Our Backyard

When I was looking for pictures for "Flashback", I found one of our Butterfly Bush in Albuquerque.  I was so excited a couple of summers ago to plant one in our backyard.  I was even more excited to see how nicely it had grown this year!

I went out to take take pictures of the bush and took a few more.  While photographing I had some deep contemplative thoughts to blog - but now I can't remember what I wanted to say!

I thought it would be nice to share the pictures anyway.  And since J. the dog made some of the pictures I might as well tell her excitement from a few nights ago,

A bit of trauma in our home tonight...I opened the door to let the dog in, but I could see she was carrying something. I jumped on the couch and maintained my position when M. said it was a mouse. However when he said it was a bunny I ran to my room where I shouted directions and demanded he take care of it. I bet M's friend spending the night thinks I should be committed! Nothing like this has happened since L's soccer coach's wife  rescued me from the bird that flew in the house.

Ok, I guess that was my excitement and not hers! (I just used what I put on Facebook and changed the name I had tagged.)

Anyway, I'm so very thankful for my backyard!

Flashback Revisted

I was re-reading my blog (I do that!) and noticed I used a lot of Kentucky pictures for Flashback.  We only lived in Kentucky for 11 months!

We lived in Albuquerque when M was 4-6 and L was 2-4.  M came in while I was looking through these pictures.  He said "That was my favorite house!"  That's interesting, of the three houses he actually remembers, it was the smallest.  However, Hubby and I might just say the same thing!  It didn't have anything to do with the size of the house though, it had everything to do with how much we thoroughly enjoyed this age of the boys and spent so much time with friends and neighbors (well neighbors were friends too). (A side note, it was a neighbor in ABQ who got Hubby connected to his current line of work).

We had a place in that modest home where many friends gathered, dinners were made, treats were mixed (or munched), birthdays were celebrated and casserole dishes were stored. Our kitchen island......

July 2003

2003 - Do you like my choice of birthday candle?

This was pretty tame compared to what the four of these guys were normally doing!

No comment

2004 - I need to fire the photographer for taking that picture towards a window!

2004 - A great place to pose with artwork...

5th Birthday - Birthday parties for M when he was young were so easy!  He liked so many things!

Even a birthday party for a neighbor! (The adult - not sure why he only got four candles! It may have been all I had!)

Snickerdoodles!  This was the only 2005 island picture I could find.
We still have this apron.  My five year old friend used it Friday when he helped me wash  and cut fruit!


Do you have a favorite?  I couldn't decide!

Summer Bucket List

In two days we will have been out of school for exactly a month.  So better late than never?  I've been talking about this list for a while now, the boys ask "Where is this list?" and I tell them it's all in my brain...

1.  Sleep in...a lot!
2.  Go to a drive-in
3.  Read a book with paper pages
4.  Flint Creek with friends from school
5.  A conference or two
6.  Sell our house
7.  Pick blueberries and blackberries
8.  Pick other fruit too
9.  Fly a kite on the beach
10.  See the wild horses
11.  Snuggle with my niece
12.  Go to a museum (or two)
13.  Eat breakfast at the donut shop
14.  Connect/Catch up with friends
15.  Do something with my blog
16.  Restart my gratitude journal
17.  See fireworks
18.  Make something homemade
19.  Finally go to the Flying Pig
20.  Celebrate our wedding anniversary

I decided this was my list, that the boys are old enough to do their own if they want.  However, I was happy to have L. with me at the berry farm today.  Then M - has become our leader in getting the house "show ready".  The other day he wouldn't even let me leave my socks in living room floor when we left the house for some errands.

Which ones are done?  The ones in italics.  Wow, I thought I had done more than that.  Never fear, as soon as we return from vacation a large portion will be accomplished.  Actually, the best part of summer so far has been no pressure to accomplish anything!

By the way, I'm not late at all on this list.  Today is the first day of summer.  Happy Summer!

A Photo Story

Last week, we went to my sister's old classroom to get a shelf.  The boys decided we should try to fit it in the car without taking it apart.

What do you think?  Do you think it will fit in the back of my car?

Almost! But, not quite!

A hammer and a little elbow grease later....

No problem!

Am I Distracted?

Screentime

Funny little connotation.  Spending time with a screen?  I say I'm counter-culture and I "think" I don't spend as much time with screen as "others" do, but that's really not true. If I'm sitting in my recliner, I likely have my smart phone AND my Kindle with me.  I had both of those last night as we watched a movie.  Hubby had his laptop.  Even as I write this, I have multiple tabs open:  my plan book, my lead teacher's plan book, other blogs, my school email and a restaurant menu (we're headed to OKC for the marathon and Hubby needs to "carb up").

