Not Me, Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday. It's a chance to laugh at ourselves as we confess all the crazy things we have done in the past week. Our good virtual friend, MckMama leads us always in our endeavor. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

Confession is so good for the soul!

I did NOT go on a date with my husband less than 90 minutes before we were supposed to be leaving on the our senior high camping trip...and leave the other youth pastor and his wife to finish getting ready. We would NEVER be that inconsiderate or be that incredibly selfish to milk every opportunity we had to go to Famous Dave's while we still had no children.

I did NOT stay up until almost 3:00 a.m. one night when Brad was still with our students because I was scared to be alone in my house. I did NOT wait until I could barely keep my eyes open just long enough to crawl into bed. I did NOT check the doors and windows twice to make sure they were locked. Nope, only a crazy person would do that!

My husband and I did NOT run a million errands (because getting kids in and out of car seats is NO fun), go out on one final date, take a long bike ride, and stay up late watching a movie the night before picking up our children.

I was NOT completely giddy the entire drive to Fargo to see my children after being apart of them for so long.

After running to my parent's van to see my kids, I was NOT upset in the least when Caleb saw me and said, "Dada?"

I also did NOT feel one bit frustrated when Sammy called me "Grandma" at least three times on the ride home.

I did NOT say over and over and over again to my husband that we have THE cutest kids ever!




On Saturday night, I did NOT allow my kids to continue to play in their kiddie pool (even as I watched the approaching storm clouds) until it actually started raining.




I did NOT let my children watch a 45 minute Dora video until past bedtime so that I could clean up my house. Nope, I NEVER, especially after not seeing them for TWELVE days, allow them to watch a video instead of playing with and enjoying them.

I am NOT the bit concerned that we have spent (just in the last 2 weeks) our entire "marriage enrichment" budget for the NEXT TWO MONTHS. Oh well, no more dates until August!

And I most certainly am NOT staying up until almost midnight writing this post instead of going to bed with my husband.

Nope, NOT me!

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...

Two weeks ago, I left my children in North Dakota...about 5 1/2 hours away...with my parents for TWELVE DAYS!

That's right...almost TWO weeks!

I can hear you already...what was I thinking?

We had started talking to my parents a couple of months ago about having the kids for 5 or 6 days this summer, but because of the exact timing, other obligations on our part, and my brother's kids' schedules, it turned into 12 days.

And I DID NOT like the idea at all!

We had left our kids last summer for 7 days while Brad and I took a trip to Colorado. They were 2 1/2 and 1 at the time...actually, I think we left ON Caleb's first birthday...was that wrong?

Before you call social services on me, we did have his first birthday party the week before.

Anyway, that week was so refreshing to our marriage and our souls, but it was a terribly long time to be away from our children.

This time was no less hard leaving my kids...even though Sammy kept asking us when mommy and daddy were going to be leaving and telling EVERYONE she met that she was going to stay at Grandma and Papa's house for many, many days.

Separation anxiety? Nope. Neither of my children has that.

(I do truly love this, but once in awhile, a few tears from my kids would be nice!)

So while my husband and I were doing house projects, hanging with our youth group students, watching movies and playing games until the wee hours of the morning (since we actually could sleep in), driving each other crazy because of unmet expectations (one of the biggest issues in our marriage...will blog about that another time!), spending way too much time at Menards, etc., our kids were having a SMASHING good time at Grandma and Papas...despite all my worry, loss of sleep, and almost daily anxiety about their safety and well-being.

Sammy and Caleb's vacation from Mommy and Daddy included...


trips to the Dakota Zoo,


visits to Great-Grandpa,


lining up ALL of Grandma's toy trucks,


playing dress up with the two rocking horses,


hanging out with the cousins,


spending hours outside in a play house,


eating nutricious North Dakota soil,

and my PERSONAL favorite...


frolicing in the tall prairie grass of North Dakota.

Even though I spent a great deal of time beating myself up for allowing them to be gone for so long, I know that this time being apart from them was so healthy for my marriage, for me as a full-time stay at home mom, for my children, and for my parents.

I think they had so much fun that I'm not quite sure they actually had time to miss us. While selfishly, I hope they did, I'm also quite relieved that someone other than me can love, care for, and enjoy my children as much as I do.

