That Makes Me Crazy

This past week has been crazy.

CRA-ZY.

And it's not over yet.

I like to think I can handle a little craziness.

But let's face it.  I'm not 20 anymore.  Crazy sort of makes me crazy these days.

Which isn't pretty.  Trust me.

My class begins on Monday.

MONDAY people.  AHHHHHHH!!!!

I have been feverishly researching, outlining, previewing videos, marketing.... oh, and being a mom.  Of course.

Don't let the cuteness fool you.  This may or may not be contributing to my crazy.

My brain hurts.  Literally.  I've had a headache the last two days.  And now my voice is threatening to go on strike.  Awesome.

I've been so busy with craziness that I haven't really been able to stop and appreciate the realization of a dream for me.  I hope at some point I'll be able to stop and really marvel at all I've accomplished.  Right now I'm just tunnel visioned on getting stuff done.

I'd appreciate your thoughts.  Right now I'm keeping anxiety over teaching at bay, mostly because I've got so much to do to get ready.  But in just a few short hours it will be just me, my students and my advisor - GAME ON.  I'm praying my passion comes through and I'm able to communicate and educate and most importantly, empower these women who cross my path in the next few weeks.

If you don't hear from my, my projector broke, my jokes fell flat, my students stared at me with blank faces  and I'm hiding under a rock.

Until then, happy weekend!

They Say It's Your Birthday

My birthday, actually.

Well, technically yesterday.  But I'm of the belief that birthdays should be celebrated for as long as possible.  Since yesterday was my actual birthday and hubs and I are going out on my birthday date tomorrow evening, I consider today a celebratory day by default.

The older you get, the harder it is to celebrate birthdays I think.  Not because I don't want to get older (it's debatable), but more just because there's life to do.  It doesn't stop for birthdays.  I've still got kids to cart to school, homework papers to check, lessons to get to, bills to pay, etc. etc.  So it's really meaningful to me with hubs and the kids go out of their way to make my day special, despite all the life we have to do.

So while hubs worked yesterday, I treated myself and the two younger princesses to lunch at Panera Bread.  It was nice to just hang with my babies and eat my fave broccoli cheddar soup on the first real coolish day of the season.

Then following school and piano lessons, I came home to dinner waiting, gorgeous flowers on the table and presents wrapped.

There was also this ridiculously amazing (AH - MAZING) chocolate mousse cake from Whole Foods.  Which sadly, I realize I did not get a picture of.  You're going to have to just trust me.  It was good.

The evening ended with a light knock at the door.  Once I had hubs answer it (it WAS after 9.  I'm a bit of a chicken), we discovered that someone (or someones) thought it would be fun to fork our yard.  I'm pretty sure I haven't had this happen since I was in highschool.  The glow sticks were a nice touch.  The girls thought it was the best birthday present EVER.

I don't think it was half bad either.

I think 34's going to be a pretty good year.

Two and a Half

Hold her a little longer

Rock her a little more

Tell her another story

(you've only told her four)

Let her sleep on your shoulder

Rejoice in her happy smile

She is only two and a half

for such a little while!

-Author Unknown

(adapted for my girl)

Not My Words, But So My Heart

Very, very rarely, I stumble across a blog post that is So Good I want to cry.

The link below will take you to such a post.

It is very long, but the last two paragraphs are worth the whole read.

It made me want to stand up and yell, "Yes!  Yes!  Yes!"

And I'm not even considering adoption.

But I'm a child of God, and I live in this community of Life that He created, perfectly.  And the call to be in community with one another is so strong in me, after reading this post I can't help but feel moved to action.

So go read this post, then come back and tell me what you think.  I can't wait to hear!

Jen Hatmaker: After The Airport

The author, Jen, with her husband and daughter Remy, coming down the airport escalator after picking Remy up from Ethiopia

So Long Crib

Do you know what this is a picture of?

This, my friends, this mess of hair and pillow pet, is a picture of my baby (my baby!), sleeping in her Big Girl Bed (aka, mattress on the floor in big sisters' room).

I almost woke her up with the dumb flash while trying to get this picture.

That's how dedicated I am to documenting my life for you people.

I almost don't dare to tell you how easy this transition has been.

{Easy}


Granted, it's only night 2.  And last night she willingly fell asleep after falling victim to a fever virus that's going through our house.

But still.

Tonight, she laid down without a complaint, right next to Princess #3 (who still crawls in bed with me in the middle of the night, ahem).  No wiggling.  No fussing.  No getting out of bed to play with rogue toys that weren't put away.

Is it possible that we might actually have a child that enjoys staying in bed?

Dare I hope?

Check back with me in a few nights and I'll let you know.

My friends, I feel like in some ways I should be a bit more nostalgic about this momentous occasion.  After NINE years, our crib will no longer be in use.  That's pretty amazing.  Just another reminder that my childbearing days are over.  No longer in the season have HAVING babies, I'm in the season of GROWING UP babies.  But that's another post for another time.  Until then, enjoy this little video I shot of Princess #4 on her last night in the crib.

So Long Crib from planet pink on Vimeo.