It's Saturday, and I noticed that I was MIA more or less all week long. What happened? I've been busy, gone 3 nights this week, and running around like a crazy chicken the rest of the days. I believe one night I even went to bed at a decent time which resulted in a pretty good day this week. Being a mom and a night owl is not a good combination!
This week have been so many things to be thankful for:
1. Monday. This day was so good, I could have made the entire post just with things that happened on Monday, so I simply decided to name the entire day. I've had a good night's sleep (a), got out of bed well (b), and took Calvin on a trip into town to run some errands. Just as we left, hubby found a check from the VA in the mail (c); we were both so surprised and excited! In town, Calvin and I went to my favorite wool store to buy some wool for a holiday present and I left with way more than what I came there for (d). I picked up a prescription I've been slacking on (and which would greatly improve my condition again) (e), and went to H&M for some more gift shopping. I got a great deal on outfits for our nephews (f), which was even more improved when the lady at the check-out issued the credit on the pants instead of the shirt. Before heading home, I stopped at our bank to see whether they would accept the VA check, and they do, at a reasonable fee (g). In the afternoon, Violet had her first appointment with her occupational therapist, and she loves her (h); while I was waiting for Violet, I got to relax with some knitting (i). Even though Calvin was pretty pee'd off for being left at home (he was napping when we left), he had calmed down when I came home (j) and only shot me a couple of stink-eye glances. We went grocery shopping in the evening and had a great family dinner (k); perfect day!
2. Hubby having earned about 1/3 of his credits towards the associate's degree after only about 6 weeks of school. CLEP-tests rule, and I am so proud of him for working so hard to get his degree as quickly as possible.
3. Getting to talk to Violet's kindergarten teacher during the general parent-teacher night at her school. I know I worry too much and stress out even though there are still almost 2 years till Violet's going to start elementary school, but I see her challenges, which are more serious than Lily's were at her age. Her teacher, however, calmed me down, confirming that she's a very normal 4-year old, and that her challenges will not affect her school-readiness. This mommy went to sleep a little easier that night.
4. Going out for dinner with a few wonderful colleagues of mine. I took Calvin, who was the only lad at the table and was properly adored by all the ladies. I so enjoyed myself, the food was delicious, the conversation even better. I totally needed this time out!
5. Spending some time in town with the entire family. We got a sneak peak at the holiday market in town and I can't wait to actually go there soon! It's one of my favorites holiday markets; it has a forest wonderland theme, SO beautiful!
6. Ninety-two more days of no work (as of Friday). This suddenly struck me after waking up from a nap with Calvin, watching our beautiful sleeping baby. I didn't want to get up for the rest of the day.. or for the rest of my parental leave. But I also realized that I have more than twice as much leave now than with the girls.
7. Having a great time with our former neighbor's at the Chinese buffet/Mongolian grill. The food was delicious, and the company awesome as usual. And it was the second time that week that I was out for dinner. Don't remember when that happened last!
8. Pie-cooperation with the hubby. Hubbie's crust + my filling = delicious pies! And enough pie crust and filling left over for 4 mini-pies for dessert tonight. Yum!!!
9. Not getting sick. Last night, I had a definite scratching in my throat, so I went into total-defense mode, and obviously it worked! Feeling better today, and we're ready to tackle our Turkey-Day tomorrow!
10. The weather forecast mentioning the words "snow" and "Germany" in one sentence. There's hope!!!!
10-1/2. Being able to remember all of Monday's thankfuls. I am so brain-dead these days that I'm more drifting than purposefully moving into the right direction. But obviously there's hope.. maybe...
I hope you all had a wonderful week with tons of things to be thankful for!!
Wow Monday takes the cake I believe! What a great week and what did you do to scare away that scratchy throat?
ReplyDeleteThis Monday was so perfect, almost unbelievable!! My special "don'T get sick" drink is a cup of hot water with one of those flavored multi-vitamine or vitamine C tables dissolved in it. Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and about a teaspoon of honey and drink as hot as possible. Works each and every time! Repeated it this morning and feel fine again now!
DeleteMonday definitely could have been a post in itself! All the others are amazing too:) I bet it was more than reassuring talking with Violet's teacher and having your mom worries lessened.
ReplyDeleteAnd who doesn't like a surprise check in the mail? What better timing than at the holidays!
Hurray for pie, friends, no snow and not getting sick:)
Enjoy your Turkey Day!!
But I do like snow! We didn't get any last year, and all I want this year is to take the kids sledding and walking through the snow-covered forest :-) The check was really a surprise, did not expect it until much later. I'm really thankful for Violet having such a great teacher. She's really perfect for Violet's personality and always so sweet with her.
Deletewow. Monday alone sounds amazing. I wish I had one of those days more often. I hope you enjoy the rest of your maternity leave.
