Where Is Spring?

What a day of crazy weather we've had here in MN! Rain, snow, sleet, rain, snow, sleet, repeat. We were going to do an errand or two after preschool today, but I just wanted to get back home where it's warm. Who wants to get out more than necessary in that kind of weather?

The days seem to be passing quickly lately. Both of the last 2 weeks, I've found myself wondering how Friday had already arrived. This is good. Moving on toward the warm weather is just what we need.

The geese and ducks recently arrived at the pond out back. I watch them from my kitchen. They swim in whatever water is available at the time. I'm sure they don't really get this weather either. Frozen pond one day, half frozen the next. Today I've noticed that several of them are trying to take shelter along the brushy banks in this nasty weather. Poor things. They probably weren't expecting this weird weather either.

The heron is back. Egad! If you know me, you know he's not my favorite. I have an irrational fear about the herons. This guy doesn't seem as large and menacing as some. His dad is probably the one I'm afraid of.

There he is, in the lower right corner, lurking right outside my fence. Look at that sharp beak. LOL.

In other news - Spring break begins this Friday. Bryan will be leaving for a trip to Europe on Friday, with the school band. I have a few odds and ends to take care of, to make sure he's ready to go. I'm a bit nervous to be sending him off. It's his first trip out of the country without us. I need prayer. :) Just kidding. Can't wait to hear about his trip and see photos.

Here's a photo of Jadyn from yesterday morning. Gotta love the style of a 4 year old.

What Was She Thinking?

Here's something I received in an e-mail from my mom today. Alan and I had a good laugh over it. It really just makes you shake your head. I mean, Who Does That??

True Redneck Tank Top!! This was taken in front of the Gardendale, Alabama Wal-Mart while she was going to the flea market. This is hysterical! Look at it closely.

Now I ask you...Who sits and looks at a pair of men's briefs and says hmm...I can make a nice summer top from these? On the other hand...$6 for a three pack is a good price!!
I guess boxers would be a short sleeve summer top.

I told Alan that I really hope they were new, and her husband hadn't already worn them. Ewww!

What do you think, gals? Anybody want to make one of these cute summer tops?

Farm Animals, Funny Things, and Fortunes

It's been a pretty uneventful week at our house really.

We've been experiencing some rain, and I LOVE that. It's a cold rain, and that's okay. I'm just so happy to see the rain. We have had a bit of snow this week, and I can live with that. I know it can't last forever.

I took pictures of Jadyn at preschool on Tuesday. This week they've been learning about farm animals. They even had a "cow" set up and the kids could pretend to milk it. Pretend Cow was an easel with a cow's head, tail, and a rubber glove filled with water for the udder. :)

Jadyn's been having a little separation anxiety again this week. Cries when I drop her off, and twice I've had to force her to separate from me. It causes a little pang in my heart. I do know that she needs to have time away from me and Mommy needs time away too.

I know she enjoys preschool once she's there, but she usually tells me on preschool mornings that she doesn't like it. "I just want to stay home with you, Mom." This too shall pass, but I wish it would pass soon.

She cried last night when we put her in her class at church too.

Here are preschool pictures....

Pretend Cow

Milking Pretend Cow.

Playing in the dried corn.

Painting "mud" on a pig.

Gluing spots on a cow.

Sorting animals.

Funny things Jadyn said this week --

"Mom, after our oak tree grows up and gets bigger, can we pick the oaks?" I told her it would probably have acorns. :)

Monday was Alan's brother's birthday. After dinner, he said he wanted to call him. He told Jadyn he was going to call Uncle Vince. Jadyn asked, "Is he a boy, or a girl?"

Ha ha. Just when you think they are figuring a few things out.

Fortunately, she's ours!

Photo from a recent dinner out. Jadyn's fortune said, "Sing and rejoice, fortune is smiling on you."

Something to Make You Say, "Yuck!"

Jadyn was playing with her kitchen earlier and made a discovery. She said, "Someone left this." She came over with an old, nasty sippie cup that I'd never seen before.

We did have a number of kids over to play yesterday. We had our playgroup here. No one brought a sippie cup, and no one would drink from one that looks this awful and nasty.

You don't even want to know how nasty it looks on the inside. Yes, I had to look inside.

I asked her where she found it. She reached up inside the back of her play kitchen. There was a spot way up inside, beyond where the shelves are. That's where she found it.

I bought her kitchen at a Once Upon a Child store about 2 years ago. The previous owner must have put the cup in there for safekeeping. Ha ha. Heaven knows how long that old cup had been in there. Talk about gross! It will soon see the inside of our garbage can.

Anyone missing a sippie cup?

