Since all of the outdoor activities include snow, you would think my kids would be bored from it. I have to admit, my kids still have a lot of fun. But I really do think they would also have fun in some warmer weather (hint, hint, Mother Nature).

Lance Albern built a really big snow fort today. The boys stayed out with him and helped and had snow ball fights.

I try to focus on the positive, so I won't take pictures of the mounds and mounds of coats, hats, scarves, boots and mittens in my front room. Even when I get sick of winter, I can still manage to find something beautiful from it, (when I look beyond my cabin-fevered kids:)
The other day the snow lit down so light that it stayed on the branches of the trees. The boys and I took it all in on the way to catch the bus at the end of the driveway.

After seeing the wondrous beauty of winter, I DEFINITELY feel ready to appreciate the next season:)

Take Cover!

Fisher is standing on a bucket in the kitchen scrubbing the dirty dishes for all he is worth (which is a whole lot:)

Rider comes in and needs something to do. So he fills up the blender with water.

Then Rider and his counter-part, Fisher, beg and plead to turn on the blender.

Well, unfortunately here I am making muffins for breakfast the next morning, and I give the bad news of "No, the water will spray everywhere and get my muffins and myself all wet."

At this time Rider is trying desperately and quickly to stretch the cord to the outlet on the wall, and thinking on his toes, confidently calls out his order~

"Mom....just duck and cover!"

And because they are a 2 man team, Fisher is behind him directing me exactly how to carry out the order.... as he scrubs the dishes.

Seriously, who needs TV? They are so entertaining!

PS They didn't get the opportunity to carry out their directive, but I am sure they will get another chance!

"He just likes me for my Legos."

I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried.
Out of the mouth of Trapper,
who was talking about a friend at school.

"Mom..."

"Mom, were you nervous when you got married?"
"Nope."
"How long do you have to kiss, when you get married?"
"As long as you want. There isn't a certain time period that you have. Your dad and I kissed like this.... (he backed away, but then I just pecked him on the kisser.)
"Really? You can kiss that fast when you get married?"
Yep, it's up to you."
Oh....OK." "Mom, does it hurt when you have a baby?
"Yep, but it's worth it. It pretty darn cool to look and see what I created, my own flesh and blood."
"I have your flesh and blood."
"Well, not exactly, but I made you!"
"Yeah, that's pretty cool."
"Mom, sometimes, I have a hard time breathing....."
Can I just tell you that this kid cracks me up? He will get his backpack and carry it all around the house with him, so that he can have his "special stuff" with him wherever he goes. He hides his money in 3 seperate places in the house, up in his closet, and up above the cupboards in the kitchen. He actually has to get on the counters and reeeeaaach until he feels his money stash. His thrid place is an undisclosed drawer in his room. This way if Rider gets one of his stashes, he won't get it all!
He is constantly, and I mean constantly asking me how much things cost; IE: weddings, wedding rings, rent, a house payment, college, food, the clothes he wears, the toys he plays with. He is already preparing, and might I say, worried, about the ability to afford such things. It's sweet, but I want to alleviate the worry from him somehow. I tell him I will help him, when he needs it, and I tell him about the jobs that pay well, to help prepare him and alleviate worry.

He is 8 and he has been doing this since I can remember. I am just glad that he doesn't have an ulcer!!!

I love each one of my kids personalities. I love the things that make them tick.

Worrying about such things doesn't come natural to me! That is another thing that makes me laugh, is that he didn't get this from me:)

Buttery Goodness

I knew I was missing my last stick of butter.


Gee, I wonder who could have taken it?


Could it be the boy hiding behind his toy in that picture right down there?


Not only did he decide to decorate the bookshelf with
2 levels of buttery goodness, but the artist didn't forget to add

the special touch of stickers!!!

I have high hopes for this boy.

He know how to "butter" me up!

Today

Today is a day when I need a good laugh.

Today is a day when I need to put aside my down days in Ohio and think of my family and friends, and all the sweet memories.

Today I rely on my family, and the fact that they wouldn't sell me to the Indians for all the treasures in the world (you wouldn't, when it came right down to it!)

Today is one of those days, when everything you wished would never happened, happened. But nothing like losing a loved one, or a limb or anything, just maybe a friend, or maybe yourself, just a bit.
Today is one of those days you might feel TOTALLY unappreciated, but not unappreciated by those whom REALLY matter, like your bosom friends, or close-knit family, but maybe a fair-weather friend, or a distant and cold ward....
But I am loved, by the most important people in my life,
so I am OK, and I am OK with me. My husband loves me, my kids love me, Debbie and Greg love me.
My brothers, sisters, Nieces,and Nephews love me, my dear, sweet, bosom friends love me. In fact you don't even want to get me started listing everyone, your name is probably on my list and you will be here a while. So, today I thank you. You may not even be aware of how good you make me feel....

...especially today.