It's the Little Things: Day 198

I want to focus on the good things this year.

All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we? 

• How can this year already be more than half over? I'm enjoying this blog series so much. It has become one of my little things. I don't get to post it as often as I'd like since I can't blog from my phone or my tablet, but whenever I get the chance to review some of my blessings, that's a blessing in itself. 
• It's as simple as a Pandora music station that plays only songs you love and gets smarter and smarter the more you play it. (Currently playing, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound radio.)
• It's a week on my own at the office. Which isn't necessarily a little thing, since it allows Jodi to have a week of stay-cation, but her trust in me to handle the students is a wonderful gift. 
• It's Hercules and DT spending a whole day together playing Minecraft and hanging out. Mama got to work in peace and they had a ball together. And neither of those is a little thing. 
• It's a hilarious Facetime visit with my 'Shua, Lauren and Caden. Little Punk was NOT all about sitting still to talk to {Grand}Mama K. At. ALL. But it was fun to visit with 'Shua and Lauren in their new house looking so happy and content. 
• It's getting a gift of candy corn from one of my this-week-only students. 
• It's my breakfast nook roof not leaking anymore thanks to some extra attention for Dan earlier this month. This is NOT a little thing, but I'm mentioning it just the same. Monsoon season is upon us and it's raining at least for a while nearly every day, so this repair came at just the right time. Thank you, Dan!
• It's an hour to blog in between students. And with DT at home with Dan again today, it's only interrupted by the office phone ringing. And that's good news for the business so that's okay with me. 
• It's pulling random ingredients from the fridge while I'm still sleepy and bleary-eyed this morning and once I woke up, realizing I've got ingredients to make a spinach salad topped with honey-chipotle chicken tenders, tomatoes, cucumber, zesty Italian dressing and Cheez-It crackers as croutons. Not bad, indeed. 
• It's looking forward to "Swing on the Plaza" tonight if I'm not too tired. Free swing dance lessons, followed by 2 hours of music and room to dance. Dastroyah recently discovered swing dancing (with Z Benson's help) and it has changed his life. Even if I don't have the energy to dance, just enjoying the weather and watching the youngsters dance will be pleasant. Plus, food trucks will be there with Taco Tuesday specials. One can hardly go wrong in that environment. LOL! 

All of these and more make up my little things list this week. Isn't it so difficult to not see the blessings once you start looking? What's on your little things list today? 

 

#100HappyDays2018: Day 15

#100HappyDays: Day 15
Minecraft buddies! Both Dan and DT were feeling poorly today so they spent the day together while I headed into work. When I came home, they were happily playing Minecraft together and excitedly told me about all the things they had built together. Made my heart real happy! 💗

#MakingMemories
#DanAndDT
#100DaysOfSummer
#100HappyDays2018 — at The Man Crew House.

Simple Woman's Daybook: March 5, 2018

For Today: March 5, 2018

Looking out my window: It is dark now, but it's still pleasantly warm (57*) The stars are twinkling in the evening sky and I'm reminded anew of how much I love living in the southwest.

I am thinking: That this new year is already flying by at a somewhat alarming rate, and it's time I opened my eyes to see it, and my arms to embrace it.

I am thankful: For days of having all my local boys under our roof at once, a feat that's getting harder and harder as they grow up.

One of my favorite things: Plans. Meal plans. Reading plans. Travel plans. ALL THE PLANS.

I am creating: A cozy haven for all my men to enjoy when they arrive home. And for me, too...which is something I didn't make a priority until recently.

I am wearing: Jeans, a sparkly tee, sporty socks and tennies. Normal work-week attire.

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to: Boundaries, Married and Still Loving It, and The 5 Love Languages (reading), This Is Us, Land Girls and Call the Midwife (watching), and The Lesters: Ain't God Good? (listening)

I am hoping: that the liquid soap I'm making from the bar soap my cousin sent me will turn out to be the correct consistency. *crossing my fingers*

I am learning: that I don't always have to be in control. (but I haven't learned to like it yet, LOL)

In my kitchen: A Life As Mom freezer lunches meal plan found here It was INTENDED to be prepared and fill the freezer for quick, easy lunches on the go, but when you are #FeedingTeenagers things rarely get to the freezer before they get gobbled up. :)

In the school room: Mr. T and Slick are working on week 25 of school and will be finished by mid-May. I don't know is more excited, them or me. BEST school year ever! We are currently studying King Solomon, Greece, and the Trojan War. We are reading The Children's Homer, which they are loving. They are also working on memorizing Psalm 1:1-6 Aunt Jodi/Mom is working with them on writing book reports about The Indian In The Cupboard series.

