Random...

Tis the season to neglect the blog.  It's been almost a month since my last post and honestly, it feels like a week.  Really!  

On the one hand, I have a lot to say, and then on the other hand, I'm at a loss for words and can't think of anything to write.  I think for tonight, I'll just go with some random, impulsive thoughts (you should probably be afraid...)

Basically, it's less than one week before Christmas and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with my "to do list".  I have quotations around it because I don't actually have a list, which sometimes makes it difficult to keep track of what I have left to do and many times aggravates a certain person in this house (hint:  not me or my children ;)  

I went to Target the other night, did all my shopping, went to the register and then realized I didn't have my wallet.  I came VERY close to my first holiday meltdown, but I'm proud to say that I held it together (for the most part). 

Sparkee snatched Zart, our Elf, from the Christmas tree the other evening.  It made for a good laugh, after the initial panic from the kids. 

About a month ago, Victor and I went away for the weekend.  Thank you to my mom and dad for not only sending us away, but for taking our family for us for the weekend.  We stopped at the beach during our stay and it was still beautiful, even in the off season.

Lifeguard chairs tipped over are a little sad though.

So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness.

—Sidney Poitier 

Uncertainty...

I was trying so hard to get back on schedule with blogging more regularly.  This week life got in the way of that. Even the best laid plans are interrupted and priorities take precedent.  

Because my brain is still whirling a bit from the random happenings of this past week, I'll just fill this post with some random photos. 

 I totally stole this idea from Kelle Hampton of Enjoying the Small Things.  She posted a few pictures of her daughter with chalk art on her Instagram ETST

“The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next.” -Ursula K. Leguin

Random Thursday Post...

I have all the windows open (while it's snowing outside) because I almost set my kitchen on fire.   Sometimes I'm a space shot; I try to get too much done at once and well, let's just say, sometimes things backFIRE (pun intended).  

Have you heard this song?  I heard it this morning for the first time and I actually started crying in the car...goodness, sometimes my emotions are very raw...

...I think the words in the song are beautiful.

Being a parent is hard!  I know this isn't some new found revelation, but I just thought I'd put it out there.  I question myself constantly, wondering if the decisions I make as a mother are the right ones.  I pray that even though I don't get it right all the time, my children will grow up to be happy and confident adults because their lives are filled with love.    

I'm now freezing and the house is pretty much clear of smoke so I'm going to conclude this random post and attempt to make my lunch (again.)  This time I will pay attention.  Thanks for reading this disjointed, random rant...

If you so choose, each day can be filled with even more joy than the one before. If you so choose, even the most seemingly random events can work in your favor.

Ralph Marston

Random...

 A Random post means I can't really think of anything with substance to post about so here are several random thoughts and photos that make up a complete post....kinda.

Our yard is covered in dandelions this year.  I don't mind so much, but I'm not sure the husband feels the same.  He probably would not be pleased to know Little Miss was spreading more seeds around.  (sorry honey)

 I put most of my thank you gifts in the mail yesterday.  It's not too late to make a donation and receive a "thank you" from little ole me.  Click here for details.

 My mom and I took the kids to Build A Bear the other day.  E and littlest nephew had never been; it was a fun time for all...complete with Darth Vader and Cinderella dress-up clothes.

 I finished reading this book.  Once I got started, I couldn't put it down.  It was inspiring to say the least.  I'm pretty sure I need to write a post just to reflect on all that it is...

 Do everyone else's children love to swing like my kids?  I love that they are facing each other.

"So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness."

Sidney Poitier 

Olive Oil and other random thoughts...

Did you know that olive oil has other uses besides for meal preparation in the kitchen?  I found a list of 25 here.  


...and here's #26.  It's been a month since my surgery and I'm still peeling steri-strips off and then after the process of peeling comes the process of getting all the icky glue off my skin.  This morning I was convinced the icky glue was going to be a permanent fixture, however, I'm happy to report that soaking the glue with some olive oil did the trick.  I'm almost "icky glue free".  Just a bit of useful information in case anyone was looking for a way to remove icky glue from their body in a safe, non-toxic manner.  I can't take all the credit for this revelation though....my friend Lauren suggested baby oil...I didn't have any on hand, so I used the olive oil...even better. 

And, moving on...

Some of you have inquired about how to leave a comment on the blog (I love comments...hint, hint...even if it's just to say hello).  You do not have to have a blog or belong to my site if you want to leave a comment.  Simply click comment and you will then see the screen below.  

Choose Name/URL and just type in your name. If you do have a website you'd like to be associated with, add that as your URL, but it is not required.

