Feels like AZ

Yesterday we were wearing sweatshirts, today we were sweating. According to the weatherman this morning our high would be the same as Phoenix, but Phoenix is a dry heat! What is up with the weather. Well today was a beautiful day, Chandler is on his first Scout campout, I am assuming all is well because I haven't heard from him. I am glad that I packed his zip-off pants. Jake is playing with Charlie, last time I checked with squirt guns. The two younger boys and I went to the park this afternoon and then they spent a lot of time with the hose today. They made our driveway into a lake and pretended to surf. I love them using their imagination and being outside. What a great day for them! It makes me happy!

It's the Little Things

I must say that despite everything I am going through I am on top of the world for this moment. It is those little things, that mean so much and today my boys shined. I was up early this morning, 5:30 (out of a alarm clock habit) so I was ready before I had to wake them up, well mostly. So I began putting away some clothes and cleaning upstairs a bit. Taking my time, no rushes this morning. Jake comes upstairs and asks if he can take leftovers for lunch, then he tells me he will make it, that has never happened. Then I notice he has made his bed, I didn't have to ask. Hayden made his lunch. They unloaded the dishwasher and even started loading it. There was not one fight or argument this morning, only brothers helping each other out. It is these things, small acts of service without request that mean more than anything. I wouldn't have minded making lunches, I do it almost every morning. But it brought tears to my eyes. In life's trials you are blessed!

Easter

The last holiday I spent in Arizona was Easter.....I felt that a lot this year. We did the usual, colored eggs the night before. The kids were very creative. We were all exhausted and went to bed early. The boys were excited to see what the Easter Bunny had left them and to hunt for eggs. They did a pretty good job, although I have found a few around the house lately! It was ham, spinach souffle, corn, mashed potatoes and rolls for dinner. I am thankful for what this Holiday represents and I am learning how to apply it in my everyday life.

It's Spring

Nothing like a beautiful day at a park with my youngest who adores me to remind me I am loved and that is what it is all about.

I think since moving to New York, spring has taken a whole new perspective on me. As the seasons change your environment changes. The green leaves turn beautiful shades and fall to the ground, and then everything becomes, in my opinion, ugly. It is cold, I gain weight, the kids are stir crazy, and then it is spring. The grass starts to turn green again, the trees grow new leaves and the tulips are peaking out of the ground, the kids are outside again enjoying nature like it is intended, the TV is off and the video games are put away. It is a new start, a fresh start, more to me than New Years.

I am observing all the damage from the icestorm, the trees with broken limbs still hanging from them, and the clean up crews everywhere picking up the piles of devastation along the roadsides, in my neighbors yards. Spring is my time to ring in my New Year! To start fresh, to begin a new cycle, and make it better than the one before. This is my year!