This week is better...

              So, we had a rough week last week... it started with 5 consecutive days of whining from our 19 month old son (do I whine in front of him?).  We had a break on Wednesday, only for me to have my own emotional blow- out (unfortunately affecting the whole household as well).  Sometimes, life is just not what you want it to be.  This is what I get for week 2 of scheduling structure  with my own chores and things I want to do actually written down for me to keep track of daily.  Go figure!
          Lessons learned:

• Joe's behavior will always be changing as he grows- as one friend put it, a method for managing a certain behavior will work for weeks, and then all of a sudden it won't!
• To cut myself a break when this happens, and not just me for that matter, Rod too.  We're kind of winging this parenting thing together!
• I have an amazing husband- I mean I knew he was, but he especially showed me grace when I really didn't deserve it this week.  Not only was he nice to me personally, but he also was really helpful with Joe- disciplining him, playing with him, getting him ready for bed, etc.
• Take care of myself, take care of myself, take care of myself (nobody else can do it like I can, and I cheat myself and my family if I expect someone else to do it for me)!!  This for me includes:  enough daily time with God for me to be able to listen to Him, some at least weekly solitude, a creative/ mental outlet, enough sleep, good diet, exercise, and some friend/ family time.  
• I really love couponing, and it's actually getting easier and taking less time and energy!  And, it's really saving us money!
• It can be helpful for Joe and I to have a project to do together- like making cookies (yay- he's actually mature enough to at least half do this!!).
• I have amazing family and friends!  My SIL (sister- in- law) Jess listened to me decompress, was truthful with me, insightful, and encouraging.  My friends Jenn and Ruth did the same, and were just "there for me"!  Thanks, Ladies!!
• 45 degrees Fahrenheit with a strong northerly wind is too cold to take Joe outside for an hour- long work-out in the non- Finnish winter gear I have for him.

   Along with a few other more personal lessons that I won't detail here, I think that's a lot learned for one week!  Now for the fun part- a few photos for your enjoyment!

Joe and I made chocolate chip cookies- for the first time together (with garbanzo beans, they were quite delicious!)!

Yummy- taste test!!

Why can't I have some now?!

Mm-Mmmmmm!

Joe peeking out the kitchen window to watch Daddy, cleaning his new National Match rifle (below).

The chefs, both happy for the yummy distraction!!