Time...

There's never enough, it never goes by how you want it, and you're always left wanting more. We're all given the same amount of time in our day...24 hours. Do you ever stop and think about how you use your time? I'm sure you can rattle off things you do like get up, eat, go to work, shop, etc, but what about all the time in between?
Are there things in life that you claim you would do if you had more time? I know I do, but guess what? We aren't going to be given more time. And, to be quite honest, we don't even know how much time we truly have. Not a single one of us knows the day of our last breath. We can't plan out our whole life because we don't know how long that life will be. Sure, we can plan to get a college degree, land a great job, meet someone, get married, start a family, retire, and live happily ever after, but what person doesn't think about that? I bet every person walking this earth has a plan rather similar to that one. It's the idea that we all grow up with, and I think at times we come to view ourselves as deserving of such things.
If you can't tell, I've been thinking a lot about time. I always wish I had more, and rarely do I stop to be thankful for what I have. But, reality is I don't. I can't count on having tomorrow, just as much as I can't count on the weather report being 100% accurate. Things change, and it all boils down to the fact that we aren't running the show...I'm not running the show. There are things in life that are a mystery, and how much time we have is one of them.
I've wrote before about how it's important to cherish the time that we have because we don't know how much we have left. And, in a way, this post is similar to that. But along with the thought of time being short, i'm trying to remember to not be disappointed with the time I do have. Instead of wishing that I had another hour to chat with a friend or another day to myself, I need to simply make the most of what I do have and be thankful for it. Instead of putting off plans for when the "time" is right, I need to jump at the opportunities that life presents.

Time is a gift...

What are you going to do with yours?

A Few of the Good Shots

I went home this past weekend and was reminded of just how pretty it all is. Half way up the coast, I realized that North Carolina, though pretty, is really no where near being half as beautiful as New York. From the hills and mountains to the lakes and waterfalls, even the flowers, seem to be vibrant and breath taking. I thought I would share just a few snapshots of the sights I was able to enjoy this trip home.

Mom's house plant

In parent's garden

At the lake

At the lake

My fav

So pretty...

A Little Reminder

Life has been busy. I don't just mean having a list of things to do each day. I mean that life has just been flying by. The days all seem to mush together, and even the weeks are hard to tell apart.
It's almost the end of August. Let me restate that... It's almost the END of AUGUST!!
Wow! What happened to July? Oh yeah, I was in Africa and then I was moving and getting unpacked. In high school, I was the girl counting down the days til graduation (in 9th grade!). I was the one who just wanted to move on and get going. I hated being in high school, well school period. Now, I am twenty-two years old wondering where in the world the days have run off to? I remember so many people telling me to enjoy my life and not wish to be something else, and I like to think I listened to them to an extent.
Why is it that the older we get the faster time seems to fly by? I realized a couple years ago that life is something we can't take for granted. I realized that each breath, whether big or small, is a gift-one to be treasured. I realized how quickly things can change in a matter of seconds. I realized that life cannot be lived by "what ifs," and that the longer we procrastinate to do things, the less time we will have to accomplish them. I learned to live in the moment. I learned to purposefully live each day with an optimistic view.
It's sad how quickly those wonderfully inspiring thoughts can become old news. The idea that everything is a gift and that nothing should be taken for granted is a thought that can quickly be buried underneath the demands of life. It took a tragedy to make me realize this, and now realizing how quickly I can forget it puts me on edge. The idea that each day is one to be thankful for and lived out to the fullest is so easily crushed by the weight of our day to day responsibilities. I hate that I am so quick to forget that I can't wait until tomorrow to do what should be done today. No one knows their last day. No one can guarantee the next couple of minutes, let alone the next day.
As I sit here with toys scattered around me, a pounding sinus headache, a squeaky voice, and sheer exhaustion weighing down my body, I am, for whatever reason, reminded that this life, the one that I call my own, was given to me. It was hand-crafted, tailor made, for me, Becky, the twenty two year old nanny making it on her own in this big world. I am reminded that whether I am picking up toys, wiping snotty noses, brushing away tears, playing catch, cleaning up from meals, pacifying ancy children, driving home, grocery shopping, cleaning my own house, doing laundry, tending to customers at the store, or organizing clothes on shelves for what seems like hours I need to be thankful. I need to be thankful that
1. I am able to do each and every one of those things
2. I am surviving on my own
3. I am capable of impacting little lives
4. I have the opportunity to turn each moment in my life into a reason to be excited about being alive
5. I was given today to do all of these things
It's so easy to become preoccupied by life, and let's face it, our culture isn't exactly one that reminds us to be thankful for what we have. So many advertisements, songs, shows, movies, books...you get my point... remind us of all the things that we "need." Better yet, they remind us of the things that they think we need. Life can be lived without a car, 3 meals a day, a house, a closet of clothes, hair products, make up, shoes- insert whatever else you might be thinking of. The point is, we have so much to be thankful for.
How many mornings have you woke up and thought, "Wow, I am so thankful that I actually woke up this morning."? Or, "Yes, I can move my legs and arms and can feel my toes, today is going to be a good day." What about "I am so thankful for my running water or food in the pantry." It's so easy for us to live our lives as if we are deserving of these things, but we aren't. We are no different than other people in other countries. The only difference is, for whatever reason, we were born in America rather than a third world country. But, who says that America won't be there at some point? Who can truly guarantee that the simplicity of clean, running water might become a scarcity in this country? No one, that's who. We have no guarantee of anything in this life remaining. We aren't even guaranteed the next breath we are about to take.
I don't know about you, but when I put things into that kind of perspective, it makes me think. It reminds me that I am not better than others and therefore am not deserving of these things. But, I have them so I need to be grateful for them and not take them for granted.
It took a painful event to open my eyes to just how lucky I am to be here typing at this very second, and I don't ever want to forget it.

