Sunshine, Ice is cold, and Meeting five guys for lunch

Days in the Life...


Monday began our week of spring rains. And storms.

I had been limping since Tuesday morning and my foot hurt if I bent it, twisted it, stood for too long, moved quickly, etc. So I pretty much just walked around slowly, not bending my foot. It worked fine.

I attempted to do an upper-body workout that morning and was able to do most of it as long as I did push-ups on my knees and one-footed planks.

Mia reading to Sofia. How?!

Dad needed me to run an errand for him late morning, just as the power went off in our house. It was out for about an hour.

In the afternoon I spent some time doing a coloring page with Ava, one of the "adult coloring page" thingys. It was fun!

We had to move small group to Monday night because of some unexpected plans on Tuesday.

This time we had pasta, salad, and lots of desserts with chocolate.

It was pointed out that I should probably be icing my foot (didn't think of that...), so during our sharing time someone sat me down with ice and a timer. Pretty soon I was in need of a blanket as well. Ice is cold! And John Wayne was tall.

Tuesday morning Kate and Sofia both came. We wondered if Kate would be jealous if I held Sofia some too. She surprised us and actually loved her! All day Kate called for "baby" and wanted to know where she was. It was pure adorableness. 

During Kate's morning nap I iced and elevated my foot. 

The rainy view. 

Me: "My babies!"

Ava: "I want to hold one." 

Mia: "Babies! Babies! Babies!"

Kate: "I want to sleep and eat at the same time." 

Sofia: "I am awake. Ask nothing more of me." 

More icing during lunch. 

Not my idea of fun. *Shivers*

After lunch we all settled in the living room and sort of danced. Because I couldn't, Kate didn't want to and the others wouldn't because Kate wasn't. 

We gave up and went to hang out in Chloe's room before naps. 

Elevating my foot. 

Once both Kate and Sofia were in bed, Chloe and I talked about her four fantasy/science fiction/fairy tale novel ideas. It all sounds highly complicated and confusing to me (I can hardly read books from those genres as it is), but I was happy to give equally complex plot twists and ideas. Even if my ideas made no sense to me I was sure she'd be able to translate. 

I told her to get to writing them because the worst that could happen would be that she would have a series of four novels that her family and friends would enjoy reading and the best that could happen is she could become like C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and have biographies written about her in which the story of her older sister's great encouragement and motivation would be a favorite. Either way, the outcome is not bad! 

The sun came out! 

I was so excited about the sunshine I grabbed the laptop and sat on the floor by the door in the patch of sunlight to study. 

After Kate woke up from her nap she was looking for Sofia, who had left. She was sad that "baby" was gone and it was so cute. 

While I braided my hair and threw on a little makeup, I enjoyed remembering a whole year ago when I first started watching Kate and I had to hold her while getting ready. Now she stands next to me and pulls open my drawers and says words. Time flew so fast and she isn't even my child! 

Mom, Dad, Chloe, and Christian attended a Dual Credit meeting at our local community college in the evening. Aron came over to "help me babysit" (by the littles' request). We traded my ironing 13 of his shirts for his babysitting fee. (I seriously love ironing, I was thrilled.) 

The kids tried to teach him The Virginia Reel, but ended up playing games and just listening to music until dinner time. Then they watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks." (I was still ironing, but in the room.) 

Wednesday morning I cared for Calvin. 

Mom took Mia and Gabe to their gymnastics class, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Mia got hurt, but was brave enough to not need Mom! 

I got to leave work a few minutes early and was going to just go home, but decided I probably should go work at Starbucks for a bit. 

Trying to get as much sunshine as I can. That would be none.

I thrive on sunshine. When it rains I often get headaches and feel very sleepy regardless of how much sleep I get. 

I know rain is important and I love how green everything gets after it rains and the smell of rain is so sweet, but sunshine is my favorite. 

Because I seem to always be smiling many people have given me the nickname Sunshine. I love it. 

God is the source of my joy and happiness (regardless of the weather) and wherever I go I want to be shining for Him, reflecting His light. That's why I say I want to be a ray of sunshine everywhere I go. 

I was struggling again with the rain. I took a morning nap during Calvin's nap and had a headache off and on and needed to study, but had no energy. 

I was going to go home (probably to take Aleve and sleep more), but I felt like I should go to Starbucks and work instead. 

Of course I was sleepy and forgot to order decaf coffee. (If I have much caffeine after noon I usually then have a hard time getting to sleep at bedtime.) But when I looked at my cup to check whether or not it was caffeinated, in place of my name (which the barista never asked me for), was Sunshine. 

That's how I know God sees me. He knew my struggle. He sent me a gift and I know that nothing about me escapes His notice. He loves me and that same love that He has for me, He has for you.

