I give you: The humble PT

Paper Towel, for those of you who may not know my mother's shorthand for the grocery lists.
This humble creation has several uses in my home, from the normal soaking up of spilled anything, spit-up/drool cleaner upper, rougher snot wiper, and even occasionally stands in for when its cousin, TP, runs out (I'll leave you to figure that one out on your own).

The other possible uses are apparently abundant enough to take up a total of at least 7 hours (and counting) over the last couple days (that is, if you are 4 or 2) -

 The Raft:

 "Build me!" Meaning, I built it!

 And what new thing did we learn today? That if you put round foam blocks down the middle of the roll, it sounds like snorting (and again, you can figure out what word that substitutes!)

 There are actually quite a few more pics of their imaginations at work, but I think you get the idea...

Someday when I'm old and gray I'll probably cry remembering these days with sweet and fond thoughts... Right now I'm in survival mode, but I am earnestly trying to see and savor these little discoveries (cheap as they may be) and not be too distracted by the other bagillion things to do.

  

"My hands were busy through the day, I didn't have much time to play

The little things you asked me to, I didn't have much time for you.

I'd wash the clothes, I'd sew and cook, 

but when you'd bring your picture book and ask me to share you fun, 

I'd say 'a little later son.'

But life is short and years rush past and little boys grow up fast

No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to confide.
The picture books are put away, there aren't any games left to play.

No good night kiss, no prayers to hear, that all belongs to yester year.

My hands once busy, now lie still

The days are long and hard to fill,

 I wish I might go back and do those little things you asked me to."

-Taken from my memory from a little hand written plaque

 in my parent's bathroom that I learned by heart from a very young age...

an especially pertinent reminder to in my season of life!

Now to heat up some leftover frozen pizza for the hubby, cause that's how tonight is rolling...

Blessings to you and yours these bleak winter days!

December...And Happy New Year 2013

Now that December has come and gone (really? that fast?) I've been trying to desperately hold onto some sort of schedule after the festivities have subsided. And by festivities, I mean three days of forcing myself out of bed to spend time (i.e. sit on the couch) with my family while trying not to get them sick. In fact Christmas Eve and Christmas Day I was so sick I went nowhere and Ed took the kids to his folks and the Christmas Eve service and such...oh well. Sicky holidays happen to all of us. But I digress...
Lowe's has a whole buttload (yes, I love that word) of totes with a big banner that says something along the lines of "Ring in the New Year by Organizing your Life".  Hah! I'm lucky to just stick to a weekly routine of feeding my children remotely healthy meals and cleaning their clothes. And weeks like this week, when all three of them are sick, even less gets done. Well, actually, LOTS gets done:

1. Lots of TV is watched

2. Lots of snot is wiped

3. Lots of books are read

4. Lots of sheets are cleaned

5. Lots of prayers are prayed

6. Lots of medicine is administered

7. And Lots of cuddling is performed

Nonetheless, every January I find myself trying to instill one new good habit into my life. Something attainable. Something manageable. I don't need more failures to add to my list of non-accomplishments (who does?). So how about one thing that I can succeed at? I think so. So in the midst of all the above LOTS I did manage to carve out 15 minutes to write a letter of encouragement to someone. I know, it doesn't seem like much, but that is my New Year's Resolution: write one letter of encouragement every week. That's hopefully 50ish people this year that I will uplift via snail mail (give or take, I always give myself lots of grace with resolutions). Why am I telling you this? Because in the midst of all that Facebook, e-mail, twitter, etc. has to offer, there's nothing quite like a real handwritten note, no matter how simple it is, that can bring a genuine smile to someone's face.  So maybe it's something that you might want to try along with me??

I do believe life as a mother of three young ones is teaching me that even though 95% of my life is consumed by needs and cares and precious little sleep, there still is a little time leftover. And if I choose to make it a priority to bless others in that time, now matter how small it is, God will use it and indeed bless others. Plus I reap a bit of joy too, which never hurts =: )

So cheers to another fresh year with plenty of chances to bless those around us!