the love of summer, fall, school, and family

HAPPY MONDAY!

Have not blogged for awhile. . . I have been pretty darn busy this summer with the girls.  This is the busiest summer ever.  We've been to the movies more times this year than we have over the last five years, we've been to a couple different zoos and ranches, we've done a lot of swimming, Emily has taken a few summer classes like baking and math (oh and one more coming up in August), we've kept up with our "lessons" this summer (pretty much), lots of art projects, a few play dates, we've gone to many parks and splash parks, we've had a few library visits, one nice little weekend away at a B&B, we've helped lots of people with their cars/trucks, and managed to have a few family picnics.  However, we've not found any time to go camping yet.  We usually are only able to make it camping one time a year.  It's tradition, and I hope we can go this year.  So, as you can see it has been a nice full Summer!

I love summer time, but I love FALL even more!  I can't wait to see the leaves change, to take out the sweaters and boots, and bake some pies.  I want to go to Apple Hill and a pumpkin patch (or two), go on a hayride, drink lots of hot tea, eat more stews, have the smell of cookies coming out of the oven, watch the girls get excited about Halloween and have fun planning their costumes, oh one more thing. . .I love school starting.  And, hope that I can instill that love of school to my girls. . .

Danica is excited about starting school this year.  Kindergarten already!  I was going through photos last night (still getting my computer squared away after the "incident" or virus we had).  Danica has changed from baby to little girl OVERNIGHT!!!  (Actually, Eleanor, too.)  

Sometimes, I feel I missed out on a lot of their babyhood because I had to work, however, deep down I know I had to do it.  It was so hard to get up out of bed and go to work.  And, if I can tell any mommy something, I wish I could say: "Oh it's easy, you'll be okay. . ."  I would be lying.  To stay home this past year has been such a blessing.  I have experienced so much with my girls.  Yeah, I have bad days and I want to cry after I've yelled at my precious angels or cry if I was too tired to play games with them.  I get a big guilty bath wash over me when I don't do everything with them.  I know, I need a break sometimes, too, but part of says to myself (when they want to play Barbies or Connect Four) that one day they will not want or need me -- and I should take advantage of each moment and love on them while I can.  

So, the bottom line in this blog is to love your family.  Even if you do not have children that you are raising right now, please be the best Auntie or Daughter or Friend or Wife or Husband or Grandparent or "Something" that you can be.  Start by changing some day-to-day things.  Pick up that cute little toy you see and drop it off, pick up that phone just to say "hi", pick up lunch and drop it off to someone just because, or come by to make cupcakes for a bit of fun.  And, if you just manage to do a little bit of something like this - - believe me it can go a long way and that little gesture could give someone happiness for much longer than you can imagine (especially, for little kids).

Take care and happy blog reading. . . TTFN.

20 Things About Me!

20 Things About Me

1.              I love being a Mommy and Wife.  I love my girls and how different each of them are.  I love being home with them right now and watching them grow and feeling their love for me.  I love my husband and everything we’ve been through together.  He is my best friend, my shoulder, the love of my life.

2.              I love the Fall.  I love everything about it.  Leaves falling, the weather changing, getting to wear boots again, school starting, Halloween, pumpkins, you name it, I love it all!

3.              I love COFFEE!  All kinds of coffee.  Regular, Starbucks, Frapaccinos, hot or iced.  I love all kinds of coffee.

4.              I love to travel.  Any place is fine as long as it’s somewhere.  It’s fun to get away, and even just as nice to come back to the comforts of home.

5.              I love trail mix and can eat it until I get sick.  I don’t know why, but it is really hard to stop eating it!

6.              I love a clean house.  I am not a clean freak, but I do like things nice and neat. 

7.              Chocolate!  Need I say more.

8.              I love going to the zoo.  There is something soothing just watching animals.  Perhaps that’s why I honestly like to watch the animal shows on T.V., too.

9.              Italian food and Mexican food have got to be my favorite foods.

10.           I love scrapbooking.  I love everything about it.  Photography, getting together with friends, pretty papers, stickers, stamps, ribbons, buttons, the tools, and all the other fun embellishments.

11.           I did not ride a bicycle until I was 22.  I taught myself (and yes I fell a lot)!

12.           I lived in Las Vegas (when I was teeny tiny baby).  I don’t remember it and would love to go back one day.

13.           I love San Francisco.  There is something pretty about the tall buildings.

14.           I love the ocean!

15.           I love to still learn.  I may not be in school, but I read a lot and teach myself things I never learned growing up.

16.           I do like summer because of swimming and ice cream (and air conditioning).  If these things did not exist, summer would be very hard for me to handle.

17.           I honestly love kids shows.  Cartoons, movies, Disney. . . you name it -- I actually would sit and enjoy watching it.  It’s never too late to have a happy childhood!

18.           I love TEETH.  I know it seems weird, but I should have been a dentist.  I have a weird thing about teeth.  I love all things related to the mouth!

19.           I love smoothies!  Do you realize how much fruits and veggies I can shove into the blender?  It’s AWESOME!!!

20.           And, last but not least I love Jesus!  I can do all things through the strength He gives me daily.  Amen.

Thanks for reading!  Have a great day!!!  ~ Marisa