Yesterday morning, Jadyn was sitting beside me when I was having coffee. I was flipping throught the channels and stopped briefly on TLC. A commercial came on for a cupcake maker for little girls. Maybe you've seen it before. Jadyn immediately said, "And it's all yours!" No, my girl hasn't been watching too much TV or anything.

Thankful Thursday

As I was getting ready to vacuum this morning, I came across this little group in the dining room.

It reminded me of what a sweet little girl Jadyn is. She really has such a kind and nurturing little heart. She spends a lot of time each day, taking care of her little animals. She also expresses her love to us often throughout the day.

We are very blessed to have this little girl in our lives and I am so thankful for her.

There are days when she still needs so much assurance of our love and that we will always be there.

She still goes through periods of time when it seems she can't be more than 5 feet from me. If I'm taking clothes out of the dryer, she must be there. If I'm at the computer she must be there. Sometimes I open the bathroom door after my shower and she's lying outside it. More commonly, she's knocking on the door, asking to come in. Sometimes I feel I can't leave the room without being questioned as to where I'm going. "I just need to go to the bathroom okay?" :)

I feel guilty when I just wish I could get a little space. On one hand, she is the sweetest little soul. On the other hand, she has so many needs that some days it can be sort of tiring. Overall, I know we are extremely blessed to have this little one to raise.

The little scene I found in the dining room seemed like God's little reminder to me. I'm thankful for this sweet girl and I'm reminded to pray for her.

Tuesday Night Thoughts

There is NO snow in our yard. It's a beautiful thing! Even though the grass is yellow and the trees don't have leaves yet, it looks good to me.

We've had very mild weather this week, and I am so excited. It does wonders for everyone's spirits around here.

It was so warm yesterday that Jadyn and I wore NO jackets all day. That too, was wonderful. I did realize though, that I may have a tiny problem. I kept having this feeling that it should be my Facebook status -- Laura wore no jacket ALL DAY.

When a person hears little Facebook status ideas in her head during the day, is it a problem?(Examples: Laura saw no snow in the yard today. Laura just baked something yummy.)

Okay, I don't actually hear them. I just want to clarify that. I don't hear voices. I do have Facebook thoughts. I suppose I'm not the only one with this issue. Anyone?

Our kids are back in school this week, and that's also a beautiful thing. Bryan missed 5 days last week and I'm so glad he's well and able to be back.

Jadyn is well too, after a cold and what I finally determined must have been a case of hives, very itchy hives.

Jadyn's preschool teachers had fun with the kids today. Ms. Greta had a stuffed leprechaun, and it seems he was quite mischievous while the teachers and kids were out of the room. When they came back they discovered he had thrown many things about, turned the water in the toilet green, hidden himself high on a shelf, and left a pot of gold candies. The kids were so excited about all of this. I bet they will remember it for a long time.

Bryan celebrated his golden birthday today. He was born 17 years ago, on St. Patrick's Day. We took him out for dinner last night, celebrating as a family. It's hard to believe he's 17!

Back In The Day

Diana, at Diana Rambles, hosts Family Foto Fun Friday. I haven't participated in a while, so I thought I'd join in this week. Last week she started the My Former Years series. Last week was Baby/Toddler Years. She said we could still do that one if we hadn't, and since I'm a little slow sometimes, I'm just now catching up. Here are a couple of my baby and toddler photos.

That's me, in the middle. I have no idea exactly how old I was in this photo. 6 months, maybe? Also pictured, are my older brother and sister, Dwain and Teresa.

Here we are, about 2 years later.

This week's FFFF is Elementary Age photos.

This is probably about 1st grade. The curl wasn't natural. I'm sure it was achieved with the ever popular pink sponge rollers.

That's me, in the middle. This is probably about 2nd grade.

This was when I was in 3rd grade. Do you love these dresses? I bet they were stylish back in the day. Looking at them now, I have to wonder how that was possible. :) My mom made them, and these were made at Christmas time. My mom made so much of our clothing. A serious amount! Knowing what that took, and how many years she did that is impressive to me.

If you'd like to join in the fun and post some of your classic photos, head on over to Diana's blog and find out how.

Have a great weekend!

Go Away Winter!

Is it just me, or is winter taking it's old sweet time getting out of here? I'm trying to keep an upbeat attitude, but please! We're a little over a week from the beginning of spring and I'm ready for things around here to look like it.

Scenes from today......

Watching for spring.

If a snowman sees his shadow, does it mean more OR less weeks of winter?

Hibernating on the deck.

Okay, so maybe I can do my part by moving out the snowmen. Some warmer, sunny days will have to do the rest for us.

