I'll take a few boring days, please

So here are a few moments from the highlight reel (besides getting glasses)
 - daughter took a container of baked beans out of the microwave, realized it was hotter than she thought, and dropped it in grand fashion.  Result: mopping floor approximately 4 times, scrubbing wall, table, chairs, etc
- hot water heater died - I discovered this as I was trying to shower to get ready for church.  It actually shorted out, so very thankful that we did not end up with a fire or flooding, but still a hassle to scramble to find people to cover "our" Sunday morning jobs, then get a new hot water heater.  It's in a closet right between our bedroom and living room; it was a tight fit and we had to remove the trim pieces from the door just to squeeze the old one out.  Thankfully we were able to find one exactly the same size locally, and hubby installed it within a couple hours
- remember how we bought the 2 male gerbils back in August?  Well, today I made the very unexpected discovery that we actually have a male and a female.  OUR CHILDREN ARE UNAWARE OF THIS - PLEASE DO NOT TELL THEM!!  I ended up mildly traumatized by the fact that I unintentionally killed the newborn pups, and based on what I've read online we'll have a new litter in approximately 5 weeks, so at least we have some time to make a game plan.
- still fighting the evil, evil lice. Found a couple eggs when I did a final combthrough so completing another round of treatment just to be on the safe side.  Grrrr.  I am really tired of washing bedding, hoodies, etc. every bloomin' night.
- Our son cleaned out and organized my little kitchen closet pantry.  Of his own free will.  Without promises of new toys or extended bedtimes.  I need to tweak a few things, but he really did a nice job. 
- hubby's "big boss" flew into town this afternoon, so he'll probably be gone to dinner meetings for the rest of the week

Tootles!

Notice anything different?

Pressing on

Sorry, but I still haven't done anything with those Disney pics - life has been extra busy. Yes, again.

The first day back at school after spring break, our son came home with substantial bruising on his arms.  He's had issues with 2 boys in his class throughout the school year.  I've talked to the teacher numerous times about several issues, including these boys AND the lack of structure in her classroom. (This photo was taken a couple days after the fact)

Obviously this event brought it all to a head.

I was on the phone with the Vice Principal, had several meetings, etc.

Oh, and in the midst of this we were also battling another round of lice (I'm assuming these were picked up among all the trying-on of Mouse Ears. Ewwwwww!!) so tons of combing and laundry. Also had a major church event.

Anyway, our son did change classrooms, and I've already noticed a wonderful change after just one week.

And then we celebrated his tenth birthday as well as Resurrection Day.

There have been tears, laughter, prayers, serious talks, and so much more crammed into these past two weeks.


I'm tired.  Still have a few more things to deal with in the next few days.  I feel rather beaten down and just need to focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Isaiah 40:31, Amplified)

Sometimes it's not about soaring -- how awesome that God knows that, and provides a sweet promise even as we're dragging...

Home from Florida.

Our trip was absolutely amazing -- oh, and kinda exhausting, too.  Drive like mad, then traipse around Disneyworld for 4 days, then back in the car to get back home.  My hiney and legs are a bit confused by the actions I'm requiring of them ;)

Here's one quick photo of our family (taken in Epcot - the HGTV Garden Festival is going on right now, so there were amazing topiaries and flowers everywhere).  BTW, I feel compelled to say that our daughter was trying to imitate Ferb's pose, so no, she really isn't mad at her brother... I'll upload more this week, but just wanted to share a quickie and some thoughts:

• I am absolutely baffled as to why anyone would wear flip flops to Disney.  It's not like you end up there accidentally!  It was raining one day, and due to the wet socks, our daughter ended up with a blister on her foot.  We got a band-aid from the first aid station and discovered that blisters on the feet are what brings over three quarters of their "patients" in (this was an informal opinion of the nurse on duty, not an official statement)
• Disney does an amazing job hiring their "cast members" (no, they're not employees, but part of the show!) - hubby made the comment that he was trying to find just one grumpy person, but he couldn't.  Every one was genuinely polite and helpful.
• My hubby had been to Disneyworld back in 1978, and I'd been to Disneyland in 1990, and this was the first time for our kids.  I'm really glad that we waited until they were old enough to do "big" stuff but still young enough to enjoy the character interaction as well.  We made tons of great memories together, from riding roller coasters to seeing shows to eating fancy pastries.  Lots and LOTS of laughter
• My advice to any "newbies" considering a trip there: (1) Stay at a Disney property!  It was wonderful to use their shuttle service from our hotel to the parks, and not have to worry about finding our car or fighting traffic after a long day. (2) Dining plans are totally worth it, too.  I know we could have saved money by bringing our own food (which is not frowned on in any way) but I was thankful we weren't lugging a cooler around, and the food really was top notch - everything was fresh, and not the greasy, salty stuff that I was afraid of.

Signing off for now -- must do another load of laundry, put a few more things away, and then get some SLEEP!

Friday Funny

As heard around the house this week:

Son D, asking me to help him identify some songs: "You know, it's that one by Taylor Swift.  About one of her old boyfriends."
Me: "That doesn't really narrow it down much."
--
D: "Don't worry, Mom, I'll come to your funeral."
--
Daughter A: "Mom, do you know who made the very first American flag?"
Me: "Well, most people think it was Betsy Ross, but we don't really know for sure."
A, crossing arms: "Why do you have to know everything!?!"
--
both kids: "We're going to Florida!"
Yeah, that surprise thing didn't exactly work out -- our kids are getting way too observant!

Color!

I've come to the conclusion that my hubby is partially colorblind.  Not in the traditional red/green way, but he cannot differentiate between shades of a similar color.

He drives me crazy when he says stuff like, "Bring me my red shirt," and he actually means that burgundy one.I drive him crazy when I pick out paint colors because he swears the five shades of ivory are all the same - he doesn't see the yellow and blue undertones.

But color matters to me.  Especially in our home, which is my place of employment.  Color affects our moods, and helps set the tone of our life in the space.

Why am I babbling about this?  Benjamin Moore has an awesome new line of print ads that I just came across in the March, 2013 issue of House Beautiful.  There were three full pages (blue, green and pink).  The text on the blue page reads: The wall is not your enemy.  It's not there to fence you in.  No, the wall's wide open, nothing but _________ sky.  Notice we didn't say blue.  That's the beauty of the wall. You've got your own color for unbridled freedom. For possibility...

Love it.

Color. God gave us such beauty in the world!

Friday Funny

There's *always* something to be thankful for.

 

More silliness here.