7 awesome things I learned this week:

1. Sami will actually play in the sink for an hour! And unlike last year, she doesn't soak everything.  I stopped letting her play in the sink because when she was done I had to soak up the floor, counters, and changer her clothes.  Too much work for a few minutes of fun.  But no longer!  As  you can see, she does get wet, but at least it's now so worth it!

2. I can actually sew! Ok, maybe that's going a little too far. I guess I should say, "I actually sewed something!" Years ago my sweet and generous friend, Jill, gave me a sewing machine. I bought a pattern from "Sewing For Dummies," but finally gave up feeling very dumb and frustrated. But I was inspired by my sister-in-law and tutored by my mother-in-law and feel like I am ready to take on another hobby! I know that this isn't much, just a cover for a composition notebook. And I am too embarrassed to take pictures of the insides because it's very crooked.  But, hey, it is my first try so I'm giving myself some leeway.☺

3. Prayer and chocolate can make any day better. (I already knew this but re-learned it this week.)

4.  My friend Suzanne told taught me how to make my glass cups look like new.  They were looking very murky from the hard water.  You just fill up your sink with equal parts of warm water and white vinegar, and put your glasses in, let them sit and wa-la! It was like magic!  My glasses look new.  J has mentioned the "new" cups three times now.

5. I don't have PCOS. Last week a PA diagnosed me with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).  It's a hormone disorder that affects fertility, among other things. I was very distressed.  The PA basically said, "You have PCOS, but I can't tell you much about it so you have to go see a specialist (you can imagine how well that went over with Jonathan when I told him about it-he firmly believes you shouldn't diagnose unless you can answer any/all questions). I already had an appointment to see a new OB doc, and I took the same lab results to him and he said there was no indication that I had it.  (J didn't think I had it either but he freely admits that OB is not his thing.) I definitely feel confident in the OB rather than the internal medicine physicians assistant and am greatly relieved. Not to mention that I love this new OB, and Jonathan was able to come with me to this appointment and he was very impressed with him too. So I feel blessed. (Thanks, Whitney, for telling me about your amazing OB!)

6.  This video on vulnerability is so interesting and insightful.  I found it so true for my own life, and I am recommitted to living in gratitude and being joyful in the ordinary.  It's 16 minutes but so worth your time. I can't tell you how many times I have said, "my life is so good, I wonder when something bad is going to happen."   I am going to try to stop "foreboding joy."
http://mollyirwin.typepad.com/mollyirwin/2010/08/on-vulnerability.html

7.  One of the sweet & oh-so-cute young women that I work with has a new etsy shop that is so awesome!  Juliette makes and sells flower clippies and headbands.  Her prices are so reasonable and she hand delivered me my order the same day and refunded my shipping.  I took this picture of me with my new goods, which I was going to give to the girls but now I am keeping them! Her shop is called Bloomin' Cute, which is so fitting.

Life is good. ♥