In my garden: In the past, I've often called myself the garden nazi because I accidentally kill plants so often that my plants just kill themselves when they see me coming, BUT, this year I've managed to keep 3 poinsettias alive and healthy, plus an aloe plant and my spider plant is blooming like crazy right now. The roses in the front yard aren't blooming yet, but we cut them back 'for the winter' in late December and they are already growing back like crazy and are taller than Hercules.

Board room: Mama K doesn't do Pinterest because I already have more craft supplies for ideas than I'll ever be able to complete before I die, and the last thing I need is MORE ideas, MORE craft supplies or MORE guilt about all the things I'm already not doing. Ha ha haaaaaaa!

Shared Quote: "Women marry men hoping they will change. They don't.
Men marry women hoping they won't change. They do." 

*Ahem* I needed to hear that today myself. Maybe you do, too. 

A moment from my day: A sweet blossom I saw as we exited church yesterday morning. Spring has sprung in the southwest! 

Pretty Petals on an early Spring Morning

Closing Notes: As I anticipate spending Easter away from my nuclear family for the first time since getting married, I'm torn between guilt-ridden sorrow about being away from them and our home church, and delighted glee at the prospect of being with my son, daughter-in-love and grandson and attending our old home church for the special day. It's a quandary. I will say this, however, my BIGS didn't bat an eyelash at the prospect of me being away. They said they would handle the youngest brother while Dad was working, and keep Dad company while I was gone. Makes a mama proud that she can leave for a week and not have a single worry that things will be handled properly in her absence. And people think I brag on my sons too much...as if that's a thing. ;)

It's the Little Things: Day 17

  I want to focus on the good things this year.
All the things people get right.
All the times that everything works out just perfectly after we assumed disaster had already struck.
All the times that the right word was spoken at the right moment.
So, let's celebrate those little moments together, shall we?

• It's a day FULL of running-running-running and doing-doing-doing, followed by a sweet snuggle with a sleepy Hercules in a quiet and calm living room at the end of the day
• It's having an urgent need met without a request even being made
• It's a call from a friend just to ask how you're doing
• It's the return of Sister-Girl Night...I love me some girl chatter!
• It's listening to humorous stories of a freezing cold car ride the boys and Dan took to Alamo to pick up a newly repaired engine for Dastroyah's latest project vehicle. The amount that these men love each other takes my breath away.
• It's a call from a dear one that tells you "It's NOT cancer!!" (totally not a small thing, but SO worth sharing!)
• It's having time to help a loved one through some difficult paperwork (#PlaterSpinner life, I DON'T miss you)
• It's stumbling across the perfect gift for my PattyCake's 19th birthday tomorrow.
• It's a mom who reads the sales flyer so she can cheerfully announce that all the ingredients for a special someone's birthday dinner are on sale at this particular store, while she tucks a few dollars into your purse because she knows we are doing a month-long pantry challenge.
  
  
  You guys! While this year is trying desperately to get off on the wrong foot (hello Mama K down for a week sick and unemployment for Hercules) It just can't gain any ground with all these amazing and wonderful blessings happening all around us...and sometimes, in spite of us. God is so good and has blessed with so many beautiful, generous, encouraging, praying, uplifting friends. I can't even. I am, in a word, humbled.

What's on YOUR little things list today?

#100HappyDays: Day 82

 

Day 82 of #100HappyDays
Progress on getting my living room back to normal. I like progress 🙂
#100DaysOfSummer
#TakingBackTheHouse — feeling happy at The Man Crew House.

#100HappyDays: Day 41

Day 41 of #100HappyDays
Mr. T's golden birthday. It was a sweet celebration for the baby of the whole family.
Good times were had by all. 💗 — feeling happy — with Jodi Starnes.

