So I’m spring breaking at my parents house, where it’s (usually) a lot warmer than where I live. Of course, in a cruel trick of nature, the temperature is now the same in both places. Whatever. I’m enjoying the sunshine anyway. Something about vacationing (and especially staying with your parents) makes you think differently than you do on a routine basis. Here is some of the mind-boggling, random, and admittedly shallow stuff I’ve been thinking about.
- My parents have a lot of mirrors in their house. Every time I go in or out of a room, Yikes, there I am again.
- I’ve been getting up early in the morning to go to the gym with my dad. It doesn’t sound very vacationy, but it’s kind of nice to have a little getaway and leave the kids behind with my mom.
- There may be a direct correlation between #1 and #2.
- Socks are my nemesis. I think carpet grows them because I find them everywhere. One of my favorite things about summertime is sandals for everyone. And no socks.
- The terrible threes are formidable. I totally escaped the terrible twos with Natalie, but she more than makes up for it now. It’s like demons sprout out of her head, shrill and angry. Ten minutes later, the demons smile and bat their eyelashes. Heaven help us.
- Moms and dads grow up and get old. It’s a little weird. I also see more of my mom in myself than I did before, which is also a little weird. The combination of both concepts and the whole “circle of life” stuff is weird too. Translation: I’m getting old and I’m turning into my mother. (Long awkward pause where I’m trying not to use the word weird again. . . . )
- I was long overdue to get my children’s portraits taken, so I did. Seriously now, I know they’re not your own kids and usually that means you would have to fake some kind of caring, but really, I mean really, aren’t they adorable?
- My NCAA bracket picks were HORRIBLE. My only consolation is that probably everyone else’s picks were bad, too. What a surprising number of wins by the “underdogs.” Fun to watch, but I feel sorry for anybody who put money down on their picks. (Luckily I only wagered my firstborn. Sorry, Grant.)
- American Idol is totally underwhelming this season. I keep waiting for a “wow,” but nothing. And I’m way easier to please than Simon, so it shouldn’t be that hard.
- Mother Teresa rocks. I’ve been reading her biography and I’ll blog more about her later, but here is one of my favorite quotes from the last chapter I read:
“Let us love Jesus with our whole heart and soul. Let us bring him many souls. Keep Smiling. Smile at Jesus in your suffering. . . There is nothing special for you to do but to allow Jesus to live his life in you by accepting whatever he gives and giving whatever he takes with a big smile.”
Well, that’s all I could come up with from a brain on Spring Break. Enjoy Conference this weekend, everyone. Click here if you still need some conference activities for your children. Happy Spring, Happy Easter, and here’s wishing you happy sunshine.
Diapers and Divinity 
Socks are evil.
It is FABULOUS outside! I went for a long walk this morning and considered making out with the sunshine. Or at least giving it several chaste kisses.
And yes, your kids are adorable! Hug them now while you can!
And just know that while you are turning into your mother, someday Natalie will be turning into you. Revenge is sweet.
Your kids are so cute!! And good luck with the mirrors. Hope you don’t get all Poltergeisted!
Love the quote. I think I may use it – if you don’t mind. Hate the socks. My kids won’t go without socks.
Seriously, as I was reading this post, as soon as I scrolled down to the picture of your kids, I gasped! I know it sounds silly, but I was having such a gloomy-doomy sort of day, and then that picture popped up…all full of Springy brightness and smiles and hope for the future. It really brightened my day to see such adorable cuties. 🙂
And p.s., I can’t wait to read the Mother Teresa post…that’s one autobiography I’ve been dying to read!
I hate mirrors so much I’ve sometimes wondered if I had a vampire in my ancestry. And I think my kids quadrupled their “leaving socks everywhere” efforts whenever we visited the grandparents. My 3-year olds were wicked little devils – way harder than 2-year olds. Much bigger vocabulary, for starters. And that picture really is like a little easter basket!
I totally LOVE Natalie’s dress! Fabulous!
You definitely have good looking kiddos 🙂 !!
Oh man, three has always been way worse than two for me. I love 2 year olds. I’d like to throw 3 year olds out the window, and I have one right now.
I think the picture is beautiful!
And, it’s freaking 75 degrees today where I live! And you know that’s not supposed to happen, even in July. But it’s only 40 back in Utah. Strange twist of fate.
