Friday, May 31, 2013

22:52 Technology

My mother lives 3,000 miles away.
Alaska is a long ways from Arizona, and at times I feel every single mile that separates us.

With the wonder of modern day technology, it feels just a bit closer.
Have you ever used Skype? Or the Hangout on Google Plus? It's a marvelous way to communicate face to face.
Our family, living in six different homes in three different states, have all been able to face chat at one time on Google Plus.  Good stuff.

As fun as our virtual hangouts are, the ability to play scrabble together is almost better!

Back in the day, playing my mother in a game of scrabble was basically murder.  She's the word game queen.  I wonder if I might just stand an occasional chance now though, with the Tournament Word List and Google at my fingertips.  Shhhh! Don't tell!

We are currently tied in our first game.

22:52 Technology

With this rack of letters though, I have a premonition that it's all downhill from here!

Now if only I had a smarter phone, I could wile away the long hours involved in airline travel playing scrabble...

This afternoon I'm on my way to Minnesota for a long weekend to attend a cousin's wedding and visit my dear Mummu and Pappa.  While I'd love the newer technology of a smart phone and it's apps, nothing beats good old-fashioned "visiting".  I can't wait to hug my grandparents and stay with them again!

I'm linking up to Anita this week.  Head her way, and enjoy your weekend!


Friday, May 24, 2013

21:52 Laughter

is the best medicine.

Am I not correct?

And like I've said before, our baby brings a lot of good medicine to our home.

21:52 Laughter

She was tickled pink to be given a marshmallow (albeit an un-roasted one) on our recent camping trip. Cue the hilarious fake laughter here.

But goodness! My baby doesn't really look like a baby anymore! Now that is not funny!
Why must they grow so quickly?  Where did the luscious newborn scent go?  Where are my tiny snuggles and where is the downy soft hair?  And how and when did you learn to fake laugh?!

I loved all of the baby phase, yes, but I guess if I'm being honest, I love watching her grow too. She's such a delight and I don't know what we'd do without her smiling little face.

This week, I'm linking up to Amber.  Head on up north to see what's tickling her funny bone.

Friday, May 17, 2013

20:52 Mother

I was asked several times if I had a nice Mother's Day.
I guess this question surprises me. Yes. Yes, of course it was nice.
Dean cleaned the house for me on Saturday while I lay sick in bed.  Then on Sunday he stayed home with a puking child while I went to the park with the other kids. Later that day, he hosed down the puke blankets and sheets for me.
He was kind enough to hold off being sick himself until after we had all crawled into bed, and Mother's Day was technically over.
Sounds like it kind of sucked, but I really did have a nice day.  What wasn't to love about it? I felt pampered and loved simply because my husband served me all. weekend. long.  Gosh but I love that man!

Perhaps it's because I have five young children, or perhaps it's because I look at motherhood as my job, but either way, I don't get too hyped up about Mother's Day or set high expectations.
To know I'm thought of and thanked is enough.  With that knowledge, I can go about my day happily. A day that involves dirty diapers, hungry children, and a growing laundry pile, regardless of the fact that it's the second Sunday of May.
I suppose I'm a 'glass half full' kind of gal too.  I'm usually finding the good in a day, a moment, a circumstance; and the good in my weekend was all the small things I didn't have to do.

I guess I also am as realistic as I am optimistic.

And honestly, I kind of feel like it's Mother's Day at least twice a month.
Like on the days that Dean says of course he is willing to pick up dinner on his way home from work.
Or the days that my kids and I enjoy lots of snuggles and giggles on the couch.
Or the times when my nine year old son comes bursting in the door and launches himself into my arms.
Or when my daughter presents me with a card she drew herself.
Or when the three youngest take a nap, all at the same time! For two whole hours!

So yes, I am incredibly blessed! With a wonderful mother and mother-in-law, with an incredibly supportive spouse, with great friends, and with five beautiful children who make my days worthwhile.

I mean, just look at that smile!

10:52 Mother
And because I thought you would get as much of a kick out of this poem as I did, I'm going to share something I stumbled across on this big ol' world wide web.

If You Give a Mom a Muffin
by Beth Brubaker

If you give a mom a muffin, 
she'll want a cup of coffe to go with it.
She'll pour herself some.
Her three year old will come and spill the coffee.
Mom will wipe it up.
Wiping the floor, she will find dirty socks.
She'll remember she has to do laundry.
When she puts the laundry into the washer,
she'll trip over shoes and bump into the freezer.
Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan supper.
She will get out a pound of hamburger.
She'll look for her cookbook (How to make 101 Things With a Pound of Hamburger).
The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail.
She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow.
She will look for her checkbook.
The checkbook is in her purse, which is being dumped out by her two year old.
Then she'll smell something funny.
She'll change the two year old.
While she is changing the two year old, the phone will ring.
Her five year old will answer and hang up.
She'll remember she was supposed to phone a friend 
to come over for coffee.
Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup.
She will pour herself some more.
And chances are,
if she has a cup of coffee,
her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.

Yep, pretty much sums up my days to a "T"! And it's great!

A Picture of my Wednesday afternoon

Amber will have more to share about mothers.
Have a great weekend you all, whether you're a mother enjoying the beautifully mundane or not!

Friday, May 10, 2013

19:52 Night

This boy will not put his book down.

Oh, I'm glad it's books rather than video games, but sometimes, homework and chores and some shut eye need to happen.  He doesn't exactly share my opinion.

19:52 Night

The bright side of this situation is that he never fights going to bed.  It means that he can read!


Head on over to Amber to see what night-time looks like up in her corner.


Friday, May 3, 2013

18:52 Quiet Place

This time of year, the best 'quiet places' are outside.

This is the place to be. 

18:52 Quiet Place

Warm sunshine.
Bare feet. 
Good book.
Soft, green grass.
It doesn't get much better than that!

I don't mean to rub it in or anything, but I'm guessing that Amber is not able to enjoy some quiet on a picnic blanket just quite yet!