much needed love

With the events that have rocked my family the last few days I have been feeling down.

My attitude and responses have reflected that.

This morning I woke up feeling the need to enjoy life to its fullest.

To love to its fullest as my Aunt Joyce did.

I pulled out our Valentine Day bin.

Found these warm pillows.

Handed them over to these two.

How could I not find joy and love with these two running around my house?

Life is precious and sweet.

Just like these two.

all around tree - january

Christmas is past.

January will soon be too.

Before it ends I wanted to share and idea I had when putting away the Christmas decor.

Each year my girls look forward to decorating the house with me. They love every ornament, snowman, Santa Claus and Christmas trinket we pull out of our bins. When Christmas is over they dread putting it all back. I get tears. So, this year I decided to keep out our foyer tree. It is a smaller potted { fake} tree that has the lights already strung on it. I asked the girls if they wanted to help me decorate it for each month/season. They were excited. So we were off to Wal-mart and Target to find clearance winter ornaments.

We found these sparkly snowflakes, 5 for .25 cents. We also came across some snowflake ribbon. We picked up white baby's breath at our local dollar store and added them to our white/snowflake themed tree.

We have really enjoyed it.

It lights up our foyer for the season.

The girls love that it is a little piece of Christmas, kind of, sort of ;).

i'm sorry you came home to this

AP walked into a tornado tonight. Okay maybe that's a little strong but it felt as if it was.

Yesterdays events have made me weepy since hearing the news.

It all started this morning. I set out some chicken to thaw in the fridge today on the counter with the thought to put it away when I left for work. That didn't happen. I came home to nasty, room temperature chicken. In the trash it went. Now what's for dinner?

Seems like my whole day was one mishap after the other, like my brain took a vacation. I hate it when that happens. Luckily I had people around me who understood and loved on me despite my mistakes.

It came time to pick up GM from school. From the moment I got her she has whined, complained, been ungrateful and just mean to her sister. After rolling her eyes at me she ended up going straight to her room {she hates this punishment}. My thoughts were, this isn't my girl. Sure she makes bad choices but today they kept coming. My only thought is that she must be tired, she is still getting over the flu bug in this sense. I let her stay there for awhile, she sulked the whole time.

Hubby calls to let me know he's on his way home. I explain my chicken fiasco, he turns his car around and heads back to pick up food. He gets home with a bag of Chik-fil-a to a weepy wife, whining kindergartner and a three year old who just wants to play with the whining kindergartner. Would you want to come into that????

He came home calm and remained that way even when Grace had another whining fit {she ended up in her room yet again}. He bathed them, read to them while I cleaned up, packed a lunch and all the other things I do before a new day can start. He helped them brush their teeth, he was patient, handling them both when needed.

After they were in bed, all tucked in with hugs and kisses from us both I said to him, "I'm sorry you came home to this." He said it was okay. I've heard it said that we wives need to give our husbands at least 30 minutes to wind down after getting home from work before we spring things on them. I try to live by that but tonight it wasn't meant to be.

I love AP. For seeing my needs to mourn, for taking the lead in caring for the girls when I've felt down. He is so good to me. He even brought me a Dr. Pepper with my Chick-fil-a {Jillian would not approve}. Even over the phone he could read me. He stepped in and filled in, where I lacked patience he remained steady. Don't you love how God helps you in those situations by giving you a spouse that can fill in the gap when you feel lost? It's another reminder that God is here in my home, he is real, I saw him working through AP tonight.

"he make her happy"

My Aunt passed away yesterday.

My heart is heavy, I feel shocked and numb.

Upon hearing the news from my dad I began to cry.

I cried hard.

SK noticed this.

She asked, "Mommy why are you crying?"

I said "I am sad because someone I love very much has gone to heaven to be with Jesus."

SK, "Do you miss them?"

Me "yes."

SK, "What's their name?"

Me, "Aunt Joyce."

SK, "Joyce with Jesus, he make her happy!"

Simple, innocent and true.

Even though I miss her my comfort is that she will no longer have pain. She will forever be with her soul mate who left us only 14 months ago. And as SK said, "she is happy with Jesus."

crop

I went to a scrapbooking crop this weekend.

Friday night, Saturday and Sunday.

We stayed up until 4 a.m. on Friday night.