Because isn't it my job to help them become independent from me? Don't I need to rely on others to help me parent and raise these children? Isn't it good for them to bond with their grandparents?

Yes, yes, and yes...but it is SOOOOOOO good to have them home!

Where have I been?

My computer has been pretty lonely lately (and is collecting quite a bit of dust, I might add). My status updates on Facebook and blog posts have been few and far between. Even though I have been "kid-free" for the past 12 days, it has NOT been a a vacation. Every day has been very busy...just read my last "Not Me, Monday" post to see pics from horseback riding, dinner with an old friend, and many dates with my husband...not to mention the countless trips to EVERY home improvement store in town, the hours of painting, and the great frustration over the endless rain and its hindering of our many projects.

But this week I got to go on our youth group's senior high camping trip. It has been a REALLY long time...like over 4 years...since I've attended a youth group trip longer than a weekend WITHOUT bringing our children.

And it was a blast!


There is nothing better than staying up late talking with students about favorite memories, current frustrations, parent issues, and insecurities.


And the tubing, canoeing, scavenger hunts, camp food, and time around the campfire weren't bad either!

Not Me, Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! It's a chance to laugh at ourselves as we confess all the crazy things we have done in the past week. Our good virtual friend, MckMama leads us always in our endeavor. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

Confession is so good for the soul!

I did NOT wake up Monday morning and realize that I had nothing prepped for our two day project completing frenzy. So, my hubby and I did NOT make countless trips to Home Depot, Menards, Fleet Farm, and Walmart to find the perfect stain for some trim in our dining room...after the first 2 attempts failed!

I also did NOT skip the staining and move straight to a painting project and realize we had loaned out all our brushes and other paint supplies to.....who knows! Once we figured it out, we did NOT wait another 1/2 day to pick up our "lost" materials, and therefore waste almost one of Brad's very precious vacation days.

While we were driving around town and rushing to complete projects, I did NOT forget to stop and prepare ALMOST EVERY meal for myself and my husband. My little alarm--A.K.A. ravenously hungry 2 year old son---that says, "eat, eat, mama, eat," wasn't here to remind me. (My poor, starving husband!)

I did NOT enjoy a fun visit from my friend, Melanie, and then go horseback riding with her. And it was most certainly NOT my first time on a horse. Nope, again, NOT me! (Don't I look extremely calm for being AFRAID FOR MY LIFE!)


I did NOT complete fly off the handle with my husband because I was frustrated with how little we had gotten done during his 2 days off and allow myself to wallow in self-pity when things didn't go my way...like when it RAINED all week so I couldn't complete my BIG project of staining our GINORMOUS deck and swing set. Nope, I'm sure I was completely under control the entire time and wasn't phased in the least!

I did NOT buy a very cute dress to wear on a "hot" date with my husband...a much lower cut dress than I usually wear because I wanted to look "foxy" for Brad.


Since my children were gone, I did NOT allow the house to fall into utter disarray (because I could leave all the stain, paint, tools, step ladders, etc. without fearing for my children's safety) and THEN spend 1/2 a day cleaning it up before friends came over for dinner Saturday night.

I did NOT think through the fact that my children were going to be at Grandma and Papa's house on Father's Day...yup, I certainly wouldn't have done that!

At church, I most certainly did NOT visit our nursery...even though I had NO children in the nursery/children's program because they were 5 1/2 hours away! No, why would I go there when I had no children? What crazy lady does that?

I was NOT completely excited and a little nervous to meet up with an old high school friend...of whom I had not seen in 14 years! It was certainly NOT an amazing time reconnecting and catching up. And it was absolutely NOT one of the highlights of my weekend!


Ahhh, does everyone feel better? I know I do! Have a GREAT week!

Wordful Wednesday: Dancing queen

Welcome to "Wordful Wednesday" created by Angie at Seven Clown Circus. It's a chance to showcase some of our favorite pictures. Come on, and join in the fun!

Last weekend, my family was in North Dakota for my cousin's wedding. I haven't taken our kids to many weddings...actually only one ceremony and two other receptions...weddings are hard with small children! But I knew that Sammy would LOVE going to the reception and dance. As you can tell, she had a BALL!


She spent most of the night with another 3 1/2 year old named Kaylee. Those girls were like two peas in a pod. They were inseparable and didn't do ANYTHING without the other. It was the sweetest thing.

