September 29, 2006

Gearing Up For...

a CRAZY weekend!

School assembly today ...

Alexis' 1st birthday party tonight...

Ed Foundation FUN RUN tomorrow morning @ Sandstone...

25th wedding anniversary photo session tomorrow afternoon - so, so, so nervous about this... but I have to start somewhere {right?}

hopefully, possibly, maybe... scrapping at The Daisy Bucket tomorrow night...

church on Sunday morning...

{this is starting to sound like a popular country song}

and...

the 3rd Annual Cow Pie Classic golf tournament Sunday afternoon - followed up with pizza & beer at the Windy M!

Great Photo Opportunities...
Great Family Time...
Great Memories in the Making!
Thoughts To Ponder:
{Bringing up a family should be an adventure, not an anxious discipline in which everybody is constantly graded for performance.} ~ Milton R. Saperstein
{Joy: If it doesn't absorb you... if it isn't any fun - don't do it!} ~ D.H. Lawrence

September 27, 2006

A New Day






A somewhat "NEW" look to our home...

Thanks Ang!!
You definitely have an eye for style...
even when boys, wearing hard hats, are riding stick horses all around the room!

Spent the evening wondering why I ever thought being a mom was going to be "fun" and "enjoyable" and "easy." We all had a rough day yesterday, but especially Mason... and it went from bad to worse. He wanted to be outside, he wanted to be with Ian, he wanted to help "fix" our wounded dog Jack, he didn't understand what was going on and why Ian couldn't let him help, he screamed as Ian tried to talk to the vet, he ate a little dinner between sobs... and he finally slept!
The peacefulness swept over his little body, and Ian & I stared at each other through eyes of exhaustion...

Ian's comment: "well, he sure is cute"
My comment: "yeah - it's a good thing"

We're not sure what it stemmed from, but thankful that today was a new day.


September 26, 2006

Patience


So very thankful for the angel sitting on my desk today...

Angel of Patience
"Bringing a calming and unhurried spirit to watch over your busy world"
I'm wishing that my whole collection could be here with me at school...
but, at least I have the "patient" one to smile at!
Definitely needing an extra dose of "PATIENCE" today...
With my husband,
my son,
my students,
my co-workers...
pretty much everyone in my little world !
Love, love, love these angels...(click here)
I think I need this one to add to my collection!


September 25, 2006

Fashion Statement





Our sweet boy will not leave the house without his "boots!"
I guess that I'll stop worrying about what he looks like, and sing praises that his "good" shoes aren't coming up the steps and into the freshly mopped mud room with "barn yard" treasures stuck to the bottoms.
The good news is, the boots and the boy can be hosed off and we don't have any neighbors to laugh at his sense (or lack of) fashion.

Life on the farm... love it!

Captured this "conversation" yesterday...
priceless... wish you could hear it...
any guesses what it was about??




September 21, 2006

Beautiful

Forgot all about these... found them on a disk...

Too beautiful not to share!

Mason's spirit... his wonder, his curiosity, his mind at work!

How quickly things change in his little world... so thankful that the beauty of the mountain pasture will never change...he'll just grow to love it more!






September 20, 2006

Birthday Fun

I've decided that it's more fun to do "impromptu" birthday celebrations, and luckily, my family supports the idea... or maybe they're the ones who suggested it...

anyway, the "go with the flow" attitude seems to be working out for all of us - especially Mason!

Met at Big Johns at 6:45 (very popular place on a Tuesday night) and did our best to find a table for 4 + a high chair.
Ordered about 7:00 (when the line wasn't as long) and kept Mason happy with crackers, olives, and pears from the salad bar.
Order # 19 was called to the counter about 7:30 and trying to convince Mason to get back into the chair after "pretend-playing" at the arcade was a joke.
WHY oh why do I do this to myself... you would think that I would be a fast learner, but nope... just a frustrated mom.
With approximately one bite from our slices of pizza, it was a unanimous decision to box up the gifts, cake and pizza and head to Papa & Mimzy's house.

The pizza was delicious!
Mason was smiling, I was smiling, everyone was smiling!
...and the "impromptu" birthday was one of the best!








September 19, 2006

Mimzy



Happy Birthday Mimzy!

Blessing and love wished for you today... and every day!


Here are a few of the things we appreciate about you -

your "Bob the Builder" attitude...
Can we fix it?? Yes We Can!

your spunk...
"feeling funky, feeling fine,
feeling groovy all the time!"

your willingness to jump in and make it work!

your kindness!

your generosity!

your sewing skills!

your beautiful smile!

your cornbread!

your desire to be the best you can be...
"Donna Murdock...don't you ever die!!"


You are a treasure and loved so very much!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

September 18, 2006

From Apples to Applesauce

Blessed beyond measure...




I received a huge box of apples from a friend at church yesterday & decided to give "applesauce" a try. I've never done it by myself and honestly,it is pretty easy & delicious!!






Loved the process and am totally enthralled with "change" right now... just amazed at how one small seed can make so many different,amazing things.
There are so many "things" in this world that are there because of something changing.
I encourage you to take a minute and think about your life... the little things that have turned/changed into beautiful pieces of your life... isn't it AWESOME!?!

GOD is good & faithful!

** Verse of the Day (located on the right side) is great today **

These Boots Are Made For Walking


... and that's just what they'll do!

one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over YOU!

{Thanks Tiff - He loves them!!}


... and I'm pretty sure that they're gonna do more than just "walk!"


