Oh, my, what a long weekend! I'm not sure what I was thinking, planning something like this right after Thanksgiving, but you can't control when people are born - especially not your parents. So this weekend dear old Dad turned 60! ... What??? I'm old enough to have a 60 year old dad??? ... My Grams planned a party for him for the local family -Aunts, cousins, brother's family, etc - which he knew all about, but Brother and I surprised him by coming in from out-of-state for the weekend. We drove out Wednesday afternoon and came home late Sunday night. Poor Hubby stayed home to work and dog sit for friends of ours. It was crazy busy almost the whole time, because there was his party and another family get-together the next day, and I was helping my Grams with all the prep and cooking for both parties while keeping kiddos happy, occupied, and out of her antiques.
For the surprise, Grams got him to come to her house for dinner, and we hid in the basement stairs when he came. She tried to get him to open the door, but they were chatty and kiddos were restless (and wearing noisy coats!) so I had Handsome Boy knock on the door. Dad was thoroughly perplexed as to why somebody would be knocking from inside the basement, and thoroughly surprised to open the door and find us. Surprise #1 - Success! I had to get Brother from the airport the next day, so I told Dad I was taking him out to dinner and was following my phone's directions. When I turned into the airport I kind of implied I might be lost, texted Brother on the pretense of checking the map, then said "Oh, but first we have to make a pickup" and pulled over right beside him. Surprise #2 - Success! And yes, then I took them out to dinner.
We also saw a Christmas light show, fireworks, a small parade, spent time at the park, had hot cocoa with a childhood friend, took kids shopping, saw a cool "A Christmas Story" display, played lots of games, saw extended family, and got to see our first good snowfall of the season. I would have liked a little more down time, but every mom knows - moms don't get vacations unless the kids aren't with her. A small price to pay to spend time with family and bring joy to their lives, too.
Joyfully yours,
K
Showing posts with label Joysmithing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joysmithing. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
I Love Lazy Sundays
This weekend, after the holiday and a day of work, has been two of those really easy days. I've picked up and put away the last of the Thanksgiving Tornado that came through the house, aka nieces and nephews. Also some basic chores - laundry got caught up (gasp - put away even!!), all the slow cookers and appetizer trays are tucked away, plants are back on the buffet in front of the window, and the like.
In the everyday craziness that has unfortunately become typical in the life of the average American, it's important to take time to be. Just be. And not just around the holidays. So many days I find myself going from one task to the next until I look at the clock and realize the whole day is gone. Then I look around at all the things I didn't get done, and sometimes get discouraged. Then I look at my husband and kids, and think of how little time I spent with them even though I was around them all day, and get down-right disheartened. Yes, I want a tidy home. Yes, I want a complete home. But it's not a home unless there is a family in it. And a family doesn't stay a family if they just float around each other in a box called a home.
So this weekend I was determined to continue creating a joyful life and put To-Be's on the To-Do list. Yes, I got chores done, but that was a side item. Saturday we all went for a hike together. Sure, I putting a whopping 3 miles on my count, but that also wasn't the point (more on that later!). I also played 5 - count 'em 5 - different games with the kiddos on Sunday alone. So I moved laundry around, folded, put away, played a game. cleaned up the playroom, played a game, swept the floor, played a game, etc.
The top of my To-Do list was To-Be a wife and mom. Check. Now to add it again for this week. 😊
Joyfully yours,
K
In the everyday craziness that has unfortunately become typical in the life of the average American, it's important to take time to be. Just be. And not just around the holidays. So many days I find myself going from one task to the next until I look at the clock and realize the whole day is gone. Then I look around at all the things I didn't get done, and sometimes get discouraged. Then I look at my husband and kids, and think of how little time I spent with them even though I was around them all day, and get down-right disheartened. Yes, I want a tidy home. Yes, I want a complete home. But it's not a home unless there is a family in it. And a family doesn't stay a family if they just float around each other in a box called a home.
So this weekend I was determined to continue creating a joyful life and put To-Be's on the To-Do list. Yes, I got chores done, but that was a side item. Saturday we all went for a hike together. Sure, I putting a whopping 3 miles on my count, but that also wasn't the point (more on that later!). I also played 5 - count 'em 5 - different games with the kiddos on Sunday alone. So I moved laundry around, folded, put away, played a game. cleaned up the playroom, played a game, swept the floor, played a game, etc.
