Leap Year!

Happy Leap Year Day 2012 everyone!  It is a gorgeous day today.  I believe it is around 60 degrees out and is February 29th.  I haven't checked the history on the highs of this day in the past, but I'm guessing this may be a first.  It is awesome to be able to have the windows open with a fairly warm breeze blowing through the house.  I absolutely love being able to let the fresh air in and get rid of the stale winter air that accumulates in the house during the winter months!  We even enjoyed playing outside yesterday for a couple hours.  I can say however that this weather does make me excited for spring and all that it has to bring.  I find myself thinking about my garden and what I want to plant this year, and hoping that it will be a good year again this year.  We were blessed with a great garden last summer and had many vegetables to show for it.  So here's to a wonderful Leap Year Day.  Hope it's great for everyone!

Season of Lent

The season of Lent has arrived, yet again!  Time seems to go around faster and faster every year.  And while I can't say that we always choose to give something up during this season it usually becomes more of something that we attempt to do to better ourselves and beliefs.  In the past we have tried giving things up and usually will not make it all that long.  So instead we feel it is better to try and really focus on living by our morals and beliefs and not let others influence us.  While that is fairly standard practice in our home anyhow, we do find that it does bring focus back to our lives and allows us to reflect on how we have and want to continue to live.  If there are changes to be made we may work on those, but mainly we reaffirm our relationship with our Lord, and each other.  So good luck to all who are working to keep their lenten promises and remember the reason for the season.  Have a great Lent season everyone!

Good Morning!

It's Saturday morning and I actually get a whole weekend with my entire family.  Derek didn't have to work last night so we get a little extra time together just the four of us.  Then it went ahead and snowed overnight so we can spend the whole weekend in the house if we so choose.  Maybe we'll take the girls sledding a little later today, but other than that it's a weekend full of finishing a few projects and playing with our little girls.  Now to figure out what the menu for the weekend will be.  I'm pretty sure at least one will be a pork roast YUM!    Stay tuned.......

Growing up

I am sitting here while my baby girl sleeps, and our oldest one colors and talks to herself, me, and her imaginary friends.  I can't get over how fast they are growing up.  Everyday Mallory comes up with something new she has picked up, or learned and I am fascinated and amazed at how much she knows already at such a young age.  Some days we can sit and talk like she is a mature young lady, (of course then the next minute that can change too) lol.  Then there is Jaclyn and I never thought that I could love another child as much as I loved Mallory (our first), but this little girl won my heart the moment I first held her, and that love increases daily as she is learning and growing just like her older sister.  She too is a smart little whipper-snapper.  I love watching her learn from her sister, and everything around her.  Today she figured out how to climb the stairs, and she is quite fast at it already if I do say so myself, then she figured out how to crawl behind the couch to get into anything that she could find (this has become a production to try and keep her out front), and she also learned to climb up on the chairs that go to the girls little table and chairs set.  She is quite the little monkey and not afraid of anything.  I am thankful that my girls are not afraid of anything and everything in their life.  While it makes you worry a little more that they may get hurt, it also is reassuring that they are not afraid to possibly get hurt, in my opinion this helps to keep them from hurting themselves as they tend to bounce a little better I think.  Derek and I have two very independent and fearless little girls.  This I think will mean that our next 18-20 years will be very interesting and eventful, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  Hopefully when they are old enough to be out on their own they will be able to stand their own ground and stand up for what they believe in.  For now I'll stick with enjoying my little ones and trying to remember as many things about this time as I can.  These memories are forever!!!

It's February 1st

So today begins February already.  Time seems to go so fast these days.  I can remember being in high school and thinking that time did go fast, then after school it seemed to move faster, and now that I am a parent and wife it keeps spinning faster than ever.  People always tell you that time will only go faster, and I think to myself "really how is that possible?"  Somehow though it really does keep moving ever so swiftly.  I'm just thankful that I am aware of this fact and do everything possible in my power to enjoy and take advantage of trying to remember and make the most of my time with my family and those that I love.  Now back to the fact that it is February first already, it is also 51 degrees here in Bucyrus right now.  This is amazing to me.  The fact that Mother Nature can make it like spring one day, then in a couple more days it will be frigid again.  Truly awesome!  That being said, we have definitely taken advantage of these nice couple of days.  Today we went out and picked up the sticks that have fallen from the trees, and Mallory played in the water that is laying in the backyard, and in her sandbox.  (I wasn't real thrilled with the water part, but it was only for a while.)  Now it's nap-time for the babies and then we'll head back out for some more playing.  I can also say that this nice weather has allowed us to turn the heat off in the house and even open up the windows for some fresh air.  I just love being able to air out the winter stuffy air that accumulates in a house.  It honestly gives me the itch to start spring cleaning, but I think we'll wait a little longer, since I'm sure we'll have to use the heat for a while longer.  Enjoys every day that God gives us, but especially these that he and Mother Nature choose to make so sunny and warm!  Have a great Day!