rainy sunday

call me crazy,

but i actually love the rain.

the sound of it,

how it washes everything clean.

we've been known to don our boots and jackets

 and go for a stroll, just so we can "sing in the rain".

i think there is something very comforting about rain

 (you can tell i grew up in the northwest).

it makes you want to cozy up inside,

read a good book,

have some tea or hot soup.

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**ahhhh**

i hope you are having a cozy, snuggly,

lovely, wonderful, and, hopefully, rainy sunday.

24 hour dog owners

lessons learned and reminders

1. dogs are a lot of work.

2. most 3-year-olds (even really sweet ones) are too much for a dog (even a really patient one).

3. every dog (and dog owner) deserves a fenced backyard.

4. recognizing when you are in over your head (and acting on this realization) is usually the best thing for everyone involved.

5. a dog is like another child.

6. taking on another child (or dog) should not be entered into lightly.

7. not every dog (even a really good one) is the right fit for every family (even a really nice one).

8. patience is a virtue and a process, waiting is an art.

9. oh yeah...KISS.

10. all the lessons that would be great for our kids to learn from having a dog, will still be great lessons when they're a little bit older!

Cesar has gone to a better place...

a family with four older kids and a big yard!

as for us, we had a few tears and we will miss the little guy,

but we'll try dog-ownership again in a few years...no rush!

dog

we are now the proud owners of a dog!

a cute brown & black spaniel mix named Cesar.

some friends of ours are moving across the country

and needed a new home for their little guy,

so here we are!

i have always wanted a dog,

but have never had one,

so i kind of feel like:

i have no idea what i'm doing!

it feels a little like the first day 

we brought the girly-girl home.

in theory i knew to feed her 

and take care of her poops and give her love and attention,

 but it wasn't until we really took care of her

 that we got the rhythm of it.

now i have LOTS of experience with human babies,

but it'll take a while to feel comfortable

 with our new "dog baby".

feel free to share any helpful dog tips...

grateful list

71. always had a roof over my head

72. never gone hungry

73. live in a free country

74. free to worship

75. free to speak

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first day of school

i just had to document this momentous occasion...

this year i have TWO munchkins in school!

the girly-girl is headed to 2nd grade...

and the boy-boy is in 1/2 day kindergarten!

today the moo was soooo excited about her playdate!

it's always a bittersweet day when we hit these milestones.
for me it was a day full of emotions.

God is good all the time and we are blessed!

Birth by Karen Brody

yesterday, during my retreat day,

i had the privilege to watch live via webcast

a reading of Birth, a play by Karen Brody.

it was so profound.

so true.

and so very beautiful.

they ask a very important question:

what if as many people knew about BIRTH 

as they do about What to Expect, When You're Expecting?

how would the world be different?

if you didn't catch it yesterday...good news!

they will be playing it 10 more times over the next weeks.

to find out more go to:

http://bold5webcast.eventbrite.com/

it's free, it's poignant.

and so worth your time!

go watch it!

retreat day

breakfast...check.

kids and hubby on their way...check.

cup of tea...check.

good book...check.

phone off...check.

do you know what today is?

retreat day!

no kids,

no hubby,

no work,

no phone,

no tv,

no drama.

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just peace and quiet.

preparing my heart for the season.

maybe i'll do a little planning,

maybe i'll do a little reading,

perhaps a nice stroll.

certainly some time with the Lord,

and definitely lots of relaxation.

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so if you need me,

call me tomorrow.

today, i'm on vacation!

weekly overview

as you know, i am on a major 

organization kick at the moment

my goal is to get some systems in place

 to help life run more smoothly.

i'm hoping that putting in a little work up front

 will bring a slower pace to daily living.

as i mentioned before 

i am going to be doing the "hello mornings" challenge

 over at inspired to action this fall.

and i discovered that the website 

is chock-full of practical tips 

for busy moms.

of all the great ideas on the site, 

my favorite resource was this one:

my weekly overview

what i love about it is that everything is in one place.

there is a daily checklist for bible study, workout and planning.

there is a place for bible study plan/notes.

there is an events/menu calendar.

and a to do list.

www.inspiredtoaction.com

what a great way to organize life!

i am really looking forward to implementing it this week!

ps if you missed registering for the fall session,
don't worry...there's always winter!

how to

a very good question:

how to get organized in our 

"trying to slow down but still 

have a lot on our plates" world?

organize!

something new for us that has already 

been very helpful is an information hub.

a white board listing "what needs to be done"

or other family notes is a great way 

to keep track of and communicate info.

takes a load off my overloaded brain!

any important papers can go on this bulletin board

also helping us to remember details.

i got this idea from our pastor's family.

writing scripture on the sliding glass door in our 

dining room to help our family hide the Word in our hearts.

(sorry it's hard to see in the pic)

it has been really effective and the kids love it!

for all of those beautiful art projects,

my hubs rigged up this display.

utilizing thick wire and clothespins,

the artwork can be rotated regularly,

much to the delight of our little artists.

our kiddos each have one bin that fits under a bed

where the most treasured artwork is stored.

when it's full, it's time to pare down.

lastly, a basket for random items found around the house.

the owner can "buy" them back or 

they can be weeded out and donated, recycled, etc.

happy de-cluttering and organizing!

cuteness

we interrupt this regularly schedule blog

 to bring you some unadulterated cuteness.

that is all.

a good rule

in the midst of all this planning

 and organizing happening 

around this house,

i stumbled upon

the K.I.S.S. rule

and thought it so appropriate:

keep it simple & slow

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