At home we had a relaxed evening and Christian and I played four rounds of Abalone while I iced, heated(?), and elevated my foot. (We both won two games.) 

Thursday morning I woke up with nothing on my schedule and within 30 minutes my day was booked. 

Mom and the littles left to go somewhere, but that was two and a half weeks ago, so I have no idea where they were all day. 

I left the house at 9:00 (less than an hour from the time I woke up) and headed to meet a friend for coffee and to study. We didn't end up getting any studying done, however, as we quickly became involved in a deep discussion. 

My hazelnut latte was good. 

From there I headed to go get my haircut. I think it had probably been about 5 months *stops to count the months* never mind, 7 months since my last one, so it was rather overdue... I kept getting my hair caught in my back pocket whenever I slid my phone in. 

I asked for two inches to be cut off. *grimaces* It was necessary. 

Before I got it cut. (Also before I left home.) 

And after. 

(I did not wear sweatpants all day, those are my pajamas.)

It doesn't really look like it got cut, but I can tell it's gone. This was a new hairdresser I'd not been to before so I was more nervous than I usually am about getting it cut, but she did a wonderful job. I have a long, long history of bad haircuts behind me. 

I decided to grab a late lunch at Chick-fil-a (surprise!) before meeting anther friend for coffee somewhere else. I was not hungry at all, but knew it would be wise to eat. 

More yummy coffee and a very sweet visit. 

(I forgot to get decaf.)

At home I caught up with Mom and Dad, showered, ate a fast dinner, and went next door to visit with Nana and help her with a project for a while. 

Grandfather took Chloe and Christian to Debate. 

Friday morning Mom and the littles left early-ish to go eat breakfast at Seven Mile Cafe and do some shopping. 

Chloe, Christian, and I worked on school stuff and then headed out to get lunch at Five Guys (not with five guys, there was no "boyfriend interviewing" or anything like that taking place) and to do our own shopping. 

We shopped at Payless Shoes, Plato's Closet, Target, and Old Navy. 

At home Christian and Aunt Cendei made tamales for dinner and I worked for a bit before leaving to get dinner with a lady from church. 

All Friday morning I was finally able to walk around without limping and was feeling so encouraged! Then, right about lunch time, it started hurting as badly as before. By the time I was going to bed it was swollen and tender to the touch. It had not swollen before, even when I first hurt it. 

Saturday morning Christy came to our house for Bible study. We made tea and coffee and went to sit in my room for our time so that I could elevate my foot. Our visit was so sweet. 

When we finished, Christy asked to try a hair-do on me and then picked out an outfit from my closet for me to wear for a fast photoshoot outside. The final result was totally different from my normal "look", but the pictures turned out amazing! Here is Christy's website. 

 And here are a few of the photos she took. 

The dried flowers I am holding are a bouquet I caught at a wedding two years ago. 

I dried it and keep it in my room. 

At my wedding one day I'll have it displayed somewhere. 

I made myself cry for this one so there is a tear on my cheek. 

Mom was in clean-up and clear-out stuff mode Saturday afternoon, so different ones were enlisted to help her. We also had to work on getting the house ready for the invasion of painters that would be taking place the following week. 

We all left for church about 4:00 so that Christian and I could be a part of the pre-service worship time and the others could go to Costco. (Christian is learning to play the guitar.) 

Church was wonderful and afterwards we stayed to visit and eat as usual. 

At home there was lots of food to unload and put away. 

Sunday after brunch we all had to continue going through stuff and getting the house ready for the painters. 

Late afternoon I thought I'd play a "quick" game of Rummikub with Mia, because that would be "fun." Yeah...so after an hour of her losing the game, she beat me. Want an exercise in patience? Play a logic game with a 6 year old and lose graciously. *wink* 

The sun came back and now everything is green! 

And I found our first rose. 

We finished the day by watching a "Tiny House Hunters" episode. 

That Moment When...

Your new hairdresser starts the appointment by telling you how she butchered a girl's hair two weeks ago when she came in asking for the exact thing you just asked for.

You find out that ordering your burger "as is" means you get a burger bun and a burger patty and nothing else.


The Herd: Quoted 

"And all the people of Israel answered, 'All that the Lord has said, we will do.'" -Mom reading from the Bible. 

"Liars!" -Gabe 

"When I have to tell myself 'that was probably legal' that means I'm slightly concerned that maybe it wasn't." -Me while driving. 

"How many cookies can I have? 2? 4? 6?" -Christian 

"One. Actually, two because I want another." -Mom

"I'm saving mine for later, I've had closure." -Me

"I have not had closure." -Mom