day 79

March 21

We loose pacifiers around here frequently. So when I went to the store recently to purchase a new pair, this was all they had. When Brian saw Porter sucking away on this he had to state aloud, that nothing says trashy more than a baby wearing something with the phrase rock star on it.

True?

day 78

march 20

This is my family. Gathered around the table. Centered around food. Drinking ice water from plastic cups. Trying to be heard over a screaming Porter.

Love.

day 77

march 19

Porter loves my new shoes as much as I do. I have been tripping over them all day.

day 76

march 18

Probably the creepiest card I have ever received. Plus, it makes noise. Meow. 

Creepy, Bri, very creepy.

Day 75

March 17

It's all things green today. This smoothie was a HIT with the kids. They loved it so much they asked if they could have it again when they get home. I don't think I am going to tell them that what made it green was spinach. That will be my little secret and yours:

Green smoothie:

4 cups spinach

1 1/2 cups orange juice

1 banana

2 cups frozen mangoes.

Blend well in blender.

day 74

march 16

Porter's down with O.P.S. ....

Other People's Shoes.

day 73

March 15

I think they like each other.

day 72

March 14

This is how the kids feel about being able to draw on the back porch again.

day 71

March 13

Sunday night coloring is becoming a well loved tradition around here.

day 70

March 12

I got up and it was still dark.

And I used these.

It was a momentous day.

And it left me sore.

day 69

March 11

Today, Porter learned to insist. He insisted upon the clothes that he wore, no matter how strange the combo. He insisted that his sister sit on the stairs with him, and he insisted that she watch him color... for an hour. Toddlers really know how to abuse their power.

day 68

March 10

He loved bathtime that much.

day 67

march 9

The cruelest thing in the world is when Dad comes home from work, just to get called out again. His heart can't handle it.

day 66

march 7

Love. Just love.

day 65

march 6

On my to do list asap: clean under my kids bed.

Keeping it so real.

day 64

march 5

These two had an art show in the house this morning. It was successful. They sold every piece. 

p.s. Did you know that serious artists have mustaches? Yep, the girls too.

day 63

march 4

Someone took this picture. I don't know who. All I know is when I saw it, I realized I need to put down the books, and do a little dusting.

day 62

march 3

This is our little street light. It like a bright night light in our room every night. It's only a teeny bit obnoxious.

day 61

March 2

Dinner time.
It doesn't matter what he is doing or how much fun it is, if I begin the dinner prep, there is Porter, at my feet with this pathetic face.

day 60

march 1

I miss mail. Fun mail, that is. I don't miss Bill mail. I have that kind of mail coming out of my ears.

day 59

February 28

Where these are, Porter is soon to follow.

day 58

February 27

Somehow, this is the only picture that was taken today. It was a full day of homecomings, and family, and eating, and fun. And this is the picture I got. Random balls that reside on my kitchen table. And I don't even know who took it.
Whatever.

day 57

February 26

Spent the afternoon with a friend, running errands, eating and discussing life. We picked up 4 dozen of these babies while we were out. yummm.

day 56

February 25

And just like that they were home. Balloons, posters, pizza cinnamon rolls, and family all participated in the celebration. 

day 55

February 24

Preparations are under way to welcome my parents home from South Africa tomorrow.

day 54

february 23

an early trip to the store... for like the 8th time this week.

day 53

February 22

Caution: A little boy lives here. An obsessed little boy. And these are his world.

day 52

February 21

A little more than a year ago my friend Bri and I began these topiaries and today, I finished it. Sad, but true.

day 51

February 20

This is how Porter reacted to the news that he was too sick to go to church.

day 50

February 19

When dad is home on a Saturday (a rarity), fun things happen. Doors disappear and blankets are hung in their place.

day 49

February 18

I spent today, replenishing ribbon onto my little lady's skirt, and reorganizing my chaotic craft closet. My bet is it lasts a whole week. Lucky me.

day 48

February 17

The only place dinosaurs can roam freely on the farm? Our front door, in Porter land.

day 47

February 16

One of the most opened cupboards in our home houses the diabetic supplies. It also happens to house the most expensive objects in our home: the freaking diabetic supplies.

day 46

February 15

Nothing says "I wish it was spring but its totally not", like fake flowers.

day 45

February 14

]

On the menu:  Tri-tip Steaks (thank you good weather!)

                       Caesar Salad

                       Garlic Butter Corn

                       Store made (but still yummy) rolls

                       Some kind of bubbly stuff with heart shaped ice cubes.

                       Chocolate covered strawberries

  The amazing news: Caleb ate!

day 44

February 13

A few weeks ago we started having our kids highlight Jesus' many different names in the scriptures, during our reading. Caleb, who doesn't read has really gotten into this. He spent all Sunday searching page after page for the one word he can recognize: Lord. 

Cute? We think so.

day 43

February 12

What's a Saturday without a little cookie dough?

day 42

February 11

This remote controlled, robot valentine box is ready to make it's way to Jonas' classroom for some love notes.

day 41

February 10

After dinner entertainment: strange acrobatics.

day 40

February 9

Where dad is, this child is also.

day 39

February 8

His addiction has reached critical levels. Time for an intervention.

day 38

February 7

Pizza and Blueberries for dinner....
AND toys were allowed at the table.

It was a special day for sure.

day 37

February 6

The baby's first haircut.
He didn't enjoy it.
But it was good entertainment for the rest of us.

Day 36

February 5

The dad was home! Unfortunately, the dad had to work all day on the computer. And even more unfortunately we were all came down with head colds.
Fortunately we have a TV and a Redbox nearby.
So we rented and we rented and we watched and we watched.
And it was fun.

day 35

February 4

These two have some magnetic pull towards me.
When I start to cook, they are here, crawling around my feet, squeezing their way through my legs. Climbing up me like a tree. Pulling on my shirt. asking for snacks, stealing bites of whatever is being prepared.
And normally I have the patience for it.
Normally I know this too shall pass, and I will actually miss it.
But today,
we are going on day number 5 without a dad,
and I can't do it.
So cooking is out of the question.
Tonight we are going to Wendy's.
And no, I don't feel a bit bad about it.

day 34

February 3

Look at this picture.
What do you see?
A purse?
A bag?
A handbag?
I haven't owned one of these for a few years, and now that I have one, I don't know what to call it.
Purse is so grandma.
Handbag is so... I dont know. It implies that I am one of those people that have 100 of these lying around and I pull a different one out to match my outfit.
So I just call it My bag.
Creative, I know...

day 33

February 2

One can a day.
Everyday at lunch.
I know I need to quit it.
And I will.
Soon.
Real soon.
I promise.
I think.

day 32

February 1

Today Porter and I spent all morning here, waiting patiently and examining all the tires. Wow, was that fun filled.

day 31

january 31

The only pet my children will ever get.

Okay, well not EVER.

But for like a LOOONG time.

day 30

January 30

When he comes at you like this, there is no hope for you.

None.