Only 22 days until the 3 oldest birds are home for the summer!
Oh...I do love them home...
I miss them while they are at school.
Our nest is quite without them stirring and fussing.
I could not help but be reminded how much they all love me...
Being Mother's day and all...
I have made note of the small acts of "treasures" they do for me each day...
For example...

Leaving a jacket in a heap on the couch...

Or Stinky socks on the floor....
Oh and lets not forget the lovely well that was made at scouts....
And the endless amounts of flip flops...
(there are a lot of flip flops to be had in a family of 7)

As I fluttered around this morning in my oh so lovely apron and pearls
I was grateful to find these small "treasures" tucked about our nest...
Instead of picking them up and putting them all away I left them there...
each time I passed I noted...
Only 22 days left until my little birds are home with me...

Sticks and Stones...

Sadly, I have allowed the grains of "sand" to fester and become large pebbles. I have ended up collecting them you see... placing them in my pocket for safe keeping.... I'm not sure if the comments a person I am in contact with are meant to be unkind or if a naivety plays a large part. Normally, my "thick skin" protects my heart... but please... don't point out skin color to try to connect with me. I don't really like that approach... It has become a bit hurtful.

If this is where you have to go to try for my friendship please don't bother.

Am I glad that you are more aware of others around you?
Of course I am...

Do I care that you see someone that looks like us?
No, Not really.

Have I, myself naively opened my mouth with unkind words in my past hoping for a friendship?
Of course... A few weeks after Noah was born I approached another mother. She was white. Her baby was not. I asked when she adopted her baby. She snapped back that she had not adopted. I was so ashamed of my stereotyping... I was so embarrassed. My palms still break to a cold sweat each time I see this mother with her children. I choose my words a bit more carefully these days.

A needed chat with a friend today help me realize that there is a portion of the world that find the adoption world a bit peculiar. And that it's okay... I like this peculiar world I'm in...
So I am going to set this sadness I am holding tightly too go.... set it free and love is incredible life I have been so generously given.
So to sum this whole thing up ladies... "Sticks and Stones!

all photos are by the photo zoo and can be found here

You may just be able to avoid seeing the doctor...

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart only good for so many beats, and that it...don't waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer; it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef also good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And pork chop can give you 100% of recommended daily allowance of vegetable product.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all.. Wine made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that mean they take water out of fruity bit so you get even more of goodness that way. Beer also made of grain. Bottom up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have body and you have fat, your ratio one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No pain...good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU NOT LISTENING! Food are fried these day in vegetable oil. In fact, they permeated by it. How could getting more vegetable be bad for you?!?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise muscle, it get bigger. You should only be doing sit-up if you want bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy?!? HEL-LO-O!! Cocoa bean! Another vegetable! It best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming good for your figure, explain whale to me..

Q: Is getting in shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO-HOO, what a ride!!"

AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.
4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

On the move...

Oh, my Little Miss Z...
You can really get around.

On Sunday I didn't notice you were close to the stairs
until I saw you here...

Not as happy as you were today...
In fact...
you were hanging to that last step for dear life...
SCREAMING for help..
Not crying...
Screaming....
You continued to holler at anyone
who'd pay mind to you...
I know, I know...
you had a story to tell!
You can really give us a good cussing out you know...

You were mad at Daddy yesterday for letting the candle stick you pulled down hit you on the for head...
Boy did he get it!

We are trying to keep up with you really...
Really, we are...
It's just your so dang fast!!!

It's the first day of SPRING today...
THE FIRST DAY!!!
And what am I greeted with?
Snow...
Stupid SNOW...
dam-it...
Just yesterday morning I was greeted with sunshine... sweet song birds greeting the morning... warmth...

It was the first day in a long time I greeted Ammon's shorts with a smile... He seemed a bit in shock that I didn't mention that maybe he should wear some pants because it was WINTER... he loves his shorts. I do too.. really... love that he loves to wear shorts... but in the winter? Mom's have to draw the line somewhere... right?

I found the perfect Spring project here for my front door... So I let the house go
Let the kids play ghost in the graveyard...
with 2 of the cutest girls in town...
Let Zion play with her BFF Ella...
while I along with my crafty Sister Melissa
cut and pinned burlap circles...






Happy birthday Carol...I made two... which one do you want?

Mad Hatter...

Remember the one where I neglect??? Still doing it.

Neglect?

It all started with a casual question while in Disney... "Do the girls in Missouri wear the crochet headbands too?" "Crochet headbands???? What a FANTASTIC idea! I'm sure I can make some of those!!!" The research began once I came home. Patterns were chosen, tutorials were watched... YARN was purchased and the fun began! I've even pulled two pretty ladies in the idea with me!!!
Each time My Marc-a-Roni sees me start a new crochet "obsession" he lovely refers to them as "neglect rags" I imagine he eats his words when he sees the pretty little piece on our Jordie's head. If "neglect" looks like this you all better just turn me in... cuz I'm on a roll!

Stay tuned for a peek at a rockin' little ditty for our Noah Boy...