Good Friday

This day, Friday, December 2nd, was one of those days that made me exclaim, "Holy Cow - these are the golden years."  So I decided to document it - Kathryn style.  (Long and detailed.)  Here was the day's highlights:

Lucy coming in that morning in just her pink leggings and a purple shirt - expecting to only wear that to school.  "Mom, this was all I could find."  Guess I needed to do laundry.  We added a skirt and called it good.  

Snuggling with Leta and Annie on the floor of our living room and watching Sesame Street.  Annie finally stopped her morning cry because she wanted me to "tickle" her back.  (Really, it's scratch, but she calls it tickle.)  Such a Melzer.

Ryan and I found out how much in unclaimed money we had.  Months ago we saw on the state website that we had unclaimed money.  At first I was worried they were just doing it to find where I was to give me an 8 year old red light camera ticket, but we finally filled out the paper work and it was legit.  We had unclaimed money.  I called them to see how much it was on this Friday.  The lady kindly told me, "$7.13 from unpaid payroll."  I know, ungrateful me thought, "Ah crap, I was at least hoping for $20."  And then I had to laugh because $7.13 was probably a whole week's worth of pay when I was a teacher's aid.  Okay, that may partly be an exaggeration, but many of my jobs only paid me minimum wage - guess that's what you get for choosing to work with kids (and minimum wage was $5 and $6 back then.)  But, I then thought to ask the lady on the phone, "but, I think we had two unclaimed funds."  So she transferred me to our case worker and I found out we are getting a few hundred dollars back from unclaimed funds when we sold our old house.  Sweet!  It kinda made up for the low December pay - kinda.  I guess it just lessens to blow.  But, I'll take it!  

Going to Katie's house and eating her Mini Wheats for breakfast.  I love Mini Wheats and I'm thankful for sisters close by that have food when I haven't gotten out to the grocery store in too long for easy breakfasts on lazy mornings.  Katie also made me stir fry for lunch.  You can all be jealous that you don't have a Katie.  

Elsa coming home from school with bright red lips.  She bought some lipstick samples at the holiday house at school.  

Leta and Annie taking a nap!

Lucy and Elsa's drawings.  

The girls eagerly awaiting the arrival of grandma Melzer.  All the girls were picked up by grandma Melzer and got to enjoy a date to McDonald's.  Then the older girls got the spend the night.  My girls LOVE spending the night at their grandma's.  They would have packed a week in advance if I let them.  They were so stinkin' excited. The girls all got Happy Meals and grandma and grandpa time.  Seriously, a million dollars wouldn't make them happier. (I count my blessings everyday for 2 sets of grandparents and a great grandma who do things for my girls.) 

Waiting...

No girls, which equaled a very welcomed date night for Ryan and I.  Date nights don't happen very often around here.  It was one of those nights where all the stars lined up and the choirs of angels sang.

Gift card to California Pizza Kitchen =  Free date night.  Whoot whoot.

Finding the perfect "free" coat at Ross.  Several months ago I had purchased some shoes at Ross, but decided I didn't need them.  However, I made my return too late so they only gave me store credit.  At the time I was ticked because I didn't want to spend that money.  Fast forward to this month when our money tree didn't grow enough for a winter jacket budget.  I decided that since I never get out to go shopping, I better use this chance to use up my store credit before Ross does something quirky and clears my credit from their system.  Also, I have been looking for the last 10 years for a Pea Coat, but have never found one in my budget and that fit right.  Lo and behold, Ross had one that was perfect so I used part of my credit and did a happy dance because I wasn't spending any extra money.  I'm chalking this up to major tender mercy.  It may feel silly to say an article of clothing was a tender mercy, but it was.  (And my pea coat is made out of recycled material, so that either means it is awesome or it will fall apart in a year or so.  And the dark color reminds me that I shed like a cat.  But, either way, I'm so thrilled to finally, after 10 years of searching, have a warm coat I feel cute in.  Hence, the cue of the choirs of angels because Ryan actually agreed to go shopping with me and I found my dream coat.)

Going to pick up Leta and Annie after our date and seeing Leta so relaxed on her grandpa Melzer's lap.  She is a grandpa's girl.

Seeing grandma and grandpa's new flooring.  I'm so excited for them.  This remodel was long overdue (like Helen thought she would get her new carpet before Ryan left on his mission over a decade ago, but life got in the way...)

Hearing Annie read "No David."  She has is memorized.  It's so cute listening to her say, "Stop that this instant!" or "That's enough David."  Lucy and Elsa had "David Goes to School" memorized at her age.  I don't think I got them on video, hopefully I can get Annie.

Watching Leta try to pin Hobbes to her crib mattress and her telling me, "Mom, shut the door."  She really wanted that cat to sleep with her for the evening.

Having to tent Leta and Annie in by placing a blanket on top of their crib.  They like to feel like they are hiding in their cribs so they request it.

Staying up late working and dreaming.  Realizing how blessed I am and realizing how silly it is when I try to prove that I'm awesome and compare myself to others.  Hence the quote on my blog header.  I just need to enjoy the journey and stop dwelling on my failures.  Simplify, work at a pace comfortable to me and have joy.

This day was chalk full of too many blessings to overlook the joy.