Finally

Two days before Christmas our oven broke!  Seriously?  Since I don't start the holiday treat making in advance it pretty much eliminated all  baking for me.  This is good and bad!

Fast forward 2 months and it is finally fixed!  I know I could have and should have done it sooner but "life" got in the way, between family, work, church  school, etc. . .   Life right?  Honestly the only time I would notice it was when I was wanting to make cookies or bread.  If we had a serious need or hankering we just used our neighbors oven.  She was so great to just let me use her key while she was working.  I realized that enough was enough when I went over to her house and heard the smoke alarms before I even got to her back door.  No damage, except my burned bread!!!  So, to celebrate, today we made BOTH cookies and bread!  My house smells wonderful tonight!  

Choice

Some of my Best Friends.  We've shared a lot of miles together.

A few months ago during a lunch time conversation at work we were discussing how we felt when we had to work through our lunch.  I had stated that I often feel like a "martyr" when that happened to me, like I was being taken advantage of.  A co-worker of mine had a differing opinion.  She said she felt like a Bad A@%* when she had to work thru lunch.  She was getting it done!  

I have pondered that conversation a lot over the ensuing months.  One thought that has come to mind repeatedly is  this, life can happen to us or we can happen to life.  We can choose!

Intention.  

Purpose,  

Meaning.  

Rather than waiting for things to fall into my lap I find so much more happiness and joy when I actively pursue a goal.  Making a choice on how I feel/act is so much more rewarding than allowing another to dictate how I feel.  That lunch time conversation impacted me more than I had thought.  Even today, my schedule was slammed.  On top of working I had multiple things that I truly needed to accomplish.  I also had to get in a short run before I went to bed.  It took planning and choice.  I carved a run out of my evening and with the help of a supportive husband I was able to make it happen.  Choice.  We all have it.    

Monday

This what we came home to this evening.

Avery got out of the car and said, "Mom, come quick!  It is the most beautiful moment of the day!"  Really, those were her exact words!  I can't believe that it is February and we are having this kind of  weather with these skies.  When you are literally socked in with rain, day in and day out for months at a time, days like today become tiny treasures.  

I ❤️Oregon!

Lips

Avery had a dentist appointment today.  What, you might ask, does that have anything to do with these luscious lips.  

Well, let  me tell you.  Lincoln came with Kal last month to his dental appointment and was pretty ticked off when she only got a xylitol (caviety fighting of course) lolly pop.  No dip in the prize box for her.  Well, today she was very emphatic that she get prize too.  A stamp is what she chose.  A stamp.  Not Lip gloss.  You would never guess would you!

Hoppy Valentine's Day

We worked on Valentine's for the both Avery and Kal's classes last night.  I love that this holiday celebrates serving others with kindness and thoughtfulness.  What a great holiday to remind us to love those around us especially those near and dear to us.

Avery came to me about a week ago with this frog themed idea. "Hoppy" Valentine's Day.  I don't know if she had seen it somewhere or came up with it on her own.  I just loved that it was creative and it came from her.  It was fun to actually bring her idea to life and see how excited she was about making them.  

Plugging On

I had a day yesterday.  I have not slept through the night in over a month.  It started out with Sick Kids who weren't able to sleep.  Then, it turned into them just coming to get into bed with us.  Next it was them simply waking up and needing to be soothed, re tucked in, or a drink of water.  After avoiding their germs all winter, it is my turn to walk the "sick road," being congested in no way encourages restful sleep.  So, by the time Scott got home from work yesterday I was at the end of my rope. It took less than 15 minutes of him walking thru the door for me to be in bed.  I was beyond exhausted and frustrated.  Sleep is the biggest factor contributing to my emotional bucket.  I have a few friends that suffer from insomnia on a regular basis.  Oh, how I feel for them.  Being sleep deprived can tear at a persons soul.  Fortunately, I was able to get, not great, but better sleep last night and am hoping for the same tonight.  

My Take Away ~ 

Be kind, you may offer the only kind word in someone's day.

Be patient.  It could make all the difference.

Be understanding.  You never know where someone is at emotionally.

Be non-judgemental.  You've never walked in their shoes.

This pic gives me hope and makes me happy.  It was my final leg last year on the EPIC Relay.  This was the end. It would have been so nice to simply call it a day but, I dug deep and finished strong.  That is how I want to live my life.  

Dig Deep.  Finish Strong. 

How To Walk

The Lord opened the door and I stepped through the veil, forgetting how to walk.

The Branch President opened his door and I stepped through remembering.

As I stepped into the water, and then cleansed ~ stepped out.

As I stepped to the chair and they placed hands on my head.

As I stepped down the aisle, sharing the bread and the water.

As I stepped to the table that held the Lord's sacrament.

As I stepped through those beautiful doors in Seattle for my gift.

As I stepped off the plane to Texas to serve my years.

As I stepped up to the alter and faced my best friend.

As I stepped up to the bed to watch these pure ones join our family.

As I stepped up to the podium to do what was right.

As I stepped up to the casket to say my goodbyes.

So many steps, taken on my knees, with hope in my heart that one day the Lord may open his door again and then well practiced ~ I might step back through.

 ~Scott A. Walker

Wow, I love this guy.

Time

It has been raining all week.  I haven't photographed my kids in days.  I have been working a ton, at work, at home, at church.  Like everyone else, I am busy.  However, the sun came out this afternoon, all my kids were home, no one needed to go anywhere, no work needed to be done so, we played!!We visited a dear neighbor and walked down to another neighbor's house.  It really was a ray of light in our otherwise dark week.  Scott and I have been talking this week about not using statements like, "I will come in a minute,"  " I can help you when I get this done," " I will play with you when. . ."  Our kids have been hearing this too often as of late.  I was happy for the reminder that this is not what we want for us or our kids.  Today was a good day to represent being in the moment with these beauties!

Miss L is LOVING "my ponies" right now.  They accompany us most places these days.

I love both Kal's and Avery's faces in these pics.  So similar.  They make me smile.

This is my favorite of the day.  At first I wanted the kids to stay out of the water but quickly thought, " they are kids, the water will dry and dirt will wash out.  Let them play!!"  So glad I listened to the voice in my head!!!