Special times

Special times

Our home life is usually "boring" in the sense that we don't go ut much. Everything is pretty much routine. But the last several days have been anything but routine!

Thursday, I went to my MOPS meeting in the morning. When I got back home, DH told me that his classes for that afternoon were cancelled. Then the kids excitedly told me that we were going up to the mountains to play in the snow. So, up to the mountains we went. It was just about an hour's drive from our home. It was a perfect day. It had been snowing the day before so the snow was powdery fresh, it was fun to play in. The sun was out so it was a beautiful day. The kids really had so much fun. Oh, and it was my first time to go sledding too. :D We do not have snow in the Philippines where I grew up. Last year was the first time I had seen snow. But I was pregnant then so I could not "play" with the kids. It isn't very smart to go sliding down the slopes at the 8th month of pregnancy now, is it? Anyway, so there we were... just really having a good time. And I thought that this was really a gift from God, you know? How else could you explain that DH's classes were cancelled(which is highly unusual), that the snow was freshly fallen but the glorious sun was out and that DS was on his spring break? All factors came together to give us one glorious day of good old family fun! It may be coincidence to some. I say it's God's hand.

On Friday, we took it easy. I just did a load of laundry, changed the sheets, tidied up a little bit and mostly lounged around with the kids.

On Saturday was DD's birthday and we had decided to go to Disneyland to celebrate. Fun! They really enjoyed. It being a Saturday, the lines were sooooo long. But as we were in line for the nth time, I was watching my kids, and I saw how much they were enjoying - even as we waited in line. They did not mind that the line was so long. Sure, they'd ask if we would get to ride soon. But then, they would get back to the bars and amuse themselves. They went up and down the bars, swinging from the rails and just finding things around them to entertain themselves (Mom, did you see that flower? Isn't it beautiful?) And soon, instead of worrying that we were spending too much time in line instead of enjoying the rides, I began to enjoy myself too. I skipped and hopped with the kids. We danced to the music playing in the PA system. To my kids, it was not a matter of how many rides we were able to get on. What they were enjoying was the time we were spending together as a family doing this special celebration of a birthday. Isn't it nice how simple things can light up a child's world? And in adopting their attitude, my world was lit up too!

On Sunday, we slept in. It was way past midnight when we had gotten home. And though we had set the alarm for 6 am so we could get ready for the 7 am mass that we usually go to, our bodies just would not get up! It was almost 10 am already when I got up. And only because my BIL called and asked if they could come over to drop off their gift for DD1. An hour later, they arrived. I prepared lunch for them. They stayed a bit, not too long coz they had just gotten off their night time shift at work. I took a nap. When I woke up, it was time to get ready for church.

The yesterday, Monday, we went to California Adventure. See, the tickets we used for Saturday's Disneyland trip was a 2-fer. It was the promo for Southern California residents - get into both parks for the price of one. Of course, we wouldn't pass up the chance for a great deal, right? So, there we were again. It was still fun for the kids. I think they got into more rides this time. There were less people. And California Adventure is a smaller park(fewer attractions) than Disneyland so there aren't really that many people compared to Disneyland.

Today, I'm glad to be home. I need to be home! I need to clean up! Yikes! My house is a mess! There are loads of clothes to be washed and folded. I had just cleaned up my sink. It's finally clear of dishes. My kitchen counters are cleared up. I've sweeped up the floors. Time to empty the trash and clean up the rooms. But of course, I had to come here first and post this entry.

So, if for the next couple of days, you don't hear from me, do not fear, I am probably still cleaning! Wish me luck!