Striving for Simplicity

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Wordless Wednesday..."Super Heroes!"

I forgot that yesterday was Wednesday!

I love Wordless Wednesdays, so I'm going to post my Wordless Wednesday on Thursday this week.

I'll do better next week.

Maybe.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

What's in a Day?

Our days consist mostly of school and everyday things.

Everyday things like chores.

And meals.

But there are ways to celebrate the everyday stuff of life.

Having steel-cut oats with maple syrup

and walnuts is one way to celebrate.

We will be celebrating William's 16th birthday this Sunday, so we went to the party store for supplies.

And we had Donato's for lunch.

Funny how food and celebrating go hand-in-hand.

The past two days have been GORGEOUS!

We have enjoyed temperatures in the 60's,

so we took celebratory bike rides both days.

This is the first year that we could all go on a bike ride together and I have felt comfortable. Before that, Matthew was so little and still on training wheels! Not this year! This year he is riding right along with the rest of us and singing, "I love riding my bike!" all the way.

And check this out!

Sandhill Cranes migrating back north

for the past two days!

We started hearing their very unique call early Monday afternoon, and saw their flocks flying overhead.

We are so blessed to be right in line with their

migration every spring and fall!

They are traveling from their winter grounds in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida to their summer grounds in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, southwestern Ontario and southeastern Manitoba. They have a stop-over at the Jasper-Pulaski

Fish and Wildlife Area in Medaryville.

And now this morning, it is in the 30's, the wind is howling fiercely, we have lost power once,

and are waiting on the snow to blow in.

Crazy Indiana weather.

I guess days like today make us all the more thankful and hopeful for those beautiful spring days!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

I Don't Need a Nap

The boys were sick,

so I made the most of this opportunity!

It has been a long time since we've had

nap time at our house.

Well...a long time since kids have taken nap time.

Me, on the other hand...

So!

I told the boys that we should read a book in my bed.

It worked with Josh. He got sleepy very quickly.

But Matthew tossed and turned and then

finally asked if he could get up to play.

After a quick snooze, I got up to see

what Matthew was up to.

Silence.

I get just a little nervous when there is complete silence, so I went exploring.

This is what I found...

It looks like he had every intention of playing.

But sleep got the best of him.

He woke up yelling for me,

wiping the side of his face, and smiling.

"I drooled a little bit."

More than a little bit.

I could tell from his shining face and wet hair

that it was more than a little bit.

"I was sleepy."

Again, I remember why I love blogging.

I love catching these little moments

that are gone in a flash.

Monday, March 10, 2014

End of Season

This week, both basketball and robotics

seasons came to an end.

Tuesday evening was Carrie's

end-of-season basketball banquet.

She's a senior, so Carrie and I spent Tuesday morning creating her Senior Frame.

We were pretty excited about how it turned out.

I was so relieved that we finished this project.

On time.

I dreamed about it most of the night before.

And it didn't get finished in my dreams.

There were also two seniors on the boys' team.

The kisses on the table were to be taken by the kids and then they were to give them to their moms.

Carrie threw my kiss to me.

And yes, I did catch it.

But Matthew ate it.

Shhhhhh...don't tell.

Trophies and letters and other fun things...

This is the official stuffed Marlin.

I think it's a little icky, but everyone seems to like to throw it around at games when Mrs. Owens brings it.

They also like to sign it.

Here, Coach is making her presentations and remarks.

Anna is giving Carrie a reassuring pat as Coach says that they played with only five players for part of the season.

Carrie spent several games out with an ankle injury.

And like Paul said during the time

that Senior parents were allowed to share,

"We were thankful for that ankle injury, because it wasn't a hand/wrist/finger injury."

Being a piano player and all.

Oh...and by Senior parents, I mean "the parents of a Senior," not that we are senior citizens.

Not yet.

I love this picture!

Anna's mom snapped it at the end of the banquet.

Such beautiful smiles.

Carrie said that she was surprised

that she didn't cry that evening.

I was surprised that I didn't either.

Well...I did, but it was at the very end,

and it was only for a minute.

Her coach talked to me about Carrie,

and that made me cry.

Coach's fault.

On Wednesday, William met with Jesse for the last pictures with this season's robot.

I love the design on this shirt!

Bot-E Builders!

And I love the orange shirts!

And I love that young man wearing that shirt!

This season's challenge was lots of fun!

I hope the same for next year's challenge.

We'll soon find out!

Next year's challenge will be announced

in just a few weeks!

William had so much support from family and friends.

We are so thankful!

He's now looking at how he can grow in robotics.

He's been "robotting" now for five years!

We're praying for God's guidance as he thinks

about some new ventures.

And adventures!

Life is an adventure!

I'm often hesitant to brag on my kids.

I guess because I confuse pride with being proud...

in the Mom sense.

I am a proud Momma.

I am proud of the way that Carrie and William have learned to look to God and ask Him to lead and guide them. It hasn't been without some rough times. Some really hard times. But isn't that how we all learn to run to God. And to stay in the shelter of His wings.

Psalm 91:4

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

I love their hearts.

And their smiles.

And their twinkly eyes.

And their senses of humor.

And...

OK...I'll quit now.