Behind Again...Day 15/16

Well, I'm behind again, so here's another two-for:

A day in my life....

Grady woke up at about 8 and we got our day started with a little yogurt and cereal. 

After breakfast we read books and then headed out for a walk/jog.

Grady loves strolling in his car and he actually feel asleep while I jogged today. We got back just in time for a play date with Grammy and Hadley.

The play date involved reading, sharing a banana and some puffs, and of course some love pats from Grady to Hadley. They headed out around 11...it was past nap time. The next hour went like this:

I placed Grady in his crib and tell him it's nap time.

Grady cries.

I pick Grady up, we read a book/play, he seems tired (read fussy).

I place Grady in his crib and tell him it's nap time.

Grady cries.

I pick...you get the picture.

I think the 4th try it took.

During nap time I rested, pinned a little and read a few blogs. I try to stay very quite as to not arouse the sleeping Grady...some days I try to get things done...not today.

Grady woke up about an hour and half later, then we had a little snuggle/nap extension in my bed. After nap time it was lunch time...yes, it was 2...should I call it lun-ner? 

Then to the pool...for splashing...he didn't actually get in today, and after that some bubbles.

Oh yeah, and we had a streaker...

After he was dressed we did some more reading, and attempted to hang out downstairs, until Grady somehow scaled my stair barricade...wth? End of downstairs time!

The rest of the afternoon/early evening involved more book reading and dinner making, as well as a few meltdowns from one fading little guy. Then it was dinner, book reading, and night time at 8:30...phew!

Now I think I will blog, watch TV and eat some snickerdoodle ice cream!

Day 16-

Something difficult about my lot in life. 

Man, I am so blessed, it feels wrong to really complain about anything. I think I would have to say going back to work in a couple weeks is weighing heavy on my heart. Transitions have never been my strong suit, and in my heart I would really love stay home with Grady. I have to admit it is HARD to be a SAHM, like harder then being a Counselor to 450 students hard, but I still want to do it. I do love being a Counselor, and I know I will love my new job...maybe it's a grass is greener thing, but I am going to miss reading 75 books a day, and being the one he wakes up to after naps, and taking trips to the library and target, and sharing smoothies...

I can feel the sadness of returning to work creeping in, but being a SAHM isn't where The Lord wants me right now, and I am working on accept that, while making the most of my time with Grady. 

 

Day 14- 10 things that make me happy

This is a much easier prompt for me...plus lists make me happy (whoops, there's #11)

10. Naptime- oh, sweet naptime

9. Fancy coffee drinks- homemade or Starbucks when I have a gift card

8. Children's books- love them...maybe why his room is full of them!

7. Nature...I'm not super outdoorsy, but I like rain, the beach, hiking, beautiful scenery...sort like looking at God's sketch book.

6. Holidays/celebrations- I'll celebrate just about any holiday, any excuse to decorate, give gifts, do something with friends/family, make a day special

5. Photos- I am obsessed with trying to capture moments

4. Being creative...and Pinterest!

3. Grady's laugh, smile and sweet snuggles

2. Listening/watching Grady and Chad play

1. Spending time with my family.

Day 11...Delayed

This post is delayed because I am struggling with the prompt....sell yourself in 10 words or less. Um, what am I selling myself for...as a counselor? Wife? Mother? Friend? Ugh, I'm not good at this kinda thing, but I want to do all the posts, so here goes:

I am trying everyday to be a better person than I was yesterday, and I try to choose love in every situation. 

That's all I got. 

Day 13- What do you miss?

Yesterday's prompt was what do you miss. 

I think what I am missing most right now is working out. Before having Grady, Chad and I use to work out together every morning before work. We had to get up at 4:30, but I enjoyed going together and getting a workout in first thing. I worked out through out my pregnancy and really believed that I would start working out as soon as I was cleared. Boy, was I wrong! Now a year later I still haven't been working out consistently. I have had a hard time finding the time, or sacrificing the time I should say. I hate to give up time with Grady and Chad to go to the gym...but I think it is important to be fit/healthy so I am working on finding a balance. 

