Friday Things #499
1. Joseph has been very into playing chess lately, and as a snowball effect, Dominic and Isabelle have been learning and playing, too. I love it!
2. I mentioned last week that Dominic and I were in New York for another neuroblastoma vaccine injection and his first set of scans since beginning the vaccine trial; I’m thrilled to report that the scan results were good and he remains in remission. Thank you all so, so much for your continued prayers ❤️
3. This may seem like an odd request, but does anyone have a toilet brush they love? We have a different one in each bathroom and I don’t really love them. The best one we have is the OXO toilet brush but I’m wondering if there’s a better one out there?
4. A great list to consult as we head into a busy season >> 15 Little Ways to Bring Intentionality Into Your Day
5. Do you have any Advent traditions that you do (or have done) with your kids? I’d love to come up with something to make the season more meaningful for the kids and was talking to another mom this past weekend and she said last year they did a special service project each week, which I loved. Throw your ideas at me!
6. I think I have made this homemade granola recipe three times in the last 10 days. Everyone in the house has been devouring it with Greek yogurt. I haven’t had the dried fruit, but I’ve been including chopped pecans; it’s been a hit!
7. I love this from Laura Ingalls Wilder:
“The real things haven’t changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
Source: Laura’s Letter to Children
8. This article is behind a paywall, so I only was able to read the first few paragraphs, but boy what a refreshing take! >> I’m Not Sorry For My Delay
9. We’ve been watching the latest season of Bosch and it’s been so good! I’m so glad they did a spinoff.
10. TGIF! Duke loves to hang in the kitchen when I’m cooking 😍
Smiling and celebrating the continued great news about Dominic. What a blessing this holiday season will be.
Another vote for the Clorox toilet wand. Brushes are so disgusting!
Hi Michelle – so happy Dominic and Family are doing sooo well! Bravo!!! Continued prayers!! In response to your toilet brush inquiry…I LOVE mine! They have a silicone head so the bristles never flatten out! I just looked for the manufacturer’s name, but to no avail. I’m sorry but I cannot figure out how to post some pictures. I have 3 bathrooms and this same toilet brush in each one…I’ve had them for at least 5 years and they’re like new!!! Hope that helps. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your Family!
I wish I’d learned to play chess when I was younger. It’s wonderful they ate learning so young!
I’m disturbed by all the comments about the short use, disposable toilet brushes. Reduce, reuse, recycle. I had the Oxo one for quite awhile but it broke unfortunately.
So happy Dominic continues to do so well.
Great news about Dominic. So thankful for continued answered prayers.🙏
Duke looks so handsome❤
I have an Advent house with 24 doors/windows to put little things. I used to fill it with Hershey kisses, mini ornaments, mini Lego figures, etc. just small things every day when my kids were little. Now that they are older, they get in on the act. There are four of us in the family, so that works out to each of us giving the other two “presents” throughout the 24-day period. We give each other coupons. You get to choose dinner. You get to choose the movie/game for movie/game night. I’ll do one of your chores, clean your room, walk the dog for you on your turn. Drive you to school and get a donut on the way. Then I usually give a Veto coupon. “Please clean your room. No, I veto that.” It’s a fun little joke that they get a kick out of. When I started it, it was fun to see what they came up with and got us all involved. I had to make a calendar so we knew who gave who something on which day.
I am so very happy that Dominic received such good news!!!!!! 🙏❤
That is great that the children are playing chess!! You have a beautiful family. Continued prayers for all of you.
Michelle reading about Dominic’s results has been the best news ever. Continued prayers and happy holidays for you and your family.
I buy a bunch of toilet brushes at a time from IKEA. Most reasonable ones I have found.
Bosch is SO good! Such good news about Dominic’s test. Prayers for continued good news.
Go, Bosch! I loved the books and think that Titus Welliver is perfect. Watching it is a great stress reliever at the end of the day.
Continuing prayers to Dominic and your family! He’s such a brave little boy esp everything he’s been through and still going through! Fantastic news that Dominic is in remission!
Great news regarding Dominic’s results! God love you all! Prayers continue!!!!
Go, Dominic! We should nickname him Remi for remission. Isabelle looks so grown up & her hair is so pretty.
I’ve had this toilet brush in my Kohls saved folder for a while, just because it looks nice. Has gotten good reviews. https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1043089/home-classics-2-pc-toilet-bowl-brush-holder-set.jsp
When you get older, things like toilet brushes become oddly important. I use the Clorox Toilet Wand. I like that I can throw the end away after each use. A more permanent brush grosses me out. I just use 1 end for all 3 bathrooms but add toilet cleaner to the toilets to save money.
