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!

Great Escape Lodge

The kids had a day off school today, so thanks to a good friend Camille who invited us to come and then the luck of great neighbors who had already booked a room we were off. It was a great time. I picked the kids up a bit early from school and we checked in about 3:00. We spent 2.5 hours at the waterpark and then headed to our room for a rest and to wait for our friends. They got there just after 7:00 and with onl 1 hour til the park closed we were at it again. Then back to the room for pizza. 10:00 am the park opens and the kids are at it again, well all except Preston who was exhausted and needed a nap, so he did!

We all tried the Boogie board, the boys all showed some "moon" I was a wreck, but it was fun!

A quick NYC visit with a dear friend

It was great to get back to the city and even better to have some time to visit with an old friend. The time was short and it went fast but we managed to see the Statue of Liberty, The New York Stock Exchange, walk down Wall Street and through Little Italy and Chinatown. Then some time in Time Square. It was good to catch up, how I do miss all my friends from AZ. Anytime you want to visit the city let me know!

Positive Week

Back in Arizona I had a great group of friends that quilted together. We had a lot of fun, and could be very silly. At one time we laughed all afternoon about our attempt to make it on Deal or No Deal, we then moved on to trying to gain enough weight tobe on the Biggest Loser. Diana reminded me the other day about her trying to eat my sandwich...lol, JK Diana. But besides the great friendships that I made, I can't remember for sure but I think it was Linda and I decided on making every other week a Positive one, and well that meant the opposite one was the negative one.

Now for the point. I want a positive week, so if you have any ideas let me know!

Almost Spring

It has been a busy weekend in the Mellon household. Living back in the NE you learn that once it reaches high 40's low 50's the scooters and bikes come out....The kids say they are sweating in their coats. Hayden had a science project due, he choose Saturn, I didn't realize how many moons it had. Hayden did a good job painting Saturn and coming up with interesting facts.

The older boys took out the summer sleds, for those in Arizona you know what they are, here people don't have a clue. The ground was a bit muddy-not too much luck, but in a few weeks when the rest of the snow is gone and we have a bit of color to the grass.

But the most exciting news is Preston learned how to ride a bike....not really planning on it, we pulled out the little bike for a neighbor to use so I asked Preston if he wanted to try, thinking for sure he would say no, but he didn't and it took no time at all. The first time I let go he went a few feet, the second time he had it. He doesn't want to stop. The best is his first full trip around the culdesac he screams out wooo-hoooo.