  They both wanted to sleep with me...because of the blizzard of course - according to my three year old - a camp out in mom's room.  I love my little loves sleeping all stretched out in our king size bed and the feel of their squirmy little bodies inching closer to each other and mine in the middle of the night...searching for the radiant warmth of someone they love.  And even at 6am (yes 6am on a snow day!), I love those sleepy little smiling faces being the first thing I see.

Living the American Dream

On our wedding day, a good friend of ours, while dancing with the bride (me), said, "Well - this is it.  You are living the American Dream.  It's pretty good."

***

I woke up early this morning for a snuggle with my little one and a few extra minutes to just lay in bed and savor the last few minutes of the weekend before it was officially Monday morning.  It was one of those fabulous, perfectly average weekends at our house.  The weather was spring-like, though you wouldn't know it today, and we spent time at the park, getting coffee, raking leaves, and finally-finally taking down Christmas lights.

Over supper at Dairy Queen last night, while savoring the creamy sweetness of our blizzards and the quiet from our boys that only comes when little mouths are full, I asked my hubby, "Is this what you pictured when you were younger and looking forward to your life."  His response - "Yes, yes it is and so much more."

It is the simple things that make me appreciate my life...and fast forward seven years...we are living the American Dream.  A little house, a little dog, some little kids, and a beautiful, wonderful marriage built on friendship, trust, and respect. 

It's pretty good.

And They Brougt Me Flowers

Yesterday was a sad day for me professionally.  I was totally bummed.  Instead of my afternoon run, I  had a glass of wine and a hot shower.  It helped.  I deserved it.  Today I am less angry, less sad, but still disappointed.  I am "cleansing" my classroom of junk and clutter in the hope that one day I will be thankful I did because I am moving...where to, I do not know yet...or maybe I will just be thankful it is clean and organized with more room for new treasures!

And then, my boys brought me flowers, purple wildflowers to be exact, and all was right with the world.  They brought me flowers and stopped in to eat their morning snack with me.  They snuggled and helped me file the junk during my prep period.  When they left, they left not only flowers, but warm arms, crumbs, and a sticky circle on my table.  And for now, that is enough.  I will close my door tonight and go home to my boys and know that that is enough. 

Waiting

Again I find myself waiting.  I had applied for what I hoped to be a change in my career path (for the third year in a row).  Alas, it was not meant to be.  I prayed for God to show me what to do with my gifts, to guide me...either I am already there and I just need to open my eyes, or God has something else in store for me.  So once again, the words of that familiar song are playing in my head..."I am waiting, waiting on you Lord."  Wait and pray, pray and wait.

The Last Two Weeks

*snow
*sun
*rain
*wind
*warmth
*chill
*Easter
*church
*hugs
*kisses
*good nights
*tractors
*puppies
*sugar cookies
*cake
*red boots
*puddles
*mud
*swings
*smiles
*giggles
*puppy licks
*warm blankets
*piles of laundry
*busy days
*tired nights
*long runs
*fast sprints
*coffee dates
*snuggles
*Dora
*Scandal
*steamy books
*silly books
*farmer boots
*ice cream
*teaching phonics
*writing reports
*best friends
*new shoes
*grilling
*sand box

*I love you's

Perspective: Everyone Was Happy

My three year old's version of the Easter story:

Jesus died. Everyone was "beary" sad. Then they went to the drippy cave and Jesus was not there. It was a miracle! He was alive! Everyone was sooo happy. And then the big bad wolf blew down the three little pigs house.

From the mouths of babes! everything about his rendition of the Easter story is my favorite. What speaks to me the most though is his "everyone was sooo happy followed by the big bad wolf. Jesus's followers were so happy, but that isn't where the story ended. Figuratively there were still big bad wolves in the world. Everyone wasn't happy, but that ones that were, were happy in spite of what might happen next. In that moment it was a miracle and they were sooo happy.

***

Life doesn't always go as planned. In fact with two small children, supper rarely goes as planned let alone life! As it goes, the Easter weekend was beautiful. I had a very long weekend to recharge my batteries, spend time with my own kids and the hubby, and we even had made plans to all go to the farm together for Easter Sunday. Mother nature had other plans. The weather was beautiful, springlike...right up until Easter Sunday. As we headed out, my anxiety got the better of me before we had even left city limits...and I wasn't even the one driving! We stuck it out for several more miles, but when two sheriffs and an ambulance flew past us with there lights on, we decided we better turn back. I was sad. My boys were sad. My family at the farm was sad. I should have been happy just to have my boys and my hubby, but I was sad and I've learned that is OK too. Sadness is an expression of just how much something means to you and this day meant a lot, so I was sad.

The day was well spent anyway and relatively uneventful. Much better than spending the day in the ditch...life...God had a different plan for us and I am learning to trust that there was a reason, much bigger than my sadness, for this.

Everyone was soo happy in spite of "the Big Bad wolf." Happy Easter!