It's the little things

Little things that make you smile #17~

Getting a good night's sleep

I'm at the Palmer House in Chicago right now for the International Reading Association Conference.  Let me tell you, the beds are quite cozy making for some pretty good zzzzs.  

Home Front

It's been awhile since I've had a book truly stick with me and move me the way Home Front by Kristin Hannah did.  This was my book club's latest pick.  Now, I'll admit that I'm always a bit reluctant to move out of the murder mystery realm so I wasn't too excited about this pick.  Since my book club is a little unique (not everyone actually reads the books - gasp!) I wasn't going to feel too awful if I didn't get this one read.

Well, I forgot my kindle last weekend for the beginning of baseball season, which really is a necessity when the kids have to be there 30-45 minutes ahead of time and there's plenty of down time between innings. (And no, I'm not the only one with my "nerd manual", according to Aaron, at the ball diamond!)  Thankfully another book club member and fellow "nerd manual" lover was there and had her iPad with it ready to go.  She was running errands between games and let me borrow it just in case I might actually want to get started.  After playing around with a couple games of Farkle and Angry Birds, I figured it couldn't hurt to see whether or not it was going to be something I would enjoy.

Oh my!  I was a good thing I had my sunglasses on because my heart was already pounding and tears threatening a couple of chapters in.  I was relieved when Jenni showed up again needing her iPad to keep stats.  Needless to say, it didn't take me long to fly through the rest of the book and nearly an entire box of Kleenex.  Kristin Hannah does an amazing job of giving a very realistic look at marriage, love, loss, and war.  If you looking for a great read, you won't go wrong with this one.

Warm cookies

It's a rare night around our house at this time of the year that we have no running around to do for baseball or other activities.  I figured that meant it was the perfect evening to bake up a batch of cookies and take a plate of warm ones over to our new neighbors.  I'm sure the laundry and floors will wait patiently until I muster up the desire to deal with them!

Oh how I love a warm cookie from the oven!

It's a good thing I made a double batch as another one of my ornery neighbors (wink wink) saw them and needed a plate to keep him happy.  

It's the little things...

Little things that make us smile #16~

I've been watching my kids do this time and time again lately.  I've been laughing at Carter because he will climb up those stairs as fast as he can and holler, "There's a monster down there!"  I can totally remember doing this while growing up. 

Music to my ears

In our schools, 4th grade is when students may begin to try their hands at orchestra.  I was not surprised at all when Carter told us it was something he wanted to try.  He has quite a love of music and a pretty decent ear for it. Of course, he had to choose the largest instrument available, the bass.

My ears clearly remember Austin giving the cello a try when he was that age.

It's amazing to me how the noise from the instrument begins as a sound that resembles something like a very sick cow when the kids first start to actually sounding like music by the end of the year.  I know how much noise I can handle in a classroom, and I surely wouldn't survive the noise that comes out of a band or orchestra classroom!

Tuesday night was Carter's first orchestra concert in which he was one of only two basses in the entire district for either 4th or 5th grade.  I find that to be quite surprising when you consider that there are over 200 kids involved in orchestra at this age throughout the district.  He however doesn't seem to mind at all and really did quite well.  I actually think he likes doing something different than everyone else.

Aaron and I were both so very proud of him and his performance at the concert.  He was quite nervous before the concert began but did a wonderful job.  Most of the 4th graders only join in during the second half of the concert with the songs they've mastered, but Carter had the privilege of playing along with most of the 5th grade songs  also and even had a brief solo at the beginning of one of the songs.  His hard work has definitely paid off! 

Confirmed in Christ

It's hard to believe that it was almost 14 years ago that Aaron and I were asked to be my cousin Mikaela's baptismal sponsors.  I clearly remember being on RAGBRAI with Aaron and another couple who are friends of ours and calling everyday to check in seeing if she had been born. Time truly has passed in the blink of an eye.  She is growing into a beautiful young lady with a solid head on her shoulders.  It was an honor to attend her confirmation this past weekend as she shared her faith in Jesus with those in the congregation.

Isn't she a cutie?

It's hard to believe there's only 10 months difference between her and Austin!

We definitely need make time to head to South Dakota to spend some more time with Mikaela and her family because before we know it, we'll be heading there for her high school graduation! YIKES!

It's the little things

Little things that make us smile #15~

Getting out of a vehicle after a long drive

I sure felt that way last night after getting home from a quick trip (if there is such a thing) to Sioux Falls, SD for my cousin, Mikaela's, confirmation.  It seemed to take us a bit longer to get home then it did to get there.  Hmmm...maybe it was the pit stop to see the 60 foot Jolly Green Giant!

Can you see Ace and the boys?  They sure look tiny!

A hunting they will go

The boys have eagerly been waiting for their chance to go turkey hunting with Papa this spring.  If you remember from last year, Austin was successful in his very first turkey hunting experience.  So, this year it was Carter's turn to strut his stuff.

Well...strut his stuff he did!

He was able to get his first bird on his first try also. Way to go Carter! 

Carter had been talking nonstop this week about being able to go hunting.  He wanted me to give him ALL of the details (what time they'll get up, where they'll go, how long will it take them to get there, what should he wear, etc.).  I was thankful when Papa showed up at the house and could answer all of his questions!  

They got up bright and early at 3:15 am and headed to their destination.  Thankfully Papa had taken the time the day before to go and get the blind set up and everything ready for them.  By getting eveything ready, I'm wondering if he had a little talk with the turkeys the day before and told them that two of his grandsons would be coming for them the next day and they needed to cooperate? 

Cooperate is exactly what the turkeys did.  I'm guessing Papa helped the boys call the turkeys toward them and Carter got off the first shot.  After Carter's turkey went down,  Austin got poised for a shot.  I can only imagine what was going through each of their boys' heads at this point in time.  Austin's first shot missed, but the second one hit the intended target!  Two boys + three shots = two dead turkeys and memories to last a lifetime.

I have no doubts that these experiences that they have with Papa are ones that they will cherish and remember for the rest of their lives.  They are so blessed to have a grandpa who spends quality time with them.

It's the little things

Little things that make us smile #14~

Waking up before your alarm clock and realizing you've got lots of sleep time left.  I love looking over at the clock, which I can barely see, and squint hard enough to realize I have plenty of time for more sleep before my alarm goes off to start the day ~ especially on a Monday.

Happy Easter

The things they say...

In a stubborn storm that has been brewing at our house during the past few days, one of the boys with all seriousness said in reference to the other, "He's a tough coconut to crack mom.   (insert long pause)   That's a metaphor you know?"

Yes my dearest son, your English teacher mother caught that one :)

It's the little things

Little things that make us smile #13~

The moment at a restaurant after you see your food coming from the kitchen but before it lands on your table.  Conversations hush and all eyes flicker with delight as you watch your sizzling meals cruise out of the kitchen and slowly descend in front of you.

I've been cooking way too much as the above would make me completely giddy right about now!