Four Things For Friday 9.12.14

Happy Friday!!

Here are some things that have been rolling around in my mind over the last few days......

1.) Cross Country.

My daughter is running on her middle school cross country team this year. This is a whole new world for us in so many ways.

I am NOT athletic in any way....just ask my family. However I do love sports. My dream was always to be a mom. And I always thought I would be the mom who was at all her kid's sporting events, cheering them on. Obviously, God had different plans and our family was created through the adoption of kids with special needs. I've learned to cheer them on in other, [much more important] areas.

But THIS YEAR my daughter is running and we have been thrown knee-deep into the world of school sports. And I find that my mind is in a constant whirl of thoughts related to cross country and it's effects on our family.

* When is the next meet? * Is the uniform clean? * Is it going to rain? * What time will dear daughter be home? * Does she have homework? * Will the course be wheelchair-friendly? Will Hubster be able to leave work in time to be at a meet? What am I going to make for dinner and when will we eat it? Etc., etc.

We are having a good time and I LOVE going to the meets, but I just had no idea how much it would consume my mind.


2.) Yesterday I was at Target and found all these goodies!

Burlap, and banners, and chalkboard tags....OH MY!! You KNOW how much I like chalkboards, right?  I already have ideas floating around in my head for some of these items. But I also like having things like this in my "stash" to pull out whenever I'm feeling a creative whim.


3.) Last week I entered the 21st century and got my first smart phone. Yep, I was just a little behind. (No offense to those family members who like their un-smart phones.)


4.) Not that I didn't know this before, but God sure knows what He's doing. The whole four seasons idea is a good one. We are such fickle and discontented people. When it's cold, we can't wait for hot. When it's hot, we long for cold. But God is so good to us. Just when we think we can't handle any more heat, He sends Fall our way....His gift to us.

"My children, you are so silly, but I love you anyways. Here you go!"

I'm looking forward to a little sweatshirt weather this weekend. Remind me in the middle of Winter how much I wanted cooler temperatures, okay?

I hope you have a great weekend!

Four Things For Friday 8.22.14

Happy Friday!

 

It's that time again! Time to share a few things that have been on my mind or are going on around here.

 

1.  It's back to school time. Our kids return to school next Tuesday. School schedulers know what they are doing when they make Summer Break the length that it is. Summer is a wonderful time to take it easy, do fun things as a family, and just unwind. But there comes a time every year when we are all just ready for a return to the routine of the school year. I think we actually reached that point a couple weeks ago. Even my child who likes school the least said she is ready to go back.

 

And Mom is ready too. I like the being able to sleep a little later and not have such a set routine, but having the kids home in the Summer puts limits on what I am able to accomplish creatively around the house. I crave a creative outlet. As much as I hate getting up at 5:15 every morning, I'm looking forward to projects ahead.....like working on the playroom, decorating for Fall, and...<gasp>....Christmas!

 



 

 

 

 

2.  Our oldest will be starting high school this year. YIKES! I can't believed we've reached this point as parents. I attended Freshment orientation with him this week and I know he is going to do great. (More on this guy next week!) But it just reminds me that graduation and college are just around the corner and every moment is precious. I hope that he will embrace his high school experience and make lots of good memories.

 



3.  This Fall our family is venturing into an unknown area for us...school sports. Our daughter is running cross country this year. Practices began about three weeks ago and so I have been driving her to practice every day either to the school or a local running trail, sometimes heading home, and sometimes sitting in the van through the entire practice for the sake of less driving time. We've also attended a cross country picnic, taken her to a team party to make matching tie dye t-shirts, and we went as a family to a  community event where all the Fall sports teams were introduced.

Phewwww!

I had no idea! And school  hasn't even started yet! Tomorrow is their first meet. We are excited to see how that goes.

 

 

4.  And speaking of the playroom....

It's still waiting to be painted. I referred a while back to an architectural detail that we need to address. It's not a big deal, but where the walls and ceiling meet it is curved. It's hard to explain and I thought about taking a photo to show you, but I don't really think you'd be able to see it well. Anyways. Hubster and I have to come up with a plan on how we will handle that. When we painted the room before, we just used an off-white color so we could paint the walls and the ceiling all the same and it wasn't an issue. But since we will be using Sherwin Williams' Sea Salt this time around, it will need to be addressed. I think we will probably just tape off a ceiling line, but I'm considering the possibility of molding too, so we'll see.


