Goodbye 2015

2015 has had its ups and downs. I hope that 2016 has more ups.

Challenges

• Last school year we had a lot of homework battles. Often we were not finishing up homework until 9 or 10 o'clock at night. 
• I was sick off and on from April through August. My collapsed gallbladder was removed in August, I have felt much better. 
• I messed up a tendon in my foot earlier this month, so I have been in a walking boot for the last three weeks. I don't recommend stepping on a hickory nut husk.
• We live in the black hole of crappy internet service. We have the fastest service in our area, that is reminiscent of dial up speeds. Faster internet service is in our area, but unfortunately has not made it to our neighborhood. I might just have to start calling once a month to inquire if they have gotten around to our neighborhood yet. They are going to LOVE me.

Blessings

• Pumpkin is in 3rd grade and Princess is in 1st grade. Time sure does fly!
• Princess had a good report at the eye doctor last January. We only have to go once a year instead of every three to six months. Yay!
• Pumpkin has a wonderful teacher this school year. She has been able to cut down on the tattling in the classroom, which has resulted in better behavior on his part.
• The kids favorite movie this year is Minions. 
• Pumpkin finally passed his first spelling test of the year this month. The teacher has reassured us that he will not be held back next school year in regards to spelling.
• In the spring, I celebrated 15 years at my work place.  
• A local autism support group was started in our community. It is good to be able to talk with other parents and educators that understand.
• Princess also has a great teacher. I volunteered to help with gingerbread house decorating a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed myself, which is rare when volunteering at school. Most parents shun me when they figure out who my son is because they just don't understand and we don't advertise that he has ADHD, ASD, and SPD. They just figure that we are terrible parents that don't care because of the behaviors they see or hear about from their children.
• I cut back my hours at work to be able to pick the kids up from school. Homework battles have decreased and we are finishing our homework faster. Yay!!!!!!
• We were able to save some money back to purchase a new laptop. Our desktop that we still use is ten years old. Now more than one family member can use the computer at a time. Which is a good thing since we use SpellingCity, MobyMax, Multiplication.com and Quizlet to do homework and study.
• Pumpkin learned to ride a bike without training wheels!
• We survived the school Christmas concert without incident.
• Pumpkin was able to attend a specialized camp over the summer that focused on social skills and utilized ABA therapy. We have noticed a difference this school year. Two thumbs up!
• Princess enjoys helping great grandma make pancakes in the mornings before school.
• We went and saw our first ever Christmas Day movie. We saw the newest Star Wars movie as a family. It was good, but I am not giving anything away for those who have not seen it yet.

Hubby and the kids with cut-outs from the Star Wars movies.

What we are looking forward to

• Hubby and I are looking forward to the last season of Downton Abbey.
• I am hoping that the kids take on more chores and household responsibilities this coming year. Our biggest challenge is keeping our rooms clean.
• We are going to be an aunt and uncle again. So far we have eight nieces and nephews.
• I hope to conquer some of the clutter in the house. I may have to enlist some help.

Well, gotta go! We are having a Hobbit movie marathon this evening. Currently, we are in the midst of watching the second movie. The third movie may need to wait until tomorrow.

Winter Beauty

Winter can be magical.

Winter can be beautiful.

Winter can be comforting.

Winter can shine a light.

 Winter can be colorful.

Winter can inspire awe.

Winter can be calming.

Winter can be fun.

Winter can hold dreams.

Have a wonderful & blessed day my friends!

Spotlight Sunday

I am issuing a challenge:

Every Sunday from now (October 19) through the end of November, I challenge you to spotlight something positive happening in your community on some form of social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc.). Hence, Spotlight Sunday!

I am concerned about all of the negativity that I see on social media. Usually it is picked up from what people see or hear through the media or acquaintances. There is just as much positive as there is negative for every community, but what seems to get selected to share is more often than not negative. Every single community across this world has at least one, if not more, positive things that often is overlooked. If you want to change how others view your community, then change must first happen within yourself. 

We need to start the change. So what is great and positive about your community? During the upcoming week look for something unique, wonderful, positive about your community to share with your friends, then each Sunday post, tweet, pin what you found. It is a fun treasure hunt and maybe you can even convince your friends to join along, together we can change negativity into positivity one post at time. Are you up for the challenge?