September 17, 2006

the next generation



These three crazy, fun, entergetic, loving, children...
(1 week apart in age)
are friends for life!

They'll debate about the type of cattle to raise...
They'll argue over the price of feed...
They'll always say that their dad is right...
They'll be Cougars (no choice in the matter)...
They'll ride horses ...
They'll dream of "moos"...
They'll rope and brand with the best...
They'll listen to Ian Tyson...
They won't know life without each other!

Thanks for the visit Jenna & Taryn!
Hope to see you again soon!








September 15, 2006

Ready For...

the WEEKEND!!

So thankful it's Friday...
* school week is over *

So excited for Saturday...
* "date" with my husband tomorrow night *



Ian Tyson - LIVE!



So pumped for Sunday...
* the day of rest... well, maybe not...
ushering at church,
weaning calves,
gearing up for another fun filled, action packed, wonderful week! *

September 12, 2006

Praise Loudly...Blame Softly

Life isn't always easy... if it was, there wouldn't be highs or lows, there wouldn't be rainy days or wind storms, there wouldn't be chaos and confusion...

Without the "crazy" things that life brings, where would we be? What would we have to live for? Why would we need to turn to friends and loved ones for support, understanding, and love?

Where am I going with this??? well...

I was typing up the newsletter for MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) last night and writing a brief summary of the featured speaker this month... which happens to be one of my favorite people... Angela. She is going to be talking about journaling...something that she has been doing faithfully for 8 years+. It's been an outlet for her to write about God's mercy, grace, faithfulness and uncondtional love... it's a work of art! Wishing you lots of confidence tomorrow Ang - you're sharing a piece of you that people are going to love and truly admire!

Journals come in all shapes and sizes. They can look torn & tattered, they can be index cards you keep in your purse & grab to "remember" those moments when you're away from home, they can be store bought or hand-made... it's not about the way they look, but what's inside.
Yes, journaling takes time... but what doesn't?? Capturing moments of time on paper with words & photos is priceless - especially for generations to come.
I, too, am a journal bug and really haven't done such a fantastic job since Mason was born. You would think that having a child would give just that much more to write about, but it's hard to find those "quiet" moments to reflect... and honestly, I really don't think "quiet" exists in my life right now. I guess what I've done instead is BLOG!
This blog has been an amazing tool to write about day to day things... about highs and lows... about the people I love... about LIFE! It's art... it's my testimony... it's my way of journaling right now, and it's a way for me to go back and look and see God's faithfulness, goodness, & mercy at work in the life of my family. Thanks again to those of you who take time to read and comment - I love hearing from you & I love that this "journal" keeps you in touch with us!

Today - school is crazy, Mason has some slight medical issues (nothing huge - but he's uncomfortable), I have 5000 things to do before 3:20 ... well, maybe not 5000, but close... and I'm looking forward to hitting the "publish post" button.

Praise loudly... blame softly!

I made this poster almost 10 years ago when I was an RA in my dorm at college.
I wanted my girls to remember how crucial it is to speak highly of others and praise them for what they do.
People in my life - and yours - do great things every day... why not praise them for it!

My goal... ???!!!
To praise people every day - Lord knows they deserve it... and probably don't get a lot of it!
People need to know that they're doing a good job... they need to know that somebody sees what they're doing... and they need to know that I'm not too busy to praise them for the little things that make up HUGE things!

Shannon, Katie, Melissa,Tara, Teri, Angela, Brenda, Bess
--thanks for your dedication to MOPS!
Good luck tomorrow - praying that everything goes smoothly!

Shanna --high five to you today
... crazy activity day & you kept things moving! Thanks!

Ian--I love you! Thanks for the past 5 years - worth EVERY minute!



September 11, 2006

Let 'er Buck


One of my favorite times of the year is here!
Love the "energy" ...
love the "crowd" ...
love the parades!

The "Westward Ho" parade - no "floats" or motorized vehicles, just horses, cowboys, and lots of "Let 'er Buck" shouts from everyone, is at the end of this week... so bummed that we don't get that day off, but thankful that I was able to get Mason in the "spirit" of Round-Up at the "Dress-Up" kick-off parade! Gotta love a town that starts and ends its biggest week with parades!

Mason, Becky, Neely & I had front row seats (thanks Judy) and as the marching band went by - Mason marched along too! He loved it when his favorite green and yellow tractor went by and the driver yelled "Hey Mason!" and... one of his favorite friends was in the parade on the "bubble" float. Just like in the show Cheers - we live in an area where "everybody knows your name" and I treasure that my son will grow up in a great community with people recognizing him.
Leaving you with a few "classics" from Saturday...












so... in the spirit of Round-Up...

Have a great week & LET 'ER BUCK!!

September 8, 2006

My Job




Just wanted to give you a glimpse of my life today...well... pretty much every day!



Being the school librarian has many positive aspects...

books, books, and more books!



kids that love to hear a good story!

being "tagged" as the "Library Boss" by a sweet kindergarten boy!



repeating myself and my lessons over, and over, and over.
...makes planning easy, but does get a little tiresome,and I seem to forget who I told what to, and when I told them....but they don't hesitate to remind me.

a GREAT assistant that knows so much more than I do,and makes my life here a lot more fun!



cords, cables, serge protectors... oh my!



I can't say that it's ever boring - I'm learning more than ever - and I have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and peers... with my attitude, with my heart, and with my spirit.


It's Friday!
I'm so very thankful that I have weekends off...
and that I get to come back to all of this on Monday!

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