In the past, I have done a post occasionally called “5 Things I Am Loving This Week.” I love reading this post when other bloggers do it, so I was inspired to do it again myself. And honestly, as I shared last week, with things being so hard here lately for me, it is really good for me to focus on just what I am thankful for (and for the record, I am doing okay and this week is going much better – Ed said my last post sounded a little extreme and like I was nosediving 🙂 )
1 – Our Pediatric Dentist Here in NYC –
Ya’ll, it’s no secret that Kinsley is drama…she knows it, we know it, everyone knows it. When you mention the dentist to her, the waterworks start. She hasn’t had a horrible experience cleaning her teeth, but the last few times the dentist has tried to get x-rays from her (and specifically put the bite piece in the back of the mouth), our drama queen with bad gagging reflex has freaked out. So needless to say, any mention of the dentist brings huge waterworks.
We switched to a dentist here in Forest Hills (actually in the basement of a neighboring building which means it is super close and even better!) who we had heard amazing things about. When we got to the appointment, the tears had already begun and she literally tried to bolt out the door 3 times. But, this dentist was AMAZING and showed her everything she would use on her teeth on her hand first so she would know it wouldn’t hurt, and when it came time for xrays, they have updated technology that just needs her to bite down on something in the front and then it scans her whole head. No more biting a piece in the back. She left the dentist so elated and saying she loved the dentist, asking when she was coming back, and saying she never wanted to leave NYC because of this dentist.
And even more fun, she has a loose tooth (which she has been patiently waiting for months for after seeing classmates lose them) and the xray showed which teeth were coming in next and will be loose. We have to wiggle her loose tooth at least 50 times a day (and I am totally not exaggerating – can you see where she gets her drama from?!?).
2 – Motivated Moms Chore Planner –
I know I have raved about this chore planner in the past as I have been using it many years, but I seriously LOVE this thing still. I heard about it through MoneySavingMom.Com, downloaded the printable, and use it every day. Why do I love it? I can check off what I have done that day and feel like I accomplishing something, my whole house gets clean throughout the week without me spending 3-4 hours in a row each week doing it (time I don’t have), someone could pop into my house to see us unexpectedly and I feel like my house is in good enough condition to let them enter, it reminds me to do things that I always forget like dust my light in the dining room or hallway, I remember to do things that should be done regularly but always seem to be forgotten about for weeks at a time (like changing the hand towels), and the list could go on and on and on.
Seriously, if you are struggling to stay on top of cleaning your house or looking for an easy chore planner, get this thing!
3 – Aldi and Amazon
I am such a mom in NYC. While I still love me some Target and Michaels, these stores have become lifesavers for me in NYC. Aldi is only a subway stop away and while I loved Aldi before, when I see that their prices are comparable to North Carolina prices instead of the ridiculous NYC grocery store prices, I love it even more. Seriously, they were out of cornstarch at Aldi for 1.09 so I paid $3.99 for it at our neighborhood market. Aldi has allowed us to save SO much on our grocery prices and I think the food tastes comparable to name brand stuff (some things taste different but you just have to figure out what you like and don’t like). Aldi questions? Ask me – I love this place!
And Amazon – oh, dear, sweet Amazon. I LOVE Prime with two day shipping because it often means I can get things way quicker and with way less effort than anywhere else – and the prices at Amazon are pretty comparable to other stores. Seriously, I can get groceries, house supplies, birthday gifts, and all other kinds of random things in one shopping trip from my living room. And I love that they are quick and their return policy is up to par. Just last week, we ordered a PH test for our fish tank and when we got it, it didn’t have the color card inside for us to know what is high and what is low. We called them, and instead of paying to ship it back, they just said keep it and sent us another one. We bought a jacket for Blake that was supposed to be size 2T and when we received it, the tag said 2T but the jacket inside said 3T and was way too big. We contacted Amazon, they contacted the seller/manufacturer, and once we sent proof that the tag and jacket said different things, they refunded our money and told us to keep the jacket. Seriously, such great customer service. Only problem, things are way too easy to order from there…I can get in some major trouble 🙂
4. Worshipping with different Cultures
In our search for a body of believers to worship and serve with, we have seen quite a few different kinds of churches. While most churches in Queens have diversity, New Life Fellowship, where we have been attending more regularly, has MAJOR diversity. As we worshipped there this past Sunday, I was brought to tears looking at the multiethnic and diverse choir and church body and singing a song worshipping the name of Jesus. I looked over at Ed with tears in my eyes and said “This is what heaven will be like.” All nations, peoples, tribes, languages in front of Jesus singing praises to Him alone. While there are definitely challenges to living in a place that is so diverse, this is not one of them. I wish I had taken a picture or video just to show you a little taste of heaven here on earth.
5. NYC Picture
Last week, our leadership team from the Northeast traveled down from Boston to meet with the NYC staff. They did some equipping, some strategic planning, and mostly just encouraged us. It was really, really encouraging for us to have someone care for us well and to tell us that not only is transitioning to the city hard, but ministry and life in NYC are hard, and while they are trusting the Lord to use us to make an impact, there is so much grace and if we just survive and move toward thriving in our first year here, we are doing well.
They also brought us yummy treats and gave us this special treasure of a picture.
It is a framed picture of an old map of NYC and Long Island. We have it now hanging in our living room and I love this reminder of what we are trusting the Lord for – that the Lord will use us and our team here to make His name known throughout this whole area, and that as that is done, our nation and the world will be changed for His glory. I seriously love this sweet, sweet gift. Thank you LD team and our national directors!
That is the end of my 5 things! But, I mentioned last week that Blue Bloods would be filming in our neighborhood and being that I am a resident but seeing celebrities hasn’t become commonplace to me yet, I went to check it out. They were filming in a house about 20-30 walk from us (and with the kids and me being extra pregnant and it raining – I didn’t want to do the walking work) but they were changing and leaving from the site that was about a block from us. We did manage to see a few celebrities traveling to the shoot – Danny Reagan’s son, Jack, Danny Reagan himself (better known as Donny Whalberg), and Danny’s wife in the show. I think the house they were filming at is their family house in the show. Here are a few pictures just so you know I am telling the truth 😉
So fun and so crazy! This afternoon, I am headed to the hospital to get my bloodwork and check-in stuff done for the hospital for baby girl’s arrival. Crazy she will be here in 12 days, if not earlier (and probably not earlier because all my babies are too comfortable in this womb of mine and lets be honest, I wouldn’t come out if I heard all the crazy happening out here with our family either)!