~Memories of Love~

Taking time to {relax}

 

Finding it hard to get motivated to keep this blog rolling along. Im a list maker. Lots of lists. Lists that will never ever ever get finished, some that will. But I have high expectations. I cant sit still for long, and rarely watch television. From one thing to the next as fast as possible. Sometimes I have to remind myself I need to slow down....to relax. The world wont end if i dont get all of it done. (it wont will it?)

So the past few weeks have been busy. Spring Break, Family stuff, a wedding (I was the photographer) and so on. Even though it was a lot to do, I did find time to relax and enjoy myself. On the other hand, i now have to go make a list of all the photos I need to work on..and a list of things I need to catch up on..and a list of things I forgot to do...(see how this happens?).

Children seem to have a nack for relaxing. Its the simple things that bring them peace and joy. So for today, I am going to take time to enjoy the small moments that make me smile and try to find my inner child, to just be.

{Talent show}

Recently Shay was in a school talent show, with a few other little girls from her class. They preformed "When Im by your side" from the musical Side Show. The girls practiced for a little over two months to prepare for the big day. While each girl was suppose to dress up and carry her doll dressed just the same, Shaylee wanted nothing to do with dragging around a ol' dumb baby doll(her words). Just not her style. So, she was given an exception and was allowed to use her kitty. Which obviously made her appear different from the other girls. But she didn't care one bit. And the differences didn't end there.

On the big night she happily walked on stage with the other girls and took her place. She smiled and held her doll....I mean cat, just like everyone else. Then the music started and while some of her moves where in line with what she learned most of the time she was simply doing her own thing. And I didnt know whether to laugh or cry...but she looked adorable, and she was having fun, and in the end thats all that mattered.

When the show was nearing the end, each girl walked off stage and gave a wave, she had to leave with her own unrehearsed departure...as you will see in the photos.

I love her uniqueness, and her need to go upstream while everyone else is going downstream. She is special.....just the way she is.

 

 

Just {dessert}

I wonder if you hear these words often in your house too; "but i dont want my dinner, i just want dessert". Then goes the battle, but you have to eat your dinner first, then you can have dessert. She would just eat jello or a sandwich if I let her. And every night when I make dinner she looks it over real good then tells me, "this looks disgusting". And i always say, "eat it anyway". And she frowns, and after eat bite she says, "did I eat enough"? Can I be done now? Mom, can I just have dessert now, puleeeeeeze?" And I look at what she has left and say how about 10 more bites (or whatever I think will get the plate clean), and she smiles and says "okay"! And finishes her plate. She hasnt caught on quite yet......

Last nights "just desssert" was Blue Bell vanilla yogurt ice cream & strawberries...and she cleaned her plate.

Spring says {Hello}

The weather has been amazing this week. Averages of over 70 and a cool breeze. The windows are open...i love that. It sure feels like spring, even if we are still in the winter season.

While taking a walk I came across a birds nest nestled in the only tree that had tiny orangy peach blossoms popping up all over. As if the momma bird knew that was the prettiest spot to raise her babies. I ran home and grabbed my camera, and while i was out I went in search of little signs of spring. And I found them. On the other hand I lost all track of time, and my laundry didnt get done, but then I found peace...and that was so worth it.

I know this is just a boring picture of a creek bed, but it reminds me of where i played as a kid. I could spend hours scouring the creek looking for frogs, or other little interesting things. Its peaceful.

a little spot for lovebirds

and I nearly discarded this photo. It wasnt until I really looked at it until i realized that you could see the first flower (on the left) as a bud, and each flower thereafter seems to be a progression of bloom. See the last one (on the right) is fully bloomed?

