Friday Daybook

It has been forever since I did a Daybook post!  I shall have to be more consistent with these because I love how they seem to capture my life (that day) in a nutshell.

Outside:  I've had the windows thrown wide-open all morning and afternoon, even though it's been raining on and off (my kitchen windows sit just-so in my house that nary a raindrop seems to be admitted entrance).  We've had a burst of very mild, almost balmy weather here.  It was in the 70's yesterday, so Marty took Will to the park (Lucy has been under with a bug).  It wasn't so warm this morning but the breezes were heavenly.  And then the thunderclouds rolled in and we had several minutes of storms, but it blew through rather quickly.  We've all enjoyed it...even Will has come to the window several times to say "Rain...pwetty."  Yes it is, baby boy. 

Thinking:  Honestly, there's so much on my mind I'm going to do a bullet list.

• Why do my kids always outgrow their clothes about 4-8 weeks before a season ends???  Will's pants are too short and most of Lucy's clothes look just a wee bit stretched on her.  I'm *not* about to buy more cool-weather clothes, nor are we quite ready to break out the shorts and tees.  Spring is such a conondrum clothing-wise even when you have a wardrobe full of options.  But when new clothes must be bought for each new season because that person is still growing, well, it's just a big ole headache.  I've been doing my pre-shopping (scoping out items at different places) and once again, I'm going to buy the bulk of Will's wardrobe at Old Navy and Lucy's...elsewhere.  Old Navy is cute for little boys but I find their girl's clothing to be, well, just not cute enough?  Not girlie enough? 
• I've been doing a lot of thinking about Christianity lately, and more specifically, what kind of Christian I am and want to be.  To be honest, I've lost all patience with a certain type of Christian.  All around me I see so-called Christians picking apart other people and I can't even begin to explain how this rubs me so wrong, and on really bad days, sends my head veering for the nearest wall or keyboard.  Guys, the second commandment is to "Love your neighbor."  If what you're doing or saying doesn't look or sound like love, then may I respectfully suggest that you *sit down and shut up*???  This is especially true in the political sphere.  I understand if a politician wants to bring a Christian perspective to decision-making; more power to ya, I say.  But that doesn't necessarily mean that you should wield your moral high ground like a weapon, verbally clubbing anyone and everyone that doesn't fit your model of good behavior.  Look, we are *all* fallen, all sinful, all in need of *grace*.  If other people are not measuring up to you, then you haven't had a good look in the mirror lately.  Let's just remember that when Jesus walked this earth, he sat with the sinners and rebuked the self-righteous. 
  That is not to say that I have all kinds of love for non-religious politicians or even anybody currently holding office, for that matter; in fact, I can hardly believe the news out of Washington on a daily basis.  Our economy is in the toilet and our unemployment rate is wretched, yet we're arguing over *birth control*???  Could we just steer this ship a little better, please?  But I majorly digress...
  (I have lots more to say on this -- the bit about Christianity, that is -- and I really want to capture it all in a blog post, but the topic obviously lends itself to deep thinking and careful writing, so it may be awhile before it appears here.  It's a goal, though, anyway.)
• Yes, I went from "new clothes" to "moral high ground" -- is your head spinning yet?  Just imagine having my brain, because that's how it works! 
• Other things I'm thinking about...how I used to gently tease my sister Sarah for eating her kids' food scraps for lunch.  Um, Sar?  I just did that today.  It made me really think how a person can have all the opinions in the world about something, but until you walk a mile in those moccasins, you don't know jack-diddley-squat. 
• How much Will has improved with speech therapy and how I'd recommend it to anyone who was even slightly doubtful about their kid's developmental progress.  This morning I sat down with him to look at his A-B-C book (it has beautiful pages of letter-specific pictures) and while I usually stick to the easy ones (pointing to the bear on the B page and asking, "What's this?"), today I went for harder ones.  I pointed to the puppet on the P page and asked him what it was; his response?  A very clear "I don't know."  I was absolutely *thrilled* with this, because you know why?  It was the beginning of DIALOGUE.  With MY CHILD.  I then explained that a puppet was just a doll with strings attached for moving the doll, and he nodded in very apparent understanding.  And we moved on to the next picture, with me trying to tamp down my urge to do cartwheels.  :)

From the kitchen:  Attempts at new recipes all the time, some results good, others not-so-good.  But we're trying (and it's not as hard as I thought it would be) to maintain our "no junk" approach to eating.  And it is *working*.  I hope he doesn't mind that I brag on him here, but Marty has now lost 21 pounds, in just about 6 weeks.  He is also spending quality time with the elliptical, but we both agree the diet change is playing the prominent role in his weight loss.  I plan to do a blog post soon on all the foods and menus that are really working for us (why am I all "promises, promises" today?).

