Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Clouds

2. High angle

3. Low angle

4. Seven

5. Sun flare...I took this on my phone during my morning run. This picture doesn't do justice to what I actually saw.

Learning to Ride

From It's impossible!!

I'll never get it!!


To this...

effortless...

Mama! I found my balance!  


Now, if I could just find mine.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. Whimsy (this is a bit of a stretch for whimsy, but it's all I've got)

2. Dust (I'm a little embarrassed...this is actually a lamp in our house..dusting is on the bottom of the to do list)

3. Swing

4. Create (from dough to ice cream sandwiches...delicious)

5. Seed or sprout

To My Kids

Good thing you are a little charmer, so you can get away with things like...

telling me my cooking smells hideous...

and I'm the worst mom in the history of moms...yeah, that was a good one.


And you, mister, better step away from the computer. I've got a few things to tell you...

You have a few years before puberty hits. Do you have to ask me all of the hard questions already?

And how about you NOT point out every gray hair I have. I'm pretty sure you're the one that gave them to me.

Also, I am not a loser, a wicked witch, the meanest mom ever, or anything else cruel and unusual that you'd like to call me...mmmmmmkay?

And, you two, my Barbie Buddies...don't ever stop being buddies, ok? Because you two sisters are the most adorable (when you get along) sisters in the history of sisters.

Even though, you...

have the eye roll perfected...

I know, I know. I should be so proud. It took me years to master this.

And you...

are the loudest toddler in history. I mean, really loud, and sort of demanding.

Good thing you guys are cute.

And when you're older, I have this blog so I can blackmail you all.

Bwaaaahaaahaaahaaa!! (that was my wicked witch cackle)

The Easy Run

Running is my easy place. My I-don't-have-to-think-about-anything-except-not-getting-hit-by-a-car place. When I run, I leave everything on the trail. The worries, the guilty-mom moments; that's my easy hour. Just me, my running shoes, my music, and my sweat.

Lately, not even my runs have been easy. They've been the windy, bow-your-head-against-the-gusts type of runs, a little like life lately.

My 8-year old called me a wicked witch the other day, and it stuck with me and weighed me down like lead. It was in the middle of our two week bout with the stomach flu in which all six of us took turns puking. It was a lot of fun.

I was exhausted, sick of cleaning up puke, and in that moment, sick of telling the 8 year old to just brush your teeth already!

The worst of it was, I probably was acting like a wicked witch. At that moment, I couldn't dig deep to find Snow White and I was wishing for the poison apple so I could take a bite and fall into a deep, dark slumber. And while I was asleep, could the Seven Dwarves march their happy little heines over and whistle while they work to clean my house? Oh, and please don't wake me up unless you're Patrick Dempsey...and the laundry is all done and put away...and it's warm and sunny out.

Yeah, that's how I was feeling.

Fast forward a couple of weeks.

One easy run is all I needed. Storybook blue sky, gentle breeze, warm air in with every breath. The sweat dripped off me like tears, cleansing my mind, my soul, my spirit.

My legs carried me away; my lungs whispered, I remember this.

Easy, I am not a wicked witch. 


Easy, I am a kind and patient mother, my new mantra followed quickly by, Dear Lord, please help me to be this way. 


One easy run, leaving it all on the trail. One easy hour, one perfect run, one rejuvenated mama.

Faith...

The sun always rises...

even if we don't see it.

The seasons always change...

even if we don't feel it.

All I need, is to have a little faith...

and things will turn out alright.

Monday Listicles...Spring Edition

1.  Spring has sprung!

2. Everything is turning green.

3. The driveway is covered with chalk drawings.

4. There are birds chirping in the trees.

5. The beginnings of beautiful flowers are shooting up.

6. We are playing outside from morning to night.

7. The grass has gone from brown to green in a matter of days.

8.  There have been some very happy children around here.

9. With a happy mama to match.

10. Time to feed the birds, again.

Thanks, Jacqui...we had so much fun doing this.

All of these photos were taken in our backyard where Spring is in full bloom.

I can hardly contain myself. Can you feel my happiness oozing out?

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

1. People

 2. Vintage

3. Word or Quote

4. Nature's Own

5. Photographer's Choice

Wordish Wednesday

Oh, Spring, how I've been dreaming of you...

There's something about a fresh bottle of bubbles, a new box of chalk, the sound of birds chirping, and the warmth of the sun on a Spring afternoon. 

Renewing my spirit, refreshing my soul, and clearing the cobwebs from my mind; chasing away the clouds from the gloomy, gray, cold days of winter. 

A day like this was just what I needed. 

          

Happy Birthday, Dad

To say that you're awesome would be an understatement. 

Thanks for passing on your love of warm weather...

sparkling, perfect lake days...

a love for your children and grandchildren like none other...

and a love for capturing the perfect sunset. 

Sorry I used to tease you about taking so many sunset pictures. They are all different and unique and beautiful and there are no two alike. 

I love you more than you'll ever know.

P.S. Your card actually IS in the mail.