My days typically look like this...

For me, weekdays follow a basic scenario.

Some might consider it boring.

Some people like to have a routine.

There are days where I get totally frustrated. There are days where time flies. Of course, there are those days that drag like nobody's business.

6:20 am:  Friday started with this. The Bear's homework is due every Friday morning, so I had to compile all the paperwork. He's been so happy with his work lately. He's been getting 4's (on a scale from 1 to 4) because he's been doing extra sheets from a workbook we've got here at home.

7:15 am:  The kids and I normally head out of the house. My son, of course, is all packed with his jacket on. My daughter? She needs to be prodded and cajoled and convinced that we've leaving. LEAVING! Note that she doesn't have her socks or a jacket on. She's just finishing brushing her hair here. Ay-yay-yay!

7:49am:  My drive to work can take from 25 to 40 minutes depending on traffic. Actually, it depends on how many accidents there are on the freeway, where 95% of my commute occurs.

7:53am:  As I drove up to my last turn into the parking lot, it inevitably started to sprinkle.

8 am: I still made it to my desk on time though! Woohoo!

8:23 am:  I ended up getting a breakfast muffin to go along with my morning coffee (decaf) and water. It was a yummy treat.

11:28 am:  I head out to lunch around 11:30. I usually sit at my desk the entire morning crunching stuff into the computer/database. So an early lunch is just what I need to stretch out and laugh a bit. Yes. Laughter is just what I need after such a quiet (albeit busy) morning. You like my little sign?

4:42 pm:  And the afternoon flew by. I'm supposed to leave at 4, but I've been staying until after 5. Here's all my stuff that I needed to bring home. My purse. My 2 lunchboxes. My water container, which I fully love since it keeps my cold water from sweating on my desk and papers. My leftover strawberries and Greek yogurt. And there's my darn empty pill case for my daily meds.

5

5:08 pm:  Finally, I took off for home. Yeah!

5:18 pm:  Here is the glorious sight as I started my drive home. The clouds had parted and sun shined brightly. BEAUTIFUL!

I was so happy to see that the wait to get onto the freeway wasn't so bad. I was only about 15 cars back when I got in line. What was even better was that there was no accidents. I ended up getting home in 20 minutes. I was able to go to the grocery store before I picked up the kids.

6:22 pm:  The kids and I sat down for dinner.

6:23 pm:  Here's what I mainly ate. Romaine/spinach salad with mozzarella cheese, dried cranberries, and croutons with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Yum!

11 pm:  I finally went to bed. After the kids went to bed, I got on Netflix and watched more of The Office. Folks? I'd never watched the show. EVER. My sister and I were recently talking and she watches it. She knows my own co-workers drive me batty many days of the week and said that I would thoroughly enjoy it. It's dry humor, but I am enjoying it.

My weekdays are just like this. EVERY. DAY.

That's why I enjoy relaxing on the weekends with the kids. Here's what we did today!

 That's right. We hit a local track meet. Saw some running. Saw some of the shot put.

 It was a beautiful. Check out the sky!

 But it was a little cool out when the wind blew across the field. Here's the Princess laying out with a blanket on.

 She's such a clown. She was acting like the sun was "burning" her eyes because it was so bright out. Ha!

My nephew's been throwing the javelin for a couple years but this is his first year throwing the disc. He's doing great. Today he got a PR of 127.03! Yeah!

Are your weekdays as scheduled as mine? Do you relish the thought of weekends where you can fit in a nap or just cuddle on the couch with your loved ones?
 

Is yoWhat did you do today?

Scenes that make me stop

We all have been there in a movie theater (or at home) when a movie scene just GETS you.

It hits you right in the gut.

Touches that part of your heart.

A scene that takes your breath away.

That minute or two that makes you ache.

It's in that moment where the tears automatically flow from your eyes with no notice.

Those burning hot tears that you never want others to see.

I remember when I first watched Legends of the Fall and that scene where Tristan (Brad Pitt) tried to run and catch Samuel (Henry Thomas) but didn't make it time. He could only watch as Samuel was gunned down right in front of him and then he cut out his brother's heart so that he could bring it to his father. I still choke up when I see that scene.

