I’m joining Susanne and the gang today, to talk about five of our favorite things from the past week. This week presented some personal struggles, so I’m thankful to Susanne for the encouragement to pick out a few bright spots — they’re always there if we just look for them!
1. No jury duty. I received my first jury duty summons shortly before Christmas — I was to report Monday, January 10. Though I dutifully filled out the enclosed questionnaires and started lining up childcare, I soon realized it was going to be exceedingly difficult to find childcare for the full two weeks the summons told me to be available. So I wrote a letter requesting an excusal, fully prepared to attempt to serve if my request was denied. But it was granted — hooray! And with the snow we’ve had this week, along with school delays and multiple needed trips to the school, I am so thankful that I did not have to worry about jury duty this time around. (Though I do think that at some future time, it might be interesting to be part of the whole legal process.)
2. Knitting again. I have already completed one small project with my new stash of yarn. It didn’t take long at all for my fingers to remember the feel of knitting, and there’s something so soothing about making something tangible and cute. Unfortunately, I can’t show you what I made just yet, because it’s going to be a gift and the recipient(s) occasionally read my blog. So for now, it’s still a secret. Sorry!
3. Playing in the snow with L. This week brought our first “significant” snow of the season and our yard is covered in several inches of powdery white stuff. L (4) and I spent time outside Wednesday, shoveling and sledding and marching around. L was not impressed with the saucer-type sled (too unpredictable), but enjoyed the traditional plastic sled — especially when I helped him get it up the hill and into position. And just for fun, I took a turn zipping down the hill on the saucer. After that, I was wet and ready to go in the house. 
But I enjoyed celebrating the winter wonderland with my four-year-old.
4. Being the best mom ever. C (12) had to share some “sensitive news” with us this week. Now I’m not sure why, but he was pretty sure that Chad and I were going to respond in a dramatically negative manner. Even though I think we’ve done a pretty good job at being reasonable parents (or at least, appearing to be reasonable parents even when we’re completely losing it inside), C was still convinced that we would freak out. When he gave me the news and I didn’t freak out, he was beyond relieved. Some time later, I found this note in my bedroom:
What better compliment could I ask for?
5. An evening with a good friend. Last Sunday, I spent a few hours with one of my dearest friends. It just so happened that on that night, we were both feeling the weight of the world. We were struggling with some disillusionment, disappointment, parenting struggles, and the very clear realization that this world is broken. What a blessing it was to be able to pour our hearts out to each other. Though we didn’t solve all the world’s problems, we had a good talk about God and pride and our need for prayer and surrender. Good stuff. Sharing a delectable chocolate dessert was an added bonus.
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I hope you had a week filled with bright spots! Visit Susanne to see other Friday’s Fave Five participants.
oo how fun! I loved reading these little tidbits of your life that might not have made it into a full post! I want just a little snow so I can fly down the hill with my boy.. then go inside
However, this year the snow seems to be skipping over us!
I’m glad you were able to get out of jury duty. Maybe some time in the future it will work out.
Loved the story behind #4.
Barbara H.´s last post ..Friday’s Fave Five
I recently got my 1st jury duty notice too & had to decline because of my children. I hope to serve in the future some day when the kids are independent of me.
One of the things I hope to work on this year is having & keeping a poker face more often. I’m sure my kids would feel the same as yours about us freaking out before thinking & that’s something I want to change. I want them to feel free about telling/asking me anything.
I’m knitting some fingerless gloves. Its been so long since I last knitted! My fingers are rusty.
Enjoyed you blog.
Not to discourage you but…
The jury pool is normally selected for more than one trial at a time – it’s usually for several weeks/months so you could very well receive another call.
cjh
That note is the best! Precious. Have a wonderful weekend.
I know what you mean about jury duty. The summons never comes at a time when it’s convenient. It is an interesting lesson in our legal system.
What a sweet story (and note) from your son! Speaks volumes of you as parents, too.
Don’t you love that sweet time with friends? Nothing like it! Have a great week ahead.
Glad you got out of the jury duty. Maybe you can do it someday when your kids are older; it is an interesting experience. But not in this season of your life.
I didn’t play very long in our snow either.
And all this time I thought that *I* was the best mom ever. ha. Now I know it’s been you all along. Isn’t it funny how our kids can assume we’ll react the worst sometimes? I found that with my kids, too, and I always wonder: Why do they think that???
Glad you were blessed with time with your friend. Yes, good stuff.
I’ve never been summoned for jury duty, yet I know others that have been called twice! Not that I’m complaining;-)
And knitting is just like riding a bike; you never really forget how.
I’m glad that you’ve been able to find some time for knitting. It is something that you never really forget. I tend to start things and never finish! I look forward to seeing your project. I’ll be checking back to read more of your blog. Thanks for stopping by to visit mine!
What a precious encouragement from your son! Those kinds of notes are keepers, for sure!
time with a good friend can put everything back into perspective, can’t it? I’m actually needing one of those.
You are blessed to be able to play in the snow with your children! Snow fun is great!!! (At least, when it is not too cold….. my son (21 yo) has been talking all day about going out on the snowmachine because the snow is so ‘powdery’. I must admit, I’m tempted as well……expect that it is much too cold.
Well, the snow will still be here next week or next month when the weather warms up enough to play.
Two weeks of jury duty would have been a lot of juggling for childcare I’m sure. Glad they excused you and maybe the next time the children will be older when they call on you. Each person I have heard of being called on the feeling is the same, I can’t say my day hasn’t come.
I so love your note, what a feeling you must have gotten to find it.
The knitting you are doing as a gift, great that you didn’t forget.
Snow, is my favourite I’ll make an excuse to have to go clear the path or something as I’m too old to play anymore. However got an invite to go sledding and got back on the machine for the first time in 11 years and had as much fun as I use to.
Love the note; so sweet!
Lisa writes…´s last post ..My heart is glad
You ARE the best mom. C knows what he’s talking about!
I got my very first jury summons over the summer. I couldn’t do it, and in CT you can postpone twice without cause, so I did. I also thought it would be sort of cool to see the process (even though I’ve heard it’s actually very boring usually).
Nice to know that you are knitting…maybe you can post some pictures of what you have knitted..*smile*
I had to report for Jury Duty just this past Monday… I had no way out of it, this time (I’ve gotten excused every other time due to childcare issues or no vehicle). But, even though I went to the courthouse and sat there for a while, when the judge asked about hardships, I mentioned the fact that my hubby’s in school full-time, and i’m the sole provider for my family, and that we have no real childcare if I were to have to stay there for 2 or more weeks (for a trial)… and the judge excused me and let me go.
((Yay!)). I really don’t want to be on a jury, so I’m so thankful to have gotten out of it!
Puleeeeeeeeze write another Post???
Hi Katrina! I’ve missed your posts. Hope all is well with your family.
I linked to you in my “spring can’t get here soon enough” reading list. Thanks for the inspiration.
I must get back into knitting. I’ve taken a 5 month leave of absence due to tendinitis in my shoulder. I am a novice and really want to learn to knit a baby sweater.
It seems we parents get too few indications that we mean “good” and not “ill” for our off spring. So cool that this week you got one of those indications!
susan´s last post ..Grateful for Boundaries in Five Area FFF
I agree with C. I’d like to see another post.
Katrina,
It’s been way too long (3 years) since I have read your blog!! How refreshing for me to read what’s happening in your life and how you handle life’s situations! You and C are doing a great job! Love the note from c.
Who knows, maybe someday I will have time for the “spring reading challenge”.