Fall

Cleaning Mode and Almost X-Rays

After Niva’s brownie mix eating antics, I went into cleaning mode. The couch cushions were deep cleaned with this amazing machine, the floors were scrubbed, bedding was washed, windows wiped, and laundry done. 

Siberian Husky in living room

During my cleaning spree, Niva jumped off our bed and pretty much ran Sadie over at full speed. I heard a loud thud and then a cry. Poor Sadie was bleeding from her nose and mouth and pretty upset at being knocked down. 

She took a nap soon after and woke up looking swollen, black and blue, and downright puffy. I called our pediatrician’s office, and the nurse said the doctor might want to have x-rays taken of Sadie’s nose but would call me back with a sure answer after she talked with the doctor. 

I was supposed to head out for a work meeting, but wasn’t sure if we were going to need to take Sadie to the doctor’s office or somewhere for x-rays, so I stayed home. After about an hour, the nurse called and told me to keep an eye on her to see if the swelling increased or if she was having trouble breathing through her nose. If anything gets worse, they will want to have x-rays performed, but for now we’re just going to monitor her. 

Whew. It was just one of those days with one thing after another. After the cleanup and nose incident, Jimmy realized I washed his AirPods that were in his shorts pockets. Then Malcolm puked on the table while we were eating dinner. Then Niva knocked Sadie over again.

When hard days happen, I do a few things to try and get through them:

  • Pray. For patience, a better attitude, contentment, thankfulness etc. 
  • Talk to someone. For me, this is usually my sister, mom, Jimmy, or someone from our church.
  • Get outside. Something about fresh air always helps my attitude.
  • Reflect on what I’m thankful for. Shifting my focus from what’s hard to what is good is a game changer. 
  • Spend time in God’s Word. Often, I can look back on hard days and realize I hadn’t spent enough time in my Bible that day.
  • Laugh. Sometimes you just have to laugh at the craziness and remember it’s not forever. 

Something that made my day yesterday was a surprise package from my mom! She sent me this shirt and it came at just the right time. Thanks mom! You are the very best 🙂

Faith racerback tank top from Amazon

It’s a new day and Sadie woke up looking less swollen. Niva only ate a box of tissues in the night instead of a box of brownie mix, and I haven’t washed any electronics. I think it’s going to be a good day 🙂

What helps you on hard days?

Snapshots

Hello and happy Wednesday! Just popping in to share some snapshots from my life lately.

Fall flower arrangement with pumpkin candle for fall decor

I started to decorate our house for fall, but realized my decorations are a little sparse. I think I went on a declutter spree a few months ago and may have donated more than I thought 😉 I’m liking the simplicity, though!

Glade Cozy Autumn Cuddle fall candle limited edition scent Bear Naked granola pumpkin spice granola for fall

Speaking of fall, I picked up this candle and this granola and give them both a 10 out of 10! The candle smells wonderful and the granola is the perfect blend of spices, oats, and white chocolate.

I had some of the granola the other night mixed into in pumpkin yogurt with a cut up apple and it was fall on fall on fall!

Strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream and rosettes with silver sprinkles Strawberry cake with vanilla buttercream decorated with roses and sprinkles

The cake I made for my mother-in-law’s birthday party went well! I ended up doing exactly what I thought I would (for once, haha): a strawberry cake with strawberry filling, vanilla buttercream, rosettes, and sprinkles.

What was even better than the cake was the company that evening.

Puggle and cocker spaniel

Mavis and my sister-in-law’s dog, Dixie!

Hair twins girls with curly dark blonde hair

My sis-in-law and I were hair twins!

Jimmy and I brought Mavis over to my sister-in-law’s house and we all had dinner and hung out celebrating my mother-in-law! It was a lovely evening and so fun watching Mavis interact with her “cousin” lol!

American cocker spaniel sitting on chair

Mavis paid a visit to the vet over the weekend to get her yearly shots, plus a few extra shots so she can go to doggy daycare. I’m taking her for an interview at Camp Bow Wow today to see if she likes it.

Jimmy and I figure it will be good to have doggy daycare as an option for our little energizer bunny to get her energy out from time to time once her little sister arrives!

And rolling right into the topic of Mavis’ little sister, I’m happy to report that she and I had our last iron infusion!

Pregnant IV iron infusion for anemia

I can’t say enough good things about the doctors, nurses, and staff a the Hillman Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital here in Pittsburgh. I felt so well cared for and had great experiences each time baby and I went in for our infusions. My hematologist (and pretty much everyone) was a little nervous baby and I wouldn’t make it to all four infusions before delivery, but by the grace of God we did!

I’m still anemic, but my hemoglobin levels have risen, which is such a huge blessing! I’ll head back to the hospital in November for more blood work and infusions as needed.

Okay, two more snapshots because I love sharing pictures of our pets!

Cocker spaniel and pit bull Black cat with yellow eyes sitting on blanket

Lola and Mavis went to the groomer and got matching bandanas and Malcolm decided to camp out on our blanket and look adorably handsome.

What would a snapshot of your life lately look like?