Ordinary Miracles (15)

My goodness, where has the last week gone?  It's funny, I always thought that once my kids were older and I wasn't chasing them around all day, changing diapers, feeding them and they were a bit more independent, I would have extra time for projects, blogging and what ever else.  That my friends is so far from the truth!  Things around my house only continue to get busier (much like your own homes, I assume).

However, no matter how busy life gets, how much working, running around, commitments for this or that, I do hope you "stop to smell the roses" so to say.  Take a minute or two each day to look around and see the amazing wonders in your life ~ The Ordinary Miracles.

Last week was a lot of running around to one thing or another.  But I did sneak some minutes of calm, peace and dare I say, "me time" and was able to witness and experience many Ordinary Miracles.

Let me catch you up....

Laughter ~ A week ago Friday, I met up with 7 other women for a movie and drinks/appetizers following.  We went and saw the movie, "The Other Woman".  I didn't really know what it was about going into it, but had a good idea based on the title.  I found this movie to be extremely funny even though it dealt with a life changing situation ~ cheating.  Something I've seen wreck many relationships and on the flip side, make some relationships stronger.  The movie also reiterated the fact that you can find friendships in the most unlikely places and that there is so much more to someone than what meets the eye.  It was a great night out.

Success ~ Then the next morning we were early to rise as Sassy had her first softball tournament for her summer season.  She pitched 3 of the 5 games her team played and they ended up taking first place.  It was a fun day.  I love watching her play ~ she has grown so much in how she plays the game.  Watching her and her brother (play baseball) and cheering them on is one of my favorite summer pastimes!

Love ~ Mother's day was filled with love and relaxation (you can read my thoughts on Mother's Day here)


Conversation ~  Last week was Smiley's last full week at preschool.  A few of us moms took this as our last opportunity to sit down together and enjoy a cup of coffee with uninterrupted conversation before our days are once again filled with preschool chatter.


Pride ~ Sassy participated in a 50 inning softball game for her school.  This is a fun fundraiser for the program.  They take all the girls who participate in high school softball (freshman, sophomore, JV and Varsity), split them into two teams and they play against each other.  Sassy was able to pitch a few innings during this event and was able to strike out a few varsity players.  The smile on her face melted my heart!

Quiet ~ Hubby took Action and Smiley on a fishing trip.  They left on Thursday and came home just Yesterday (Monday).  This is a yearly event.  One I've personally been attending even before were were married, so more than 15 years!  Most of  Hubby's side of the family attend as well as many family friends.  Since Sassy had the fundraiser game, a band concert, a regular softball game and a birthday party, her and I decided to stay home.  We had a nice quiet weekend just hanging out.  We went out for dinner, saw a movie, did a little shopping and simply relaxed.  It was fun to spend time with just her (a sentiment that she voiced).  Times like that don't happen often enough!

Volunteer ~ Every year our church has a big themed fundraiser for it's school and faith formation programs.  It consists of two events, a breakfast with silent auction and kid raffle and an evening dinner event with live and silent auctions.  This is the first year I have not co-organized the breakfast portion of the event and was unable to attend due to an out of town volleyball tournament for Sassy.  Since Hubby took the two littles and Smiley was at an overnight birthday party, I decided last minute to volunteer to help out at the evening event which was this past Saturday.  The theme this year was Rock 'N Roll.  I found some clearance leather looking pants and threw together an outfit.  It was a fun night helping our church and hanging out with some great friends!

Today I sit here typing, feeling very full and content.  As I look back on my days I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and moments to treasure.  I ask you to look around too.  I mean really, last thursday night when I was sitting at the softball field from 3:30-9:30, in the cold, wind and off and on sprinkles, bundled in a blanket, I could have thought of a million other things I could have been doing.  But just one look at the smile on my daughter's face as she threw a pitch verified there was no where else I should have been!  An Ordinary Miracle!

Tell me what Ordinary Miracles have you witnessed in your life?


(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (14)

What a week last week was.  More like, what a weekend.

Last weekend, Sassy's volleyball team had their final tournament of the season.  The location of the tournament was about 1 1/2 hours from our house and games began at 8am Saturday morning.  Meaning, it was a hotel weekend.