Oh goodness, this party was the best! ALL THE HANDSOME showed up in full force and the hilarity ensued. There was much laughter and story-telling, and at some point in time, Alec ended up on the roof of Pat's car, courtesy of Nathan. Titus was thrilled that he had BIG BOYS at his party, and it was glorious.

Catching UP with Us Meyer's~ January through June 2013 edition: Part 5

Part 5??? How is it that A.) I let this blog sit on the back burner for so long and B.) That I took so many pictures that I really want to share? (Note to self: Make regular time to blog in the future days. Facebook is great for sharing little blurbs, but blogging is where it's at to share stories!)
Moving right along. Part 5 it is. What's next?

March: The month of March brought us Alec, who hadn't been to see us in 3 years due to finances and work commitments. It was such a blessing to have him among us again. As one of the original Lost Boys, it was wonderful for me to be able to wrap my arms around him and have a few heart to hearts. But when he wasn't chatting with me, he had a ball with the Man Crew. Taught Dan and the BIGS how to build better Magic Decks, read Calvin and Hobbes to DT, spent many hours in front of video games and slept a lot. He even let me trim the MANE. I was touched. :)

 Magic throw down time!

 He rode the dune buggies with the boys and fun was had by all!

 It was hard to say goodbye, but he will return again to us, so until then..."Fare well, my boy!"

EASTER! Mom and I had such fun planning for Easter. The Man Crew decorated a TON of eggs for the egg hunt, Mom and I deliberated over the food as if the queen of England was coming, Jodi provided all the fixings once Mom and I finally chose a menu, and we all eagerly anticipated the big day. Easter, the day of remembrance of the rising of our Savior. This is not something we take lightly. So, after much anticipation, and much ado, it was here.

 The Man Crew takes a lousy family picture. Where is a professional photographer when you need one? Oh well, they are all looking in the same direction and no one is making a 'calvin' face. I'll take it. I already shared the pics from egg decorating and the church service, so these are from the family gathering.

 James and T put on their best faces for a 'nice' picture.

 Then we let them get silly. :)

 DT hunting for eggs. Sadly most of my pictures weren't worth having. But fun was had by all and we remembered why the day was so special.
He is RISEN. He is risen INDEED!

Dune Buggy Outing: Dan took the boys out to the desert by our house one afternoon that was particularly windy. They had all been looking forward to it and decided not to the let the wind ruin their fun, so they bundled up appropriately and away they went. It's nice for them all to get out of the house together sometime.

 DT broke out his ninja costume and sunglasses to protect himself from the blowing sand.

 Pat opted for actual goggles and a shared ninja costume to keep the sand out of his mouth and nose.

David went with shades and a bandana but wouldn't let me take a close up of him. He's too cool for that these days. LOL! Dan decided to opt for just sunglasses and fuss with trying to get all the sand off later, so he didn't pose for a picture either. Spoilsport! At any rate, they had a good time together and zipped around the desert until they ran out of gas. Good stuff!

Catching UP with Us Meyer's~ January through June 2013 edition: Part 3

Just a quick one as I only have a few minutes before dashing off to the next appointment. Let's see here, what can I share quickly?
February: Ollie turned 1 :) Happy birthday Ollie, welcome to an exciting new year of you life as you grow and change so quickly!

The Happy Schwinn family: Ryan, Kelsi and Ollie

Mmmm, birthday cupcakes are so tasty!

 Mama K got a juicer for Christmas and to be honest, I'm a wee bit intimidated by it, so it hadn't gotten much use right away. Dan, Derek and I decided to give it a go one day in February and enjoyed the drinks very much. Derek is afraid of it while it's running, but lingers close by so he can have the first drink. Silly boy!

Yum, look at all the healthy stuff!

Bwuahahah! Trying to catch every last drop of goodness!

