When the weekend begins to present itself because you turn the page in your date book or devotional, the schedule set up weeks ago stares you down. What seemed so achievable and so much fun, easy breezy, suddenly becomes very real.
Did we buy the tickets for the school play? Do I have something that can be quickly thrown together because the school play is at 7 p.m. on Friday? Can I just run a brush through the girls' hair and not have them change clothes because I want to sit for a spell before show time? Have I been grateful for the jeans I get to wear to work on Fridays so I don't have to change?
You would think my on-point fourth part of the day planning would have eliminated all these questions because everything was accounted for and checked off a list of some sorts. Well, let's say this has been an emotional week (Amy Grant concert, funeral for a friend and a luncheon where I heard and met Brene Brown) with groceries purchased mid week and even an IHOP dinner one night. Not my best planned week.
But, wait, there's more. Yes, another school play in another city. This weekend, also included a fun jaunt to Houston to watch my nephew perform in his middle school play. That required booking a hotel -- knocked that out Thursday (yep, fine planning) -- and packing (started that while I was supposed to be sitting for a spell -- by the way how does one night fill a suitcase and not just a duffle bag?!?).
And, on Saturday, when we were to drive the three hours to get to our second play of the weekend, we had a mid-morning soccer game in soccer clothes where there would be sweat and dirt. Bonus -- we had soccer team pictures before our game so the day was starting an hour earlier.
Again, my fourth part planning had these events on the calendar, but I did not account for the tasks to fulfill those events.
Were the soccer clothes clean? Did we have all socks, shin guards and cleats? Were the soccer balls in my truck? Did we have the little Gatorade bottles because the girls can't drink a big one and that is so wasteful?
Why did G have to work the regional track meet? Yeah, that was on the weekend schedule, too!
Then, came the little detail of something not so little according to the weatherman .... Rain storms. The storms were going to hit San Antonio late Friday and then go east toward, you guessed it, Houston. And, rain all weekend in Houston putting more water on to very saturated ground.
Let the unraveling of a not so well planned ahead of time, but planned in time, weekend begin.
(Oh, we still were able to see the play at my girls' school but didn't carry umbrellas inside with us because the rain was to come much later. Joke was on us. It poured! Our OJ-like dashes to the truck still resulted in our getting soaked.)
Cancel the hotel room because the play in Houston was cancelled. Put back the clothes, which included bathing suits for the hotel swimming pool. Think about putting away soccer clothes because all this rain means there is no way we are having a soccer game outside.
Storms came through all night and I slept peacefully knowing we had a free Saturday .... Until I heard the ding notification of a text which read "Fields open. Games on." What??!?!
Fed and dressed the girls. Loaded the truck with necessary game day supplies. Strapped on my rain boots. Headed to the game. As we unloaded (after passing through low-water crossings where the water was almost over the roads in the park where the soccer fields are located), and heard comments from parents coming off the fields along the lines of 'refs are calling the games,' I heard another text notification ding -- 'Fields closed. Games cancelled.'
Now, what to do with a free Saturday. Projects that have sat on a list for a while. Quick trip to Target to buy teacher appreciation week gifts.
And, an early fourth part -- pedicure, perhaps?
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Fiesta Shoebox Floats and Summer School
The end of school year projects for first grade have started. And, the end of freshman year of college projects have started.
While the first grade projects require craftiness, lots of glue, and well, two of them, I'm thinking I would take those over my son's work.
Presentations, papers and finals are all coming to a head, but so is the reality of his mid-year decision to leave the school he chose to attend as a freshman. Not only is he wrapping up his first year in college, he's also packing up to come back home. For the summer, yes. For the fall, not sure. And, it is that 'not sure' part that is making me sad, tired, unsure and really doubtful of myself as a mom. I don't like feeling this way.
I manage to get a fourth part most every day with grand planning and preparation. Yet, all the planning, all the preparation, still leave me feeling as if there are so many other things to do. Not for me to do, unless you count texts and sweet, friendly reminder messages as tasks; but hints for him to do.
He quit the football team, but said he still wants to play college ball. He hasn't contacted any schools (that I know of). When will that happen.
He applied for summer school, but hasn't received the acceptance email so he can register. When will that be done.
He applied and received a job offer for the summer, but has to officially follow up to get that ball rolling. When will that take place.
