March 31, 2010

Today I'm thankful for sunshine and swings.

Dave didn't have clinicals tonight, so he called and we set up a picnic time for the park.  After he finished his first set of clinicals, we all met up at one of the Corps parks, so the kids could play and we could spend some family time together. 

The kids bounced from one thing to another with all the joy and abandonment of childhood.

We finally got them settled down enough to eat,

and then they were back to running and playing as hard and as fast as they could go.

Eli was enthralled with his little dessert cake (But who wouldn't be? It's CHOCOLATE!) . . .

and I was wrapped up with photographing the playground equipment.

Both of the kids are dare devils, and I can already feel a heart condition coming on.

I'm glad that they both seem to enjoy swinging. 

And even though I'm old now,

I still enjoy swinging myself!

What a wonderful, wonderful day of sunshine and fun!

March 30, 2010

Today I'm thankful for the medicinal qualities of chocolate.  Chocolate milk in particular.

I'm still feeling kind of yuck, but after two glasses of chocolate milk, I actually made it upstairs and did some more sorting of memorabilia and embellishments.  My retreat is getting closer and closer to completion!

It was a windy 78 degrees outside today, so as soon as the kids got home, we headed out to play in the sunshine.  And that tricycle that I meant to get in the garage last fall . . . well, it never did quite make it to the garage, but it's ready and raring to go for Spring!

Oh yeah . . . we were greeted by this little bundle of joy this morning.  One of our outside female cats had kittens.  FIVE of them.  Does anyone want a kitten?  Or FIVE?  We still have more on the way, and I have NO idea what we're going to do with them all.  I wonder if the local vet would give me a package deal on spaying and neutering them all?  lol

March 29, 2010

Today I'm thankful for signs of Spring!  The little seeds that Bayleigh and I planted Saturday are already starting to come up.

When she got off the bus this afternoon she was reading this little book,

and couldn't seem to put it down until she had finished it.  I guess apples don't really fall that far from the tree, huh?

My lilacs are coming along . . .

my daffodils are in full bloom . . .

my forsythia bush is starting to blossom out . . .

and my hyacinths are taking over their alloted flower bed.

The kids and I went for a little walk this afternoon and noticed several trees and plants budding, blooming and preparing for new growth.

The cats followed along, too.  This particular cat is the one that likes to crawl up my pant leg if I stand still for more than a moment.  He's a pest, but he's kind of grown on me.  lol  No pun intended.

I've been suffering with a low grade fever, body aches and nasty headaches for almost two weeks now.  It's just enough to keep me dragging my feet and feeling less than motivated.  I'm hoping I can shake whatever it is and get caught back up with my emails and computer time.  I'm "the mom" and I won't allow myself to get sick!  Especially when it's turning nice outside. 

March 28, 2010

Today I'm thankful for the freedom to worship as I choose.  I know I take this freedom for granted, and I truly hope that I will never see the day when that freedom is taken away. 

Teaching Sunday School for the small ones is such a joy.  (Although somewhat challenging at times . . .)  Eli has a thing for scissors . . .

and Bayleigh seems to zone out into her own little world most times.  I hope that at least some portion of what I'm teaching them is somehow sinking in.  I'm definitely underqualified for this position!

I've always been fascinated by the the architectural elements of our little church.  From the church pews . . .

to the long, regal windows.  There is just something special about being in the house of the Lord, where so many of His followers have sat, before my own generation.

After church, I did a little cleaning up in the kitchen, while I fixed lunch, and then got Eli down for his nap, while I did chores and put wood in the stove.  I was hoping to sneak a little nap in myself, but I think I'm destined for sleep deprivation.

Bayleigh read her stories to me, while I went through all of her school paperwork and got things ready for school tomorrow.  It looks like we'll have another busy week ahead of us.  I truly can't wait until school is out for the Summer!  All the extracurricular activities are KILLING me! 

March 27, 2010

Today I'm thankful for Spring.  Even though the temperatures were a bit cool this morning, and it was cloudy off and on, I still have high hopes for Spring!

I bought this little grow kit for Bayleigh as a reward for being "Cub of the Month", and we planted her flower seeds this afternoon.

Then she snuck over to grandma's.  Grandma was busy baking cakes for a benefit auction and wanted me to take some photos, but all I really wanted to do was sample them all . . . especially the marble cake with chocolate fudge icing.

Bayleigh picked my two droopy daffodils, but I this light one bloomed today,

along with one more brighter yellow one.  There are storms moving in, so I'm posting this one quickly!  I may have some more pictures to add tomorrow, but for now I'm getting off of here before the lightening jolts my computer!

March 26, 2010

Today I'm thankful for my kids.  Although they can be extremely difficult at times, it doesn't diminish my love for them or the joy that I have in bringing them up (at least the majority of the time).