photo by me

I challenge you to find beauty in each day and be thankful for the other things you find along your way...

Inspire...

There are things in this life that remind me just how wonderful it is to be alive. I stumble across objects that inspire me,and I have captured the memories of them so that I may always be reminded to live to inspire others...

Elegant.... A simple flower, at first glance, yet so fragile and complex. Breathtaking yet dangerous 

Bold....Powerful...Respected...Beautiful...

Inviting yet mysterious. Appealing yet suspicious. Each wave brings something new to the surface while burying others to it's dark depths

Brilliant... Sunsets usher in colors and warmth that leave you speechless yet they bring along with them the end to something familiar while making way for something unknown...

As I sit here writing, thinking about things that stop me in my tracks and demand my attention, I am listening to a storm. The rain is light, almost a drizzle, but the thunder is strong and loud. It shakes the walls and rattles the windows. The lightning demands my attention as it fills my dark room. It's as if they are competing for my attention...the thunder continues while the lightning fills the sky.
I am inspired by each of these things. Roses, like many other flowers, are things I cannot simply walk past without noticing. The intricate detail of the petals or the vibrant colors or the sweet smell draws me in.

Waterfalls capture me and leave me speechless. The majestic power hurling the water forward entrances me while the roar drowns out all other distractions. 

The ocean, with it's rhythmic tune, fills me with wonder. The waves as they crash up against the sand then so quickly retreat back into the deep fill my mind yet leave it relaxed. The movement of the waves over the sand that tantalize my feet as I walk along the water's edge encourages thought and wonder. 

Sunsets, with all their glorious vibrancy, take with it all the cares of that day leaving me relieved yet it brings with it the knowledge of a new day that's soon to follow. A day that holds the unknown.
Storms bring rain that refreshes and revives the earth yet can destroy in a matter of seconds. The thunder and lightning. while spectacular, also allow a sense of fear to settle in...fear of the possibilities that may arise in the its fury.

What inspires you? 

What makes you stop in your tracks and demands your attention? 

What reminds you that life, despite it's lows, is worth living to the fullest?

Dream...

            Inspire...

                         Live....

