Don’t send out the search party yet, I’m still here.  We’ve been busy with life, garden, volleyball, school, and work, so it doesn’t leave a lot of time to write.  I’ve got some new things I’m working on, and will resume posting soon. :-) … [Read more...]

Are you thankful? Of course you are, but are you living with thankfulness? Each day when we pray as a family during dinner, we make a point to express what we are thankful for in our lives.  The food, our kids' school, our home, each other.  But, sometimes it gets a little redundant - almost as if you are saying those things out of duty. Last night I took a walk around our property.  Three times - to be honest, I felt like I was walking around the walls of Jericho, and maybe, in a way, I was.  I took that time to just... breathe in the thankfulness I feel for our home, our property, our garden.  And, really look at what we are blessed with in our lives. There are times when I grumble about various things I don't like in our lives - certain things about the Mr.'s job, little details about our home, but I just stopped and really drank in how much we have to be thankful for!  We have a home.  He has a job.  In today's world, just having something is... something.  … [Read more...]

When I say I'm sad to see them go back to school, I mean it.  I'm not the kind of parent that looks forward to them going to school.  I love having them with me - 99% of the time.  My girls are a part of me, as much as I am a part of them.  They are my soul - everything I do, it is for them, because of them.  When I am apart from them, my thoughts are of them.  I just love them that much. For the first time in Amanda's life, she bailed on me when we got to school.  No kissing hand, no tears, just "poof" she's gone.  I had to hunt her down in her classroom to get kisses goodbye.  She went in with her head high, no reservations, and just so... confident and secure. And, for Kaitlyn, well, she's a pre-teen - I have that title for one more year, and I'm milking it.  No hugs or kisses - just a nudge.   Cause, it isn't "cool" to kiss mommy.  That's ok, though - she gave me one before we left the house, and I got a great hug when we got home. I'm incredibly proud of who … [Read more...]