Wishing For...

• 2 extra hours of sleep.
• a "tall" Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks.
• 15 minutes to actually talk to my husband about life.
• a Safeway 5 minutes from home instead of 25.
• unlimited funds to buy books at the book fair.
• flowers.
• a new wardrobe.
• Peanut M&Ms.
  

I didn't sleep well... actually no one in our house did... not sure what's going on with Mason - we're ready to trade him in... well, not really, but after last night, the thought did cross our minds.

I'm cold - my hands are cold, the tip of my nose is cold, I just feel cold.

I've had a crazy schedule the last 2 days and have not had more than 10 minutes (both days combined) to let my husband know how much I love him and appreciate him.

Living away from town is great - but not when you're out of milk.

The book fair is here - so, so, so many great books... but can't justify spending my paycheck on books.

I love flowers - love the way flowers make me feel.

Totally feeling like my clothes look pathetic.

Love, love, love Peanut M&Ms.

Read this early this morning:

~Some Days Never Come~

"Someday, I can take her on a cruise."

"Someday, I will have time to call and chat."

"Someday, the children will understand why I was so busy."

But you know the truth, don't you? You know even before I write it. You could say it better than I. Some days never come. And the price of practicality is sometimes higher than extravagance. But the rewards of risky love are always greater than its cost.

Go the effort. Invest the time. Write the letter. Make the apology. Take the trip. Purchase the gift. Do it. The seized opportunity renders joy. The neglected brings regret.

~ And the Angels Were Silent : Max Lucado~

GOT MILK??

Even though we don't have "dairy" cows...

I think this picture should be on the next "Got Milk?" billboard!

Our boy definitely loves life as a little farmer - entertained by "simple" things - and absolutely NO fear of the cows - no matter what the size!

Thanks for taking these pictures Papa & Grammy - Mason loved "exploring" with you!

Annointing & Talent

Max Lucado is one of my favorite authors.
His writing makes me stop & think...
His ideas show me how to examine my heart...
His ability to "know" what I need to hear is amazing...
He is used by God to touch the lives of many...
His books have changed me.
They've changed how I think, how I respond to others, how I live.
They've changed me for the better.

Max is one of the many people in my life who deserve thanks...

This month is pastor appreciation.

Appreciation for dedication, prayer, support, insight, love, understanding, grace, friendship, advice, wisdom, selfless giving, passion... the list goes on and on.

Thank you Dad.
Thank you Dave, Chris, & Jason.
Thank you Dorothy.
Thank you Uncle Terry.
Thank you Corey & Stacy.
Thank you Bob & Cheryl.
Thank you Ted.
Thank you Jeff.
Thank you Rod.
Thank you Sid.
Thank you James.

Thank you Max.

This says it best:

Anointing and Talent
Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God.2 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)

When someone sings and you are caught up with the beauty of the singer’s voice, that is talent; when someone sings and you are caught up with the beauty of the Lord, that is anointing.
When someone teaches and challenges your mind, that is talent; when someone teaches and challenges your spirit, that is anointing.
When someone writes and stirs your imagination, that is talent; when someone writes and stirs your heart, that is anointing.
When someone speaks and gets you to follow him, that is talent; when someone speaks and gets you to follow Jesus, that is anointing.
When someone counsels you and builds your confidence, that is talent; when someone counsels you and builds your faith, that is anointing.
When someone motivates you to take up a noble cause, that is talent; when someone motivates you to take up your cross, that is anointing.
When you are filled with self-confidence and achieve your goals, that is talent; when you are filled with the Holy Spirit and do the will of God, that is anointing.
When you work hard and receive the applause of men, that is talent; when you remain faithful and receive the approval of God, that is anointing.
© Roy Lessin

got this CD... love this song: Sweetly Broken

~Quote~

The end result of kindness is that it draws people to you.

~ Anita Roddick

Appreciating life today... looking for ways to be kind...

hoping to draw someone near.

I spent the afternoon searching for links about spiders for first graders and stumbled upon this web... also found some sites to check out if you are interested in spiders.

http://www.kinderkorner.com/spiders.html
http://www.eric-carle.com/bb-VBS.html
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/spiders.htm
http://yahooligans.yahoo.com/science_and_nature/living_things/animals/invertebrates/arthropods/arachnids/

One of those days

Just trying out some of the "my colors" settings on my camera... I still have SO much to learn... wish I had more time to "play" with it.
Mason can't get enough of the DIRT around our home... thank goodness we live in a time & place where running water is plenitful.

Feeling like I want to be at home this week... home... being a "homemaker"... enjoying the home we've turned our house into... making stew & swedish rye bread... playing with my son who is becoming so much of a little boy right before our very eyes... reading a good book... scrapping a page or two...folding clean laundry... mopping the kitchen floor... sorting through the mail...
I just want to be home.

There are days where I know that I'm in the right place... working... teaching...making a difference in the lives of many as best I can...
and then there are days where I want so badly to be home...

today is one of those days.

Did I Mention...

Mason has his very own, child sized GATOR!!

Already looks like he's pulled over, shooting the breeze with another farmer... probably Dylan!



Thanks for the inheritance Leslie & Morgan!

... and Liam...come on over any time for a ride!!

Happenings

Listening to the “quiet” of our home right now… the John Deere wind chime playing a soft tune from the front porch, the small voice of my son reading with my husband through the baby monitor, the tick-tock of the clock next to my computer… loving the stillness and peace right now… especially after the crazy, busy, fun, energy zapping weekend we just had… so very thankful for Sunday nights!

Precious Alexis is 1! Her birthday party was awesome – loved the cupcakes and party hats! Blessings to you sweet girl – love you lots!

Herm. Ed. Foundation Fun Run was a success – over 200 people! The weather was perfect, the people were energized, Mason had a blast passing out bracelets at the Rocky Heights table… all this to get $ into classrooms for our kids!

The 25th wedding anniversary celebration was beautiful. The couple moved to Hermiston 14 years ago and planned only to stay 1 year. Well, it grew on them (just like it does for the majority of people around here) and they began attending the Hispanic church. As new Christians, they really wanted an anniversary ceremony that would reflect their new found faith and love for the Lord… well, it did just that! Special, special people who have only more of the best to come in their lives!
The picture taking was not easy. I learned a lot about what not to do… and have a whole new appreciation for professional photographers. All in all, it went pretty well, everyone had a good time, and I left exhausted and bug-eyed. Praise God…Day over!




Mason spent the whole day with Daddy on Sunday. Fed the calves, chased the new babies, “neighed” with the horses, hooked up the trailer, and headed to the mountain pasture with a smile. He is definitely a “mini” version of his father!

The 3rd Annual Cowpie Classic golf tournament was won by the Murdock family… with Lindsay & Bryn placing 1st! Yep – best round of the day… and not too shabby of a score… 42! I also walked away with the long drive – a little over 200 yards, right down the middle. Pretty proud of the fact that we did as well as we did considering I’d only played once since last year… gotta love it!
Oh, and the pizza… well, let me just say that this new place in Walla Walla makes the most amazing pizza I’ve ever had – thanks Robert & Shannon – I’m pretty sure that yesterday was the first time I’ve ever had pizza “delivered” to my home!…and the brownies…um… Bryn – I think you need a new oven (ha ha)!

Happy times at the Windy M!

Ready for a new week, ready for more of God’s love & mercy, ready for hot apple cider and pumpkin bread, ready for fall!