Happiness on a stick

Reading:  See above.  (I've finished 2 of them; working on 3 others.  This is my birthday stash, courtesy of the world's best hubby.)

Shopping:  Er, it seems I already covered this one.

Hoping:  Again, and always, for some good news.  I actually find myself jumping a little bit when I hear the phone ringing!

Hearing:  Besides my neighbor who yelled (a bit too harshly) at his dog, nothing but the sounds of the entryway clock ticking, leaves rustling outside, someone's windchimes, and occasional birdsong.  It's perfectly peaceful in my house right now and I'm soaking it up.

A favorite thing:  Oh golly, don't even get me started on Pinterest.  It's my crack, kids.  For some reason I didn't really get it when I first looked at it a long time ago, but when I tried again this week, oh we clicked.  So well, in fact, that I have to remind myself to step...away...from the Pinterest.  Other faves:  when Marty makes me coffee in the mornings.  Whole-grain fig Newtons.  Magazine subscriptions...a gift from a beloved friend.  The few minutes that Lucy and I hug and pat each other before I lay her down at night.  The way Will organizes his blocks into categories of numbers and letters (that's my boy!).  (Okay, some of those aren't "things" but who's grading me here?  Ha!)

Friday Daybook

Outside:  This morning the frost was super-thick on the roofs around us, and the whole world seemed to be in one of those frozen silences.  But this afternoon the sun is shining, the frost has melted, and it's warming up a bit outside -- which is good, because we're going to get our Christmas tree tonight and I don't want to freeze my tail off!

Thinking: About a dear, dear friend going into surgery in just a few minutes.  My stomach has been in knots this whole day, not out of fear (because it's pretty much a routine procedure) but because I hate that she has to go through this and I'd rather do it for her (talk about routine -- I've had 6 surgeries in my life and they don't really bother me anymore, isn't that sad?).  Also about another dear friend having surgery on Monday...it kills me that I can't go be with both of these girls.  Also about another dear friend going through postpartum issues...and again, I would be so ecstatic to just go help her and make her take a bath and a nap so I could run some laundry and dishes and entertain the toddler and hold the baby.  I've *been* there (and back, thank God) and there's nothing so helpful as a person who just *gets* it.  (Lord, do you hear me?  Please move me closer to at least one of these precious friends!)

From the kitchen:  A rather ordinary weekend menu-wise, except that I'm going to whip up a batch of dark-chocolate chip/toffee cookies for enjoying in front of the fireplace and the Christmas tree.

Reading: The Bible.  I've signed up for a "read the Bible in one year" program at church, and they're giving away Bibles formatted for this very purpose!  I'm excited to get started on January 1st, but I'm trying to get into the habit now.  Every morning while the kids eat their breakfast and watch cartoons, I'm going to sit down with my coffee and read a few chapters.  I've always wanted to do this and 2012 is my year!

Shopping: Ooh, rubbing my hands together in anticipation!  We've had little bits of extra money come in from various places, and we've budgeted for a final big spree at the middle of the month, so I'm making my list and checking it twice!  I can't wait to pick up a couple of the larger items and put them together for Christmas morning.  I hope my kids are beside themselves with joy (and I hope I make my Hubby happy too!).

Hoping:  For a very happy Christmas Day, which is also Marty's birthday.  It's soooooo important to me to make that day a good one for him, and I've got a couple (little) surprises up my sleeve.  Marty, if you're reading this, do NOT take it upon yourself to go snooping around the house in places you don't often frequent...

Hearing: The washing machine work its magic on the fifth or sixth load of the day.  I drank a ton of coffee this morning and I've been attacking my chores!

A favorite thing:  Free gifts with purchase, especially when they're actually NICE items, not just throwaway junk.  (I can't say what it is because that would give away a purchase I made for someone...)  Starbucks salted caramel hot chocolate (to *DIE* for).  Gain detergent (I switched from Tide a couple months ago and I'm still enjoying the new smell!).

Thursday Daybook

Outside:  It is spitting snow!  Or it was, briefly.  Come back, snow!  I may curse you in late winter/early spring, but I welcome you at the *appropriate* times! 