On a brighter note, our kids are feeling better! Bryan has not been to school all week, but I have hope that he will be able to go tomorrow.

Jadyn was able to go to preschool today. It was NICE to get out and about, even if we did almost fall down a few times on the icy parking lots.

Guess who enjoyed a cherry Icee from Target? That's probably more than you wanted to see isn't it? She did ask if her tongue would stay red forever. :)

Two Casualties

It was an eventful evening here at our house. While I was cooking dinner, I heard a crash. I looked into the living room and found 2 of my Willow Tree figurines severely injured. One's head was completely severed and the other one's hands had been severed.

Sorry if that's a bit too graphic. It was shocking to see the one's little head on the floor, a foot or two from her body.

Jadyn was sitting in the chair looking a bit shocked and sheepish. I asked her what happened and I found out that she was trying to jump from one recliner chair to the other, over the end table. She knocked the figures over, or maybe I should say she sent them flying.

It was sad, yet at the same time I wanted to laugh. That's just my weird sense of humor. It was funny at the same time to see the severed head lying there. My son, Bryan had the same thought. So I actually had to compose myself a bit before I let Jadyn know that she should never do something like this again. She was very apologetic.

This pair of figurines was given to me by my sister, so it was sad to see them broken. I hope I can repair them.

Alan says he thinks maybe Jadyn needs some warm weather so she can get outside. Outdoors is the best place for her to expend some energy. Jumping my end tables is just not a good idea!

I Spy

I spy one little eye.

I spy one silly girl........who tied a ribbon on her toe.

I spy one sick boy, napping on the couch.

Yes, there really is a 16 year old boy under those pillows. Personally, when I'm sick, I want my bed! He's really not into napping in his bed. He'd rather be on the couch.

Bryan's been pretty sick with fever. Poor guy, he's never this sick and hates to miss school.

Jadyn is sick right now too. She's caught another cold, just on the heels of her previous one. So we have 2 sick kids in the house at the moment. Keep your fingers crossed that Mom and Dad don't catch this stuff.

A Jadyn Funny - Today she said, "Mom, when you grow up, why are you going to be a grandma?"

I've tried to explain to her that in a few years, if one of her siblings becomes a parent, I'll be a grandma. I guess she doesn't quite get it yet, or maybe she just wasn't quite sure how to ask about it. :) I love it that she doesn't think I'm grown up yet. 

Random Things

I titled this post Random Things since it's just a mix of this and that. I've noticed that I've done several posts in the past with Random in the title. That's just me I guess. There's just not always a pattern.

We've been enjoying the weekend. We went out to dinner last night, with everyone in the family except Bryan. He's away on a church retreat.

It's been so nice to see Kaitlyn and Chris. They will be leaving tomorrow. We'll certainly miss them!

I wonder if she'll always think he is this much fun in the morning at breakfast time.

Sillyness in the Saturday bath. A new do!

A perk of having a sister home from college.....a pretty manicure!

Necessary items for your pocket, when you are 4. You never know when you might need shoes or a tiara. I found these in her pocket when I was doing the laundry.

Yay! I'm excited that my Christmas Cactus is blooming. Why it's blooming in March and it's a Christmas Cactus and all, I'm not sure. I definitely won't complain.
I adopted this plant from my mom about 15 months ago. It's grown a lot. She was amazed when she came for a visit. Must be that good Minnesota sun coming through my window.
I'm excited that it's blooming. It's bloomed a couple of times before, but this is the first time the blooms weren't pulled off the plant by a 2 year old or a cat. :)
In the past, the blooms would mysteriously disappear before they were even open. Jadyn had no idea where they could have gone. LOL!

Interview With Jadyn

Ask your child these questions and enter the answers...Quite amusing!


Jadyn - age 4 years, 3 months


1. What is something mom always says to you? "I really, really love you."

2. What makes mom happy? Being nice

3. What makes mom sad? If I hurt you

4. How does mom make you laugh? be silly

5. What was your mom like as a child? played!

6. How old is your mom? 21

7. How tall is your mom? 21oo

8. What is her favorite thing to do? play games

9. What does your mom do when you're not around? watch TV

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? no answer

11. What is your mom really good at? cleaning up

12. What is your mom not good at? playing tag

13. What does your mom do for a job? taking care of kitties, and getting supper ready

14. What is your mom's favorite food? salad

15. What makes you proud of mom? Because you are my mommy and I really like you.

16. If your mom was a cartoon character, who would she be? a talker, something silly

17. What do you and your mom do together? hug

18. How are you and your mom the same? both have feet

19. How are you and your mom different? I have black hair, and I'm a little smaller.

20. How do you know your mom loves you? Because you are part of my family.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad? You love him!

