My couch - Day 91

I love our couch! We spend the first several years of our marriage with hand-me down couches (which I was super grateful for!) - but when we finally went shopping and got our first new couches, it was so exciting!!! And these ones are so comfy! I love snuggling on the couch with my family and watching a movie together.

“I can’t just sit around and do nothing. Although, I can sit on the couch sometimes and just watch movies.”  Brian Austin Green

Knowingness - Day 90

I love this picture! Wish I knew what was going through her head sometimes! I just love this girl to pieces!

“The knowingness of little girls, is hidden underneath their curls.”    Phyllis McGinley

Pretty little things...Day 89

I love buttons. It may sound strange, but they make me happy. I mean, think about it! A little jar of buttons is like a rainbow in a bottle! 

I do use them...I'm not yet a button hoarder, even though I've been tempted on occasion! But I definitely think they should be stored where they can be seen and enjoyed until they are used! It is something little like this that reminds me to see the beauty and joy in every little thing - each and every day!

“Every day may not be good…but there is something good in every day.”    Unknown

Braving something new - Day 88

Yep - I'm gonna show a picture of me! And even me doing something that I was a little chicken to attempt! I'm sure it sounds ridiculous to you brave sort of people - but I'm not that good at attempting something I've never tried before. So when the opportunity this past weekend arose to strap on snowshoes and go on a trek, I was a {{{little}}} unsure of myself. But, I did it! Do you know how good it feels to tackle something you are pretty sure is going to help you make a fool of yourself, and actually accomplish it? Yep...that's pretty much how I feel!

“Conquering any difficulty always gives one a secret joy, for it means pushing back a boundary-line and adding to one’s liberty.”    Henri Frederic Amiel

The Love of my Life - Day 87

What a fun weekend! It was such a treat to get away together and celebrate our anniversary! Here is a pic of us - out snowshoeing!!! It was my first attempt at that - and while I felt a bit awkward and like a duck - it was SOOO much fun! (This is taken with my old point and shoot - 'cause I didn't want to lug my nice camera around in the snow!) 

I love doing stuff together! And trying new things! Life is always a new adventure, if you let it be!

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”   Mignon Mclaughlin

Looking ahead - Day 86

I love that even after 12 years of marriage - we have so much to look forward too! I love sharing our hopes, dreams, and adventures together! 

“Our anniversary is a time to look back at the good times and a time to look ahead to live our dreams together.”   Catherine Pulsifer

Anniversary - Day 85

Today is the day we celebrate our marriage - 12 years of it to be exact! I feel like I am starting to get old enough that I look at this picture and think, "Wow...we look so YOUNG!" In my head, I still feel this young, but the mirror is starting to tell me otherwise! 

I am so happy to be standing here today though and be able to say that I love my husband more today than on the day I married him. At the time, I didn't think it was possible - but it is so amazing how when you make the choice through the hard times, disagreements, and hurts to always choose love - God honors that I believe. No, it hasn't all been perfect, but I wouldn't trade it for the world! I love you Michael!

“Marriage is choosing someone again and again to love and to cherish with each new dawn.”   Jewish Proverb

Wedding planning memories - Day 84

Tomorrow we will be celebrating 12 years of marriage. Wow...where did the time go?!?!?! Makes me think back to those (long) days of wedding planning - and the excitement of reaching the day before and the Rehearsal dinner. By then, you just can't wait to be married! I remember still so well, standing there on my last day of being single...and while it was a new adventure, and there was a lot of unknowns - I was SOOO excited! Am I the only one?

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”    Nora Ephron

Today's Moments - Day 83

The other day I was looking at these pictures on the wall...and remembering. It seems like I blinked, and 5 years passed. Wait a minute...that is exactly what happened! My little girls are growing up - but I love these pictures of them when they were beginning ballet lessons. When their hands would barely touch above their heads because their arms were still so short. When wearing a ballet dress was the most exciting thing in the world. And when it took so little for them to feel beautiful. My mission is to keep as many of those things active for as long as possible...except maybe the arms touching over their heads. They have grown up too much for that to stay that way!

“Today’s moments are tomorrow’s memories.”  Unknown

Frosted Grass - Day 82

Ironically, as I chose yesterday to be grateful for the rain that was falling (instead of snow!) - I woke up to this outside my window again. Yep...more snow. Stretching the gratitude a bit maybe? However, as the day went on, it turned out to be the most sunny, beautiful, and glorious day we have had in a while! And it sure did look pretty in the morning, with all the blades of grass coated and looking frosted  and the sun shining across it all! 

“A snowflake is one of God’s most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!”    Unknown

Letting it Rain - Day 81

Yesterday was another one of those days when it simply poured down rain! I have to say - it is better than the snow that wants to fall lately! The rain at least feels a bit more "spring-like" - or so it seems! And since there is nothing I can do about it - I will spend my time looking for the sun to come out and make me a rainbow!