Happiness in the Small Things

Ahh!! New sheets! 

So fresh, so crisp, so wonderful! 

Nothing like new sheets! 

I splurged with my birthday money a few weeks ago and purchased a new set of sheets from Target. We just finally put them on the bed last night. 

I love the burnt orange color and white pattern that runs across the fabric. 

So fall like and not too girly!

Heaven! A freshly made bed is just heaven! 

We even took the time to rotate the mattress. We should do this more often, I woke up without my back hurting. Yay!

Besides these wonderful new sheets, I also like new hot-off-the-press books. The smell of a fresh new book is glorious and is also a rare treat! 

What do you like to have that is new?

Ten Years

Hubby and I recently celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. On top of that we dated for five years before getting married, so we have been together for fifteen years. Wow! 

Ten years ago, I was working two part-time jobs. I had a student loan and a car loan. I was living with grandma and grandpa. My baby sister was still in high school. Mom and dad were both healthy. I would not quite envision the life I have now back then.
 

We paid for our wedding mostly out of our own pockets. Grandma made my wedding dress. My wedding ring was my great-grandma's. We got married in my little country church, who doors have since been shut. I made up prairie flower arrangements for the front of the church, complete with rattlesnake master. Dad walked me down the aisle. Mom and step dad #2 made it to the wedding, mine is the only one she attended. We had a simple reception at an outdoor pavilion. We did not have a fancy honeymoon, just one night away.  We had Hawaiian pizza for our first meal. 

We temporarily moved into an apartment and at one time talked about building a home. I dreamed of a home with a creek and pond. We wanted to live in the country. We wanted to have one or two kids after we paid off my student loan. I dreamed of a full time job.

Ten years later, I still love my hubby. We have two beautiful children. Both are special in their own way. One has autism and the other vision problems. Every day is an adventure into the unknown. I am still working part-time. We live in a house that hubby's grandparent's built. Thankfully we do have a creek and pond, even though we are in town. My grandma and sister live near by. Grandpa and mom are gone. Dad has had two bone marrow transplants. I have learned that dreams are just that, dreams. The future never turns out how we envision. I have learned that it is best to just take one day at a time. 

I am thankful for my blessings. I am thankfully for hubby. I am thankful for Pumpkin and Princess. I am thankful for grandma. I am thankful for my dad. I am thankful for my sister. I am thankful for grandma R. I am thankful for hubby's family. I am thankful for a roof over my head. I am thankful for food to eat. I am thankful for freedom of religion. I am thankful for clean fresh air. I am thankful for the beauty of nature. I am thankful for so many things.

I do not know what the future holds, but I hope to have many more years with my wonderful, caring hubby.

Count Your Blessings

"Count your blessings!  Name them one by one!"

I have a wonderful, supportive husband! Yay!

I have two quirky, lovable children! Yay!
 
After eight weeks of the unknown, I have found out that I do not have cancer! Yay!
 
I have had a chance to take some cool nature photography! Yay!
 
I have some really awesome friends that have offered  encouragement and advice! Yay!
 
After seven weeks, my very first bladder infection is finally gone! Yay!
 
We have an official diagnosis for Pumpkin! Yay!
 
I have some amazing prayer warriors that have been keeping my family and I in their prayers! Yay!
 
I treasure the words of encouragement and support from my school teacher cousin, nearby mother-in-law, and nearby sister-in-law.

We were fortunate to have a friend sell us a relatively new iPad mini for Pumpkin! Yay!
 
Over seven weeks, my ovarian cyst has gone from the size of a lemon to completely disappeared! Yay!
 
I am thankful for my faith in God!  Yay!

I am not quite there yet, but I finally starting to feel half-way normal again! Yay!

A Mother's Love- Part 2

My quilt is finally done.  It took time and love on grandma's part and it is absolutely beautiful!  

The blocks were embroidered by my mom and great grandma.  See A Mother's Love- Part 1 for the back story.  
 

Grandma allowed me to design how I wanted the quilt to look.  I envisioned a garden.  The embroidered blocks I wanted surrounded by a stain glass inspired gate in memory of grandpa.  I wanted a wandering chain of flowers between the inner gate and outer border. When grandma completed the quilt, she had a local lady machine quilt it before sewing the binding on.