When it came time to tell Sammy we were going home...around 10:30, she begged to see her friend the next day. She invited her to come to Grandma's house and play with her. Her friendship with Kaylee was fast and true.

They accepted one another fully, played happily with no argument, and loved each other completely.

See!


Oh, that we adults would learn something from these precious children.

6 random and unimportant things that make me happy

A new virtual friend of mine, Micah...who can be found at Silver Linings, tagged me and placed before me a challenge I could not refuse. (I always say I DON'T have time to do things like this, but, deep down inside, I REALLY like doing them!)

So, here goes...six random and unimportant things that make me happy!

The Rules:* List Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy*
Mention and link to the person who tagged you*
Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along{and comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged}

1. a clean house...I really, really, really like having a tidy house. This means having everything in its place, having plenty of food in the fridge for guests, and ESPECIALLY a clean floor and bathrooms. I think I'm actually borderline obsessive compulsive about having a clean house...but having two small children forces me to let go a little more of that disorder every day. (I actually used to start cleaning up their toys WHILE they were still playing with them!) Seriously, a clean house DOES NOT USUALLY exist in my day to day world...but I wish it did!

2. cookie dough...ahhhhhh, I am obsessed with cookie dough! I always have LOTS of extra chocolate and peanut butter chips in my cupboard for any occasion...especially when students are over. There is no holding back at my house, and double dipping is expected! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!!!

3. Survivor and the Amazing Race...I am a Survivor and Amazing Race fanatic. I do NOT get into any of the other reality shows, but I really can't wait until the next season of these shows begins. I am completely loyal and am always ready and willing to discuss the latest episode.

4. everything checked off on my to-do list...I am a concrete-sequential person, and I'm NOT afraid to say it, but I LOVE LISTS! And not only do I LOVE LISTS but I LOVE CROSSING THINGS OFF MY LISTS. Sometimes I've actually written things on my list that I've already done so that I can check them off! Or I add silly things like, "get up," or "have breakfast" or "take a shower" and no brainer things like that so that I can check more stuff off my list. I know, I know, I'm a nerd!!!

5. scrapbooking with friends...when I lived in the Twin Cities for two years, my girlfriends and I would scrapbook every Friday night. It was such a great time. Not only did we get a lot of scrapbooking done, but we also became fast friends and Friday nights became like "free counseling" as we shared our struggles with one another, prayed for each other, and laughed together. I really, really miss those days, but I try to scrapbook with friends at least twice a year...which is WAY too little!

6. sleeping in...I am a night person so I LOVE staying up late. This worked great for me...until having children! But God is so good, and He gave me pretty good sleepers for children. Most days, my kiddos don't wake up until around 7:30, and Sammy is old enough to get up and play in her room for awhile until Caleb wakes up. But 7:30 is still pretty early when you're up until 1:00. So whenever my husband is so kind to let me sleep in and take the kids in the morning, it is like pure HEAVEN!

Now consider yourself tagged by me!

1. Micah at Silver Linings
2. Gianna at A Traveling Thought
3. Erica at Let's Make a Home
4. Sharla at As for me and my house
5. Chris at spiders in my basement
6. Amy at It's Just Not That Complicated

Not Me, Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

Confession is so good for the soul!

I do NOT overbook my schedule, and I NEVER over commit. Nope, I always make sure that I have plenty of balance and down time worked into my daily and weekly schedule.

So, it was NOT me who had a whole mess of students at my house two nights in a row last week...which meant insane amounts of cleaning and cooking for me. NOPE, I would NEVER stress myself out like that. (Did I mention that I did NOT have a mere three hours to cook and clean from the point my good friend and her three children left until students arrived?) Nor did I stay up late hanging out with students until after midnight right after a very crazy night with one very cute little girl.

I did NOT place neosporin and BAND-AIDS on my son's bottom because his diaper rash was turning into deep, red sores and blisters. No, who would put BAND-AIDS on their son's bottom! I did NOT call his doctor immediately the next morning and take the first available appointment....at 2:30...smack dab in the middle of NAP TIME, even though I knew what a bad idea it was.

So, of course, it was NOT me who took two very tired and whiny children to the doctor a hour after they should have been napping peacefully in their beds.