Thanks for all the positive feedback about my new "do".  You all sure know how to make a girl feel good. 

We're still unclear as to when chemo will be starting.  We're looking at the beginning of next week or the week after.  The anticipation of it is not a fun thing to deal with...UGH!

And a few random photos to go with the random post...
My new favorite of Little Miss

And, my two favorite boys at the Blue and Gold Banquet this past Sunday.

A great source of calamity lies in regret and anticipation; therefore a person is wise who thinks of the present alone, regardless of the past or future.
Oliver Goldsmith

I'm Alive

It's been an entire week since I've posted. June gets really crazy for me, especially as a teacher when I have to wrap things up for the year. I'll be back very soon with a post, but for now I just wanted you to know...yes, I'm alive!

Random

The seeds are planted.

Little Miss insisted they were growing 5 minutes later.

Another photo of our grassheads...just because.

Little Miss on the way to her cousin's pirate party...she was very excited!

AAAARGH!

I love being able to take a walk outside and 5 minutes later be able to look at this on my kitchen window sill....Spring is here!

"Living is more a question of what one spends than what one makes."

-Marcel Duchamp

I'm linking up with Heather.
<

April Vacation

E has been hit by the bug...the cleaning bug! I don't know what got into him the other day, but he took it upon himself to clean his room, complete with sweeping and vacuuming. He even vacuumed under the bed (literally). We bought a "truckload" of pansies at Walmart the other day...$1.78 for a 6 pack...you can't beat that price (well, unless you grow your own I suppose). Did you know pansies can be in temperatures as low as 20 degrees? They are the first flowers I buy at the start of Spring when I get the gardening bug.
We dyed Easter Eggs. I think this year's are the best yet. The kids were really patient about letting the eggs sit in the water so the colors could get really bright.

Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children. ~George Bernard Shaw

Bib

Too big for a bib? Naaaa......not when you're home and make mini pizzas and eat cupcakes for your birthday!

The Goings On

It's been almost a week since my last post? I'm slacking over here...

Here are few things that have been going on:

Fresh Air...(a little chilly, but we'll take it),

Roller Skating,

Melting Snow to reveal signs of spring,

more outdoor photo ops,

and Avozinha's 98th birthday.

"Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal."

John Kennedy

This quote seemed to be fitting, as I've been to 3 funerals in 3 weeks. I'm hoping I'm done with those for a while...so very sad for the families who have experienced these losses.

Perception

“It is one of the commonest of mistakes to consider that the limit of our power of perception is also the limit of all there is to perceive.”

- C.W. Leadbeater

I had a brief conversation with someone earlier today (you know who you are). It made me pause and think and reflect, mostly on blogging.

I started this blog because I thought it would be a fun, creative way to document our lives with our 2 little ones. I am able to post pictures and keep an ongoing journal of the daily happenings. But, this blog is not the whole picture. Our life is full and happy, but far from perfect. My daily routine often consists of whining children (and sometimes adults), diffusing a temper tantrum, constant messes and what seems like mountains of laundry. I do not like to cook and often don't, and most of the time I feel guilty about it (something I need to work on). Sometimes, I'm painfully shy and uncomfortable in social situations and until recently wouldn't order anything from the deli counter. However, I have happy, well-adjusted and healthy children who make my days full and worth waking up every morning. They are kind-hearted, silly, smart kids who constantly make us laugh. I have a husband who laughs with me, stays grounded when I go a little astray and loves me unconditionally, even in spite of my bad cooking.

I then started thinking about myself and how I perceive others through their blogs: "Look how beautiful her house is! What a great wardrobe she has! I wish my pictures would look like that!" I enjoy going through my list of blogs everyday, but, I must admit, sometimes I have a bit of blogger's envy....

Don't get me wrong, I am grateful every single minute of the day for my blessings, but I am constantly striving for better. And, while it may be good to work towards bigger and better goals, it's important to keep things in perspective and do so while being content in the moments taking place right before your very eyes.

It's not the whole picture...on my blog or anyone else's. I choose to write about the things that make me happy. Generally, making a craft with Little Miss or watching E move to the next level belt in Tae Kwan Do rank higher than conquering the mountain of laundry, but that's just me. Someone else may rank those things in a different order....

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.”

-Frederick Keonig

Random

Some random photos for you today

The candle holders at night

My Christmas gift from E; it's not so bad. I think the look is growing on me (kinda)

Happy Friday! I have today off, so it's a really happy Friday for me.

"Weekends are a bit like rainbows; they look good from a distance but disappear when you get up close to them. "

~John Shirley

Here's hoping your weekend doesn't disappear too quickly.