It's the Little Things: Day 284

 

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 is a really good day of school after a few that chased rabbit trails and ended up being more character training than following our curriculum.
•  It is having a new friend over for dinner, even though it was unplanned.
• It's having a free evening to host company since our community group was canceled this week. 
• It's having your grown children bring their friends over for you to dress their wounds when they've had an unfortunate experience with bare skin and a rough sidewalk. 
• It's having Hercules eat at the table with me two nights in a row. 
• It's the major rearranging that's been going on all week being finished and the dust settling now that everything is in it's new place. 
• It's having the house ready for Dastroyah, PattyCakes and NayNay to each have their own room. 

What's on YOUR little things list?

It's The Little Things: Day 141

 

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 week FULL of activities, all of them good. 
• It's trying out my new MoviePass for the first time. 'Free' movie, plus I like to go to the flickers alone. It's a little time just for me. 
• It's sleeping in until almost 11am (completely unprecedented for me) after a super late and tons of fun Game Night on Friday. 
• It's helping a friend, mostly by keeping her company, while she packs for a move.
• It's Taco Tuesday with friends new and old. Amy and Jimmy are in town to visit Johnny and it was great to catch up.
• It's celebratory ice cream with Ricky and Judah on Wednesday to shout hooray for sleepovers again.
• It's Nathan graduating!! Class of 2018, baby! 
• It's ending up at the cool kids table at the grad party on Friday. Dan and I sat down, and Nathan and the boys all came to eat with us and boom. For a few brief moments in time we were cool again. 
• It's a lovely visit with my Sister-Girl Karen, it's nice to be in the groove again. 
• It's a beautiful new glass container to brew my kombucha. Dan REALLY is enjoying having it around all the time. 
• It's starting a new study with our community group and everyone was participating.
• It's a BBQ with friends on Sunday to celebrate Naomi's 75th birthday, and winning the party games. 
• It's knowing that there are only FOUR days left of school. I think I'm as excited as the boys. 
• It's a fun video chat with 'Shua, Lauren and Caden. He wasn't sitting still for me to read to him tonight, but he was scampering about and chattering away like a little chipmunk. He tried to say "Love you" to me tonight. *melting* I love that naughty little Punk. 
• It's the hubster saying that I don't need to cook tonight and we will just eat leftovers and that is one less thing for me to do. Yes, please. 
• It's keeping the dishes COMPLETELY finished and making sure the counters are clean every night before I go to bed. Waking up to a clean kitchen is the best. 
• It's creeping ever closer to my #HotMess challenge goal of creating a scrap-booking counter for myself in the SOC room. I actually cleared some counter tonight. 
• It's waking up early on a Monday morning to have time to complete several chores and still have time to be ready to head into work and get the week started right.  

#100HappyDays: Day 99

 

Day 99 of #100HappyDays
Little Caden just turned 7 months old. Isn't he precious?!
Cannot wait to snuggle him when they come to visit in a few weeks!

#100DaysOfSummer
#BabyCaden — feeling happy.

 

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY: March 18, 2015

Outside my window...it's a lovely spring day. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming and the birds are singing.

I am thinking...that a full morning to play with and update my blog is just shy of Heaven.

I am thankful...for a week off of work to regather the tattered remnants of my sanity, to soak up some quiet, to hang out with *just* my family, and to read read read.

In the kitchen...we are in the middle of a pantry challenge week and here's the line up:

•  Monday: leftover buffet which included milet mignon, grilled chicken and pork roast, seasoned rice pilaf, jello, mashed potato biscuits, fresh veggies, salad, 3 different soups, hard boiled eggs and no bake cookies. And one of my family members actually commented that there was nothing to eat. Craziness ;)
• Tuesday: Salad bar complete with mixed spring greens, spinach, croutons, cucumbers, shredded carrots, bacon bits, olives, 2 different cheeses, grape tomatoes and 3 dressing choices.
• Wednesday: Red beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage
• Hamburger Helper Stroganoff  (thank you, 10 for $10 sale) 
• Friday: Game Night Veggie Tray, with chips and dip
• Saturday: Homemade pizza and popcorn
• Sunday: On the road for a gymnastics meet 3.5 hours away

I am wearing...my pjs. At NOON :) Did I mention hurray for a week off?!

