it's been a good week

We've had a good week here.  We got back from vacation on Monday...took it pretty easy on Tuesday...and the rest of the week we've be going.  I've gone to bed at decent times....slept straight through the night...and up before the girls by an alarm {most mornings}...and having a quiet time.  It's been a good week.

I love that I have these times to rejuvenate.  To reflect.  To re-evaluate what we're doing in life....what I need to get rid of....what I need to tweak a bit...what I need to add...and what can stay the same.

I started to beat myself up a bit the other day because the girls and I were having a really good day.  The girls weren't perfect (and neither was I)....but I found my patience....and I was able to be the parent that I want to be.  And, in turn, my kids became the kids I wanted them to be.  :)

So onto the beating up part....I was kicking myself for not acting this way all the time.  And sure- we all make mistakes.  I'll continue to make mistakes....more often than not, I'm sure.  But upset that in the middle of my work weeks and flipping my days and nights....that I didn't make more of an effort with the girls and what we do. And yada, yada, yada.

And then I decided to give myself a break.

I might not get up and go and do and plan and cook as much as I would like while I'm working....but a lot of that time I'm surviving.  And that's ok, too.

Moral of the story:  Yes- I have my lazy days.  Days where I could do more and simply choose not to.  But all in all- I do the best that I can.  We all do the best that we can.  And at the end of the day- I'm pretty sure my kids are doing all right.  And probably won't even remember these days (except for Parker....rare a thing that she forgets..haha).

This post took a different direction than I had intended.  And I hope it's not depressing to read- because, honestly, I'm in a really good place right now.  God has answered our prayers time and time again.  I feel that He has lead us to this place and He just wants me to continue to lean on Him....place my cares on Him.  And when I really and truly do that...it is so freeing.  I could plan and plan my life...and it would never be as good as the one that God has planned for me.  His plan has always been and will always be...better than I could have imagined.  And to know this...to breathe this.  Well- it's just the best thing.

_________

On a much much lighter note....our week-

Monday- we got home from vacation and just had a lazy afternoon.  

Tuesday we went to our neighborhood pool.
Had lunch.
Grace and I napped while Geoff and Parker went to the store.
The girls painted bird houses for She (the dove that frequents our backyard).

{love Geoff's face looking at Grace}

Dinner: I made lasagna.  Parker had dance class.

Wednesday- we went to the neighborhood pool for the morning {no pictures}.
Quite time/nap time.  Played at home.
Tacos for dinner.  

Thursday- The girls and I headed to Stonebriar Mall and then to Ikea.  At the mall we had lunch, visited the Disney Store and Pottery Barn Kids (Parker thoroughly enjoyed playing with a miniature baby pink rotary phone).  And we left with only 2 pairs of clearance flip flops for the girls.  Successful trip!


At about 1pm- we headed to Ikea.  There were just a few things that I wanted to look at.  I knew that I was a glutton for punishment visiting this store during Grace's nap time...but we had driven all of the way (money on gas and tolls)...so I wanted to at least attempt the trip.

And suffice it to say- they were both really good.  A few meltdowns, 3 bags of Lay's potato chips, and a half-eaten bag of organic gummies....we survived the 2 hour Ikea trip with no casualties.  :)  I just took my time.  And went the flow.  And so did they.  Got a few things, but mostly took pictures to think about things that I might want to purchase in the future.

**not really enjoying them getting under the covers and after this picture, they didn't!!!


Friday- A trip to the movies.  I took the girls to see Madagascar 3.  Parker has seen the first one (maybe the second) and this was Grace's first time in the theatre.  We got there a little early, but not too early...otherwise Grace would have been done with the movies before the movie started!  But alas- there was a daycare there and so my  plan to sit in the back was ruined.  So we sat in the 3rd or 4th row.  Not my first choice, but it ended up being ok.  Grace got a little ancy about 2/3 of the way through, and settled down a bit during the climax and ending.  So for a 2 year old- I'd say that she did really well.  Couldn't complain too much.  ;)

Saturday- The girls and I made a quick trip to Hobby Lobby then headed to Wal-Mart for a little grocery shipping.  Then came home for a picnic lunch on the living room floor and a new {to us} Barbie movie.

And finished off the night with the girls sleeping over at my mom and Terry's house and a date night for Geoff and me.

It's been a really good week.  Just soaking it all in.