Thoughts for Thursday

I so wish I could put this blog somewhere up on the priority list, but it falls down to the bottom day after day. After all, talking with/emailing/calling the people I love is so much more satisfying than just sending my thoughts out to the crowd. And then there are the piles of dishes, laundry, and toys to clean each day as well. It's a long cycle! But I will try to catch up on a few fun things through this blog today.

In no particular order...

* My sweet friend, Ashley, and her son Connor and husband Ryan are moving near Chicago over the next couple weeks... :-( sad day!!! Ashley and I met through our Bradley childbirth class last year. Little did we know that Emily's early arrival would only separate Connor and Emily by 2 1/2 weeks in age! We have had a blast sharing this first year of their lives together and learning from each other's experiences (and experiments, haha). You will be dearly missed!!! But I am thrilled that this new adventure has come your way.

* Having surrounded Emily with some children close to her age, we are now entering birthday season! I think we have a birthday party to go to almost every weekend through her own party in mid June. I guess this is what you do on Saturdays when you have kids- go to lots and lots of birthday parties! It is so amazing to think that all these sweet babies are turning one this summer. Wow!

* I caused a fender bender last week. Sigh... Ok it was a little more than a fender bender on our particular car. It was scary to know that Emily was with me and to nervously open her door to see if she was ok. She was smiling at me and hadn't noticed anything, of course. Phew, breathe. The car will be in the shop for 2 more weeks but she should be good as new by then. I have vowed to be better now about not stealing a glance at Emily in the rear view mirror while I'm driving.

*I'm about to enter a busy season with data entry. I am happy to have more work! But I hope I have the diligence to keep after it each day. It also goes on the back burner sometimes.

* I just finished Beth Moore's study of Daniel with my friends Jess and Ellen and LOVED it. It was so informative and challenging! It made me look at my place in American culture with new eyes and challenge me to walk with integrity in an enticing world. It also gave me great excitement to read all the prophecy in Daniel and know what more of it means. Now our church small group is going through the book of Daniel, so I will get a double dose this year! This is going to really help solidify what I learn.

* We are really enjoying the beautiful weather this week and trying to get to the park and take strolls outside. Emily and I are now going strollercising (haha what a word!) every Thursday with some moms at a nearby park. It gets her some sunshine and burns some calories for me. Much needed!

* I am also enjoying getting to watch different documentaries with Greg on Netflix. It is a low key way to continue learning new things! We've watched stuff about wars, American history, research about dogs, the planets, the NSA, etc. And I can multi-task during it, which is something I can't do while reading a book. Thanks, Netflix!

* Emily is getting close to cruising now! She is very interested in climbing up the stairs and the platform entryway and all she wants to do is pull up to standing everywhere. Today she was squatting and standing back up (holding onto things) and I marveled at how strong her little legs must be to do that! Looked like she was practicing plies. She'll take 2-3 steps along the couch and she'll walk about 10 with me holding her arms up. So exciting!!

I think that's all I have! And naptime is most likely winding to a close. Glad I got to jump on here today. :-)