Looking Forward To...

Waking up this morning to our FIFTH straight day of sunshine, I find myself looking forward to...

Walking the dog

Lacrosse

Spring soccer

Playing with Katie on the new swing set

Barbecues

Gardening

Building a water feature

Mowing the grass (I actually really like it, don't tell Pete)

Swimming

Camping

etc., etc., etc...

I just hope that the groundhog was wrong!

Picture #8

So I have been in quite a blogging slump. I haven't felt like I have anything to write about or that I want to write about or that someone would want to read. My kids aren't little anymore, so the "firsts" are few and far between now. I could write about the first time my teenager gave me attitude, but I'd just get more attitude for writing about that. I could tell you about my vacation to Maui... it was awesome. Done. Now what? I have even been contemplating shutting the blog down (again). But then, right out of the blue, my most reluctant blogging niece starting posting again and challenging us to do the same. Finally (I thought) something to blog about! She challenged us to post picture number #8 from our December folder and write about it. Perfect! I can do that. I went right to my folder and...six, seven, eight. Oh great. Picture #8 in my December folder is not even a picture of a seasonal activity or a place we visited, it is a Christmas card photo I took for my friend. Another roadblock. Or is it? Maybe it's not a roadblock, maybe instead it's an opportunity.

I'd like to tell you about my friend in this photo. She's actually more than a friend, she's family. We met when our boys were in kindergarten, seven years ago. Volunteering in the classroom on the same day each week, we became quick friends. She is smart and strong, funny and adventurous and the trait I envy the most, she's nice. The kind of nice that I wish I could be. Over the years we have seen each other through the ups and downs, spent holidays and vacations together, watched each other's pets and kids, laughed and cried. I couldn't ask for a better friend. I'm forever grateful to the kindergarten volunteer scheduler, who's random act changed my life.

Ducks vs. Beavers

Not being "from" Oregon, when the Civil War comes around you kind of feel like Poland, caught in the middle. All of the back and forth, why can't we all just get along? We were reminded of this ongoing battle the other night at the band concert. See for yourself...

Mornings

You all know that I am not exactly a morning person. I've been like that for as long as I can remember. My Mom used to bribe me to get out of bed with hot breakfasts made to order. I'd sit there in front of that wonderful breakfast and I would still be as grumpy and miserable as possible. Now that David gets picked up for school at dawn, I feel like I would be a terrible mother if I just stayed in bed. Even though he doesn't really need me to be up, I get up with him each morning at 5:50, but I still don't like it. I try not to be grumpy, but most days I just wish I were back in bed. But every once in a while, there's a tiny reward. A reward that only David and I get to share while the rest of the world sleeps. This morning was one of those days.

The creepy and the sweet.

halloween

Girl Effect