Doggie Paddling......................

(photo taken at my brother's pool - a blessing for the whole family, puppy included)

This picture is VERY cute. However, my pooch has a step he is on, an incredibly large step. Right now, I don't feel like I have a very wide step. I am doggie paddling through my days, weeks, moments. My work schedule changed - a very good and needed thing. Now, it calls for some adjustments.

My Crock Pot has come into full use several times a week.

My Laundry Basket has to be managed by the person whose laundry is in it.

Cleaning my house standard has become: Good enough. Not perfect, but good enough.

My children have learned that there are bonuses to getting ready for school on the "Early Days"

My husband is amazing and when I get the early morning phone call rearranging my day, once again, he steps in and packs lunches and whatever else I need. I married an amazing Man.

I pray that my friends and family who probably feel neglected realize that it is not them, nor my intentions, but rather my poor swimming skills at the moment.

How in the world?

We went all natural snow sledding - the snow was waist deep, and thigh high ~ literally.
My precious snow family....

How can it possibly be March and double digits tomorrow? Last week, we were still in February! I am not sure how it happens, but it seems to happen this way every year for me. One day February - I still have plenty of time to plan Missy's bday. Then all of the sudden it is in three days! Yowza!!! Maybe this year was worse, since I had to travel out of state last week. However, it never really seems to fail.......her birthday sneaks up on me. In my defense, I have proof that last week was still February. Maybe the calendar fairy is stealing days and storing them up for summer break (aha, my favorite theory here!)

This year, she doesn't want a party. She has her mind set on a shopping trip instead. We have discussed, and rediscussed this - the girl knows her mind. With three days until the big day, I am glad that this is the plan. Pictures to come, I hope.......

Last weekend though, we took a jaunt to the mountains for some family time. Much needed family time.......Here are some picts!

Words.........

The POWER of WORDS.......

Today I experienced words in the most positive way. I was in a random conversation that divinely turned deeper, it called for me to be real. I revealed some fears and inhibitions that I am facing at an upcoming conference. (Not an easy task, especially with the person I was talking with). The person I was sharing with looked shocked. She replied to my real fears with words of not encouragement but a genuine heartfelt compliment. Maybe this touched my heart in a different way, because I don't have these kinds of conversations with this person. Maybe it touched me because she gave me a boost of confidence at the right moment.

Either way, I left the conversation with a bounce in my step and a feeling that this event that is coming up, will indeed be successful. I left the conversation feeling refreshed.

The power of a compliment. The power of supportive words.

This encounter left me wondering who I could bless with some simple positive words........after all, I chat quite a bit ~ might as well make them count in a positive light.

~Blessings.

Post Stealing

To view my post that I WANT to post: Go see Lady Dunbar from my side bar. That was my weekend. Except for the fact that on Monday I was playing with Bubba and busted my head open. Stitches, black eye, the whole fireworks. That is why I am Post Stealing today. I can hardly keep my eyes open without pain since I worked all day today.

Blessings!
Mrs.C

Double Digits

This picture is from dinner. This boy, who won my heart over even before he was born, is now Double Digits!

As a Mama, this birthday has been hard. He is NOT a little boy anymore (although I still see it when he sleeps). He had a few friends over to play football in the park. For the family party he wanted to watch the Super Bowl and have Tritip, homemade rolls, and cheese mashed potatoes. TRITIP!!! This was such a grown up birthday.

He is one of my many treasures. I love this boy, more than I ever thought imaginable to love a child. It puts it into perspective just how much more God loves him, and me.

Happy Birthday Bubba!

Traitor..........

Not quite sure, how I was the only one who received white, but I like it!!!!

I feel like Benedict Arnold......a Traitor to the literary world. But I can't help it.......

I (and the other huge readers in my family) have traded over to the Kindle!

Yup, that is right, I went digital. The sad thing is, I can see my kids going digital reading before WAY too long, but not before we are out of picture books. Our bookcases are full now, and I am nowhere near the point of wanting to stop reading. I will miss the smell of a brand new book, but a girls only got so much room in the house......

So it was a VERY Kindle Christmas around here. My Mom, Dad, and Bro all got one, including ME!!! This new advancement to the e-reader, will not stop me from rereading the current books that line my shelves now, but it will be handy in the new books coming my way.........

Happy Reading, whatever form you choose!

Singing in the Rain..........

These Munchkins were preparing for water balloon battle at the time of the picture - hence the shorts. Now, we are wearing our boots for the reason they were made for ~ RAIN! Our neck of the woods, has received almost 2 inches of rain since Noon today. You know it is BIG, when we make national news! Remember, we are in So Cali....not really known for rain, but SUNSHINE!

OK, so I took a walk today with the little Munchkins and the Puppy because we all have been in the house for 6 straight days now. We need some exercise. As we left it was misting heavily. We kept walking, jumped in a few puddles, watched the creek behind our house overflow.....Enjoying the weather. By the time we rounded the VERY flooded park, and the kids tromped in the EXTREMELY flooded play area normally filled with wood chips, it was really coming down. I didn't know what to do but keep walking home. What other choice is there? Secretly I was hoping Hubby would drive by on his way home from work......NOPE. So we walked, and my singers were singing in the rain: Christmas Carols. Priceless.