 February: Dan bought himself some drywall stilts for work. The lowest setting is 2 feet high. Gracious! As if he's not tall enough already. I nearly stroked out when David and Patrick tried them. That's a little much even for this brave Mama. David was running on them in less than 30 seconds, Pat did NOT like them, and within 10 minutes, Dan was going up and down the stairs in them. OH MY WORD! I did NOT try them, much to Dan's disappointment. And I can live with that :)

It's the Little Things

I've discovered as I make this journey through life that it's not the huge things that make or break your day, week, month or life. It's the little things. So in honor of the little things, list a few with me that made your day, week, month or life brighter or sweeter.

• It's a chat with 'Shua where he tells me know much he loves his wife and all the sweet things he's going to do for her while he's home from work for a day.
• It's being able to share the home that God has allowed us to live in this year with family and friends, whether that means game night fun, long weekend visits, laundry facility sharing or a baking party.
• It's starting to grow a pineapple 'tree' from the fresh one you just ate, so that someday, it will make you a new one to enjoy.
• It's a warm kitty in your lap while you watch TV.
• It's a new juicer that hubby bought so you can eat more healthfully! YUM~O
• It's the satisfaction of a day well spent doing something your kiddos are interested in, whether it interests you or not.
• It's warm socks on a cold night.

I like the idea of this style of post. If you like it too, add your little things! I'm making it a goal to focus on the positive this year...Join me!

Catching up with us MeYeR's

Just dashing through on my way elsewhere, but since I'm making an effort to get back to blogging more often than not, here's a quick catch up post.

• Dan and David are out tearing up the desert in the dune buggies and/or dirt bike as often as time and weather allow. It's a male bonding thing for them and they love it.
• School started back today. Started off slow, just an hour of reading, a math lesson and a few brain games
• David had his first meet this past weekend. He came home with 3 medals. More on that later
• Dear friends of ours have reserved us a room in a snazzy hotel and offered to babysit (more like big boy sit these days) so that Dan and I can have a little retreat. A-MAZ-ING! You guys rock!
• My parents are here and having a wonderful time (at least I think they are, we sure are enjoying having them here)
• Summer visitors are starting to request dates, so come on over, we'd love to have ya!
• Derek has lost both front teeth and while he's cute as the Dickens, he does NOT appreciate anyone singing, "All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth' :D
• Patrick is slowly readjusting after the holidays and travel and is having a better week than the past few.
• We didn't have game night last week since we were on the road and we CAN'T WAIT to catch up with everyone again! We MISSED you all so much!
• I am trying to work on losing some weight this year. Some pounds have GOT to go! Encouraging comments are welcome, dieting advice is not. Thank you.

That's all the time I have for today, crust-less quiche is calling me for dinner. Have a wonderful evening!
Blessings, ~K~

Camping is the BEST. THING. EVER!!

A few weeks ago, we took the boys camping for the first time. Yes, we've slept in tents in the backyard, in the LR, in our bedrooms, and even in friends' backyards, (and for a short while, Patrick 'lived' in one in the house) just never in the wild. D and P were just about old enough to take 'real' camping when we were expecting DT, so we had to wait another several years so he was old enough. Anywho, we've been saying we want to go for a while and just haven't gotten around to it. SO, we just up and decided to go as a fun way to kick off David's birthday. We packed and drove up over the Organ Mountains, and drove way into the Aguirre Springs Park and found a cozy little campsite away from the other people there, and made camp. 2 tents, a newly formed fire rock ring, lots of collecting firewood, and tons of schlepping bags and coolers up a hill, we were ready to do some camping. Later that night as we sat around a fire of glowing embers, while clutching gooey S'mores and laughing together, I thought to myself, "Now I know why people pack up, leave town and go camping. Because THIS is a good as it gets. No electronics to distract from conversations, just family, beautiful nature and plenty of time to enjoy them both." The boys just loved it and are already pestering about when and where we can go again. They played capture the flag, followed hiking trails, chased bugs and lizards, laughed and whispered in their tent, got to eat HOT DOGS, and discussed the best way to make the perfect S'more. Dan and I enjoyed the quiet night without computers, TV, garage projects, or dinner dishes getting in the way. There really IS nothing like sitting around a campfire laughing and chatting with those you hold near and dear. I could wax eloquent about it for far too long I am sure, but I'll just suffice it to say that we are hooked and will definitely be doing it again soon. I'll add some pics for you to enjoy and you too, can feel like you went camping with us, without the lack of running water part : )