He is packing up all his clothes, shoes and dorm room supplies that we spent so much time finding, organizing and buying. But where will those things go in the fall?
These end of school year projects are no fun at all. Glue can't finish them. Stops to the craft store don't result in creating anything.
My devotions the last few weeks have been on trusting God and realizing that He takes care of everything today. Yeah, I do fret about tomorrow. Yes, I know that is not demonstrating faithful behavior. So, yep, that anxious feeling inside me comes from my lack of trust.
I just want him to get situated. I want him to figure it out. I want him to have a plan. I want him to decide about football. I want him to get things done.
I know, I know. It's all about what I want. That's the rub. What conflict within me. I want to be faithful. I want to trust. I want to focus on today. Yet, I constantly work on a plan. I consistently organize for tomorrow.
I've read the Bible verses, prayed, studied and sought God's guidance ..... yet, I still hold on to getting my fourth part. I feel so convicted, and tired, and sad and out of whack.
So, when I sit in my chair, writing or getting another project started (or finished), I think I have a fourth part.
And, I don't feel satisfied.
And, I worry about my son.
And, I wish I could only have to work on end of year fiesta floats.
While the first grade projects require craftiness, lots of glue, and well, two of them, I'm thinking I would take those over my son's work.
Presentations, papers and finals are all coming to a head, but so is the reality of his mid-year decision to leave the school he chose to attend as a freshman. Not only is he wrapping up his first year in college, he's also packing up to come back home. For the summer, yes. For the fall, not sure. And, it is that 'not sure' part that is making me sad, tired, unsure and really doubtful of myself as a mom. I don't like feeling this way.
I manage to get a fourth part most every day with grand planning and preparation. Yet, all the planning, all the preparation, still leave me feeling as if there are so many other things to do. Not for me to do, unless you count texts and sweet, friendly reminder messages as tasks; but hints for him to do.
He quit the football team, but said he still wants to play college ball. He hasn't contacted any schools (that I know of). When will that happen.
He applied for summer school, but hasn't received the acceptance email so he can register. When will that be done.
He applied and received a job offer for the summer, but has to officially follow up to get that ball rolling. When will that take place.
He is packing up all his clothes, shoes and dorm room supplies that we spent so much time finding, organizing and buying. But where will those things go in the fall?
These end of school year projects are no fun at all. Glue can't finish them. Stops to the craft store don't result in creating anything.
My devotions the last few weeks have been on trusting God and realizing that He takes care of everything today. Yeah, I do fret about tomorrow. Yes, I know that is not demonstrating faithful behavior. So, yep, that anxious feeling inside me comes from my lack of trust.
I just want him to get situated. I want him to figure it out. I want him to have a plan. I want him to decide about football. I want him to get things done.
I know, I know. It's all about what I want. That's the rub. What conflict within me. I want to be faithful. I want to trust. I want to focus on today. Yet, I constantly work on a plan. I consistently organize for tomorrow.
I've read the Bible verses, prayed, studied and sought God's guidance ..... yet, I still hold on to getting my fourth part. I feel so convicted, and tired, and sad and out of whack.
So, when I sit in my chair, writing or getting another project started (or finished), I think I have a fourth part.
And, I don't feel satisfied.
And, I worry about my son.
And, I wish I could only have to work on end of year fiesta floats.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Resale Shops and Rodeo Gear
Every year, the San Antonio rodeo takes place in February. Every year, that means boots, jeans and a rodeo shirt are required items for my girls. And, every year, we wait until the weekend the rodeo starts to shop for the gear.
Guess what that means? Everyone in town is shopping for rodeo gear. And, the stores have figured this out so there are no real sales on rodeo gear.
Every year.
Every year.
But, low and behold, we had a free night tonight before the start of the rodeo (ok, like three or four days before) so we could stock up on the gear. And, this year, I reflected on the price of boots that are worn for one year (times two). I thought, the $70 price tag might be a bit too much for six-year-old girls. Actually, I'd spent that much each year for the past five years, so this year, I decided to be a bit more financially prudent -- maybe because I had already bought some boots for myself that were way more than $70 (but still half price with the starting price not being a necessary topic of conversation with my always financially prudent husband).
Off to a resale shop. After work. After homework. After getting the next day's lunches and outfits ready. All a part of effective fourth part achievement. ..... plans to be prepared and ready so that time for me happened.
