A Perfect Day?

Yesterday...

I had zero energy after returning from my workout.

I showered, put on sweats and fed the kids.

I downloaded pictures off the computer... from 2006!

I nostalgically browsed through 2007,8,9 and10.

Cory came home early. Puking.

I had no desire to fix anything for dinner.

It felt like a ho-hum day.

And then, while laying in bed I realized.

Yesterday.

My kids played nicely all day.

Cole and Caden played Monopoly for 4 hours.

Jackson and Ella played teenager. (Oh how I wish I had pictures to share of that one!)

Brenton and I played with the cowboy, cowgirl and horse from the Lincoln Logs.

Then, we snuggled.

I made mac and cheese for dinner with strawberries for dessert.

My kids all thanked me profusely and ate every bite.

I had a wonderfully quiet evening sitting on the floor next to the couch. Staying close to my sweet husbands side.

There was nothing exciting about our 1st official day of spring break... other than Ella getting a fat lip from falling!

But, it was my kind of perfect.

No fighting.

Just loving.

And playing.

I'll take that any day of the week!

Nothing Better

There is nothing better than...

Sunsets that simply can never get old...

Spring break...

Sunny days...

7 mile runs that turn into 8...

That include beautiful scenery of gorgeous trees, meadows, goats, cows, horses, railroad tracks and creeks...

Hot cups of coffee in a warm house...

Fresh strawberries for breakfast...

Alpacas greeting me in the morning...

Boots to wear across our muddy yard as I walk to feed the chickens in their new home...

Yard work in the sunshine...

A peaceful heart...

God's Sense Of Humor

I no longer pray for patience.

I haven't for years.

Whenever I prayed for patience. Challenging situations would come at me from every direction.

Nope.

I never pray for patience.

I do, however, pray that God would fill me with HIS patience. That HE would get me through.

Truly. This is SO much better.

Because, truly, He DOES carry me through...

Through bath time...

Through fighting and whining...

Through arguments and clean up time...

Through loss...

Through tears and frustration.

So, when I desired quiet this morning,

And my hormones were raging and the only words that were coming out of my kids mouth came with a whiny voice...

And I was so VERY tired,

And I just wanted quiet.

With a frown on my face.

With my coffee in my hand.

Not wanting to talk.

Not even making my normal phone calls to friends on the way to school.

Just wanting quiet.

My kids decided they just wanted to ask 50 questions...

How did Jesus walk on water?

When's the birthday party?

Whyyyyyyyyy can't we go to the bagel store (aka Winco) right noooowwwwww??

Sadly.

I tuned many out.

Answering quickly and with as few words as possible.

Feeling like I missed a moment.

And realizing.

Just as I never ask for patience,

I should NEVER ask for quiet either.

Instead, I should ask for a better attitude!

5:40

That's what time I woke up yesterday morning.

5:40.

It was early. Especially, considering I couldn't fall asleep until about 12:45.

I was looking forward to the race. But, not 5:40.

When the alarm when off, I hopped right out of bed, and enjoyed the quiet of my house as I got ready.

I rode down to the race with my good friends. And as we all got ready to run, we picked our spot to meet after the race.

I stood excitedly. Waiting. Wondering. What would it be like?

The groups started shuffling forward and eventually, my pace quickened. I crossed the start line and off we went. Running. Trying to get out of the pack. Swerving. Winding.

Music played in my ears and between songs, I could hear the pounding of feet.

The sky was blue and clear. It was crisp and cold. The city was BEAUTIFUL!

I couldn't help but smile as I ran. What a blessing!

Before I knew it, I was passing the last mile marker. It was over so fast!

I kicked it into gear. Knowing I had so much more to give.

Again, winding, swerving, trying to get around.

Crossing the finish line felt wonderful.

I had finished my first race.

Smiling my goofy smile. Thankful to have been there. Thankful to be able to run. Thankful to be there with good friends. What a blessing of a morning!

I've Been...

Painting...



And surprising...


Mom turned 65 this year and Dad thought it would be a perfect year to celebrate and surprise her. About 30 friends and family gathered to celebrate and it was so wonderful to see the joy and surprise on Mom's face.

Visiting with old friends...


And family...


Chris, Kristin and the kids were able to come help us celebrate. They came on Friday and left Monday and truth be told, I would have loved to have them stay a week or more. It was such a blessing to be able to sit and visit and laugh hysterically. I had forgotten how funny my brother is and love every second with he and his amazing wife. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and we were all sad to watch them pull away.

Celebrating...


We also got to celebrate our sweet princess in February. Ella is now 5 and was sure to usher in the year with lots of sass and attitude. Thankfully, there's lots of sweetness and compassion in her as well :)


Lots...


We not only had a family party while all my family was in town, but we got to celebrate with all her friends AND again with Uncle Nathan and Aunt Traci.

Laughing...


And crying...


Please be praying for our sweet friends!

In awe...


And amazement...


Filled...


My family brings me such joy and there is nothing better than watching their love tanks get full! Cory has been able to take each of the kids to a Blazer game. They leave so excited and come home glowing.

Running...

I have found a new passion. I started running a couple of months ago using the couch to 5K program. I've loved every second. From the peace and beautiful runs in the country... that leave me in awe of God. To being able to actually complete something... I will NEVER be completely done with laundry. I will NEVER have a completely clean house. My children will NEVER be perfect. I see very little every actually completed. BUT, I can always run further or faster. I can see success in just run. And I'm so very thankful to have friends who will run with me and push me and those who I can run with and encourage.

And raising...


The Lays saying that "no one can eat just one"? Well, with chickens, "no one can get just one... or 10... or even 15. Yes, we are the proud owners of 26! chicks. Addicted much? Maybe. But, I do rationalize by saying the we do go through 5 dozen eggs a week. And because we are who we are, we do not have just one, or two, or even 3 different kinds. Nope. We've got 13... australorps, buff orpingtons, golden laced wyandottes, golden sex links, black sex links, barred rock, white leghorn, california whites, blue andulusions, dark rhode island reds, welsummers, new hampshire reds, and americaunas. When they all start laying, we'll have brown, white and blue/green eggs.

Nursing...



Sweet Caden fell out of one of our trees a week and a half ago. I count it a blessing that he is almost 9 and this was my first scary mom moment with him. He fell about 10 feet and from what we can figure out, landed on his face on a cement block/rock. I imagine God cradleing him as he fell... he did NOT break anything. He did not have a concussion. He walked away bruised, battered and with 6 stitches.

And loving...


Cory took a couple of alpacas to a show and kept them at our house overnight. We loved getting a little taste of what it will be like having alpacas at our house some day.

I have enjoyed every second of this deep breath. Every second of peace. Every second of God's blessings. Of course there are days when I want to run away. Where I can not handle one more scream of my children. One more whine. But, at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade it for anything. My children. My family. My friends... I am blessed beyond words.