Grady's 1st workout...a walk with Dad!

Day 12- public apology

Well, this prompt is quite timeline, because I have some amends to make from Grady and I's outing, or should I say attempted outing today...

Dear Panera & Walgreens patrons and workers, 

I just want apologize for disrupting your lunch/shopping with my screaming child. I realize the noise he was making was quite alarming as was his red face and wiggly body. I truly appreciate the kind words and assistance you offered, and that you realize he was not throwing a tantrum, but was truly in some sort of pain. Please be certain that had I known this was coming we would NOT have left home. Also, just so you know the ib profen that I purchased in a panic seemed to do the trick, life is good now. It was either his ear, teeth or crazy bad diaper rash he has gotten from the diarrhea the amoxicillin gave.

So again...sorry! 

Day 10- most Embarrassing Moment

I'm racking my brain for my most embarrassing moment, and lucky for me I can't come up with much...there was that time I was crushed on the sideline of a football game by the opposing team's player ( I was an athletic trainer), but honestly I was just thankful I didn't break a bone! 

I think one of my most embarrassing moments was when I was learning to drive a manual in high school, and one day after cross country practice the whole team (our at least that's how I remember it...you know all 10 of them) stood around to watch me pull out. My lack of skills combined with fatigue and anxiety did not work out well...I think I killed it 3 times before exiting the stall!

Thankfully, I have no pictures of high school handy to illustrate, come to think of it I am truly thankful we didn't have smart phones back then...I feel quite certain that episode would have made it to YouTube. 

But here is a picture of Grady enjoying his post nap smoothie...no connection, just think posts need pics! 

Day 9- A Moment

Here's TWO moments in my life today...yep, lucky you, you're getting a bonus moment!

This is my 1st attempt at gluten free bread...please hold your applause...it's from a box. But I did have to add 2 eggs....(only had one so I used flax 😁), milk, butter and apple cider vinegar (which apparently we are out of). Um, needless to say I should read the box before getting home...and the results of the bread could be dicey.

And for your bonus moment I give you ear infection #3, ugh! Poor guy seems to get them every time he cuts teeth. At least his fever didn't reach 104 this time!

And Boom...post done before 9 pm!

Day 8- Advice

What advice would I give someone?

Having Grady has made me much more aware of how time just seems to be flying by...so I guess my advice to someone is what I have been vowing to do a better job of in my own life....

Being Present and Being Intentional

I want to make sure that I spend quality time with my family. I know life is busy, but I want to create routine and structure that allows us to be together....nothing major...reading books, going for walks. Time that's not focused on our next task, but just being together. Sometimes I think we spend so much time trying to create a future that we forget the importance of right now. I want to enjoy each phase and not just look ahead to the next one.

I also want to be intentional. I am starting to realize that I can't just wait around for opportunities, or the perfect moment, I have to make some things happen...schedule date nights, family outings, visit friends, send that email that I've been meaning to send...you get the idea. 

This made more sense in my head, so now I will distract you with a picture.

Day 7- What am I afraid of?

Hmmm...not a huge fan of today's prompt, but here goes.

I am afraid of losing my loved ones. I try not to give it much thought...but I know it is part of life...just typing about it makes me anxious. 

I also have a fear that I am not a good enough person...or should I say not a good enough Christian. I'm trying to find a balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance. This is also something that  makes me anxious.

For the record I don't like ghost, aliens or spiders...but I wouldn't say I'm afraid of them.

If you've made it through this depressing post here's your reward: 

A picture of our evening...oven s'mores. Grady thought we would share if he fought bedtime...no luck! By the way...s'mores should always be made with a pb cup!

Day 6- What do you do?

Today's prompt is: (without answering with your job) What do you do?

This one seem's pretty easy...I think the two roles that really define me are my roles as wife and mother. So what do I do? I...

