Hello Monday

This day had the potential for a lot of gloom.  If I have learned anything at all in my life, it's that I have a choice to make.  A choice to see the good when I don't necessarily feel that way.

I want to choose right.

Before I stepped out of bed, I caught a glimpse of my bracelet ~ a reminder to pray for two friends that have partnered with me, promising to hold me accountable for 30 days in a very specific area of my life.

I gladly pray for them and know they are doing the same for me.  How do I know? Because I'm the 'green' in the bracelet and when they look at theirs, they're praying.  I know it.

I chose peace this morning when having breakfast with the girls.  This time sets the tone for our whole day.  We read from their favorite devotional and talked about how we don't have to pretend around each other and especially not to God.

I love our morning devotion conversations.

Our drive to school was uneventful.  Olivia read about Abraham Lincoln in the backseat while Emma and I chatted in the front seat about Americ*n Girls.  She even left Julie buckled in to keep me company today ....

I'm not gonna lie.  It was a little creepy.

I drove straight to the gym.  No excuses.  No backing out.  I had to run to clear my head.

I was wishing so much I could run outside, but it has poured rain here all day.  So, the indoor track was my friend, along with at least 10 other people :)

I walked in the house and was greeted first thing by flowers Eric gave me this weekend.

Yes, he gives them often, but I never get tired of getting them.  (I even carried them from room-to-room today so I could enjoy them on this otherwise rainy, gloomy day ;)

I folded laundry, ate some breakfast and then got straight to my quiet spot.

I'm deep in the book of Hosea.  Good, good stuff.

After some organizing (I've been on a roll since the New Year), I showered and then went to get the girls from school.

I surprised them by bringing their running clothes.  We stopped at the Y (indoor track again - sigh) so they could run and get their wiggles out.

After sitting in a classroom all day, my girls are wound up tight when they get home.  Running helps a ton! At one point, Olivia was running beside me and said "Mom, thank you for bringing me here.  I feel stronger!"  Ha! Ahhhh .... exactly my point.

I was soooo happy to have dinner already prepared and ready to pop in the oven.  We had baked spaghetti made from leftovers from yesterday's dinner.  It was yummy!!

The rest of the night consisted of homework (seriously!), painting nails and snuggling up for a movie. 

Not a bad Monday, I must say!