Monday, February 28, 2011

Quick 5

A day late and a dollar short but, you know, hang with me.  My friend Jenny says she shouldn't blog as a courtesy to Jesus and others when she's in a foul mood, and I might need to take her advice today.  So we'll just see how far we get here, k.

1.  I am in a foul mood today.  I absolutely woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Heaven help me (and Dekker and Josie and Dave).  I am so frustrated with absolutely every.single.thing.  Not to mention the fact that we have a house-full of toys and Dekker wants to play with the plunger, curtains, dog food and my water bottle.
2.  The sweet boy is sick and I feel like I'm getting whatever he has.  Which seems to be basically nothing but a stuffy nose.  We're doing breathing treatments and nose suctioning, yadadada, but he is crabby-- which creates the perfect storm if you get my drift.  He's currently avoiding his afternoon nap as I type. 
3.  I had a great weekend with my mom and dad in Aurora while Dave worked on the basement.  It's great to see them, and they make packing/traveling so worth it.  They spoil us both, and it's fun to see how gaga they are over every thing Dekker does.
4.  I watched the Oscars with some great friends last night.  Not one to see a lot of current movies in the last year (common Netflix streaming-- catch up!) I was a bit lost, but it was really fun and by far the latest I've stayed up in a home other than mine in a long while.  I felt like a 20-something for a few hours there.  Maybe the lack o sleep has something to do with #1.
5.  I'm considering joining Jazzercise.  Mostly because I love the class times at the location by my house, which has childcare for $1.  My ever tight pants also contribute to #1 :). 

Welp, on that happy note, have a good Monday everybody.

On the journey,
Stef

Friday, February 18, 2011

Quick 5

How is it Friday again?!?  I'm not feeling very witty today but did want to let you all know the alcohol (see last week's post) is untouched and still on the counter.  My friend Beth came by and asked when the frat party is!?!  Hahaha. 

Quick Five:
1.  Dekker and I had a busy week and just loved it.  We went on lots of walks, spent some time with our friend Suzanne and her baby girl Campbell, had a play-date with my friend Amy and her son Eli, and just today went to the community center for "Toddler Play Time" then out to lunch with some super sweet people including Jenny, Max, Katie and Quinn.  It's been fun to get out of the house and eat up this weather.
2.  I have been busy at work which is just great.  It's been fun to have a full schedule and stay busy at the office.  The paycheck is rewarding, too :)  The paperwork is not so rewarding, but I'm trying really hard to only do it on my days at the office and not let it eat up every nap time and evening at home, too.  This week I also shared at Wildwood Christian Church's Wednesday night adult program, which got me thinking about #5 below.
3. Don't forget to check out my hubby's new photo blog.  I think it's pretty cool: http://photos.roweware.com/
4.  Our cleaning lady, Mary, was out of town.  She came back this week and can I just say that I forgot how much I missed her.  It was terrific to have an entirely clean house-- it was nice out and I opened the blinds and it even smelled clean.  She comes once a month, and I was a little embarrassed with the state of our house, but I quit caring pretty quick.  Say whatever you want about me working two days a week and having a cleaning lady.  I love having my days at home with Dekker and my weekends as a family.  And, now I sound defensive, but I do clean plenty in-between Mary's visits-- we have a dog, host small group, etc etc.
5.  We're preparing for another Stonebridge Pre-Marriage Retreat.  This year, I got trained in the PREPARE/ENRICH assessment and this is the first time we will be using it.  It has been some extra work and I'll be interested to see if in the end we find it worth the time and money.  I know many churches have used this, and it is very interesting and research based, and I'm praying that it combined with the retreat will be good.  I've also been dreaming about an "Adopt a Newlywed" program for the couples married at our church.  Wouldn't that be a fun way to mentor another couple-- maybe meet for a meal once a month for the first year???  If you want to adopt a couple you should tell me!

Here's to another great weekend and fulfilling week.
On the journey,
Stef

Friday, February 11, 2011

Quick 5

See, here we go.  A week has flown by, so I'm thankful for Tori's Quick 5 today and a reminder to do mine!

1.  We bought lots of alcohol on the cruise.  I mean, not lots and lots, but some Rum and wine.  And since we drink alcohol at a rate that the rum will still be here for our 10 year anniversary, I'm not sure what to do with it.  There's really no place to store it for 5 years, and I don't want it anywhere where Dekker can "play" with it.  So right now its on the counter which is exceptionally classy.  We hid it for small group :)  hahaha. Like they care.

2.  Last Saturday night we took Dekker to the indoor play ground at Mahoney with our friends Jenny and Kirk and Max.  It was a fun family night.  It was neat to see Dekker play with other kids and enjoy himself, and to see him run and run until he broke a sweat.  I know he hates being cooped up all winter like we all do.  I still get surprised to see him "get it."  It's hard for me to believe how big he is getting! 

3.  Every week I write a few goals down on a sticky note and put it on my calendar.  Normal things like groceries and laundry don't get on the list-- it's the "other" stuff.  This week I had a goal to clean out my mail basket, pick up some stuff at Hobby Lobby, call a friend and get coffee everyday.  Hold your tongue on that last one.  I know its expensive.  And even sugar free, fat free adds up.  But having pathetic goals including massive amounts of coffee was the only way I knew how to adjust back from vacation.  And.... now it's Friday and I still have that mail basket left :) 

4.  This is a quilt square.  When my Grandma Soden passed away each of her kids got a few quilt squares.  So this one was passed on to me by my dad.  I had it framed and I find it... beautiful.  I doesn't have straight edges and I chose to have the mat behind it to show off the piece more-- and I think it turned out super.  My grandma was an incredible cook, so I hung this in my kitchen with purpose.  I already love looking at it, and remembering her sweet spirit.  She was an incredible woman of faith-- a real encourager.  Missing her today


5.  I have been glued to CNN throughout the Egypt crisis and find today to be an incredible day!  Also, I have been getting my contacts in and out with minimal break-downs.  Okay, that's all for today.

On the journey,
Mae

Friday, February 4, 2011

Quick 5

I'm taking a cue from my friend, Tori, who recently started doing a "quick 5" on Fridays.  Just five quick things... kinda like an update.  I so enjoy reading them that I am going to give it a try today, and see if it sticks.
1.  We just got home from a cruise to the Western Caribbean.  It was absolutely gorgeous, fantastic weather, and I am certain what I will need every winter I can possibly afford it.  I like cruises for several reasons, and I hope to share more of a "review and tips" in the future.  I'd love to do a Southern Caribbean cruise someday.  This one was technically to celebrate our 5 year anniversary, which we did in June 2010.
2.  I can't believe how much I missed Dekker.  What a sweetie.  Though I also love hearing all the funny stories of his time with his Nana and Grandpa Soden and Grandma and Grandpa Rowe.  We love sharing our joy with them, and I love that Dekker finds it totally normal to spend time with them-- even without us.  I used to dread coming home from vacation, but he made it something I looked forward to.
3.  I need a Weight Watcher meeting and a money tree after said vacation.  Whoa.
4.  Dekker is learning sign-language.  Our daycare friend started him on it, and since then he has picked up on it really quickly.  It's pretty fun and cute, though he wants "more" of almost every-single-thing.
5.  I have been drinking the Arbonne chocolate protein shakes for breakfast with a little natural peanut butter and I think they are fantastic and I can't say enough how they actually keep me FULL through lunch.  So much better than some cereals (which I love) that leave me hungry and snacking by 10AM.  I need some good lunch inspiration.  Anyone got a good idea out there?
Happy Friday!
On the journey,
Mae