This has been a fill your bucket kind of a weekend for us. The kind of weekend that just leaves you refreshed, happy, reconnected, recommitted, thankful, joyful, filled.
It's the simple things, the big things, the subtle things, and even the inconvenient things all meshed together that create this sort of a feeling for me.
Things like, getting to see blue in the sky . . .
In the words of my mom, "happy day!"
Things like, working together and getting a job done . . .
The kids and I weeded the front and backyard. The boys helped Scott clean up and level some dirt on the side of the house. And we finally planted our summer vegetable garden.
green peppers, onions, zucchini, cucumber, tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, peas, beans, strawberries, and zinnias for summer bouquets. I love peeking out the window at my little 4x4 garden and sending encouraging thoughts, "grow, grow, grow."
Even the inconvenient, messy things, when paired with time together . . .
We drove into town as a family to have dinner at Red Robin for Scott's birthday. We had a good meal, ate lots of steak fries, the kids got balloons. And the fact that Payton threw up in Sports Authority (on the floor) prior to dinner did not put a damper on the evening in the least bit.
{Car sick.}
Things like, feeling the love . . .
Mother's Day was full of this with meals prepared specially for me, dishes were cleaned up while I was shooed out of the kitchen, and I received a handful of cards from children expressing their love for me. How's that for filling your bucket?
The kids sang in sacrament meeting with the rest of the Primary. I especially enjoyed watching Conner guide Anna up to the stand with his arm around her shoulders. And then he kept one hand on her shoulder throughout the musical number. Made me smile.
Things like, surprises. Really good, thoughtful surprises . . .
I've been wanting a nice table and chairs for the back patio, something big enough for our whole family to sit and eat at. I found one at a good price a month ago, showed it to Scott and he was not on board. Much to my surprise, he came home from work one day last week and began unloading the exact table and chairs into our backyard!
On Saturday, the kids sat outside while they ate lunch and I fell even more in love. With the table. And him.
As I mentioned, Scott celebrated his birthday recently. A few days beforehand I arranged for the kids to spend the night at a friends' house so we could have an evening alone. He was completely surprised, and I think it made this the best birthday ever. We went out to dinner, rented a movie, and enjoyed a very quiet house.
Things like, taking a big sigh . . .
It's amazing how much a little stress can affect your day to day life. Scott and I both had a little of this removed this week.
Scott received some really good feedback at work and it has made all the difference.
I was released from my Primary President calling. I loved serving in that position, but as with all leadership positions, I'm sure, there was always an element of mental stress that followed me around. This week I have felt more relaxed and "present" at home than I have in a while.
And then there's the subtle things, that you might miss if you don't pay attention . . .
Scott walked in from work on Friday with a dozen of the most delicious cookies from Paradise Bakery. For me. I loooove them. At the moment that he walked in, I was standing in the kitchen popping some brownie bites into the oven. For him. I loved this little coincidence. But I loved it even more because it showed that we were consciously thinking of each other (at work, at home), and finding a way to brighten the others' day.
So there you have it. My bucket is full.