I hope you all have a great weekend! Enjoy what's left of this beautiful Summer we've had!

Four Things For Friday 5.23.14

It's been ages since the last Four Things For Friday....like since February, I think! I thought I'd hit you today with a few random thoughts and goings-on.

Ready?

1.) A few days after I wrote my post I Am Enough I saw a similar one by Laura over at Finding Home (another one of my favorite blogs that I am going to write about someday.) It seems like there may be an online epidemic of women who are trying really hard but still feel like they don't measure up. I love how Laura relates it all to grace. If you have time, I encourage you to read her post Grace And Grocery Store Flower Arrangements.

2.) I am looking forward to this Memorial Day Weekend. Do you have any traditions for this holiday? We have a couple that I love. 

First off, we have family that visits from New York every year for the weekend. This has been a tradition since I was a girl and now my kids look forward to it each year. We gather over at my parent's house and always have a lot of fun together catching up, playing games, and eating good food.

Hubster's family has a very long-standing tradition as well that was started by his grandparents. On Memorial Day morning we all gather together to have a breakfast picnic....rain or shine. Everyone pitches in by bringing different breakfast items and we actually cook a huge breakfast on camping stoves. The morning used to also include a long hike after breakfast. I remember my first breakfast when Hubster and I were dating. It rained that year, but we still hiked. They teased me that the Memorial Day hike was my initiation into the family.

3.) I've been itching to change up my décor a little for Summer. Unfortunately I just haven't had a big chunk of time to spend on doing it yet. Last week I was busy preparing for the Thank You Dinner and this week has been busy with end of the school year activities, a baseball game, as well as preparing to go with my son on his 8th grade class trip to Washington, DC next week. Hopefully when I return I can do it.

4.)  And on the subject of going to Washington....I probably won't be posting at all next week. We depart very early Tuesday morning and won't return until Friday evening. My son is very excited about the trip and so am I. Last time I was there was when the kids were VERY small and we just went for a really spontaneous two-day adventure. I don't know what we were thinking. The kids were way to small to appreciate any of it or even remember it. My son has had American History this year and also read a book that took place during the Civil War so I'm hoping that this trip will make that all come alive for him (we will be stopping in Gettysburg, PA on our way home.)

I'm looking forward to a little break away from home and our normal routine as well as spending time with my son. I'm technically not a chaperone. Because of my son's special needs, I'm just going to travel with him and take care of his needs. We'll see how that pans out, but I'm looking forward to it.

I think that's it for today. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend making memories with the ones you love and being thankful for those who have sacrificed for the freedoms we have here in the United States.


P.S. - I've added a new little gadget at the top. If you're not able to stop by every day, hopefully this will help you see any posts that you've missed. Have a great weekend!

Four Things For Friday 3.14.14

Good Friday Morning Everyone!

It's been kind of slim pickin's on the blog here lately, but if you've been dying to know what's on my mind, here are today's Four Things!

1.)  I have promised myself I will not write one more blog post that contains comments on Winter weather. (Thus, the quiet here.)  I'm done. The end.

2.) My sweet white tulips from last week are unfortunately also done. I've replaced them with some faux daffodils for the time being. As faux flowers go, these daffodils I got at WalMart ($3/bush) are pretty nice, I think.

(What do you think about the word "faux?" Is it really better than just calling something fake?")

 

 

3.) Our son who is wheelchair dependent has figured out that in June he will be old enough to get his temporary permit to drive. Help me, Lord! That will take a miracle on so many levels. But who am I to squash his dreams? ( He also wants to manage a professional baseball team, preferably the Cleveland Indians) In the meantime, Hubster has begun quizzing him on traffic laws. OY!

 

 

 

 

4.) Remember that old song.....

          

            Make new friends, but keep the old.

         One is silver, and the other gold.

 

Today, Mom, Sal, and I are having lunch with a couple dear old friends. Then tomorrow evening, we are having some new friends over for dinner. It should be fun!

