Wonderful Giveaways!

Beginning March 1st, Victoria Botkin will host a online nine-week series called Evenings with Victoria Botkin. Mrs. Botkin will address biblical issues facing wives and mothers as we seek to grow in grace and biblical understanding of our God given roles. This series is a MUST for all ladies but I think it will be especially beneficial for young mothers. The cost for the nine week online conference is $49.00. It will be worth every penny!

But, even better!!!! You have the chance to win this opportunity to be mentored by Victoria Botkin for free!! Just visit Joyfully At Home for details on this fabulous contest!! Life in a Shoe, Generation Cedar and Serving God and Family are also hosting giveaways so you have four chances to win! Don't delay. The contests end on Friday. You REALLY don't want to miss this incredible opportunity!

Honey, you don't look a day over 44!

Today is the 45th birthday of my sweet husband, Mr. P. Wow. It wasn't that long ago that I thought 45 year old men were old and creepy. Now I find myself married to one. Even more disconcerting, I find myself the same age as that which I once found old and creepy. It's funny how life plays tricks on you that way.

This man that I met when I was a wee 19 year old sales girl at Banana Republic in the mall is the most amazing man I have ever known. He rocks babies and changes diapers.

He takes his sons on retreats to Colorado.

He doesn't act a day over thirteen.

He's a defender of the faith and the Constitution.

He has the largest Mr. Potato Head collection there is... and yes, it encompasses an entire room in my house. An. Entire. Room.

He's a thrill seeker. (No, I was not on this roller coaster with him.)

He is a lover of the second amendment.

He makes me laugh.

And, he's never afraid to make a spectacle of himself or practice his martial arts.

When he sauntered into that Banana Republic and into my life all those years ago, I had no idea of the adventure my life was about to become. I am so thankful for the adventures and I'm looking forward to many more.

Happy Birthday, you old dog you! For the next few months I get to say that I am TWO years younger than you. And, I intend to do that. Every day.

Honey, you may be old but you've still got it! I love you more than life itself!! Happy Birthday!!

What a difference a week makes!

Exactly one week ago today, my poor winter-neglected garden looked like this.
Today I spent the afternoon in my garden cleaning, pruning, and setting out thirty new strawberry plants. In my shorts and sandals! Oh, the JOY OF IT!!!!

65 degrees and sunny. Yesssss!

I could really use a money tree right about now

Leaping lizards! Kids are expensive!! One son in particular is breaking our bank today. First we went for his orthodontic consult in which I found out how much blood they would drain money it would cost to outfit my slightly overbitten boy with braces, head gear, and potential jaw surgery. Oh, did I mention payment is due in full, up front? Painful physically and financially. Ka-ching

Then we had a dentist appointment. No need to spread the misery around. Let's get it all done in one day, I always say. Same overbitten boy has a cavity, which we will enjoy paying for out-of-pocket as part of our lovely deductible. (No, I still don't want Obama's help) Ka-ching

Then I had to order new math books for two of my four school age children as they have moved up a level... to the tune of $184.00. Ka-ching

Rarely does so much money fly out of my bank account at such breakneck speed.

Do you smell that? I think my checkbook is smoking.

Snowpocalypse: A Photo Essay

Well it came. And, we survived. It wasn't a snow that didn't leave its scars on my psyche, however. Poor baby of the family is down with a full blown case of croup accompanied by fevers topping out at 103.2. If you remember he had a seizure at a simple fever of 99.0, you'll probably realize my blood pressure is dangerously high a little higher than my personal best. All in all, it was a good snow... oxymoron, I know.

Notice my perfectly good frozen cabbage in my *cough* well maintained *cough* fall garden. Sorry, garden. I'll interact with you when the temperature rises above 65 degrees and not a degree sooner. From the looks of things, you're going to be on your own for a while.

My power is still on (at the moment) and I have hope of at least 45 minutes of uninterrupted sleep tonight. At least if the barking cough keeps us both awake again, I've explained to my boy that we will be watching my House DVDs at 3am because I've seen Cars about twenty-seven times too many. Kachow!

He owes me.

Snow tomorrow....

This is NOT going to be pretty.

I may DIIIIIIIIIIE! Somebody. Send. Help.

Contentment in ALL things

Drat those New Year's Resolutions. One of mine was to be more content. But, did I stop there?

Nooooooo.

I had to go on to say this year I am going to strive to be content in ALL things. What I didn't consider was winter. A cold winter. Colder than usual even. With snow. And more snow. And even snow predicted again this Friday. As if the 3/4" we've already had this winter isn't enough already.

And, here I am feeling downright grumpy less than content that I still have 40 days left until spring. It may as well be 140... or 1,000,040! Because today it's cold. And gray. And cold.

But, I shall be content. Because I resolved to do it. I had a Bible teacher say one time, "Do what is right because it is right until it feels right." In other words, even when I'm not feeling it, I shall practice contentment with the promise that one day I'll feel it. Or at least I shall have patience with it, tolerance for it, and a little less loathing in my heart. I don't want to aim too high.

One thing that helps winter contentment issues is a stack full of these... "Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, (even winter) in reproaches, (even cold toes) in necessities, (even grocery shopping in the sleet) in persecutions, (even heaters that go out when your husband is on a hunting trip) in distresses (even frozen outdoor water spigots) for Christ's sake: for when I am weak (and cold), then am I strong (and less whiny)." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (parentheses added by me... but you knew that already, didn't you?)

I've had better days...

Today has not been the greatest day. First of all, my favorite old dog, Coosa, died. He was fifteen but spry as ever so it was a bit of a shock. Right after that, I get the news that Punxsutawney Phil has decided I need six more weeks of winter. I hate rats. Then two unannounced guests showed up... well, unannounced.

Why is it that unannounced guests show up on the days you're burying your favorite old dog, you're cold, and your house is a wreck? This stuff only happens to me.

In memory of my favorite old dog

Dear February,

Nice to see you again. You are a breath of fresh, albeit cold, air to my frozen soul. January is long gone, praise the Lord. And, here you are. If I'm being perfectly honest, you are not my favorite month. Oh, you try your best what with your Valentine's Day and the birthdays you bring. I appreciate your effort. I also appreciate that you are only 28 days long and, for a winter month, that's a good thing. You and Punxsutawney Phil hold the promise of early spring which can either be a hope to my winter weary heart, or a bitter disappointment.

You are unpredictable and that worries me a bit. What's it going to be this year? Are you going to inch along mildly with no horrors of snow and ice? No horrors of single digits? Happy news from the over sized rat? If you promise to play nice, I will embrace you and endure your chilliness. Or do you plan to torment me and shoot your frozen icicles at me like daggers?

How these next 28 days play out is completely up to you. I am open minded enough to give you the benefit of the doubt that you have learned from past mistakes and want to make amends. So far, so good. I'm enjoying this sunny 55 degree day. Truly. You haven't heard me complain once, have you?

Keep this up and we'll get along just fine. Keep this up and nobody will get hurt. You're in the driver's seat on this one, February. With great power comes great responsibility. Remember that. I'm watching you.

With much anticipated warmth,