I don't think there's any over 30 didn't shed a tear when they watched the first 10 minutes of Up. Watching the progression of the man's life from boy to young man to married man to widower. To see his dreams, his life, and then his loneliness.

That bit in The Green Mile where Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) touches Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) and sees how the little girls truly died. Oh that scene! The expression on Tom Hanks face! The anguish in Coffey's voice when he said, "He kill them with their love. With their love for each other. That's how it is, every day, all over the world."

The beginning scenes of Saving Private Ryan were groundbreaking when it came out. The shaky camera added to the chaotic nature of the scene. It added to the grittiness and feel of confusion in combat. I tend to hold my breath each time I see it. But that isn't the only scene that makes me cry in this movie. I tend to be quite an emotional mess if I watch the entire thing through.

The most recent couple of minutes that get to me are those first few minutes of Star Trek. You know, the one directed by J.J. Abrams? Watching George Kirk stay behind to steer the darn ship when it's navigation system goes kaput. He stays behind so that everyone else can escape. He remains on the bridge while his wife flies off in an escape pod while giving birth to their child. The way it's pieced together along with the music? Ugh! Gets to me every time.

What are some movies that you love that make you cry or make your heart ache every time you watch it?

An extra day at home

It's Monday around 1:47pm and I'm home.

Typically I'd be typing away at my computer at work with stacks of papers strategically placed around me.

Today I'm home.

I woke up at 5am and I knew from the get-go that I didn't feel well.

Dry throat.

Dry nasal passages.

Then some intermittent nasal drip.

Fuzzy feeling in my head

I thought possibly drinking a bunch of water would ease the dizziness I also felt.

But that definitely didn't help, although I was hydrated sufficiently after coughing off and on all night.

At 6am, I left voicemails for my boss and my boss' boss (who I also help out daily).

Woke my kids at 7am and got them to school by 8:15 am.

Then I back home, changed back into some comfy jammies, ate some breakfast, and crashed out on the couch.

I didn't wake up until almost 11am.

Now I'm watching/listening to the first season of The Tudors (via Netflix) while I'm on the couch resting.

I may take another nap in a little bit.

It's just so nice to be able to rest and try to recover from whatever this bug is.

I hope all of you are feeling well.

My heart is filled with sorrow

A guy that I've known since I was 13 and his wife were expecting triplet boys.

They were looking for a bigger house fit the new brood.

They were looking into getting bigger SUV that would easily fit 3 carseats.

Due to some complications in her pregnancy, the babies were born early Monday morning.

At 22 weeks gestation, all three babies were too small to survive and died in their parents' loving arms after only a few hours.

All three boys are now in heaven.

My heart breaks to learn this news.

These were to be their first children.

To be more than halfway through a pregnancy and to lose all the babies.

I recall loosing my first baby at 12 weeks and how that loss stabbed the core of my soul.

I ache at the thought of their pain at losing all three wee ones.

My thoughts and prayers will be with them tonight and for many nights to come.

One to laugh with and one to cry on

Oh my goodness, but my moods do swing.

Last night I was chuckling along with the antics of Adam Sandler and his buddies. Some that have been in many a movie with him.

Tonight I'm watching a historical account of England in The Pillars of the Earth.

I'm about 25 minutes into the first episode and I've already been a bloody snotty mess.

A movie I wouldn't pay to see at the theater

Time is flying by!

Unbelievably it's March.

MARCH!

Soon enough it'll be summer.

And with summer come a new crop of movies.

There are a couple that I'm already anticipating.

Sprouting like weeds

After I made some lunch today, my daughter came scampering into the kitchen.

She came up behind me and wrapped her arms around me.

Who could ignore a hug from their daughter?

Not me, of course.

I turned around and gave her a real hug.

Our arms wrapped around each other.

But as I cuddled in the kitchen with my girl, I noticed something.

Scatterbrained & absent-minded

I remember when I was pregnant and I would forget things.

I do recall moments after I had the Bear and I was trying to also keep up with the Princess when I felt like I was in a daze.

Mommy brain?

Yes.

I had it.

I'm sure you can relate.

Broadening their palate a little at a time

Like most kids here in the United States, my two kiddos can be selective about what they put in their mouths.

