It’s been a challenging sort of week thus far. The kind filled with disappointments and soggy socks from the rain. And sad feelings from missing my best friends, one of which just had her beautiful baby, and the other whose baby is taking his first steps. But there was a moment today when the boys and I had croissants and hot cocoa after school, and it was so sweet and everyone was warm, content, and happy. I declared every rainy day to be a hot cocoa day, and the boys said “Yeah!” They even left their mugs 1/3 full so I could finish off the rest (and I tried not to think about backwash). Cocoa is cozy.

Other cozy things today: a sweet gift from Jozen, and curling up with the novel The Death Cure. Yep, YA lit is my guilty pleasure!

Anyone else suffering in the south or east coast? This heat wave is brutal!

Random pics of us downtown, the kids’ mood swings, our hunt for a good Mexican joint, and my attempt at the summer turban thing. Dax immediately cracked up, said I looked funny, and that scarves are ‘for shirts only, not heads.’

Yay for successful test sheets back from the printer. Yay for blue skies filled with airy clouds. Yay for good friends that bring over pizza and surprise goodies from a favorite bakery. Yay for half workdays and the husband being home early.

I’ve been truly needing a break this week. I’ve been feeling that there isn’t enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I need (want) to do, and I’ve been struggling with that. And also with lack of sleep. And the attack of the terrible two’s.

But today I had the ultimate Friday. My heart is so full, and I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. For acts of kindness. For a loving husband so receptive to my needs. For sweet little children who throw their arms around my neck and tell me I’m “wow.”

Small reminders that the big picture is very good, and that I can do this.

I may not like the wake-up call at this time, nor the untidiness of the room. But I do like the way early morning light makes everything look.

A little hesitant of the ginormous cross.

Discovering some trails.

The view. Even better in person.

I also came across this really neat five year journal, where each page is divided into five entries, one for each year. From Fred Flair:

I’m inspired. My posterity will thank me.