It was NOT me who let her children sleep VERY late (my mother always said, "NEVER wake a sleeping baby.") so that I would have to speed to my pharmacy to pick up my son's butt cream later that evening.

So it was NOT me who banged on the front door of my pharmacy trying desperately to pick up the prescription cream for my son. (My cell phone said it was 5:53 and the sign said they didn't close until 6:00!) And I did NOT beg and sweet talk the pharmacist to a let me in and thank her profusely when she gave me his prescription.

After two very long days with the kids, I did NOT cave and decide to take them to Burger King...and then let me daughter wear her crown EVERYWHERE she went for the next two days.


I also did NOT go to my cousin's wedding and let my daughter dance like a wild child on the dance floor.


I did NOT beg my parents to stop chatting with family and friends and watch my children so I Brad and I could dance. I also did NOT let my children stay up until almost 11:00 so that I could dance "just one more song" with him.


And, I most certainly did NOT take my mom and dad up on their offer to watch our children for a week so Brad and I could get some major projects done around the house and go away for a couple of days, just the two of us.

I also did NOT cry and cry when I waved good-bye to my beautiful children, who were playing and having a great time with Grandma and Papa.

I also am NOT going to have an amazing week with my best friend and soul mate.

Friday Fave Five

Join me for Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

Reflection is good for the heart and the soul. And through that reflection we realize what we have and become grateful for the many blessings in our life.

1. Loving on and feeding students. I LOVE having students in our home. And this week we had A LOT of students over, and I made a LOT of food! I fed Brad's small group of junior/senior guys supper Sunday night. Tacos....YUMMY! I then fed a college aged student who lives nearby a late supper around 11:00 p.m. that night. Then we grilled out for 14 eighth grade students Monday night. Finally on Tuesday, I had a former student over for lunch. Life gets crazy at times, but I do LOVE having a full house and cooking food to fill all those hungry mouths.

2. A glorious weekend with Gianna. I had such a great time with my girlfriend Gianna last weekend. We have not been able to spend that much time together for many, many months...maybe even years. I truly cherish her friendship and was so thrilled that she came for a visit.


3. FINALLY sunny weather! Praise God summer is almost here in Minnesota! It took long enough! My week has been full of playdates at the park, time riding bikes and playing on the swingset, and many, many walks.


4. Playing "beauty salon" with my kiddos. I don't know why I hadn't thought of this sooner, but I discovered a new "game" that my kids love. They spent over a half hour every day playing beauty salon with me. They played so well together, and I actually enjoyed having them comb and brush my hair...it was actually kinda relaxing!

5. New wardrobe. Since I've now lost 17 pounds....YAHOO!...I am fitting into clothes I haven't fit in since BEFORE I got pregnant with Sammy (my adorable 3 1/2 year old). I have some super cute skirts and capris I had completely forgotten about. Yeah for me...and yeah for my pocketbook!

Have a WONDERFUL Friday!

Wordful Wednesday: Biker Sammy

Welcome to "Wordful Wednesday" created by Angie at Seven Clown Circus.


Somehow (apparently when I haven't been watching and without me realizing) Sammy has gotten old enough to ride a bike.

Seriously, how did this happen?

One day she was content to ride in the double stroller with Caleb and the next she's riding her bike (which was a hand-me-down from my nephew, James--gotta love having an older brother with older children!) next to me as I push Caleb in a stroller to the park!

And she is a PRO! It's like she's been doing this her whole life.

It's yet another reminder that this time is so short, and no matter how long the days might be, the years do fly by!

Ride on, little girl, ride on!

Not me, Monday: A weekend with a friend!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

Confession is so good for the soul!

I did NOT (because I was too tired and unmotivated all week) leave most of my house cleaning for Friday...right before my friend Gianna arrived...even though I know she wouldn't have minded a slightly unkept house.

I did NOT let Sammy stay up until 10:00 so that she could play a little with her friends...and seriously, it's hard to get 5 children to sleep in one little house!

I was NOT relieved that we were able to figure out sleeping arrangements for three adults (Brad and I in our bedroom and Gianna on the couch), a 4 year old (in Sammy's room), a 3 1/2 year old (in Caleb's room), a 2 1/2 year old, (in Sammy's room), a 2 year old (in his room), and one 1 year old (in the guest bathroom/laundry room) in our 1300 square foot house.