I am creating...this blog post, and then some lunch for my boys.

I am going...nowhere since David has borrowed the van. And I'm totally ok with that.

I am wondering...how a house can so quickly become HOME. We've lived here 7 weeks and there are only 2 boxes left, and it feels like we've been here forever already. It just feels right.

I am reading...nothing yet today, but I downloaded several goodies on my Kindle for this week and I'll be digging into them as soon as I eat lunch.

I am hoping...that my children have as fond memories of being at home as I do of having them at home.

I am looking forward to...the rest of this week off, Rachel's arrival tomorrow, a successful gymnastics meet for David on Sunday, and for an upcoming week of field trips during Rachel's stay with us.

I am learning...that I am much too hard oh myself and my children and not nearly hard enough on pretty much everyone else. I'm working on balance this year.

From the learning rooms...Not much yet this week, as we've been interrupted approximately eleventy billion times. But we've managed a BrainPop movie of the week, some reading aloud from Farmer Boy, several brain games and worked together in the kitchen inspecting the progress of our science experiments, cooking dinner and hosting company. I had intended to pull off a full week of school (including curriculum studies) but with the coming and going this week, it's just not happening, so I am adding a bit of educational content where I can and just being ok with that.

Around the house...there are many things to be done like dishes, organizing the bills and cleaning all 3 bathrooms, but I've claimed today as my do-what-I-want day, so I've been ignoring the chores while I've blogged all morning, and will read all afternoon and possibly even put DT to bed early and watch a movie BY MYSELF, uninterrupted while the BIGS and Dan are at church this evening. And the glory will roll. ;)

I am pondering...the contents of my drawers and closets. Much of doesn't fit well, and even more is unattractive, dated or shabby. It's time for a true purge and possibly a few new (to me) pieces that are more flattering.

A favorite quote for today...

“Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of You and Your kingdom.” I will reduce, so He can increase.”
― Jen Hatmaker, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

One of my favorite things...My "Southern Gospel Greats" station on Pandora

A few plans for the rest of the week: Relaxing, visiting with Rachel, attending David's meet in Rio Rancho, reading, playing games with the family and enjoying Game Night.

A peek into my day... 

The delightful sting of stars that Dan hung up for me on the patio to enjoy late night chats.

If you've enjoyed this post, and you also enjoy the simple things, take a peek over here to see more daybook entries and to join the fun!

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 4

I am having fun with this little series while I'm trying valiantly to catch back up so we can move on with a fresh slate. Hope you are, too! This is going to be the random post where I try to squeeze in all the random pics that don't make a post by themselves :) Hang on, here we go!

After Christmas was over, and all the excitement was over...

We started off the New Year with lots of rest since we'd all be sick for so long.

 In early January, it actually SNOWED in Cruces (and yes, my child is wearing shorts *sigh*) DT was quite excited about this and enjoyed the snow for the 47 minutes is was on the ground.

 Gymnastic season started. David and his pal, Derek seem to have mixed emotions about that,

 but David has learned how to soar right over his competition!

 Fun days were spent making puzzles, enjoying movies and popcorn and slowly getting back into the swing of things at the Man Crew House.

 Tyler's late arriving Christmas gift from PaPa and Grma was a hit!

 DT learned the Greek Alphabet. Hurray for homeschooling!

 We enjoyed a trip to the local fire department. DT was thrilled with all the buttons and knobs, but saddened that fire stations no longer have dalmatians OR fire poles.

 However, all was not lost as the knowledgeable firemen took them for a tour and let them climb all over the truck.

