Good Day. Sunshine.

It was so nice today. The birds were singing, the sun was shining, the sky was blue. I miss it. I can't wait until Spring is here to stay. And then summer. I love the light and warmth. It makes me happy.

After picking Kendall up from school, we met my friend, Robyn, her kids, and her mom, at the Meyer Dairy for ice cream. The kids ran around outside while the adults gobbled up their treats. Robyn's mom had a banana split! Robyn had called earlier and wanted to take my kids with her kids to a movie. Twist my arm. Ha! I think Robyn and I are going to see Duplicity tomorrow night.

Catching up with an old friend.

I just spent the afternoon visiting with an old high school friend. Her mom lives (retired) in my town. We found this out a couple of years ago around the 20th high school reunion. It's been so fun catching up when she's in town to see her mom. It's her children's spring break, so they are here for the week. Our kids play well together and we get to chat. I occasionally have lunch with her mom throughout the year. There's something comforting about seeing someone that you grew up with (especially, when one has been gone from "home" so long).

So, our plan for the week is to eat a couple of meals together and maybe catch a movie or two. We'll see. We don't put too much pressure on us--that's the beauty of old friends.

Lazy Saturday

We're having a lazy day today. It's been raining outside, I'm on call for the hospital, and there's laundry to do. I hope I can stay in all day.

Yesterday, I met with Clayton's preschool teacher and she said she feels like he's ready for kindergarten next year. Yay! But, I heard through the grape vine that the kindergarten teacher at the school might teach first grade next year. :( I really hope she is staying with kindergarten. I think that first year is so important and Kendall's teacher in kindergarten was so awesome.

Speaking of the school, the Parent Advisory Committee had a program last night. It was called "A Taste of Africa." It was really good. There was typical African food and some dancers from the University called Nommo. We really enjoyed it. There were tables set up with items from Africa. There was story telling, too. I'm glad we went.

That's about it for now. Happy Saturday!

Today I went to the Women's Bible study. As I was driving there, I was having a pity party in my head. The sky was gray and I just was feeling gloomy when I was thinking about my health right now. Next week is the last session in our study of Beth Moore's "It's Hard being a Woman"--a study of the book of Esther. As I sat watching the DVD today, I was reminded of how perfect God's timing is. And when something can seem like a curse, God can turn it around to make it a blessing and cause us to take on something that normally would be so big and overwhelming we would feel powerless. But rather, God empowers us to move forward and take on these challenges and to grow--to grow in faith and His truth. I left the study today feeling like I can do this and I will grow because of this.

Rethinking my plan

Last semester, it became evident that I wasn't enough for my 4 year old boy. He needed a play mate in the afternoons. He would ask to have someone over or ask me when his sister would be home from school. So, I came up with a plan. There is another boy at preschool who is Clayton's age. Clayton had been asking to have him over for a play date. The boy has a little sister so I know the mother probably has her hands full in the afternoons, too. I asked the mom if her son would want to come over after preschool. This would be a win-win situation for both moms. She would have a break while her daughter naps and my son would have a play mate (so I wouldn't have to be the play mate).

Fast forward to March. We have had three play dates now. I pick up the boys and bring them home. They play and eat lunch and play some more. The house gets turned upside down and the friend requests that the puppy be put in her crate. Sigh. And to top it off, they ask that I help them build their fort. Wait! I'm not supposed to have to be involved!!! You have each other to build and play and, you get the point. So, I'm thinking this plan is a little more work than I bargained for. Oh well. School will be out in a few weeks.

It's official

I bought my ticket to New Zealand! My mom agreed to come up here and watch the kids. Pete will go for almost the whole month and I will stay about a week. We have friends that live on the South Island and we will stay in their house. We also have a friend in Christchurch, also on the South Island. I've heard NZ is beautiful and the people are very friendly. I can't wait!

We got the old doggy blues...

Our black lab, Cody, is 11 and a half years old. Old for a big dog. She is very sweet and just wants to be loved. Lately, she has been drinking A LOT of water and then needing to pee a lot. She's even had some accidents in the middle of the night. She's been a little goofy for a while, too. We've scheduled an appointment at the vet for this coming Tuesday. I'm hoping that maybe we can change her food and it will take care of the problem.

Happy Spring!

It's the first day of spring! Yay! I think the actual time is around 11:47 pm, but it is today. Roll on spring. I'm looking forward to warmer days ahead and flowers abound!

Nothing much...

It's going to be beautiful today. And sunny. Yay! Clayton has a friend coming over after preschool for a play date so I need to tidy a bit.

Nothing else going on except I might go to New Zealand in May! Pete is going for work so his ticket is paid for. My mom agreed to fly up to PA to watch the kids. I wouldn't stay as long as Pete but I think it would be a lot of fun if only for a week. We have friends on the South Island and we would stay with them.

I'm dreaming of kiwis, penguins, mountains, oceans....the list goes on and on.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Yep, I'm Irish. About half. With a name like Kelly, you know I'm Irish. So, today I need to find something green to wear so I don't get pinched. At least, that's how it was when I was a kid. Since moving around this country, I have found not everyone knows of that tradition. Anyway, I will still try to wear something green today.


An Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May God be with you and bless you:
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.

May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.

And don't forget this saying:

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, you're lucky enough!

Feeling better on Monday...

I'm feeling better today. I think that benadryl I took last night caused me to have a good sleep. The kids are on spring break and some friends are coming over this afternoon. There isn't a whole lot planned for the week but we might go see the little cousins in NYC later on in the week. I have a dental cleaning and check up appointment on Wednesday. Other than that, not much going on. I am meeting with a guy tomorrow afternoon about a potential job. It's hush hush right now, but I'm excited about the possibility of getting back into the real world. Both kids will be in school next year and with these economic times, it would be a good thing to have some extra income. There would be travel involved so it would be a big change for the family.

Well, I have no excuse! I must go clean this house. It's a real pit, I tell ya!

Rainy days and Mondays always...

I didn't do a darn thing today. Seriously. Skipped church due to feeling lousy and overall "blue-ish." Blah, blah, blah.

OK. I need to get off this computer and go sit in front of the TV. Riveting.

Yes!

• I get to work today.
• Spring Break starts today for the kids.
• We might go to New York City at some point during the break.
• It might be warm today.
• All around feeling good about life.
• My dad turns 75 (gulp) today.
• Brother's colonoscopy was normal.
  

When I say "I am a Christian"

by Carol Wimmer

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

Just what is raclette?

A fellow blogger asked me what a raclette maker does. Well, it melts raclette cheese and warms up stuff on the top if you want. The usual fare that accompanies the cheese is made of boiled potatoes, salami, cornichon pickles and pickled onions. You can click here for wikipedia's definition.

Weird

This is Lilly. Of course, Pete picked her out when she was a puppy. Notice her coloring.

This is our electric raclette maker. Pete picked this out, too. Notice the coloring. Does anyone else find this coincidental?