I love freezing moments and making them memories. But, what I don't like is how those frozen moments can pile up in boring albums or sit in a closet enclosed in a box, or kept in a file on your computer. I love the idea of scrapbooking and can get creative to a certain extent, but my attention span (that of a 2 year old's at times) and my patience level really doesn't make it easy to sit down and piece together pages that accurately portray what I have in mind. I also don't like to spend money on things such as software programs or other people to do the creative mess for me.
I do, however, love free things. (My friend and I have a joke...if there's no price on it it must be free!). So, when I found out that A Moment Cherished was giving away digital scrapbooking software, I got excited. I have close to 700 pictures from my trip to Africa that I would truly love to scrapbook, but between me being a nanny, working a part time job, and the other issues mentioned (patience & attention span), I have a pretty good feeling those pictures will be sitting in a file on my computer without explanations or cute little accents to make them more inspiring (than they already are).
I am linking up to her, one because I would love to win the prize, but two because she is a great writer with amazing insights.

Cluttered house, cluttered mind

So many things have been on my mind as of late. Things like "now where are my kitchen utensils" or "which box should I open next?" If you were a fly on my wall yesterday, you would have heard things like, "are you serious?! No internet again? Gosh, why can't Time Warner work for me just this once?!" Or, you might have heard "where did I just put that hammer and nail?" I have been back in the states for 5 whole days, and I am ready to leave again. It's not that I don't enjoy being back. I do, to an extent. Being completely disconnected from the world was refreshing. As soon as I boarded the plane for Ethiopia, I turned my phone off and planned on not talking to another person in the US til I returned.
Upon my return, I was greeted by 7 voicemails, 4 of which were in regards to insurance issues that called for urgent responses. I felt like as soon as we touched down in DC, everything was a blur. People were rushing, conversations were sped up, and politeness was no where to be found. It was nice to be removed from all that for a while, but I am back now and things demand my attention. Things like the boxes hiding behind my spare bedroom door awaiting the contents to be removed.
I want to sit down and write out all the memories I made and the lessons I learned while in Kenya, but until my life is no longer cluttered by unpacked boxes, I will keep the memories and lessons to myself. Bare with me, I promise I will share them as soon as I am able to put my full attention to it.

I'm back

I'm back, and though my journey to Africa seems like it has come to a close, I can't help but think of how this journey has really only begun. For those of you who have been following my blog posts (and if you'd like to publicly follow me you can do so by clicking follow to the right of this post, subscribing, or choose to receive these posts via email) you know that I have been preparing to venture off to Africa for months. Well, the two week trip flew by faster than I could blink, and I am already looking forward to the time that I can return.
This post is just going to be a brief overview of my thoughts about the trip. I'm sure I will have many posts to come surrounding all the mini adventures and lessons that were met along the way.
Back in February, I prepared myself to leave a part of me in Africa. Having never been to a foreign country, I knew that things would be different than it is here in America, and I knew that there would be a large difference between the poor in America and the poor in Kenya. I knew that I would see children much thinner than children here. I knew that I would encounter people who shared a one room house with five other people. I knew that I would gaze upon the faces of inquisitive children and not be able to truly help them (or so I thought). I knew that I would run into language barriers, and I knew that beginning conversations with people of another country might pose to be a bit difficult for me. I knew that my comfort levels concerning food and living arrangements would be altered, but, like I said before, I was prepared for that.
I wasn't, on the other hand, prepared to have my heart completely lost forever in a tiny village so small it doesn't appear on any maps. I didn't expect to tear up when I saw the living conditions of the orphan kids, and I certainly did not expect to see them as happy as they were. I certainly did not expect those of another country and language to teach me about true love, nor did I expect them to receive me as quickly as they did. I didn't expect to encounter so much joy in conditions we consider to be quite terrible.
Despite the amount of times we went out to minister to different schools surrounding the village, I did not expect myself to learn from them. Their love for life and each other is so pure and vibrant.Their voices are almost angelic in sound, and they are so willing to share their talents with others.
All I can say is that I truly fell in love with the people of Choimim, and I miss them dearly. They are such a special people and have taught me more than I had ever expected.