We did NOT have children who were incredibly GREAT nappers, but really BAD night sleepers. See Gianna's blog for one of our CRAZY nights.

I did NOT wake up at 4:00 a.m. to find Brin in our bathroom with her diaper off and perfectly awake and happy and then proceed to wander around my house looking for Gianna...since she was not on the couch where she was supposed to be. I did NOT (for one small second) think the rapture had happened and that she had been taken! And I did NOT eventually find her sleeping in a kid's tent in Sammy's room. You NEED to click on Gianna's blog for the full details!

I do NOT have a son who sleeps GREAT every night, but the two nights Gianna is here to visit wakes up both nights SCREAMING. (He slept perfectly last night...you know the night AFTER Gianna left!)

I was NOT secretly happy that since Gianna came to visit that I did not have to attend five graduation open houses. (I LOVE our students, but grad parties with 2 small children in rainy and cold weather is not fun!)

I was NOT grateful to learn at times this weekend that I my children are not the only crazy, loud children on the planet.

I do NOT have a son who crys out, "eat, eat, eat" right before EVERY meal and EVERY snack time and appears to be starving all day long...just ask Gianna!


We did NOT have little girls who played an insane amount of dress-up this weekend!


See!


I did NOT enjoy reconnecting my friend Gianna to her high school "camp" friend and spending a couple of hours with both of them.

I did NOT fall alsleep Saturday night while talking to Gianna and Brad, and then pretend to have NOT fallen asleep and try to rejoin their conversation....and say something COMPLETELY unrelated to what they were CURRENTLY talking about.

I did NOT allow Gianna to struggle with and walk out of church with 3 of our 5 chidren, while Brad and I each had one. I would NEVER be that unhelpful!

I did NOT have a smashing good time with my friend Gianna.

I'm a hopeless connector...

All of us have a unique gift mix. Even though we may share traits with another person, we are all very, very different.

I think it's one of the most beautiful things about us as humans.

And when we think of ourselves as a part of the larger body of Christ, it becomes even more wonderful and stunning.

It's funny, though, how often people see something in us that we don't see in ourselves. When someone else mentions a specific talent or giftedness they see in us, we often tilt our head a bit and say, "really, you think so?"

My masters in education program had a leadership focus. Because of that, I've read many books on leadership and have come to understand my individual strengths better. It has really opened my eyes to how God has wired me to be the unique wife, mother, teacher, and friend that I am.

And in this process of learning and through my husband's comments and observations, I've really come to realize that I'm a "connector."

What's a connector, you may ask? Well, I guess I connect........people. (Side note....this does NOT mean I'm a matchmaker!)

I connect people in similar life circumstances or situations to one another. And I LOVE doing this!

I'm an extrovert and love being with people. I love getting to know people and plugging them into something that they have been looking for or something that they might enjoy or someone who does or enjoys the same thing they do.

Let me give you a couple of examples.

About a year and a half ago I went in for my yearly eye exam. I began chatting with my eye doctor, and found out she was new to the area and was originally from my hometown. I asked her if she and her husband had found a local church to worship and invited her to my church. Now she and her husband are well connected with our young marrieds group and are volunteers in our youth ministry program.

One day, about four months ago, as I was picking up my kids at Kid's Kastle (our YMCA's childcare program), I struck up a conversation with one of the moms about my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, and I invited her to come. A few weeks later, she joined me at my MOPS table and has now connected with other moms in my church and community.

About six weeks ago, one of our neighbors stopped by our house to ask for names of babysitters since her daughter and 7 month old grandson had moved in with her. After we talked a bit, I began to think of other people or groups that her daughter may like. I plugged her into a local singles ministry and then invited her to a play date with about 6 or 7 of my other "mommy" friends. And I hope to continue to connect her with other moms that she can lean on for support.

Even this past weekend, while my good friend Gianna was visiting me, I was able to reunite her with a high school friend...who happens to be in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) with me. They hadn't seen each other in over 10 years, and it was so much fun to be able to reconnect them again.

I'm writing about this for a number of reasons.

First, I think we often forget how uniquely gifted each of one of us (especially those stay-at-home-moms out there) and how we are wired to do great things. We often get so caught up in making meals, potty training, breaking up sibling fights, changing diapers, and doing mountains of laundry that we forget our sometimes hidden talents and abilities. There are ways that we can still use our wonderful talents....it just takes a little more effort, time and creativity.