“The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain.”    Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Little girls - Day 80

I love my girls. I don't think there are enough ways, or enough times I can say it. I know they tend to take over here a little, but I can't help it! I look at them as this amazing gift that God has given me - and it is more wonderful, challenging, rewarding, and amazing than I ever could have dreamed. And I love them more than I ever dreamed would be possible.

“Courage, determination, pride…that’s what little girls are made of.”   Unknown

Too many pictures - Day 79

I know sometimes my kids get tired of the camera...but I know that I will regret the pictures I didn't take, not the ones I took too many of! And digital photography makes it so much easier to take too many pictures and not feel guilty! So...I will continue to take too many! Because I don't think there is any such thing as enough!

“…So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you’ve never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you’ll never get back.”   Unknown

Dreams - Day 78

I love listening to my girls dreams for the future...and how much they change from year to year - sometimes even from day to day! I know they are moments that I will look back on and treasure as I watch them grow and live their dreams...

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”    Eleanor Roosevelt

Little Me - Day 77

Sometimes I am amazed at how much one or both of my daughters mirrors me! This is my daughter reading again...lost in whatever adventure she is imagining. Just like her mommy was (and still is...)!

“When I look at my daughter I see myself…only better.”   Unknown

Talking with my hubby - Day 76

I really enjoy talking with my husband...especially when he is out of town! This last week, the phone has been my connection to him when he is far away. I knew some anxiety last night, because I suddenly realized as it was getting late, that I hadn't talked to him since early that morning. He was on a later time zone, and he always calls me before he heads to bed, and I couldn't reach him despite numerous attempted calls. I spent a good 20 minutes getting pretty worried (and praying really hard) and then he called. Can we say relief? Needless to say, all was well, and I felt a little silly. But I sure enjoyed talking to him again this morning when he called!

“A happy marriage is a long conversation which always seems too short.”  Andre Maurois

Silent Growth - Day 75

Did you ever notice how subtle the beginning of spring is? I often feel like it suddenly springs forth from the snow and is here in all it's glory! But I've started to notice, if you look quietly, it is slowly, silently, almost sneakily creeping up on us. It doesn't need to have everyone's attention to do what God has made it to do. I could learn a lot from the silent steady growth of spring - the promise of what is to come. It is there, you just have to look for it!

“See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…we need silence to be able to touch souls.”   Mother Teresa

Spring Snow? - Day 74

It is March. So imagine my surprise to stumble downstairs this morning, trying to wake up, and glace outside to realize that the white glare on the ground wasn't the moon somehow reflecting off the wet ground, but a couple inches of SNOW! There wasn't even a warning in the weather report! It snowed for a good long portion of the day, but the ground stayed pretty warm, so it didn't stick any more after daylight arrived. I do love snow - but I kind of prefer that it stays in the right season! However...in my attempt to look for reasons to be thankful - I am grateful for the reminder that God still holds the seasons in his hands. And despite what I expect (or want) - He knows best! And I will appreciate the next warm sunny day that much more!

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.”    Anne Bradstreet

Memories - Day 73

Last evening was a bit of an accomplishment for me! I scrapbook our pictures by year - and usually keep at a rate of about a year behind (always with the dream of catching up - but I figure as long as  I don't get more behind I'm okay!) Well, I have been a bit behind for a while now - but last night I finished up the end of 2010! So now...I can begin working on 2011, and maybe close the gap a little more? Who knows...but I do know that my girls are the reason I do this. Lately they beg everyday to look at as many of these as I will let them. They love sitting and looking through pictures of when they were "little" - and I treasure the time sitting with them as they giggle over all the silly things they did when they were babies! They are growing up so fast...

“A person is neither whole nor healthy without the memories of photo albums. They are the storybook of our lives…”    Patrick Garry

Grass - Day 72

It is that time of year when the grass is growing again. Growing very well as a matter of fact! But it is also that time when you really don't want to start mowing it yet - because then you are stuck doing it until summer is long over! I love how lush and green and thick it is right now though! And it hasn't exploded with dandelions yet. I know that is coming soon. And if it wasn't always wet right now from constant rain - I would go lay in it! 

“Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.”   Hal Borland

Daylight Savings - Day 71

Daylight savings time is one of those things I have never been able to wrap my mind around. Why exactly do we need to change the time to make the day last longer? Doesn't God already do that with the change of seasons? And what difference does it make what the time on the clock says? And why do we really need to give up an hours sleep, only to get it back again in the Fall? Despite those logical questions...I am excited for long summer days to arrive. So I will choose to see this as a sign, like the buds starting to appear on the trees, that winter is beginning to die, and spring is arriving - closely followed by summer!

