My Little Life

I resisted. Didn't think it was "my thing". I was encouraged to give it a shot. Denied that I'd ever enjoy it. And then? I gave in. And I've been consumed. The Hunger Games. I've been consumed by The Hunger Games! I can't get enough! I have to force myself to put it down. To finish supper. To do laundry. To be a mom or a wife or a friend. It is so entirely captivating! I've even convinced my husband (who doesn't read unless he wants to "learn something") to read it...and my 16 year old wants to as well! Gotta say...can't wait until this weekend to see the movie. Can. Not. Wait!

This girl is the sunshine in my heart. Well, all of my kids are...but lately? Her sun is shimmering. I think 4 is one of my favorite ages. Somewhat independent, still a little needy, able to understand humor, and talkative. Oh my. The talking. Late night conversations about nothing. When she asks for a drink from my water bottle and I say it the way she used to say it when she was a baby, "bottow bottow" and she looks at me, mouths "bottow bottow" and says, "That sounds like water bottle."...I melt. And then, when she is trying to talk about something that happened in the past and she says things like, "Remember, last day? When we went for a walk to the park?" and "last day" could be anywhere from yesterday to a year ago to before she was born. Oh, and then there is the extra "ed" on past tense "verbbing"..."he yelleded in my ear!" or "I bited my tongue!" or "I jumpeded off the couch!".....

39. Wow. One year from the big 40 and still handsome as ever. I am blessed to have you in my life. Blessed that God chose you as "the one" for me. I love you because you are kind. I love you because you are smart. I love you because you are a wonderful daddy. I love you because you are an amazing husband. I love you because you love your mom. I love you because you are funny. I love you because your faith runs deep. I love you because you are patient. I love you because you are a perfectionist. I love you because you are not perfect. I love you because you pack like a girl. I love you because you always check the oil before a car trip. I love you because you are safe. I love you because you love to learn. I love you because you are strong. I love you because you help around the house. I love you because you teach our children about the outdoors. I love you because you are a good friend to others. I love you because you are reverent. I love you because you show respect. I love...

I can hear it now...through ears muffled with age, the chatter of my elderly friends and I discussing the "March of 2012". 80 degree days. Humidity. Sunshine. Thunderstorms. No snow. Not "not much snow"...NO snow. The kids playing outside in shorts and tank tops. People turning on their air conditioning. In MARCH. When the temperature is usually in the 40's. When it usually looks like this: Or this: And often times like this: March. Now. 2012. Like this: And this: And even this: Nope...not likely a March to be forgotten.

When I was in my senior year in college, our school hosted a Father/Daughter Dance...it is one of the best memories I have! A few weeks ago, I saw a blurb somewhere (school newsletter? paper? flyer ? I can't remember) that there was going to be a Father/Daughter Ball in our community...because I had such fond memories of my own night dancing with my dad, I immediately (and very excitedly) mentioned it to Belle, who, in all of her tweenagerness was all, "sure". Then I promptly called my husband to inform him of the event and he was all, "YOU DIDN'T MENTION ANYTHING TO BELLE, DID YOU?!" And I was all, "Um...yeah? Why?" And he was all, "I wanted it to be a surprise !" And I was all, trying to bluff Belle, "Um...okay, oh, bummer, you can't go?" And he was all, "What?" And I was all, "Oh, that's too bad, she really wanted to go." And he was all, "Huh?" And I was all, "Gosh, well, ...

Today might just be any old Friday to you, but to me? IT'S iPAD FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YIPPEE!!! It's also "gorgeous March Friday" as well as "Mama has off Friday". 70. That's how many glorious, gorgeous degrees it's going to be today. We need to get outside!! With my new iPad, of course. ;) Okay, you came here for Five Question Friday, so let's get to it! Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are enjoying the warm weather so much that they don't want to come in from playing outside. Rules for 5 QF : Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN! Questions for Friday, March 16 th : (Special thanks to Stacy ( @JacksonJsmom ) from A Boy Makes 3 , harmonysong ( @harm...

Yikes! Late Sneak Peek...I'm sorry! We had a wonderful, full, busy night! Friends over for tacos, kids playing and playing and playing and then "Aw, mom! I don't wanna come in!". Always so good to hear! Minnesota has been blessed by unseasonably warm winter...and I LOVE it! Oh, how wonderful it would be if this became a trend! Anyway, I better get a move on and get this sneak peek up for y'all!! Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses are enjoying the warm weather so much that they don't want to come in from playing outside. Rules for 5 QF : Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN! Questions for Friday, March 16 th : (Special thanks to Stacy ( @JacksonJsmom ) from A Boy Makes 3 , ...