A month of review

I don't know how it is possible, but I seem to not be able to find the time to sit and write.  Perhaps it is that I haven't been making the time to sit and write, which is a bummer, because I like to write.....

It isn't that I haven't had ideas to write about.  I have many drafts started.  I just haven't finished them for a variety of reasons:  I didn't have my pictures watermarked and ran out of time, I couldn't find the words to finish a post the way I wanted, the kids came home from school and I had to step away from the computer, and the list goes on and on.... Hopefully, I will get them finished.....soon.  They feel like unfinished projects.

Let me get you caught up on the happenings from the last month over here at my house:

Volleyball is still in full swing for Sassy.

Someone is excited about playing softball and found a bat that she thought would be perfect.

I was able to sneak a picture of Action reading to Smiley. 

I love that he grabbed some books and asked her if he could read to her.  So sweet!

Action had the opportunity to meet someone he really looks up to:  

The Catholic Guy himself, Lino Rulli and we have a blurry, bad light, cell phone picture to prove it!

A certain little 6 year old was asked, by her dad, to attend a Daddy Daughter dance.  

She planned for weeks regarding what she was going to wear for this special event.  

Sassy found my old hot rollers and styled her hair for her.  

It was fun to watch their sisterly bond even though there is an 8 year difference in age.

Breaking news....SOMEONE LOST THEIR FIRST TOOTH!

She was super excited, and couldn't get over her new look.

Hubby's parents were visiting so we decided to celebrate a couple of birthdays a few weeks early.

I made their favorite, yellow cake (from a box) and chocolate frosting 

(FYI only one of them is 14, but you'll just have to figure that one out for yourself).

After cake, we stepped outside for a quick family picture.

 Finally, our TV took a turn for the worst.  I guess if you like to watch television shows in double and in strange colors, it works, I however, do not. Now I'm trying to figure out what to do with this wall.  What ever builder thought it was a good idea to cut a hole in the wall to fit a tv obviously wasn't thinking about the future and the problems that might pose.  So, if you have any ideas for me, my ears are open.  Leave a comment or shoot me an email.  I'll take any ideas you have (note the whole area behind the tv is hollow)!

Ordinary Miracles (6)

Happy Monday!  I've been thinking back on the past week and reflecting on the beauty in my daily happenings.  Don't get me wrong, not every day is a good day, like when you get 7 inches of snow, the 6th school closing since the beginning of January comes around and the kids are pulling out all their tricks to bug each other :) Or say, filling bowls with cereal only to discover you have no milk. 

These are minor frustrations ~ I get it.   I have friends whose marriages are in shambles, friends with children that have injuries and others that are undergoing medical tests searching for the unknown.  And we have friends with job losses and money stresses.  Believe me,  I understand that every day has its challenges and some days are definitely better than others, but it is so important to find the beautiful in the mundane.  The ordinary miracles!  

Here is what I have found this past week:

Traveling (sort of):  I was able to spend another fun day with my favorite preschooler.  Smiley's class went on a field trip to a place called the "Raptor Center".  Basically it is a facility that takes in sick and injured raptors ~ you know, bald eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and vultures.  They really are amazing creatures.  God knew what he was doing when he created these animals.  Thankfully they control the rodent and small animal population (personally, I'm not a fan of mice and snakes) and give us beautiful things to watch for in the skies. 
Smiley's favorite part..... watching an owl devour an entire mouse in about 2 seconds.

Running:  I may not be fast or go very far, but I love to run.  For me, besides the obvious health benefits of exercise, running is a stress reliever, a time to pray and a time for release.  Ever since I injured my foot last August (read that story), I haven't been able to run.  Last week I ran 2.5 miles ~ twice.  I can't really even say I ran them.  It was definitely more of a jog, but it was the closest I've come to running in 5 1/2 months, and for that I am thankful!

Reading:  I finished reading two books last week.  Both of them dared me to look around at all I do or don't have, and thank God for everything.  The books also reminded me of a quote from Maya Angelou:

Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up.