Happy Father's Day, Dad

Growing up, I was so blessed with the parents that I had. Since Father's Day is approaching, and I will not be here to write this then, I decided to just write a little something about my dad.
When I think about him, I instantly think of how he enjoys kids, and how much they enjoy him. Much of how I have come to interact with kids has come from watching him. They flock to him without him even attracting attention to himself. He is a man of few words. His thoughts, when spoken, are formed with intention. His goal being to communicate exactly what he wants the other person to understand in the way he wants them to understand it. I love his smirk that sneaks across his face when he is goofing around, and I love watching funny movies with him because of his contagious laugh. He is a strong figure that has been consistent in my life, and I am so thankful for that.

He has a love for the outdoors, and most of my childhood summer memories are of us fishing up at our camp or out on the boat at a lake near home.

His love for God and his family is inspiring. His strong work ethics have been passed down to his children, and I am so thankful for the example that he laid before me. 

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I wish I could be there to give you a hug and tell you how much I love you. You mean a lot to me, and I miss you....

Love ya.....

Sanity...Where are you?

Deodorant...Check. Journal...Check. Hair brush...Check. Camera...Check. Toothbrush...Check.
Oh how I love to pack! Okay, so that was a lie. I love traveling but detest the days I spend before hand trying to figure out what I need to shove into my bag. I guess I wouldn't hate it as much if unpacking was not waiting for me at the end of the trip.
I leave in roughly 29 hours! Actually, I leave in about 27 hours since I have to leave my house 2 hours before the group is meeting at the airport. I feel like I've checked, double checked, rechecked, and checked some more the 3 bags that I have crammed full of stuff, and yet I sit here trying to figure out what in the world I'm forgetting! I think in the craziness of packing I somehow managed to pack my sanity, and I have no clue if it's in an Africa bag or a moving box! There are so many things that I know I need to do tomorrow before I leave, but I honestly cannot remember what any of them are. And, remember how much I love to make lists? Yeah, well those lists are of no use when they can't be found (probably another item lost in the shuffle)!
Despite the craziness my life has consisted of the past couple of months, I am so excited to go on this trip and to move into a new apartment. Although I find change slightly intimidating, I love the challenge it brings and can't wait to find out just what exactly there is in store for me.
I had to say goodbye to Mr. Man and Miss Magee today. I won't see them for 3 weeks and realizing that broke my heart. Mr. Man will be walking (I can almost guarantee it), and Miss Magee will be even more full of life...and words! They were brought into my life at exactly the right moment. I needed them in a way that I didn't even know, and now I can't imagine my life without them there. It's funny how I thought I was going to be taking care of them and helping them grow up in this world, and yet, they have somehow taught me a thing or two. Who knew?!

Africa

I know that a few of my posts have consisted of my trip to Africa. For a while, I have felt as if this trip was something in the future. As money began to come in, I was excited but felt as if the trip would never come. Now, with only 4 days to pack and prepare myself, I am beginning to feel the pressure. The realization that I will be in another country on another continent half way around the world surrounded by other people speaking another language and submerged in a different culture is just overwhelming to me! Knowing that I will be on a plane for almost 24 hours is yet another thought that is currently swarming my brain.
There is so much to do- things to pack, things to buy to pack, mail to stop, bills to make sure are paid, things to finalize for my move, and the list goes on and on. It wouldn't be so stressful if I didn't have to work, but this week is one of those weeks with crazy hours that start early and seem to never end (good thing I love my job!). I am so worried I will forget to pack something that I have made lists of what to pack (3 to be exact), and I know that more will come to my mind as I begin the packing process. Right now, things are currently thrown into my bag, but I need to go through it and actually organize it a little.
Despite all that needs to be done in preparation for this trip, I am ecstatic to go. I cannot wait to set foot in another country, meet new people, and see all the faces of the children light up when they see what we have brought with us. I cannot wait to see how I much I will be stretched through this whole process. I honestly don't really know what I am "getting myself into," and I won't until I get over there. I am looking forward to serving in any way that I can. I know that it will be a stretch for me, and I can almost guarantee that I will be ripped out of my comfort zone. But, I can also guarantee that it will all be worth it in the end.
I look forward to writing about my trip when I return!

