Being Prepared - Day 60

I promise this is the last of the rain pictures! Well, at least these ones - can't promise there won't be more rain...actually, where we live, I can promise there WILL be more rain! But for now, I'm moving on to other pictures I think! Anyway, being prepared is a good thing. My oldest loves to be prepared - last minute changes can some times throw her for a loop! But sometimes, focusing on preparing for whatever is coming, can steal today's joy! Don't wait for the "next" thing that is coming to make your day joyful - if necessary, dance in the rain today! But certainly don't miss the sunshine of each day by worrying about what tomorrow might bring! I am thankful for this day - here and NOW - that the Lord has given me!

"Some people are making such thorough preparations for rainy days that they aren't enjoying today's sunshine." William Feather

Rainy Day Smiles Day 59

Sometimes rain can be a little depressing. Quite frankly, sometimes a lot of things can be depressing. And yet, it is possible to smile through them anyway! God gives the joy that we need - when we need it! That's why this picture makes me happy! It is such a good reminder of a small, but important truth!

"Going around under an umbrella interferes with one's looking up a the sky."   Jerzy Kosinski

Together in the rain - Day 58

Yep - a few more rainy day pictures I'm afraid! We did have a lot of them! Love this one though - nothing like facing the storm hand in hand with your Sis!

“May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you, and may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.”   Irish Blessing

Reflecting on a good story - Day 57

I love how much fun it is listening to a story read out loud to you. I spend far too little time reading to my kids these days - just because they are old enough to read for themselves. But there is something special about listening to a story. I love this pictures of a dear friend reading to my kids, while they enjoy a cup of herbal tea. It was caught in the reflection of the window on our entertainment center. And a good book beats a movie any day - don't you think?  

“Every person’s life is a fairytale written by God’s fingers.” Hans Christian Andersen

Warm and Dry - Day 56

My oldest daughter is always prepared! She put on not one, not two, but THREE coats - just to make sure she stayed warm and dry! And one of the coats even had a hood - just in case a raindrop missed the umbrella! I think she neglected to consider that her pants might get damp though...

“Weather is a great metaphor for life – sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, and there’s nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella.”   Terry Guillemets

Umbrellas - Day 55

My youngest was actually begging to play outside with her umbrella a few days ago...when it wasn't even raining. "Just in case" was what she said. It took some convincing to make her believe she could just play outside without it, and if it started to rain we could talk about it. You can imagine her delight when it actually rained!

“It ain’t no use putting up your umbrella till it rains.”    Alice Caldwell Rice

Playing in the Rain - Day 54

To my kids (and I'm sure most kids) a rainy day doesn't mean you should stay inside - it just means a good excuse to pull out your umbrellas! They have actually been begging for a while for some excuse to use them, so we finally broke them out, and I let them go play in the rain! They had so much fun - and then came in and begged to take a warm shower because they were cold! Still, I remember how much fun it was in m younger days to go play in the rain until you were soaked!

“I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness.”  Adeline Knapp

A Drenching Downpour - Day 53

Yesterday was one of those days that it just DUMPED rain. I mean - it didn't just rain, it RAINED! I actually enjoy a good rainy day...when I don't have to be out in it that is. Of course, it was one of those days that I was running errands, and making a run for the nearest roof I could find whenever we got out of the car. Nonetheless - I am grateful for the rain! It makes the place I live one of the most green and beautiful places that I know of! So I'll keep singing...even in the rain!

“Rain is grace; rain is the sky descending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.”   

John Updike

Dimples - Day 52

I always wished that I had inherited dimples - and was always so jealous of my sister who happened to be blessed with them. She always hated them, but I wished I could have them nonetheless! I am happy to say though - that my oldest daughter got them...or at least one! I LOVE that cute little dimple!!!

“Why worry and have wrinkles…when you can smile and have dimples?”   Unknown

Love of reading - Day 51

My oldest reminds me of myself - kind of a mirror of me at her age. She LOVES to read - and when she is reading, the rest of the world around her might as well not be there. If she has to get up and do something, she usually reads while she walks, and doesn't acknowledge anyone else's existence! I am still the same way now if I get into a good book (which is why I don't take too many opportunities to read, because everything else somehow becomes of lesser importance!) It makes me happy to see her fall in love with reading though - I know it will take her on many adventures!

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”   Garrison Keillor

Flying without wings - Day 50

Is there anything better than the feeling of flying on horseback? I know this picture is just two little girls, on two little ponies, and they are just trotting...but by the look on their faces, don't you think they believe they are flying?  

“Horses lend us the wings we lack.”   Pam Brown

A girl and her pony Part 2 - Day 49

And here is my oldest daughter giving her horse some love after their ride! Can you almost hear the unspoken secrets being whispered between them? Makes my heart happy - and reminds me of all the hours I spent with our ponies when I was a little girl...ahhhh...sweet sweet memories!

“Its every girls dream to own a horse.”   Unknown

A girl and her pony Part 1 - Day 48

Is there any little girl that doesn't go through the horse stage? Some definitely more than others - but I think it always happens! My daughters had their first riding lesson the other day - and there is nothing that can compare to the adoring look on their faces. This is my youngest before their ride, after brushing and saddling up. Yep...it is love at first sight!

