The Challenge

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We're back from the beach.
There's unpacking to do.
There are groceries to buy.
There is the memory of a beach house--clean, uncluttered, and utterly peaceful.
I have three candles that smell just like the beach. Yes, the beach has a smell and Yankee Candle has bottled it well. According to the website,  have about 60 hours or up to 70 hours burn time with these three small candles.

The goal: To work here at home to restore order and evoke peace-of-place before the candles burn out and the memory of that beautiful place fades.

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I managed to escape to the beach for a few days. I packed us all up, brought enough food for several days, and retreated into a seaside paradise. The only thing I forgot was my pants. I learned that I can wear the same pair of capris for four days with no ill effect. 

    
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My marriage survived the inevitable vacation fight and I learned a valuable lesson.
 Finally.
 I think.

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 I nursed a baby for three hours straight in the van without either of us being unbuckled.

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I survived without the internet all that time.
And it was very good thing.

Whatare your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the backs. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes.I'm very late to the party, but you can still share too at Faith and Family Live!

I said, "Share!"

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In a desperate attempt to keep Karoline awake while I dropped off boys at soccer practice late in the afternoon, I bought Katie and Karoline a strawberry milkshake to share. They were sitting side-by-side in the back of our full-sized van. After several peaceful moments up front with Brad Paisley, I heard, 

Karoline: MOM! Katie won't share!

Mom: Katie, I bought a big one for you both to drink. Please share with Karoline.

Katie: I really don't want to share. 

This surprises me, but communicating is difficult for me from the front of the van, so far from them and unable to see faces. I press on. 

Mom: Katie, really, you need to share with Karoline. Give her the drink.

Katie: She has the drink.

Mom: She does? (Now I'm utterly confused.)

Katie: I don't want anymore; she can have the rest.

huh?

Karoline: No, you have to have more. I'm sharing! I can't be a good friend if you don't have more. MOM, KATIE WON'T SHARE! MAKE HER SHARE! You all just won't let me be a good friend. I'm never going to get to heaven with a sister like this.

Small Successes

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Nicholas wanted to make cinnamon rolls after watching Paula Deen make them. Despite the fact that I am allergic to flour and I knew that making dough at O'dark thirty would mean I'd itch all day long, I agreed. The yeast wasn't the perkiest and we were still making those rolls at 3:00 in the afternoon, but when we finished, they were pretty darn good. Like all things Paula Deen, they called for way too much butter, but the butter in the icing is amazing, don't skimp there.. 

    
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Danielle and I made great progress on our book. We had a quiet afternoon to collaborate together on the phone and we're both pretty excited about the writing we've done and the finished product we hope to share with you.

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 I got a pedicure. This might not seem like a success, but I have a problem taking time out for such things. When three different friends suggested it would be a very good idea, I took the hint. It's a very pretty pedicure and I have Princess Pink toenails. That night, I dreamt that I fell asleep in the pedicure chair and was gone for two days and when I awoke, I was at the Birthing Inn.

Not sure what that means...

What are your successes this week? This is a great exercise in holding ourselves accountable and patting ourselves on the backs. Mothering and homemaking don't have built in performance reviews and bonuses. The  internet can be a source of support and encouragement. Let's encourage one another in our small successes.I'm very late to the party, but you can still share too at Faith and Family Live!