Staff Decorating Day

I used to work on staff at my church.  I loved my job; it fit my skill sets and interests quite well.  I enjoyed working with my boss and the fellow employees assigned to the same projects as me.  They are wonderful people.  There were certain challenges and job tasks I didn't love, as there is with any job, but it was still a wonderful job.  I had a lot of personal job satisfaction.

When I found out I was pregnant with Happy (surprise!), it was quite a laborious (pun, yes) decision for me to figure out if I would keep working.

In my heart, I knew I wanted to be home with any kids we had.  My husband also felt that way.  We agreed on this before even marrying. But it was quite the emotional process for me to relinquish both the monetary incentive and personal/professional satisfaction found in working at a paying job.

After having Happy, my boss allowed me to work part time from home.  It was an incredible blessing to be able to do so.  Eventually, a few months before Lil Miss was due, I officially left that job.  It was bittersweet.  I was afraid I would regret it.

Though I missed the job, I was very happy with the change, as was Hubs.  I was happy to discover that I didn't regret the decision even though I did miss the job.

One of my most favorite things while being on staff was decorating the church for Christmas.  It was kind of like field day in elementary school-a break from the normal day to day that got you out of class.  Plus, I loved the decorations and just doing something more active than sitting at a desk.  I enjoyed interacting with people I normally didn't see or work with (the staff is large, so there are many people you don't see often).  I always looked forward to that day. 

On Tuesday, I had something to do at the church.  As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed more cars than usual in the parking lot.  I didn't think much of it, but as I was walking into the church, I realized it was staff decorating day. 

A flood of nostalgic emotions came over me.  I was happy to see previous coworkers that I don't often see at church.  I have sweet memories of past staff decorating days.  It was on one staff decorating day that I first "met" my friend Nicole who is especially dear to me.

But, the extra sweet thing within all of these feelings was knowing where I am in life (without a paying job, but staying home with the kids) was right where I needed to be. 

It was a blessed feeling amidst the missing of things past.

Glad I Got That One Marked Off My To-Do List

Unfortunately, it really is an every second of every day goal frequent item on my to do list. 

It just rarely happens.

And, yes, I need to write it down to even hope to make it happen.

Because I am cool like that. 

The Bible Reading Time That Went Awry

I've been trying to read the Bible to the kids daily.  Happy and Lil Miss both seem to really enjoy the time when we read it.

However, one particular day this past week, Happy was a little extra spunky and aggressive. (Read: Unhappy about one thing or another.  Greatly displeased.)

So he took it out on me and the Bible.

I could tell that he (eventually) felt remorseful because he helped me tape the pages back together.

I love my little ones more than words can express, even on the most trying of days.

And we've had some doozies lately, folks.

Humdingers.

I find it ironic that the page that was torn was the page detailing Jesus' crucifixion.  You know, the whole Jesus died on the cross for our sins thing.  We do so desperately need him, don't we?  Especially when we are angry at our mom or frustrated at our precious son.  What a sweet reminder within a  frustrating moment with Happy.

Thankful for grace and mercy,
'licious

Yep, Motivation By Humiliation Works for Me

One quilt binding done, one to go. 

The other one is MUCH larger, so it is more work.  But, I am glad I posted my slacker shame because it gave me some accountability.  :)

Yay!

Ignore the loose thread on the blue part...I just haven't gotten the loose threads off yet.

This one is probably one of my more favorite quilts that I have done (not that I am a prolific quilter or anything.  Which is obvious, I am sure, by my quilting procrastination mentioned on this blog.) 

I would say that I "earned" an episode of Sister Wives or Toddler and Tiaras on Netflix, no?

Fess Up-Late Entry

Because I need some shame to motivate me (or encouraging words), I am posting a pic of two quilts that I am 97% done with, but just can't seem to finish the binding.  I have no idea why. 

I've done the hard parts.  This is the supposed easy part.

The one on the left?  Yeah, I started that before I was even pregnant with Lil Miss.  (Hanging my head in shame.)  The one on the right is only from July. 

So, here's to motivation by humiliation.

Fess Up Friday

Be sure to check out Kira's blog.  It sounds like she may be taking a temporary blogging hiatus, but there is still fessin' up to do.  (Kira, I am with you on the 8000 time outs and potty training insanity making little to no margin in life.  Also?  Happy went from a solid daily 3 hour nap to a solid daily fight/struggle to nap.  I'm worn out.)

The first fess up of the day is courtesy of our neighbors.  I feigned taking a picture of Lil Miss to get a pic of what was in their front yard.

 
Just a recliner with no seat cushion.
Everyday, it is entertaining to see what is in their yard.  Most recently I have spotted a vacuum cleaner, a basketball goal (like mangled and crushed-like....not usuable),  and an antique plow.  Fortunately, most stuff gets moved.  Eventually.

They are nice folks.  Just not particularly tidy. 
---

We went out to eat recently.  I packed Lil Miss's baby food, but forgot the baby spoon.  We were at a mexican restaurant (one of those build your own burrito places) and they didn't have any spoons.  And Lil Miss was h.u.n.g.r.y. 

So, naturally, I fed Lil Miss with the handle of a plastic knife.

She was ok with it.

On a similar note, Lil Miss is starting to show some sass and personality.  And agenda, as Hubs put it.  Here she is earlier today grabbing Happy's feet and trying to put them in her mouth.  I cannot confirm or deny whether any feet went into her mouth.  Except they did.  Happy just let her do it while he happily watched a show about "err-pwanes".

On said "err-pwane" show, there is a segment about rockets (?? because they are clearly airplanes ??).  Anywho, maybe it is the potty training stuff, but I felt compelled to google how exactly it is that astranauts pee in space.  It seemed like it would be a messy endeavor without that handy gravity thing working for you.  Doesn't sound easy.  It definitely gave me the willies.  Something about suction cups.  I stopped reading.  I just wanted to make sure they didn't have to use catheters.  I couldn't handle much more info than the basics. 

Hubs said now google will forever have me recorded as having searched for such things.  And that's ok with me.  Because I cleary needed to know.

Happy Friday!