XLVI

The Super Bowl is here. 

Literally, it is here--in Indianapolis--about ten minutes from my house.

And while not a huge football fan, it has been pretty crazy seeing our city transform into the home of the most watched sporting event in the world. 

There are celebrities everywhere.  Parties all night.  Thousands of people crowding the streets downtown.  It is thrilling.  You cannot help but be drawn into the excitement.

So on Wednesday we headed downtown with some friends to see our city in all its glory.  I was proud to be a Hoosier that night--the city more alive than I have ever seen it.  You could feel the energy as you walked the streets, buildings, and sidewalks.  It was such a great night.

I don't know how much of the game I'll actually watch tonight.  I'm pretty good at falling asleep on the couch during sporting events, but I can't wait to catch glimpses of our fine city and feel proud to call this place home.

the simple things

(A perfect day at the zoo with Elliott Quinn.)

Two weeks down.

I've been back to work and Chris has been a full-time, stay-at-home-dad for two weeks now.

And none of the things I was worrying about have happened.  My house isn't falling apart.  No one has gone to the hospital {yet}.  Ellie isn't more bratty than normal. 

They spend their days at the Children's Museum, the zoo, or the park.  They haven't yet made it to the library, but I'm still optimistic.  

It's been such a blessing to be able to do this.  The girls get to wake up on their own each morning, stay in their PJs all day if it's a lazy day, go on "adventures" with Daddy, make big messes that would freak Mommy out, play puzzles for an hour, or get out every toy in the basement. 

And that is a huge weight lifted off me during the school day when I don't have to think about what my girls are doing or when I can finish up grading papers or meetings to go get them.

So it's probably not the most simple of things, because it was actually quite an effort to get the whole Chris-quitting-work thing orchestrated.  But it's been worth all the sacrifices.  And when it comes down to it, those other things (cable, a brand new car...) weren't (and still aren't) that important.

My babies are what's important.  And the rest isn't.  

It's that simple.

  

the simple things

This makes my heart sing.

As a mom, I love to see the big sister wanting to do things with the little sister.  And that little sister will sit patiently while that big sister does anything around her.  She already adores her.

As an English teacher, I love that my daughter wants to read books!  Sometimes when Ellie is being too quiet in another room, it means she's coloring on the shelves again or taking all the nail polish out of the linen closet.  But more and more often, it's because she's found a book and is sitting down to "read" it.  This brings me such joy.

the simple things

Here's a blog I read:

And the blogger, Rebecca, has a challenge that I'm finally linking up to.  It's my first time linking up to anything...{gasp} I'm so nervous!

The simple moment that made me smile this week was from Friday evening.  We packed up the girls and headed to the park for a picnic.  While Chris was chasing Elliott around the playground, I got to spend some time with my little baby, Harper.  Being the second child, I sometimes worry she's getting lost in the chaos of her two-year-old sister.  But then I see her smile and know she's not just surviving, but thriving.  And she really might just be the cutest baby I've ever seen. (Sorry Ellie...)

 

It was quite a calm and peaceful (and hot) evening.  Such perfection; just me and my little family at the park.  On the way home, we walked by some friends' house and had a little chat.  It reminded me how much I love living in our small town (that's inside a big city). 

How sweet the simple things are.

Here's my link up: