I think I know an underlying cause for my emotional madness earlier this week. HORMONES! I had forgotten about those suckers and just how much they can affect a gal. Yikes! It’s madness, I tell you. Madness!

However, that realization doesn’t change me wanting a more mindful approach to how I spend my time. I’m still definitely cutting back on the extra posting and working out a schedule so I’m blogging-free on weekends, thanks to pre-writing and guest posters (let me know if you want to contribute!). So, thank you hormones for helping me sort things out for more balance…but you can pass by quickly too.

Birthday For Her, Presents For Me

I let you all know that today is Makenzie’s 3rd birthday in my earlier post. That meant we had lots of special treatment in the FFF household for the little princess today. I didn’t mind too much. I actually scored quite a bit in the process of her birthday love.

First stop, school! Although not just any school day. I had to return shortly after dropping her off for a special birthday snack and celebration.

None other than “teddy bear” sugar cookies with PINK sprinkles. You have to try really hard to picture the teddy bear. I seemed to forget that the cookies spread when baking. Oh, well. The kids didn’t complain…and neither did I.

After snack, I went ahead and brought Makenzie home for the day. Then, asked her what she wanted to do for fun for her birthday.

Of course she wants to play in the fabulous ball pit Auntie “Haha” gave her. Chaos ensues with reminders every 5 seconds to “play nicely with your brother”.

One of these days my sister will have kids and I will have the joy of sharing such gifts with her children. Until then, she leaves me with no other choice than to do this…

Mwahahahaha! Payback, sister! That right there was like birthday and Christmas rolled into one. Love you, Heather!

When the ball situation (hehe) continued to spiral out of control, I suggested the library to Makenzie. That got her attention…but only if she could go in her princess pajamas. Sooooo…

We went. Let the kid enjoy the freedom to parade around in princess cozies before she reaches the age of eye rolls and scoffs. Not that that ever stops me. Ask the dude in the baking aisle during my emergency store run for cookie needs last night.

And just so you know, cookie needs go hand in hand with other needs. Which is why I got very excited to find THIS at the library…

Yessiree. I get to try the Shred for FREE. They have a bunch of other DVDs too!

And the goods don’t stop there. Look at what I found at the consignment store while picking up presents for Makenzie -

Another hiking pack for kids! We have one already and needed a second for Braedon to sit in to be able to do hikes as a family. I have looked for MONTHS! I happened to look down while getting puzzles for Makenzie…and there it was. For $32!!!! Score!

Told ya. It’s like happy birthday to me here today too. Although Makenzie certainly doesn’t mind.

Let the birthday fun continue!!! <--- aka let me finally haul my booty to the store to get stuff for the party tomorrow. Have a great rest of your Friday!

• Did you do anything special for your birthday as a kid?
• What’s the last great discovery you came across unexpectedly?

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a new workout top and capris from 4all by jofit! Ends tonight!

Normally on Wednesday nights we have our small group at church. Well, last night we ended up having to cancel because very few of us could make it. It felt like back in college when I would get the announcement that class had been cancelled. Suddenly, a whole slew of options to have some fun and relaxation came pouring in. Although I chose to spend my time a little differently than I did those days. No getting started on the pre-party earlier here.

Old school flashback…

Eeeep! I don’t even know that girl anymore. (I’m on the far right…)

I feel much better with how my sudden downtime went last night.

First up, I filled my time with even more play with the kids. After already feeling so much less pressure on myself and having the time to do what matters most, I couldn’t wait to soak up even more of that feeling.

We played Makenzie’s very first board game…

…then hit up the library for some new books.

I love this child’s love of books! I think that is why Belle is her favorite princess.

Of course that meant I had to read a bajillion books when we got home from the library. Although reading about surfing pigs or moons falling from the sky didn’t keep me from reading my own book.

I cracked open Heaven Is For Real (part of the gift exchange from Chelsey) for the last 30 minutes of the kids’ naps earlier in the afternoon. It had me hooked so after the kids went to bed, I immediately grabbed the book to read more.

I even welcomed the fact we had to scrounge up dinner in a fend-for-yourself fashion. I poured a bowl of leftover tortellini soup and read my book cozily over the spicy soup.

Yep. It was that good that even dinner took second place. And I finished it over the next 2 hours. Wow. What a good story. It made me sit in amazement. I wish I could talk to the kid!

As wonderful as it felt to have some extra down time when I needed it most, I still missed getting the chance to meet up with friends for support and discussion. Especially since we have had so many great topics come our way recently. Like this one that I simply must share:

Success vs Achievement

One of the biggest things that struck me in the group study we have been sharing recently is the need to not only use our gifts, but to use them wisely. It can be really easy for things like pride or a desire for recognition to get in the way. I know I can relate!

I know the passions I have and the feedback I receive affirm many of what I believe as my strengths. Even take blogging for an example. It can reflect some of my strengths in  connecting with and encouraging others, but, as I recently shared, I can easily let it overtake my happiness and other important parts of life if I’m not aware.

I loved this simple definition I found in one of my devotionals:

I think that about sums it up perfectly. I want to become the best version of my ENTIRE self. I don’t want to work on being “successful”. I want to work on being the best me I can be. And trust that will be more than enough.

• What is the last thing that sucked you in and you couldn't step away?
• How would you differentiate success or achievement?