hope

doing well today - drinking plenty of water, getting a lot done from the comfortable chair at my desk/computer, enjoying the fact that my mind is at peace.

SO inspired by these words from a blog Ronda told me to check out... not just for me, but for all of you too...

"Hope is so beautiful and so real. Grasp it tightly. Your hope will shine it's brightest when it's stormy and dark and you feel like the shadows are just about to swallow you. I know there are many of you facing things right now that you just weren't expecting. Life does that sometimes doesn't it? So when 'it'll never happen to me' turns into 'it just happened to me', cling to hope and know there's a much bigger plan...a bigger destiny!" ~ Rebecca Sowers


so true.
so real.
just what I needed to read.
thank you Ronda.

SO glad that tomorrow is Friday!

GSMC

Had my monthly dr. appointment yesterday.
Hearing the hearbeat always makes me smile.
Visiting with my dr. is refreshing - he makes me laugh!
Knowing that I'm "measuring" a bit small for how far along I am has me worried - just a little.
Having him tell me that we need to do another ultrasound - just to make sure everything is OK has my heart racing - just a bit.
Contracting while he's "measuring" me concerns him a little.
Contracting A LOT this morning has me concerned - it's WAY TOO SOON - I'm 29 weeks right now!
Monitoring my contractions at the hospital this morning gave me peace of mind.
Getting a nap at 11:00 while waiting for the Dr. was awesome and treasured!
Having Amanda as my nurse was GREAT!

My sister is beyond valuable to me. Her knowledge, quiet voice, calming spirit urged me to go in. Thank you Kirst - can't say thank you enough! xoxo

I'm glad I did. I'm having slightly irregular contractions - most likely braxton hicks - but somewhat frequent. The baby is moving all over the place. I'm know I'm not drinking enough water. My stress level is a bit to high (hard to believe). I'm ok... just praying for peace and strength.

I'm back at school this afternoon - feeling tired, but have peace of mind. I'm drinking water like crazy and doing as little as possible... just making it through today.

Life.

Gotta love it!

(had to share this picture)

I like the light.
I like glow.
I like that it captured "mason."

Numbers

DONE:

1 meeting attended – minutes typed and sent to other members.
1 grant received from HEF – Yeah!!
63 pieces of popcorn dumped in the backseat of the pickup.
23 miles driven home.
1 upset child who wanted to play outside.
1 cold and tired mommy who didn’t want to play outside.
2 loads of laundry done… then the washing machine broke.
1 load of dishes – washed, unloaded, and put away.
2 sets of sheets changed – but not washed (see above)
2 sausage and pineapple calzones – cooked and eaten right up!
12 pairs of shoes picked up and thrown into the closet.
6 pairs of jeans hung up to dry
10 books stacked back up on Mason’s shelf after “story time.”
1 diaper changed.
1 IPod wiped off after toddler hands “loved” it.
4 phone calls made.
1 bag of popcorn popped – love microwave popcorn!
5 bills paid.
4 steaks set out to thaw.
2 heads on pillows by 8:30… 1 head on the pillow by 10:00.

TO DO:

1 phone call to the accountant.
1 phone call to SEARS.
453 kids to interact with.
490 smiles to give.
3 liters of water to drink.
1 sandwich to eat.
5 starburst to enjoy.
1 Dr. appointment.
1 heartbeat to hear.
2 gallons of milk to buy.
23 miles to drive.
1 dinner to fix.
1 table to set.
4 friends for dinner.
2 feet to put up.
1 American Idol to watch.

Day Over! (hopefully)

The Future Freddy Couples

Mason IS going to be a golfer.
He has NO choice.
He already has the LOOK!

Watch out Augusta National - Here comes Mason!

