Just Thursday--March 3

Outside my window...It is dark, and cold (22!)

Today I feel...peaceful.

I am thinking...of all the things I need to do today--the "to-do" list is always endless.

I am thankful...for my job and what it's done for my family.  I really like the families I work with.

Tomorrow I am going to...only work 1/2 a day, with 2/3 of the kids I watch.  :), Jacob and Julianna have the day off, I'm very much looking forward to doing something fun just with them.

I'm also going to make a carrot cake for my mom's birthday.  I'm a little nervous about that, baking/cooking is definitely one of the ways I show love, and I really want this to turn out well.  Carrot cake is not something I usually make though, so I'm stepping outside of my comfort zone and trying something new.  I think I'm going to use Smitten Kitchen's recipe.

I am wearing..jeans, 3/4 length brown tee, comfy slippers

I wish...I had my taxes done, my house straightened, laundry caught up and beds freshly changed.

This weekend...Julianna has her last audition class, we'll be belatedly celebrating my mom's birthday, I hope we can find some time for a walk together Sunday.

 

I am reading...Home to Blessing Series by Lauraine Snelling.  I love it.  It's historical fiction, set around the turn of the 20th century in North Dakota.  It's also written from a Christian perspective, which I thought would bother me.  Strange, even though I'm a Christian, that label often has a negative connotation for me.  Too many people label themselves Christian and then proceed to live a life that is anything but--the man at the oil change place for one.  I am full of sin, I'm not claiming to be perfect, but I acknowledge that, I don't hold myself up as better than others  because of my beliefs.  Maybe it has something to do with being married to someone who is not Christian, but it bothers me when I see sense of superiority some people believe being a Christian entitles them to.  Wow.  Didn't see that rant coming, sorry.  What I meant to say is that this book is written from a (positive, true) Christian perspective and it's challenging me to grow in my faith.  I like that.

I am working on...today I need to do our taxes, FAFSA, laundry, straighten and watch little people; plus figure out dinner, maybe this pot roast?  

I'm also working on letting go and leaving things in God's hands.  I currently work full-time for 3 families.  I emailed all of them and asked them to let me know their intentions for next year.  One family immediately emailed me back and said they'll be here; one family was silent for a while, then let me know they're not sure yet, they're struggling with the balance of liking the care I provide for their child against the reality of what I charge to do that; I haven't heard from the third family yet.  I'm trying to just leave it all to God.  I know at the beginning of the school year I never could have imagined the work scenario I have now, there were plenty of times I was desperately worried, yet it's all worked out beautifully, exactly as it should have, I guess, and I'm trying to learn from that and to just trust that things have a way of working out.

Yesterday I...had a lot of fun with the kids I watch, we cuddled up on the "love sofa" (that's what the 4 year old dubbed it, and it certainly fit), and sang songs and were silly.  Me, a four year old, a 20 month old, a 13 month old and a 5 month old.  It was one of those 'life is good' moments.

I also must have been craving comfort yesterday, I made tapioca, cookies for scouts, and true comfort food for dinner. 

I am hoping...Mark has a better day today.  Yesterday was one of those "black cloud" days for him.

I am hearing...birds outside, it may not feel like it yet, but spring is coming.

I bet you didn't know...hmm, I know there's plenty you don't know about me, but it's hard to think of what that might be!  Okay, today I'll go superficial.  I bet you didn't know that my one big extravagance is my hair.  After wandering like a nomad for the past several years, I've gone back to the person who did my hair for years and years.  She's the best fit for me and for my hair.  I splurge on having her color it, (I justify it by how much I'm working, it's my one night out and it's heavenly.)  I also buy salon hair products.  I feel guilty about it, but I've never found anything else that works as well with my hair.

Something I'm looking forward to...Rebekah being home for spring break!  I wish I didn't have to work every day of it, I'm still struggling with that, but it will be wonderful, for us, to have her here.  I hope it's good for her to.

One of my favorite...times of day is early in the morning, when Mark has left and the kids aren't up yet.  It's my time for reflection, putting myself in the right place for the day ahead.

That's it.  Hope you all have a good Thursday, happy (almost) Friday!