Sunday, February 1, 2015

Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (85)


Ten Things of Thankful


A lot of things are going through my head right now. Today is the first day of my last month of full maternity leave. These past seven months have past so quickly, and most things I had planned didn't happen due to life happening at full force. On the one hand, I am happy to return to work, but then again I am sad to miss time with my aby, even though I only work 15 hours per week for the next few months. And of course, on this eve of Imbolc, I am remembering the first of Feburary of 2008, which I spent quite miserable in my second day of labor, which ends with the birth of our wonderful oldest daughter on the day of the Celtic goddess Bridget (I've recently learned that piece of information from a friend of mine, and knowing Lily, it is indeed a lucky coincidence!). This past week was busy with preparations over preparations of carnival, which happened Saturday afternoon and left two little girls excited and happy (and even somewhat sleeping in on Sunday).

Despite the stress, there were many things this week to be thankful for:

1.My mom coming over and staying overnight to watch the girls while Calvin and I went to see hubby's concert. it was wonderful, and he aced all his solos. So absolutely proud of my wonderful and talented husband!!

2. Having dinner out with a colleague of mine from Portugal and, of course, Calvin on Tuesday evening. It was so much fun, the food (Arabic) was delicious, Calvin absolutely adorable, and the conversation wonderful.

3. Getting a somewhat decent night of sleep once or twice this week, and on the others not having to go to work and sneak in naps instead.

4. Awesome parents in Lily's class. Kids tend to be best friends today and can't stand each other the next. Lily had some issues with a friend of hers; luckily, we met her and her Mom on the way home from school the other day, and we had the girls talk. No involvement from the adults, just the girls telling each other what they didn't like about their friendship at the moment, and then finding solutions together. The encounter ended with two happy girls hugging each other!  Mission accomplished!

5. Lily not getting seriously injured. She fell during outside recess in school and she came home with a huge bruise on her cheek and half of her face being swollen, poor girl. It's better now, even though the bruise is still visible.

6. The kids' carnival party being over. Somehow, I dread this day all year long. I hate basically everything about carnival, most of all the very special (?) music and the noise.  Done for another year..

7. Ending the carnival day with having two of my colleagues from Protugal (see no. 2) and Morocco over for dinner. The food was delicious and the conversation even better. Hoping for a repeat next year!

8. A shopping trip with my mom. It was frustrating as usual, because she has big troubles finding clothes that fit her properly, but absolutely fun!

9. Those unexpected moments with Calvin. I was so stressed this evening getting last details done to prepare for Lily's birthday tomorrow, and then he fusses again in bed. When I went to check on him, he was happily smiling at me is little sunshine smile, holding my finger and chewing on it as he was falling back to sleep. As his eyes were falling shut, he opened them a few times to give me some more of his smiles. I certainly live for moments like those!

10. Quiet mornings drinking hot chocolate with the girls while Calvin plays happily on his play blanket. Already lookign forward to the time when he's drinkin ghot chocolate with us!

What are you thankful for this week?

16 comments:

  1. Sounds like you had a lovely week! Sweet, unexpected moments, and also sleep? Wonderful!

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    1. Some sleep, Kristi :-) Somehow, he seems to sleep better during the day than at night, at least if I nap with him. Have a wonderful week!

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  2. Hooray for the hubby's successful concert and happy birthday to Lily! This statement..."most things I had planned didn't happen due to life happening at full force" is so true, isn't it? I feel that way often. I just keep trying to remember to go with it and not get too frustrated.
    I am kind of amazed at #4 - that is fantastic. I am truly floored by how terrible kids can be to one another already in just first grade. I can only hope that if we ever have a true issue like that one, that we will be able to solve it was well.
    I wish you peaceful sleep! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks so much, Lisa! In our class, it's mostly that kids are best friends the most, can't stand each other the next, and are best friends again as if nothing had ever happened the day after that. Just as kids that age are. I remember when I was a kid, there were parents who raced to defend their precious snowflakes against the "attacks" of the other mean kids. We just want the kids to be kids, and learn to work out their issues with each other themselves. Luckily, the other parents are of the same opinion :-) I hope your daughter never has any issues with her classmates though!

      Have a wonderful week, Lisa!

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  3. cool that Calvin is getting out to the club scene so soon! (lol)… was he responding to the music? live performance is/can be so much more powerful…
    having friends break the routine is also a good thing, the variety of the long ago familiar can be very rejuvenating

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    1. He liked the first part of the concert, but when the brass came on in the second half, he participated as well. Hubby said the conductor jumped a little when Calvin chimed in during a pause in the music :-) Safe to say, he won't be a trombone or tuba player!

      Meeting with my friend was definitely a great change of routine. I don't get to meet her often, since she's only in Germany once or twice a year, but when she's here, we're always meeting up.

      Enjoy your week, Clark!

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  4. How awesome that you and Calvin got to see your hubby's concert!

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    1. It was so special, Jen! We quite enjoyed the music until the brass came on in the second part of the concert.

      Have a wonderful week, dear Jen!

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  5. Sounds like some good things this week. Poor Lily's bruised cheek. Ouch. I'm sure candles, cake and presents will cheer her up!

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    1. They indeed did, thanks a lot, Val! She's quite milking the bruise at the moment :-)

      I hope you have a great week, Val!

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  6. Sounded like a great week overall, but do hope Lily is OK now. I hate my girls get hurt, especially on the face. Right around Christmas time, Lily tripped and bite her lip. She was essentially OK, but seeing a fat lip for a few days on her broke my heart. Wishing you a great week ahead now, Stephanie :)

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    1. The bruise is getting lighter and lighter; but she's still able to milk the boo-boo with her grandma :-) Yes, i does hurt seeing our babies in pain, but I'm just glad that it's "just" a bruise, and nothing worse. Thanks so much for stopping by, Janine!

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  7. Awwwh that's such a cute hope for the future, that all of you will be able to sit around together and drink hot chocolate.

    Hope Lily keeps improving and that she's had a good birthday :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Lizzi! I hope you're having a wonderful week!

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  8. 8 months of maternity leave sounds amazing! I'm sure this last month will be extra special for you & C. AJ's birthday is this month & while I'm looking forward to it, I hate the noise & the craziness of the party that comes with it. What is it about a party that completely overwhelms me? Good to know I'm not the only one!

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    1. Yes, kiddy-parties are draining, and I already have no energy left right now. Can't wait for Sunday evening :-) I hope AJ has a wonderful birthday!!!

      We get up to 3 years of maternity leave here in Germany, the first 13 months being partly paid in full (6 weeks before and 8 weeks after delivery), or at least in part. I've decided to go back earlier on a part-time basis to not miss all the important and essential things happening at work in the next months. Definitely glad having had Calvin in Germany!

      Have a great week, Steph!

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