We didn't find two pair of boots, but we did find one pair. $11.99. Yeah, that's right. A big 'ol savings. So, we knocked out a bit more purchasing at the resale shop. We found two Valentine's Day shirts that weren't officially Valentine's Day bout one had hearts on it and the other the word Love. Won that. We also bought a few other shirts and a skirt. Walked out paying only $50 for boots, one skirt and six shirts. Ain't I something, y'all. I'm getting in the rodeo mood.
Yes, we need to find another pair of boots. And, yes, we won't be able to go until Saturday when the rodeo starts and all of SA is out attempting to gear up for remodel festivities. But, we've got one pair done. I'll also do some planning to find another resale shop that has size 1 boots so we won't waste any precious weekend time hunting down boots.
The weekends, even opening weekend of rodeo, need fourth parts.
Guess what that means? Everyone in town is shopping for rodeo gear. And, the stores have figured this out so there are no real sales on rodeo gear.
Every year.
Every year.
But, low and behold, we had a free night tonight before the start of the rodeo (ok, like three or four days before) so we could stock up on the gear. And, this year, I reflected on the price of boots that are worn for one year (times two). I thought, the $70 price tag might be a bit too much for six-year-old girls. Actually, I'd spent that much each year for the past five years, so this year, I decided to be a bit more financially prudent -- maybe because I had already bought some boots for myself that were way more than $70 (but still half price with the starting price not being a necessary topic of conversation with my always financially prudent husband).
Off to a resale shop. After work. After homework. After getting the next day's lunches and outfits ready. All a part of effective fourth part achievement. ..... plans to be prepared and ready so that time for me happened.
We didn't find two pair of boots, but we did find one pair. $11.99. Yeah, that's right. A big 'ol savings. So, we knocked out a bit more purchasing at the resale shop. We found two Valentine's Day shirts that weren't officially Valentine's Day bout one had hearts on it and the other the word Love. Won that. We also bought a few other shirts and a skirt. Walked out paying only $50 for boots, one skirt and six shirts. Ain't I something, y'all. I'm getting in the rodeo mood.
Yes, we need to find another pair of boots. And, yes, we won't be able to go until Saturday when the rodeo starts and all of SA is out attempting to gear up for remodel festivities. But, we've got one pair done. I'll also do some planning to find another resale shop that has size 1 boots so we won't waste any precious weekend time hunting down boots.
The weekends, even opening weekend of rodeo, need fourth parts.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Pace and Fettuccine
When there are no basketball games to be coached and it's a Monday, G Adams arrives home before me and can start dinner. (We've got the tumbling for Camille .... Caroline and I watch that little bit flip around.) Tonight, he not only started dinner, he started, finished and well, yeah, made dinner. What. A. Gift.
His specialty and by request from the girls .... fettuccine. Recipe is as follows -- boil water, pop in the noode.s and cook for around eight minutes. While the noodles are cooking, open up the freshly made (packaged) fettuccine cream sauce and heat it up in a pan. Also, fry up some bacon. Mix the bacon with the cream sauce. Drain the noodles. Voila. Dinner is served.
The Adams girls picked up and put away their toys while I set the table. And, they also put on their nightgowns. I mean, I started to smell the fourth part coming along with the smoky bacon aroma coming from the kitchen.
While we are dinner, I thought about the evening. And, I reflected on the pace of the activities in our home. Tonight, we moved a little slower. No real reason as to why, but we just kind of let things fall into place. We put together backpacks and lunches in the midst of talking about the day. Teeth were brushed while I cleaned up the kitchen. We had a phone chat with Chris while getting settled to read.
It all just fit in.
Usually, I hit the ground running when I arrive home. No pausing to enjoy a story from the day. No deep breaths to relax. I have this idea that if I get everything done before dinner, life goes much smoother. Not true. Yes, I get everything done (sometimes people in this household have to move quickly out of my way) but at what cost? It's frenetic. And, no fun.
Fettuccine for dinner is fun. Sloppy noodles. Stories between slurps. The slower pace is nice. Smiles over sighs. And, fourth parts for everyone not just one.
Dinner tomorrow? Nah, not fettuccine. Plus, there's a basketball game. But maybe, just maybe, I'll try this relaxed pace. We'll see. The worst thing that can happen is we eat sandwiches or cereal for dinner.
And that ain't bad.
