Small Successes-February 23rd

Celebrating the little things in life that add up.

1. I could tell you that I tackled the laundry and not only washed it, but put it away, but that accomplishment from Sunday is a thing of the past.  Once again I have a small mountain of laundry to be done.  I feel like a frog trying to hop out of a well.  For every two hops closer to the top I get during the day I slip back another three at night.  Same goes for the kitchen counters.  I cleaned them and had them clear three times this week with the most recent cleaning being Tuesday.  As I write this (Wednesday evening) the counters are cluttered with school papers, dishes that didn't make it into the dishwasher and other random items.  Believe it or not, I had a year or so when Madeline was in early elementary school years when my counters were mostly clear all of the time.  So while the laundry is piling up and the counters are hidden by clutter, I did succeed in taking care of these things multiple times this week even if they didn't stay done.

2.  While the baby napped on Tuesday morning I took care of Lent preparations.  The merciful cross is hung on the basement door, the flowers for the cross are punched out, the good deeds bean jar is set up (my idea of adding a St. Therese quote to the jar is on hold at the moment), and the Jesus Tree that I worked tirelessly on last Lent is hanging on the front door with a basket of ornaments waiting to be hung each day.  I feel like I really accomplished something tangible.

3.  I finished reading the book I started about two weeks ago.  Now I just need to find a few minutes to write a review for it.

4.  I took all three girls to get ashes this afternoon [Wednesday].  The outing made me ever more appreciative of Bryan attending Mass with us each week.  Katie had a semi-explosive diaper that couldn't wait, so I had no choice but to rush Katie to the restroom for a change.  I'm so thankful that I decided to take them to the prayer service instead of the Mass since Madeline was actually sitting with us.  Because she was sitting with us (this kid almost always altar serves) I was able to leave Ellie with her while I went to change Katie.  This was the first time I have had to change Katie in a public place (I usually opt to change her in the back of the van.).  I enjoyed the four year break from changing diapers in public bathrooms.