Blessings,

Kristy

Catching Up With Us MeYeRs

Greeting from sunny and still HOT New Mexico : ) Actually, it's cooled down in the past few weeks and is only getting into the low 90s most days now. What a relief, right?? Just wanted to pop through, say hey and catch you up on the activities of the Man Crew from the past few weeks.
~Dan is still unemployed, but remains the busiest unemployed man I know. Building fences to keep in a friend's doggies, refurbishing a set of old fashioned gas pumps with another friend, helping people move, refinishing doors for the gym, driving and fixing the dune buggy, teaching a shop/auto repair class for David and Patrick, and keeping us all laughing in between all those activities.
~David started high school 2 weeks ago and is not sure whether he likes it yet or not. He's a bit overwhelmed by making so many of his own choices, I think. But we are almost done putting together his syllabus for this year, and he is looking forward to digging in. He's starting to gear up for competitive season with gymnastics, and is putting in long hours of practice each week. His routines are starting to come together and he's quite pleased with his own progress, as are we.
~Patrick is just starting his 7th grade year and is not sure how he feels about not having classmates this year as David is using a different curriculum this year, and James is no longer joining us for school. We have just been 'warming up' this past week or two, practicing our math facts, brushing up on our geography skills, writing dictation sentences, reading to Derek and Titus, and partaking in Daddy's shop class. He grumbles but I think is glad for the return of a more regular schedule. : )
~Derek is about to start first grade and we have spent hours each day reading, playing games, and watching educational videos, along with much outdoor play. The birthday bike is a fave and gets many hours of use each week. In fact, he's the only kid I know that can manage a jump off a ramp on a bike with training wheels, LOL! He's my biggest helper in the kitchen and LOVES to help with bread, pizza and chopping veggies.
~I always hate posting things about myself. I'm the same, LOL! Boring. Working at home, working at the gym, working at Kohls, driving the Mama taxi, and enjoying my family.
That's about it, I guess. Nothing much else to report. Karen is settling in well at her new place just around the corner from us : ) Jodi is off camping with the boys this weekend, Dad and Mom are off gallivanting across the countryside (and Praise the Lord for Dad's health to allow that again) and all the news from Mike and Kelly's house sounds like everything is hunky and dory. Oh, Flat Stanley is here for a visit, so we need to take him out and about to show off our great state!
Hope everyone is having a great, super blessed week! Call, write or come on by and see us sometime! We'd love to have you!

Kristy and the Man Crew

Wordless Wednesday

Like Father, Like Son. Or at least some of the sons : ) Patrick, David and Dan at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO in April.

Pumpkin Patches, Faires and Fall Fun

Greetings from sunny and still warm New Mexico! What a wild ride we've had these past few weeks. We've been to pumpkin patches, the Renaissance Faire, enjoyed the fall weather, LOVED having Dan home, played with our friends new and old, ignored the 'non-specific fall holiday' without having to explain our aversion to it to anyone (that's a first) earned a few new nicknames and lived to tell the tale. Here I am armed with some great pics and some entertaining stories. Who's got a few minutes? Cozy up with your favorite warm beverage and let me regale you with some of our favorite stories from the past few weeks.

~Well, starting with Dan getting back 3 weeks ago, we've been on the run. Dan went back to work, and we immediately fell back into the familiar groove. Chores got done, schooling got learned, errands were run, work was accomplished and life was good. Game night the first week he was back was just great! Everyone was so happy to see him, we had homemade pizza all together again (even though we have it each week as a family, it's just not the same, ya know?) and we laughed and laughed and LAUGHED together. It was special. I went back to work, much to my bosses' pleasure and my team's delight since they had apparently been suffering through whoever the management team could find to fill my place. It's nice to feel like you belong. They even had ordered pizza the first night I went back to welcome me. Awww!

~The pumpkin patch was such a great day that I'm going to save it for it's own post, I think. Suffice it to say that we had a BALL!