 

 

I hope that whatever your plans are that you have a great weekend!



Four Things For Friday 2.28.14

Hello Friday!!

Again this week I've gathered a few of my thoughts in one place. And this is the last Four Things For Friday for February. (Say THAT ten times fast!)

1.) I think I probably mentioned already that due to snow days, holidays, and teacher in-service days this was going to be the kids first full week of school since before Christmas. We got through the first half of the week without too much problem. But as expected, by yesterday things got pretty difficult in the morning. One particular child had a really hard time getting up and if he was getting up, he was determined to wear his pajamas to school. Oh the joys of having a child with a six-year-old mind trapped in a 14-year-old's body. It can be so frustrating....for all of us. But honestly, who can blame the kiddo for wanting to stay cozy in his jammies when there are sub-zero temperatures outside? 

2.) This week my oldest son has been able to listen to some Spring Training games on his iPad. I didn't realize how much I missed hearing the sound of baseball coming from his room. Silly, but it felt familiar....and hopeful....and is just another reason why Winter can be hard for some, I guess.

3.) This week I have been super thankful for people....family, friends, teachers, youth leaders....who get our kids, or at least try. We've encountered people in the past who didn't and I'm sure we will in the future as well. But for right now we are blessed to be surrounded by so many people who have taken the time to get to know our kids and accept them just as they are.

4.) Okay, file this under useless, yet interesting information.....well, at least if you're a Downton Abbey fan like me. I was watching TV a couple evenings ago and saw a commercial for the new Liam Neeson movie, Non-Stop and I thought I saw somebody familiar. Last night when the commercial came on, I payed closer attention. Sure enough, Lady Mary is on that airplane with Liam Neeson! I Googled the trailer this morning and it's kind of funny to see Michelle Dockery who plays Lady Mary in a modern-day action/adventure movie. I had to smile though, because she still had that chronically concerned look on her face. But I suppose I would too if I was on a plane with Liam and it was being highjacked.

That's it for this week. Have a great weekend everybody!

Four Things For Friday 2.14.14

Happy Valentine's Day!!

It also happens to be Friday, so here we go!

I have to confess that as I was thinking about what I wanted to share today, the things in my mind starting going pretty negative.....I have a cold, Hubster is leaving on a business trip out of the country, I have a lot on my plate this weekend. You see where this was headed. Instead of a Valentine's Celebration, this was turning into a pity party for me!

(If you'd like to read about last Valentine's Day when I was feeling a bit more Valentiney, you can click HERE.)

So in an effort to "turn this frown up-side-down" and get my head in a better place, here is my reworked Four Things.....

1.) I am so thankful for people who have the gift of helping! Our family is often finding itself in the need of help and I am just grateful for family and friends who lovingly come alongside us to give us a hand.

2.) Next year our oldest son will be heading to high school. This coming week we will already be choosing and scheduling courses. Although it makes me feel a bit old, I am excited for this new adventure in his life and the opportunity for him to explore new subjects that hopefully set him up for a career that will give him satisfaction and provide for his needs in the future. It's an exciting time.

3.) We're already starting to plan our vacation this Summer! Yeah! We will be heading to the beach in North Carolina in June along with my parents and my sister and her family. We've spent many vacations there together in the past, but because of finances, kids growing up (or NOT, in our case), work schedules, etc. we haven't all gone for a few years. We are all looking forward to it.

4.) On this "Day of Love" I hope that you will remember most how much God loves you and how much He deserves our love and devotion in return.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend spending time with the ones you love!

Four Things For Friday 2.7.14

Happy Friday, Everyone!

It's time another edition of Four Things....Friday style!

1.) This morning when we woke up the temperature was -1 and the wind chill was -14. No snow day. No two hour delay. Nothing. I think this winter is making us hardier. We don't need no stinkin' snow day!! Ha!

2.) I'm excited for the start of the Olympics. How about you? Winter is my favorite. The kids have been looking forward to it too. I'm only disappointed that so much is shown on the cable channels these days. We only have basic cable.....bummer. And with it being half-way across the world, most of it that is on the network is on long after the kids are in bed. But we will see what we can tune in over the weekend. Go Team USA!

