Sometimes you're the bug....

You ever have one of those days?  I mean, one of THOSE days.  The kind of day that you just want to do over.  And it's not even noon.  I'm not the only one, am I?

And if I'm going to be honest, (and really, why wouldn't I, if I'm going to talk about it here) but if I'm going to be honest I'd have to say it's not even because the day itself has been so bad.

It's because I have been. 

I've been grouchy, impatient, unkind, easily frustrated and just all around NOT NICE.  And the guilt over acting this way towards my children is immense.  Overwhelming even.  I'm talking a stand-in-the-shower-until-the-hot-water-runs-out cryfest over it all. 

So it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out I didn't have my quiet time this morning, right?  But the cryfest sent me to my knees.  And of course my Father met me there.  God Calling for today said that He heard David when he cried out from the depths and that He hears me too.  Crying out from the shower.

I've asked for forgiveness.  Pleaded for help.  Apologized to my kids. 

There are consequences though.  There always are.  My kids are grouchy too.  I set the mood in the house.  I made my daughter cry today.  THAT sucks.  (I know that is such a tacky word, but it really is the only one that fits right now.)  I see in their eyes that they are worried, scared even that I'm going to yell again. 

And now I'm crying again because Hayes just climbed up on the couch beside me and kissed me on the cheek.  For no reason.  Thank you God.  I am so very undeserving of anything good, especially today. 

I know His mercies are new every morning.  Maybe they are new every afternoon as well.    

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today.....

Outside my window...some crazy wind.  And the beautiful sunshine. 

I am thinking...I should really be doing laundry, but after I post this I will be starting my new book.

I am thankful for...libraries.  I know, I'm such a nerd.  But we just checked out 8 books for school for things we'll be learning about this week and I just love that it's free.

From the learning room...this week it's Thomas Jefferson, The Louisiana Purchase, Louisiana, the 6's (times tables), plants, spelling words and proper nouns.

From the kitchen...leftovers from Pei Wei and a new BBQ place we tried this weekend.  Not cooking tonight since the kids have basketball practice.  And I'm so sad about that.

I am wearing...brown sweats (see? my uniform!) and a Seattle T-shirt.

I am creating...house plans.  Ok, so I'm not creating them, but I am finding ways to tweak them so they fit our family.

I am going...to meet a friend to catch up tonight.

I am reading...Breaking Dawn (well, in about 5 minutes I will be!)

I am hoping...the people who looked at our house Saturday come back next weekend!  Looks like they might!!

I am hearing...the wind outside and my 4 year old playing video games. 

Around the house...shoes in the floor, mail on the couch, laundry in the dryer, and my feet on the coffee table. 

One of my favorite things...witnessing my children learn new things every day.  And most days, they actually ENJOY it!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  school, school, school.  And my friend just gave me the idea of going to the Nature Museum for a field trip.  We ARE studying plants this week!

 

Head on over to the Simple Woman's Daybook blog for more entries.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

I've seen these daybook posts on Marybeth's blog for a while and decided to participate today.  Loosely translated:  I can't think of anything to blog about.

Outside my window...the sun going down after a beautiful day.

I am thinking...about making chocolate chip cookies.

I am thankful for...a husband who, although he had to work today, came home early (surprised us!) and took us all to the park.

I am wearing...brown sweats, purple hoodie, socks (aka, my uniform)

I am remembering...my kids throwing football at the park today and my 4 yr old's almost perfect spiral. 

I am going...crazy.  No, not really.  To make cookies after I finish this post.  (See, I'm still thinking about them!)

I am currently reading...my Bible.  Need to get the 3rd Twilight book.  Yes, I realize the two don't exactly go hand in hand.  Don't judge. 

I am hoping...my house sells soon.

On my mind...finding land to build on and deciding on a house plan.

Pondering these words..."Live life without regrets." (Robert Rogers)

From the kitchen...the smell of chicken quesadillas from supper.

Around the house...QUIET!  Everyone is at basketball practice and I'm all alone.  Ahhh.......

One of my favorite things...having coffee and visiting with a friend. 

For more daybook links, go HERE.

Shoot some hoops!

Well, it's started.  We now have two kids playing sports.  Two practices a week.  Two games on Saturdays.  Ahhhh.  It's just like when I was growing up except now I'm the one driving here and there and shelling out money for snacks. 

And I seriously LOVE IT!

