This is for Jennifer

I saw this, and the first person I thought of was you, Jennifer. Love you. :)

It's September! Not that it changes anything, really.

I had an epiphany today. A friend had posted on Facebook that it was a "Shut up, child" kind of day, and I had one of those days yesterday. A day when everything Tayvin said was so annoying and he was trying to boss me around and it was really driving me up the wall. (And of course I have to think, 'Really? You're letting a 3-year-old get to you?' But that's another discussion entirely). I got to thinking about why, and one of the reasons is this: when you spend all day with someone, anyone, they can get annoying. When you spend all day, every day with that same someone, you're going to have to take breaks or you'll go nuts.

I remember when I was a kid spending all weekend with the same one friend. We hung out all the time and talked and played. But after two or three days with her she was starting to drive me nuts. Certain things she said, the way she did things, were getting annoying. It was a relief when I went home and could take a break to forget those things that were getting on my nerves. Now that I'm older it's easier to be more patient and loving and to ignore annoying things people do because I know I do annoying things myself, but that it's also quite natural to need a break from humanity.

It's difficult when the people you're with every day are your children because you're supposed to love them. To be kind and thoughtful and loving... until they asked for the fifth time what you said or did or what you're holding or what you're doing when they have two eyes and can see so why are they asking and Mommy you need to do it this way even though that's what I'm doing and GAAAH!!! Which is why I think that someday in the future when Tayvin starts going to school we might get along better because I'll get a break. I will miss him while he's gone, and appreciate him more when he's home. So the trick right now is teaching and loving him while he's here so he'll want to come back when he's old.

Happiness Month Day 29

After I posted for the 31st I realized that I forgot the 29th. Brilliant. But I actually remember the 29th because we had the car! We went to the park with some friends, and I am always happy to get out of the house and talk with my friends.

Happiness Month Day 31

On Saturday I went to the store to get some groceries and on my way home I spotted a yard sale. I pulled over just to take a look and they had rows of baby and children's clothes for boys and girls. I went to town. The lady running it had grocery bags and was charging $5 a bag, stuffed as full as you want. I filled three bags with clothes and shoes for Tayvin and Brooke. I got 2 pairs of shoes for Tayvin and I think 8 for Brooke in different sizes. I usually do not buy used shoes, but these were in really good shape. Surprisingly good. One pair of shoes for Tayvin can easily cost $15, so getting all those shoes plus two bags of clothes for that price was great. I'm always happy to score a good deal.

The last day! I didn't remember to do this daily, but I did get one for each day. I'm glad I did this. I want to keep it up, but not daily. That way I can think more about it and maybe get some more pictures in.

Happiness Month Day 30

I'm trying to remember last Friday and it's a blank. I know we went out to dinner a couple of times last week, and went to the park with some friends, but none of that was on Friday b/c we didn't have the car that day (that's how I divvy up my week, days with/without the car). It must have been a carefree, uneventful day, and that's ok. I'm happy with that.