Even though they have an opinion about what they like and don't like, that doesn't stop me from trying to steer them towards healthier choices.

While I do allow them to eat fast food from McDonald's, Jack in the Box, and Wendy's, I do keep those meals few and far between. They get that "treat" about once every two weeks at the most. It was in November 2010 that they finally ate a Sausage McMuffin with Egg. Yes. Their first taste of the Mickey D's breakfast menu. And (of course!) they loved it. All that salty goodness. But since then? Nothing.

I continue to serve them vegetables, even though I know there is a bit that ends up in the trash. But I hope that one day they'll voluntarily pop those veggies into their mouths. One day. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day.

I am pretty optimistic about their palates expanding. I mean, what they choose to eat does change. Slowly. But surely!

On Sunday we went to Olive Garden after church. I ordered a bowl of Zuppa Toscana and some salad. The Bear had his usual cheese pizza, while the Princess opted for a bowl of Zuppa Toscana soup and Lasagna Fritta (an appetizer). I asked my son if he wanted some of my salad and he gave an energetic nod.

"Make sure I get some red onions Mom!"

This comment made our server stop and ask if the Bear did indeed say he wanted red onions. She said that she hadn't come across any kids request red onions in the restaurant before.  I let her know that he and his sister both enjoy the taste of red onions.

"In salad!"
"In sandwiches!"
"And in burgers!"

Yes. They chimed in about where they like to have those yummy red onions. Of course, the love of red onions didn't trigger until we moved here.

But it doesn't stop at just red onions.

When my husband visited over the summer, we all ate at Mimi's Cafe. I ordered some salad along with some french onion soup. Both kids asked for a taste. And wouldn't you know it? Both of them really liked the soup.

A couple months ago, the kids and I went to Panera with LilSis, Shorty, and my little niece. The kids ordered grill cheese sandwiches off the kids' menu, while I ordered a turkey artichoke sandwich and a bowl of french onion soup. The kids (of course) asked for some of my soup, which I happily shared with them. Then they asked for a bite of my sandwich. People? They loved the taste of that as well.

On our next visit to Panera, the kids let me know they wanted the turkey artichoke sandwich and some french onion soup. Just a few weeks ago, the gal who took our order kind of was taken aback when I placed our order for two sandwiches and a bowl of soup. She kind of looked at the kids and then back to me.

"Oh...they like the sandwiches and the soup."
"They do?"
"Yes. They tasted mine before and really like it."
"Wow. They like the adult food already. That's great."

I just kind of giggle when people are surprised by what the kids eat.  I mean it's up to me to expose them to new foods, right? While they do enjoy a good burger and french fries, I still try to give them new stuff every now and again. I'm not the greatest cook, so whenever we go out I do try to give them bites of anything new I order. I think these little steps are a definite way for the kids to expand their palate.

That's my key. Little steps.

Now what do your kids like that surprise people? 

March is upon us and daylight savings draws near

I am amazed that it's already March.

What I was surprised to see is that Daylight Savings is in just a couple of weeks.

This will be the FIRST time my kids will have to deal with this bi-yearly transition.

In Arizona, we didn't deal with this time change business.

This was such a blessing when the kids were little because we didn't have to adjust their naps or sleep times.

Snippet of happiness and awe

As I went to pick up the kids, I noted a hot air balloon high up in the sky.

I then saw another that was much lower on the horizon.

Here where I live, there are hot air balloons that float southward along the coastline each night so it wasn't an unusual sight.

What was different was how low the 2nd balloon was.

After I signed the kids out from the after-school care program, we looked westward.

The hot air balloon was even lower.

It appeared to be getting set to land.

REALLY.CLOSE.BY.

As the kids piled into the car, my daughter made a suggestion.

We should see where it lands Mom!

And since it was so close?

I drove down a couple blocks.

And we saw it float downwards to a field below us.

There were two guys on the ground near a truck who ran towards the basket as it touched down.

They grabbed opposite sides of the basket and tried to stabilize it.

It skidded at least 15 feet on the ground before finally coming to a complete stop.

We saw touchdown.

It was a great sight.

One that the kids and I shared together.

A moment where our hearts soared as one at the amazing sight.

Just a bit of happiness that broke the sadness nestled in my soul.