Second, there are many things that comes to each of us naturally that DOESN'T come naturally to other people. I really used to think everyone constantly thinks about how to encourage, connect, and help others. But not everyone does that. And I'm glad that everyone doesn't because we need leaders and activators and workers and all different kinds of people.

And third, it's a reminder that we are created to do GOOD WORKS, and that everything we do is not a waste. Speaking in love to our whining child is not a waste. Choosing to make a healthy meal for our families is not a waste. Even cleaning a very messy baby after lunch day after day is not a waste.

NOTHING is wasted in God's economy.

Everything we do has meaning, and even if our husbands, friends, or children don't notice or appreciate it, God does.

First Friday's Fave Fives!

Reflection is good for the heart and the soul. And through that reflection we realize what we have and become grateful for the many blessings in our life.

Join me for my first ever Friday's Fave Fives, brought to us by Susanne at Living to tell the Story.

1. I am so blessed to have a wonderful group of fellow young moms in my life. And summer in Minnesota is NOT complete without weekly play dates and picnics at the park.

See! Meet Megan and her kids...

Bible Study Fellowship buddies, Jackie and Amy...

Our adorable children playing contentedly...

Christina and her little darlings...

Me and my kiddos...who were both both WAY more excited about their yummy brownie than in taking a picture!

2. I LIVE for Thursday nights with the girls at Starbucks. Our wonderful husbands take the kids so we can meet and chat, work through a Bible study together, drink some fabulous coffee, and lift one another up in prayer. Seriously, I don't know how I survived without this time with the girls!

3. On Tuesday night, we drove 2 hours down to the Twin Cities, dropped off the kids with some friends, and went to a Minnesota Twins game. We went to Twins games a ton when we were in college and also when we later lived there. It was a WONDERFUL evening that included a free dinner, a great catch from center fielder, Carlos Gomez, a win by the Twins and 5 hours of time with my wonderful husband and another "couple" friends. (If you haven't realized yet, date night is a non-negotiable in our home.)

4. My adorable daughter Sammy. Our nursery coordinator likes to call Sammy, "Sammy-pajammy." On Sunday, she called Sammy by this nickname and Sammy responded, "No, I'm Sammy in a dress!" (Not only is she beautiful, confident, and self-assured, she's also--as my friend Gianna mentioned--quite blunt!)


5. My youngest, Caleb, will be 2 next month. And since he was a newborn, I have been in graduate school and losing weight was placed on the back burner. Since April I have been trying my hardest to lose his baby weight and have lost 16 pounds in the last 2 months! Yahoo! I feel like I have a whole new wardrobe...you know, of the clothes you USED to fit into BEFORE you had kids.

Have a BLESSED Friday!

Wordful Wednesday: my little monkey

Welcome to "Wordful Wednesday" created by Angie at Seven Clown Circus.

I have a monkey living in my house. Her name is Sammy, and she daily blows me away with her confidence,


her carefree spirit,


and her amazing climbing skills.


As one who has a front seat at watching her grow, I truly love that nothing really intimidates or scares her. I continually pray that these qualities will grow her into a young lady who is assertive, self-confident and who stands up for what is right.

But as her mother and earthly guardian, I wish she had at least an ounce of fear!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have NOT been doing this week.

I did NOT have CRAZY children that acted very poorly at Target, and then proceed to bribe them to obey and stop throwing fits with the candy we just got from our previous errand to the bank.

I did NOT let Caleb play with my only set of car keys in the sand so that he would be content and I could chat with my girlfriends.

I most certainly did NOT stay in bed until 9:00 Friday morning, even though I knew the kids were up and Brad had to feed them by himself. Nope! I did NOT roll over and go back to sleep and let him deal with breakfast.

I did NOT let my daughter stay up until almost 11:00 p.m. watching “Finding Nemo” so that I could play a card game with my husband and two great couple friends.

I did NOT feed my children a TON of ice cream and cake at some students’ open houses yesterday so that they would be quiet and I could talk with friends.
And I definitely did NOT have a glorious date with my husband at Famous Dave’s and then spend some time praying over our family, marriage, life, decisions, and concerns together.

Ahhhhh, of course I did NOT!