The First Snow of the Season!!!

 Sunday, a day of rest.  A day to recover from the craziness of the week and recharge for another.  This Sunday however, we were in for an even bigger treat.  Snow began to fall!  Only November 21st and already a beautiful white blanket began to powder the ground and trees!   So, out came the winter gear.  Snow bibs were tried on and SURPRISE!, they still fit.  Boots were moved down to the next child in line.  Stocking caps and scarfs were put in place and we headed out for our first snow walk of the season.  Hand-in-hand with my man, we sauntered down the sidewalk, as the children skipped ahead singing joyfully, and talking excitedly of the closeness of Christmas.  There was plenty of snow for angels, snow men, and a little mischievousness.  After pictures were taken we headed back to the warmth of the fire, cocoa with candy canes, and a wild game of "Trouble".  This was simply a beautiful day!

Breakfast Daddy Style

Breakfast this morning was exciting and new.  Seth emerged from the kitchen with a pad of paper and pen and began taking orders for breakfast. He shared the days specials with us, and asked if we would prefer pancakes with strawberry syrup, maple syrup, boysenberry syrup, peanut butter, whip cream, or if we would like the harvest special.   Eggs were offered and which type desired, scrambled or sunnyside-up.  "Can I cheese those up for you?", he asked.  Seth collected our orders, even including our drinks, and began cooking.  Each dish was made special, complete with marshmallows smiling brightly, and breakfast was delightful.

The girls were thrilled!  After eating they disappeared upstairs. Some time later they returned in a noisy chorus.  Flags flying, signs made, and music playing in thanks for daddy's special treat.  It was a great start to our day!

Daddy is a special gift to our family, and he helped this day begin with smiles! :)

What I Love About My Man

This weekend Seth and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary!  We traveled to Leavenworth, WA, for two nights and three days.  We had a blast eating at yummy restaurants with great atmosphere, miniature golfing, Christmas shopping, hot tubbing, and being together just the two of us.  We were so blessed!  However, it was after our weekend on the drive home that I realized, once again, what I truly love about my man.  He knows how to bless me with his words.  Driving home he said that he loves spending time with our girls, and our family, but what he likes most is being with me.  Just me. 

My heart melted all over again.  I love my man!

Two Many Questions

I have noticed something lately.  I ask too many questions.  That is, one too many.  I always pair my questions together asking Seth two things at once.  "Do you want to stay up a little longer or are you tired?"  "Do you want lasagna or enchiladas?"  "Do you want me to cut your hair now or later?"  "Are you feeling better or does your head still hurt?"  All these questions are fine by themselves, but when the answer is given, it gets a little tricky.  "Yes." or "No."  That is usually the answer I receive, yes or no.  Not both.  One or the other.  So when asking the question, "Do you want to stay up a little longer, or are you tired?" and receiving a "Yes" response, I still have no more information than I did before asking the question.  Then I wonder, did he hear the first part of the question or only the second?  I guess the only answer to that is "Yes." :)

(Now, we catch ourselves doing this and we chuckle.  It is amazing how many times in a day these dual questions are asked!)

Genes, Interesting Genes!

Just a quick glimpse at why I turned out the way I did.

Yes this is my family.

My parents are the noses on the right.

My Sister. What beautiful white teeth!

My brother and me.

And yes, even my husband.

And I have to ask, is it any wonder that these are my children?

Oh, what interesting genes!

Aren't they supposed to skip a generation?! :)

Spanking Spoons for Sale!

Early the other morning, Zoie exclaimed quite cheerfully, "Mommy, I have a great idea! We can sell all the spanking spoons and make a hundred dollars!"

Lessons Learned

In Sunday School today my girls learned about Nehemiah and how he took the initiative to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. They learned the importance of taking the initiative in their own lives to do what needs to be done, instead of leaving those tasks to others. (I was there teacher today, so I remember the lesson vividly.) At home, what struck me, was how well they had listened to what was taught. After playing outside, they were asked to bring their toys in and get ready for supper. What they did was even better. Not only were their toys taken care of, but they also decided to clean the garage. They ran inside to share with me that they saw something that needed to be done and they did it! "Just like Nehemiah!"

I love knowing that my girls listen when they are taught important lessons. But what blesses me even more is their heart to then take what they learned and put it into practice. And with a spring in their step and a smile on their face.