Thinking: That it was high time I stopped fighting the way my kids want to play.  They have a play area upstairs but I don't often have enough chores to keep me up there for extended periods of time, nor do I have lots of spare time to just sit and play with them (although I do make that time periodically, and Marty spends lots of time up there with them while I clean the kitchen or what-have-you).  Anyway, having their toys in one corner of the main level of our house just wasn't working -- every day by the end of the day our house would resemble a daycare with toys strewn about and me feeling frustrated about it.  Somehow I got the uber-bright idea to establish play stations at strategic locations -- a bin of blocks and cars here, a shelf of books there, a box of Little People over there.  One of the boxes is in the kitchen and since my Lucy is a little duckling (who likes to follow me about and prefers to just be wherever her mama is), this is the one that she is drawn to most, and I love having her in sight while I do my dishes or plan my menus.  And when it's time to pick up for the day, the toys just go in the nearest bin/box/shelf/basket and all is well with my soul and in my house!  Hurrah!

From the kitchen:  Going to try a new recipe called "Beef and Brew Stew."  Doesn't just the sound of that make you feel cozier?

Going:  Nowhere really.  Which isn't a bad thing, considering that it's cold enough to snow and bundling up toddlers in all their various gear isn't exactly my idea of a good time.  Although I do hope it warms up enough to get back to the park one day this weekend, or we'll be headed to the mall so Will can run off some energy.

Reading: (still) Goodnight Nobody (Jennifer Weiner) and American Sphinx (John J. Ellis).  I vacillate between filling my head with the good nerdy stuff (latter) and indulging in a silly chick-lit mystery (former).  I never really read one book at a time, it seems.

Shopping: For the remaining 50% of the kids' Christmas presents.  I'm stuck on something for Lucy and we're also debating one of Will's.

Hoping:  To have a lovely time with Katie and Chris next week.  And that we don't ruin the turkey (Katie and I are both intimidated). 

Hearing: A chattering Lucy but a silent Will, who is in time-out for the second time this morning (for a tantrum and then throwing).  I *can't stand* to discipline him but I have to say, the time-out chair has saved my sanity because it's a non-aggressive form of punishment, really gets Will's attention, and WORKS 100% of the time.  Some days we don't need it; other days, like today, it sees a lot of action.  Oh well...

A favorite thing:  Moving furniture around.  The five little Thanksgiving/harvest trinkets I picked up at Hobby Lobby for a whopping $9 total.  Perrier.  York peppermint patties.  A brand-new Yankee candle Mom found in her garage that I'd somehow left there -- yay for found treasure!

Wednesday Daybook

Outside:  is a state that can't make up its mind about autumn.  Are we there yet?  Because we all wore shorts and tees out to dinner and shopping last night...

Thinking: (again) about signing off of Facebook for a long "time-out" (my cousin used that term with me the other night for being away from Facebook and I'm stealing it) or until I can deal with its ugly side.  There's drama, none of which I (intentionally) create but some of which I can't help but be sucked into, and there's isolation, even in the midst of hundreds of "friends," because a lot of people don't bother to respond when you put something "out there."  And I don't get that.  Being on Facebook just to silently observe others is kinda...weird to me.  It's like being on the playground and sitting on a bench, watching the other kids play but not participating.  And if one of the kids falls off the monkey bars, not saying (or doing) anything.  Or if one of the kids finds joy in swinging super-high, not saying anything.  That is not to say that you have to "like" or comment on every last little thing, but you know, chiming in here or there is really the point, isn't it?  Otherwise, why have an account?  Perhaps I totally misunderstand the purpose of the social network but for right now, regardless, it's not working for me.

Thankful:  For royal-blue skies in October.  For finding new items of food that Will voluntarily eats, even if they're just cinnamon-graham crackers in the shape of cars.  For Lucy's growing confidence in taking several steps at a time.  For my husband, who can tell my mood and what kind of morning I've had by merely glancing at my face.  For this video that I watched yesterday, then posted on Facebook, then emailed to friends, then watched again last night with Marty.  Be looking for a blog post on it, coming soon; it has profoundly affected me and my understanding of myself and life in general and I can't wait to discuss it here!

From the kitchen:  Chicken Caesar salad tonight, Sirloin tips over rice tomorrow.  Haven't shopped for or thought of meals beyond then...