3.) I'm looking forward to sharing a little project with you that I've been working on for the last couple days. Next week. Tune in!

4.) And finally.....tomorrow we will be celebrating the 11th Gotcha Day of this guy....

Eleven years! Yikes!

I knew he was "ours" from the moment I saw his picture. But I didn't fall in love with him until I heard his sweet giggle in person for the first time.



He's come such a long way in those eleven years and he's becoming such a wonderful young man! His intelligence, sense of humor, and positive outlook on life never cease to amaze me.

I am proud and humbled that he has been entrusted to our care.





Have a great weekend everybody!

Four Things For Friday 1.17.14

Good Morning Everyone!

Here's a little Four Things For Friday!

1.) I've done quite a bit of purging this week. Yesterday I dropped off 6 trash bags full of giveaway stuff. Clothes, games, and stuffed animals mostly. Yeah me!! I organized the remaining games so the kids can reach them better (I used to keep them up high so they COULDN'T reach them!). Hopefully this will help with them getting put away too. Are you doing any organizing this month?

2.) We are so blessed to live in such a great school district. Yesterday I had an IEP meeting for one of the kids and the small conference room was packed. I truly believe this is because they all really do care about our kids. I know a lot of parents with special needs children have difficulties in getting the services and accomodations that their kids need. That has just not been the case for us. We always tell people that the Lord was really looking out for us when we weren't looking out for ourselves. When we went shopping for houses, we didn't even think about the school district (bad, I know). But the Lord allowed us to find the perfect house with great schools. I'll say it again....we are SO blessed!

3.) Yesterday the Lord answered a prayer that I had actually stopped praying about because I just assumed it wasn't meant to be. Sometimes my faith is just so little.

4.) I guess I've kind of alluded to it since Christmas, but tomorrow I am leaving for a week in sunny Florida. Hubster surprised me for Christmas with plane tickets for my sweet sister and me! So we are off tomorrow for a week-long [much-needed] vacation and our dear husbands will be holding down the fort at home. I'm not sure what that will mean as far as the blog goes because I didn't really have much time to plan ahead for posts while I'm gone. Maybe I will pop in.....or maybe it will be a true vacation....we'll see.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Four Things For Friday 1.3.14

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Here is the first Four Things For Friday for 2014! (It is Friday, right? My days are still so mixed up.)

1.) Let me be one of the last  people to wish you a Happy New Year. Ha! 2014 is only a couple days old and I already feel so behind! Yesterday I began the process of taking down everything Christmas. And some time today I will begin undecorating the tree so Hubster can take it down tomorrow. After all the Fall and Christmas decor I'm a little stuck on what to do now. Not sure if I want to leave a little red out through February or move right back into some yellow and aqua. I received some pretty things for Christmas that I'd like to put out too. So we'll see.

2.) We had a wonderful New Year's Eve celebration with dear friends. This is the fourth year that we have traveled to West Virginia to be with them. We always have such fun playing games, and eating, and playing more games.....and eating some more. You get the idea. And sometimes we throw a movie in....just to be a little crazy. We ring in the New Year early with festive hats, accessories, and noisemakers....for the kids, 'ya know. It's actually getting to be for the adults too because we rarely make it to midnight any more.

We love spending time with Tina and Brian. Our kids absolutely ADORE them and it is so nice to spend time with friends who really get our kids. They are wonderful hosts and make us feel like we have had a true little getaway.

The last two years, we have dined on a New Year's Eve dinner of various appetizers. Tina makes a couple and I make a couple. She makes an awesome buffalo chicken dip that I love and eat way too much of.

And in the morning, we were treated to yummy pumpkin waffles. 

3.) We really have enjoyed the Christmas break. We've had a good balance of getting together with family and friends and chilling at home. It was so nice to have Hubster home all but two days that the kids have been off. It is going to be rough to get up at 5:15 again come Monday morning.

4.) I have to admit that it has been difficult to blog during the last two weeks. What with the kids home and all our comings and goings. Not to mention that we have been SLEEPING IN! I feel like I have to get my groove back. And hopefully next year I will do a better job of planning ahead to get over this little bump.

