My Thanks and Pledge

See that smile?  That is my eldest, my sweet baby girl, my sunshine.  She was the first baby I rocked, held, nursed, sang to and loved.  She is not so little anymore.  In fact, she is 16.  It is hard to let go.  It is hard to watch her pull out of the drive way in her truck into the great world of hurt and worry. Saturday evening she was driving with a friend to dinner and ran out of gas.  Some wonderful people helped her push her truck into the Red Lobster parking lot until Daddy could get there with gas.  Sometimes it does take a village and I am so grateful for the people who watched over her when I couldn't.  It would have been much easier to drive on by to their destination thinking she could have managed on her own.  As a result of this I make this pledge to all parents of teens out there.  If I see your sweet baby boy or girl on the side of the road I will help.  If I see your daughter walk out into a deserted and dark parking lot I will watch to make sure she makes it to her car safely.  If I see your son being bullied I will be the adult to tell the others to go on home.  Some of these things you may know about.  Other times no one will ever know I was there.  I won't do it for a thank you but instead as a hope that if my child is ever in need again you will be there.

Rain, Races and Australia

Good Day Mates!  Last week was a full one for the Edwards household. 

Zane and I walked each morning, twice in the rain.  It was lovely and I am so glad I went each day.

Conner came over to build his pinewood derby car.  Jason and Derek enjoyed spending time with him.

We hosted Culture Club and you guessed it...the culture was Australia!  We ate wallaby stew and rounded up some kangaroos.  Well, not really wallaby stew but the grub was delicious.  Each family brings a dish and project to share about each culture.  Eating is my favorite part of culture day :).

Aren't these little ones sweet?  I remember when my children were small, and cute, and sweet, ahhhhhh.

Look at that sweet face. 

There is my honey (standing) checking in pinewood derby cars.  Derek is too old for pinewood derby but Jason is helping out with the Cub Scouts.

Look at that turnout!  Unfortunately the track didn't make it to the race so the race had to be postponed until tonight.  I am sure there will be photos next week. 

My weight loss came to a halt.  I haven't given up and I followed the plan but didn't lose this week.  On the up note I didn't gain either. 

Have a great week everyone!!

When Life Gives You Rain

Put on a colorful raincoat, pick up a flowery umbrella and SMILE :).

Since it was raining outside I didn't plan on walking today.  Then I read a blog from http://healthystrides.blogspot.com/2012/01/outside-gym.html and decided that rain and 48 degrees were not good excuses for missing my walk with Zane.  Check out healthystrides blog.  She has lost over 100 pounds and inspires me.  She also lives in a colder climate and only misses her walk/runs if it is colder than 25 degrees.  That took my excuse away. 

I felt a little like a kid splashing in the puddles today.  Singing in the Rain kept spinning through my head and we had the walking trail to ourselves.  It was nice and quiet with the exception of robins everywhere.  SO glad I went.  Enjoy your day everyone!

366 Project Week 3

Week three of January was a lot of fun.  Most of the week we had very warm temps.  I broke out the capri's on Friday when we hit 80 degrees.  Jason's birthday was last week and we had fun celebrating with him.  Here are a few pics.  Oh, and I have lost 8.2 pounds since the first of the year.  Woo Hoo!!

We received a Christmas package last week.  The kids loved their gift from Aunt Regina.  Aren't they cool?  The girls wore theirs to church Wednesday night and lots of people commented on them. 

Too Fun

This is how our day looks.

My little man doing what warms Mamas heart.

Yes my husband likes strawberry cake for his birthday.  Brittany baked and decorated the cake this year.

How many candles???

Pretty lights.

My he has good lungs.

This was Derek's project. 

 Sprinkles is checking it out.   She is one lucky dog to be loved so much. 

366 Project Week Two

Once again I failed to take pics each day.  The habit is coming slowly but surely.  This week was unseasonable warm with one or two cold days.  We spent it homeschooling and then on Saturday Jenelle and I had the day to ourselves while Dad and Brittany hit the Racer's Auction and Derek stayed with a friend.  We enjoyed our day together and watched Beauty and the Beast in 3D.  I have lost 6 lbs the last two weeks following Weight Watchers Online.  Last friday was my brother Clinton's birthday on Friday the 13th.  We also had the tree removed (finally) that fell last fall and Sunday was spent cleaning up debris of the fallen tree.   Here are some of the pics I took this week.  Have a great week everyone!!

Dogs in sweaters make me smile.

 

Doesn't Oscar look regal?  He should be on Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

Jenelle and Sprinkles.

My boy can work a rake.

Take down that wall!

Sitting around like always ;)

My handsome hubby.

Donkey Laugh Day

I love these guys (yes I know they are fictional).

http://youtu.be/ryQNI7WOeZU

Encouragement is the Word

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me and I may be forced to love you.”

William Arthur Ward quotes (American dedicated scholar, author, editor, pastor and teacher

As a woman I distintly know all my faults and where I fall short.  Women tend to be perfectionists alway worrying, wondering, praying and trying to be the best.  I worry if I am ruining my children, if I am a good wife, dusting correctly (before or after vaccuming), and so on.  I usually do not need to be reminded of where I fall short and yet I find women tend to be very critical with each other.  My word for 2012 is Encouragement.  I want to encourage others by seeing what they are doing right and letting them know about it.  This includes myself as well.  I am going to open my eyes and see what I am doing right (there must be something).  I hope my blog reflects that this year.  You are valuable!

Documentaries and Books

My two youngest kiddos are feeling a bit under the weather.  Due to the difficulty of thinking through Math with a stuffed up head they are reading and watching documentaries in between naps.  With a little soup, vitamin C and echinacea they will be up and at them in no time.  Fortunately (or unfortunately) for Brittany she gets my undivided attention today in Algebra 2.  Happy Monday everyone!

366 Project

I have committed to taking a photo each day for the year 2012.  I have failed a few days this week but will keep trying.  Here are a few of my favorites.  This week was unseasonably warm and we took advantage of the 70 degree temps by heading outside.  My daddy's birthday was this week so all in all the first week of January was wonderful.  I hope your new year got off to a great start.  If you want to participate or know more about the project go here http://www.mommypotamus.com/366-project/.

My boys are cleaning out the shed so I guess I better get off here and get to work inside.  Have a great 2nd week everyone!  I will post more next week. 

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