Today I am linking up with Dawn and others who follow her blog. On Random Journal Day, the first Friday of each month, we share an entry from one of our journals, whether it's yesterday's entry, or last months, or even one from several years ago...just share!
Looking for something FUN to share on this first Friday of April and came across this entry from August 21, 2012 -
the time period was after losing the temporary job I had with the State of Florida...
and during the time I was watching my grandson while mommy and daddy were working!
I wrote in my journal, which I carried with me whenever I was babysitting:
Well, we've "read" several books;
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tried several shoes on
and walked around the apartment;
blown a few bubbles;
rode the rocking motorcycle;
colored a picture;
played with the push toy...
had a "cookie" (pretzels),
drank some milk...
and helped Memaw journal -
(this is the actual journal entry with Blaise's red coloring)
And...
it's only 9:30 a.m.!
My days with Blaise are going to be really interesting, as you can well imagine!
We continued to play, read books, eat "cookies" 'til about 11:30 when we had lunch!
Mommy surprised us and came home for lunch. She put Blaise down for a nap; and Memaw managed to read a little and grab a quick 15 - 20 minute nap, too when Mommy went back to work.
Soon you were awake after about 1 1/2 hours - a short nap for you, at that!
Back to playing with blocks, and wagons and bubbles while we watch the rain fall and listen to the distant thunder and sirens blaring.
All in a day with one very active 17 month old boy!
A Memaw's dream day? Or, a way to stay young and active?
A few days later, on August 30th, I journaled these words including some I found in a book, "That's When I'm Happy" I had bought for Blaise:
The book begins with these words:
"There are days when I'm very happy...
and there are some days when I'm a little bit sad."
That just about sums it up!
I'm not really sad;
but sure wish I felt better; and with not feeling well, also comes not sleeping well -
but the words in the book continue...
"But now, on those days when I'm a little bit sad...
I try and find my way back to being happy."
What a novel idea!!
Let's all make that our mantra -
if we're feeling "a little bit sad",
let's "find (our) way back to being happy."
What things we, adults, can learn from a child's perspective; from a child's book!
Hope you can "find (your) way back to being happy."
What a fun link up! I have stacks of journals and it is always so fun to go back and browse through them again!
ReplyDeleteYes, Karrille, it IS FUN! You should do this; Dawn at enthusiasticallydawn.com is the hostess for this; we do the Random Journal Day (RJD) on the 1st Friday of each month. Next month she has asked me to be the Featured Journal Keeper; so I'll be sharing that on her blog as well as my RJD entry...I've been working on this for a while; I want it to sound good since more than normal will (may) be reading!!
DeleteEnjoyed your "interview" with Asheritah on FMF...I haven't been feeling well today so didn't do the word, GOOD; but read so many great posts - most about Good Friday.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
This post was fun, it brought back all kinds of memories of being a nanny for 3 little boys, it always amazed me that it was only 9:30 am..LOL Also I have great respect for people who actually manage to journal, because I am not one of them!
ReplyDeleteYes, Tobi! Those were FUN days; my daughter was teaching - and pregnant with her 2nd child. Now there are THREE and I still babysit on occasions; sometimes with one or two so mommy (who is now staying home, but has around 20 piano and voice students she teaches on several different days of the week) can go shopping, or to an appointment, or to teach a lesson.
DeleteMy journaling goes from some days writing down what I have done, to praying through my writing, to pouring out my heart! But, journaling isn't for everyone...and you DO write!!!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Such a sweet post! The littlest kiddos are my fave! Keep journaling friend!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara! I love being with the kiddos, too; but my energy level doesn't allow for those day-long babysitting days! And my youngest daughter now has 3 children, all under 4 years of age! I do babysit one or two, and sometimes all three; and I DO enjoy them...I do what I can when I can; in fact, that is what I love about the flexibility of being retired!!
DeleteAppreciate your reading and commenting!
Such memory-jogging journalling - I can connect with having done everything in my entertainment armoury and still finding it wasn't coffee time! Beautifully written ...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Alexa! I actually journaled while he was napping, and once he woke up...that is why he had picked up a crayon and wanted to "help" me to journal! The memories I find in my journals - some good and some not so good; but they ARE memories that I cherish and/or learn from!
