MOCHA MORNINGS

It's amazing how a kid's mind works. The things they recall at such a young age and the way they express it.   Little League Football has returned to our home.  There is a gap between the teenagers and the littles, so it's been a few years since we have sat on the side lines at a little league football game. I'm not going to lie, it's a little painful. The disorganization. The confusion.  The whinning.  And then there are the tired parents sitting in their camping chairs who you know have only three things on their minds.  What am I cooking for dinner?  I'll never get them to do their homework.  How do I keep them awake long enough to get them bathed?  Ethan is QB for his 4th grade team.  He's doing great for his first year and he does great at remembering plays and making long passes to the receivers.  He scored his first touchdown last night, which was really cool.  However, once we got home and the hype had settled down, the dram...

Wow. What a day. Hurt feelings, friendships teetering on edge,  drama, nonsense and exhaustion. Sometimes we all experience down right crummy days. Today was my turn.  It's 7:51 pm and I am finally home after a quick trip to the store and Jaxon's last flag football game of the season. Essential oil in the diffuser. Silence and an empty house for a moment. A chance to catch my breath for the first time today.  Speak without Accusing.  James 1:19 ~ " My dear brothers and sisters,  take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." My interpretation of this: Listen. Wait. Respond. Keep no record of wrong doing. Be kind to each other, tender hearted and forgiving to one another.   Love is patient.  I came across a book review, popped over to Amazon, and placed my order after reading only the first couple of reviews. If you are Dave Ramsey nazi's like us, you will be happy to know that he endorses these book...

For the next 10 mornings I am setting aside some time for me. Before the crazy chaotic mornings begin, before the sun comes up, before the dogs needs to be walked, I will be studying 10 Ways to Love. Coffe, bible, pen and paper...me and God. Day #1 - Listen Without Interrupting (Proverbs 18:13) "He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.  A. Good listening requires patience.  B. Good listening is an act of love. C. Good listening asks perceptive questions.  D. Good listening is ministry. E. Good listening prepares us to speak well.  F. Good listening reflects our relationship with God. 

A little fishing, some roasted dogs over an open fire and the company of great friends. Happy Labor Day!

I never knew how excited I would be to hear that a friend, and co-worker, of mine would be traveling to Laramie this weekend to visit her son who also attends the University of Wyoming! My first thoughts, party mix and homemade cookies! I've whipped up some homemade goodies, gathered up a few odd and end pantry items, some unopened Easter candy, magazines I've read, a requested PS3 game from his brother's room, a tv cable, an I Miss You note,  and a copy of his insurance card and it is ready for the journey to his UW dorm room!  If only I could fit into this tiny box just to get a quick hug from my college boy! 

Get to wear these beauties today while fullfilling my bridesmaid's duties! Let's see how long I last in them! Flips flops are definitely on standby! 

Not only are Fridays slow days in the clinic, we also get to wear jeans, only work half a day, and have very patriotic donuts brought in by fabulous co-workers! Happy Friday, y'all!

I have so many pictures on my iPhone I am out of iCloud storage to back them up. I am terrible about taking the time to upload them to my computer and every now and then I have to go through them, delete the duplicates and blurry ones to gain some space. However, the surprise self portraits I find in my photos of my precious little Jaxon are the ones I will cherish forever. Not only does he love to play angry birds and watch Netflix, but he obviously loves to play photographer and take pictures for what is now mommy's self-portrait collection.

w hen you have four kids, date nights are few and far between. so, when we do get a chance to run away from all the chaos our favorite place to go is this charming little coffee shop in our town.  open late on friday nights, this has become our hang-out.  we recently have discovered the benifits of bribing our 13 year old with 10 bucks and unlimited time on the PS3 in exchange for baby-sitting his three younger brothers so that his boring parents can escape to their favorite cozy little spot, order a hot caramel mocha and play their favorite card game..."boo".  and oh how i look forward to that hour and a half of bliss, all week long!

t here are only a few more hours left in this 14th day of febuary, and i really hate to see it go. this special day of celebrating love is one of my favorite days of the year. so, in honor of st. valentine's day i researched some interesting facts about the most romantic day of the year and thought i would share. The name Valentine comes from the Latin word valor, meaning worthy. St. Valentine's Day was declared an official holiday in 1537 when England's King Henry VIII declared it for the first time. Conversation Hearts: In 1866, candy manufacturer NECCO made the first "Conversation Hearts" — then called "Motto Hearts." According to NECCO, eight billion of these little candies are sold between January 1 and February 14. About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period. In the United States, 64 percent of men do not make plans in advance for a...

" i love you through and through... yesterday, today and tomorrow, too." this is one of jaxon's favorite stories to read and one of my favorite to read to him. with valentine's day quickly approaching i found several different ways to say that one simple message that everyone longs to hear....i love you. english = i love you spanish = te amo german = lch liebe dich hawaiian = aloha au ia 'oe italian = ti amo french = je t'aime "i love your happy side, your sad side, your silly side, your mad side. I love you through and through...yesterday today and tomorrow, too."