Going to Middle School...

Having fun with the cousins at Sunsplash

So, Sam is a seventh grader now. Yes, he is in middle school. I can't believe it! I can remember when I was in middle school. I didn't think it was that long ago. Apparently, it was. :(

Anyway, he is loving it! He is growing up before my eyes. He will be 13 soon so I'm sure it will all go downhill from there. Ahhh, teenage years...

Amanda's Visit...

So last week, Amanda (my dear sister) came to visit. We had a great time. I really appreciate her and her kids. We went to Sunslash and had the best time ever. We played on her cricuit (so much fun!), went swimming, slept, ate, and just visited like crazy. I am writing this mostly to share how much fun we had, but also to let her know how much I treasured our time together. I am lucky to have a sister that would drive 16 hours form Dallas with her five kids (ages 2- 12) jsut because she thought I might need a friend. Thanks Amanda, I love you!

Fresh Start...

Wow, it has been a while since I blogged last. I know it's not because I have nothing to say, probably just not too sure how to say it. Actually, there are a lot of things going on in the world of crazy... The kids did swim team this summer ( I will write about and post pics later)...I taught swim lessons for nine weeks, yes nine, never again for that long...I went to girl's camp as the camp director...kept chickens, dogs, a cat and a garden alive all summer (which is an amazing thing for me:)... and just really enjoyed my summer. I will post pictures and updates about things in the following days. I am glad to be back. Ready for a new start. Love to you all! :)

Spring Has Sprung...

So, it has finally arrived. It has been windy, hot, cold, and weird all at the same time. It amazes me how the weather can change instantly. I love this time of year though. We have planted most of our garden and if it can survive the elements, we should end up with a nice variety of crops. If I survive the elements, it will just be nice. Happy spring to you and yours! :) (P.S. Happy birthday Amanda!)

Forgiveness...

Well, I feel like this post is "the end of an era" for me, or maybe it's the start of a new one. Who knows? Anyway, I really need to learn how to forgive a lot better than I do. I mean it's easy to forgive, but it's the getting over it part that I don't so well with. I can't seem to learn how to let things go. As a very wise person helped me realize recently, it is not my nature to make others hurt as bad as they have hurt me. She was right! Sometimes I feel so hurt and can't help feeling like the other person should pay, and then I do something to make them feel the way I do ( I am really good at paybacks)...the thing is though that after I am finished paying them back, I feel miserable. I don't want to be this person anymore.
A very good friend of mine bought me a book called, "The Peacemaker" recently. I have to admit that I have had it stashed away in a drawer so that I wouldn't have to look at it. I started to read it and then decided that I wasn't ready to forgive and forget yet, so I put it away. I just wasn't ready I guess. Anyway, I have decided that I am ready to pull the book out of hiding and start on the path to recovery:) I am ready to put old, ugly, hateful thoughts aside and move forward to feeling positive and happy again.
I have realized that only I can control my happiness and that I am not given anything I can't handle. I have so many blessings in my life and need to embrace every day with love, faith and prayer. I know that with these things comes true happiness.