Life

I'm struggling today.... mostly with time management. Why do all the things that I love to do take time? All the good things that I am involved in or want to be involved in, require time - which I don't seem to have a lot of lately. My role as a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend... they are barely managable. I'm at a loss of how to get more TIME.
I would love to pick Mason up today and head home to spend time playing with his new Easter presents.
I would love to stay in town to meet with some of the greatest people I know that are in my care group at church.
I would love to go to MOPS tonight and hear Rebecca speak.
I would love to not have 2 meetings to attend before 6:00.
Will I ever reach the "balance" I strive for? Why does everything happen all at once?
I was close to home last night around 6 pm. I knew the house would be needing a quick go-over, dishes would need to be loaded or unloaded from the dishwasher, laundry would need to be folded and put away.
I love my husband - I really, really do, but sometimes I wish he was my wife.
He had been busy all weekend.
He had barely found time to sleep.
A piece of his thumb is missing - it looks horrible, so I can't even imagine how it feels.
I didn't expect things to be perfect - I knew they would need my attention. My role in our marriage and the success of "us" depends greatly on each of us doing what we do best.
I take care of the inside, he takes care of the outside.
I had been gone and I knew there were things that I would have to do to function well this week. I also know that plans change and I am blessed with a "flexible" personality. Praise God!
I was close to home... less than 20 miles... and plans changed.
Enjoying a second Easter dinner with family was unexpected and wonderful.
Arriving home at 9:00 rather than 6:00 was ok.... but exhausting.
The dinner was totally worth it - thank you Donna for everything - it was delicious... and better yet, I didn't have to cook!
...but ... my house, my time, my stuff... it didn't happen... and so, the things that I'm wishing I had time to do are going to take back burner tonight.
My mind, my body, my home... that is what needs me and my time tonight.

The weekend was eventful and seemed to be "over" before it even had a chance to start. I'm exhausted today - completely and totally worn out... not a good sign for a Monday, but seem to have more energy now (4:00 p.m.) than I did this morning (6:00 a.m.).

The weekend was spent hunting Easter eggs, playing on some of the coolest wooden toys I've ever seen, hanging out with Kirsten & Steve, shopping at the Motherhood store (I seem to be growing by the minute), and enjoying Papa and Mor-Mor's (means grandma in Swedish) wonderful home. We loved every minute of it and can't wait to go back.

Spring

I love spring.
I love when my tulips pop open and the blossoms on the apricot tree start to open up.
I came home yesterday... the lawn was freshly mowed, the flowers were open - enjoying the sunshine, the colors were amazing! I felt so much love and gratitude as I sat in my pickup staring at my home.
Mason & I played outside for a while... then loaded up and headed to the vet. with Ian. I know that we have to be one of there best customers - not such a good thing - but thankful for each of them and the great friends they have been during the past few years.
Mason helped herd the bulls into the pen at the vet. with his own sorting stick and then played in the fenced area in the back for a good hour. I told Ian that I needed a small, fenced area like that at our house... it would probably save us a lot of money in the end... and I KNOW there wouldn't be as many trips to the Emergency Room.
Life is busy. The house is picked-up, but not "clean." I have the tax info sent to the accountant (nothing like waiting until the last minute). The calves are growing. The wheat is beautiful. The day to day chores are still there... what would life be like without them? The water is on. The grass is getting taller by the day. It's spring.

Mason & I are headed to my parents for the weekend.
Ian is A-Iing the registered cows and hauling pairs to spring pasture. (YAH!)
I wish we could all be together... but life just doesn't always work the way I think it should most of the time... and rather than be bitter - I've chosen to smile, look up, understand - even when I really don't, and be thankful.

It's Easter!!
Jesus came into this world before we were living in it;
He gave His life before we had ever committed a sin...
If He did that much for us before we were born,
Think of all He desires to bless us with now that we are here!
~ Roy Lessin ~
May your Easter be a time of fully enjoying His gift,
His blessings and His love for you!

Happy Birthday sweet Leslie - We love you!!

The Tide Pool

During our visit to the beach, Mason LOVED his first trip to the aquarium. He enjoyed watching the sea life, watching the people, and loved, loved, loved the WATER! I was pretty happy with how well he was following directions - (for the most part)- but his indepence kept "shining" through. Surprise, surprise.
No mommy - walk!?
No mommy - water!?
No mommy - run!?
I was exhausted 30 minutes into the trip... but thanks to Bryn, Josh, Leslie & Morgan... we made it... well, almost...
How is it that just when you think you have control... you don't?
Why did I think that the rocks were safe? Had I forgotten what my son is/was capable of?
We were headed toward the birds... and then... Mason spotted the WATER in the tide pool. I followed close behind... but not close enough. Before any of us realized what was happening - Mason was up on the rocks, climbing, and then falling... straight into the pool. Josh and I both scrambled as fast as we could to get him out. He was soaked - his rubber boots were full of water, his pants were dripping, and he was screaming. Fun times!!
I had thought ahead and packed extra pants, but forgot extra shoes and socks. Needless to say - we headed to the pickup and spent some time "calming down."

I purchased a shirt for Mason on the way home... it says...
I DO ALL MY OWN STUNTS

Love that boy. Love the adventure that comes with him wherever he goes.
Love life... what else can you do but love it!