Our family

Today is our special family day.  It's a day where I am even more so amazed and so very, very grateful for my beautiful children.  I can not believe how lucky I am that I am their mother.  Our lives have been really, really crazy and we've barely been home.  But there are so many things that happen each day that let me know that this little family is just incredible.  I know I'm a little mushy about things, but I just can't believe that life is blessed.

And I'm especially remembering to count my blessings after the email I received this evening.  My good friend from college emailed that her nephew passed away this morning from his battle with cancer.  Please join me in prayers for their family.

There is so much more I want to write and I will at some point, but for this evening I just want to be Mom and love my family.

It's very cold

Last night we were under a wind chill advisory.  A little after 9:00 last evening, the school district called to report we were on a two hour delay.  Always nice to be able to sleep in, and it's even better when the call comes before bed the night before!  The temps were in the single digits, and will chills hovered around ten below.  I still took the kids to school because I didn't want them walking out in those temps.  Almost all of the school districts were delayed.  It's actually going to be colder this evening, but not as windy.  I'm still planning to take the kids to school tomorrow though.  I'll be honest...as much as I don't love the cold, after last year being so mild I'm very grateful that winter is back this year!

A much needed evening

This was a very rare evening.  I didn't work today, and in fact haven't worked in a week.  For whatever reason, January is a very slow month for subbing and I accept that.  I was able to really spend some time getting the house picked up, and we all sat down together for a nice family meal.  There was actually nothing on our calendar this evening, and we all just hung out together as a family because there was no where we needed to be or anything that absolutely had to be done this evening.  I wish we had more evenings like this, but I'm aware that isn't the case...which makes me very grateful for the few that we have!

Classic old shows

Yesterday when Thomas was home, we were watching some good ole' classic shows on television.  We watched The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Love Lucy, and The Andy Griffith Show.  I really love these shows.  They bring back memories from watching them on syndication when I was a child, and I also find them to be so amazingly civilized.  I'm particularly enjoying watching the Ricardos make their trip across the country to California...some absolutely great episodes!  The thing I love more than anything is that we can even watch these shows with the kids...these days that is very rare!

Basketball

Basketball games began last weekend.  Andrew is coaching Catherine, and Thomas is also playing.  For Catherine, Saturday was her very first game ever.  Considering that, I thought she did well.  I can't wait to see how she develops during the year.  I think she has some potential, although her height (actually, lack thereof) is definitely going to be a disadvantage!  Thomas has good ball handling skills, but again his size is a detriment.  In fact, he's about six inches shorter than the next shortest person on the team.  However, both kids are having fun, and that is ultimately the most important thing!

Stomach flu

Thomas is home today with the stomach flu.  Fortunately, he does seem to be feeling much better this morning, but neither of us had a great night of sleep.

While the stomach flu is never convenient, I was very disappointed about the timing.  My 93-year-old great uncle passed away this week and today is the funeral.  We were able to go last night to the visitation, but I was really looking forward to getting to spend the day with all of my cousins.  We have so much fun together.  That may sound callous, but we are all philosophical that he had a nice long life, and the last year had been very difficult for him.  He's been reunited with his loving wife (they had been married over 60 years) and his grandson who passed away three years ago.  Anyway, instead of a family day, I'm home with my sick little guy.  Instead of hanging out with my cousins, Thomas and I are enjoying TVLand...love the classics and the time with my little guy!

Heart melting moment

There are definitely times recently when I've wondered if I'm being selfish for not getting a job that pays more and/or provides more stability. I've always said that I want to be a sub in the kids' school as long as we can possibly manage so that I can be home with the kids when they are here. I LOVE being a sub and I've been very blessed in having MANY opportunities to work, but I've still wondered if I should go find a job that pays more, even if it would mean being gone more...would we, as a family, be better off in the long run? Not that life is all about money, but it certainly can allow for some extra fun things. I'm pretty sure I got a hint though, that being home together doesn't matter just to me. I had a meeting this evening, and it's rare that being out in the evening doesn't involve a child's activity. That was the case tonight though, and because of Andrew's schedule we couldn't all he together so he ate with the kids and I ate when I got home. As I was sitting down, Thomas came over and gave me a big hug and said, "I feel like I've been waiting forever to do that!" My heart absolutely melted! I loved the fact that even though I was home for a little bit after school before I left for my meeting, he missed having me around. Little signs like that help me know that we've made the right decision for our family, and I'm so grateful! These days as a family are going to pass way too quickly!

P.S.  I have no idea why my font has suddenly changed!