tis the season for gratitude

For some, this time of year is for shopping, indulging, and seeking self-satisfaction. For me, the celebration of Thanksgiving begins a season of reflection and gratitude. Too often in our busy day-to-day we forget to thank the people who serve us and neglect the little things that make our abundant lives possible. I dont claim to be above the shopping and indulgence. Lord knows I love a good sale and cookie could be my middle name.

All the same, I encourage you to take a few minutes every day, if you can, to ponder the people who have made your life a little brighter. Who gave you a warm fuzzy? Did you return their smile? Will you tomorrow?

Today, I am grateful for my family. As individuals, my siblings their spouses, four nephews, and parents are wonderful people. Put us in a room together, and we are a force to be reckoned with. How many families can get together and have exactly zero tension? Six children from 2 to 13 playing together with no fights and no one getting hurt?

I know of one such family.

I am grateful to be a part of it.

recovery continues

I was looking at the statistics for my blog over the last month, and I’ve noticed that quite a few visits were based on searching for update information on our girl, Mikal Bond.  Rather than post a full update that does little justice, I’d like to lead you to the updates that her mom, Julie, has been writing on a daily basis.

Please visit { CarePages.com } for information on Mikal’s recovery.  Signing up for membership is required, but completely free of charge.  A huge thank you to the people who maintain the CarePages website.  It has been comforting to be able to “keep in touch” with the Bond family during this life-changing ordeal.

We are blessed that the Lord did not take Mikal’s beautiful soul from this world.  I am sure that she is working every single day to get ready for her return to her family.

xoxo

another school year begins

The girls started back to school yesterday and now day 2 is in the books.  Admittedly, things were a little hairy that first morning, and I didn’t do everything that I’d planned to do.

My most important omission?  The obligatory ”first day of school” photo taken on the front steps of the house.  What kind of mom forgets to take THAT picture?

I made up for it this morning.

But not until after they’d eaten breakfast…

Who says you can’t serve leftovers for breakfast?  Looks like they did just fine with that omelet and banana!

Then it was out to the front porch.

One (actually several) silly shots later…

We get to the “good” one.  First school photo on the front steps of this house.  We have many many more to take through the coming years.

Happy 2nd day of school, girls!  I hope you enjoy the rest of this year as much as you seem to have enjoyed this first taste.

I love your personalities and how each of you shines your own very special light every single day.

return of the noise

Giggles.

Barking.

More giggles.

Squealing tires.

Air horns.

The girls are home!  This morning, I made the 120 mile drive to my parents’ farm to rescue them from the kiddos.  I stayed long enough for lunch, but since I’d left Buster at home, we had to hurry back.

Now, they’re playing a racing game on the Wii.  Yes, that’s where the tires come in.

And as much as I enjoyed my week without the girls, I’m happy to have them home with me again.  Bring on the noise!

P.S.  The a/c was fixed on Wednesday afternoon. All it needed was a new blower motor. $100 out of pocket…sweet.

when the kids are away…

…the air conditioner will go out. No kidding!

Sunday afternoon, I took the girls to my sister’s to hang out with all of their cousins. From there, my sister-in-law transported them to Grandma & Papa’s for the rest of the week.

Now, the a/c hadn’t been keeping up, but it has also been fighting against temperatures upwards of 108 degrees on multiple days recently. Plus it’s 11 years old. And so it died. Actually, the condenser unit (the big cube out back) is fine. It’s the parts in the furnace that gave out.

I called it in to the home warranty company first thing Monday morning and the repairman came out today before noon. Apparently, the blower and the motor are bad. He disassembled the thing and took it with him to rebuild in the shop. Said he’d be back to reinstall everything…tomorrow.

So this is day #3 with no air. Egads, it’s toasty in there!! 85 when I went home to meet the repairman and leave another bowl of ice for the pupster.

Wonder how much it’s going to cost me? This is why I have the warranty coverage, right?

Stay tuned…

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