I can't believe it.........the shoe fairies came to my house

OH MY!!!!!! So I came home yesterday after watching Caleb and Zach play church ball and there were two boxes on the table.  The paper read:  To Lisa:  From the shoe fairies.  SHOE FAIRIES?  What was this all about?  So I opened the boxes and there were two pair of shoes.  And you are not going to believe it.  They both fit. AND they are both super cute.

So I started texting my family.  And everyone was promising they didn't do it.  Then I started thinking how anyone would know that I really needed shoes.  AND then it hit me.....this blog.  And my stomach started to hurt.  I felt bad and didn't want my post to seem like a plea for someone to go out and get me shoes.  I promise that was not my intentions. 

BUT........I am pretty sure that the person who got me these shoes must have read my blog.  But I really thought there were only a couple of people who read it and those were a friend I met in Ellensburg and a couple of my sisters.  So this was truly shocking in every way for me.

I want those fairies to know that I am so thankful.  I do feel a little guilty (trying to get over that).  I am so excited to wear my new shoes to work tomorrow.  Today was a snow day so didn't get to wear them today.  But hoping to tomorrow.  AND HOLY COW....this person has great taste.  I got a cute pair of brown shoes and another pair of turquoise ones.  THEY ARE STINKIN cute. 

The funny thing is that I have tried many shoes on that are a size 11 wide.  Some fit but most were still not quite right.  But both of these are perfect in every way.

Thanks again my wonderful fairies.  If I knew who you were I would give you a huge hug.  My heart is full and I pray you will receive many blessings for your sweet act.  I am still in a little shock.

THANKS AGAIN.

shoes

Shoes..what a weird title for a blog entry right? Well it is a love hate thing.  I really do love shoes.  I love how they make an outfit.  But you see I am down to one pair now.  And that pair consists of tennis shoes.  I have never had many shoes.  But I can dream right?  I dream of them at times but in reality my feet are so big that it is very hard to find cute shoes that look good.  YES they probably make HUGE WIDE CUTE SHOES....but this woman can't afford those.  And this woman needs shoes for work but I refuse to pay too much for them.  I am VERY FRUGAL.  And I mean VERY.  I love garage sales and goodwill and hand me downs. But it isn't likely I am going to find a size 11 wide shoes in any of these places.  I was so excited about four years ago when I found two pair of size 11 shoes at a store in Virginia when we lived there.  I bought two pair.  A black pair and a brown pair.  AND they were only $3/each and brand new.  WOO HOO. They were cute.  BUT just recently they both wore out and so I am left with just a pair of MENS tennis shoes.  YEAH that's right.  I can't fit into a woman's shoe.  That doesn't really bother me so much.  I don't mind wearing mens tennis shoes but it would be so nice to be able to find a really nice pair of shoes that fit and looked cute for super cheap.  Probably not gonna happen though.  So I am glad I can wear my tennis shoes to work at the school.....for now anyway. 

Don't get me wrong....I am truly grateful for my feet. I am so grateful I can walk. I know there are those who would die to have my feet (don't know why).  There are those who would probably say that I am being ridiculous.  But it has always been such a frustrating thing for me.  I see these super cute flip flops that I would LOVE to wear.  BUT no I buy mens flip flops too.  UGH....

So if you see me wearing the same shoes ALL THE TIME....I am.  And not really by a whole lot of choice. I  mean if I were rich I am sure I would go buy me a bunch of cute shoes.  So my choice of shoe for church is pretty lame.  I feel like an old woman for sure.  I have one pair of black shoes and one brown pair (that are hard to walk in) and I have some white/tan flats that are a million years old.

Does it sound like I am complaining?  I am.......a little.  So all you who have small cute feet....you better appreciate it.  And you better not complain around me.  Cause I won't hear of it.

So unless I get rich or my feet shrink you will see me in the same ol' shoes.

A new year

 I just can't believe it is a new year.  Time goes so fast and in ways that is good but it also means other things that make me sad.  My kids are growing up and I still have such a long way to go before I feel satisfied with the way I mother.  I still don't have it down to what I want and yet my baby is 7 1/2.  By the time I get things right they will all be out of the house.  OH who am I kidding.  I will never get it right.  :)  My kids do bring me alot of joy.  But in all honesty they are also the creator of chaos.  The fighting is unreal and the amount of noise they create is enough to send anyone over the edge.  BUT HOLY CRAP...they are cute.  They are so great and they have hearts bigger than the earth.  They know who they are and I am super proud to call them my children......most of the time anyway. 

These kids are what brings a smile to my face.  They are smart.  They are sassy.  They are strong willed.  They  know how to love.  They are so forgiving and understanding.

 They see the world in different ways.  They have compassion for others.  They try to do good.  They try to do what is right.

 They compromise.  They help out.  They work.  They smile.  They try.

 They tease.  They tease.  They tease.  And tease some more.

 They serve.  When they see a need they are there.  They listen.  They commit.  They lead.

 They know.  They see.  They stand. 

 They realize.  They demand.  They cry.  They whine.  They hope.  They need.  They value.  They pretend.

 They play.  They mess.  They succeed. They fail.

They borrow.  They win.  They lose.

 They love.  They hate.  They fight.  They try.

 They know.  They live.  They breath.

 They dream.  They thrive.  They grow.

They become.  They endure.  They believe.





These really are some amazing kids.  They are talented.  They are sweet. They are special in every way.  Not every can see this but all of these are true.  And I am grateful for them in every way.  Not an easy task to be a parent of five kids but a task that I am committed to and a task that I agreed to long ago.  And I am pretty sure it isn't easy for them to have a mom like me.  But I love them with everything I have in me.

CALEB: 15, sweet, helpful, creative, musical, mechanical.  Caleb is teaching himself the piano and guitar.  He can play by ear.  So talented.  He loves his welding class and can create quite amazing things.  He struggles in school but is so intelligent.  He is great at memorizing scripture masteries.  He loves junk food.  He is a neat kid.

ZACHARY: 13, sense of humor, talkative, tall, hunter, gun lover.  Zach is as tall as his Caleb....over 6ft. Zach loves to hunt.  He owns two guns and enjoys duck hunting. He played football for the first time and did really well.  He is known for talking to the girls during class (so his teachers say).  He is outgoing and very easy to talk to.  He was just put as the Deacons Quorum Pres. at church. He will be a great leader.  I am thankful for him. 

RACHEL: 10, beautiful, loving, serving, helpful, a writer, caring.  This girl is a blessing in every way.  She goes above and beyond in helping me with housework.  She can sense when I get stressed.  Rachel is kind.  It upsets her when anyone is being mean.  She has written a book and is starting on number two.  She does what is right.  She LOVES lists.  I find her writing a list of things to do each night before going to bed.  She gets good grades and is a delight to have as a daughter. 

ETHAN: 9, jokester, loving, smart, thinker, athletic, lego lover, video game addict.  Ethan gets good grades.  He loves to tease and scare people.  He is great at sports and very fast.  He enjoys building with his legos and loves to play Mario Kart.  It is hard to get him off his game most of the time.  This little boy gives the best hugs.  He is a great kid.

MAYAH: 7, smart, determined, adorable, feisty, athletic.  Mayah is strong willed and knows what she wants and will go far in life.  She is smart and is amazing at math and reading.  She is athletic and played soccer for the first time on a team a year ago.  She can definately hold her own.  She seems so much older when she talks and she always has Don and I in stitches with her funny comments.  I am thankful she is our youngest.  She really keeps us going and there is never a dull moment when she is around.  Truly truly a red head.