Out my window: Clear and a chilly 12 degrees. Though that is great compared to what we have in store the next few days- highs of 1 and -15 on Sunday and Monday, respectively, with horrible wind chills. School is already cancelled for Monday and Joe is working remotely from home so we don't have to get the kids out. Yuck, man.
Clothing myself in: Maurice's skinny jeans, the boots Mom and Dad Marney got me for my birthday and actually, a cute flannel shirt Mom and Dad Marney got me for Christmas. This outfit was almost entirely from Mom and Dad Marney- except a I threw Joe's robe over it cause I was cold :)
Around the house: We made a concerted effort on basement clean-up today since our kitchen project is nearing a close and the basement is next. Well, kind of next. We might do a quick detour into transitioning George into Liam's room and making G's room an office before we buckle down on the basement. But it is nice to have the basement in order. Whenever it is all picked up and tidy, I can see the potential for when it is completed. It is going to be such great space.
The toddler: I have been trying (and sometimes succeeding!) at being very positive with him especially when he is being particularly challenging. I have found that when he starts being ornery, if I can engage him positively, I can almost always turn it around. It is hard, though. Sometimes dinner has to be made or we are just trying to get out of the door and those are the times when it is most difficult to deal with his challenging behavior. But I feel like I have this effective tool that I was unaware of before, so it is something. Bit by bit with that little guy.
The kiddos: Yes, chicken pox. Issy definitely had it. She got a pretty mild case, but there was one miserably itchy night. I took her to the Physician's Assistant on Tuesday to confirm it, who told me it was fine if I just called in when the other kids got it and they would make note of it in their charts. Isaac had a fever tonight, which was how Issy's started, but it would be a little early for chicken pox, given the incubation period. At least if he got it from her. I suppose we will see.
The other kids are due for it this upcoming week. Unfortunately, Joe is out of town from Tuesday through Friday, so if they do get it this week, I am hoping it'll be towards the end. Ah, childhood illness. At least we will have gotten it over, though. Please pray that it happens quickly and mildly, if you could?
In the kitchen: Crock pot chicken, chicken noodle soup, turkey rice casserole and bean/ cheese/ rice squares. Made some chocolate chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles on New Years, maybe some more cookies tomorrow? Pumpkin butterscotch chip, I am thinking.
Crafting: Finished my scarf- just in time for this frigid weather. I am still working on my co-workers gloves.
Bringing me joy: A relatively peaceful day at home, sledding with the kids, Issy playing school with Adelle and George without any prompting, warm showers, naps, evening out with a friend, walking into work in the morning, having lunch with Joe.
Thinking about: 2013. Honestly, I am not sad to say good-bye. It was just kind of a rough year- Kolbe dying, never-ending winter, epic amounts of mosquitoes when winter finally ended, Isaac getting Kawasaki, Clementine getting Lyme disease, money stress, early mornings. But as we were putting together our 2013 slideshow, Joe and I were talking about how we still had an excess of beautiful moments we were able to include. So it certainly wasn't perfect and I hope 2014 is better but we still have a great life here.
I don't have any other pictures to include, but if you aren't on facebook with me or didn't get to see the slideshow, here it is. Happy New Years, my friends!
