Worth the Candle

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Simple thing of my day: Reading a book for pleasure. I <3 literature. Also, I appreciate people who like Shakespeare, James Taylor, C.S. Lewis, Robert Frost, and musicals just like I do (aka Abbie Cameron). It's a wonderful find to meet a friend like this!

2/17- Using my GPS and being completely confident that I would not get lost, even in downtown Detroit!

2/18- Loving on children who so obviously want to feel love and care, and reminding them that we are all sisters, and we'll all be together someday forever!

2/19- Sweatpants, and that feeling of complete comfort and relaxation (with my boy) after a mentally and physically exhausting weekend.

That's all for now, folks!

As I mentioned a few days ago on Facebook, I've lately been desiring a simple life and wondering sometimes why we complicate things so much. Ira reminds me (daily, I think) how easy life would be if we always said exactly what we meant (as he does so well and I try to read into way too much!). I feel like this is my challenge in life right now, I need to say what I mean, rid my life of the menial things that I don't need and enjoy the parts of life that I'm in right now without counting down to graduation/Spain/summer/spring break/whatever it may be.

Okay, so that's a huge task that I'll be working on my ENTIRE life. I know it will never end and I'll constantly fall. I do know however, that I want to start, I want to try. So I've decided to share with you-once a day- the simple thing I enjoyed that day. (See, it will even make me post everyday!) I'm hoping that it will help me reflect on every day and enjoy each day, even when it's not the best of days. I'm also hoping that once I find my simple excitement of the day, I'll expand and give you bigger glances into my life than I am currently doing! :|

SO! Today, I am thankful for the simple gift of chocolate covered strawberries that my Grammie sent to me for Valentines Day! So much love conveyed in a gesture. I love you, Grammie!

Sydney

Quickie post, but so inspiring today!

1.) (Background info.-Bryce = 6, Brady = 8, Brenna = 11) Today whilst babysitting, I asked Bryce to put away his Nintendo DS (which was quickly corrected to DSI, because that is important!) before dinner. He obliged, but his older siblings started complaining and telling me that he was grounded from it. Bryce isn't really trustworthy usually, and as the youngest of the three, it's usually best not to trust him and ask his siblings. However, in honor of his recent sixth birthday, we had a private discussion and I explained to him (like my parents once...or many times...told me) that if he was grounded he should tell me now and give up the DSI, because the punishment would be worse if he lied about it. Even after I told him that I would talk to his mom, he insisted he wasn't grounded and that he wasn't lying. I hate to admit that I didn't really trust him, but I gave it back to him and let him play. When I did talk to his mom she explained that he was grounded all of tomorrow, because it had to be a day long punishment so none of the kids were lying. I was so glad that I gave him a chance to tell the truth and even happier that he actually did (even though the truth was easy to admit this time). I was just so so proud of him and so happy that I followed my instincts on giving him a chance to do the right thing.

2.) The kids are really good, but I have a feeling that their parents let the kids talk them into things because they try it with me all the time. The can stall like no other and it seems they are never at loss for words. Of course, the worst time for this is bed time while we're brushing teeth, getting into jammies, reading books and snuggling, but there have only been a few nights where Brenna has still been up when her parents get home and I don't know that the boys have ever still been awake. Anyway, on my way out the door tonight, Cheri told me how grateful she was that I was always able to get the kids to bed. Apparently she's had quite a few babysitters that haven't been able to. It was so encouraging to know that she's happy with how I am with the kids! I'm just glad that I've been raised so well that I can use it to benefit others and apparently do it well.

Sorry, this was a lot longer than it was supposed to be, but I just wanted to share my excitement and rewards I'm feeling from this family!

I love you all so, so much!

The end of finals week is within sight. Four down and two to go. I think I can faintly hear the hallelujah chorus that's waiting for me at the end of the tunnel. This year my finals have been spread out over two weeks. At first I was very excited, more study time, not a ton of cramming, I'll be all organized and ready to go--and for the most part all of things have happened. I think this has been my best, most productive, most prepared exam week ever. What I did not count on was the fact that two weeks of exams means absolute exhaustion when nearing the end. Because not only do I have finals, plus classes and studying, I also have work that can be physically/mentally draining, babysitting (soooo much work in every aspect), chiropractor appointments (which are relaxing once I get there, but take a lot of time) and this semester I have to cook my own dinner every night!! Honestly, last night I had a bagel and cream cheese and a microwaved quesadilla with cheese (don't worry, I know I only consumed two food groups, I'll get my veggies in once I get home where there are actually groceries in the house!).

I finally bucked up and called a chiropractor and (like I knew they would be) Mom, Grammie and Aunt Lissa were all right. I feel much better. I swear he's got magic hands!!! He's a very gentle adjuster so it was like getting a massage, but better. He asked me after he looked at my x-rays if I get headaches and I told him probably not more than anybody else. And when he pressed me about it I told him that I do (like I feel everyone else does) get them a few times a week. He told me that from seeing my x-rays he thinks I should be having really bad headaches and that it's not normal to get them each week, I guess he's already on the fast track to figuring out that I don't know when to complain about pain. I thought everybody got headaches every few days!! Oh well, he'll fix whatever's wrong, I'm sure.

I'm going to get back to studying. I can't wait to see you all. Love you so much!!