Easter....

Hello?! ... Is anyone out there?! I'm finally back from my "blog vacation" and think I'm back on track! I thought I would do some catch up from the spring....starting with Easter!

The annual Easter Egg dying

We had Easter at mom and dad's again this year...unfortunately it was raining so the "Bunnies" hid their eggs in the house...How thoughtful....

The Bunny gang.....

A Cup of Tea ......

I was reading all of my favorite blog spots when I came across this saying and it really spoke to me.....so I'm posting it on my blog spot so that I can read it and remember the important things.....

A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general. Offering his guests tea, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of tea and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh tea. When each of his former students had a cup of tea in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address the small gathering. ‘’You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourself, this is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems.” He continued, “Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the tea. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was tea, nota cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups. Then you began eyeing each other’s cups.’’ ‘’Now consider this: Life is tea. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the tea that God has provided us. God brews the tea, but he does not supply the cups.

"Enjoy your tea!’’

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, but they make the best of everything they have.

So please remember:

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Leave the rest to God.

What's next????

I generally don't blog without posting a picture but I've had this question running around my head for a little while now and just need to get it out somewhere. I'm not sure that this is the best place but maybe some of your insight will help me move on.....
You see I've made it. What I'm trying to say is that ALL of my life I have been dreaming, fantasizing, striving for and focused on this exact moment.......the time in my life when I would finish school and accomplish my goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse, meet the man of my dreams, have children and become a mother to them.....buy a house and settle down. These have been my dreams and goals as a child and a young adult. And it's true...when you set your mind to accomplishing your dreams you can GET IT DONE..... and the great thing is that I did!! Sooo I should be happy right?!? Don't get me wrong...I am very happy and for the most part Love my life.... It's just...what's next?
It's such a weird place to be in life. I've accomplished my life long goals....(life up to this point)I know, I know....I still have a goal of raising these kids to be happy, well adjusted young adults....which in and of it's self is quite a task these days.....
I mean a goal for me personally...where am I going? What is the next thing I should work for? I guess what's getting me is I feel I know how my life is going to go....I've seen it in motion...I see myself in my mother. She's a nurse and has worked at the same job for 40 + years and is now retired and traveling a ton!!!!! Don't get me wrong...she has an awesome life....it's rock solid, comfortable and for the most part, I believe she's happy. Not a bad life to follow..... and in much the same way I don't see myself changing jobs - EVER- why should I...it's comfortable, dependable, pays well and I work with some of my BEST friends EVER....it's a great job. And truly...I don't see Todd and I ever moving out of the Pacific Northwest..even though we talk constantly about it. Our family is here, our livelihood is here we are comfortable here..... so really.... nothing is going to change.
As I type this it is becoming more and more clear to me.....maybe that SHOULD be my goal. Instead of expecting my life to follow in my mother's footsteps..maybe my goal should be to keep my life in her footsteps. Keep life for my family solid, comfortable and dependable. I mean..I'm not trying to tempt fate and I know I can't see the future....I guess life after finishing school, getting married and having children is about keeping all of that plugging along on a fairly routine, and dependable track, avoid the pit stops and the dangers....that's the goal. OR IS IT????
Well....there you have it my current quandary......I'm pretty sure I can't answer this question today, tomorrow or even the next day.....it's just something to think about......

It's a BOY.....

Introducing: Riley Barnard
He's 4 months old and he is a King Charles Spaniel.....basically he's a mix breed between a King Charles Cavalier and a Cocker spaniel! Needless to say he is absolutely ADORABLE and a very good little boy! So far all is well...the cat (Smokey) is not so found of our new family member but is adjusting accordingly! Riley is doing GREAT! He's sleeping through the night in his kennel without any crying and has only had one little accident in the house....Yippee!!

I know, I know...we are crazy for getting a dog in the winter....but what can I say?! How can you ignore that face?! He's just what the doctor ordered to get us through these dark, rainy days!

I can't get rid of the "demon eyes" ....it's still a cute picture though! I hope you all get to come visit little Riley soon!

HAPPY NEW YEAR ! 2008....

Family, Fun, Fireworks, and Food....that's the best way to bring in a new year........................Happy New Year everyone! As Mackenzie kept singing on New Years eve...."It's gonna be GREAT in 2008!" :)

'Tis the Season....

I thought I would post some "firsts" of this Season.....the first picture is Mackenzie putting the first Christmas ornament on the tree....

This is a picture of the first snow this year....it didn't stick but Mackenzie had fun running around in it anyway!

This is the first "kids tree" we have cut down for our basement....I'm going to let the kids decorate it with whatever they decide! It will be fun to see what they want on it!

Halloween 2007

10 Reasons why this was one of our BEST Halloween's EVER.......

1. Awesome weather...cold, crisp and perfectly clear....no wind, clouds or rain....a really pretty night

2. Chocolate...need I say more?!

3. Finally meeting many of our new neighbors

4. My kids are both the perfect age for trick or treating

5. Everyone was happy!!! :)

6. My mother in law was able to walk along with us

7. Jake made the perfect Harry Potter!

8. Mackenzie will always be the perfect princess!

9. Both of the kids being SOOO excited at the amount of candy they received

10. After all the candy, sugar, and running the kids fell sound asleep in about 10 seconds! :)

That's it...my 10 reasons.... I hope all of you had a nice Halloween too!