DeleteAppreciate your reading and commenting!
Oh wow...that took me back to early childhood days with my own boys. Don't you wonder where they get all that energy...and how we younger mothers kept up? That was the key...we were younger mothers. I haven't done much babysitting since. My grandson lives too far away and is now almost 16. But anytime I have nursery duty or other babysitting, I am so thankful when the Mama comes to rescue me. I love your journal. This was good. Thanks for sharing. Happy Blessed Easter!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I am so wiped of energy once I leave the boys; this was actually a few years ago...now there are THREE within that family and it's hard for me...I have low energy anyway due to lung issues and other things; but give it a good hardy try when I am needed! I know how sad you must feel that your grandson is too far away...but that he is almost 16...I can certainly relate to that! My oldest grandson (of 4 grandsons) will be 16 this Nov. Then there is an almost-7 year old; a 4-year old (the one in the photos of this post); and his brother just turned 2 years old!! Then the granddaughters are almost 18 and almost 8 months! LOVE MY GRANDS!!
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting...I will be catching up with reading tomorrow while my laundry is washing!!!
What an Amazing message from a children's book. I have found that it is easier to be happy when being around the little ones, especially if I am not responsible for their care. Visiting from Random Journal Day. Hope you Have A Happy Easter!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Deanna...isn't is just so awesome to find inspiring words in the pages of a children's book?! God uses what is there...and it IS so easy to be happy when we are around little ones! I love it when I can be with my grands...like today! Both daughters, husbands and 5 of my 6 grandchildren were together. My son lives in Louisiana (we are in Florida) and it is too far away to see each other more than once (maybe twice) a year!
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
OH, I love this! Lol. ALl by 9:30 ...that cracked me up. I babysit a sweet boy on Tuesday and I so enjoy my time with him (and his 3 sisters!). I especially loved him trying his hand at journaling! Woohoo. I do think we can learn much from children's books and perspectives my dear, Barbara. I need to write that little quote on and index card... don't mind if I do! Thanks for joining in- I so enjoy peeking in your journal!
ReplyDeleteWell, I definitely love being with my grandchildren!! There are now 3 in that family; and I HAVE watched all three (ages 8 mon. to 4 years) at the same time, but for shorter periods of time...and I do love it, but am wiped out by the end of the time!! The children's books bring so much for them to learn; but, what pieces of wisdom and inspiration an adult can gain! Do write that one down!!
DeleteSo happy to join in RJD and pull things out from my "old" journals...am working on next month's and attempting to merge the blog post with the featured journal keeper post!! It will get there...
Thanks for reading and commenting!
What a sweetie! Little kids do teach adults to have a different perspective I believe.
ReplyDeleteThis is true, Lauralee! I love being with my grandchildren...and have the flexibility to do things with them, even when the older ones are still in school!!
DeleteI, too, am. taken by the statement, "All by 9:30." I remember when our son was that age. My mother would come out to see us and sit in the floor and roll balls with him. When I did anything like that,I was completely done in. But, it's these memories that are the sweet ones when the kids become teens and beyond.
ReplyDeleteThe time just goes by, doesn't it...and keeping them busy when they are so young takes all the energy a grandmother can gather! But I love being with them; and they ARE sweet memories - and I have been fortunate enough to be here for the birth of FIVE of my SIX grandchildren...the reason I wasn't for the SIXTH (the oldest) is because she is my son's step daughter and we did not have her in our life until she was around 2 years old.
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!
Barbara- What sweet times with your grandson...I liked seeing his red marks in your journal and the insights from his book...I need to find my way back to being happy. Thanks! I love how you are inspiring the next generation to read and journal!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sweet times, not only with THIS grandson, but the other 3 as well; and the 2 granddaughters!! I give credit to his mother - my youngest daugher who is a teacher, but is currently a stay-at-home music teacher mom with about 20 students; but the flexibility to be home with her 3 children! They have been introduced to books from the time they were old enough to hold onto one, actually before that because they read to them all the time! (Oh, and his dad is an artist; so he gets the coloring and scribbling in my journal honest because of that...but ask him now if he is going to be an artist like daddy, or play the piano like mommy - he grins and says he is going to play drums!!)
DeleteThanks for reading and commenting!