thinking of you

On the way home tonight,

oddly,

I changed the station.

This song was on...

and immediately,

I thought of you.

If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and
Just forget the world?

i'm just thankful

We hit the book fair today.
It was opening day.
And we were there when they unlocked the doors.
Because we also had plans for later.
I thought it would be mobbed,
but just the usual crowd.
Although, the longer we stayed the crazier it got.

Luckily, K's much like me,
she can't go more than 3 hours without eating.
Or at least having a snack.
So, at the 2 hour mark,
plus, add on a little over an hour that it took to get there,
she was spent.

This has become our trip.
Just us girls.
The two of us.



Yes, these are old, really old!

I let her spend her own money this time.
The threshold,
not set by me.
Only her.
And I was taken aback by her cautious spending.
She even put a few down,
saying if they were there next time,
she'd get them then.

She kept a running total.
At any given time,
 you could ask "how many do you have?"
Just meaning the number of books.
And she would tell you her running tally in dollars. 

Surprised me, she did.
I really thought she'd go all out.
And she used a coupon to get $5 off!
This all made me feel alright in the world.
Like I was raisin' this girl to be frugal,
a good steward.

We're even checking into selling the books online that we've read.
I'd like to think of it as kind of recycling.
Sort of.

Me, personally, I finally decided on these...
Chosen Forever is "a memoir of a horse, a book, and finding love" by Susan Richards.  I read her previous book, "Chosen By a Horse" and it was fantastic!  So, I can't wait to get into this one.

The Ten-Year Nap just sounded familiar, "the past decade has been defined largely by marriage and motherhood, but it wasn't always that."  I usually try to research the books on the preview page and while there were quite a few that had great reviews, they just didn't appeal to me, but this was one that wasn't previewed and it has mixed reviews, equally good and bad.  We'll see how it goes.

The Silent Gift, I found in the Christian Fiction and it just sounded interesting.  While I could've taken home quite a few from here and believe me, the lady standing next to me kept telling me this and that and this was great too.  She wasn't helping any, just made selecting one too difficult, but at least I know of some good reads I'll look for next go round.

My Book of Devotions about Obedience - A Guide for Parents & Kids was something I'd had my eye out for.  Just so happens, I found it discarded in the wrong section and it was meant to be, so I scooped it up!

Now, I couldn't forget the man, so I picked up 2 of the series that we have all come to know and love!  Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble and Skippyjon Jones and the Big Bones.  As soon as we arrived, he exclaimed that I had to read these to him!  And then, he listened to the CD where Judy Schachner reads the story.

Later, we headed out to see a free showing of Dumbo and spend our Kohl's cash because it was the last day to use it!  K even splurged on these, using her own money again.  My argument being "you have enough shoes for 3 kids".  She'd been wanting them for some time since she adores the ones her cousin has.  In her defense, they were on clearance (cheaper than the price online even), and with 15% off coupon in hand, I put them on my card so she could get an even better discount and she paid me back when we got home.  I got the man a pair of dress shoes for when the cool weather ushers in for $6.81!  It was a good day for shopping!

The evening, mixed with fatigue and hunger, was trying my nerves.  It all ended well when I got a text from my SIL saying to call if we were still up.  It was C's nephew's birthday and since they live a good distance away, we don't see them as often as we'd like.  We had called earlier to wish him a happy birthday, but had to leave a message.  Being the only one up, I hit send and I was happy to ask the details of his special day while I sat alone in the living room, soaking in the conversation in the hushed stillness of the house.  I was excited to hear about his special gift and how he'd occupied his day, the upcoming party he was having and the woes of having an older sister.  We talked about his chickens, how they were starting to lay, and the excitement of getting eggs.  Things all too familiar, effortless to talk about really.  Nonetheless, it was good to hear their voices and the whole manner of it all eased me into a pleasant mood.

I am thankful for the little things today.  Time spent bonding with my daughter, time as a family, savings, and the simple, sweet conversations had with innocent youth.  Sometimes, the best things in life are free (and then some are discounted.)

Restless.

Tonight I'm Restless.

with a capital R.

Thinking Illinois.

Wishing I was on that trip too.

I admit being a tad envious.

