SOL Day 15/31~Family Weekend

This weekend has been reserved for family! Sadly our college girl heads back to campus Monday and my husband Tim will undergo back surgery.  Knowing the upcoming week(s) will be difficult on us all we have all locked down our calendars for family only! 

So what fantastic things do we have planned?  Nothing!  Yep, I said nothing!  We are playing it by ear, hanging out and just being together. Today started out as we watched as Livi walk in the St. Patrick's Day parade with her dance studio. After the parade we stopped by to visit Grammy and Papaw and then headed out to lunch. After lunch we went home and started cleaning! 

Yep, our exciting, play-it-by ear day led us to cleaning. We cleaned the house (the key word here is WE)!  Working as a team and conquering the enormity of cleaning the house (which seems to grow the minute you take out the cleaning bucket) seemed like what this family needed to do on family weekend.  Is it possible we are all nesting in preparation for the weeks to come?

Of course, we were all to tired to cook after all this collaborative cleaning so we headed to favorite restaurant downtown.  We have eaten at this restaurant many times and it's always been great. Tonight was especially nice.  We lucked into a window table!  I just love a window seat and this table was in a corner of windows! The neighborhood was busy, the local homes were gorgeous, and the coming and going of the customers along with the basketball game on the TV kept this family lively in conversation and enjoyment. 

Now that we are settling in for the night in a fresh house, with clean laundry and new sheets we can wait to see what tomorrow holds!  Lets hope something more fun seeps into our day tomorrow! (*Smiling*) 

Somethings Never Change

This month I am participating in the Slice of Life Challenge. Each day for the month of March I will write about a slice of my life. This blog and this challenge are a place for me to look at life and discover where writing will take me. I am proud to share with you that my first graders are also participating!

Yesterday my oldest daughter (who is now in college) posted this photo on FaceBook for Transformation Tuesday. This photo made me pause; my girls have grown so much over the years. As cliché as it sounds, it really does seem like just yesterday they were toddlers running through the house laughing and leaving toys and sippy cups in their paths. Well, wait not everything has changed, now one daughter flies in and out the house leaving car keys, water bottles, gym bags and shoes, shoes, and SHOES in her path. 

It's funny how I look back and miss a time that once was and still look forward to what's yet to come. A friend once told me every age will be your favorite. I didn't understand this at the time, but now I can say she was right. Each stage brings new experiences and new discoveries. I love watching my girls grow into beautiful young women with opinions and goals. It can be a challenge to step back just enough to let them reach for those dreams even though they may struggle along the way. This is just what moms do, we pull back, then we push forward and we pray all the way. 

Looking around my house I can still see the signs of my daughters they just look different. The lower level that once was FILLED with toys of all sizes is now filled with an air hockey table, football, hockey and Broadway Play memorable, a popcorn machine, game table, a treadmill and a large screen TV. The table that was once accessorized with highchairs and booster seats is now covered with book bags, purses, car keys and coats. The bathtub that was once overtaken by rubber ducks, baby shampoo and plastic books is now home to a variety of shampoos, face wash, and a loofah. The bedrooms that were once pink fairies, American Girl Dolls, books, special blankies and dolls are now floors littered with clothes, tech devices, magazines and special blankies and dolls. 

~Some things never change.