2013 had lots of home improvements to share. I'm not sure what 2014 will hold as far as that goes, but I hope you will join me on the adventure!

Four Things For Friday 12.27.13

Hi Everybody! I hope you all had the merriest of Christmases!

I've dug out from the wrappings, gifts, candy, and cookies long enough to bring you todays Four Things.

Honestly, I didn't take a whole lot of photos of our Christmas, so today I'm sharing some outtakes from our Christmas card photo shoot.

1.) To start off with, we had a wonderful Christmas Eve. Our Christmas Eve church service centered on the GLORY of Christ at His birth. After church we always have a houseful of family and friends over. Each year we have such a great time. And we always end the evening singing Christmas carols together.

Most years by the time it's time to head to church, I'm feeling a little stressed out from preparing for a house full of guests. But this year I felt very calm and just didn't let myself go there. My family greatly appreciated that! 

2.) Christmas Morning we woke up and opened gifts here at home. We've never had a big traditional Christmas breakfast at home because it isn't usually too long before we need to head out the door to start our Christmas "tour"....first with Hubster's family and then mine.

What a blessing to be able to share Christmas with all our family!

3.) File this under "Didn't See THAT Coming!".....Hubster cashed in all those frequent flyer miles he's accumulated this year and surprised me for Christmas with a trip to Florida....with my sister! Later in the day, I got to surprise HER! It was such fun. I would share the photos of that, but we both did the "ugly cry" as Oprah calls it.

So we will be heading to Florida for a week sometime in January. The two of us haven't been on a Girl's Trip together in YEARS, so it's' going to be so much fun!

4.) I was kind of surprised yesterday by several of my Facebook friends saying that they were in the process of taking down their Christmas trees. Seriously? To me, the Holiday season isn't over until after New Years. We usually start taking ours down on New Years Day. This year it will probably be a couple days later because of the New Years plans we have and because Hubster heads back to work on the 2nd.

I have to admit I'm ready for a little simplicity around the house. But I can't imagine not having my tree up for New Years.

So what do YOU do? When does your Christmas tree come down?

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family and friends. Here is the final photo we chose for our Christmas cards. It'll never be perfect....but it will be US.

Have a great weekend!

Four Things For Friday 12.20.13

Happy Friday!!

I guess this willl kind of be a "Four Things" Christmas Edition.

1.)  Today is my kid's last day of school. Also known as "the day they get to watch movies and eat snacks all day." And it still counts as a school day. Yay! They were excited to head out the door today.

2.) Forgive me while I have a bragging Mom moment. My son received straight A's for the first grading period at school. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers to receive two tickets to a game in their "Straight A Superstars" program. He and Hubster will be going to tonight's game. I'm so excited for him since he's never been.

3.) Yesterday I went grocery shopping. And I'm hoping I don't have to set foot in there again until after Christmas. It wasn't actually that busy yesterday, which was nice. I just really hope that there are no emergency runs to the store for anything I forgot between now and Christmas because all the people who didn't plan ahead will be there this weekend.

4.) Today is the day that I began tackling all the gift wrapping that needs to be done. I've already spent part of this morning sorting everything out. Are you like me and make sure that everything is very even between your kids? I try to spend as close as I can for each child. The funny thing is, if I told my kids "I spent $X on you, $XX on you, and $XXX on you," they wouldn't care. But if they don't have the same number of gifts to open, somebody will probably say something. (And it would probably be my son who is a natural born bean counter. Ha!)

This will most likely be my last blog post until after Christmas. I have SO enjoyed sharing this season with you all. Thank you for stopping by and showing interest in the little things I have to share. I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my family's Christmas traditions as much as I have enjoyed sharing them. 

Please join me again after Christmas. I have one more Peace On Earth Recipe to share next week (you can find the other recipes HERE. ) And I'm sure there will be Christmas stories to tell. Plus we have a New Year to get ready for!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Four Things For Friday 12.13.13

Happy Friday and welcome to this week's edition of Four Things For Friday!

 1.)  As of today, I should be officially done with my Christmas shopping (YEAH!) with the exception of a couple gift cards I plan to pick up early next week. The wrapping will also commence next week.

