10 on the 10th!

I'm a little backblogged right now, with so many ideas and stories and pictures clogging my mind that I don't know where to start. So while I organize my blogging to-do list, allow me to bore you with a riveting edition of 10 on the 10th, a monthly blog carnival hosted by my real-life pal Meredith. When you're bored with mine by #3, go over to hers. It's much more entertaining and you'll be able to relate with her list!



So here we go... 10 Places I've Been in the Last 10 Hours. (alternate title: My Life is So Exciting!)

1. Bed. 10 hours ago I was in my bed, snuggled up warm and cozy until my alarm clocks (named Emma and Addie) woke me with their loud, high-pitched voices as they helped each other make their beds in their room. And I couldn't help but laugh when I walked in and saw how Emma made her bed:

"It's so people know I love to read, Mom!" You know, for the tour groups we bring through her bedroom each day.

2. Shower. Oh wait - scratch that. I didn't shower today. But I did pass by it and think, "Gosh, I wish I had time to take a shower today. *sigh*

3. Car. After seeing Emma off on the bus (we always wave from the front porch if we don't walk her to the corner - even Brody got in on the waving action today. So cute!), we hopped in the car and took Addie to preschool. She gave accurate directions how to get there. Smart cookie, that Addie.

4. Preschool. I walked Addie into her school where I kissed Little Miss Independent good bye and watched her blend right in with her little girl friends and start playing. Isn't it fun to watch your kids when they don't know you're there?

5. MOPS. Then I sped to MOPS for a great morning of fellowship and connecting. My friend Becky shared about her mission trips to Africa, and also told us about her friend's non-profit, Bajalia Trading Company. It was so inspiring. I encourage you to check out their website and do some Christmas shopping! In a nutshell, they train women in third world countries to make beautiful items (jewelry, purses, pillows, frames, baskets, etc.), then they buy the items from them, and bring them here to sell. They use the profit from the sales to go back and help the region where the products are from. For instance, I bought a pair of earrings this morning made by some Chinese women. The money from my sale will go toward helping women out of human trafficking in that region.

6. Traci's House. My girls both have school at the same time, 15 minutes apart from each other. Getting them both to and from school on time is impossible. Thankfully, my friend Traci is in the same boat with her two boys and so we carpool the kids home. So I dropped off her preschooler and traded him in for a kindergartner.

7. Grocery Store. With no bread in the house, a quick grocery store run was a necessity. $85 later, we came home with our bread... and a few other things. Isn't that the way it always goes?

8. Jennifer's House. We got home just as the stained glass workers were leaving my neighbor's house. Thankfully she invited me over to take a peek before I had to invite myself. So I lugged my three kids next door (they were delighted - Jennifer's house is such a special treat!) and took a look at her beautiful new stained glass windows. Gorgeous!

9. Brody's Room. After a quick lunch, I followed Brody up to his room for nap time. All I have to say is, "Okay, Brods, nap time!" and off he toddles up to his room. We read a story and I laid him down and out I went. With him, it's THAT EASY. He's an amazing, easy little guy.


10. The Bathroom. After doing the dishes and picking up a little bit, I went into the bathroom. Not because I had to go, but because I needed a break from my two little stalkers (my alarm clocks double as stalkers) who sometimes just follow me around and don't know what to do. So behind a locked door, I was able to just read a magazine for 5 minutes. They didn't even know where I was. I liked it.