Things that happened today...

1. I was pleasantly surprised by a visit from my daddy first thing this morning.
2. I had not one, but 2 cups of coffee. The best part of waking up. Two cup days are usually good, but not nearly as good as 4 cup days.
3. The kids got to play at the park. That is always fun! They played themselves into a dither!
4. J. decided that he does like pizza. I have dreamt for this day. Can you say, Digiorno?
5. My parents were in-town today and we spent some time this afternoon with them. The kids are always glad to see their grandparents. My mom tried to give the kids ice cream and their evil mom said NO... Poor kids... Poor grandmamma... :(
6. My son begged and begged me to let him mop. Yes, really.
7. My daughter morphed into a two-year old, finally. She's always been so perfect, now, at 2 and 3/4 years old, she got the memo... I think an extended 3 month timeout should do...
8. I cooked a dinner that both kids ate. It was evidently scrumptious.
9. We got to go to church. Rainbows, specifically. I cannot explain to you how much this means to the kids. It is as if they would do anything I asked them to just so they can go, (pick up toys, eat their 'growing food') It's magical. J. knows he gets 'points' if he brings his Bible, so at like 3PM he started carrying it with him everywhere... so sweet.
10. I saw Marme's 30 year set. Good job, Pastor. And Marms, you're gonna have to get a sling to hold your arm up before too long. I'll say - if that's what 30 years earns me, I'm in...
11. Rainbows went well, until Julia got a present for earning 500 points, and A. did not get the same special present. She cried real big tears, for a really long time. So heart-broken. These outbursts are so foreign coming from A. that I don't really know what to do with myself when it happens. I guess I will do what every other mom does; grin sheepishly and make an escape... In her defense, she's been positively perfect, until lately...
12. We went by Daddy's work to kiss him goodnight. Given A's foul mood today, I should have known better. She covered her mouth as we walked in. I asked her why she was covering her mouth and she snarled, "I don't want to give kisses." And she quickly covered her mouth up again.
13. The much anticipated moment arrived at bedtime tonight. I told J. that if he had a good bedtime last night, and he ate and behaved well today, he would get to sleep with his favorite Buzz Lightyear Toy. A moment I have dreaded because I knew he would keep himself awake with it. He tried so hard today. He was agreeable, sweet, he ate, he did everything I asked him to. He was just perfect. So tonight at bedtime, I told him he had definitely earned a night with Buzz. Those eyes just lit up. It was wonderful! He could not have been more pleased. And I could not have been any more proud. We have had our moments, me and that boy - but tonight he was so big, so tender, so excited, so everything a momma dreams of. He went straight to sleep.

What a gift! We are so blessed!

Even the days that don't seem to have a real definite purpose are blessings!

Thank you Lord for a great day with my babies!