I'll pay for that one tomorrow.

Great time.

Great friends.

Wouldn't change a thing.

day 29, pain

Okay, maybe it wasn't the best idea to start a new workout a day after roller skating {which I hadn't done in say, ohh 10 years}. I am hurting. I pushed myself and now my body is pushing back, in pain. AP teased me that with each step I made coming up the stairs this morning I moaned, I hadn't noticed it, I must have blocked it out since I was concentrating on getting to the top. When did I get so out of shape or has Jillian helped me find some new muscles that were buried deep into legs, arms, abs and back? Hubby says it will get easier and to keep going, I growled under my breath after that statement. He also brought me two ibuprofen this morning with orange juice {such a sweet guy}.

So tonight {hopefully} I'm planning to do it again. No pain, no gain right?!?

29 more to go

Yesterday we went as a family to roller skate at a fundraiser for GM's school. We had alot of fun, it was the first for our girls and for the hubby and I, it brought back good memories of our childhood. About 30 minutes after hubby and I started to notice pain in our legs, his in his upper thighs, mine in my buttocks. I hadn't fallen so I knew my pain wasn't from that. Am I really this out of shape or did I just use muscles I don't normally. Wow! Made me feel really out of shape.

So, I bought this. Only $9.

One of my joyful wishes for 2010 was to find joy in myself. I want to be healthy. It's not about my weight or the number the scale says for me, it's about feeling good inside.

I watch The Biggest Loser, it is the only "reality" show you will ever see me watch. It touches my heart, the stories of those in desperate need for health help. Jillian is tough, even mean at times but her prodding brings results. So why would her video be any different!? I did the level one video this morning {there are three} and by the end I was ready to pass out. The drill sergeant {JM} says she doesn't believe in resting between cycles, continuous movement = the best results. We'll see if it is true, she makes big promises if you keep up with it for 30 days.

I'm praying that by adding this extra half hour to my day I will get the results I'm hoping for.

Day one down, 29 more to go ;).

daily organization

I got this organizer a couple of years ago on clearance. I love how it makes mine and GM's life easy. Every Sunday after doing loads of laundry, I look at GM's schedule and fill it up with clothes for each day of the week. I include underwear and socks. Grace goes to it every week morning, pulls down the outfit for the day. Simple. Little did I know there was another positive to it until GM pointed it out. She was using it as a learning tool, learning how to spell the days of the week. Simple bonus!

once upon a time

Once upon a time there was a prince...

This morning Daddy was getting ready to head out to his new job. As he was getting his coat on SK says, "Daddy, you wook wike a pwince!" Her mouth was full of yogurt but we got the idea. I think it made his day to hear that. What made him laugh, other than the cuteness and compliment of his daughter, is that at his old job he had to wear a suit and tie everyday. Today he was business casual and loving it. I guess ties don't mean much to a three year old.

He is a prince to his three princesses. Have a great first day AP, we'll be ready to celebrate with you tonight in our castle ;).

short week

This week will be one that is short with the Martin Luther King holiday.

I have Monday off from work, GM and SK are off from school and hubby is home as well. It's late Sunday night and we're still unsure of what to do with ourselves. One thing we do know is the van goes in tomorrow for two new {much needed} tires before more snow or cold weather sets in. After that, we'll see which way the wind blows. There are a few options out there but nothing is settled. I do know we are having Spedini for dinner and we are out of bananas {a staple}, so a trip to the grocery store is planned at some point. Me, try to find time to prepare for my weekend crop {I am so unorganized right now}.

Tuesdays have lovingly been changed to Tutu Tuesdays because that is when we dance, well the girls do. They always look forward to Tutu Tuesday! GM is back in school and getting ready for her 100 days celebration. Okay Tutu Tuesday doesn't fit this next entry... hubby starts his new job. He is very excited about this new opportunity, so is his family. To see him excited again is a blessing. We'll have to think of a special way to treat our big guy. Hmmmm.... Chicken Tacos! That's it, one of his favorites. Me, try to find time to prepare for my weekend crop {I am so unorganized right now}.

Wednesday it's back to work for me, HI-HO! Show and tell for SK at school which will send her running to fill up her back pack and me to remind her she can only bring one thing. Bucket work for me at church. And speaking of church and it being that evening I'm thinking left over Lasagna from the freezer. Simple, done. Me, try to find time to prepare for my weekend crop {I am so unorganized right now}.