His specialty and by request from the girls .... fettuccine. Recipe is as follows -- boil water, pop in the noode.s and cook for around eight minutes. While the noodles are cooking, open up the freshly made (packaged) fettuccine cream sauce and heat it up in a pan. Also, fry up some bacon. Mix the bacon with the cream sauce. Drain the noodles. Voila. Dinner is served.
The Adams girls picked up and put away their toys while I set the table. And, they also put on their nightgowns. I mean, I started to smell the fourth part coming along with the smoky bacon aroma coming from the kitchen.
While we are dinner, I thought about the evening. And, I reflected on the pace of the activities in our home. Tonight, we moved a little slower. No real reason as to why, but we just kind of let things fall into place. We put together backpacks and lunches in the midst of talking about the day. Teeth were brushed while I cleaned up the kitchen. We had a phone chat with Chris while getting settled to read.
It all just fit in.
Usually, I hit the ground running when I arrive home. No pausing to enjoy a story from the day. No deep breaths to relax. I have this idea that if I get everything done before dinner, life goes much smoother. Not true. Yes, I get everything done (sometimes people in this household have to move quickly out of my way) but at what cost? It's frenetic. And, no fun.
Fettuccine for dinner is fun. Sloppy noodles. Stories between slurps. The slower pace is nice. Smiles over sighs. And, fourth parts for everyone not just one.
Dinner tomorrow? Nah, not fettuccine. Plus, there's a basketball game. But maybe, just maybe, I'll try this relaxed pace. We'll see. The worst thing that can happen is we eat sandwiches or cereal for dinner.
And that ain't bad.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Trampoline Parks and HIIT
High Intensity Interval Trainig. Not really my usual choice for a fourth part but when it is wall sits and jump squats and nothing is on TV, I'm in.
Ok, we have an early fourth part around here (thanks to trampolines and G Adams starting dinner) so I was going to settle in for an evening of mindless television watching. DVR is empty. I've caught up on shows. Bravo has Vanderpump Rules (shockingly, not a fan). And, the networks have shows I don't watch. As a last resort, I've out on The Batchelor. Lord, hear my prayer that I raise girls who do not become these women! To make it more fascinating, the ladies are in Vegas with Ben. Now, he's going on a date with the twins. Really?!?
Wait, I'm supposed to be doing HIIT and my heart rate is going up just watching this crazy show. He's at the twins' house and the mom is there. Please, let her be thinking this is nuts and that she should grab her girls and tell that boy to leave.
Th point of explaining TV, HIIT and fourth part is you can have a few fourth part activities. You can work out and watch some crazy TV. You can pin and play Cookie Jam in between writing or going through emails.
Now, he's talking to the mom. Well, she's wearing hole-y jeans. 'Nuf said.
The other bonus for tonight was early bedtime. I wish early bedtime happened every night but then I couldn't write that it is early.
My girls wore themselves out at a trampoline park Sunday at a birthday party. Then, tonight, Camille had tumbling. There has been a lot of bouncing the last few days. I'm sure they are flipping and jumping in their sleep. (The melatonin gummies help,with that, too.)
The tiring out of children is magic. But there is that balance between having them tire out and getting them revved up. While I've never quite figured it out, I do know my girls wear out from outdoor, physical activity. They rev up with indoor tag and watching TV.
All trampoline for them and all Bachelor for me ... With a side of HIIT.
But a full-serving of fourth part. Only 30 more seconds of a wall sit. And 21 minutes of Bachelor.
Ok, we have an early fourth part around here (thanks to trampolines and G Adams starting dinner) so I was going to settle in for an evening of mindless television watching. DVR is empty. I've caught up on shows. Bravo has Vanderpump Rules (shockingly, not a fan). And, the networks have shows I don't watch. As a last resort, I've out on The Batchelor. Lord, hear my prayer that I raise girls who do not become these women! To make it more fascinating, the ladies are in Vegas with Ben. Now, he's going on a date with the twins. Really?!?
Wait, I'm supposed to be doing HIIT and my heart rate is going up just watching this crazy show. He's at the twins' house and the mom is there. Please, let her be thinking this is nuts and that she should grab her girls and tell that boy to leave.
Th point of explaining TV, HIIT and fourth part is you can have a few fourth part activities. You can work out and watch some crazy TV. You can pin and play Cookie Jam in between writing or going through emails.
Now, he's talking to the mom. Well, she's wearing hole-y jeans. 'Nuf said.
