This weather ignites a spring cleaning spark in me, but I've yet to fan those flames. I'm a visionary. This pretty much means that my mind is all excited about how awesome my house COULD look after completing a few projects. I've made some excellent plans. Whether or not I complete those projects in the next couple of weeks remains to be seen. If it suddenly blizzards, I'm off the hook, because it won't officially feel like spring. ;)
We keep looking for signs of snow, but the soft, white, icy crystals elude us. I don't personally like driving in the white stuff, but I do appreciate its beauty. I'd like it to snow really big...at least once...for my kids. They need a day playing in the snow. Then, they could come inside, with their bright red cheeks, and warm up while drinking hot cocoa...with marshmallows & sprinkles, of course. It's our tradition. When it snows. Which it has not. Which we've already established. So, let's move on, now. :)
While writing this, J is playing outside with one of his favorite buddies. I realize that, by the time I actually post this, it will most likely be late evening. Anyway, they're both enjoying the serenity that is the sandbox. I'm in the kitchen, with the serenity that is my iTunes playlist. Classic Michael Jackson plays in the background; I'm transported back to the early 80's & roller skating in the basement of childhood home. I sway along to Lady Antebellum's smooth, soothing melodies...songs that seem to fit perfectly with this unseasonably lovely weather. Some songs just seem "spring-like" or "summer-y". Truth and encouragement shine through the music of current, Christian artist favs: Mandisa, Toby Mac, Francesca Battistelli, to name a few. I'm feeling happy & more alive than I've felt in months.
A time of illness sure makes you appreciate wellness. As I walked down the short hallway in our home, the other day, I reached the end & thanked God that I didn't feel tired after walking seven feet. Yesterday, after shopping for groceries, I smiled & thanked God that I could walk all over the store & still have energy. I'm able to volunteer in the boys' classrooms & arrive/leave with a spring in my step. It's truly the little things.
Since we have sunshine in place of snow, I figure I can get away with sharing some photos that aren't exactly in season, at this point. I've yet to give a holiday recap. In spite of feeling not the best, we do have some wonderful Thanksgiving/Christmas memories. Good food, games, & incredible family members created a special time of togetherness.
We spent Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Eve with my sweet in-laws...my other set of parents. The day after Thanksgiving & Christmas Day were spent in K.C. with my side of the family. Chad & I are so blessed, because we truly have two sets of incredible parents. We also love our siblings. I have a younger brother; Chad has two younger brothers. All have married special women & I truly see them as my sisters. We have four nephews & one niece. All cuties!
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| Chad & his grandma Eck. She might be the most precious woman on earth. |
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| The beginning of what I now refer to as "The Wishbone Incident of 2011". |
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| He clearly won. |
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| He clearly did not win...and was instantly heartbroken. Can't a little brother get a break? |
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| Grandma was there to comfort the wounded in heart. |
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| I think she soothed him by promising him candy. |
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| Thankful, but tired me & my sweet husband. |
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| L has explored his world, through smell, since he was a toddler. Mmmm...Grandma Eck's pumpkin pie. |
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| "Thankfulness Tree" Each night, during dinner, we all wrote down what we were thankful for that day. Then, we hung those on our tree. Great way to remember how good God is to us. |
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| Chad's 36th birthday. His wife could only muster up the energy to make a small cake & decorate it with chocolate covered peanut candies. So creative. Just call me Martha. |
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| J received the Jingle Bell award (chocolate bell & bell necklace), for "having a cheery, merry attitude & showing Christmas cooperation" in his classroom. Kindergarten is fun! |
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| Our sweet friends, Carmen & Norma, have an annual "Happy Birthday, Jesus" party. They make it a special time for our kids, by reading the Christmas story, serving birthday cake, letting the kids watch a short movie, and sending them home with a small gift. It's always fun! The kids love their house...full of stuffed Christmas things that sing. :) |
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| Christmas Eve day. Papa Eck reading the Christmas story. |
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| Christmas Eve 2011 |
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| Christmas Eve: Santa was here. Can't wait until Christmas morning! |
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| Great Grandma received a Wii game system! She & her red hat pals can now Wii bowl the night away. |
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| Chad, me, L & J, my parents, & my brother's fam. We're just being normal, here. |
We missed seeing our Nevada siblings/nephews, over the holidays. However, we can't wait until our big, summer trip with them. Chad's parents will take all of us on a trip to Yosemite, to celebrate their 40th anniversary. It'll be here before we know it!! Another summer trip is on the calendar with my parents & my brother's family, too. What a fun summer we have ahead of us!
Let's see. How am I otherwise? Still in a time of transition, we're praying through several decisions. Our church (which meets on the east side) is planting a church on the west side of town. It's an exciting time, with great opportunities ahead for both locations. So, we're asking God to help us make a firm decision about where to attend. Both are terrific, healthy options. I need to decide if I'll keep leading a small group, as this transition takes place beginning next fall.
Also, both boys will be in school all day next year. I talked with J about how I'll eat lunch by myself next year & how crazy that will be after eight years of lunchtimes with kids. He reassured me that the cat would be here. Haha! So, if anyone wants to have lunch with the cat & me... :) Anyway, I'm thinking through a few "career" options. My teaching license is current, but I'm also considering additional ideas. It's kind of fun to think about what I'll be when I grow up...LOL.
The boys are doing well in school & learning so much. Reading is really beginning to click, for J & L has totally blossomed his reading abilities. He devours books. I just don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing kids read. To watch them develop a love for reading is a bonus!! J is a sports nut & L is constantly inventing/creating/writing something. Chad & I have two, good boys on our hands. They definitely have their ornery moments, but they have plenty of delightful moments, as well.
Chad's enjoys his current role at work; he's still with Cessna. Very soon, he's looking forward to a ski trip with a few of his buddies. He works with such integrity & skill. I'm proud of him & how he provides/cares for our family.
Remember how iTunes is playing, as I type. The perfect song just popped on, as I think through this transition time: Mandisa's These Days. Love it! I'll leave you with the lyrics. You can catch the tune here: These Days, by Mandisa
I never liked Mondays or bad news
Or breaking in new shoes
And mornings when I can't find my phone
Nobody likes traffic or short nights
Or sit ups or long flights
But sometimes that's just the way it goes
It's funny what You use to help me grow...
So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
Lord you meet me in the madness
I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days
I can see a silver lining
When the sun's not shining
Even when You choose to bring the rain
Oh, but there's freedom believing and trusting your leading
'Cause you're Lord of all my joy and all my pain
So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God, your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
Lord you meet me in the madness
I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days
I could waste the hundred years
You gave me here the days when you were near
The days when I was out there
Lookin' for what comes next, Oh
'Cause every minute, every hour, everyday
Is such a gift and I'm content
I'm thankful for each breath
So I'll learn to love these days
Life along the way
In the middle of the crazy
God, your love is so amazing
Through the ups and downs
You're the only hope I've found
The Lord you meet me in the madness
So I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days
I'll learn to love these days
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