These are Dahlia Imperialis blooms. They are so dear to me because they bloom when everything else is almost done. There have been many years that the frost has killed them right as they open. However, the last couple of years have been gentle (or the plant is getting more tolerant) so I've been able to enjoy this umbrella of purple flowers.
I am feeling really grateful for medicine these days. My back sent me to urgent care all day yesterday but I did get some really good painkillers. Just not young anymore I guess.
Christmas is coming and I can't wait to decorate! I am a steadfast traditionalist - nada until December 1st. The waiting just makes it better.
God bless all!!!
It seems that every Sunday as I'm listening to our pastor's sermon I am reminded of the same thing. My little guy used to crack me up. He would be so passionate about telling me something he learned that he'd ask me a question first (the answer to which being what he was so excited to tell me). Then, before I could actually make a guess, he'd blurt out, "WHY sharks sleep something something...." He would never begin his answer with "because", always "why". Well, our pastor uses the question and answer strategy to drive home a point but he blurts out, "why" the same way as my little guy.
We had a lovely dinner with some friends that I've grown up with but don't see very often. I'm happy to hear that they live very close to us and that they are now engaged! It would be great to continue our frienship even if for no other reason than that it is such an old one. Maybe we'll find we have something in common.
No making lunches tomorrow! Thank you to all veterans for your service and for the little break in routine.
This morning my girls were all playing tea party. It was going very smoothly when I overheard one say, "Now if you have to puke, you'll need more medicine." Turns out it was make-believe-tea-party-sick-puppy game. The things they play!
I was reminded of a particular squabble that I broke up years ago between my son and his friend. The two were crying/fighting because they were cutting up each others' pretend presents under their pretend Christmas tree with their pretend chain saws. I was very amused and had they not been so worked up I might have let them try to work it out - for pretends. Imaginations are powerful things.
Nostalgia struck yesterday as I was waiting for the bus with the kids. The air was so clean and crisp and it was just barely sprinkling at that time. We could smell woodsmoke and fresh rain scents. Before I had to deal with so many pairs of rubber boots, rain coats, stir-crazy kids and mud, I used to love the rain and in between shower spells. I was flooded with that happy memory of being a kid during the fall.
Last night, my two oldest kiddos and I went to the theatre to see Ballet Foklorico de Mexico. It was fabulous. I am always looking for opportunities for my children (who are half Mexican) to be exposed to their heritage in educational and appropriate settings. I am sorry to say that the Latino TV channels provide much less than that. I DON'T ever want my daughters to wish to look like the women they see on Telemundo. Why must we expose our breasts to broadcast the weather? My 10yr old son is already much disillusioned with the behavior that he has seen first hand amongst his Latino acquaintances. This is why I want so badly for them to see the beautiful part of their heritage. I really wish I knew some Christian Hispanic families that are trying to instill in their children Godly virtues while modeling the Latino lifestyle. That's all I'm asking for!
God bless the president. I have to admit that I may have shown too much discouragement at the outcome of the elections. My little boy told his grandma, "He (the president) wants to kill me!" I asked him why in the world he would say that and he replied that he'd heard his older brother say it. Yikes. Time to set the record straight. Prayers are needed now and we will not be a family of president bashers! I feel a lesson coming on for after school....
Happy Halloween! Rainy day but spirits are up. Right off the bat this morning my friend came over with her two week old baby and I got to snuggle him. I told her she was brave for bringing a new baby over to my daycare germfest. My friend is a wonderful mom who does everything possible to take care of her children. She also understands that germs are part of life. I'm praying that her little boy is mellow and laid back.
Honestly I can't wait for tomorrow when the Halloween decorations come down. We don't do anything gory or scary but I like my fall/Thanksgiving decor much better.
My children looked so cool this morning as they left for school. Michelangelo (not the artist, the Ninja turtle), a kitty and a crazy composer headed off for their school costume parades and festivities. My littlest one wants to be Tinkerbell which is way cool since we have a Tink costume in the dress up basket already.
Praise God for his love and for cozy homes! Thank you, Father for taking care of my children while they are away from me.
Beautiful day! Thank you, God. Family is healthy and provided for. Yesterday we carved pumpkins with friends. My wonderful husband made an incredible lunch for us so that I could chat with my friend. He is so considerate. My man is growing by leaps and bounds in his communication skills. I am so proud of him. Our relationship quality keeps on getting better. God is showing us both how to put aside our own will and let HIS grace strengthen our bond. Willingness to give in and see something from someone else's point of view does wonders for softening hearts. I can be REALLY self centered sometimes. When I can let this go, he appreciates my effort and usually meets me in the middle. God has worked so many wonders in my life.
The kids are excited for Halloween this week. I refuse to spend anymore than necessary on costumes so we are left to our imaginations. I should say the kids are left to come up with something to wear because I am utterly uncreative.
WE decided to step up and host Thanksgiving, again. It is a lot of work but I love having everyone here. And, in my family are some fantastic cooks. Host gets majority of leftovers :-).
This will be our last get together before construction begins on the front of our house. I think we finally have a blue print for how this is all going to come together. Very excited. When all is said and done (spring? summer?), I'll have a foyer and a bigger kitchen with a better layout. We don't need any new appliances except for a really good fan for the stove. The cabinets are just going to be re-painted and moved around (maybe some new hardware, hopefully). We are also going to open up the wall between the kitchen and the living room as well as knock down the wall that separates our living room from playroom. I plan on putting up some kind of pocket door or louvered doors to block noise during nap time. The playroom will still be used for daycare but it will be remodeled with a new closet that will allow it to be used for more living space when day care hours are over. Hip hip hooray! I'm blessed to have a dad and husband who can do anything!
Yesterday I held a newborn that was just a few hours old. I'm kind of bummed out because I couldn't smell him! I brought my friends' children to see their new brother in the hospital. Two main thoughts have been tumbling around in my mind. One, the miracle of birth is....miraculous (no other word to describe it). And two, I'm awfully glad that all of my four children are of sleeping-through-the-night age. Hallelujah! No pangs of wanting another baby occured either. It was nice but I'm done with that scene. God blessed me with my incredible kids and now it's time to enjoy them. AND, I'm too old to summon up the kind of energy needed for pregnancy and childbirth. I was sick the whole 9 months with my last daughter. I took that as a sign that my body was done.
I will babysit this little boy when he's a few months older. It will be nice to tell him I've known him since he was born! So grateful to have people in my life having babies that I get to hold and then give back :-).
Some cheery echinacea, a tree full of berries for the little winter birds and a rose of incredible color (ignore the bug eaten foliage, please) called Hot Cocoa. The birds also like to eat the little seeds in the centers of the echinacea when the flower is done. I love watching the birds scavenging around in my garden for snacks. Like my kids in the kitchen!