And who couldn't love this:

                       

Or this:

                       

Or this:

                       

Hayes was taking pictures and he likes to get all up in your face.  We will not be showing the ones he took of me.  Trying to lean back away from him gave me like 5 chins.

So this is our life on Saturdays for a few months.  Loving every minute of it.

Remind me I said that about March, ok?

Christmas Fun

Blogging and I have been on the outs this last year as I'm sure you've noticed.  I haven't really taken the time to analyze what's up with that except to say this year has been a year of change for us and sometimes I just didn't want to/know how to share all of that. 

We've had a great year, don't get me wrong.  But a lot of change.  Some of it has been indescribably beautiful.  Some has caused pain.  But it has all been a Holy Spirit-led ride that we don't want to get off!

So.  All that to say I haven't been blogging.  (duh)  But Christmas with family, friends, snow, and sickness has given me some blog material!  Here goes.

We traveled to both sets of parents's again this year.  Makes for lots of packing and unpacking and figuring out sleeping arrangements but I really wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Asheville still had a ton of snow and we were all excited to get to play! 

                       

                       

My silly husband in Becca's Snuggie

                        

                      

This is the only pic I got of our nephew R (with sis-in-law L).  He's seriously the happiest baby. 

                      

Granddaddy reading to the kids (Hayes and Cousin N)

                      

We went to my parents' house Christmas Eve night because we were nervous about an ice storm coming that night messing up travel plans for the next morning. 

Christmas morning

It was a Star Wars themed Christmas for Hayes.

He woke up feeling bad that morning and this was him by mid-afternoon.  He wouldn't look at me for the picture.

Perked up a little to open more presents. See the theme?

Playing in the new tent.  See the rosy cheeks?

Nephew T in his new chair.  I forgot how difficult it is to get a 1 yr old to look at the camera.

See?  Even the dogs were looking!

Annual get-together with my best friends from childhood.  THIS photo shoot was an ordeal.  All 3 husbands were taking pics and Ashleigh has this problem with closing her eyes when you take a picture.  AND we were late for a family party so we were in a hurry.  You should see the outtakes.

Ok, I'll show you some.

 

Finally Daniel was just snapping pics.

All the kids, minus sick Hayes.  This was hurry-up-and-take-it-before-the-baby-runs-away.

 

Sorry for the never-ending post with all the pics but what do you expect from somebody who blogs every other month?  Who knows when I'll be back?

 

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Cards!!

  

I'm participating in Faith's Christmas Card Carousel today.  I LOVE Christmas cards.  It's so nice to get something in the mailbox besides bills and junk! 

Let me apologize in advance for the quality of my picture of our card.  I took a dozen pics of it and couldn't get it to focus well at all!

                   

Believe it or not, this one was the best one, even with the glare from the flash!

It says:

"Joy to the world!  The Lord is come!  May your heart be filled with the JOY of knowing Jesus came to the world for YOU!!

Merry Christmas from The Bridges"

 

Head on over to Faith's to see more cards!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

If You Came to My House Today.....

I'm joining the party over at Kellie's blog.  (Thanks to Meredith!)

 

So, if you came to my house today, here's what you'd find:

Just inside the door you would see where my husband fixed the floor going into the office.  He had to glue a piece of wood down and then put two heavy bags of I-don't-know-what on top while it dried.  It's a great look.  Very classy.  Ahem.  Moving on.

You'd also see pictures, a towel bar, toilet paper holder, trash can, and a table in the dining room.  We painted the powder room yesterday and haven't put it back together yet.  Nice.

(See, we're putting our house on the market next week and we're doing little fix-ups around the house.) 

You might also see some happy kids playing outside.  Very happy because they've been stuck inside ALL WEEK LONG.  Sickness plus rain, oh the rain, adds up to bored kids (and mom!) with cabin fever!!  There are rumors that the sun has come out today, but I'm not sure I remember what it looks like. 

If you'd come a little earlier in the day, you would find me talking to a friend about home schooling.  She's getting ready to take the plunge and is looking for encouragement/ideas/support.  And since I love to talk about our preferred method of education, I was more than happy to have the chance. 

And before you leave, I'd love to serve you some sweet tea or even some coffee.  I bought Peppermint Mocha creamer today and I'm dying for an excuse to use it!! 

I might even encourage you to come back tomorrow.  And it would have nothing to do with it being Work On The House Day.  I promise! 

 

Want to join the carnival?  Check it out HERE.