Both Bayleigh and Kasey (my neice) got "Cub of the Month" awards today, for being exceptional kids in the classroom.  I couldn't be more proud!

After the program was over, Dave left for work and Eli and I hopped in with my sister-in-law for a quick trip to town.  Eli was his usual difficult self, but we came back pretty much unscathed, so I'd have to say it was a good trip.

Kasey got off the bus with Bayleigh after school, and they spent a few hours playing in my old scrapbook throw aways and had a blast.  Eli even got in on the cutting and pasting, while I sat and did the refereeing.  (What one has, the others have to have too.  I wonder why that is?  Just to make life difficult?)

I managed to get our bedding washed again.  Eli still climbs into bed with us during the night, and occassionally has an "accident", and last night was one of those nights.  I swear I'm going to wear out the bedding by washing it all the time!  lol 

March 25, 2010

Today I am thankful for tasks marked off my to-do list.  Sometimes my lists seem overwhelming, but as long as I keep putting one foot in front of the other, I somehow manage to accomplish a surprising amount of things each day.  Even with a headache.

It rained most of the day, and I think the weight of all the rain, after being buried under a foot of snow, might have been a little much for the daffodils today.  Maybe tomorrow the sun will warm them up a bit and they won't look so tired and worn out.

Bayleigh stayed after school to participate in the Jump Rope for the Heart event at school.  I noticed that a large majority of the kids sat on the sidelines and didn't really participate all that much, until they were forced to; which I think is a shame.  Kids NEED exercise and LOTS of it.  If for no other reason than to wear them out and give their parents a break.  lol

And after taking my ornery little boy with me, I was REALLY needing a little break.

I think the gym teacher felt sorry for me and asked if Eli could come and join in some of the games too.  (Bless you Mr. McGrady.)

Dave made it home safely from a two day school function, just after I got home with the kids.  Then he cut some more wood, and took both the kids to the library to give me a few moments of peace.

But it didn't last long.  My sister-in-law came up for a visit and stayed until after Dave and the kids got home.  It's always nice to visit, but I sometimes wonder what it would be like not to have anyone in the house and no interruptions.  I'm betting it would be BLISS.  But I'll probably never know.

The sun came out around 4:30 p.m. and I made it outside for a few shots.  The sunset was beautiful.  I'm already looking forward to Saturday, when I can sleep in and not have to pry my oldest out of bed to get ready for school.  But first, I've got to make it through Friday.

March 24, 2010

Today I'm thankful for a little more rest and relaxation.  Although I have plenty of work to catch up on, I'm still finding time in each day where I can sit and rest; read a while; or just soak up being with the kids.

Today the weather was calling for rain and we're lucky it held out until 5:30 p.m.  I got all the chores done just in time!

Hoping it clears up tomorrow and I can get out and take some better photos, but for today, this will have to do!

March 23, 2010

Today I'm thankful for nice weather!  Although I didn't take any photos until Dave got home from clinicals this afternoon; I think I made up for it, once we all headed outdoors.

While Dave split wood,

I roamed the yard with the kids, looking for any signs of life from my flowers.

My Crocuses must have shook off that foot of snow, and I found my Hyacinths in full bloom, too!

The kids quickly tired of exploring with me, and found their own extracurricular activity;

which unfortunately involved lots of mud.

Needless to say, I didn't jump in and participate.  Instead I found Fuzz Face soaking up some sun.  She's due to have kittens any time now . . . along with her partner in crime, Purr Face.  Anyone want some kittens?  They're FREE to a good home.

This Winter hasn't only been hard on us humans . . . my poor truck looks like it needs a good hosing down.

It's FILTHY both inside and out.  That might be a nice summer chore for the kids.

As I was getting ready to herd the kids into the house for a bath, I noticed this little dandelion growing up under the edge of the deck.  It was nice to see a bright spot of color.

Especially after seeing everything else around me covered in BROWN . . . including Eli.

After spending all morning cleaning the bathrooms, the kid's bathroom quickly turned into a war zone.  What a mess!  (Note to self:  Next time hose them down BEFORE they go into the house.)

March 22, 2010

Today I'm thankful for numbers, and perseverence.

The snow has melted at an enormously quick rate, and as I was headed off to town, I noticed this daffodil springing up out of the snow.  (*Way to persevere little daffodil! Can't wait to see you in full bloom!)

And when I got to the library, one of their planters out front had Easter eggs in it . . . along with the snow.  Such a contradiction!

It's been a busy Monday but I HAVE persevered.  Here's my day in numbers:

1 Trip to town / Load of dishes done

2 Workouts / Blogs caught up

3 Bedrooms cleaned

4 Loads of laundry washed, dried and put away

5 Hamburgers made for supper

6 Cats fed

7 Books checked out

A bazillion toys picked up and put away.

Just another day in paradise!