One Last Winter Dash

Savannah has been begging to go to Colorado all winter so we headed to Aspen for spring break.

Our first adventure took us to Buttermilk where the big kids to skied (Savannah, Ella, and Burton) and I hung out at the bottom of the mountain with the babies (George and Archer). Burton hung out with us for a bit while waiting for his turn to ski.




Savannah was frustrated that she was not an instant pro at sking. To make matters worse, her little cousin Ella was a pro zipping down the mountain. However Ella lives across the street from Buttermilk and has been taking weekly ski lessons and that was difficult for Savannah to understand. I am hoping to get Savannah into a ski class of her own next time.






Post-sking is a good time to do yoga with your Grandma. The babies were cracking me up as they joined in.




Savannah, Burton, and Arch hanging out.





Next Savannah tried rock climbing and was equally frustrated. You would not believe how high Ella can go. After watching Ella, Savannah thought it would be easy and was again dissapointed. But since we have been home she has talked about it a lot and I think she is ready to try it again. Humbling experiences are good and she is learning that she can't be the best at everything.




Savannah was more than excited to go swimming a few times over the week (because she is good at that). Arch however was not too sure about it at first. Once we found a peacfull cove in the lazy river he settled in and even enjoyed himself.



Per Savannah sledding was her favorite.







The trip ended by Grnadma and I taking all 5 kids back to Texas with us. But before we left Colorado we spent the afternoon with my grandparents. The kids would have liked to have had more time. At least summer is just around the corner!

Polka Dot Frenzy!

We lucked out this year with not having to do a character themed birthday party. Per Savannah's request the decor was to include lot's of bright colors and polka dots. Sounds like fun to me!



While we were in Aspen for spring break, Mark was home building a wooden playset complete with fort and swings. To be clear, he built this from scratch. There was no kit. This new toy provided the focal point for Savannah's old fashioned and simple backyard birthday party.



An egg toss and potato sack race completed the agenda.




Notice that it was an amazingly beautiful day with warm weather and sweet scented wisteria on our arbor blooming just in time to frame the party. A breeze gently blew every now and then awakening the wind chimes while children happily entertained themselves (aka wore themselves out so the adults could get a break).

It was a good party!




Savannah herself was dressed in bright polka dots and an unusual bow. Someone said it looked like something out of Dr. Seuss. I totally agree. What could be more Savannah?

An Offering of Love

He gathered the three monetary items that were most precious to him. These treasures were his sentimental favorites out of all the things the Lord had blessed him with. And without hesitation he offered them one by one in hopes of showing his undying affection for another living being. Will his offereing be accepted?

He gently laid the DVD player remote and the cats paws followed by the most important and fought over universal white remote. Lastly, little Archer presented his biggest sacrifice. He gave Chicory his special blankie, Archer Bear. His eyes said, "I love you." as his actions echoed the message.

Once all the offerings were laid at Chicory's feet, Archer then laid his own head down on the cat and just loved on him. And now we have turned a new page with the relationship of these two. Chicory has accepted him as another buddy like his good pal Savannah. Archer has been upgraded from foe to a friend whom Chicory and curl up in his lap (albeit for a short time) and snuggle. Some how this peace offering made up for the tail pulling, slapping, screaming, and other abuse Chicory was once subjected to.

I'll try to capture some of their sweet moments soon with the camera.

By the way, Archer has never offered up the remotes to me. Should I be worried?

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, March 7th, 2011.

Outside my window...the weather is contemplating it's mood. Spring or winter? The birds are casting their vote by song. I'm pretty sure it's spring.

Around the house...Archer is napping Praise the Lord. All is quiet (except for the birds outside), the house is clean and tidy for the most part, and my washing machine awaits the maintenance man. This is why the house is tidy because there is no laundry sitting around waiting to be put up. It is still all neatly stowed in hampers.

I am thankful for...choices. I have the pleasure of deciding if I will eat healthy or not, what school is best for my children, where I want to go to church, and a million other things. Sometimes the choices we have in life are overwhelming. I feel blessed to have enough to be overwhelmed with.

From the kitchen...homemade broth has been labeled and stored in neat containers the freezer and leftover homemade enchiladas await the dinner hour.

I am reading...nothing! I desperately need a trip to the library but until then there are several things that I am researching on the Internet that are occupying my spare time.

I am creating... my new website still. The bones of it are up but it has no bling. A cheetah wall hanging is in the works for Archer's jungle room. And I recently finished my first embroidery job by hand. Oh, and I am creating the plan for Savannah's birthday present and party.

