Some things in life ARE free and worth enjoying

When I was working, I was always running around, I didn't have the time to get creative, I didn't have the time to prepare a meal every night, I didn't have time to run to the grocery store. I didn't have time to enjoy my hobbies, I didn't have time to sit down with my family, I didn't have time to simply just enjoy them and my time.

So now that I'm not always working, I get to enjoy my time and my family more. But I think its definitely something we tend to take for granted. Yesterday, I spent the most amazing day with my girls at the mall. A luxury I wouldn't have been afforded in the past due to time. I let them roam free while I paced myself along with my youngest. I handed all 3 of my older kids $20, I said this $20 is for you to buy one of your sibilings a Christmas Gift (getting started early) and its also to pay for your lunch. I'm not quite sure what my eldest did or if he followed my instructions (so I'll leave him out of the equation for now), but I know that my girls set their sites on taking care of business before the pleasure of spending their birthday $ that they received from their friends.

Carousel Fun

It was interesting to see their enthusiam, their excitement and how they put that gift as a priority over their own. My youngest and I went to Old Navy and then we caught up with her sisters. As they shopped we stopped at the Carousel. I was worried that she would just hate it and freak out and demand to get off, if she hadn't already fallen. First we tried it without movement, she just sat there pleased as punch and then when her sister's joined us, we tried movement, I think I'll let you be the judge, is this face a face of enjoyment or fear?

My girls at the food court

Anyway, that had to be the highlight of the day right there, some enjoyment for the baby. We continued on to get the girls some lunch and the baby and I something to drink (all this fun had us parched), and at that point, that's when it hit me, I'm at the mall, not spending tons of money, on a weekday, it's afternoon and I'm enjoying time with my children, it really doesn't get much better than this does it? As I sat there and admired my children as they purchased their lunch and my yongest running back and forth to us, I was just so happy, so pleased and so content to be there, I LOVE MY LIFE!

Janelle and her monster hat rawr

Isis and her monster hat rawr

As we parted ways yet again, we kept in touch, we're here, I'm going there and it was nice, even though I was with them and knew where they were at all times, they felt independent! I found myself in the bookstore, I was looking at the books for the baby and they joined, when they joined me, I just smiled. Now that all of the "business" was handled they were able to spend their money on something silly for themselves. (And of course there was candy involved!) Aren't they just adorable? No silly, not the hats, my girls!!!!


Well I ended up walking away with one book for the baby on potty time (yes, a new adventure for my little one in the making) and now it was definitely time to go home, we ended  up being at the mall all day long, had to rush home, cook dinner and run off to Girl Scouts! (SEE NOW we have to run), as we're seeing the clearing of the door they made one last request, yes, a pit stop at the Hurricane Simulator... Well, it was indeed an enjoyable experience to watch as they danced and laughed and giggled to their hearts content as the winds blew. I got them on video acting silly. Who would've thought that the mall could be that much fun! It had seriously been a very long time since  enjoyed a mall visit, is that what being a kid is all about?!

OVERALL, I have to say that I had THE most amazing day with my girls, just being with them, enjoying them and seeing those beautiful smiles. There is NOTHING better than that, and that right there, the enjoyment, the happiness, that was free and I am so grateful!

Until next time,