“All horses deserve, at least once in their lives, to be loved by a little girl.”   Unknown

Hugs - Day 47

So, alongside holding hands (from yesterday), I think hugging rates up pretty close to the same in my favorite things to do! Hugging is such a universal way of saying I love you - I hug my husband, my kids (LOVE those first hugs in the morning when they come stumbling downstairs barely awake!), and my family and friends. And a hug helps keep you warm - especially when your crazy mom makes you go outside without a coat in February so she can get some cute pictures...(in my defense, it was only for about 2 minutes - and they survived!) 

“Hugging has no unpleasant side effects and is all natural. There are no batteries to replace, it’s inflation-proof and non-fattening with no monthly payments. It’s non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable.”   Author Unknown

Holding Hands - Day 46

I love holding hands. I love holding my husbands hand. I love watching my daughters run across the yard holding hands. I love that even as much as they have grown up already, that they will still hold my hand. I remember holding them in my arms when they were new and tiny, and holding and counting their fingers - so little and new and perfect!  I remember holding their hand, when it meant their whole hand wrapped around my one finger to keep their balance so they could walk next to me. Now I am enjoying every time that they choose to place their hand in mine - because I know that before I know it, they will be too old and grown up to do that! I hope they keep holding hands with each other forever though! 

“Sometimes holding hands is holding on to everything.”    Unknown

Love - Day 45

Today is Valentine's day, so it isn't too surprising to have love be the thing I am grateful for today. But the truth is, it is something I am grateful for everyday! It is what makes a marriage keep going, even through the rough times. It is what makes my daughters so incredibly precious to me. It is what keeps family relationships and friendships deep and meaningful. And it is what brought Jesus to the cross for me. 

“Love is a force more formidable than any other. It is invisible – it cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to transform you in a moment, and offer you more joy than any material possession could.”   Barbara de Angelis

Our cat - Day 44

We really have the sweetest cat in the world I think. He came to us with the name Felix, and it seemed to fit him so we never changed it. He is so mild mannered and sweet - which is the perfect cat to have when you have kids I think! He is completely an outdoor cat, but he spends much of his day looking in the window at us, so we definitely feel like he is part of the family! If he is hungry, he lets us know by either hooking the screen door with his front paw and letting it slam back closed to get our attention, rubbing a wet (and might I add squeaky!) paw on the glass door or window, or just mewing incessantly - with his own peculiar mew - until we come and feed him.  Usually, all of those methods work quite quickly! He keeps my husband company in the garage when he is working on cars or other projects, and generally walks down the driveway with whoever of us drags the garbage can down, or goes to get the mail. But I really am thankful that my kids have the opportunity to have such a sweet and loving pet.

“A man [or child!] who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.”  Mark Twain

My Guitar - Day 43

One of my most prized possessions is my guitar. The reason why? Not only is it beautiful (to look at and to play!) - but my big brother made it. That makes it super special! I will be playing it this morning as my husband and I (along with some special friends) are leading worship at our church. And every time I play it, a little part of me remembers being a teen who adored her big brother (when we weren't fighting that is!) - and fell in love with playing guitar, because of how he played. When I grow up...I want to play like him!

“A world without music would be nothing”  (Unknown)

Time Together with my Husband - Day 42

Last night I got to go with my husband to our church's Valentine's Banquet! What a fun evening we had - this is a picture my sister snapped of the two of us! (I'm still working on getting my lighting and exposure correct, but I'll get there eventually!) Anyway, I am so thankful for this man that I get to spend my life with! And even though neither of us is perfect - it is amazing to look back on how God brought us together and has blessed our marriage in so many ways! I love him more than when I married him nearly 12 years ago - and I never thought that would be possible! God is good! 

“You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love; the running across fields into your lover’s arms can only come later when you’re sure they won’t laugh if you trip.”   Jonathan Carroll

Stairs - Day 41

Last night as I was climbing the stairs up to bed, I started thinking about how cools stairs were! I mean, who thought to invent something that allows us to have building taller than one story, and not have to climb a rope or ladder to navigate between them? And they provide hours of entertainment for my daughters, who love to get a blanket and slide down them over and over! And I don't know why, but there is something inspiring about the climb, no matter how small it is.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”  Martin Luther King, Jr.

Water - Day 40

Wow - been doing this for 40 days already? How time flies! This little picture is of the creek that runs alongside the edge of our property. I was so excited, because thanks to my new camera, I could finally get the kind of picture of it I have always wanted to get of running water - so it kind of shows the motion! LOVE that! I love water - doesn't matter if it is a creek, lake, river - whatever - it is beautiful to me!

But I really am so grateful for this creek on the hot summer days, it is at least 10 degrees cooler down here than anywhere else - and in the winter time it can be so pretty! When it gets frosty, and lots of snow falls around it...gorgeous! I also love to listen to it - especially if it rains a lot and the run-off from the mountains across the road - lulls me to sleep on many a night.