I am laughing at...Savannah wanting to serve a large bowl of scrambled eggs at her birthday party. That girl is a hoot in her culinary ideas. She has been following me around with recipe books for weeks! I see event planning in her future.

Here is a picture thought for you...



We recently had a family party at my mom's. Every time I turned around Archer had talked someone into giving him more blueberries. I assure you we were seeing blue the next day.

Real Day Dreams

Yesterday afternoon Archer and I could be found hanging out in the kitchen. Up from his afternoon nap and past nursing/cuddle/wake-up time we still found ourselves together. I was holding him as he stuck his favorite "Archer Bear Blanket" in my mouth and then let out a sweet baby belly laugh. Then we would wrap his arms around me and sink his head into my chest in a deep hug as if he could not love on me enough and I on him. And then we repeated the process several more times as warming sunshine poured through the kitchen window. The moment was so perfect and sweet I almost expected a care bear to come flying through the window at any moment.

At that point I noticed my ipod was still playing random tunes from my library and Canon in D filled the air.

I can't help but think of weddings when I hear this song. Although it was not played at my own wedding, I have heard it at no less than 25 weddings and that's probably an underestimation.

I looked at Archer who was in my arms nose to nose with me smiling and realized that these are the moments a bride dreams of on her wedding day and I am blessed enough to live out past day dreams.

There is nothing better than your wedding day when you get to marry the man of your dreams. You wonder if you will have kids. Which one of you will they look like? Will you stay home with them? And will it all be so wonderful and perfect like a dream?

Perfect? Um, no. Wonderful? Oh, yes!

Later, Savannah came home from school and we all played outside. She gladly accepted leadership and patiently helped her brother go down the slide 30 times. As the sun set low behind their heads, their blond hair lit up like halos framing smiles and laughter. And once again I thought back on all the things I dreamed of on my wedding day and thanked God.

And finally last night no one got sleep at all in this house. Not even Savannah who never wakes up in the middle of the night. Right now I would say I am going on 3 hours of rest. It was just a fluke I guess and evidence that life is not perfect nor a fairy tale. But if you can miss out on sleep and still get up and blog about how great it is, then I would say it's all pretty darn good!

Up and Running!!!

My new site is up and running!!! Okay, maybe I should say my new site is up and jogging. Maybe even just briskly walking. Either way, it is up! Hey, you've got to start somewhere right?

Pop on over and browse around. There is a new blog post along with all the old posts from this blog. And new things will be added daily as I continue to build this site.

We will be recording our first podcast next week so be sure to check out the "contact" section and leave any comments or questions you may have.

eatingthegoodlifewithchristinapeteet.com

Simple Woman's Daybook

For today, Feburary 13, 2010.

Outside my window...an annoying dog is barking into the night.

I am thankful for...Mark and I's time away by ourselves the past couple of days. We were blessed with many laughs, random, deep, and productive conversations, and relaxation.

I am creating...a birthday present for my husband which I shall report on later, a new creative business with my sister, and professional website for me from scratch that will include recipes, a blog, and podcasts. All three projects are slated to be completed and/or up and running by the end of the week! And I have no idea how that is going to happen :)

I am reading... 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney on the topic of raising a christian daughter in todays world. IT IS WONDERFUL! And I am grateful to be reading this now long before we even face the tween years. I HIGHLY recommend this book!!! The only drawback is that it makes you face your own issues which is good...but kind of a bummer. Isn't denial a great place to live (read sarcasim in that statement). For example, your daughter will read into your insecurities and likely develop them herself such as weight issues or the desire to be popular at all cost. I borrowed the book from the library but it would probably be worth buying and rereading every couple of years as Savannah moves on to the next stage of life.

From the kitchen...absaloutely nothing since we have been out of town. Tommorow's agenda will include a trip to the store. And with our family's schedule this week the menu will likely include simple dishes.

Around the house...bags await unpacking, cats are begging to be fed (Mark is at the store now getting food for the poor fur balls), children are nestled in bed hopefully sleeping, and I am thinking that it's a bit like the calm before the storm.

One of my favorite things...working out. It's funny, when Mark and I use to spend time away at a hotel it was about relaxing and doing nothing. Now with two kids it's like, "hey, we can actually go work out on out own schedule!" What a luxury!!! I am enjoying my aching muscles right now with much thanksgiving.

A few plans for this week...Muffins with Mom at Savannah's school, Valentines fun and school stuff, lot's of exciting work projects, learning an insane amount of new information, researching, family get togethers, the kids normal activities, and lots of prayer as I look over a completely packed week in my day planner. But it's all good stuff so I'm not complaining!

For more daybooks visit thesimplewomansdaybook@blogspot.com

P.S. This post was a quickie so there was no proof reading!