Going:  back to storytime at the library tomorrow, despite previous visits with questionable success.  I'm having a hard time helping Will to sit still, stay out of the personal space of others, leave the teacher's visual aids alone, and pay attention to the book being read.  I always leave sweaty and disheveled, pushing a stroller and holding shoes that have been kicked off and trying to discipline Will to "STAY WITH MOMMY."  I feel like I'm the object of much staring as we make our grand exit and for all the effort I put forth, I'm not sure it's worth it?

Reading: Still Jane Eyre's Husband on my Kindle for the PC.  I'd read a review in which the reader said that Rochester was really "sexed up" in this book and now I see what she means.  Er, it's pretty hot and steamy, and not necessarily in good ways.  Truly a bit much.  But now I'm so enmeshed in the story I can't see myself putting it down.  Sadly, I'm just not enjoying it as much as I'd hoped.  However, Rochester hasn't met Jane yet so there may be a turning point...

Shopping: For a good deal on a twin set of mattresses.  Last night, we all went to Target and we filled a cart with items for Will's big boy bed -- holy cow, the cost!  We spent about $80 on a waterproof mattress pad, pillow, sheets, and toddler rail (okay, we threw in some red curtain panels, but they just *go* with his bedding!).  And that's BEFORE spending money on the actual bed.  Kids are expensive.  If you didn't know.

Hoping:  To get most of the rest of The Great MEGA-Clean of Autumn 2011 finished this weekend.  We simply have to -- the first set of company arrives next weekend!

Hearing:  Silence.  Nothing.  It's blessed naptime!

A favorite thing:  Fiber One 80-calorie cereal.  It actually tastes good and I need to cut back on some of my, er, intake.  Okay, yes, I need to go on a diet.  And exercise regimen.  I need some new cold-weather clothes and I'm just *NOT* going to buy them in my current size.  If I did so, I would feel hateful and bitter every time I went into my closet.  So, no.

Friday Daybook

Outside:  Outside my kitchen window, I can see the white picket fence (I kid you not) that separates a neighboring house from my condo unit, and just beyond it is a pink dogwood tree.  In the spring, that dogwood was the first to bloom and did she ever have a beautiful display for us.  Now it looks as though she is going to be the first to begin turning color for the fall.  There is the faintest hint of red to her leaves and I know she won't disappoint us with her show!  (I wonder if anyone would notice if I dug her up and moved her with us when we [eventually] leave east Tennessee?)

Thinking: About the burden that husbands/fathers carry, especially if they are the sole providers for the family; it makes me want to renew my efforts in providing a clean, warm, beautiful home and tasty food for my beloved.  It's the least I can do.  Also thinking when I can get away with turning on my (gas) fireplace for the first time this fall!  I can't wait to cuddle up in my chair, wrapped in an afghan and only slightly trying to read a book, dozing while I watch the flames dance. 

Thankful: For spray-on Lanacaine.  I burnt my arm while carelessly flipping the chicken in the skillet for last night's fried chicken salad.  And. it. HURT.  Reason #697 to always have a first-aid kit stashed away in a closet.  (I assemble my own; I don't rely on the pre-fab ones because a) the items tend to be cheap and b) they don't seem to cover all possible emergencies!)

Also thankful for my new group on Facebook -- "Project Runway Rants and Raves."  Friends are adding friends and so far, it's a fun place to discuss PR and peripheral topics.  I really enjoy "meeting" new people this way! 

From the kitchen:  Perhaps something from the Pioneer Woman's cookbook that I'm trying to win?!?  Cross your fingers for/with me!

Going:  Back to the new church this weekend.  We had an enjoyable experience and I felt comfortable leaving my kids in the nursery, so big answer to prayer there.  Although we have to get there much earlier this Sunday because it takes so long to check them in and chat with the workers.  I missed almost all the praise and worship service and I'm just desperately needing some P&W time!

Reading:   Have to wait until next week for pay-day (how anti-perfect am I to admit that!?), but here's what's in my shopping cart on BN.com:  The White Queen, Philippa Gregory; The Red Queen, Philippa Gregory; The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield; and American Sphinx:  The Character of Thomas Jefferson, Joseph J. Ellis.  The first three books are part of a deal that BN is having right now -- buy 2, get 1 free.  And because I'm spending over $25, I get free shipping!  My total comes to $34.  Four books for $34?  YES, I think so!  (Marty knew when he married me that there will *always* have to be a "new books" category in our monthly budget...) 