Up until last week the only mirror we had was a little medicine cabinet mirror in the bathroom above the sink, so all I could see was from my shoulders up. Then my sis-in-law bought me one of those really long mirrors to hang on the back of your door, and I’m kinda depressed to be able to see my full body.
Cute picture. 🙂 I love Natalie’s dress. 🙂
I totally agree with you on American Idol.
And I have had that same realization about parents getting old and it’s a little scary.
Darling kids! Did you think to have a family protrait done? That’s important, too.
I have three year old grandkids. Some ar darling, some are a little more, ummmm…. I guess you could say fiesty?!!!
Ya’ gotta love them.
Here are my random responses as I lay in a hospital bed with my son:
someday, when I create my world, there will be no socks. That way, we will completely avoid dirty socks in every corner possible, the screams over not finding matching socks, and the drama of socks with holes. Not to mention tights. Shudder.
Three year old girls are the devil.
I realized for the first time this past year how old my dad was getting. It was a tough realization.
American Idol this year is truly boring, I agree. Reminds me of the blah season with Jordin sparks and the beatboxing boy.
And now I’m done filling up your comment box, except to say that I love the pic of your kiddos! Adorable!
I keep finding kids’ socks everywhere too. I have told my children I will start charging them money for every sock I have to pick up, but I haven’t really done that yet. I need to carry out my threats of abuse, right?
The pic is adorable!!
I have consciously NOT taken socks with us on trips to grandma’s house in the summer time. It’s my own little present to myself.
Which biography of Mother Teresa are you reading? I was intriged to hear that she wasn’t sure there was a God ~ and then torn apart over it by people. I thought it was amazing, considering the work she did and the good that she did, seemingly in His name. To do all that good even when she wasn’t sure… I’d love to read more details about her life and her work.
Enjoy your Spring Break!
Your kids are darling and I’m not just saying that to be nice.
I am my mom!!! But now that she is gone I love every minute of it and you will too. Enjoy your SPRING break which what feels like WINTER break here in Utah.
Mirrors! Don’t get me started on those.
I’m so with you on the American Idol thing! It’s so boring this year and the judges are so predictable. “Poor song choice, not workin’ for me, you didn’t make it your own, blah blah blah.” And I’m tired of Ellen booing herself every time she’s about to slam someone. Don’t worry Ellen, I’ll do it!
It’s called the “Unreasonable Three’s” and it is true. You cannot reason with a three year old. They just don’t work that way.
AI is VERY underwhelming. No doubt, there! And I’ve always been such a fan. Sigh…
Love the picture – for serious, too.
My bracket stunk up the party, big time.
Three is so hard.
Mirrors are harder.
Going to the gym IS a vacation.
I saw that you reading that biography on Goodreads and I’m intrigued.
I detest socks.
Sending sunshine your way!
Your kids ARE adorable. There, I didn’t even have to pretend. Your Natalie reminds me of my Grace, demon heads and all. Something about the expression – all cute and innocent, but always the subtle hint that trouble could be brewing…
Hope you’re having a wonderful vacation. It snowed here today. IN APRIL. Can’t wait for Conference!
socks. I HATE them. Esp. after they go thru the laundry and they LOSE their mate. *sigh*
Mirrors–reminds me when I was in a Vegas hotel–literally lights and mirrors EVERYWHERE. It is scary.
😉
Have a GR8 conference weekend though!!!
Cute kiddo pic.
Hi Steph,
I have just read your lastest post, and loved it! you have such a brilliant way with words. i loved your list and how funny you should mention about becoming your Mom! I felt the same, and now my daughter says the same thing. your family are delightful and i love the photos. keep them coming. I so know what you mean about the 3’s and demons…blimey, it can keep you in a whirl. but hey, we love them to bits anyways. nice that your’e getting to spend time with your Dad, and I bet your Mom just loves having the kiddies to herself. Enjoy your family time at easter. i wish you all the best for a blessed easter time. hope the good weather continues. from Cindy (notjustagranny) who is notyetagranny 🙂 in London. take care. i look forward to your next post
#4: here’s for spring & less socks! I did 2 loads of laundry today and already rejoiced in the fact that there were less socks in the wash.
#10: Mother Teresa rocks. I’ve always felt humbled that I share her name (however a slightly different spelling). She is an inspiration. I will have to check out her bio!
Happy Easter!