The Weekend

Nothing too exciting happened this past weekend. I have started packing the house and NyCee has another dress from her Nana Ida (I seriously think Nana Ida enjoys shopping for the dresses just as much as NyCee loves wearing the dresses. It's amazing how Nana just happens "to see a dress" for NyCee. But that is why God made Nanas).

Saturday night, I planned to go play video games with a friend after church. Well, Tyler's fingers were smashed in the door at church. So, no video games for me. Then on Sunday, I took the kids to a birthday party and he spilled hot coffee on his other hand. Wow! Son, really? Thankfully, his fingers were not broken nor his hand burned.

Nothing New

Nothing new has occurred this week. Well, that's not really true. I found a larger apartment for the kids and I to move into. It is a three bedroom and is 1227 square feet. It is still close to church. The apartment homes were constructed by a home building company and the detail is evident. The master closet is huge, the floors have actual tile, and granite counter tops.

The downside is the unit is on the first floor. I am not a fan of 1st floor units. However, I can learn to live with it. We will be moving in April. I keep telling myself, if I do a little bit at a time, it will not be so overwhelming.

I chose a three bedroom apartment over a renting a house because I do not want the responsibility of a house by myself. The kids and I will be comfortable in the unit and have space to grow.

School is coming along well. I am nearing the end of this semester. I have been given another teaching assignment and will be started as an adjunct faculty member with another institution soon. That means: I have my choice of teaching assignments each semester. Plus, it opens the door to become full-time faculty faster. Which ever institution offers it first, that's where I will go.

Come and Gone

This is the first time I have had a moment to update the blog. My dad arrived on Wednesday. I was so excited. I had a title for the blog post in mind. Yet, when he hit the ground, we were off and running. Literally.

The residency went well but we were exhausted by the end of each day. He was able to visit my church and hear Dr. Tom and Dionne teach. But wow! We were exhausted. There was very little family time. We know now, for the next residency, a day has to be built on the front end and the back end for rest and family time.

Valentine's Day

Today was a great day. I can honestly state this is the first time in years where I didn't feel lonely on Valentine's Day. In years past, I would get depressed because I didn't have a significant other with whom I could share the day. But then, this scripture came to mind:

¹⁶"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."

John 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

How amazing is God? And Jesus for that matter. That is a love that is almost incomprehensible. The love it took to give a Son and for that Son to agree to lay down His life. When I really stop and ponder that type of love, it makes me realize how much God cares about every detail of my life. He fills voids, removes sadness, and fills my life with extreme joy.

But the most amazing part is that I am not willing to settle ever again. Did that once and well, it was a mess. But through that experience I learned that God's best is worth waiting for. To know that God is preparing me for a man that will truly love me the way He loves the church, leaves no room for compromise.

Today I learned, that a happy, healthy marriage is very possible. Because I refuse to accept anything less, I will continue to wait.

"But mommy, I am sorry I made a mess."

After putting the kids to bed, I washed my hair as I am getting it done tomorrow for the Valentine's Day weekend. Once I finished blow drying it, I walked out of my room and tripped on something. I really didn't pay any attention to it as I figured it was one of the kids' toys.

I walked into the hall bathroom and smelled finger nail polish. Immediately, I called Taylor's name as I did not see her in her bed. She replied, "Here I am."She was in my bed. I asked what did she do. Thankfully, I teach my children to be honest so she told me the story.



"I wanted to put this (nail polish) on my fingers like this (making the motion of polishing nails). But it spilled and I couldn't clean it up but I am sorry. I didn't mean to make a mess." Here's the kicker: the nail polish was on my dresser. She got the seat to her easel set, put it up against my dresser and located her nail polish. (She has a light pink color.) The additional highlight: it was dark. She managed to reach and locate the nail polish in addition to polishing her nails in the dark.

She was not disciplined. I gently explained she has to ask for permission before getting certain things. And mommy has to help her with fingernail polish.

She is a child genius.

Decent Hour

Due to a scheduled training class today, I got off work at 315p. I was SO nice to get home at a decent hour. The kids and I sat down and ate dinner like civilized people instead of shoveling in the food.

Today reminded me of why I work so hard. So that I can finish school and secure a full-time faculty position. I will not be locked into the 8-5 grind.

I was talking to my friend LB who lives in Texas. He told me his idea of taking care of his family means he covers all the household bills. If his wife wants to work, that up to her and the money would be extra. Not required to support the household.

That just reminded me there are good men in the world. I told him I wouldn't know how to act if somebody told me I didn't have to work two jobs. That I could just teach and take care of the house. I am not the stay-at-home kinda gal. The kids' caregiver will stay on payroll. But I want to get home by 2p, cook dinner, pick up the kids, finish homework with them and then have dinner as a family. That will allow about an hour for family time before the kids go to bed.

I know that may read as ridiculous to some people but I totally believe as a society we need to return to basic family values. I also believe that I can have that because it's a desire of my heart.

Time to make Valentine's day cards for the girls in NyCee's dance class!

"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4 (New King James Version)

Speechless

NyCee lost her voice this weekend. It started out as the onset of a cold. But since I do not allow my children to participate in sickness, her body is attempting to rebel in the form of laryngitis. It's kinda cute actually. I don't know how much of it is laryngitis and how much of it is NyCee having fun with it.

There's nothing I can do for it. Her voice will restore when it gets ready. It's funny listening to her attempt to talk. Initally, she kept saying, "Mommy, I can't talk." Now she just attempts to say whatever and her voice is scratchy and cracky.

"I see your boobies."

NyCee strolls into my room this morning around 5:45a or so. She says, "Good Morning" and proceeds to climb into my bed. After I get out of the shower, I hear her little giggles and she begins to sing, "I see your boobies. I see your boobies."

I have no idea where my daughter learned such a song but it brings her such humor when she sings it.

Sockless Wonder

For whatever reason only clear to him, Tyler feels the need to remove his socks and shoes on the 12 minutes drive home from Lorie's house.

The boy was born in Michigan and lives out west. I have no idea where he gets these country tendencies. I keep reminding him, "Son, neurosurgeons do not remove their socks and shoes on the drive home at the end of the day."