~The party at Mike and Myra Eorio's (think OREO) house was super fun. Not only did Dan and I get to enjoy a night with no kids (thanks Jo!) but we enjoyed the company of other adults as well. Whee! Most of them were either neighbors of theirs' or people that Mike and Dan work with so he immediately knew people, but once I met a few people, I had a great time too. My banana cream brownie squares won rave reviews and I met a lady who was interesting in homeschooling so I had a ball filling her in the fun that homeschoolers have. Dan was being silly that night and so everyone was having a good time. We met some really great people, and a few really strange people that left us saying that we were REALLY glad we homeschooled since they have kids in our district...LOL! Anywho, we were one of the last ones to leave and we had such fun visiting with just Mike and Myra once most of the crowd had left. They are so fun, and interesting, and fun. Did I mention how FUN they are? Good times, and let me just say that I had almost forgotten how stunning Dan looks in his oilskin duster and hat. Phew! I got several remarks about how lucky I was...hee hee! (we even found out later that one of the other guests at the party "took a fancy' to him~LOL)

~The weather here has been just fantastic! It's nice and cool overnight, like in the 40s and then by lunchtime, the sun was warmed the air to a lovely mid 70s-low 80s range. Now that's my kind of weather! We've had a few rain showers, but mostly, sun sun and more sun : ) I love NM! And, so pretty!

~The boys are sometimes disappointed that we don't 'DO' Halloween so we generally buy them a bag of candy so they don't feel cheated and that's that. This year, the church we are attending hosted a huge fall festival so we took the boys to that. We didn't dress up or anything, but the kids had a ball. They got PLENTY of candy, played lots of games and even took a hayride. It was great fun and I'm glad that they got to do SOMETHING fun during a weekend that we normally stay home and avoid any activities.

~The Renaissance Faire was just this last weekend and it was great! Over 120 vendors, artisans and crafters come with their wares to help support the Dona Ana Arts Council that provides all the wonderful entertainment here in Cruces. Like the free concerts in the park that we enjoyed this summer, some of the kids programs, craft/art/music classes and much more. So we spent 2 days wandering about, examining crafts, enjoying the Robert the Ratcatcher show, joining in some amtguard boffer word fighting, tasty local honey, eating things like Rat on a Stick (teriyaki chicken on a stick) and looking at some of the most exquisite jewelry ever crafted. Dan spoiled my by purchasing me some fancy hair doodads called the 'mystic flower' which is the working model of the mathematical equation of PI. Coooooolio! : ) David and I worked in the soup booth that the gym had at the faire, making some money towards his upcoming competitions. Dan and the boys purchased boffer swords, and then decided that they could improve upon the design, so they spent the better part of yesterday creating sword and such. Oiy! Today was spent making shields to protect themselves...LOL!

~The 'Hot Tomato'~Have I ever mentioned that Dan seems to have universal appeal to everyone? Young women, old women, dogs, babies, cats, other men...doesn't seem to matter, they all love him. LOL! Well, on Friday, I asked him to accompany me to the Sam's Club for the weekly trip for the gym. He reluctantly agreed and off we all went. The boys and I have been going on our own for some time now while Dan was in Washington and the boys love to go right at lunchtime so we can taste all the samples and we've made friends with the 'sample ladies' We got a late start Friday so there weren't many still passing out samples so we were just hurrying through. One of them stopped me and asked where my biggest boy was, since David was around the corner. I pointed to Dan and she said that she wasn't talking about him, but since now we were....WHO was he?? (eybrows wagging) I said that it was Hercules, the hubbs...and she seemed quite impressed. So after she stared a bit longer, she waved a few times and told me that I was one lucky lady, then she declared LOUDLY that he was one HOT TOMATO and started winking and waving all the more. Dan's face turned about 3 shades of purple and he looked quite uncomfortable. Oh my word...I haven't laughed that hard in along time. WooHoo...I'm married to a HOT TOMATO~ I'm a lucky girl : )

So, all in all, a fabulous few weeks. Thank you Lord, for getting Dan back home to us where we can all live, laugh and love at home.

I'm Gonna Miss This....

