sending love

We've been spreading love around here.  I know this is not the most orginal idea but I needed a quick Family Home Evening idea last week and this was the perfect answer.  We each wrote down things on paper hearts that we loved about everyone in the family.  The kids totally loved it. They were very serious and thought about "real" and special things that we loved about each other.  Then, we read them aloud while putting them up on the wall.  Zachary blushed when the girls read their hearts to him.  I loved them all but, I was especially happy with Ellie's heart to me.  "Mom, you are a good cook and a good example to me. "

The heart decor is the only thing hanging on our walls here in the new pad.  I should mention the temporary new pad is getting on my nerves.  It's been to long to think of it as a "vacation rental."  Nor, is there anything "vacation like" here in Sioux Falls.  But, I am trying to be patient, I know the right home will come along in time.  Wish us luck that it's sooner than later, please.

when life brings you snow

make a snowman!

If these walls could talk

Monday January 31st we closed on our Omaha home.  And with the celebration of selling/ closing on a home comes a flood of memories.  Jeff and I had mixed feelings over the closing.  On one hand we were elated and relieved to have this home sold.  It was never my fave.  Infact, I rountinly complained about this home.  You've heard me, right?  But, it was ours.  And we were happy here for 6 years.   The kids were babies in this home.  We have all grown up here.  In this kitchen

Oh, if these kitchen walls could talk.  It was here that we gathered around the dinner table together every night.  Or almost everynight.    We are lucky that our schedule allows us to be together  most nights. I treasure this time and rarely sign my kids up for anything that might interfere with the dinner hour.  It means that much to me.  If these wall could talk you'd hear about the laughter in our home.  Lots of giggleing.  Jeff is funny, you knew that.  But, did you know he will drop everything in order to make you smile or to lighten your mood with his humor.   If these walls could talk you'd know about the precious and heartfelt prayers that were said in this very room.  You would know that  Avery volunteers to say the morning and nightly prayer EVERY SINGLE time.   If these walls could talk you would hear all about the many lectures and conversations that were had at the dinner table.    With listening ears, this is our perfect time to "teach."  And, in order to stretch out our table time you will likely hear about the conversation games we play at the table.  "What would you rather".  "Telephone."   "Pick a topic and chat".  "Thumbs up, thumbs down day".  Gosh, with all this goodness you will need to know of the typical argueing and bickering that also took place here.  "Not  now, dinner is in 20 mintues"   or "I'm hungry what's for dinner." "Time out for you"   Sad to note, that you would also hear me say...not now "I'm busy"  And with that,  you'll need to know that I'm still learning the balance.  Someday, I will master it like Jeff and will take advatage of every moment to just "be" with the kids. If these wall could talk you would know of the mass choas around the house that ensues while I am preparing dinner.  But in the end...you would know of the beautiful calm and peace that comes together as all 5 of us sit down.
 To just "be" together.