Thursday Change-Up

I was supposed to have a "how I'm growing an avocado tree" post today which just needed a few touches before publishing, but somehow it seemed all too scheduled and put-together, and this week has been anything but that.  It hasn't been that bad, honestly. W's napping has been a bit off, he's challenged us a bit with the go-to toddler tantrum move, and no one will fill the damn hand soap by the sink! There I said it.

You see that? That hand soap issue? It was this week that little acts of service like that drove me up the wall. Surely someone else can take care of that crap right?

Or perhaps tonight when I was getting W ready for the bathtub and he would not let go of a paperback book to take with him and he peed all over me (and the carpet) while I was convincing him to put it on the chair. Surely someone else can clean that up right?

No, they can't. And they shouldn't. This complaining is all sounding so trivial. I realize that, but sometimes our life via blogging fits nicely into a box of perfection, and we all know it's just not so. Another post on that coming soon.

I sometimes get caught up and forget that part of my current calling as a wife and mother asks me to willingly complete these annoying tasks as an act of love given to those around me. I need to remind myself of that more often as viewing daily "to-dos" that way can be truly beautiful.

And don't worry; you're getting that avocado tree post next week!

But for tonight I think I'm going journal style which I haven't done in quite some time.

TODAY:

Outside my window... 

Ok, so I'm cheating a bit. This wasn't outside my window today, but yesterday when J played outside with W in the pool while I prepped part of our anniversary dinner and ate pretty much an entire artichoke by myself while dodging a butterfly trying to have a bit, J looked up to find this in the sky. This perfect  rainbow, a rainbow which I have been looking for in the sky for a couple of weeks not, a rainbow that appeared on a day with no rain, a rainbow who showed its glory last night about the same time on the same day that we were married 9 years ago, a rainbow I needed.)
 I hit it with IG of course so the sky looks a bit darker, but it was wonderful!

I am proud of... a toddler walking up the stairs to the slide at the pool on two feet and of his own accord. Who cares if he looks like a zombie coming to wreak terror upon the land?

I am listening to... Jeff Van Gundy. Heat vs. Thunder. This could be the end, kids. Who am I kidding? They will take this series to the end; I just know it! (Although hubs just gave his commentary, "Too young. You've got to go through the trials and tribulations.")

I am excited about... some rotating play dates with our friends where we'll attempt "school" type activities. We are started next week over here with shapes, and I'm totally using Lindsey's idea. We might make something out of the shapes we pull too. 

I am wondering... what the hell, yes hell (this warrants that) an older, larger man was doing at the pool last week crab walking over to the slide area and proceeding to walk up the stairs and slide down while managing to creep out everyone nearby. It was weird! Did I mention that he could barely walk? Seriously, he crab walked all around the pool, barely pulled himself up the slide structure, and somehow managed to climb out of the slide afterwards.
Oh, and his swim suit was ill-fitting.
He was at the pool alone and was too close to my bubble and that of my child. Creeper! 

I am loving... today's pool experience instead. It was warm enough out for Momma to not get cold and yet cool enough to not sweat my tail off watching W go up to the slide over and over again. And yea, the random old guy wasn't there either.

I appreciate.. a wonderful library experience today. The Sheriff sat in my lap for the majority of story time which was a bit of a challenge a few months ago. We mistakenly went to the older kids class (ages 3-6) and that might have had something to do with it. There was less activity and distraction, and he seems to like to follow what older kids are doing. Our favorite librarian led today too!

From the kitchen... Broccoli Parmesan Fritters. Yes, you heard that right? Don't knock until you try; they are from Smitten Kitchen, so you know they are legit. Toddler mommas looking to get in veggies--do it!
And then I made EPC's Chocolate Pudding Pie last night for the hubs. Yea, we both had (are having as we speak) some, but really, he loves it. That's how you know how much I love you J! I sacrificed my ice cream for that pie! 

I am grateful... 9 years! And all of your sweethearts that wished me a happy anniversary on fb and twitter.

I am praying... in thanksgiving. I needed that rainbow!

Sheriff... is going to be two! TWO! That's so exciting, and I swear he grew overnight last night. He seemed taller, older somehow today. Must have been that rainbow.


I am attempting to live the Gospel by... making time to invest more of my day in the Word. I'm working on it in the morning, and if I don't get it in then, I'm bad 

A picture thought I am sharing...

Jacob captured this handsome boy after his first rainbow sighting on our wonderful outdoor evening.


Thanks for listening y'all! I needed that venting and I already feel better. See, I even ended with one of my favorite pictures of The Sheriff and rainbows. Life is good. Hand soap, schmand soap!
Sorry to go all Pollyanna on ya. I'm just choosing joy!