Ann Voskamp had a wonderful "screen" post.  That's what prompted my thoughts.  Here is her link:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/04/how-to-focus-in-an-age-of-distraction-10-things-to-do-before-you-click-printable/

My goal for this week is to have more face-to-face time than screen time.  I want to be a good example.

Random Thoughts

It is Spring Break and I don't have any wonderful pictures to post of a cleaned out closet.  I haven't accomplished anything major like that!  I've been extremely lazy, but that's just what I needed.  I fixed my Kindle, helped L. raise money for Relay, got him wrestling shoes and found shorts for M., worked online and went to lunch with friends.  No major accomplishment, but a good break.  Come to think of it, it really isn't spring yet either (although our allergies would disagree!).  It's only 45 degrees out.

I am so thankful for standing water - the creeks and ponds in the park are full.  For a while we even had puddles!

I am attempting to run again.  It was much easier this time.  I tried it last spring, but it got hot.  Then my running partner moved.  L ran beside me to keep time and for the most part he was encouraging.  Well, except when he pointed out he can walk my running pace.  What do you expect?  He's almost 12 and I'm almost.....

Did I really say he's almost 12?  That means M is almost 14!!  Both born the Thursday after Easter two years apart.  In the evenings, we've been watching old Christmas videos (that and Duck Dynasty).  Oh my!!!  What precious memories.  Cherished times.  It is so wonderful seeing how their personalities have remained the same.  What someone told me is so true - "The days are long, but the years are short."

So we're approaching April and some spring routines or "usuals" are coming....

We'll be celebrating three birthdays soon.  We already cleaned out the front flower beds and I'll get some annuals when my MIL comes.  We're ready for the sprint to the end of school.  The Joplin Memorial Run is soon.

How do you conclude randomness?  That's all?

On the Home Front - March 9

A peek through my window…. Breezy and cloudy.  We’re going to get rain this afternoon.  Spring is coming, but maybe later than last year???????  I was reading back through last year’s posts and saw that last year (two days from now) our neighbor’s tree was white with blooms.  I think I see tiny buds now, but blooms are a ways off.

What’s going on this week… M is registering for NINTH grade.  I can hardly believe it!

What “the boys” are doing… M just left with his dad for the hangar.  Last night, he went to a state semi-final basketball game to watch with friends.  L. is on a Scout campout, but they are coming home tonight so the Weeblos don’t have to take down wet tents.

On my mind… how our boys are changing and growing – interests too.  Playing out in the front yard isn’t something they really do anymore….

On my bedside table…  my Kindle isn’t working properly!  I need to get that taken care of soon!  When we were in Texas last month I bought some non-electronic books at Half Price Books.  I think I’m going to save them for the beach this summer.

I am richly blessed…  to have Hubby.  I’ve had a headache this morning and he spent about 20 minutes rubbing my head for me.

 (And I wrote this last month and didn’t ever publish it…)

…….to have spent time with Aunt this week.  She went to dinner with the boys and Thursday night and then to a Bible exhibit.  Last night M. and I helped her get the furniture she wanted and after we ate at our house, we took her home and unloaded the furniture.  Did I mention she bought me lunch on Wednesday and had it at my house during my lunch break?  She stayed after I went back to school and picked both the boys up at their school about an hour and half later.  I ran into a 2^nd and 3^rd cousin at M’s basketball game this week too. 

I’m praying for…  a phone interview for a friend.  A relaxing time away for another friend and her family.

Our home…  the laundry annex is clean (since we may have company for dinner).  Our home is looking forward to some attention while I’m home during Spring Break!

Menu planning… (Also something from last month that didn’t get published…)Something truly amazing!  Yesterday afternoon Hubby and I prepared 10 dinners that we put in the fridge or freezer ready to cook….We had shish-ke-bobs after church today for dinner.  Waiting to in the fridge to cook tomorrow night for dinner is Italian Pork Chops.  We have Chinese Chicken Morsels, Hearty Hamburger Stew, Green Chile Beef Enchiladas, Lemon Chicken, Over BBQ Chicken and Cheese Biscuits, Mexican Roast, Asian Chicken and Stir Fry Veggies and Beef Stroganoff waiting in the freezer.  Woo Hoo!  I couldn’t have done it without Hubby.  His idea and he cut all the vegetables and all the meat!

We haven’t made it to Once a Month Cooking yet this month, but I have things ready for Taco Soup, Smoky Corn Chowder, Farmer’s Casserole, Asian Chicken (again) and a couple of other things that I can’t remember right now.

A photo or two… I haven’t taken many lately so these are oldies, but goodies!

 

Easter 2003

Playing in the front yard in Kentucky