this is how...

I spent my snowy Saturday...

We had planned to be snowed in today with the forecast saying we could expect anywhere from 5 to 15 inches of snow. Well... we got less than an inch. Instead, we got a lot of freezing rain with a lot of strong winds. We still stayed inside all day.

After breakfast, I crawled back in bed and read the new book I started a couple of days ago. After a bit, Danielle joined me and we enjoyed some quality mother-daughter pillow talk.

A little later I made some chocolate chip muffin tops.


This was after Don and Danielle made fried rice, after I put a roast and potatoes in the crockpot, and during the time Dani made fun-fetti cookies. It was a cooking and baking kind of day.

In case you're wondering what Jake was doing, he and his band were jamming in the basement.

I played a few games on POGO, read and commented a couple of blog posts, checked my email, and then... read some more of my book.


After Dani's birthday dinner, which was scrumptious, Hollee came over and we played cards. This is how we enjoy many Saturday nights. Don wanted me to mention that he won the game this night - which is a rare occurrence. Way to go Don.


I am now writing this post while the kids are playing Super Mario Bros. on the Wii. And now that I'm done, I'm going to go read my book. Good night all.

i can see the wood

Aloha Friday is hosted by Kailani over at An Island Life.


My question this week...

What major (or not so major) project do you need to tackle?

I ask this question because I tackled the project of cleaning my room yesterday. I thought about taking before pictures but decided I didn't want to embarrass myself by showing exactly how messy it truly was.

Not only did I put clothes away that had been laundered over two weeks ago, but I cleaned off my desk that had been loaded down with all kinds of junk for over a year. That desk has ended up being the place where everything that doesn't have an immediate home gets dumped. [please tell me I'm not the only one that has such a place.] I can now see the wood.

After a day's worth of work, the room looked great. What made it look even better was new bedding that I purchased earlier in the week. New bedding was long overdue and it was the crowning glory of my newly cleaned room.

My next project... my closet. ugh!

my firstborn

My darling girl,

I know I've joked about this, but it is really hard for me to believe that my baby is 21 years old today. Where... OH WHERE!... did the time go? Every moment has been a blessing for me and your dad.


You have grown into such a beautiful woman, both inside and out. I couldn't be prouder of the hardships you've overcome in your life and watching you turn those hardships around for good in some way. You have so much love in your heart and knowing how much you want to share that with others brings such joy to me. You do, and will continue to, have such an impact on those you come in contact with.


I hope you are as proud of yourself as your dad and I are of you. You are amazing. You make me laugh. You make me smile. You (and your brother) make my life complete. I could never express how much I love you. Just know that I do more than these words can say.


Happy Birthday, Dani
Sorry I couldn't spend the day with you but I hope you're having a wonderful birthday.