2.)  This weekend starts off our Christmas social season. We have a party on Saturday night, as well as two next week. I have to admit I'm kind of excited. I mean, it's not very often that I get to have three dates with the Hubster in one month! I'm ready to have some fun! (And I'm trying very hard to ignore the tingling sensation in my sinuses and little ache in my neck. Zinc and Airborne! I will not get sick! I will not get sick! Did you hear me? I. WILL. NOT. GET. SICK!)

3.) Yesterday, my kids school unexpectedly released early due to a minor emergency. Every parent or guardian had to be called to see if their child could be sent home early on the bus or would be picked up by the parent. What an undertaking! I'm sure a lot of decisions had to be made very quickly. Overall, I was impressed with how well it was all handled. And the kids were excited to come home early!

4.) I was excited to make some New Year's Eve plans yesterday with some dear friends. It's yet ANOTHER tradition in our family. I'll share more details when it gets closer.

One more thing....

The following photo is in memory of the six little Veggies who tragically lost their lives this past weekend by flushing. (Yes, things like that still happen in "our world.")

We were all....well, most of us....shocked by their untimely death and we will miss these little Veggie Nativity troupe members. Their little smiles brought joy to us for many Christmases. Rest in peace little Veggies.

Junior Asparagus Shepherd,  French Pea Sheep, Jimmy Gourd (who, I must say very humbly played the part of the backside of a cow) and Larry, Grandpa Grape, and Mr. Lunt, the Wise Men (who don't do anything)....we will miss you all!

Have a great weekend everybody!

Four Things For Friday 11.29.13

Hello everyone and welcome to the post-Thanksgiving edition of Four Things For Friday!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! 

Here we go...

1.) What a blessing to be able to spend time with family yesterday. We had a delicious meal with Hubster's family. By the way, the Cheesy Onion Casserole was a hit....really yummy. Later, we had time to head over to Sal's house for some pie and coffee. Circumstances we know of lately in different friends and acquaintances lives have reminded me about the importance of embracing every moment to be together as family and to not take any time for granted. It is so great to be able to have a day without distractions and other commitments to be able to just be together. I'm really grateful for those who work in service occupations such as police, firefighters, and hospital employees. I've been there and it is a huge sacrifice to be away from your family on these special days.

2.) Playing board games with your family is one of the best things ever! We did it with both parts of our family yesterday. In both cases, it brought together three generations to have some fun. There is nothing like playing a raucous game of Scattergories with your family! Memories were made, for sure.

3.) Today is the day we put up the Christmas tree at our house! Yeah! 

Here is a "before" picture of our Christmas tree spot. I promise I will show you the "after" next week.

                   

(Really bad, early morning, non-edited "before" shot....so sorry!)

 

4.) I am really excited to blog through this Christmas season. I have a lot of plans going through my head of projects, recipes, and traditions that I want to share with you. I hope you will join me....and maybe even tell a friend.

Well, that's it for this week. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

    

Four Things For Friday 11.22.13

Hello and Happy Friday!

Here are some little snippets for today.

1.) I confess that I've been leaving the closet doors open.

2.) I have a little sick one home with me today. She's feeling pretty stuffy. Tis the season, I guess. Time to break out the Airborn and zinc tablets. I don't want us all to be sick for Thanksgiving! Do you use any kind of remedies or supplements to ward off germs?

3.) Only three days of school for the kiddos next week and then a five day break. I think we all could use a little breather from school. I know I'm looking forward to it. My poor 8th grader will probably have homework though. That seems to be the way it is this year.

4.) Have you seen this Onion Casserole recipe floating around on Pinterest? I've decided to make this to take for Thanksgiving. I love French Onion Soup, so this sounds really good to me. I know it won't appeal to everyone, but I think there are enough onion lovers in the group. Are you trying any new recipes for your Thanksgiving meal this year?

Hope you have a happy weekend!


Today's Thankfulness.....

* That I can be a stay-at-home mom and be here when my kids are sick.

* That Hubster arrived home safely last night!!  (Woo hoo!)

* For laughter.

* For new friends.