...When Dan gets home. The boys and I have taken to piling into the master bedroom after having dinner and enjoying a board game so we can hang out together. Derek gets his jammies, his pillow and blanket along with a few books and gets cozy in the bed and after a book or two, is almost asleep. Pat serenades us with the keyboard that Lauren lovingly left behind for him to use. David checks on his Frontier on FB and they all listen while I read aloud to them for a while. Then I goof off on FB while the older 2 get comfy on the bed with a book. *sigh* It's just so cozy. And while I'm ever so anxious for Dan to get back home where he belongs....I'm gonna miss this.

Only at MY House!

I've come to realise lately that certain things only seem normal to us MeYeR's...and so in honor of that...here's a few pics of things that only seem normal at my house : ) Patrick was feeling silly so he broke into my hair doo-dads and then found some beads...and made a new look for himself. Goodness that boy needs a haircut!

I have no idea...there are no words! Such silliness!

Dan mugging for the boys to make them giggle...it worked! : )

What a Weekend!

Hello friends, near and far, in person and in cyber-space! We had such an exciting weekend that I wanted to share while it was still *semi* fresh my mind. : )

~Thursday, which is weekend warm up for us, was filled with school, tidying here and there, gymnastics for D, and Dan came home with the new movie AVATAR which we watched on the big screen. The CG in the movie is fantastic, the special effects are superb and the cinematography is resplendent, but the story itself is a bit overdone. A good movie, nonetheless. Dan really enjoyed it!

~Friday always means game night and it was a doozie! 23 people filled our home with fun, laughter and games! 5 Meyer's, 3 Starnes', 2 Balding's, 2 Bruno's, 2 Myer's 3 McKinney's, 2 Bean's and 4 Chacon's. Holy 10 pizzas, Batman! Being my mother's daughter, I WAY over did it with the pizza, assuming that everyone eats like Dan, even the babies...LOL! It was nice not to cook all weekend as we munched, and munched, and MUNCHED on that leftover pizza. We played games, the kids played outside enjoying the gorgeous weather and the adults chatted and carried on famously.

~Saturday Dan went to work as did I and the boys enjoyed some open gym while I wrapped up the concession stand duties. Then I realized that I had missed my Angel Food Network pick up and that some OTHER needy family had gotten the order I placed. Well, that was disappointing, but God will provide for us this week. : ) I went and had a lovely chat with Lauren, then headed home to rest. Dan arrived home later with 'Shua and the boy invited me out to dinner....yeah! David had his gymnastics banquet that evening, so I dropped him and then met up with 'Shua and we spent 2.5 lovely hours chatting over dinner while David got awards and played with his friends. He got a small trophy, and 2 small awards for getting the best haircut, and for getting the most rips from the high bar. (Boys are so weird) Went home and watched Avatar...again. Dan had bought a high def cable and the colors were so much more vibrant. So pretty! When we headed to bed...we still had a surprise waiting. As we prepared for bed, we heard a scratch at the door and some loud meowing. To our shock, Harley had returned! He looks none the worse for being gone 3 months and came right in and settled right back in like he was never gone. He's even warmed up to Sophie...well, a little : )

~Sunday....Oh sweet Sunday! Happy 74th Birthday Dad...we LOVE YOU! I woke up feeling terrible, as if I'd pulled a muscle in my right shoulder. OUCH! So, we decided to stay home and have a movie day. We did a few quick chores and then settled in to watch movies. We watched "Fireproof" *which is excellent, by the way...we BOTH cried* "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves" "Kate and Leopold" and "28 Days" We laughed, we cried, we played with the pets, we goofed with the boys and we just enjoyed being together. Dan spiked my morning smoothie, rubbed my back and attached me to the TENS unit to make my shoulder loosen up...he's the best. The boys watched some, watched a movie or two on their own while folding clothes and played outside. It was a a great day.And to make the day just about perfect, Dan caught the mouse that has been enjoying my pantry a little too much.

So, it's been a super great weekend. It means that I was ready for Monday when it arrived this morning. I didn't feel overwhelmed, behind or frustrated by it's arrival...and that's ALWAYS a good thing. Thanks for sharing our happy weekend with us!

**And the best part of the whole weekend is that Dolli and Ryan are in town...yeah!!**

Lost boys...I have been missing you so much! Dariel, Ricky, Tony and Alec...love you boys!

Mama K