These books reminded me that when life gets hard, and crappy things happen (they always do!) you can find the strength inside yourself to persevere.  The strength to be optimistic.  The strength to be loving and considerate of others, and the strength to choose happiness.  The books were,  "Between Shades of Gray" by Ruta Sepetys (not to be confused with the 50 shades!) and "The Fault in our Stars" by John Green  (this one really got to me and I'll have more on it for you in the next few days).

Shoveling:  We were just lucky enough to have another 7+ inches of snow fall on us last Friday.  I believe it was a miracle that Hubby was actually home to move that snow out of the driveway and off the sidewalks (the last big snow of 6" a couple of weeks ago came while he was traveling for work).  

Witnessing:  I witnessed many beautiful things this past week, but this one really left a mark on my heart:  I was going around the house cleaning and picking up a bit.  When I walked into the living room, I saw Sassy propped up in the corner with her nose in a book.  Very typical behavior for her.  When I looked closer, I noticed she was reading The Bible.  I asked her if she was working on some homework for church.  Her reply, "No, I just felt like reading."  Wow....my 12 year old picked up The Bible because she "just felt like reading".

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)

Sassy and her 544.......

I've mentioned before  that my Sassy girl loves to read.

She doesn't just love to read, she LOVES to read.

Friday she came home from school with this book

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret"

by: Brian Selznick

 

She was finished reading it come Monday.

All 544 pages of it.

54.  Reorganizing

55.  that I am able to help

56.  A sequined deal :)

57.  The help of my parents

58.  A dinner invitation

59.  A day of nothing

Embrace the Camera

Playing in the leaves.

and winding down before a nap.

 

Smiley has always loved books.  But now I love that her attention span is a bit longer and she will actually sit for a longer book.  I love those quiet moments. 

Her favorite book lately has been this one:

She loves the reading and singing.

So I was surprised when she brought me the "going on a bear hunt"  book.  Regardless, I am happy to oblige :)

Happy Thursday!

Now go EMBRACE and ENJOY every moment!



Summer Reading

It's summer and that means time to lay back, relax and read.

Right?

I don't know about you, but it seems I have a hard time getting through books in the summer. Between the kids being home all day, sports in the evenings and coming and going every weekend, my book list doesn't seem to shrink much ~ actually, I think it is always growing.

Amanda is having a party and I thought I would join in since I love to get wrapped up in a new worlds, new lives and experiences.

I read the newspaper.

On the Internet.

I read magazines ~ decor, fitness, cooking .... I've even been known to page through the kids' highlights magazine.

I read books, mostly fiction.  A few of my more recent favorites are:

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

* This one is suppose to be Juvenile literature.

It's about a girl in Nazi Germany.

Not a light read, but I found it quite interesting. *

The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes

by Diane Chamberlain

* I read this one over the winter.  It was a interesting, quick, couldn't put down read.

However, I just finished another book by this author called, The lies we told and I didn't enjoy it near as much.*

The Last Song

by Nicholas Sparks

* I wasn't sure I would like this one and it took me a little bit to get into it, but I did end up enjoying it.  I was actually reading this one in the car on the way home from a trip to see family, and  lets just say I was at a point in the book in which the tears (umm, mine...) were flowing.  Hubby looked over at me a little surprised and said, "oh my gosh, are you ok?"  My reply, "It's just a really sad book."  Yep, he thinks I'm a bit nutty for crying at a book, oh well! *

and

I am currently reading:

Last Seen Leaving

by Kelly Braffet

* I'm not real far into it, but it seems ok so far.  As of now it isn't pulling me in and keeping me up to read it. But who knows, maybe it will eventually.*

Usually I get my books from the library, but I've been known to (on more than one occassion) grab a couple at Sams Club or garage sales.

And my list ({s} I have a few running lists in different spots).... keeps.on.growing.

Here are a couple I am waiting to read:

A Reliable Wife

by Robert Goolrick

All We Ever Wanted Was Everything

by Janelle Brown

The Guernsey literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

I don't know, I think that should keep me busy for a little while. ☺

Want to see what everyone else is reading? Check it out:

What are you reading these days?