Notes about these books:  I've read almost everything else that Philippa Gregory has written.  She writes amazing historical fiction and her baileywick is the Tudor era (my favorite).  In this new series she ventures back further in time to the Wars of the Roses, and since I know next to nothing about that time in England, I'm excited to read and learn.  The book by Diane Setterfield is a NY Times bestseller and I've *almost* bought it a handful of times now, and for some reason always opted for something else at the time.  Well, no more!  And the book on TJ -- well, the nerd in me needs to be nourished.  :)

Shopping: (again, next week) at Old Navy for clothes for the kids and at Ulta for some new skincare items for Mama (my choice from Origins).  I'm struggling with acne again for the umpteenth time in my life, and I think it's my old nemesis, hormones.  I think I'm still dealing with postpartum hormonal chaos?  Has anyone else had this lingering problem after giving birth?

Hoping:  For a silent night tonight.  You hear that, children of mine?  Mommy and Daddy need sleep!

Hearing: Dora and Boots and BackPack and Map having an adventure in the living room, while my kids mostly ignore it in favor of play.  Will just told me he wants to "cuh-nor" (color) so I should probably turn it off...

A favorite thing:  Waking up to a clean kitchen.  Worth the extra effort at night, especially when I wipe down the highchairs and sweep the floor.  French vanilla coffee.  The way my husband looks in an oxford shirt and tie (he's changed out from his usual wardrobe of Polos and khakis now that the weather is cooler).  Fridays!

Saturday Night Daybook...er, Saturday Nightbook?

Outside:  Well, it's pitch black.  But earlier today we had a pretty violent thunderstorm and afterwards there was a strange kind of warm and still silence to the air.  It felt mysterious...

Thinking: About the ebb and flow of joy in my life, and how I can be purposeful about retaining it once I've discovered it, by making habits out of good-for-me activities and tasks and casting away that which is harmful, no matter what it might be.

Thankful: That Marty let me sleep in this morning.  It's been a truly heinous week in many ways, but just a few extra hours of sleep and my day has been a marked improvement.

 

From the kitchen:  I've been writing out weekly menus and posting them on the fridge for quite some time now, and I think I've decided to go ahead and be all Trendy McTrenderson and put together a framed chalkboard for my kitchen.  You know, because I'd actually use it (and I think in that case, it's okay to follow a trend?).  Anyway, here's what's coming up this week in our kitchen!

 

Creating:  I think I'm going to permanently delete this category.  The only thing I'm good at creating is messes all over my kitchen countertops. 

Going:  To that new church tomorrow that we've been considering for months now.  Have to put my brave face on and leave my babies with strangers (although this church runs a daycare out of their facilities, which seems to imply that safety procedures might already be in place and I can just relax and worship?).

Reading: Still working on Elizabeth Berg's Escaping into the Open (I'm actually a very quick reader but, you know, two babies and all...), and I want to share a passage here that resonated with me:

 

"Most writers, by nature, need a lot of time by themselves.  It's important to write alone, at least some of the time, but I think it's important for us to be alone a fair amount of the time, too.  Then we can often get rid of a kind of internal scorecard that makes us compare ourselves to others, and that makes us do things according to the way we think others would have us do them.  We need the chance to draw from our unique selves, to act according to our own beliefs, without any interference from others.  I believe that solitude, perhaps more than anything, breeds creativity, breeds originality."

 

Get rid of the internal scorecard...act according to our own beliefs without interference...hmm, you think this might have felt good for me to read?  (If you aren't a regular reader of my blog, this comment won't make sense; sorry 'bout that.)

Shopping: My children done went and grew like dem weeds in yon field!  Seriously, I have to buy a slew of 18-month outfits and 24-month sleepers(!) for Lucy, and a bunch of 3Ts for Pup.  Thank goodness their growth spurts actually coincided with changing of seasons -- that's one good thing!

 

Hoping:  Always.  Today, with a little bit more oomph, thanks to the extra sleep.

Hearing:  Perfect silence.  Lucy is in la-la-land and Marty is upstairs rocking Will to sleep.  Yes, we still rock our 2-year-old to sleep.  Want to know something?  Marty and I both love it and we don't look forward to the day when he's just too big to be rocked and/or doesn't want a thing to do with it. 

A favorite thing:  PBS documentaries.  We're watching an older one about Thomas Jefferson...what an extraordinary man, so full of complexities and paradoxes.  He's always been my favorite (and it turns out he had a daughter named Lucy Elizabeth?  Marty and I almost fell over when we heard that!!!).  Also, easy-to-make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that are far and away much better than my recent oatmeal chocolate chip versions.  (If anyone wants the recipe, I'll be happy to send it.) 

