Ever have weeks were you're fairly certain that the week could simply not have held anymore than it did? :) That was me...up until 10 o' clock at night sitting in bed eating "lunch" watching the Golden Globes I had partially TVO'd earlier.two sessions, a frustrating eye appointment, two bridal consults, dwell, nail appointment :), a geography bee, a thank you party, a fairy garden, the flu/migraine weirdness and then getting to play music all day on sunday...all of this to say, I am indeed happily "spent".typically when weeks like this happen, I try to take away things to learn from conversations I've had or witnessed.

1. 

this is nugget of wisdom that is so incredibly true.sometimes when I get in "GO" mode, my bossy pants find their way on and I have to remind myself to slow down and appreciate those around me.I've observed a few people "in command" that don't make a habit of this and my conclusion is that it sucks all the joy out whatever it is that you and the others around you are trying to accomplish.a simple heartfelt "please" or "thank you" goes a long way in demonstrating humility and in practicing true appreciation.something about honey attracting bee's...or maybe this:

2.  making time for geography bee's & fairy garden's will forever take

the #1 spot in my priorities...even when others can't see the value or importance of it.

my third most important job in life is to be their mother.to teach them to love Jesus, to honor and respect their daddy, to work hard, to laugh often, to love much, to serve without thanks, to be better than me...to simply TEACH them.if I'm not around or constantly moving from thing to thing without intentionally teaching and loving them, I'M missing out.I saw my son answer in front of his whole school "the Columbia River forms much of the border of which state?"AND HE FREAKING GOT IT RIGHT! (Oregon, for those of you who are as bright as me.) :)and I got to feel what it was to be ten again this week...making a beautiful, precious fairy garden.THAT was important.THAT was valuable.

3. I have incredible family & friends.

like insane, incredible.one phone call, one email, one facebook message and then this:my mom, sarah, sam, cate, lindsey, nicole, sarah b., ronda, julie, kristy, amy, lauren, lizzie, emily, anissa, abby, blake, britney, ben, jed, jesse, joel, jim, a.j., ethan, logan, katie, alexis, sherri, melissa, mary ann & susan went above and beyond with the thank you party I helped plan...the day could. not. have. happened. with out them.thank you seems SO small, but I SOOO am. :)half way through the weekend I sent one simple text.and in the next five minutes she was there with medicine and M&M's and a hug. :) (I might have laugh/cried a bit.)THAT is a sign of a VERY good friend and I will remember her act of kindness and learn how to do the same to another. :)

4. what people say about you after you're done with a vocation, matters very much.

leaving a legacy should matter. if it doesn't, you're doing it wrong.and I have been very blessed to have gotten to be under Tom's leadership for the last fifteen years.one mostly "normal" ;) man that God has used in a very huge way in my life...so very thankful.

5. God does not only give you what you can handle,

He gives those He loves more than they can handle.

to build,to stretch,to refine,to push,to grow into the person HE wants you to be."for who do you know that really knows you, knows your heart? and even if they did, is there anything they would discover in you that you could take credit for? isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from Him? so what’s the point of all this comparing and competing? you already have all you need. you already have more access to God than you can handle.""God will generously provide all you need. then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others."happily spent. :)