Spring!

Although we woke up to a blanket of white this morning, I know that Spring isn't too far away. I know, because there have been a few precious days in which the temperature has actually risen above 40 degrees. I know, because Jason started coaching with the arrival of baseball tryouts last week. I know, because I have friends who have flowers coming up in their gardens, and lastly, I know Spring is nearly here because it's definitely time for a Spring deep cleaning at my house... and in my vehicle!
And what is it about Spring that seems to lift my spirits so much? Perhaps it is knowing that the Spring Scrapbook retreat is not far away... Although this is the last one that Country Keepsakes is putting on (tear...sob...sniffle) we need to find another to attend. Our family tradition of getting all the sisters and our mom together for a girls day depends on it! What better way to spend the day than to sit and visit and chat, while busily making some of the cutest pages and projects ever??? (WE LOVE YOU, TAMMY!)
Perhaps Spring signals and end to the cold... That, I love.
Perhaps Spring means seeing the color GREEN again. Another love of mine.
Perhaps Spring means that I will be able to take a walk, go to the park with my kids, plant a garden, work in the yard, sit outside on my deck, plant flowers in my planters.
I'm not really sure what it is about spring I love the most. Is it the blossoms on the trees, or just the feeling in the air when everything is brand new.
Spring, for me, is a time to be grateful. To reconnect with others, to complete projects left undone, to become more organized, and to finally step foot out the door without 10 layers of clothing on. I LOVE SPRING!!!

The kids have been having a great time lately. They were thrilled about dressing up for halloween. They loved trick-or-treating, and have had a great time playing in the leaves, and riding their bikes on these last precious warm afternoons. They want to be outside on the swing set, playing with friends, and doing anything but homework and chores! Ah, the life of kids... They are so fun. We love this time of year. There are some darling pictures of the kids all dressed up for Halloween below.

Happy Haunting

Celebrate

I have to say I'm quite happy with myself. I must share my good news. Right now, I am sitting in a pair of jeans that are the same size as the ones that I wore in college. To be honest, they are a little tight... but they were buttoned and zipped, all without jumping up and down, or lying flat on the bed, or sucking in and holding my breath until passing out cold on the floor...

It feels great. I am also a few pounds under what I weighed when Jason and I got married! (Not that my post- 4- children body looks the same... but still) I began last November. I had help. Help from friends, from websites, from family, from my doctor. Quotes that kept me inspired, goals to keep me dedicated. And am still working on it today. Eating right and working out. The gym has been awful lonely in the wee hours of the morning lately. But, it has me, and I have it! I have come to love it again. REALLY love it. Like I did in college. It is my alone time, my out, my energy booster, my to do list accomplished. It is my morning starter, and my spirit lifter. So... be happy with me. I have literally worked my butt off, and I'm telling you what... I don't even miss it!

Thanks so much to the friends who inspire me to do better and be better. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks, also, to those who noticed the pounds coming off, and took the time to mention that they noticed it. That was such a huge incentive for me to keep going. So Goodbye excuses. Goodbye huge pregnancy weight gains. Goodbye fattening, sugary, glorious, sinful, decadent desserts. Here I am. And here is where I want to stay!!!

Sometimes.... and always

I know that I already have kids. Four of the sweet little things. So why is it that sometimes I wonder if I am ready to be a mom?  I see these 4 sets of beautiful little eyes looking to me for guidance, and instruction, and I wonder if I am really up to the task of preparing my kids for this world. Sometimes I catch myself wishing the house were actually quiet, or not so chaotic, or at least picked up. Sometimes I wonder if the day will ever end, and if I will have the patience to make it through the bed time routine. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I go for a nice walk, and clear my head. Sometimes I turn on my i-pod as loud as I can handle to drown out the noise of arguing kids. Sometimes I wonder if my wardrobe should actually resemble a referee's black and white stripes, including, of course, the whistle. Sometimes I sit on the computer, checking my friends and families blogs, purposely zoning out for a while. Then, I come across my friend, Tara's blog (moglefamily.blogspot.com) with a post labeled "Today." And I stop dead in my tracks. I stop feeling so dang sorry for myself.

 So, Thanks, Tara, for reminding me that the sounds that come with having kids should always sound like music to me. That I need to remember to look at the big picture, and always see my children for the precious little spirits that they are, and remember that I have been put in their charge by someone who thought I would be up to the task. I need to remember to always ask for help and pray for the right ways to help and teach them. I need to remember that although they are with me today, they won't be always. Thanks for reminding me that I always need to be their beacon of light when things are dark, and their soft place to fall. I need to be kind, and gentle, and humble, and always express my love for them. That I need to cherish them. Not sometimes, but Always. It's a blessing to be their mother.

School Days

Now is the time for early mornings, drying and round-brushing hair like we're in the middle of a tornado, hurrying through piano practice, making beds, gathering up homework and running to the bus stop like we're competing for the olympic gold medal! Man, you gotta love Fall! I love that yesterday was rainy and cool. I'm ready for the heat wave to give a little. I have some cute pictures from the girls on their first day of school. McKaylyn is in 3rd grade,  Maddi is in 2nd, and Delaney is in Preschool with Miss Alice. They all love it. It seems weird to have just me and Landry at home for a couple hours 3 days a week! What to do.... We also took time to do a little photo shoot on Saturday. The kids are growing so fast, and changing so much lately. I have been busy, and not taking as many pictures as I should. They are darling, aren't they?