Four Things For Friday 11.15.13

The weekend is almost here! Happy Friday!

Here are my rambling thoughts for this week....

1.) Earlier this week I shared my Thanksgiving table.  In the spirit of full  disclosure...and a couple laughs...I thought I would show you how the table looked before I decked it out for the holiday meal.

Just keepin' it real, folks. HA!

2.) Last night I went to three stores to get three specific things. None of them had what I needed to get. How frustrating is THAT? I could see maybe one store, but all three?

And on a side note....Don't you hate it when the make-up you use is discontinued? I was very happy with what I was using and now I have to find something new. I'm not a happy camper.

3.) In my life I have learned that the only way to overcome the feeling of the dread of something (like Hubster being away on a business trip most of next week) is through prayer.....and LOTS of it!

4.)  I love this guy!



Sugar the Wonderdoodle.

He is loyal, a constant companion, loves unconditionally, doesn't judge, and is a great listener (often better than some of the humans in our house.) Even his Grandma loves him.....which is saying A LOT. His standing in our home has been sometimes rocky, but God doesn't mistakes and he knew I needed this dog even more than the kids do. 

Today's Thankfulness....

* That my husband has a job....one that he enjoys and is challenged by.

*  For sweet and supportive friends.

* That God knows what we need more than we know ourselves.

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Four Things For Friday 11.8.13

Wow! We've made it to Friday already.

Here are my random thoughts for this week.....

1.) First off, check out this beautiful tree in our front yard. Glorious, isn't it?

2.) I realized yesterday that the upside to all the Christmas stuff being out in all the stores is that a lot of the Fall stuff is on clearance. WOO HOO! I snagged this acorn yesterday for half price. Because, I mean, who doesn't want a giant, golden acorn?



3.) We have a busy weekend coming up. A "Gotcha Day" celebration, a birthday, and oh yea, Second Sunday. Mom asked me to bring a salad this time. I decided to try this Romaine and Ramen Salad recipe that the lovely Kelly over at Talk Of The House posted this week. Talk Of The House is one of my favorite blogs. Stop over and check out the Fall lunch menu Kelly shared. She always has yummy-looking recipes and a beautifully set table. And her home always looks so inviting.

4.) Finally, Sal has invited us to a Thanksgiving linky party over at Drinking From My Saucer! Check out her post today and start thinking about what your family's Thanksgiving traditions are and then come back on Tuesday to share them. I'm sure it will be fun to hear other people's traditions and stories. And who knows, maybe you will come away with an idea for a new tradition to start in your family.

 

You can find all the details HERE.

Okay, I think that's it!

Remember....

Have a great weekend!

Today's Thankfulness....

* For the smell of Autumn in the air this morning.

* That my husband knows how to fix a lot of things and I don't have to worry about them.

* For the anticipation of gathering with family this weekend.

Four Things For Friday 11.1.13

It's Friday already! Here are a few [very] random parting thoughts as we say good bye to this week.

1.) The mud room closet organization/makeover is still in progress. Here are a couple clues as to what's been going on this week and what's in store for next week.



2.) I'm just gonna go ahead and say it....I feel like I'm on pumpkin overload. We normally put our Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. So I'm thinking that between now and then, I'm going to remove a pumpkin every day. That way, by the time it's time for the tree, the house will be de-Fallified. Do you think my family will notice? And it's not even that I'm trying to hurry Christmas along, I think I'm just ready to pare down a little before Thanksgiving arrives.

 


3.) Parenting is the hardest job. EVER. And that's all I have to say about that.

4.) Let me be the first to remind you that Saturday night is the night to set our clocks back.

"Spring FORWARD. Fall BACK."

On one hand, I'm glad for this. It is SO dark when my kids get on the bus each morning for school. A couple more weeks of some light will be nice as we race toward the shortest day of the year. On the other hand, the time change always messes with my children's sleep cycles.

Do you have any big plans this weekend. Not us. And I'm not ashamed to say that I'm kind of happy about that.

Have a great weekend!


Today's Thankfulness....

* For the strength to make it through another week.

* For a starry sky to gaze at as we waited for the school bus this morning.

* For a nice, quiet morning and the chance to just think.