- change diapers

- get up a couple times a night for feedings

- read a couple hundred books a week

- laugh and smile tons

- take a plethora of pictures

- worry and pray daily

- pick up messes

- pick up messes

- pick up messes

- steal kisses and snuggles whenever I can

- make meals

- iron clothes

- run errands

- "clean" the house

This is just a few of the things that I do for my guys. I don't enjoy all of them, and frankly, I'm not that good at several of them...but I feel blessed to be a wife and mother, and TRY to look at these tasks as opportunities to serve.

Do-Over Day 1

I keep thinking that I should just lay this blog to rest, ya know...let it go. It's not like I have the time...or the talent...or really interesting content even. But for some reason I can't...I feel drawn to it. So I'm going to try again. In an attempt to get in the habit I have decided to do a blog prompt a day in July with my sister....(starting today, the 5th...totally, fashionably late).

But it's not my style to jump in...I gotta catch up, do it right. So today's is a catch up post. All the prompts from the 1st-4th...cliff notes style.

July 1- life story

Let's hit the high points, shall we:

-I'm the second oldest in a family of 5 siblings. I was truly blessed by amazing parents that taught so much about what is truly important in life.

-In high school I was incredibly insecure and battled an eating disorder.

- I attended jr. College where I was an Athletic Trainer and ran track. 

- While attending said jr. College I met the amazing man that later became my husband.

- Followed said man to a university, where I got my degree in physical education.

- Taught elementary PE for 2 years before becoming an Elementary school counselor.

- Last year we added a baby boy to our family, and I have truly enjoyed motherhood.

- This Spring we sold our 1st house and relocated for the Hubs career....and bonus it is closer to my family!

And, Now ya know me....

The two most important people in my life.

July 2- what am I an expert on?

Um....expert...let's see...I got nothing. It's really not my nature to be all expert-y...(Kayla stop rolling your eyes) How about a list of things I would like to keep getting better at...would like to reach "expert" status...

- remembering the special days of my friends and family

- creating special memories/traditions for my family

- cultivating a spirit of love, gratitude and kindness in myself and my home

- seeing and responding to the needs of others

- cooking

 

    A fun family tradition...hiking.

Totally cheated there...moving on.

July 3- Something that makes you uncomfortable.

Why is it this list is so much easier then yesterday's? I think the thing I am most uncomfortable with is conflict. Ugh...I hate it, but I have learned a few things about it: sometimes conflict is necessary, sometimes avoiding conflict creates more conflict in the long run, and I am very sensitive and sometimes what I feel is conflict is not. 

July 4- What is your favorite quote? Why? 

I can't say I have a favorite quote. I find inspiration in quotes that speak to me in the moment. So right now these are my "favorites" :

"Comparison is the thief of joy."

"Never get tired of doing the little things, for others sometimes those little things occupy the biggest place place in their heart."

"Joy is the echo of God's life within us" Joseph Marmion

And that my friends brings us to today! July 5th- profess your love to a bloggy friend. I choose....my sister, the almost farm wife. I am so thankful my mom and dad had her for me :) She is strong and beautiful. I am so excited that we have kids so close in age (even if my insecurities kept me from realizing just how fun it would be at first), and I love the fact that we live so close now! So Kaylu, I love you!

A Glimpse

The other afternoon I babysat for my sister. Her daughter is two months younger then Bugs, and I am in love with the fact that we live close now and our kiddos can have lots of cousin time. We arranged to do drop off at target. I got there before her, with both babes sleeping! I cherished the little bit of quite time, knowing it could turn ugly at any moment....after a bit Bugs stirred. In an effort to keep Hads asleep I pulled him up to the front with me. He sat on my lap resting his head on my chest and just chilled. I love snuggling, and I am desperately aware that this phase will pass all too soon. As I sat there my heart was so full...like gonna burst full, and it was in that moment that I got a glimpse...a glimpse of what God's love for us must FEEL like. This intense, burning love. For some people this knowledge and acceptance of God's love seems to come very naturally, but I have a hard time comprehending it. I guess I try to tie it to obedience and human limitations, but in that moment it was a little more clear. It was a fleeting moment...but it has left an impression on my heart.