It was quite the project.  But I am so thankful that I have something to keep my mom, grandpa, and great grandma in my memories.  And one day when grandma goes to join them, I will also remember her love in creating this beautiful quilt.

Ode to Hubby

I love my hubby!  Even though I have been sick for the past six days, he has been remarkable helpful.
 

Here are some of the little things that have made me smile:
- He took a few hours off work Saturday to take me to the doctor.
- He braved the zoo by himself with the kids.
- He gave the kids ice cream for dinner one night.
- He grilled me a hamburger. 
- He is a wonderful daddy!
- He took Princess to her six month eye doctor appointment.
- He went with me to Pumpkin's special education meeting.
- He made me rye toast.
- He brought home pizza, then put away the leftovers, and did the dishes.

How did I get so lucky??

Spring is Around the Corner

We have been keeping ourselves busy lately.

Blessings
- Pumpkin's class had achievement testing last week, so as a result an entire week of NO homework.  Yay!!!!!
- We have spent quality time with family and friends.
- I received an amazing and uplifting letter this week.
- We splurged and went out to eat at a nearby restaurant and were surprised that it was a kids eat free night. 
- The days are getting warmer!

Projects
- Hubby put the kids' birthday presents from grandpa together this past week.
- I cleaned the homework table off this week and have been trying to keep it clear.
- I would like to try to tackle and organize the great room during the month of April.

Wildlife
- We have seen sholvers, mallard ducks, great blue heron, kingfisher, grey fox, white tailed deer, cardinals, dark eyed juncos, Canada geese, raccoon, and green sunfish in the yard this week.
- Pumpkin and Princess encountered a crawdad (crayfish) in the creek today.  Unfortunately it gave them quite a fright and they had to be rescued by Daddy.
-  Out and about, I have seen green winged teal, turkeys, red bellied woodpecker, cooper's hawk, red eared slider, turkey vulture, sea gulls, and so much more.

Reading
- Pumpkin has been enjoying listening to Roscoe Riley Rules: Don't Swap Your Sweater for a Dog by Katherine Applegate.
- Hubby just finished reading Watchers at the Pond by Franklin Russell.
- I have been reading Unmending The Veil by Lisa Heaton on the Kindle.  I just started reading The Get Yourself Organized Project by Kathi Lipp yesterday. 
- Princess has been listening to a variety of books too.

Cooking
- The brussel sprouts were yummy!  

Garlic Parmesan Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients
fresh brussel sprouts
sea salt
cracked pepper
garlic salt
2 tablespoons light olive oil
fresh parmesan

Instructions
Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash and quarter brussel sprouts.  Toss with olive oil and spread on baking sheet.  Season with sea salt, cracked pepper, and garlic salt to taste.  Bake for 15-18 minutes.  Add parmesan and bake for additional 2 minutes.

- Tonight we tried garlic butter asparagus.  Yum again!  Can you tell that we like garlic?!?

Garlic Butter Asparagus

Ingredients
1 bunch asparagus
4 garlic cloves
1/2 stick butter

Instructions
Dice garlic cloves and cube butter add to a skillet on medium high heat.  Add cleaned asparagus spears (I removed the bottom 1/2 inch of the stalk) to the skillet once the butter is melted.  Saute for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cabin Fever

February is suppose to be the shortest month, but this month is seeming to last FOREVER.  Winter is nice.  We need winter so nature can rest before all of the beautiful colors burst forth.  I usually do not mind it much, but this winter.  There are just no words for it.  It could be the cabin fever talking by now.  

I dream of going outside wearing shorts and t-shirts.  I dream of the prairie sway in the warm breeze.  I dream of spring time irises and jack-in-the pulpit.  I dream of burgers on the grill.  I look forward to visiting the zoo and chasing butterflies.  I look forward to walking around the pond and watching lightening bugs.  I look forward to warmer temperatures.  

Instead . . . we have had snow.  We have had three weeks of sickness and high fevers.  We have had two days of sick homework to make up for Pumpkin.  Oh boy!  Homework is always a battle.  Today, we have freezing rain and snow.  As the ice thickens outside the odds are increasing that we will lose power before day is out.  

