Thankful Thursday

Ahhh.  Summer in the South is here.  You can tell by the need to change your shirt after getting the mail.  Ugg.  We've been trying to get creative with indoor activities since Audrey still isn't 100% sold on the pool yet.  (During our first trip of the season she kept saying, "Ready to go home now."  She finally got used to hanging out on the steps, but it's honestly not worth the work to get her down there until she enjoys it a little more.)


Besides party plans/shopping, two playdates, a puppet show, hosting dinner guests, and bathing suit shopping (a full time job in and of itself), I've spent a lot of this week spring...er, summer, cleaning.  With Audrey's birthday party looming near, I've decided it's the perfect motivation to do some much needed deep cleaning around the house.  Curtains are coming down, blinds and baseboards are getting a good wash, windows are being cleaned, vents are being vacuumed, etc.  I've never been a fan of spring cleaning anyway because of all the pollen we get here in the South.  At least that's my explanation as to why I'm just getting to it.  We'll let be our little secret that most of it hasn't been done since my crazed nesting period right before AJ was born.  I could totally get on board with an "every-other-year-summer-clean", couldn't you?


Here is this week's list:


1.  A two year old's outlook on  (or lack of notice about) body image.  Needing a playdate appropriate (read:  two year old tug-proof) suit, I dragged AJ out to shop with me.  Though I knew it would be trying, I figured it would keep me from taking too long and prevent me from saying awful things out loud and scowling at myself in the dressing room. Just as I was about to lose that resolve, Audrey grabbed my legs, looked up and said, "Ohhhh.  Beautiful Mommy!"  She didn't even notice the cellulite and lack of muscle tone.  Who cares if she probably only said it because it had a floral pattern?  I bought it.


2.  Morning work outs.  Actually, I have a love-hate relationship with them.  I hate the getting out bed early, but I love to get it done first thing.  I also love jogging alone, which I've forced myself to get out and do a few mornings lately.  There is something so peaceful about that time, the whole day stretched out before me, full of His new mercies.  Taking time to notice God's creation, it sometimes turns into more of a worship session than a run.  If you see me running with a hand stretched up, don't worry, I'm not asking for help.  That'll be evident by my passing out in a ditch.


3.  New ponytail holders.  Now that my hair is getting long, it goes up more often (which Audrey doesn't like and tells me to take it down.)  My old ones from pre-marriage were so stretched out I decided to spring the $2 and get a new pack.  It's the little things.  


4.  A new kitchen faucet.  Since the hot/cold was switched (hoses too short) and it leaked, it needed to be replaced.  After almost seven years in our house, we decided it was time last Saturday.  One handy husband and a nap time's worth of work later, we have a beautiful, leak-proof faucet.  
  
5.  I've decided to stick with last week's summer theme, and go with another old school summer tune.  This week's is Ace of Base "Cruel Summer."  It's a remake of the Bananarama hit, but I'm not quite that old.  ;)  This song reminds me of Yearbook camp in Nashville.  What a trip.  I know...DORK.  Whatever.  It was a blast.