Hmmmmm.......

Pondering

Thoughtful

Thinking

I'm on top of my "school" game at this point in time but that doesn't mean that it will continue to flood my boat. It's a fast cycle of bailing out--producing papers, reading vast amount of knowledge, gaining insight--then my boat refills in automatic response--more deadlines, tests, and discussions--I guess I'll see my boat floating and recovering at the end of the semester. I have two more weeks when my boat will be lighter, I will be finishing one of my classes--can I hear a woo-woo!?!

This isn't a post to get sympathy from you, just describing what my life is like right now. I actually like it. I have a defined focus with a goal in sight. I'm involved in a process of education, something I value very much. It's just a different life right now, but such is life and two years will be here before I know it with graduation in sight.

Daily Meditation

I read something in "The Word Among Us" that resonated with me today (Difato, 2010).

Make no mistake: God will always defend those who love him. While our life circumstances may range from blessed to broken, we can trust that the God of our salvation is near. He may not rescue us right away, but he will never leave our side. When we put our faith in him and exercise it through obedience, he will release powerful grace...(p.48)

I needed this today. I needed to know that God loves me and he is by my side whether I'm having a great or bad day. It also reminds me that everything is in God's plan and control, I need to let go and let him take the steering wheel. My plans and objectives may not be what God wants. When it comes to school, my perfectionism leaks out in all of my crevices. My "controlism" seems to awaken. So, I need to read a special gift I received from my MIL. It reads "Relax, God is in control." Ah, yes he is and I must remind myself frequently.

Point

I have no point with this post. I did not plan or prepare what I was going to post. I just let my thoughts take over. So, here they are.....may you enjoy the daily meditation message like I did. May you get what you need from it at this time in your life.

References

Difato, J. (2010). Meditations. The Word Among Us: Daily Meditations for Catholics, 22-32, 33- 51.

Magnadoodle Masterpiece

Miss-O drew this the other morning. At first I thought C-man drew it, so I took a picture and found out the artist of the masterpiece.

The interpretation goes like this: On the far left is Miss O jumping on a trampoline. The next person is Grandma R. jumping on a trampoline. The little fella in the middle is a baby snowman. The next person to the right of the snowman is C-man and the far left is Grandpa R. They just finished making the snowman!

I'm quite impressed with her details to the bodies, pretty good for her age.

Girls will be Girls, Boys will be Boys!

Turn your head over to the left to get the full affect!

Sorry, I had the pictures rotated but somehow they did not

want to transfer this way.....

This Weekend

Miss-O and I went to the mall and met Jasmine, Cinderella, Tinkerbell, Belle, and Sleeping Beauty. Panera Bread had a great breakfast spread and the event had fun crafts. Such a great fund-raiser for the children and families of our state.

When I asked O what her favorite part was, she answered, "All!"

Paul did some duck hunting Sat/Sun and came back with some Mallards, Wood, and Teal ducks. C-man was excited to help clean the birds. He drew me a diagram of what it looks like inside of a duck. He brought the wing to school the next day to share with his teachers and friends.

The ABC's of the week...

Sunday: was an AMAZING day for a birthday party!

She loved her new BIKE!

(love that her shoes are on the wrong feet:)

Sunday evening was a den meeting and C-MAN

went bowling with his buddies and Dad.
Monday: was Miss-O's first night of DANCE & tumble classes.
She said they didn't dance, they just "be like amimals."
Tuesday: was my designated day of studying. My good friend, Karen,
brought over some EATS to warm up in the oven.
(the kids devoured the spaghetti bake, thank you bunches!)
Tuesday: was C-man's first FIELD TRIP to the pond.
I felt some "mom-GUILT" because I culdn't go with him this year,
but he survived without me.
Wednesday: is here and I'm feeling HEAVENLY because half of this week's
school work is done.
(Just a big paper due Monday looming over my head!)

Today I rewarded myself with some retail therapy.
(Thanks to those who gave me "Old Navy" gift cards, my wardrobe is updated!)
Thursday: the plan is for another designated day JUST for studying,
to complete that big paper.
Friday: Miss-O has a well-check with Dr. Amy to see how big she is growing,
then we plan to KICK our shoes off and enjoy some family time that night.
Saturday: Miss-O and I are excited to have a LOVELY time, eating breakfast with the
princesses, MARIN, and Aunt Angie!
Hopefully, Dad is going to NAB a few ducks, hunting on Saturday!
Then I'll be ON my way to work that evening.
Sunday: another day for PLAYING and hunting for Dad.
I hope to have a QUICK day at work again.
The kids will hang out with G&G ROBERTS for the weekend.
They'll be SO excited. Soon, THE weekend will come to an UNBELIEVABLE, VERY fast WRAP and we'll start another new X-CITING week with some ZIP

Our Princess is Turning 4!

The castle cake is complete!

Miss-O LOVES it!

That's all that matters.

Our little girl is turning Four.

Only yesterday was she a baby in my arms.

Only yesterday was she a toddler climbing unto everything.
Today, she is a beautiful, young girl, with a flare for independence.

She is artsy, craftsy, and very imaginative.

She loves to sing with a loud, proud voice.

She beams from ear to ear when she overcomes her fears. [McDonald's Big Slide]

It takes her awhile to warm up, but then her true colors shine brightly.
A true princess, loving pretties, necklaces, bracelets, clothes, and shoes!

A sweet heart and a thoughtful mind,

Today, my little girl grows older and she blesses the world around her with her

talents and personality.

We Love You Livie, Lou!

Q & A

Q: What activity lowers blood pressure, heart rate, promotes calm, and makes one smile internally?

A: Holding babies & catching up with John and Sarah.

A Brand New Family: Sarah, John, Ada, & Evie.
Miss Evie happy with a full tummy.

Miss Ada admiring her Daddy & vice versa.


Thanks John & Sarah for such a nice afternoon!

So Happy!

Standing at the front of the door is a tradition.

Time to start Preschool for this chicky!

She is ready and excited!

Her first art-work brought home

and had me in tears!

For those of you who have read

"The Kissing Hand"

You know what I'm talking about!

Two Peas in a Pod

I know that you've been waiting for the twin's debut,

so without further ado.....

meet the twins!

Sweet little angels delicately woven in the womb by God's hands.

We continue to pray for your health and strength baby E & A.

Who knows nose?

Dressed for success!

This picture was taken prior to his incident yesterday. Paul took Indy out to the some public ponds. When they were finished with their romping around (mostly Indy), Indy started to sneeze profusely. Paul could see that something might be in his nose, so he took him to the vet. The vet agreed there was something in his nose and sent the boys to the animal hospital. After a CT scan and a scope, it was confirmed there was something in his nose.

A BLADE OF GRASS!

A $1700 blade of grass, no doubt.

I'm asking for that blade of grass to be coated with gold and I'm going to frame it!

Most importantly, Indy is okay and no harm done......there might have been harm if we delayed in getting him in.