Ice is the part of winter that I like the least.  Ice causes broken toes.  Ice causes broken trees.  Ice causes explosions as power lines fall.  Ice causes sirens to sound.  Ice causes those blasted sweet gum balls to fall.  Did you know that they sound like rocks hitting the house?  

Ice brings back memories of the ice storm seven years ago.  The ice storm that left at least 80% without power.  The ice storm that splintered the power pole that supplied electricity to our house and our neighbor's.  That pole crashed into the ground just feet from our bedroom, spilling the contents of the transformer container into the ground.  The ice storm that sent electrical workers from across the United States and Canada to our area to fix the damage.  I would see convoys of 10 to15 power trucks at a time traveling along the roads in our area.  The ice storm that send the National Guard from door to door to check on the welfare of others.  The ice storm that took months and months to clean up.  The ice storm that still gives me nightmares.  I hope and that pray that this storm is not to that magnitude. 

Here are some pictures from that storm:

We have been listening to the tinking of the ice crystals against the windows today.  We have heard limbs breaking and crashing today.  We have watched the ice grow thicker and thicker today.  The streets are flooding with the freezing rain because the storm drains are plugged with ice and snow.  We have been listening to the sounds of ambulances and fire trucks.  It has been snowing for the last few hours.  That is sure to add extra excitement to the day.  I hope that we do not receive too much snow.  The weight of the snow may cause even more damage and destruction to the already ice covered trees and power lines.

In the midst of all that is going on, here are a few blessings.  Princess is fully recovered.  Pumpkin is on the mend.  Hubby and I have yet to succumb to any sickness that has plagued the family.  We have been enjoying playing a birthday gift game- Don't Break The Ice.  We have been warm and have not hungered this winter. Grandma has completed my long awaited quilt top.  Thank goodness for the gift of PBS and Downton Abbey.  Last but not least, I am very happy for the blessing of President's Day, so the kids and I did not need to travel in this icky weather.

Well I better go check on my two tornadoes.  Stay warm and safe! 

Snow Day

Oh the weather outside is frightful.

But the fire is so delightful.

And since we've no place to go.

Let it snow!  Let it snow!  Let it snow!

And snow it has!  I have heard anywhere from 8 to 10 inches of snow.  So, we had a snow day today!  

View from our garage door.

That dark blob between the two trees to the right is one of our yew bushes out near the road.  

Just past the bushy blob is the sidewalk then the roadway.

The kids spent the day playing and I spent about three hours shoveling snow.  Thankful, I had some help for our very long, long, long driveway.  A nice gentleman stopped to see if we needed the driveway plowed and I politely told him that I did not have any extra money to spend and thanked him for stopped by.  We have actually never splurged to have our driveway plowed.  I am sure that it would cost an arm and a leg since it has to be at least 100 feet in length if not more.  The nice gentleman decided to plow a path from the garage to the road for free.  What a wonderful blessing from God!  I made sure to note the business on the side of the truck, so hopefully in the future if we need a handyman he will be on the list to call.  Hubby finished shoveling after he got home from work this evening.  I have a feeling that I may have overdid it on the shoveling, so ibuprofen will most likely be my friend tomorrow.

Last night we made and sampled our first snow ice cream.  We filled a bowl with fresh snow.  Then mixed in white sugar, a touch of vanilla extract, and milk until it was the consistency of ice cream.  Hubby and I liked it.  Princess thought it was too cold and Pumpkin did not like it one bit.

Princess has been sick for over a week now.  She had the stomach flu early last week, then had a high fever for four days spreading over this past weekend.  We saw the pediatrician on Monday.  She is on antibiotics and eye drops.  Monday afternoon was the last of the fever.  Thankful, no one else has fallen to illness yet in the household.

We have had the kids birthdays spread in the mix since the last post.  I am reserving my comments on all of festivities until after we have their joint birthday party.  It does look promising for sledding though!

F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Faith-  Family is all about faith.  Faith in your spouse.  Faith that your hubby will help with a few chores.  Faith that your spouse will surprise you with a date night every so often.  Faith in your children.  Faith that they will actually clean up after their selves (Ha ha ha- this rarely happens, but a girl can dream).  Faith in God.  Faith that even on the cloudy and stormy days of life that good will eventually shine through.  Faith that no matter what someone loves you.  Faith that no matter how bad you mess something up that someone will be there that understands.  Faith of love, family, and friends definitely make the world go round.