The Best Kind of Days

It's days like today when the sun is shining, the breeze is faint yet cooling, the humidity is lower than usual, and the kids are entertained by the sandbox and bubbles that I sit back and feel so content. In the midst of crazy car issues, an apartment in disarray, insurance decisions, and packing for Africa (not to mention the day to day issues that pop up for a little surprise), I am able to feel relaxed and happy. On days like today, I feel as if all is right in the world. It reminds me of all the summers I spent as a kid carefree, just happy to be playing outside. The laughter and smiles that are in the background as I type fill my heart with joy, and I can't help but laugh a little too.
Summer is my favorite season. The sun, the humidity, the cool evening breezes, the occasional thunderstorm, the picnics, the nights spent staring at the stars, the sound of the ocean waves crashing onto the shore,the intensity of sunrises and sunsets, they;re all a part of why I love this season. I find myself so excited in the morning when I walk out my front door and feel the warmth, even at 6am! I can't help but feel happier. I can't think of any other kind of day that beats these.

Breathtaking View

I love flying. Everything about it makes me excited. Some may find the process quite daunting, not me. The only part of the process I don't enjoy is packing and unpacking. Being in the airport always makes me smile. I love seeing all the people going from gate to gate, some casually walking while others frantically sprinting. 

There is something so amazing when the plane pushes through the clouds and rises above them. The view is breathtaking.  

Stronger than Glue

So many things in this world are easily taken for granted. Our health, home, job, cars, and even our friends and family. This past weekend I was allowed the privilege of preparing and celebrating a friend's wedding. I have known her for roughly eleven years, and our friendship has witnessed many heart aches and victories. We went through high school together, and had it not been for her close and honest friendship, my high school experience would have been less of an adventure and more of a torture device. I am so grateful for all the times we had to spend together at school and in youth group. I am so proud that she has grown into even more of a beautiful woman. Her heart has only grown and the compassion she has for others is still evident. I know that her relationship with her new husband will be one of the most wild adventures of her life, and I know that their love will only grow stronger over the years. She is a dedicated and determined person who strives for success in all aspects of her life.

I have had quite a few different close friends come and go throughout my life. A couple of them I saw this weekend. I realized that we all have many friends, and some of those friends we might call best friends. There are a few that, no matter what might happen, no matter what the circumstances are, they are always there for you. No matter how many years may go by, it always feels as if things never changed and time simply stopped. Those are the friendships I cherish. They are the ones that can get me through the lonely days that come and go. Those friendships are few and far between.

For me, two of those friendships are with family. I realized this weekend just how lucky I am. I have two amazing cousins who love me no matter what. They are there for me and always will be. And, even though I live 600 miles away from them, I know that our relationship will remain strong. I have so many fond memories of us when we were younger, and I am so thankful that we are still making memories every chance we get. I love having cousins that are close. It's one thing to be family, but to be close and family only makes the bond stronger. 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

From whining and dirty diapers, to crying and moving out, my mom has been there for me through it all. She has never given up on me even when most other's probably would've. Even though we don't always see eye to eye (okay, more often than not), and even though we tend (I tend) to argue over things, she loves me. I am so thankful that God blessed me with a mother who is just as stubborn as I am. Any other mother probably wouldn't have been able to put up with me.
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you and thank you for all you have done and will do for me. I wish I was there to give you a hug and tell you thank you. I hope you have a wonderful day, and thank you for loving me no matter how many mistakes I make. Thank you for seeing the beauty behind the imperfections. Love you!!

Love you!

Stressin...