Glad you son continues to receive good news! All 3 of your children seem so sweet.
http://www.acatholicmomslife.com has a lot of ideas for Advent. One of the things Heather mentioned was using a small St. Nicholas figurine from Shining Dolls as the Catholic version of Elf on a Shelf.
Hearing Dominic is still in remission has totally made my day!! Continued prayers for him and your sweet family ❤️
We are so very happy for your great news. Dominic has been a very brave young lad, and our hopes and prayers will always be for him and your beautiful family Michelle. 🙏🏼 ♥️
I like the cheap toilet brushes. Home depot or Lowes has them online. They don’t have bristles, I don’t like those. These have long fibers, use them for awhile then throw them away.
Great happy news about Dominic !!! God hears our prayers !!! I really like the Clorox wand ! Just throw them away & wash off the wand !!! Easy & sanitary 😊
we have 3 bathrooms, so toilet brushes are important! we have 3 of the same from
Grove Collaborative and find them to be reliable-plus, the heads can be replaced!
A giant YAY for Dominic’s news!!!
I was so hoping you would post some great news this week, after you mentioned he was scheduled for scans last week.
I’m so glad Dominick is still in remission! What a blessing for your family!
As a Christian family I was struggling to help my young ones remember the true meaning of Christmas, so I started doing the advent from New Tradition Crafts, 25 Days of Christ. It focuses on a different part of Christs life every day.
So very happy to hear the good news on Dominic’s remission! The best toilet brush I’ve found and ever used is a silicone one. It cleans so much better than a typical brush head and the water doesn’t stay trapped in it like a typical brush. I think you’ll be as happy with it as I am.
Such wonderful news about Dominic!
The Simplehuman toilet brush is pricey but the best one I’ve found.
So glad Dominic’s scans were clear! God is good!
Continued prayers for Dominic…& all of you. So happy to hear positive news.
God’s blessings! ❤️
Love to you …
I am thrilled to hear the news about Dominic! God bless you and your family!
As far as toilet brushes , I’ve never found one I love either.😂
Hi Michele Thank you for all the news. Especially regarding Dominique.God hears the prayers of his children. About the toilet brush😂😂😂I just think brushes are so not hygienic. I found the Clorox Wand so easy to use does a brilliant job and you dispose of it. No nasty brushes. Once a week with the Clorox Wand and you’re done. Toilet spotless and smelling nice. Give it a try.Have a great week end. God Bless😊🌻
Such wonderful news that Dominic remains in remission! So happy for him, for you, and your family. Will continue to keep all of you in my prayers. And I can’t wait to try the granola recipe, especially with the tricks to make it chunkier! Looks delicious!
This is a pretty random post, but I love the Norwex toilet brush- not the fancy one just the $25 model. Definitely worth giving it a try. So happy for Dominic’s great results 😍
Delighted to hear Dominic’s news!🙏🏻
This was a great post, (as usual), packed full of great stuff…
Love the children have discovered a game like chess they can share and play forever.
Loved the 15 things, a wonderful reminder to try to incorporate in our daily lives, even if we cannot do all 15 every day. It keeps us mindful, calm and more able to simply enjoy the little things of our day.
And I don’t blame Duke for hanging out in the kitchen- that looks like kielbase on the stove! 😋 wishing your family a wonderful weekend!
When I was a little girl, my mother had a big bowl of straw by the nativity. When any of us “did a good deed,” we were allowed to put a piece of straw in the manger. On Christmas Eve, we would put baby Jesus on his bed of straw.
Love this idea!
So glad to hear Dominic’s wonderful news! Prayers are always sent to the whole family.
So nice to see the kids playing chess together too.
I always love seeing Alice & Duke. Such sweet dogs.
Love to each of you
Jean Spangenberg
I am so happy to hear Dominic remains well!
such good news on your sweet boy! Wishing your whole family all the best blessings!
Best news ever and continued prayers for sweet Dominic!!! Looks like Duke is waiting for a yummy hand out ;)
Re: the Atlantic article, a friend recently enlightened me that if you go to http://www.archive.ph you can put URLs that are behind paywalls and get them to read for free! It’s super simple, doesn’t have ads/bugs and has been a total game changer for me!! XO
May God continue to bless your family.
The Clorox toilet wand is amazing. Wet, scrub, toss. I know it’s more waste, but there’s no gross toilet brush in the bathroom.
Also, yay chess!