Dreaming

Spending a lot of time this week thinking about warmth, I wonder why. I can almost remember what it feels like. In fact the other day there was a break in the cold and the temp reached 50 degrees. I was smiling. An honest to goodness, authentic, just because I'm alive kind of smile. It has since vanished, replaced with the just getting by, crazy in the eyes sorta smile. I hope someday soon to be back to my old self, with my old shorts on, complaining about how hot it is. My view

As you may have guessed, living in a rented townhouse leaves me with little to do as far as decorating and organizing-which is one of my favorite past times. I even like to clean and this place has left me uninspired to scrub and dust. We have been here four months and there are still drawers in the kitchen that I refuse to open. It is just very used. I am looking forward to a house, not sure when that will happen, but definitely looking forward to it.
One room in this place that I decided to make my own was the laundry room. You just better watch out when I start to stamp. One of these days Holden will probably show up to school with his name stamped across his forehead. That's how much I love to label with my stamps!
So I got to work on labeling my baskets and tying them with pretty ribbon. Just a little color to brighten a very dull job.

34+

Thank you everyone for making my birthday so special. I had a great day opening all my packages and cards that arrived from around the United States. I escaped the house early to see a movie and have lunch with my very best friend Becca. I really needed some girl time and she let me go on and on about getting older and wrinkle control. I'm pretty tickled to be back in Des Moines celebrating all of life's little accomplishments and milestones with her.

I used to hate being the "baby" of the family but how lucky am I to have had such wonderful sisters literally every day of my life. I miss you and love you so very much.

This little boy is just too much. Look at those dance moves. I know what your thinking, Holden must have clobbered him and that's why he is crying. In most scenarios that would be accurate, but this time he just hit himself in the head with binoculars. Asher is the sweetest little bug around and the best part is he knows it. When Todd comes home in the evening the boys(that includes the dog) head upstairs to catch up on the latest UTube videos. Asher's favorites are the semi truck races. He loves the smoke billowing out of the stacks and the rattle of the engines. Todd plays parts of Smokey and Bandit and he and Asher just cheer and high five over it. I don't get it-and that's a good thing. The minute I show genuine interest Todd will have me strapped into a truck and trailer delivering produce to California. I can just hear him now "You said you wanted to go on vacation Sarah" ummm..not quite what I had in mind. Anyways, Asher takes after his daddy for sure and that is fun to watch.

Question...How do you know if your an organizational junkie? If a bright blue plastic HotWheels over the door pocket organizing thingy gives you more joy that it was ever designed to. I think I have a problem! My project for this week was to bring some sort of order to the play room, while secretly throwing out all the stupid toys that drive my crazy. Those things are usually the ridiculous kids meal toys, or the strings, stickers and paper scraps Holden just can't part with. I thought Holden going to preschool was going to be a fabulous time for me to collect my head and regain my sanity . Instead it has seriously made my house a cluttery pile of half done color sheets and glitter glue ornaments. His preschool teachers need to go green! Better get going. Holden just woke up with a temp of 101-uggg . I can't stand winter, for more reasons than just all these yucky illnesses, but I'll gave to discuss that later.(excuse my sourness, my birthday is only 36 hours away. And if you know me , you know I can't get over it)

Joy

The best part about setting up this blog so far is finding out that other friends have them as well! I am so happy to be able to check in on every ones life and see pictures of their kids. Getting a chance to "talk" with old friends is fabulous and has made me think about how much we miss Cincinnati. Well, not Cincinnati but the friends we made there. I know I speak for Holden and Asher when I say there are three things we miss terribly. The girls and their kids in playgroup(I wish I had a picture of everyone-Donna, Natasha and Corie are not in this photo) , Joanie and her farm, and Madison and Tina.

I still get teary eyed when I think of Madison, Holden's very best friend in the neighborhood. They shared the same love for animals and adventure, with a little bit of dare devil mixed in. Every afternoon Holden would hound me about finding her in the neighborhood. It never failed that when we did she would scream his name, her arms would fly open and she was running full speed to pick him up and twirl him around. Holden couldn't get enough of that spirited little girl.

These two bathing beauties have run me ragged all ready this week

I am sorry to anyone who has ever purchased a gift for our kids, apparently all they wanted was a box. This box has seen several WEEKS of play. It has been a jail, a bear cave, a rocket ship, a boat, a house,and the best so far...a dinosaur egg. So you know what to get them next Christmas :)

If I made a New Years resolution this year(don't believe in them) it would have been to feed my family better. If you know them, you know how picky they can be. Number one pickiest is my wonderful husband. He has single handedly sucked all the fun out cooking for me. He always points out that he eats what I make, but only after he doctors it up in some absolutely disgusting and inappropriate way. Since we have had kids I have tried like crazy to keep the mayo and shredded cheese off the dinner table, but I am out numbered! Holden is in love with ranch dressing and I don't think Asher even likes it, but since big brother is all about it he has to dip as well. They do a pretty good job at trying their veggies, but it is always a struggle and I know they never eat enough. I heard about this book, it is all about smuggling veggies into your kids favorite foods. Carrot puree in meatball soup, cauliflower in banana bread, even spinach into brownies. So I spent time last night steaming, pureeing and labeling all sorts of veggies. Honestly it was a lot of work but I am happy to say they gobbled down sweet potato pancakes this morning with virtually no complaints. Today I feel deceptively brilliant. It is hard to out smart a four year old!

Todd was in Texas all last week, needless to say the boys and I missed him like crazy. When he emailed this photo Holden and Asher were kissing and hugging the monitor screen. Asher went nuts for the trucks and talked about them endlessly.

My word for this year is peace. Mainly because I am always in need of some, and also because it is what I pray the world finds. I have placed this word all over the house as a reminder to stop and breathe and most importantly take a moment to thank God for all that He has done in my life to give me peace. This little tag also makes me smile because the bird makes me think of my mom. And she is always one of my nicest thoughts. So peace be with all of you today and everyday after

Holden was the photographer on this shot-future paparazzi?