Life is Sweet!

As I created my to do list this morning, it occurred to me that I have been letting Brian carry the ball around here and made a note to fix that!

Today I was a Dad

Today I was a dad.

I made breakfast for 5 rowdy kids.

I kissed 4 boo boos.

Cleaned up one potty accident.

Broke up 5 arguments (it was a slow day).

While peeing got hugged tightly around my leg, just because someone loves me.

Got told I was mean twice and "I hate you" once.

Made 10 sandwiches.

Poured countless glasses of varying liquids.

Cleaned up puppy mess in the living room floor.

Made two grumpy kids take naps.

Grilled out for 11 people.

Went to the park.

Watched the movie Cars, again.

Tucked 5 beautiful children into bed.

Got 6 goodnight kisses.

Heard I love you more times than I could count.

Today I was a Dad. I am a Dad everyday. I like this job.

Happy Quote

How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.

~ Coco Chanel

Happy Birthday, Christine!

Yay! It's your birthday, Christine! And in celebration of the occasion, I found you a yellow Iris.

I hope the whole day is bliss!

Happy Birthday

Today is Christine's Birthday. I dare not ask how old she is and it doesn't matter. It just makes me happy. Happy Birthday, Christine.

Happy Quote

Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.

~Dale Carnegie

Happy Quote

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.

~ Anne Frank

Happy Quote

I like not only to be loved, but to be told that I am loved. I am not sure that you are of the same mind. But the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave. This is the world of light and speech, and I shall take leave to tell you that you are very dear.

--George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

TACA is a Happy Place

Yes, it is a picture of Oatmeal in a Bowl.

What does that have to do with TACA?

It is where we get our bowls... and plates... and other really cool craft stuff. There is a wonderful collection of all sorts of potters and jewelers and crafters there.

I love eating out of pretty dishes that I purchased from a lovely neighbor. Everything tastes better!

This bowl is Kathy Veverka's work. We are sllloooooowwwwllllllyyyyy collecting a set of her dishes. After several years we are up to 5 plates and 6 bowls.

I can hardly wait until TACA comes back in September--I have my eye on a green plate...

Happy Birthday, Ned Andrew!

Some folks really struggle with birthdays. They complain about how old* they are, beg out of celebrations, and dread that day on the calendar.

I suppose if you really believe that there is some advantage to being young** then I can almost see your point.

But I really love birthdays. I get to celebrate someone I love. I get to wax nostalgic about all the years I have known them. I get cake.

What's not to like?

I especially enjoy Ned Andrew's birthdays. We get to laugh and play and go to craft fairs*** and the only difference a year makes is that I love him all the more.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy!

* Old? It is relative, I suppose, but the folks who seem to complain the loudest are the furthest from 113. When I turn 113, I'll talk about being really old.

** Young? Sure, my body might have been a little more limber a few years ago, but my mind was pretty rigid. ::shrug::

***The TACA Festival falls the first weekend of May in celebration of Ned's big day.

My Boy makes Me Proud and Happy

Today I got a call from my ex-wife. My children's kitten had been hit and killed by a car. My boys were absolutely inconsolable. There is not much worse for a parent than to have to stand by while their child hurts. It broke my heart to hear the sobs of my boys and to be too far away to even hold them while they grieved.

My ex-wife asked if I could come over tomorrow and dig the hole to bury their pet. Of course I would. Anything that I could do help ease their grief I would do.

Here’s the kicker, about two hours later my oldest son calls me, still crying, and says that I don’t have to come over to help bury his kitten. He’s already done it.

I was floored. My son just turned eleven this week. This is a level of responsibility and caring I never expected to see quite so early. Right there, in that moment, I saw an inkling of the strong man I have been trying to raise.

I have an amazing boy, who I am amazingly proud of.

On a side note: Brennan was given the option to stay home since his cat died, and he turned it down because he had tests he did not want to get behind on.

This wonderful child is making me happy today.