ReplyDeleteMonday was amazing. I stopped several times doring the day, thinking: this is too good to be true. But the good things kept coming. I'm really thankful! Maternity leave is wonderful! Thank you so much for stopping by, Bianca!
DeleteI so (more than anything) want to see that adorable Calvin giving you (or anybody for that matter) the stink eye!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to get a picture of "the lip" (he sticks his lower lip out and makes the best pouty face just before he's going to start crying for an assumed slight). It's the PERFECT face ;-)
DeleteWhat an amazing Monday! :)
ReplyDeleteIt so was, Jen! At the end of the day, I could not believe it, but yes, it was awesome!
DeleteWhat a really terrific week, Stephanie. That Monday alone was worth a whole post...and then you just kept on rolling.
ReplyDeleteI know very well the time and effort my Hub puts in going to school and working...give your Hubby a great big WOOT from both of us!
Thanks so much, Lisa! I am also so thankful for all the good things that happened last week, it definitely was a roll. I'm so proud of Richard going back to school to eventually be able to have a career here in Germany. I know it's not easy, but he's working very hard. Thank you for your encouragement, we really appreciate it!
DeleteI'm sorry, I must have mis-read… I would have sworn I saw the word 'snow' without the natural modifiers of 'oh god, will it ever end' or 'well, you can shovel, then' ….or 'call the travel agent dear, we're outta here!'
ReplyDeleteI guess there is something to like about snow… in someone else's biome
lol have a good week
We didn't have any snow last year, and I actually love snow. Probably, after living throug a polar vortex, I wouldn't think so any more, but I was seriously upset that I didn't get to pull out the sled last year. Can't wait to pull all the kids on the sled through the forest :-)
DeleteI'm glad you had such a good week!
ReplyDeleteMy kids say that wearing pajamas backwards and inside-out brings snow. :-)
Ahhh, so probably it was Violet who's responsible for the littly flurries this evening :-) Thanks a lot for the info, Kristi ;-)
DeleteOH! You guys do Thanksgiving in Germany? It's always interesting to hear what other people do. I found out through the hop that Canadians have a Thanksgiving but England doesn't. :) I'm glad your daughter is on track and doing well. I know oh too well how crazy it can feel when you think your child isn't on track with learning and all even with JR only being 31 months. So fun that you've had so much time to spend with friends out. That Chinese/Mongolian place sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteWe Germans don't do Thanksgiving, but we keep the tradition up in our family for hubby and the kids, and to share this beautiful tradition with our German friends and family. We are indeed happy that Violet is doing fine. She does have challenges due to her vision impairment, but we're working with professionals to help her find ways to overcome them. I really needed the time out with friends last week; we all did :-) I hope you have a great week, Brittnei!
DeleteWhat a great week, Stephanie, and even greater that your new mom brain could recall all of it! How comforting that the teacher had such positive things to say about Violet! She's going to do great in elementary school with teachers like that. You tell my little pumpkin Calvin that his Auntie Dy will come over there and take care of him if his mama goes off and leaves him like that again :) I hope you get your snow! I don't want any until January, although one snow day in December to get things caught up around the house would be okay!
ReplyDeleteOhhh, I'd take you up on the offer to take Calvin when I go back to work :-) Calvin would smile at you all morning long!! He's such a charmer for women! This morning, one of our new neighbors, a guy, tried to get him to smile, but all thislittle bugger had for him was a burp. Then he turned around to our other neighbor, a lady, and wouldn't stop smiling at her :-)
DeleteWe actually had the first flurries here tonight, but they didn't stick yet. Still, it was beautiful!
I hope you have a wonderful week, Azuntie Dy :-)
I have to tell you that every single time I come to your blog I read 'It's chaotic, it's barely organized, but it's mine!' and it makes me smile. Just thought you should know...
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like Monday was a banner day! Good for you! Don't you love those days? When I have them I lay in my bed at night and just smile...feeling like for once all is right with the world. It's nice to have all go right sometimes (even if you do get the stink eye from little Calvin :))!
Well, this is my life :-) Especially chaotic right now, but still mine - sort of.. But thank you very much, Sandy ;-)
DeleteMonday was just so perfect, I was almost waiting for a big disaster, which didn't happen. Just a good day.. And we needed it so very badly! I started smiling about 11am and couldn't stop for the rest of the day ;-) And Calvin's stink eye cannot affect my mood, because even when he's annoyed, he's still beyond adorable ;-)
Enjoy your week, Sandy!
It totally was, Lizzi! Definitely an easy 10 this week. I couldn't be more thankful :-) Having friends who share in my good luck are definitely the no. 11 of thankfuls I should add!
ReplyDelete