It's really been three months?

I feel like I've been living in a time warp for real lately - can hardly believe that it's been THREE MONTHS since I've updated this blog! Here's a picture of Mark and Andrew working on the front landscaping - it was 20 degrees here in Arkansas this past weekend...can hardly wait until warmer weather! Planning our summer vacation to Florida and our spring break vacation to Eureka Springs is so exciting...I can't wait to CHILL out with my boys. However, keeping mindful of how important the day to day decision to be patient with life is, I am able to relax more in the moment then to wait until the "weekend" or on our "vacation". So liberating!

Rare pants photo

Thank you, Mr. Ed!

Pants problem solved...temporarily

We've had another busy weekend here in Fort Smith...thankfully, a grandmother friend gave me some advice regarding Andrew's de-pantsing phase...ignore him! You'd think this would have crossed my frazzled mind, but alas, wise thoughts are slow to come lately. Bob the Builder is planning on hanging our siding next week, and I've decided on a pretty slate gray. Before he gets started, we wanted to get rid of the obnoxious holly bushes in the front of our house. Thankfully, our across the street neighbor has a tractor and could drive over and help yank them out on Saturday morning. Can you believe it? Mr. Ed is a Godsend. Made homemade muscadine jelly with grapes from his farm the same day - yep, it's Home on the Prarie here at 1200 East Jackson. Enjoyed the first fire of the season Friday night. Made chili, hot dogs and s'mores in the fireplace. Got teary-eyed when we went outside to get the wood and saw Mr. Joyce's silent woodpile next to ours. Our sweet, sweet neighbor passed away at 93 years young a few weeks ago. Still can't get used to his dark house. Good night, LA. We miss you.

A Good Love

Uncensored

Alright, here it goes everybody! As most of you know, I'm a teacher/librarian, English major, perfectionist, so blogging uncensored is certainly shaky territory for me - given my penchant for editing and re-reading and editing...oooh. So. Andrew has a new habit - shedding his shoes, socks and pants as soon as he gets home from school in the evenings. A couple of nights ago, we got home from the grocery store (yes, it was 8:30 on a school night) and there go the pants...soon, he is at the kitchen table painting in his new truck colorbook. So the title, Painting without Pants sorta describes my life at this point...trying to get in a little fun with no clothes on...no, that's not it. Trying to enjoy life a little more without editing out the really good/bad parts. Gonna try to post some pictures soon...dishes, laundry, husband, cat...they're all calling! Be back soon!