The Right Thing

Happy Valentine's Day! We made a ton of stuff this week and today I declare a crafting break! My house is in ruins.

Also, I've been thinking about this space and how I usually just dump photos here and write a sentence, an incomplete sentence, or nothing at all. I would like it to become a little more than that. I guess a want to write more...we shall see. I'm usually not really up to it.

However, I did get rid of the TV in my room and I now have more time to read, write, reflect...I go to sleep a little earlier and I wake up a little earlier. Maybe I can write here at night (if I can stop reading the Game of Thrones series for a few minutes).

I posted this photo so that I might remember to use my time more wisely. My goal is to "unplug" everyday, be present with my family, and post at night after they are in bed. I am clearly not to that point yet!

We are going to have great weather here for quite some time. Let me go outside.

Oh Well

I did not quit facebook. But I will scale back my time spent there. I will!

For MLK Day we thought about how we would like to "leave our handprint" on the world. Eaden has been wanting to help the homeless for some time now, so that is what she said. Naia wants to plant flowers and vegetables which we will be doing soon enough!

While Eaden was at gymnastics I took Taven and Naia to meet Aidan at the Arboretum. See! I am having REAL face time! There wasn't too much activity, but I did manage to get this picture of a Large Orange Sulphur on a Camellia.

Even though Eaden did not get to come with us on our walk, I showed her the picture. She made a page for the "Animal" section in her notebook.

After picking Eaden up from gymnastics we went to the store and bought some snacks we thought homeless people might like to have. We made bags for them and the kids are eager to hand them out. They did whine a bit about wanting to eat the snacks themselves, of course, but came around in the end. Eaden even made rubber band bracelets for all of the bags.

On Wednesday, we decided to check out a new place, Sheldon Lake State Park (new to us). We got lost and got in a wreck! We were lucky to have only minor damage to our car. After driving around looking for the place for...forever...we made it! Our visit started off great because we immediately saw a Great Blue Heron (no picture), many White Ibis, Great Egrets, and more!

But our most awesome moment was spotting this Osprey!

 The park had a really neat observation tower!

 Next time we must remember binoculars!

We are planning on bundling up and staying in for the next couple of days as freezing rain is expected!

LIVING Life

I always think about what a hypocrite I am. I tell people to go outside, don't work, spend time with your kids, go on adventures...and I stare at Facebook half the day. So, like I've done many times before, I'm quitting the social network. Not because I don't enjoy staying in touch with my friends and family, but because I DO! I'm cutting back on the computer and increasing real face time. Hang out with me! I'm begging. Come have a beer! If you don't drink, I have tea...and water!

For my friends and family that cannot hang out much, I am starting this blog. I will update every Friday. I also will keep my Pinterest account because it is extremely helpful to me as a mother and wife.

In summary, less computer MORE people, less inside MORE outside, less facebook MORE real books (made from paper!). MORE music, MORE making, MORE gardening, MORE journaling, MORE camping (without cell phones), MORE loving, MORE family, MORE listening, MORE living!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come and join us! Please! Text or call or email...