Thought for the Month

I have learned that the ability to laugh at everyday family difficulties helps keep life in perspective. If we will learn to laugh and play more with our families, not only will we feel better but so will they. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine,” says Proverbs 17:22. -Gary K. Palmer

Here are a few of my favorite "smile" pictures of Winston. 

New Family Picture - Winston Style

Winston has been practicing his letters lately - he can't wait to go to school - and is getting really good at some of his letters.  He also loves to draw and has quite an imagination.  Quite simply, he loves to learn.  I hope his enthusium continues when he starts school.

Yesterday he decided to draw a picture of his family on our driveway and write "To Dad and Mom" - look close and you can kind of make it out.  He loves to do H for Holly - such a smartie pants.  Pretty good for a 4 year old, don't you think?  I sure think it (and  he) is adorable and I love our new family picture.

Here's one he drew of just me and Brad.  I'm the big one and Brad is the smaller one.  I like that we're holding hands  : )

Hot Robin?

Winston came home from his baby sitters and promptly announced that he'd had Hot Robin for lunch.  Hot Robin?  I asked him what it was.  He said, "you know, with the curly noodles."  I thought about it for a minute and then the light bulb went on - Top Ramen!  What a cutie!  : )

Garlic Bread - Mmmm!

I love garlic bread!  I love it with pizza, with spagetti, with chicken, with soup - well you get the idea.  I could eat it as a meal with just a side salad.  I've tried several recipes looking for the best.  There are lots of good ones out there, but I finally ended up tinkering around to come up with my own version.  Here's my recipe for delicious garlic bread.

GARLIC BREAD

1 loaf french bread, sliced in half length wise

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 Tbsp mayonaise

2 cloves of crushed or minced garlic

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp onion salt

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp dried parsley

4 Tbsp shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients together until well blended.  Spread half the butter mixture on each half of the french bread.  Bake for 7 minutes and then turn on the broiler for 2 minutes or until bread begins to golden.  Slice and serve while warm.  

Variation - you can also top with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese for a cheesy garlic bread.

A Small Luxury

Doesn't this bed look cozy?  I've always had a thing for sleigh beds and this one looks divine.  I especially love the quilted headborad. 

I'm usually up between 6:00 and 6:30 either to get ready for work or because Winston gets me up - he's almost always awake by 6:45.  He'll come right in and say, "Wake up Mom, it's morning.  Time to get up.  Mom, wake up!"  He won't stop until I drag myself out of bed.  Some days his wake up routine feels like torture - I never do get to bed at a decent hour and mornings always come way too early for my liking.  I'm not really a "morning" person.

Today when Winston came in to wake me up, Brad - most benevolently I might add - got up and somehow talked Winston into letting me gets some more sleep - this never happens.  Usually he just persists in trying to get me up and out of bed.  I had work off today for President's Day so I was more than happy to take advantage of this unexpected event.  I rolled over to the middle of the bed and burrowed back under the covers and promptly went back to sleep.  I actually slept in until about 8:45!  I can't remember the last time I slept this late. 

What a luxury to be able to sleep until my own body clock says it's time to wake up.  Brad is the best husband/daddy!  Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for entertaining our little guy so I could get some much needed rest.

I love the bedding in this picture - just gorgeous.  Don't you just want to jump on this bed and snuggle under the covers?  Ahhhh!

A Place to Visit

I came across this post and thought this place sounded so neat - a beach where rocks are made heart shaped by the ocean.  It's in Cambria, California.   I'd love to check out this place some day - there's lots to see and do. I think I'd like to stay here.  Maybe I can find some heart shaped stones of my own while strolling along the beach. . . some day.

Learning Patience

 "There is an important concept here: patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!" ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I thought this was such a great message I had to post it.

Valentine's Wish

I met the love of my life almost 25 years ago (has it really been that long?)  We'll be celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary this year.  It boggles my mind to think how many years we've been together.  I  feel like I should be thirty-something not forty-something but that's alright.  It's been a wonderful journey getting to this point in my life - full of lots of ups and downs.

Life's about finding joy in the journey and I'm very blessed to have so much goodness in my life.  I'm so grateful for Brad, for his love and support and for the life we share together.   Thank you Brad for a wonderful 24 years together - here's to the next 24.  Happy Valentines Day!