Our little Garden

strawberries, herbs & flowers

herbs, tomatoes & flowers

lettuce, leeks, carrots & flowers

I miss my kids

The kids are at their Dad's for the summer. I talk to them every night. Every Thursday we go out for a family date night for a couple hours. We spend some of the weekends together. But I still miss them like crazy.

I miss seeing their beautiful faces every day. I miss their smiles, their voices, and especially their laugh. I miss hugging them. I miss reading together every night. I miss saying prayers together and tucking them in every night. I miss Ashleigh asking my advise on the latest drama between her friends. I miss talking to her, even when when she asks me those "embarrassing" questions about growing up, because I know she feels comfortable talking to me about anything. I miss Jackson always wanting to talk, hang out and play board games & cards. I miss us eating together as a family every night and talking about our day. I miss drawing chalk pictures together in the driveway and sharing all the little things that happen throughout the day.

Does it make me nuts when the house is a mess?... of course. Does it get on my last nerve when they are cranky and fight with each other?... sometimes. But would I trade that for the spotless, quiet house I have now?... In a heartbeat.

I want them to have a close relationship with their Dad. I'm glad they are spending time together but do I hate it that they are gone for the summer?... Absolutely.

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• The camera on my cell phone
• Ashleigh & her love of buttons
• Rings
• Sushi
• Flashlights
• Pink nail polish
• Jackson's giggle
• Homemade science experiments
• Food coloring
• My carpet cleaner

Buttons

My Ashleigh loves buttons, almost unusually so. As we walked through the shops at Gardner Village a few days ago we had to check out every little accessory that involved a button of any kind. We had tons of fun but that got me thinking about making our own accessories.  I have tons of buttons so I made her a button bracelet! Turned out cute for what I had on hand. She loves it.

Graduation!

My beautiful baby girl graduated from Elementary school today. This has been a really tough year between school work and pre-teen drama and she finished wonderfully. She earned extra certificates for Physical Education & Safety Patrol. Before I know it, It will be High School graduation!!!!  Both kids ended up with good report cards and Jackson is quite the reader this year. I'm so proud of both of them.

The Ashleigh's & Mr. Olson

Ashleigh, Alex, Ashley & Kylee

Alex, Ashleigh, Kylee

Alex, Ashleigh & Aubree

Jackson had a wonderful teacher this year.

Jackson & Ms Draper

Thankful Thursday

Among the many blessings I have, I am thankful for:

• My Mother
• My kids and that they talk to me about everything
• Laughing uncontrollably
• Air Conditioning
• Everlasting Gobstoppers
• Iced Tea
• Birds chirping outside my window in the morning
• Sleeping in on the weekend
• The mountain views from my house
• Summer

Family Night

Every Wednesday is our family night. Tonight we went out for ice cream. We have discovered how dangerous it is to have a Baskin Robins RIGHT down the street. And after 29 years of my life... I finally like ice cream (i know, it's shocking... still don't like pizza though so don't get too excited lol).

After ice cream we rode bikes... kind of. Jackson is still getting the hang of the 2 wheel thing.  He crashed a ton but he's such a trooper, no tears just toughed it out and got right back on. Great night. I love my babies.