 I allowed the BIGS to massacre the sad, squishy pumpkins from the fall with a 4 foot sword. Oh yes, I AM that mom :)

 We enjoyed some beautiful weather, with outstanding sunrises and sunsets.

 Jodi, James and T spent many hours at the Man Crew House visiting with us and Dad and Mom. T likes Uncle Dan's tickle fights, even though he always loses.

 Gymnastics season continued.

 David did well and earned the admiration of his teammates and coaches for his hard work.

 He even learned some new BIG tricks, like this one that I magically caught him mid-air.

 We hosted a Magic the Gathering card game tournament and had LOTS of fun!

 Here are the final standings. The out of town wringer won it all, but the surprising 2nd place went to Dan. I was pleased for him since he had worked and worked and WORKED on his decks all week under the guidance of said out of town wringer.

 The Black Ninja came to visit his country cousin the White Ninja and even stopped long enough to mop the floor for me. As if he made any marks ;)

And someone played in the tub too long.
Phew!

Catching UP with Us Meyer's~ January through June 2013 edition: Part 1

I am so far behind that I am just going to start by posting some pictures and telling little stories about each one. I will try to tag them as the appropriate month so that you can piece it all together. :) Sorry for my random-itis, just trying to start somewhere. ANYwhere, to be exact.

Susan, David, Dad and Mom all together. The 4 Amigos!

Auntie Susan and Uncle Dave are great company! Good times!

In mid-March, David and Susan Sweely came to visit us for a few days on their way to TX from AZ. Between Mom, Dan and I, I think we nearly talked their ears off :) We had a wonderful visit. Played many games, laughed ourselves silly and oohed and ahhed over Dave and Susan's arts and craft skills. David brought gem stones (self harvested) for each of the boys and I think, found a kindred spirit in Dan. They hit it off like no one's business. Once they went to the garage, I was sure we'd never see either of them again. Mom, Susan and I were content to enjoy the little ones, chat over cups of tea and putter in the kitchen together. Who knows when we will see them again as it's been over a decade since we'd seen them last, but it was a blessing to spend a few days soaking up their love and fun. 

(Late March) As you can tell, we LOVE to dye Easter Eggs at the Man Crew House. We get INTO it and enjoy it greatly. I think we dyed 5 dz eggs this year? Oh my, our fingers were funny colors for days! David is simple and likes one color eggs. Patrick likes to dip one end, the another, then a side, etc until he comes up with some plaid configuration to his liking. Derek likes to color on his with crayons before dipping, and Dan likes to experiment by over-dying in several similar colors to make his own signature color. Mom and Dad got in on the fun this year. Once Easter was over and we'd found all the eggs again (thank you Lord) we ate multi-colored egg salad for a LONG time.
Totally worth it!
  

Cake decorating at Albertson's. Let the wild rumpus begin!

TA-DA! All finished and posing in front of the flower pots. Happy cousins!

(Late March) The day before Easter, our local grocery store had some fun Easter activities, so I loaded up DT and nephew Titus for some cake decorating. OH MY WORD, did they enjoy that! I've never seen so much frosting piled on one little cake before. FUN FUN FUN~ they were so excited to eat them!

It was so wonderful to see Pastor Dennis behind the pulpit again after his sabbatical.

Easter morning found us at the local high school for the only time all year that our entire church gets to worship together in ONE service. With 5 weekly worship services, it can be hard to get to know one another so this is great! The BIGS went early to help set up the egg hunt for the little children. Derek was quite excited about the eggs, as it's this huge free-for-all in the football field after church. He gathered his limit quickly, and then waited (semi) patiently for them to call all in, when everyone can just grab as many as they can. Oh, the CANDY! The service was great, with all the worship teams coming together to help us find our way to worship and praise, and Pastor Dennis back from his sabbatical from preaching to be with TJ (his wife) I've got pics of the home festivities to be shared in another post. 

Whee! Even MORE eggs! Thanks Mesilla Park Community Church!

 Thanks for coming along on the journey with me! This is fun!
       Blessings, 
            Kristy