“The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.”   Henry David Thoreau

Sisters and friends - Day 39

It is still kind of hard to believe that it has been warm enough for my two girls to lay in the grass and not be soaking wet, or freezing cold! The rain is supposed to come back today, but at least for a few days, we had the chance to enjoy a little taste of spring! Bring on the warm and sunny summer, playing in the year, working in the garden, ahhhh...can't wait!

“We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade.”   Caroline Norton

Carrots - Day 38

Yesterday was such a GORGEOUS day! I think it was 60 degrees outside - which for around here in February isn't exactly normal! So, when schoolwork started to go a little long, we decided to take a break and go enjoy the sunshine. I have so many good pictures, and will probably be sharing more of them in the days to come, but one of the best parts of today was finding a hidden treasure in the garden. Yep - as we walked through the garden, I remembered that I never harvested the rest of the carrots last fall, and it seems they liked staying where they were! My youngest daughter is typically quite possessive of the carrots from the garden each year, picking them, washing them, and keeping them in the fridge to be handed out to whoever she feels especially benevolent towards at any given moment. So she was delighted at our find (and harvested several more after I was done) - then spent the evening flitting around and shoving them in our unsuspecting mouths! Mine went in a yummy stir fry for dinner - a little taste of summer on a day that felt a little like a hint of summer to come!

 “What did the carrot say to the wheat? Lettuce rest, I’m feeling beet.”   Shel Silverstein

Washing Machines - Day 37

I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to laundry. I don't know why, but it is just really not my favorite job. I think it takes too long from start to finish...I mean, first you have to haul the laundry downstairs, and actually get the washing machine started. Then, you have to remember to get it in the dryer (because otherwise it starts to stink and get nasty!). Then comes the two hardest parts - folding them, and actually putting them away. And it seems that by the time you have finished all that, you have to start all over again! However, I am very grateful for my washing machine. There is a summer I remember as a child, when we were having a drought and trying to conserve water, that we used an old wringer washing to do laundry. Then, we hauled the clean rinse water to water the garden. Makes me feel really lazy when I put off just pushing a button...and please excuse the reflection on the window of the washing machine! Couldn't think of a way to get rid of that, besides cleaning the room out...hmmm...maybe today...

“I believe you should live each day as if it is your last, which is why I don’t have any clean laundry, because, come on, who wants to wash clothes on the last day of their life?”   Unknown

The Father of my Children - Day 36

Yesterday we took a drive in the mountains - it was glorious! The sun shone on us the whole day, the snow on the pass sparkled like glitter - and the time spent together was so fun! Anyway, at one of the rest stops - the girls had to climb up on the snow piles! Fortunately their Daddy was there to climb with them, and help them out when they got stuck - or at least encourage them as they got unstuck! I loved watching how brave they became after watching Daddy do something - it was like they suddenly realized it was possible...I think they also knew that rescue was possible as well! 

“A father’s love warms the heart of his children forever.”    Unknown

Sunshine through the window - Day 35

The last couple of days have been positively BEAUTIFUL!!! The sun has been glorious! So odd around here for it to be so nice in February, so I am soaking it up. This is my kitchen window - and I have to say that I don't mind doing dishes with the view I get out my window. In fact, especially on a sunny and beautiful day, I find myself loving the time that I spend doing dishes! And dishes are one of those rewarding jobs to me for some reason - it doesn't take long, and you can see the results quickly.

“Anyone’s life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit.”   Lillie Langtry

Reaching for the sun - Day 34

I have this basil plant on my windowsill. I love basil - it goes good in so many things! I also love the bit of green freshness in my kitchen when everything is dead and cold for the winter. And I am horrible at keeping houseplants alive, but for some reason, I can manage a basil plant...not really sure why? Anyway, the other day as the sun beamed through the window, I noticed how the plant was growing toward the sunlight. Makes me wonder if I am growing toward the Son as well...

“In the depths of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”  Albert Camus

The Passing of Time - Day 33

It took me almost half the day yesterday to realize that January was gone, and it was time to change the calendar over to a new month. Fortunately, this was not one of those times where I turned the page, only to notice that I had an appointment or something on the first day of the month! It seems almost impossible that one month of 2012 has come and gone already. And yet I am encouraged, first of all, by the fact that when I started the year out - I was afraid that I would run out of things to be thankful for. Silly I know, because even in a year I will probably still have so many things to be thankful for. But instead of being out of ideas, I feel like I look at everything with new eyes - and find ways to be thankful for everything (even toilet paper!)!!! So hello February - I am looking forward to spending the month with you!

“Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.”   Charles Kettering

Little conveniences - Day 32

Okay - don't laugh! Yesterday I realized that life had been a little too busy and crazy for a little two long - because I discovered that we only had one last roll of toilet paper in the house! With 3 girls in the house (counting my two daughters!) - that wasn't a very comfortable place to be! And yet I realize that people survived just fine long before there was toilet paper...and flush toilets...and running water...basically, it is very easy to place a lot of importance on something that I could live without. At the same time, have I really ever stopped to be grateful that someone invented toilet paper? And that my husband has a good job and I can buy toilet paper without even thinking twice about it? Makes you stop and think a little, doesn't it?

“I just want a few things I can treasure. So the things I do have, I’ll appreciate – like toilet paper.”   Alicia Sliverstone