The birds

Today I have a sick child at home, so have been spending a lot of time on our couch. This gives me a perfect view of our bird feeders out our front window. If I had been away from home today, as planned, I would have missed many enjoyable visits to our feeder. The most exciting for me was a visit from a Baltimore Oriole at my hummingbird feeder! I am honored that this beautiful bird decided to pay my feeder a visit. Even as I sit here, she is back having another sip of my sugary treat. My parents have always been able to attract numerous birds to their feeders, but they also live in the country. Now for the last 4 years I have been trying to entice them to mine in our little town. This spring I also seem to have a male and female cardinal team that enjoy my feeder. Today I watched as the male seemed to be kissing and feeding the female as they visited my feeder.

I was blessed today by an unexpected day at home with 2 of our children and the opportunity to just sit and enjoy God's gifts to us.

Flowers and Daughters

Yesterday I finally had a chance to go outside and work in my flower beds and plant some of the flowers I had bought the week before. My 3 yr old daughter was so excited as she had been asking me every day since we had bought them together when we could plant them. She picked out some pink ones, of course. We had such a good time outside digging in the dirt and watering the flowers together. While I was out there, I had one of those moments where I realized I had dreamed about this. Not literally, but I always wanted a girl and had imagined doing things like this with her as my mom had done with me. It was just a special moment for me. I know there will be lots of moments like these in our future. I am just so thankful that God gave me this beautiful girl to raise. Saturday we will have the chance to get her brothers involved when we plant our vegetable garden. I just cherish these family times and I hope you can take the time to connect with your children like this too. I know I need to do it more often.

My mom has a beautiful flower garden that she spends hours tending. I found this quote and I keep it taped to the mirror in my bathroom...

All winter long, 

I envision what beautiful blooms I'll have...

I can even smell them, 

their scents as wonderful as in my mother's garden.

So, after the long hard winter, spring is finally here. Go out, plant and smell some flowers.

Rhubarb Crisp

Today I want to share a yummy recipe that our family has been enjoying!

Rhubarb Crisp
4 C fresh rhubarb (diced)
1 C sugar
3 T flour
1/2 C sugar
2 T butter, softened
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C quick oats
1 egg (beaten)

Cut rhubarb into small pieces and place in 8 inch baking pan. Mix 1 cup sugar and 3 T flour and stir gently into the rhubarb. Mix the other dry ingredients. Then add the butter and stir in the beaten egg. Spread the mixture on top of the rhubarb. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until nicely browned. We like it best, served warm with vanilla ice cream on top!

Friendship

Today I was lucky enough to spend the day with a great friend. I realized that in August 2008 we will have known each other for 15 years. I didn't meet Tammy until my junior year in college but feel like I have known here forever. We try to get together as often as we can, usually every couple of months. But, no matter how long it has been we are always able to catch up right where we left off. We do get chances to talk on the phone (usually while one of us is driving), but getting together in person is always the best. Today we actually got together to go back to our college for a retirement reception. We were able to walk around campus together and even go up to the dorm. The smells, the atmosphere, the places all brought me back to those times. I even got a little misty. But, no matter what we do, no matter what happens, I know Tammy will always be there for me and be my friend through it all. I can really picture us as old women still getting together for drinks and talking about the "dramas" in our life and the good times. So, for my friend Tammy, Here's to you! Thanks for all the good times we have had and for the many more to come! Can't wait until the 30th! If you have a friend like this in your life, call her up and let her know how much you appreciate her!

Always a mom

My husband and I were able to get away for a day 1/2 to Chicago. He had business and I tagged along for a break. I was so excited to have some "me" time and relax and have a break. My wonderful mom, whom I have written about before, came down and stayed with our 3 children. I wasn't even gone for 7 hours and I was flipping through the TV and came across "Sponge Bob" and "Super Why", some of our kids favorite shows. I immediately got teary and weepy and already started missing my kids. So, I guess no matter how far away I go, how desparately I need a "get away", I am still a mom who loves and misses her kids. I was thankful for the break and the change of scenery, but nothing can beat the greeting I got from my kids after returning home.