Thursday is cleaning the house day, on the schedule... bathrooms {yay for me}. Hubby will arrive home to the aroma of fresh bleach permeating through the house. Ahhh....cough...cough. Even though it can make me cough, there's something in knowing your bathrooms are REALLY clean, at least until the girls use it :). Please tell me that I'm not the only one who has toothpaste spitters that can't aim. I've given in to toothpaste polka dots on the mirror. I'm sure the temps will be chilly so Chili for dinner, fitting. Did I mention I'm not organized for my crop???

Friday - my bro's birthday, Happy Day K! Pack up for my crop that hopefully I'm organized for. Finish up getting things that are needed so I can leave for the weekend to make girls and hubby happy in my absence. GM has gymnastics, Daddy will get to go, she will be thrilled. Chicken nuggets from the freezer in a fun shape like dinosaurs {or something like that}. This will be special because I usually make my own nuggets. Start cropping with 200 + women.

Saturday - Crop, crop and crop some more while calling hubby to make sure things are "Okay." They will eat a Wally pizza, me, not so sure but knowing I don't have to prepare it is WONDERFUL!

Sunday - Still cropping, using every last minute of the weekend. Church and Hamburgers for the fam and yes I'm missing church to crop. I only do this once a year! I will come home to hugs and kisses I've missed over the past few days, it's the best part of being away. I also get a husband who is appreciative of me, not that he isn't normally. He's just had it 100% and will need some recuperating himself :).

Short week but after reading feels busy.

Looking forward to each day.

fog

I looked out my parents sunroom as the sun was setting.

Saw the fog rolling in.

Put my boots on and trudged out in the soggy grass to enjoy.

I love my childhood home.

No matter the season it is always a wonder of Gods creation.

1.15.10 SofD

Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

-- John 8:31-32

1.14.10 SofD

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

-- 1 John 4:20-21

our need for awe

This was part of my devotion this morning, {Daily Insights with Zig Ziglar and Dr. Ike Reighard}.

A portion of it reads:

"To notice God's power and delicate hand in Creation, we have to "stand still" and look. If we're rushing around in a panic trying to fix everything, we'll be focused only on our problems. Even in the most difficult times in our lives, faith is built by stopping and looking at the wonder of God's power and grace in the expanse and intricacies of nature."

I've driven by this wall of ice for the past two weeks.

I've pointed it out to my girls.

Each time I've thought to myself I should take a picture of that.

It is beautiful.

Today I found myself stopping even in my rush to get my three old to nap.

Pulled my car right up to it.

I got out and just took it in.

Amazing and a wonder in nature.

I took the moment to stop and be still.

What a wonderful display of our heavenly father and his work in creation.

"When was the last time you were overwhelmed with a sense of wonder?"

For me, it was today.

tapping girl

Here's my baby tapping her way across the dance floor.

The tutu is new, so is the class.

She wants to tap "just like Mommy."

resolution

Report cards came home today.

All is good.

Smart girl.

Loving school.

I went to put the sign off sheet for her card back into her folder.

Found this.

Her 2010 resolution.

Made my night.
I think I'm going to hold her to this.

devotion

For Christmas hubby and I got this book from my parents. I've been looking for a daily devotional book for quite awhile now and been overwhelmed by all the choices out there. I walked away from them not knowing which direction to go. God saw to it that my parents shine a light on the need.

I've been getting up 30 minutes earlier than usual. Snow days have thrown me off a bit but so far so good. I really pray that I can keep it up. I need to find peace before my days start off.

Thanks Mom and Dad. You always know just what I need.

1.10.10 SofD

Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."

-- 1 Peter 1:15-16

oh snow

GM's artwork in the snow. We have one happy yard.

My artwork <3.

Icicle.

Childhood bliss.

first snow day

GM and SK both had their first snow day this week.

What do you do on snow days when the temps are blistery?

Hang out in Mom and Dad's bed with your sister, playing on a iphone.

Eating a special breakfast of eggs {with ketchup}, toast and bacon.


Literally enjoying the craft.


Making bird feeders out of pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed.


Finished product.


Watching the birds enjoy our labor of love.


Productive day.