My week, in review

I think I will work my way backwards.
Yesterday was a doozy. Isabel finished Kindergarten back in May. She passed everything, but she still seemed immature compared to most of the kids her age, so I felt like the best thing to do was have her do another year of Kinder. It would give her another year to mature, grow, learn, etc, before going into first. I felt good about the decision, until this past week. This past week it has been heavy on my heart that I shouldn't be holding her back. Did I pray? Yes! As much and as focused as I should without letting my own wants/needs get in the way? Doubtful.My boys have always done great in school, and they say girls mature faster than boys, so I am personally struggling with the fact that my daughter is struggling. Anyway, in short, a series of events happened that made me realized it was better for her to go on to first. I feel SO much better having made this decision, but up until late yesterday morning when I made that choice, I was literally sick at my stomach. It put my whole day off keel, and I was on edge about EVERYTHING yesterday.

I also know some people going through some very tough times, and I don't want to mention specifics because people who may read this know those people and, well, you know how sticky that kind of stuff can be. But, still, my mind has just been SO weighed down. I feel better today though, for the most part. I read another blog a while back about a family going through a struggle...their child has cancer. The Mom talked about how she longed for those normal days of chasing kids, worrying about bills, what to cook for dinner and a messy house. She said she never realized what a blessing it was to ONLY have those worries. So, I am trying to refresh my outlook on life. I know I'm blessed, but some days it's so easy to forget just how much so.

I managed to somehow clean my boys' room. Let me just say...UGH. Now, I know what some of you are thinking, "Aren't those boys old enough to clean their own room?" To answer, yes they are. Most of time, I have them do so. But the way they clean just wasn't sufficient this time. Don't judge me. I wanted it to be CLEAN. Everything in it's place. And I worked my bootay off in that room and got it done. Let me say, they are doing a pretty decent job of keeping it picked up, too :)

Over the weekend my family just kind of hung out while Big Daddy had to work for most of it. He is such a good provider for our family and I am so thankful for him. Last Friday I went to a friends and watched her and another sweet friend decorate cookies. I tried my hand at it, also. It wasn't beautiful, but I have hope for the future :) It was also fun to hang out with grown up women, and the time ended too quickly! I also made "My Prize Orange Cookies". This is a cookie recipe that my great grandmother used to make for me when I was little. They are the. best. cookie. ever. I'm ashamed to say how the recipe makes, because it is a TON, and each and every one are gone. And believe me, I had my part in that. I only make them a couple times a year because it's quite a production. But, when I do, I miss my Mamaw so much because it's though my great grandmother made them for me years ago, after she passed away and I got a little older, my Mamaw and I started making them together. I've blogged it before and I'll blog it again...my Mamaw was the best cook ever. Best cook AND baker. What I wouldn't give for a phone call from Heaven from her RIGHT NOW.

OH! I forgot to add in there that we also went school supply shopping a couple days ago. I think it gets more and more expensive each year. Then again, it doesn't help that we have three kids in school. We still have some stuff to get, but for the most part, it's done. And it feels fabulous because I usually wait until the last minute!
So, basically, my week can be summed up like this: Stress, Cookies, and the reminder to be thankful for my daily struggles...Yes, thankful for my struggles!