Moving on.  Funny, L and I were at soccer practice cacklin' like a bunch of hens with a couple other soccer moms.  All the while making plans for some serious camping and I couldn't be more excited!  I don't do winter well with all the staying indoors and bad weather, freezing conditions, etc.  Although, I do love snuggling up with a good book and a cuppa hot cinnamon plum tea or hot chocolate, or working on sewing projects.  I have been dying for it to warm up so we can go camping.  I live to be in the tent staring into the hot, starry summer night.  Cooking foil packets and kabobs over the fire.  Roasting marshmallows.  Teaching K how to read scary stories with that chilling voice.  There's nothing like roughin' it!  As long as it's warm.  Oh, it makes me edgy just thinking about it.

Moving on...again, before I start making camp-friendly dinner menus and packing the car.

K's first soccer game was this past weekend and I couldn't have been more excited.  Except it was freezing.  Even C complained that he was cold and that's a rarity.  The wind blew so hard and defiant, and to make it worse, the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds and light sprinkles began as we head to the next sporting event.  Besides those opposing elements, it was a good Saturday.  We won 5 - 2 and it was a fierce game.

The man and his E.

He loves her so.
He prefers older women.

Today, she wasn't at practice.

He complained the ENTIRE time.

God help me.

They are the best of friends.

And she loves to wrestle him.

And he loves that she's not always a girly girl.

Strategy and

the pre-game pep talk.

Love the black smudge.

So tough.



Love the tongue.

Love the determination.

And the fancy goalkeeper jersey.

She's resilient.

This is one, among many with quick feet.

She's a scrapper.

And a slim, yet tall one,

who can eat you out of house and home in hours.

Have to root for her.

While waiting for subs,

you should always maintain super-cuteness.

It's necessary.

While her mama still gives her a hard time,

because it's her job afterall,

she's coming along and making great strides this season.

Also a cutie.

Superfast too.

With a serious boot to boot.

Ha.

Also claims a younger sister on the team

who's following in her footsteps.

SCORE!

Love the bench.

What great teammates.

Another goal!

Yet another scrapper with quick feet.

And an unwavering spirit for triumph and victory.

Sunday

This has been the scene for the last 12 days.

Friday, the medicine kicked in and he was on the mend.

Thank heavens.  it's been a looooooooong two weeks.

Sabbath (n.) sab-uh th
- meaning Sunday, first day of the week; time of worship and day of rest.

Showers.  Pancakes.  Sunday school.  Church.  Leftover chinese.

Daisy.

Newest addition.
Eight months old.

Sweet as pie.

Cute as a button.

Walker coonhound.

Time to train the hound.

Daisy likes chickens a little too much.

And our girls are curious birds.

Bad combination.

These.  I love.

Seventy degrees.  Kids playing outside.

The old maple.  Creek.  Bikes.  Sandbox.

~ A perfect Sunday ~

the naked room

After putting a load of clothes in this afternoon, I pulled a rocking chair and my latest read up next to the fire.  I was feeling a bit weary and wanted a moment to myself.  Oh, how nice it was to hear the crackle 'n' pop of the fire, radiating warmth and making me sleepy as I read.  In the background, was the chugga-chugga sound of the washer and the radiance of the sun pouring into my lap, filtered through yellow and white polka-dotted curtains.  Beside me, was the familiar sound of a small boy popping tops off of markers as he quietly colored.  About 10 minutes or so went by before I heard the usual, "Mommy, can you help me?" and at that very moment, the world stopped.  My time of relaxation ended and would not return until after the youngsters and canines hit the hay.  I would not enjoy peace and quiet for hours upon hours and how I yearned for it now.  Events would pass throughout the evening that would make me more and more cranky.  There would be an instance when I thought I was going to shriek from all of the chaotic noise and squealing.  Yet, I held it together and thanked God it was bedtime.  I divvied up vitamins and allergy medicine, asking them to get their toothbrushes and finally, saying prayers and sighing with a relief as they snuggled deep into their covers to endure another night of harsh winter temperatures.  The night was now mine, free to relish however I chose.

I love my children so.

I do.

But I admit,

sometimes I long for...

stillness.

hush.

quiet.

calm.

peace.
For the time when it will be just C and I.

Doing whatever we please.

Without interruption.

And sweet, sweet silence.