A week full of Memories {wednesday}

Is it Wednesday already? Does it seem like life is going in fast forward to you? Like the earth is spinning just a little faster. Maybe its just me. My days are so full, life is not dull thats for sure! Im always amazed at how much was done in one week. Usually those mundane things just slip by, unoticed, forgotten. Im trying to slow down long enough to capture a few memories, even if it was a week of little things. I suppose those little things really are the pieces of our lives. Like a patchwork quilt. A little this, and a little that- some big deals mixed in. Not everything is perfect, or happy, or fun. Some things are tough. Its okay to remember those too. Those are the things that grow character, and strength. You take the good, you take the bad, and there you have...the facts of life. sing it with me! Yes indeed.

homemade key lime pie-the boys most requested

red and white polka dots and jade green....oh how I love you

the scene every morning

wednesday is coupon day

Spring cleaning chores this week, washing the glasswear. Drawers, closets and toys organized!

We are reading this novel together every evening. Its a great read, if your looking for a family book to read to your children. 

Cats have it so easy....

her dress for the talent show (photos to come).

                                                         Hope you have a week full of joy~

{Skate-o-rama}

While searching for warm indoor winter activities, I found a skating rink about 20 minutes drive away. Its the old school kind. The kind i remember when I was a kid. I loved to go skating, but I guess that was the thing to do in the 80's. They played songs from the 80's too(we heard MJ's Thriller at least 3 times). My mom -otherwise know as NanaBananaIcecreamscoops came along, and I think,.... no- Im sure, we had more fun than the kids. Not to mention a darn good leg workout!

The girl had a time, staying on her feet. She had very little patience for herself, and wanted  to skate like her big brother, who is sure he could win a speed skating contest if he was given the chance. So she spent lots of time scooting across the floor, then whining (oh the whining), and pouting. Luckily, Nana discovered a stand for training the younger more unbalanced to skate, and her world was happy again. (Its actually quite a creative invention-using just pvc pipes and wheels!)

ps, its really hard to take photos while on wheels! just try it.....

A day with the {ducks}

After unbelievably low temps and lots of snow, this past week has been a dream come true. Its been as warm as 75 degrees, with a cool breeze. We took advantage of it, and went to a spot not far from home, and fed the ducks.

We took a picnic lunch (not homemade, but from a fast food chain..sorry Betty Crocker-it was one of those days) and set up under a tree. The boys only cared about stuffing their face and seemed to be in a race to see who could finish first. She didnt care about eating, and spent her time making ripples across the water with the toe of her boot, calling "come here ducky ducky", and throwing them bread. 

disclaimer: I have since learned feeding ducks bread is not good. They are on a gluten free diet, in case you didnt know! Actually they prefer grains, oats or barley. We will be better environmentalist next time......try to forgive us.

 

{Imagine}

We like to read books around here. She has her favorites. The ones we've read over and over and over. I will say "can we please pick a different one". And she says all dramatic like "but Mooom, I love this one. PLEEEEEASE"?

Its usually the Wizard of Oz. And we have to get into character, reading it with enthusiasm. Playing with all the pop up's and putting on the "spectacles" so you can see it in green. It takes twice as long to read as the others. But, its okay. I love to watch her face. She is so entertained imagining.

Week Full of Memories {wednesday}

Im going to try to post a weeks worth of completely random photos every Wednesday. Photos that just dont quite need a post of their own, but are still a valuable memories for us.

my attempt at Dr. Pepper cake. note: i said attempt, I am in need of a better recipe.....

watching my boys play football in the yard, captured thru the blinds so they didnt see me.

Talons science project. Very cool. You can watch You-tube videos using the ingredients shown.

she had to try it too. No pics of Talon as he was not allowed in the actual photo (for school).

The biggest snow storm to hit Dallas that I can ever remember. No school 5 days!

Sick with colds....

Homemade snow ice cream. She wanted blue, and he wanted orange.

60 degree weather after the snow. One playing football, the other cheering her brothers.

a little finch (?) that hopped around our feet watching us as much as we were watching it..

A very cute, in a nerdy kinda way baby snowman.

the Christmas tree still on every night in Shay's room. She says we will take it down "when Jesus comes back"....she means Easter.

a very common photo these days with my boys....sigh.

So {precious}

He should be the new Gerber baby. Isnt he just precious? I could go on and on and on....

I just started working on some photos and this one jumped out at me and I had to share. He's in his daddy great big chair. My nephew~