Adventure-  With family you have built-in adventures.  Even a trip outside the house can be an adventure.  Last Saturday I saw a pumpkin that was starting to get a little mushy on our back porch.  So I decided to place it under a tree so the animals in the neighborhood could eat it.  As I approached the tree. . . . whump!  Down I went.  The pumpkin sailed through the air.  I had step in a hole that the kids had dug over the summer while looking for earthworms.  Unfortunately for me it had not been filled in and said hole was covered in leaves.  Of course the kids thought it was a fun adventure and ran circles around me laughing and playing as I laid on the ground.  You know the saying: The taller they are, the harder they fall.  That is so true!  I ended up spraining my ankle and twisting my knee in the fall.  I called my grandma (hubby was at work) and she came over.  Grandma and Pumpkin carried a chair over to me so I had some leverage to get off the ground.  Needless to say hubby has now filled the hole in temporarily with hickory nut hulls until we can get some dirt to fill the hole in with.  My ankle is still mending and I will definitely have to be careful when it comes to black ice this winter. 

Meaningful- When you have family to share with even the simplest things become more meaningful.  New family traditions are started and old ones are carried on.  On Thanksgiving we always have Hawaiian sweet rolls.  Mom would always ensure it while growing up, so I have continued this tradition.  Typically the day after Thanksgiving we decorate our Christmas tree.  Each year we make simple paper ornaments and applesauce ornaments to adorn the tree along the with the tried and true ornaments.  On Christmas Eve everyone gets to open ONE present an hour or two before bedtime.  Hubby and I got engaged on Christmas Eve.  So we also drink a bottle of sparkling grape juice every year on Christmas Eve.  On New Year's Day we take down all of the holiday adornment from around the house.  We have turned Valentine's Day into family game night.  I am sure that as the years go and the kids get bigger family traditions will come and go, but the togetherness is the meaningful part of the experience.

Imagination-  Imagination and a sense of humor is a must when it comes to family.  The kids really enjoy it when I pretend to be a hungry tickle monster chasing them through the house.  They scream with joy as they dodge me and laugh hysterically when I capture and tickle them to death.  They enjoy building forts and destroying the sun room in the process.  They definitely use their imaginations when they draw and color to create their own beautiful masterpieces.

Love-  Love is must when it comes to family.  As a parent we are to have unconditional love for our children.  Sometimes this is easier said than done.  Children are easy to love when they are minding their p's and q's.  They are easy to love when they are sick or injured.  Sometimes it is more of a challenge when they have been causing mischief.  We love our kids unconditionally, but that is not to say that we are disappointed when they tell a tall tell. Or when they have a behavior note sent home from school.  We try to sit down with them and try to think about what we should do differently next time.  With Pumpkin we have to have him repeat his solutions several times to help ensure that he takes responsibility for what we talked about.  For example "Listen to the teacher." "Eye contact." "No swinging hats." "Respect authority." "No running in the classroom."  Etc . . . . . Kids can try their parent's patience at times.  Sometimes with Pumpkin I need a break to cool down before looking for a solution to the problem.  I am big on hugs.  Hugs help with all problems and are a great way to say "I love you!"

Youthful-  Spending time with those you love keeps you youthful.  You are only as young as you feel and children definitely keep a person feeling young.  Kids have very interesting perspectives on life and you NEVER know what they are going to say or do.    I always hear a few kidisms a day but right now I can not think of any to share.  I'll have to remember to write some down to share at another time.

What does F.A.M.I.L.Y. mean to you?

Fall Family Woodland Adventure

A couple weekends ago we took a hike through the forest and prairie of a local conservation area.  The kids had a lot of fun and they found a lot of leaves, seeds, and twigs.

Pumpkin seemed to be the most entranced by sycamore bark that was rolled into tubes strewed across the dry creek bed of a ford.  Princess enjoyed all of the pretty leaves.  A few nights before the hike we had a hard frost so in areas the ground was carpeted with green paw-paw leaves.