Back to the grind

Well...today is Monday and all is well.

After the kids finished throwing up this past week, Todd left for a 3 day training for work, and I had a crappy (hormonal) couple of days. I took my kids to school, then came home and went back to bed. Dillon just crawled in with me and watched me cry...poor kid. I got up at noon, and then went back to bed and watched movies for the rest of the day on our 7" portable DVD player. I felt sorry for myself, cried, and I think I got rid of the past two months worth of stress, because I am feeling SO much better now.

Before Todd came home, I managed to "pull myself together" and clean up the front room. I even went so far as to re-arrange (sort of), and when I needed a bench or table or something to put next to the piano, my friend Vanessa came through for me and gave me one in trade for some quilting. I actually ENJOYED myself, realized how much I missed ME, and then spent the next day at Vanessa's house working on MY OWN quilt.

Yesterday was our Primary Program, and since Todd and I are primary teachers, we sat in the choir seats with the children. The talks didn't get to me, but I struggled hard not to cry during every single song. The kids in my class were singing at the top of their lungs, and I couldn't help being overcome by the spirit. I have LOVED teaching primary with Todd this past year. He got called to be a bell ringer yesterday (Sunday School Secretary) and they asked him to keep his primary calling through the end of the year. He said his heart actually sank when he got the news that he was being released from primary. We've really enjoyed our class--they are a riot! All of the primary teachers in our ward are couples, so I have a feeling I'll be released as well.

Today I'm alive and kickin'. The front part of my house is clean, organized, and inviting; I'm headed off to tackle the dreaded quilt that I've been putting off for over a year, and I'm feeling motivated to paint either my hutch, or one section of my kitchen cabinets tomorrow (if I finish the dreaded quilt).

It's good to feel good again. A special thanks to my closest friends (these are the people who have put up with the most): Andrea, Vanessa, Linda, Mom, and of course Todd, for listening to me cry and complain for the past couple of months, and especially the past couple of weeks. And thanks to ALL of you who have commented, called, e-mailed, snail mailed, given hugs, prayed, or even thought about us. I feel your support and am so grateful for good friends. I feel truly blessed.

I "found myself again" by moving our old trunk (came with the house) to the middle of my livingroom as sort of a coffee table. I'm hoping it will reduce some of the clutter, and the kids' craziness by having less space to move around in here ;o)

The trunk was next to the piano (protecting it from kids running around the corner), but when I moved it to it's "coffee table position" I was left with this empty space. Vanessa called at the perfect time and offered this table which ended up fitting perfectly. I ran over and got it, and had my room put together before Todd arrived home. It's just so nice to have an inviting space to come home to, and for me it was nice to do something I love...stare at stuff and re-arrange :o)Todd is going to add a shelf to the bottom of the table, so I can have baskets or containers sitting there to house library books and winter gloves and hats (two things I never have a "place" for).

I moved my quilt ladder from the right side of the piano, to this cozy little corner where it just looks better. The quilt I worked on at Vanessa's house is a table topper to sit on my little octagon table (it was my great grandma's) which I plan to paint when I paint my hutch. We got the lamp on clearance at the big W store, and if anyone knows where I can get a tiny little berry wreath to sit on that empty "shelf" under the lampshade, please let me know.

Now I just need to lose a few (20 or 30) pounds and have a new family picture taken, since Dillon is 6 months old in this one.