We are home!!!

We made it home safe and sound. The girls had a wonderful time with my parents and as I anticipated, were not all that excited about coming home. They did wonderful on the plane and Lauren told me yesterday that she was happy to be home. Yeah for me......

I had a great visit with Julie and my parents. It was a wonderful ending to my month long 'vacation.'  Do you know that last night was the first time I cooked dinner in about 4 weeks. Wow! I am spoiled.

SO here is all that is going on now that I am home. First off, I got home late on Tuesday and went to log on to my email  and found out that my computer was not working UGH! Turns out that my hard drive has crashed, and it looks like I will lose everything that was stored on it. You know, things like every single picture that I have taken over that last year, all of my emails, email addresses, spread sheets. All of my info for Kids Ministry for MOPS UGH!!!!! I am devastated but what can I do. To top it off, it is going to take Apple 2 weeks to get my computer back to me.  Thankfully Shawn is doing without his laptop at work so that I am not cut off from the world......

I spent a lot of time while the girls were gone evaluating what my priorities are, and then how I spend my time. Big surprise, they did not match up. I am working to get things more in line and in turn have developed a list for myself of 5 things I want to accomplish each day. Different ways to spend my time. I will post about that later with my list and you all can help keep me accountable. But I do highly encourage everyone to take some time and do a self evaluation. It was very interesting and I feel like it will make a huge difference. I can not wait to write it all out and get it into action.

Anyway- I am behind on laundry, unpacking and I am afraid that my house is under a layer of dust and we all know how I feel about dust. So for those of you that are feeling I am neglecting them. I am working on getting it all together and connecting with you all soon!

I had a great time but am happy to be home and have my family all together!!!!

To Clean or not to Clean

When you are having people over, how clean should your house be? I am a little fanatical in this department, and completely blame my Mom. I was raised in a spotless home and when ever anyone came over, anything that was out was to be quickly hidden. Mail, magazines, you name it they disappeared. This always bugged the crap out of my Dad as he could then never find anything, to which of course my Mom replied, if you had put it away I would not need to hide it. I know, I digress, but I love thinking of my parents, the silliness that is them and how they have truly shaped who  I am......

Okay, back to me! I have this need to make sure everything is perfect. I try to keep a clean house to begin with, but if I am having people over, then the blinds should be dusted, the baseboards clean, etc etc.  Well, my good friend Lisa and my dear hubby have been trying to tell me that I would  enjoy entertaining so much more if I did not stress out before they came. So here we go, tonight I am hosting the MNI for my Moms group and  I did not clean. Well, I picked up a little, cleaned my  counters and vacuumed the kitchen and living room. But I did not dust, mop or even think of touching my blinds. But now I am worried that people will leave thinking I am a slob. 

Yesterday in Bible study I announced that I am trying to work on a few of my issues, one is that I am overly critical of myself and others.  I am trying to not be so critical but am afraid not everyone  is on the same mission to change as me. So if you are coming over tonight and see some dust, or something out of place, that is okay. I live in my house and it does not have to be perfect.  I do not really think that, but a good friend has put that mantra in my head and now I am going to keep repeating it.

Does everyone else see the irony, that I am stressing about this so much that it would have just been easier to clean the blinds and vacuum upstairs, where of course no one will even go........

OH well, here we go!!!!!!

Life with out the Girls

Well, the Girls left on Tuesday and are having a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's. For all of you that thought I was exaggerating, listen to this. I was talking to my Mom yesterday at 10:30 their time. The Girls had already made pancakes, painted and had a tea party outside. Seriously, they are never going to want to come home,

Then in the afternoon my sister went over and took them swimming. 

Lauren in my parents pool

Olivia going down the slide with Cousin Ryan

Last night Shawn and I went on our first date in forever.....We went to dinner and to see the new Batman movie. It is so wonderful to be able to go out and not worry about the kids.

I have been very unproductive with my days so far, but have been having a blast. I have been sleeping in and hanging out with friends during the day. Tomorrow, I must get my Butt in gear because I am hosting a MOPS retreat at my house. I can not wait. You are never too old for a slumber party right?????