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? China!

Who's There?

Jadyn has recently decided she loves Knock Knock jokes. For a few weeks now, she has enjoyed them. She tries to tell us jokes every day. It's about to drive us crazy. Sometimes they are mildly funny, but most of the time, they make no sense. You know how it is when they are 4 years old. You just try to laugh politely or you pretend you thought it was funny.

Tonight, Jadyn made up a joke and told it to Alan. He then had her tell it to me. We really laughed. Here it is: Knock, knock. Who's there? Horse. Horse who? Then she says in a sing-song voice: Horse with 3 legs, can't run, has to grow another one!

Not too bad for a four year old.

Our Week Thus Far

We've been enjoying our week. It's nice to have Kaitlyn and Chris here and spend time with them. We had Lauryn and Aaron over last night as well, for dinner. It's so enjoyable to have time with our kids.

Jadyn's emotions were kind of all over the place on Tuesday. This happens each time Kaitlyn comes home from college. Jadyn was hyper, needing attention, and tearful all day. I counted 6 or 7 times that she cried that day. Whew. We're down to only 1 or 2 tearful times now.

After I picked up Jadyn from preschool today, we stopped at the shoe store. I needed to look for some shoes for Bryan, for work. I had asked Jadyn to sit on the bench behind me, because she couldn't stop poking me and bugging me. One or two minutes had passed and I turned around. She had taken the gum out of her mouth and you guessed it - it was on her hands, her jacket, and her pants.

I was a bit annoyed, as you can imagine. I leaned down and started picking it off of her. As I was picking it off of her pants, I told her she wouldn't be having gum for a long time. Another mother overheard. She said, "You know, Goo Gone works wonders." Her daughter had gotten 3 wads of Hubba Bubba all through her hair and on a pillow. I guess I should be glad Jadyn's was only one little piece.

In the car, Jadyn said she was thinking about not taking gum out of her mouth anymore. Well good! :)

Monday Musing

Mini scare - I went to my blog just now and there was no content other than the header and sidebar. I refreshed the page a couple of times and still nothing. Finally I signed into blogger and there it was. Whew. I'm not sure what that was about, but it did make my heart skip a beat.

We had a really nice weekend. It was slightly busy, but in a good way.

Alan and I had a date (alone!) on Friday night. So refreshing and enjoyable.

Saturday, I did cleaning and other things. Bryan's girlfriend came for dinner. We cooked out on the grill.

Sunday was church, lunch with the family, and a birthday party for a 2 year old friend. Last night we skipped out on our church small group and stayed home. We watched Kung Fu Panda for the first time. We really enjoyed it.

I'm very excited that Kaitlyn and her fiance', Chris are on their way home today. It's Kate's spring break. I haven't seen them in 2 months, so I'm looking forward to their visit very much.

I suppose I should get some food into the house. Okay, it's not like we don't have food. I'm not that bad of a mom/wife.

I'm just not a huge planner when it comes to meals. When I see people who have an exact plan for their weekly menus, (especially those who post a menu on their blog) I am amazed. How do they do that?

I mean, I do plan what we are going to eat, just not a week in advance. My week would normally look something like this...

Monday- hmm....I wonder what's in the freezer that I could use to make something?

Tuesday- Is there anything in the pantry? Do we have potatoes?

Wednesday- It's a busy night, maybe I won't really cook a full meal.

Thursday- I actually went to the grocery store today. I planned something for dinner!
Friday- Yay! We usually eat out on Friday nights.

Saturday- I'll probably have a plan and cook.

Sunday-Eat lunch out, and snack around for dinner at small group.

Seriously, I do like to cook. I'm just not a huge planner. One time I was at a friend's house helping her with some things around the house. Several of us were over because their family had been through a very rough time. She sat with another friend at the table, planning out a menu and making a grocery list. When they heard that I don't actually plan a weekly menu at my house, they were shocked.

Am I they only one out here who doesn't plan a menu? Wow, I've really gone off on this subject haven't I?

I do get out my cookbook of family favorites fairly often and see what I'll need at the store. Mostly, I sort of wing it. I just get all of the usual things at the grocery store, making sure I have a variety of meats and common ingredients for recipes.

I suppose I'll make it to the grocery store today.

Hooray, it's the beginning of March! Spring can't be far off. Alan was out of town last week, in Mississippi. He sent me this bit of spring while he was away. I thought that was very sweet. A great surprise. Thank you, Alan!

Thank you, Terry and Anita for this Friends Love award. I enjoy and appreciate you ladies so much. Friends are a treasure!