The top of my To-Do list was To-Be a wife and mom. Check. Now to add it again for this week. 😊
Joyfully yours,
K
Friday, November 25, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Happy Thanksgiving!! Yes, it was yesterday, but yesterday my focus was on enjoying my family and the day. And it was a long day, but great. Everything was cooked deliciously and on time. We actually ate 15 minutes early! I'm pretty sure that's a first for big dinners in our family. My 4-step system worked wonderfully and I was able to enjoy the day.
Lest you start thinking our family is some sort of Normal Rockwell vision, here's the highlights of non-perfection: I missed putting the parade on TV, one person was late with a dinner item, my son was shot in the eye with a nerf bullet but without any permanent damage (this was due to some blind shooting since we have a no head shot policy here ... and now all the kids know why), the turkey got served in the kitchen as Hubby was cutting it since an unnamed in-law couldn't wait to say grace and my "line" got slightly out of wack, there was some hurt feelings when a discussion on differing parenting philosophies ended with someone leaving early without saying goodbye, the slow cookers didn't get washed until 10pm when Hubby was almost too tired to stand and unable to help, and Princess took 4 books to fall asleep.
So, yes, a little confusion, a late cleanup, and some drama yet to be resolved, but overall a very good day. I got to sit and enjoy company instead of running around crazy ALL day, and spend down time with Hubby and kids, and read them to sleep. Yes, a very joyful day.
Joyfully yours,
K
Lest you start thinking our family is some sort of Normal Rockwell vision, here's the highlights of non-perfection: I missed putting the parade on TV, one person was late with a dinner item, my son was shot in the eye with a nerf bullet but without any permanent damage (this was due to some blind shooting since we have a no head shot policy here ... and now all the kids know why), the turkey got served in the kitchen as Hubby was cutting it since an unnamed in-law couldn't wait to say grace and my "line" got slightly out of wack, there was some hurt feelings when a discussion on differing parenting philosophies ended with someone leaving early without saying goodbye, the slow cookers didn't get washed until 10pm when Hubby was almost too tired to stand and unable to help, and Princess took 4 books to fall asleep.
So, yes, a little confusion, a late cleanup, and some drama yet to be resolved, but overall a very good day. I got to sit and enjoy company instead of running around crazy ALL day, and spend down time with Hubby and kids, and read them to sleep. Yes, a very joyful day.
Joyfully yours,
K
Sunday, October 30, 2016
The Beginning
Every journey has a beginning, every path taken has that first step. Here is mine. In making my way to becoming a better person, I decided accountability to others, even to the anonymous persons out there in cyberspace, is one way to keep myself on track. Forgive my blogging transgressions - I have no idea what I'm doing, other than throwing my thoughts to the wind.
I see a Smith as someone who creates something with their hands, and I am creating and enhancing the joy in my life with my hands. I will do this through a powerful mind, a fit body, a kind heart, a happy soul, a clean home, food in my garden, good husbandry for my animals, and most importantly, being a good wife and mother. Because being a good wife and mother (let's set some lofty goals - a Great wife and mother) is what it's all about, and all those other things help me accomplish my goal. Who can be joyful and peaceful with three loads of laundry to do, nothing ready for dinner, weeds in the garden, dusty TV, and a mess of papers to organize? Not me. So here begins the real kick-start for change. It's been a gradually beginning, but now I'm headed up the bell curve to sit at the top and never come down.
I see a Smith as someone who creates something with their hands, and I am creating and enhancing the joy in my life with my hands. I will do this through a powerful mind, a fit body, a kind heart, a happy soul, a clean home, food in my garden, good husbandry for my animals, and most importantly, being a good wife and mother. Because being a good wife and mother (let's set some lofty goals - a Great wife and mother) is what it's all about, and all those other things help me accomplish my goal. Who can be joyful and peaceful with three loads of laundry to do, nothing ready for dinner, weeds in the garden, dusty TV, and a mess of papers to organize? Not me. So here begins the real kick-start for change. It's been a gradually beginning, but now I'm headed up the bell curve to sit at the top and never come down.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)