30 Days of Gratitude - Day 3

I have such a handy hubby! And I am so grateful for all the work he does and is able to do. Because of him, our 1965 house now has a laundry room! The finishing touches are happening still, but a separate room with cabinets and laundry baskets... I'm almost giddy! Here's to hoping the laundry stays in the laundry room!

Thank you to my handy, helpful husband!!

Another Thankful Blogger:
Where Is My Instruction Manual

Late Nights

When Daddy says it's going to be a late night, I confess ... I'm a little excited!

Now for our family, this doesn't happen too often. However, when he has a big project, and can, he may plan to work late. And "late", for my hubby, means 10pm or later. 

As I sat with the kiddos at the dinner table tonight and they were being their rowdy selves, I wondered how many other moms miss their husbands at dinner. {Even when Patrick isn't working "late", he is rarely home before 6:30pm. And for a 2 and 5 year-old, that is too late to start serving dinner. They are trying to munch or taste what's cooking by 5:15, so we usually eat around 5:30 or so.... with or without Dad.} How about the moms whose husbands travel or work late as a ritual? How do they do it? It's almost like being a single mom Monday through Friday. Dinner, bed time, and everything in between is done solo. Don't know that I could do that daily. For my sanity!

And yet, I have learned to enjoy these occasions. 

It means I can have a dedicated baking/shopping day without feeling like the house has to be spotless. {Not that it ever is!}

It means that the kids will get to bed on time. {Dad has a tendency to want to spend just an extra few minutes with them.}

It means I have time to blog. {Aren't you lucky?!}

It means I can catch up on my shows that I've missed. {since nothing comes on before 9 or 10pm and I'm only allowed to watch "Dora" during the day, I get behind a day or two....Thankful for DVR!}

It also means I can eat chocolate chip cookies with milk and not have anyone steal them.

Yep ... I enjoy these late nights. 

As long as they are few and far between!

It's the Weekend!

It's Friday! And all that means is .... 

I made it through the week! 

Sometimes I feel like that is a huge accomplishment in and of itself. Here are some of the things that kept me going this week and made me smile!

 I got to finally make these yummy muffins ... they are my favorite and the kids gobble them up! And they aren't too bad for you either! {recipe coming soon...}

This little big kindergartener completed his first project and chose all of his own objects. He's too big for my liking at times...

I got ALL of these clothes at consignment sales this week {they are in full force in this town} ... the kids are SET for the fall/winter season!

Who can help but smile at that face?! She's great!!

Sometimes I just need a diet coke!

This cute chica dressed herself with her new boots....she is just so stinkin' cute too!

So food, clothes, and my kids are apparently my happy place! {At least for this week!} What helped you make it through the hustle and bustle this week?

A Ding-Dong Door Dilemma

When you have been "under construction" as long as we have, you begin to want something in order. Is it possible to have at least one place completely finished and inviting to guests?

Our house was built in 1965 and there have only been minimal changes by previous homeowners. And since I live with "Mr. Handyman" himself, we have undergone some major renovations of our own. We are soooo close to being done, and still so far away! If only we could win the lottery.....

Insert my "ding-dong door dilemma"...

I want at least one thing DONE! So I looked around the house and decided, an inviting front door would be the best place to start. And I'm going to do this myself {or at least with minimal help from the hubster}.

After taking a closer look, our front door was worse off than I had imagined. {insert embarrassed expression here}

I have colors that I like, but don't know what would look the best. Here is where you can help. I picked out the "Welcome" mat and the new door....now what color should the door be? Stick with the burgundy family? Go bold with a deep blue? Or blend more with a brown? Or do you have a better idea?? I always know what I like, but have a hard time executing.

So I'm asking for your help .... solve my "ding-dong dilemma" please!

A Daily Reminder

I looked at the dishwasher full of clean dishes, and the sink, full of dirty dishes, and sighed. It's a chore I complete daily. Clean cups out, dirty cups rinsed and put in. Re-clean a dish that didn't quite come clean and put it back in the dishwasher a second time. {Please tell me I'm not the only one...}

Some days I feel bogged down with this chore. No one else in my home does the dishes on a daily basis. Yes, Clayton can help put the silverware away, and sometimes does. But now with school starting, he usually isn't home when the dishes are completed. And one time Patrick lost a bet and had to do the dishes for a week! {we bet on the Super Bowl...And I'll plan to do so again the next Super Bowl!!}

Otherwise, the chore is MINE! 

But today, I was reminded of a poem that sat in my grandmother's kitchen growing up. I can vividly remember standing in the kitchen with avocado green counter tops, looking up at the window sill, over the sink, at the small plaque that sat there. {I told you it was vivid} I said the words over and over to memorize them:

Thank God for dirty dishes, they have a tale to tell;

While other folks go hungry, we are so very well.

With home and health and happiness, we shouldn't want to fuss;

For by this stack of evidence, God is very good to us.

This little poem was and still is a small reminder that we are fortunate to have the things we do. So instead of dreading the dishes, I count them as a blessing. My family has food, our health, strength and home! We are so fortunate!!

What chore is your daily reminder of the blessings in your life??