The 10 girls on the team split up between 2 rooms.  They got together about a week ago and created personalized banners to hang on their hotel room doors.  They turned out super cute.... and of course I forgot to snap a picture!  The girls were excited to have their own rooms and from what I hear, it sounds like they had a great time hanging out together and building up their friendships.

Like I said, Saturday they played their first game at 8 am.  Their next 4 games continued throughout the day ~ ending around 6 pm.   Sunday morning was another early game with 3 more after that.

After 9 games in 2 days the girls took 3rd place in their bracket.  They played some really good volleyball and ended the season with a win and a little hardware.

But mostly, throughout the season they learned about winning and losing, teamwork, team spirit, they worked on the skills they already had and learned many new things.  They met some new wonderful friends and I met some wonderful parents.

It was a great season ~ and an Ordinary Miracle if you ask me with wonderful coaches, great teammates and very little drama (you just never know with 13 year old girls!)


Now, glance back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.

And, tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (12) ~ Spring Break

Do you ever go on vacation and find when you return home, you feel yourself needing a vacation from vacation?  

This year's spring break definitely didn't leave me feeling that way.  

Our entire vacation felt like an Ordinary Miracle.  From simply getting away, to wonderful family time, fun with friends, great food, the beauty that surrounded us everyday and everything in between, it was all ordinary and miraculous!

We planned and booked this trip last fall.  And as the seemingly endless winter grew on and on with it's cold temps and many snowfalls, our anticipation grew.  School was cancelled 6 times this winter due to temperatures.  Too dangerous to be outside.  This was our coldest winter since the winter of 1978/79, with an average temperature of 9.8º F and about 62" of snow.  Can you understand why the warm sun and beaches of Florida were creating a bit of excitement?

We flew out on Hubby's 40th birthday and with a 2 hour flight delay, the kids were anxious to get their toes in the sand.

We finally arrived ~ met with the lovely property manager and relaxed into our week long vacation.

Of course we celebrated this guy:

We rented a 4000 sq. ft., 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom house with 2 other families ~ 6 adults and 6 kids.  The house (actually it was a townhouse, but you would never know you had neighbors) was beautiful.  It was located on Belleair Beach.  Besides being right on the beach, it also had a private heated pool and hot tub.  It was simply fabulous, inside and out.

** I have to add, I HIGHLY recommend this home ~ if you are interested in a lovely, relaxing vacation for your family, your spouse or even for a girls getaway, you can find the property and rental info on VRBO by clicking here

(view from the porch)

We really didn't have any plans or agendas.  

We did go to the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa:

I  took in the fresh air and beautiful scenery on my almost daily beach runs.

We ate lots of good food, went to a winery, as well as a state park.  

But mostly we just hung out, swam, enjoyed our family and friends, the nature, animals and all of the beauty that surrounded us.

It was fabulous, lovely and a vacation I will treasure forever!

Now, glance back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted. 

And, tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (11)

Happy Monday!  Today, like every week,  I am doing a little reflecting, remembering some of the Ordinary Miracles I was able to witness last week.  There are many little miracles that happen in our daily lives ~ a sunny day, a quiet night, a random act of kindness either given or received.  I spotted a few and I hope you were able slow down and witness some Ordinary Miracles too!

It seems, this week was a week of Ordinary Miracles with Sassy.

After church on Sunday pedicures were on the agenda with her.  We were also joined by two of her friends and their mom's as well.  It was a fun, relaxing time.

Tuesday night.  Sassy, her friends (8 of them) and their Moms (umm, my friends) met up at the movie theatre to watch Divergent.  I haven't read the books...yet, but the movie was pretty good (have you seen it or read the books?  What did you think?)

Then, last Friday Sassy turned 13.  I  crepe papered the outside of her bedroom door for a fun surprise when she woke up.  I also had donuts waiting for her for breakfast.  After a full day of school she had a busy night with high school softball practice and volleyball practice.  We squeezed in some Sassy celebration time afterwards though with dinner, cupcakes and presents.  I was reminded how much she has changed my life these past 13 years.  What a blessing she is to our family and those around her. It was so much fun spending time with just her this past week.

And since we are talking about birthdays, how about 1 more....

Hubby's birthday was on Saturday.  

Everyday I spend time with him is an Ordinary Miracle. How empty my life would be without him in it! More details on how we celebrated later :)


Now, glance back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life. The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.

And, tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (9)

Did you have a good weekend?  I do hope so!  Today I am reflecting on the last week and remembering some of the Ordinary Miracles I was able to witness.  So many little miracles happen in our lives each day ~ a sunrise, a smile from a stranger just when you need it, or simply being able to  spend time with a loved one ~  I was able to stop and see some Ordinary Miracles and I hope you were too!

We found out 1 week ago Sunday that our neighbor, who was also the father of one of Sassy's great friends passed away.  And while his death makes my heart hurt ~ there are so many Ordinary Miracles that take place when a loved one dies.  People come together to raise each other up.  He was honored at a beautiful funeral and we were reminded to love a little more, live fully everyday and to laugh ~ always find a reason to laugh.  We also remember the value of life, all life, and how short it is. Cherish these days ~ good and bad.  My prayers to this family (if you wouldn't mind, I'm sure they would appreciate any extra prayers from any of you).  

Spring is finally starting to show it's lovely face, but with all the snow we've had, and still do have (actually, it is snowing again today!) it can be a bit treacherous on the driveway and sidewalks with all of the thawing and overnight refreezing.  Unfortunately,  Sassy found this out first hand while she was walking to the bus stop on Monday morning.  She slipped and fell....HARD.  Gloves went flying, the wind was knocked out of her,  and she was left holding her head and trying to catch her breath.  We decided to go back into the house and assess her ~ she had a big gash on her chin ~ one that ended up requiring 5 stitches.  Boo!  How is this an Ordinary Miracle you ask?  First of all, I was with her.  I don't always walk with her, but decided to on this particular morning.  I can't imagine what she would have done had she been alone.  And, she didn't break anything, her teeth are all intact and since she just started wearing contacts 1 1/2 weeks ago, she didn't have her glasses on.  I am certain they would have been broken.  See, proof that not everything that happens is good, but it is possible to see the good!

Tuesday night we learned Action's baseball tryouts went well enough that he "made" a baseball team in the league he was shooting for.  Bring on summer, it's hot days and dusty fields!

And, like I said before, the slowly and sporadically getting warmer and we were able to get outside and enjoy ourselves a bit.  It was fun to watch Action help his sister on her bike.

And simply lovely to just be able to hang out on the deck.  I "caught" Smiley drawing and enjoying herself one afternoon while I was making lunch.

Anyway, I hope you'll look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life.  The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.  Tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (8)

I'm struggling lately with my  Ordinary Miracles Monday schedule.  Somehow the weeks fly by and the weekends go even faster!  But not so fast that I am unable to stop and enjoy some Ordinary Miracles!

Smiley didn't have school last week so we were able to spend lots of time together.  She never ceases to amaze me with her creative ideas and her growing intellect.  We spent a morning at the library, reading books and playing with different "toys".  She had fun spelling words with these tracing blocks:

Also, Sassy
found out that she made the "A" city fast pitch softball team.  And once again hubby will be coaching her team.  We are all looking forward to a fun summer season.

Anyway, I hope you'll look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life.  The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.  Tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)

Ordinary Miracles (7)

Happy Monday....Wait how is it Wednesday already?  Sheesh, time flies!  Anyway, I've been thinking back on the past week and reflecting on the beauty in my daily happenings.  The Ordinary Miracles.  I know not every day is a good day, but there IS something good in everyday! 

◆ Last week Hubby was gone quite a bit.  Out of the last 12 days, he has been home 4 ~ and that is piecing some together to equal one.  The days he was home, felt like little miracles.  But I had a lot of fun with these three:

◆ Both Action and Sassy had try outs for their spring/summer sports ~ baseball and softball.  We haven't heard how they have done, but they both left tryouts feeling good about their performances.

◆ The weather was cold (lots of negative numbers), but since the sun is coming up later (until we spring forward next weekend anyway),  I was able to witness a few beautiful sunrises on my way home from the health club.

◆ Sassy made chocolate chip muffins for breakfast.  Is it just me, or do you find food just tastes better when someone else makes it?  These were quite yummy and it felt like an ordinary miracle to see her in the kitchen with her little sister following her every move.

Anyway, I hope you'll look back at your week and think about the ordinary things, people, places or happenings that took place in your life.  The ordinary that is usually taken for granted.  Tell me what miracles occurred in your life!

(See Previous Ordinary Miracles Here)