I have come to realize that I am so use to living with stress that I rarely notice when it takes over my life. Only when multiple things come at me at once do I notice just how far under I am. Giving up control is not one of my strong suits. I am a stubborn, independent, and driven person who likes things done right the first way, my way. I know that this makes me sound like a horrible person that no one would want to be around, but it really isn't to that much of an extreme.
I woke up this morning, and the morning before that, with this dreadful feeling. I didn't really know why, so I ignored it, rolled over, and cuddled my pillow for another ten minutes before finally dragging myself out of bed. As the day progressed, it dawned on me that the dreadful feeling was tied to events in my life that are coming up. I have been in search of a new apartment since my rent is being raised July 1st, but I haven't been too serious about it simply because I new I was stuck where I am until the end of June. Yesterday, I realized that I have four weekends to find an apartment, pack up my apartment, and move into the new apartment by the end of June. Can you say, FREAK OUT!!! Thanks to my job, I can't exactly look at apartments during the week by myself, unless I took two little kids with me which I'm sure would not enthuse my potential landlords. I am so thankful that my friend Dani is coming up next week to help me wrangle the kiddos while I attempt to find the perfect new apartment.
Not only did I realize that time is dwindling, but I also realized that there is no way that I could move out of the old and into the new during June without paying rent for both places. So, I'm stuck. Do I pay the higher rent for the one month at the old apartment (which had yet another roach looking bug on my kitchen floor!) or do I bite the bullet and pay for two apartments? Or, do I beg my current landlords to let me stay a few days into the month of July so that I can move out without paying extra rent? The thought of all this is simply making my head pound.
On top of all that, my car is making noises when the breaks are applied (yet again), and the a/c and heat make it shudder. My trip to Africa is approaching quickly, along with the money due date. I still need to get two more shots, and I need to get my prescription for the malaria and typhoid pills. I have my online classes to finish, and I have to figure out what I'm doing this fall. Then there's the little things in life that everyone deals with, and to top it all off, little man is teething the next round of teeth- he wants to snuggle, yet pushes away, yet screams when you set him down, yet wiggles out of your arms when you hold him. Oh the joys of life with kids! I can't help but laugh though, which is probably the only thing saving my sanity!
I know that things will all work out; they always do. But, the timing in which it happens is proving to not be in my time frame. I want all my ducks in a row and right now I feel like they're scattered all around the nation!
I was reading a book to Miss Magee today, and it mentioned that God has his children's names written on his hand. I write things on my hand all the time to help my crammed little brain remember all that needs to be done. Every time I look down on it, I am reminded of the next thing on my agenda. If my name is written on his hand, it means I'm something worth remembering!
I found some verses that helped remind me to just stop stressing.
Matthew 10:29-31 says, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
I Peter 5:7 says to cast all our cares up Him because he cares for you.
Matthew 6:27 says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
Wow! That's all I can say. The first passage in Matthew 10 reminds me that if God can take the time out to provide for and look after and protect the sparrows, then he most definitely cares about me who is made in his image. I Peter helps me refocus on just where my worries should be. They should be given up to him. He is the author and sustainer of life, the creator of all things. He knows how to solve any problem, big or small, in this life, and he is willing to do so! I, on the other hand, can do nothing compared to him.
And the last verse in Matthew 6 is like a slap in the face. Worry is a waste of time. Instead of worrying, I should be actively praying and giving up control. I do not think that it is our job to give it up and sit back. I think we should give it up to Him and be aware of things surrounding us that can help.
These verses help refresh me, and writing this post has helped me clear out my mind. But, stressing is something I must daily work on. Worrying and stressing are sinful. It is my responsibility to trust in God to provide for my needs in his perfect timing.

A Few of the Good Things

I have been thinking a lot about things that I am thankful for and wanted to share a few. I know that many people have taken the time out to mention these thanksgivings around Thanksgiving time, but I think it's important to recognize these things every day.

My camera

Beautiful Flowers

My Family (there are a few missing from this picture)

The Ocean

Baking

Goofy Friendships

The Sunrise

Waterfalls

Sunsets

These are just a few things that I am so thankful for. Each of these bring a smile to my face, and I feel so blessed to be able to experience them.

