Remembering the Ordinary

What did you do this weekend? I'm at the point where that question cannot be answered in just a phrase. There isn't one event to describe or a couple specific things we did. It seems like all our weekends are a blur of activity, but I can't pinpoint what filled them. Are you at that stage, too? Sometimes it's good to record the ordinary. Aren't they the times that seem sweetest in our mind? Here are three ordinary, but someday they'll seem extraordinary, weekend happenings from my normal everyday life.

Friday night was date night. Our church offers Parent's Night Out a couple nights a year so the youth can raise money for events. It's only $20 a family for a few hours of babysitting with pizza and inflatables included! Of course, I did not want to miss out on this awesome opportunity and we planned to go out. Unfortunately, my husband's flight was delayed and he got back after the kids had been dropped off. We ended up with an evening at home eating tuna fish sandwiches, taking a walk, and watching TV. Is it bad if I say I didn't care and I was just as happy to stay home as go out? Is that old and boring, or your secret fantasy, too?

Spring blooms make every walk beautiful!

After our rip-roaring Friday night, we were up early on Saturday for the kids' sports rotation. I love that my kids are busy, but I wonder if a lazy Saturday at home will be in our cards before the year 2022? Our girls started volleyball this season and we went to watch. I'm not sure if we'll see many volleys this year, but many of the girls were successful in serving which generated huge cheers from the crowd.

Pre-Olympics?

On Sunday, I took my oldest for her senior pictures. The photographer treated us like royalty and was so complimentary of my daughter that I'm surprised we could fit our heads back in the van! Seriously though, it was fun and refreshing to view her through the eyes and camera of someone else. It's weird, but I can't look at my own children and only see who they are today. It's hard to view them in the moment as I would a friend or an acquaintance. In my mind's eye, I saw snapshots of my daughter from birth to the present, all as I looked at her fully grown standing before me posing and laughing for senior pictures. Wow, where did the time go and can I make it stand still while my heart catches up?!?

Spring break 2014

Your turn. Are you filing away memories of everyday happenings? What ordinary things will you later remember as extraordinary in your life?



15 comments:

  1. you are certainly not alone… i LOVE staying home. :)

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  2. "In my mind's eye, I saw snapshots of my daughter from birth to the present, all as I looked at her fully grown standing before me posing and laughing for senior pictures. Wow, where did the time go and can I make it stand still while my heart catches up?!?"

    i love this bit. Its so... happy, sad and happy. I am looking at my son and he is just 3 going 4 this June and I would usually see a movie in my mind .. of him during when he is a baby to when he is a little boy and I love it and I wish I can bottle it to make it last a we e bit longer. Glad to have stumbled upon your blog =)

    #magicmoments

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    1. Thank you! A movie is a good way to describe it. :)

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  3. I enjoyed reading this post...I love staying at home too. The simple things are sometimes what stay with us most! #magicmoments

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  4. I loved this. What a great post and tribute to cherishing life's little great moments. So glad that even tho his flight was delayed you still got a night together no matter where it was and what you were doing lol . Love a good family sports day too. I can't wait till my kids are older and I get to watch them play sports. I remember my mom watching us kids. The last picture is stunning. What a gorgoues pair you all are!!! Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me I love getting to know more bloggers and their lovely blogs. #sharewithme

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    1. Thank you, Jenny! Watching my kids play sports is one of my favorite things and you'll be doing it before you know it!!

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  5. Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    Dear Marie, I loved your post. It's a gentle reminder to remember and treasure the 'everyday ordinary,' because time really does fly by. My oldest is 20 now, and if I would've known then how fast time flies, I would've taken more time to slow down and enjoy the 'everyday ordinary.' I feel that being a stay-at-home mom with my three little ones gives me more of an opportunity to seize each and every day, and appreciate the little things. My husband is, thankfully, the same way.
    I'm grateful that I have a cell phone that takes amazing photos, because I take photos of everything, every day; and then we download them to our digital frame and the kids see our 'simple, everyday moments' daily. It's a lot of fun :0)
    And given our busy lives . . . I LOVE the quiet, simple moments that I have with my husband. Sometimes it's a quiet evening on the couch or a quiet walk around the block. As I get older, I appreciate 'SIMPLE' more and more.
    Sending happy thoughts your way!
    Suzanne

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne! I had no idea you had a 20 year old! I don't think we know to how to enjoy the ordinary as much with the oldest. It takes time to learn that! :) Also, good to know there are others enjoying quiet "date nights"!

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  6. Parents Night Out is a flipping genius idea!! That should be law in all communities!
    #sharewithme

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    1. Haha, so true! Every parent definitely needs it!! :)

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  7. Wow- that is a fab idea from your church- so important to make time for your relationship too and sounds like you need it with everything else going on.
    Our weekends usually revolve around the park and the playground but I am sensing gym classes soon too- exciting times!
    #sharewithme

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  8. I prefer to stay at home too!!

    thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments x

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  9. What a beautiful post! I agree with you, I too am falling in love with all things simple, more and more each day. Thanks for sharing this #AllAboutYou x

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  10. Such a beautiful post, and I especially love the sentiment. Appreciating the ordinary is also about being present in the moment and appreciating the small as well as standout moments in life - they all make up a life extraordinary don't they. Your daughter is quite beautiful too, I can scarcely believe that my 5yo going in 15 was my tiny little baby. It is amazing. Thanks for linking to #AllAboutYou. Hope to see you back tomorrow.

    Mama-andmore.com

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Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you!