Well, Will is down and I'm off to go finish our TJ documentary and eat some of those aforementioned cookies.  Goodnight, y'all!

Friday Daybook

 

Outside:  is Tennessee.  After 3 years, I'm still struggling with this.  Earnestly seeking new peace about this, or a change if that's what God has in mind!

Thinking: About too many things.  None of which I can share, really, and I hate this because I truly enjoy being an open-book-type person. 

 

Thankful:  That today is Friday, that Marty is home, that I can share some of the child-watching so I can get to some of the chores that have piled up since the contents of our car exploded in our foyer and kitchen when we arrived home on Monday night.  Hopefully tomorrow I can say "I'm thankful for a clean house."  Fingers crossed.

From the kitchen:  I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies this week and while they were good, they weren't great.  They're just missing...something!  Don't know what.  I would welcome a good recipe!

Going:  Outside at some point this weekend.  Lucy is teething and Will is acting under the weather, and I'm pretty tired, too, so we haven't ventured out.  And I'm going a bit stir-crazy.

Reading: Elizabeth Berg's Escaping into the Open, her book on writing.  The more I read about the craft of writing, the more I wonder if I'm cut out for it?  Seems to be more punishing than rewarding, and that has been my personal experience with it thus far, to be sure.

Shopping: Still compiling a list of Christmas gift ideas from online shopping.  To stay in-budget, I need to spread out the purchasing over the next few months and I want to be done well before time, too!

 

Hoping:  Against hope.

Hearing:  "Blessings" by Laura Story on my Christian radio station.  This song moves me to tears, even when (especially when?) I don't feel like having a cry!

A favorite thing:  The smiles on my babies' faces when I go to retrieve them in the mornings.  Just priceless.

Wednesday Daybook

And so it returns!  This recurring post was perhaps my favorite to do on my other blog(s).  I'm so happy to be blogging again...

Outside:  Looks sunny and hot right now but I'm hoping for a return to the weather we had last night.  We went to the park and pushed the babies in swings and just really enjoyed being outside and not miserable!  It was still somewhat warm and humid, but this particular park has trees that are probably 200+ years old, so there's a wonderful canopy.  I loved watching the babies swinging with dappled sunlight highlighting their hair.

Thinking:  About competing in a writing contest.  Should I?

Thankful:  That my kids are both playing happily right now.  Lucy is playing with a block puzzle and cooing/singing to herself while Will is playing with letter blocks and counting (although he never gets above 5!).  So often I have to pull Lucy off a very irritated Will because he can't play in peace.  I'm trying so hard to get Lucy involved in her own play; I'm hoping the new toys she gets for her birthday will accomplish this.

From the kitchen:  More aspirations than actual meals this week.  We've been doing the easy fare (hot dogs, breakfast for dinner, pasta) but I'm going to make a big grocery run this weekend and try out some of the recipes in Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook (thanks again, Honey!).

Creating:  I'm working on homemade decorations for Lucy's "Paris Princess" birthday party.  Wish me luck.  I'm not exactly crafty.

Going:  Back to the park tonight!  Looking forward to that.  Also, probably a new church this weekend.  A bit anxious about that.  (Am I the only mom who struggles with leaving her precious babies in a nursery with strangers?)

Reading:  I just finished Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner (I think this was my third of her books to have read?).  I love her.  She can be very irreverent and a teeny touch too much in places but her stories are always heartfelt, funny, and insightful.  Now I need a new book, and I'm always looking for recommendations!

Shopping:  I've never actually purchased anything from Anthropologie, but I'm thinking now might be the time.  They have such beautiful tops on sale right now, like this one (paired with white jeans and some brightly colored flats, ooh la la!).  I love anything loose, breezy, and romantic (okay, and forgiving of my had-2-babies-in-2-years body).

Hoping:  For some good news.
Hearing:  Bee Smart Baby Bumblebee Vocabulary Builder DVD playing for the kids.  In the space of time it's taken to write this post, I've had to redirect my kids about 3 times each and Mommy needs a break. 
A favorite thing:  Coupons that come in packages of diapers.  (I'm mildly obsessed with couponing; I plan to write more about that soon!)  The fact that Marty can come home for lunch.  Lavender-scented Downy.  Netflix!