“I object to being told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind…”   Robertson Davies

Deep Thoughts - Day 70

I love my girls. I know I've said it a few times. But I really do. Sometimes they give me a look that just makes me melt. This was one of those looks - and I was lucky enough to catch it on camera! My little girl is little...but she is growing up so fast! I feel like this picture captures it perfectly. Sometimes I wish I could read her mind, or hear what she is thinking! The deep, deep thoughts of a little girl - full of dreams of the future!

“Who ever would think that so much went on in the soul of a young girl.”   Anne Frank

Warm Toes - Day 69

I must say that doing dishes isn't necessarily my favorite job...but on a cold morning I really don't mind too much. You see, besides the benefit of putting your hands in the nice warm water, I have this lovely little heat vent - right under my kitchen sink! It does a marvelous job of keeping my toes warm! It really is the little things in life!

“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”    Oliver Wendell Holmes

The first flowers of spring - Day 68

Yep, yesterday was the first day that one of my daughters brought me a dandelion! So it's official - spring MUST be here (and you can just ignore the snow that we got a couple of days ago - it must be irrelevant!) I know dandelions are not the most exciting flowers, but to me, they are what hints that spring is here! And who can't admire a flower that keeps reappearing, despite all attempts to eradicate it? Even when we mow our lawn, it usually isn't even an entire day before they are all back, maybe even multiplied!

I got this cute vase from my Mother-in-law almost 9 years ago as a baby shower gift - especially sized for holding "dandelion" bouquets. One of the best gifts ever! It has held so many precious flower offerings from my daughters, and I know it will hold many more!

“The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.”   Unknown

Beautiful Mountains - Day 67

Day before yesterday, it windy and rainy - absolutely poured down rain. Much to my surprise, when we woke up yesterday morning, there was a light dusting of snow on the ground (and yes, I don't pay much attention to the weather reports obviously!) Then by late morning, the sun came out, and even though it wasn't very warm outside, it was a gloriously beautiful day. I loved this picture from our backyard of the sun hitting the mountains in the distance that were covered with snow.

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”   John Ruskin

Focus - Day 66

I really do love how the world simply disappears when my daughter is reading a book. She is one of the most focused readers I have ever known! Even in her schoolwork. In fact, she is a very focused person most of the time - about anything! I love her ability to tune out the world when she wants to devote her attention to something. And I love the look on her face when she does it!

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.”   Mark Twain

Boots - Day 65

I love my boots. I have wanted a pair for a couple of years, but I am kind of a picky princess about my shoes. If they aren't comfy, it doesn't matter how cute they are - I know I won't wear them! So when I found these, and not only were they cute, but they were super comfy...and lined with the softest cozies lining possible - and on clearance - well...let's just say I was pretty happy! And they have kept my feet warm and dry so many times already! Nothing like going out in the rain or snow and knowing your feel will stay warm and dry!

“The man with the boots does not mind where he places his foot.”   Irish Proverb

Kleenex - Day 64

My youngest has been fighting a cold over the past several days. Yesterday it seems the misery factor went up significantly. She got up looking positively miserable - I asked if she had been crying, and she said, "No...I'm just blowing my nose so much it's making my eyes water!" Poor baby! Amazing how when are kids are sick we want to do anything possible to make it better. Today, I am grateful for the soft kleenex we buy - not the rough stuff that might as well be newspaper or sandpaper. I know when I'm sick and my skin is raw, it is one of the best things ever! 

“A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.”    Ogden Nash

Slowing Down - Day 63

Yesterday was one of those days that I was going to accomplish a lot...and I did, just a little differently than I planned. We were in the car, and on our way to town, when I realized that what we were going for really could wait for another day. So we turned around, came home, and snuggled on the couch and watched a movie. At first it was tempting to come home and get more stuff done, but then I decided that it was more important to spend that time with my daughters. And what a treasure it was!

“Always remember to slow down in life; live, breathe, and learn; take a look around you whenever you have time and never forget everything and every person that has the least place within your heart.”   Unknown

My Parents - Day 62

I love this picture of my mom and dad - my mom's eyes are open (a true challenge if you know my mom and pictures!) And my dad is looking at the camera without being too distracted (also a challenge!). This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago at our church's Valentine Banquet. Anyway, I realize the minority that I am in, but I am so blessed to have parents that have stayed together through the thick and thin, and not split up when the going got tough. And I know there had to have been times it got tough...anyone who has been married knows that to be true! Thanks mom and dad! I love you both!

"To understand your parents' love, you must raise children yourself."   Chinese Proverb

Persistence - Day 61

Sometimes persistence is a bad thing...like when my kids want something and persist in asking - even when I say  no! But sometimes, that same thing can pay off when they stick with it to finish something that is difficult, instead of giving up! The other day, a friend taught them to make paper cranes! I must admit, that is something that I still don't know how to make! And while my oldest can be a "bit" (okay...a LOT) of a perfectionist - she stuck with it until she got it! My youngest is quite relaxed (the opposite of a perfectionist!) - and she did it too - and they were all beautiful!!!

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' "    Mary Anne Radmacher