My philosophy

I woke up today with an excitement that I haven't felt in awhile.  I'm not really sure why, but that's ok with me.  I know I have the time to work on everything I want, it really is just about priorities.  I think I do a good job of balancing work & family (mostly). I don't prioritize God enough. I try to fit in helping others.  I am pleased with my progress. But I can always do better.  I have a few little sayings that I think are "my life philosophy". 

I once told my husband:

If you aren't moving forward, you are moving backward.

He told me later that this made an impression on him.  I was so excited, I am not known for being a wordsmith or very profound. I am known for memorizing phone numbers and library card numbers. I was a math person, not an English person, in school.  Interestingly enough, I believe this is a physics saying... hmmm, again with the math. 

My personal quote, that I try to live by is this one:

"I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show or any good thing I can do any fellow being, let me do it now and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again." William Penn


I often use time in the car with my kiddos to talk to them and infuse them with things I think they need to know or just that are  fun to talk about.  Recently, I have found myself talking to them more like little grownups, instead of kids.  I find it refreshing that they are at an age where they can somewhat grasp more complex concepts. Sometimes we talk about current events, sometimes I tell them about my feelings on things. I love it when they ask questions, except when the answers are tough. One thing that I have tried to instill in them from the very beginning of their little miraculous lives is this one:

The two most important things in life are Kindness and Tolerance.  

My hope and prayer is that this will stick with them throughout the easy times and the difficult times.  It is not always easy to be kind or tolerant. I pray for patience often. 

On a funny note, my girl (who is all tween these days!) called me out on being the family Leprechaun.  In years past, the Leprechaun has come in the wee morning hours of St Patrick's Day and brought goodies for the kids. Well, said Leprechaun didn't remember this year.  Yesterday evening, girl kept talking about her disappointment. I told her our Leprechaun had retired. So this morning while whipping up breakfast and packing lunches, she reassures me that it is ok, she knows it is me, but she won't tell boy.  Such a kind heart. 

St Patty's Greenies

Wow, ya'll! It has been a looong time, but today is St Patrick's Day. I love this holiday. When my munchins were little, I used to really do it up.  My girl was very disappointed that our Leprechaun didn't visit last night... Doh! I learned the hard way that I set the bar wayyyyy too high. Now I have to try to keep it going, too.much.effort. for this working mum.

I have all these gorgeous pictures pins on pinterest and all these great ideas that never seem to make it off the pinboard.

So tonight, in efforts to have some celebration, I made my "traditional" Irish Stew with green mashed potatoes and biscuits.  Delish!

Each night at dinner the kiddos each have an opportunity to say a prayer or blessing, tonight I threw in this one too:

Source:http://trendphotos.org/2014/st-patricks-day/irish-quotes-blessings-and-toasts-2014.html 

To make it even yummier, I whipped up a batch of GREENIES. Never heard of Greenies? Think very similar to Blondies but St Patty's theme (green food coloring). They were super simple to make and are ADDICTING.

I used this recipe from backforsecondsblog.com. She was not kidding when she said chewy and fudgy and delicious.  

The only change was right before adding the flour I added in several drops of green food coloring. These seriously took about 10 minutes to mix together, I had all the ingredients in my pantry already! I tossed them in the oven while we ate and they were done by the time we finished eating, and were cooled by the time boy finished eating.  Am I the only one that has one kid that eats impossibly slow? I used to play the song Eat it by Weird Al Yankovich at dinner, in hopes it would inspire him to eat faster.  Who remembers that song?  Not familiar? You didn't grow up in eighties, did you??

  Here is a lil sample for ya:  

I digress. 

Greenies ended up So cute! Kids loved them! I ate 3!  They were a hit, the girl wants leftover stew, green mashed potatoes and greenies in her lunch box tomorrow. Yay for an easy to pack lunch. 

The Irish Girl in me found this gaelic awesomeness on youtube. Enjoy ya'll.

One last thought that I leave you with. Saw this on facebook today, made me think.

Good night my Lovelies.