A Few January Bits

We've been having a very cold winter so far. Snow, ice and strong winds. A few days of hard rain only. I do love to hear strong wind. I find that cozy. The kids had a nice relaxing Christmas break and I also liked not having to wake up early and going out in the cold. But, nothing lasts forever. Riley was excited to go back to school ... Nathan would have been happy to stay home for a few more days.

Sometimes after I drop Riley off at school I come home and put my pj's back on, climb into bed and read for about an hour. Then I make myself a hot yummy breakfast and put on a cozy movie. It's not until after the movie is over that I begin to get ready. No plans, no leaving the house {especially since it's been too cold}, no rush. I don't do this too often mind you but I do make sure to thank God for allowing me to enjoy all these comforts every now and then.

Baby Reagan is loved and missed so much. Wish heaven had visiting hours. I wonder if babies grow in heaven. So many questions that will never be answered. So sad.
The last couple of Sunday's we've actually been arriving to church early. Riley looks forward to going to Sunday school all week long.

January 20th - Inauguration Day
So happy about it. I continue to pray for President Trump. It's so ridiculous that so many people aren't willing to give him a chance. But, it's nice to see that more celebrities are coming out saying they've had enough of Hollywood's bs. Obama really messed up our country in every respect.

January 21st - the so called "women's march"
A big disgrace! Those women do NOT speak for me. They're nothing but vulgar and hateful. THAT is not what a strong woman is. What's upsetting to me even more is when so called daughters in Christ support such causes, like Brene Brown {and Beth Moore and Shauna Niequist have also spoken out negatively about Trump}. I followed her on Facebook and she wrote a lengthy post about the march. I was so disappointed and it feels like a let down when a Christian author cannot seem to have self-control. A woman in Christ especially if such a woman is a public figure should either not comment publicly or show grace toward the person they don't like. After all, isn't that what the Word teaches us? So so disappointing. Other Christian authors have shown way more class and grace and have not talked politics. I'm sure they don't all like Trump but they are choosing grace over political talk and that says a lot about them. I think that Brene Brown, Beth Moore and Shauna Niquist should re-examine their priorities if they want to continue to spread the Word, because to me that seems very hypocritical.
I don't think I can read any of Brene Brown's or Beth Moore's books now knowing that they too are letting hate take hold of their hearts.
So yes, it's extremely disappointing when a Christian public figure gets political. There are plenty of good Christian authors other than Brown and Moore. And you know what? Spending a day out by the water taking in God's beauty {or even changing dirty diapers} beats going to a women's march any day.

For this year I decided to not have any New Year's resolutions. The one thing I do want to continue doing is to keep my mind stimulated which means that I am still buying books .....

..... even though I have all of these already. But it's really hard to not buy any when you come across a good book sale. I must! especially if the book is already in my "to read list".

Oh, and I don't want to forget football talk. It was disappointing to see the Seahawks  lose. And I haven't liked the Packers since Bret Favre left the team. I just can't be an Aaron Rogers fan. So it was cool to see the Falcons beat them. And we're not Patriots fans but they are good even though they've been caught cheating before. I call them the cheaters, lol. Anyway, I hope the Falcons win.

Modifying a Few Old Habits

I've recently changed my walking pace from a leisurely stroll to brisk thirty minute walks. The first time, Riley told me that I was walking too fast and that his "wittle wegs were tired". I told him he was silly and couldn't possibly be tired. I reminded him how he's always so active. He was a good sport though. He kept up his pace.
I am always talking to him ... pointing out everything we see or just talking about fun future plans. That way our walks wont become boring to him. It was quite chilly on this day but after walking for several minutes we began to warm up and we forgot about how windy and brisk it was. And, he made sure to point out the dead possum that's been decaying for the last two weeks on the side of the street. He says, "pobresito" which means poor thing in spanish, then he says, "he's with Jesus now huh? But he's ok because Jesus will make him feel better." He's so caring.

Riley loves to imitate his daddy so during the weekend he'll stay with Jacob in our bathroom and watch him shave. Recently he started to "shave" too. Poor little guy has to pretend shave with a comb. {I'm gonna get a kid shaving kit. I saw them at Toysrus.} Once he's done "shaving" he'll tell me to smell him ... and I gotta make sure to say the right thing. Like the first time he asked me, I smelled his cheek and said, ooh that smells good then he said, "No I smell just like daddy!" His daddy is his hero and obviously he wants to be just like him. So now I know what he wants to hear and I tell him just that whenever he asks.

I recently had to limit Riley from watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Kids don't really understand that what they are watching is fiction and that there's no way that he can do what Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo can do. It was just getting a bit too crazy. Now, we either listen to toddler radio station on Pandora or I have him watch educational shows. Max and Ruby, Peppa Pig, or our ever favorite Little Bear.
I love it when he's into pretend play. You will constantly see him with his Buzz Lightyear wings on.

When the two o'clock hour comes around I begin to get very drowsy. I wonder if this happens to anyone else too. When Riley was smaller and he would take long naps I would take advantage of that and nap too. Now I don't because he rarely naps and because if I did nap it would take me forever to fall asleep at night. So trying to fight sleepiness really annoys me ... so, whenever I begin to feel drowsy around this particular time of the day that's when I go on my walks. It is definitely the best thing that I can do for myself.

He noticed a dandelion and paused for a minute but I told him "andale pues {come on then} we need to keep walking."

I also decided to change how often I go to Panera. I haven't been there in a while. Trying to limit my carbs. I've lost weight since I came down with depression and anxiety and it's been a healthy kind of weight loss. It didn't happen rapidly but gradually. I am happy with the unexpected weight loss and I definitely want to keep it off. I am not on a diet. I still want to enjoy the not so healthy foods but now I've been disciplining myself on how often I should eat them and trying to eat smaller portions each time. I am also limiting my weekly sugary drinks.

We do still have lunch with Jacob on Wednesdays. However, lately we've been having lunch on Thursdays. It actually works out better for me because Thursdays is when Sydna is at college for most of the day which gives me plenty of time to run errands without having to rush to the college to pick her up.

As always, Riley is just so happy to be able to see his daddy in the middle of the day on these special lunch dates. Here we are waiting for him in the parking lot because we got here a little early.

Not surprising for people that live in WA to have vitamin D deficiency. Several weeks ago I had a physical. Geez, I hadn't had one in several years so it was time. First, it's so irritating to me that they draw so much blood. Four darn vials. I just HATE the feeling of the needle piercing my skin. It's one of the worst feelings in the world to me. I still close my eyes whenever I get poked. Anyway, per my results my doctor told me that my vitamin D levels were low as well as my Omega 3. Good thing I have a husband who's concerned about my health and went to get us quality supplements.

Ever since I got him this alphabet case he's been telling me that he wants to go to school. I told him that he couldn't go until he turned 5. I hope that when he does start school that he will be just as eager to start then as he is now.

Going to the craft store is so fun. Riley knows that I always end up getting him a craft he can work on at home. He just doesn't give me a break though. Sometimes I can't immediately help him with a craft and so he takes it upon himself to start without me which can get messy and confusing for me at times. Ay, kids ... so impatient!

My mother-in-law is so thoughtful ... and that chocolate was delicious and I'm not really into chocolate.

And I don't understand how Riley's internal clock is always so punctual. As soon as Jacob gets up in the morning, about ten minutes later Riley will walk over to our bed and lay down on his side and fall back to sleep. He does this every.single.day! except the weekends.

Ready to run errands and bringing his alphabet case along. He looks like he's ready for school, lol.

Current Scribbles

August ... on those warm/hot days, please don't make them linger.
Our grass is looking greener but its still not as charming as it first was.

As much as I don't let my circumstances rob my joy ... sometimes they still do. I believe this happens to all of us, even the happiest or the most positive of people. It does, or else no one would ever be sad or upset.

I wish we had family near.
I think we're ready to add another cat to our family.

For me, on those days when life gets to be too much, I watch one of my favorite movies. It helps me de-stress and so does music.

Sydna and Nathan have four more weeks of vacation. Last high school year for Sydna ... and last year of middle school for Nathan.

Sometimes, I'm at a loss on what to make the kids for lunch. This is why lunch is my least favorite meal of the day.

I already bought Riley Halloween pj's and a shirt. That's just a start. Shopping for little kids is so much fun.

We went to the movies today and saw the preview for "Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day". We read that book to the kids when they were little so we were pretty excited when we saw the preview. Steve Carell plays the dad, Jennifer Garner plays the mom. We were cracking up from the little bit we saw.

I've been eating quite a bit of limes lately. Love to put lime juice on certain chips. I guess I should take a break. I know it can't be good for my enamel.

National night out is this Tuesday. Why the heck is it during the week?

Our one year anniversary at this house was yesterday. The year actually went by kinda slow. We really have done nothing to the house in regards of upgrades, but we did paint Sydna's room white some months ago. We had plans on planting trees in the backyard early summer but we didn't. Now, we're gonna wait until summer's over. That way all the trees can get watered from all the rain. Ha!

Jacob got another promotion about two months ago. Congratulations to him and thank You God for this additional blessing.

If I could, I would replace the mocha hardwood floors for a pale grey color in a heartbeat! but then that would mean that I would need to remodel my entire kitchen. Anything is doable.

You know what's cool? When you wait at the drive thru lane for almost ten minutes and when you finally reach the window the barista tells you that your grande mocha frap is on them. Wow! Thanks guys!! Anytime, lol.

Sitting and typing with a dim light while listening to my Sade station and feeling a cool breeze coming in is making me sleepy. Too bad I can't fall asleep for the night just anywhere. I'll miss my bed too much. And with this I'll call it a night.

About seven more weeks of summer left. 

Enjoy them, those of you that love hot and/or muggy weather. 

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26

May you have a soul fulfilled week.

Currently

I find it funny when I'm holding Riley and he repeats everything I'm saying. For example when I tell him: I love you. You're my baby. He will repeat every single word.

I think it's so sweet when I'm needing extra loving from my little guy and I call him and ask him to give me a hug. He'll come running with a great big smile on his face and gives me the biggest hug ever. So touching!

I'm enjoying Friday and Saturday nights even more because Sydna and I watch back to back episodes of Ghost Adventurers. I'm grateful to have a teenage daughter that likes to hang out with her momma.

I love not having the sun blaring on my face when I wake up each morning. It's such a relief and I tend to be in a better mood because of that.

It is windy. I love hearing the wind moving through the trees. It's a bit chilly and cloudy. It's definitely the perfect time to throw a log in the chimney and drink hot cocoa.

March has been a fun month. Been to several neat places and seeing new parts of Seattle has been awesome. There is a lot of beauty to experience in this state. I feel blessed to be living here and at times it still feels surreal.

Things I've enjoyed in the past I am enjoying with more depth. It is so much easier, relaxing, and more enjoyable to take things easy. To not be so quick to get upset {or irritable} and I know that I'm able to experience life with a new sense of calmness because of Him. I cannot have done this alone. I can feel Him working in me. And although I am growing in Him and want to have a special relationship with God, Grace will still be Grace. I don't think there is anything wrong with being opinionated. I honestly think we all are at one point or another. The important thing to remember is when to speak and how you say things is what matters.