Beautiful Waters

I have come to see the beach as my favorite place to be. The way the waves wash up against the sand or splash up against the piers is slightly mesmerizing to me. I love to walk along the water's edge tempting, in a way, the water to splash up on my feet. The way the sand goes back to how it once was after you stop on it amuses me. My favorite time to walk is at night. The sky is dark, the stars are out, and the world seems peaceful as the water rhythmically pushes up against the sand. It's almost like a whole different world at night.
This past weekend I was able to go to the beach with some friends. We were at Myrtle Beach and the night life was just getting started, but down by the water's edge it was as if not another soul existed. Something about the dark sky, salty smell, cool water, and rough sand just makes me pause for a second and just exist. It's the one place that makes me just be still for a few minutes. My heart feels at ease, my minds loosens it's grip on the duties of my life, and I allow myself to just take in the moment and just embrace the beauty of the ocean.
It's so vast and at night it seems so ominous yet inviting. The thought of not knowing what might be lurking in the waters in front of me sends a chill up my spine as I stare out. The mystery intrigues me and with each tumbling wave I find my gaze being held longer. There's something magical about the ocean, and I love how it draws me in.

Mondays

You know it's going to be a long day when you just can't seem to drag yourself out of bed. When the world seems to be overwhelming and the covers over your head (or the feel of your plush pillow) seem to keep the activities of the day behind closed doors. That was my morning. My alarm went off, and all I wanted to do was close my eyes and dream away the day. But, we all know that didn't happen because here I am. The snooze alarm went off (for the second time), and I dragged myself out of bed. The thought of two kids with runny noses, coughs, one tooth attempting to pop through, and the after affects of a fun filled Easter weekend didn't exactly inspire me to move more quickly.
As I got ready for my day and headed out the door, I began to plan what our day would hold. Maybe a nice long walk to the playground or a trip to the nearby science center or even a some finger painting outside. These thoughts crossed my mind at eight o'clock this morning, and by nine-thirty, I knew the day would not match up to my expectations.
The affects of teething had begun to wreak havoc on the little guy, and the normal adjustments to Mondays had begun to show their true colors in my sweet little Miss Magee. Instead of off to the park for some exercise, it was off to the grocery store to fill the very empty fridge and pantry. And, instead of a quick trip which would leave time for outside play, it was double the normal time and filled with tears. Miss Magee tripped and scraped her knee and it was all down hill from there. Her cries ignited his cries which opened up the flood gates of snot and tears. I was bound and determined to get the groceries we needed. I asked a clerk for a bandage which only made the cries worse but stopped the blood from getting all over. I grabbed the food we needed, eased some cries with a free strawberry and offered up my purse for some entertainment while grabbing the rest of the food.
Needless to say, it was a long trip, but I couldn't help but laugh through it all. By the time we got home it was time for lunch and naps. The silence which usually allows me to regain composure, clean the house, and get some homework done is currently being broken as I write. I suppose it's time to resume my nannying responsibilities. Oh how I love Mondays....

It's the Little Things...

It doesn't take much to make me happy, and it takes a lot to make me angry. I try to always have a smile on my face and find that even things like...

a new shower curtain and bath rug (both on clearance!) can make a chaotic and stressful day seem blissful. *Sighs* It's the simple things in life! : )

100 Miles a Minute

Oh how I love the way my mind gets the best of me. I should really be sleeping right now. About 20 minutes ago, my mind was like jello but my body was full of energy. Unfortunately the roles have reversed within those 20 minutes and now my body desperately wishes my mind would invest in a chill pill.
I just feel like I need to take a step back from everything and do something relaxing, but one full time job (which is more like two since the job entails outsmarting a 2 year old and managing to remain sane while her 8 month old brother is demanding your attention) and two part time jobs don't really allow for relaxation. By the time I get home on the days from nannying I am ready to sit and zone but my brain is constantly reminding me of all the things I have yet to do. Occasionally, I allow myself to veg for a bit while watching a movie, but typically that movie is simply on for background noise while I do other things.
There are some things that I need to just figure out. Things that deal with school and work which inevitably involves money are on the forefront of my mind, on top of some other things. My mind is going 100 miles a minute and there isn't a single red light or stop sign for miles ahead (even a yellow light would be nice).
I am so thankful that tomorrow is Wednesday... one day closer to the weekend which means one day closer to the end of the month which hopefully means one day closer to me figuring things out!