The other bonus for tonight was early bedtime. I wish early bedtime happened every night but then I couldn't write that it is early.
My girls wore themselves out at a trampoline park Sunday at a birthday party. Then, tonight, Camille had tumbling. There has been a lot of bouncing the last few days. I'm sure they are flipping and jumping in their sleep. (The melatonin gummies help,with that, too.)
The tiring out of children is magic. But there is that balance between having them tire out and getting them revved up. While I've never quite figured it out, I do know my girls wear out from outdoor, physical activity. They rev up with indoor tag and watching TV.
All trampoline for them and all Bachelor for me ... With a side of HIIT.
But a full-serving of fourth part. Only 30 more seconds of a wall sit. And 21 minutes of Bachelor.
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Laying Out Clothes and High School Musical 2
Sometimes in the midst of fourth part planning, you get a gift. Sometimes that gift comes in the form of a easily prepped and cooked meal or an earlier than usual arrival home from a day of work.
Other times, that gift comes in the form of the Disney Channel programming. High School Musical one night and the next night is High School Musical 2. Record one, live play the second. DVR up and running at 5:30 p.m. while dinner prep is being finished. Showtime at 7 p.m. for the second. Yeah, you read that right. My precious, mind needing to be formed in the right way girls watched over two hours of TV straight.
Gifts. I tell you gifts. I know, it's TV. We should probably be reviewing word wall words or practicing handwriting. But, we are not. We are watching TV.
A sweet fourth part gift provided with tunes. Peppy, we are all in this together music. Disney .... You are the music in me tonight.
With all this time, dinner done and girls situated, I can pre-plan my work wardrobe. My Friday wardrobe is a bit complicated. I have to be corporate for a morning meeting, but then get to change into 'I work on a campus-like setting now' on a blue jeans day. With this luxury of time, I can puruse Pinterest for clever Friday outfits and organize my thoughts on what shoes to pop in the car, make sure my undergarments are appropriate for both outfits and have the right accessories. I mean who needs Rachel Zoe? OK, I really would love a stylist but I've got tomorrow figured out!
Tonight's fourth part brought all my favs together in one place -- TV, Pinterest and fashion. Too bad Olivia Pope or Claire Underwood aren't on the TV, but I know they would be proud with my outfit choices. And, glasses of wine. And, calm, cool demeanor.
Fixing and plotting how to solve all sorts of problems. What a big fourth part. Now, how would Sharpei and Zach Ephron put the choreography together and sing this one out?
Monday, January 18, 2016
Duncan Hines and Pinterest
I'm wrapping up a three-day weekend. Thankful for MLK Jr. and who he was and what he stood for. Grateful for his bravery and civility. Pleased that because of who he was we have a federal holiday. And, I work for a bank, so I get the day off.
We needed three days this weekend. All kinds of fourth day needs and requirements that were achieved because of planning, friends, Duncan Hines, Pinterest and prayer.
Whew.
My son came for a visit this weekend after being in school for a week. He also came to a decision of wanting to transfer to another school next year. He wants to continue playing football, too. Lots to do in a short time (his timeline is now which is another story and requires lots of prayer and planning). Lots of prayer. Lots of conversations. Lots of agreements. I'd like a Pinterest board for having college, future, think in the long term, adult conversations with an 18-year-old. Should I do a search?
My fourth parts were so nice this week. Yes, I did the usual catch up on the DVR and did some mindless Cookie Jam playing. But, I also got to see two movies! One was with my husband because our neighbor friends had the girls over for a sleep-over. That also gave us Sunday morn to have a long convo with our son. Friends are a gift and a critical piece of achieving fourth parts. They can help with carpool and school pick up, provide kitchen staples such as soy sauce and get mail while on vacation.
Another key to fourth parts is shortcuts in the kitchen. Enter Duncan Hines and Pinterest. I hit two home runs tonight which gave me an early fourth part .... 8 p.m. fourth part! This mini cake mix with a frosting mix, too, is easy, amazing and yes, the perfect size. And, after watching a video on Facebook of a quick meal being made, I found it on Pinterest. Pinned it. Made it. It's this creamy butter chicken dish with spinach. Delicious.
Sent my son off with half his favorite cake, packed up leftover chicken for lunch tomorrow and prayed a lot. All for a Monday holiday evening fourth part.
Social media and boxed cake mixes can be used for good.
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