Spring Break Rest

Yes, family and friends, I am finally adding a post. Wanna hear about our time in Bend, OR.? It was great!
Sometimes I find I don't realize how much I need a break until I get one. I was feeling run down and tired in my soul. I went to a homeschooling conference the first night of spring break. The speakers were great, but it caused me to be more introspective and analytical about my parenting and homeschooling when what I really needed was a break. (Yes, Jeff, we can all see you smiling that little smile and saying- I told you so!) I felt like my head was dizzy with parenting advice and curriculum needs. So, getting away from the house and driving 6 hours south was great- even if most of the scenery was sagebrush. I played with my kids in the hotel pool and gazed at beautiful snow capped mountains. Wed. and Thurs. we went hiking and climbing at Smith Rock. By 1:oo pm it was truly hot. The boys were shirtless and the girls had their tank tops on. I got sunburnt in places that were missed by sunscreen. We went out for dinner every night- no cooking! The kids were thrilled with the hotel's continental breakfast because they ate cold cereal until they could hold no more. I slept plenty, watched plenty of t.v. and enjoyed my family.
Thank you Lord! Thank you Jeff! I lift up my eyes unto the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth. He makes me lie down in green pastures. . . .

February Sugar Cookies

Well Lindsay, it's fun to have a friend that knows you well (and still loves you!). I got your cute Valentine's Day card and at the end it said, "Don't eat too many sugar cookies." At that moment I was icing some, so I promptly ate another! This year we made stained glass sugar cookies with Jolly Rancher candies. I love green apple! Last year we had an excess of candy canes so we crushed them and the centers were red and white swirls. We didn't crush the Jolly Ranchers. They broke apart easily with a tap of a butcher knife into halves and thirds. Jane, Faye and Owen came over on Wed. to decorate a few cookies. Love to you friends!

a few thoughts on being sick

I week ago today, I was taken down hard by a nasty virus. My voice, strength, appetite and ability to stay awake were taken away from me. My body ached and I cared very little about anything going on around me. After 3 1/2 days the fever subsided, I could talk a little, but I was still very weak. Yesterday I went to the doctor because I felt myself getting worse, not better. She confirmed my suspitions- I had had broncitus, and my throat and lungs were clearing up fine from that, but I had a secondary infection in my sinuses, probably a bacteria. Antibiotics, decongestant and cough syrup were gladly accepted by me. Tonight I did a few chores and I don't need a rest! It feels so great to be active and able to give back!
Special Notes:
- My husband is awesome! He washed dishes, went shopping, coordinated the kids, kept asking if he could do anything for me, made food for me and kept smiling at me even though we all know I wasn't very pretty! Maybe next week he'll let me kiss him!
- You probably know this, but Tylenol works better for the aches and pains of fever than Ibuprofen.
-Theraflu- flu+sore throat powered drink mix comes in apple cinnamon flavor and makes a really yummy hot drink
- I really appreciate the meals Mary and Mom sent over! Jeff did a great job- he didn't let me near the kitchen cause I would cough on everything- and he fed us a variety (pizza only twice)
but home cooked is the best and really hit the spot. I will think again about putting meals in the freezer so we will have them if I am sick or to give to others like Mary did- thanks!
-I am renewing my thankfulness to God for my (usually) healthy body and my ability to get around, do things and talk- thank you Lord!

Christmas project of LOVE

Well, this Christmas I did get one crafty project done. I ordered these letters online and then glued them to some boards that Jeff routered for me. I decided that the only way to not make it a painting nightmare was to use spray paint. I was pleased to find a dark red primer spray paint as well. They look great in the picture, but don't touch them or you will find that I didn't sand them and they are rough. Maybe I'm lazy; maybe it was the Christmas deadline. I would have loved to make enough for my friends and all my sisters and sisters-in-law, but I decided to limit it to only Jeff's sisters and mom and see how I liked working with the letters. We have a wonderful wood shop- maybe this is something I can learn more about in the future!

The first snowman of the season; he's homely but made with love! I was told the carrots wouldn't stick for a nose.

I'm thinking of you De-De!

Just a place to record some of the little things in life that pass so quickly by but give so much joy.