What does 80 degrees in winter look like?

Saturday was one beautiful day! We packed the kids, a lunch, and fishing gear and took off for a day of family fishing.

Chris gave Richard this multi-plier and Richard was one happy boy. He widdled and dug and clipped. It really kept him busy all day with sticks and logs.

We began our adventure at Lake Conway. We fished two spots there with no luck. Hannah started out fishing then ended the day just playing and discovering in the dirt and rocks.


Look at that swing! She could almost be a golfer.

Oh man! What a handsome little scout!

The kids kept posing for me to take their pictures. They are such little hams.

I don't know what I was thinking shading their faces in these one, but they are still cute!

This is Lake Maumelle, the third fishing location of the day. I think it was by far the prettiest, too.

I didn't take a picture of it, but we found a live clam. Chris opened it up to show the kids. It was fun to learn about something up close. We love our family adventures.

I was in love with this stump, as you can see. Don't be surprised if you see the bottom photo framed in my house one day.

We had a fun and tiring day. I got to read, crochet, photograph, and spend time with my family while soaking up the beautiful sunshine and scenery. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Dishes of Gratitude

I have been teaching to load the dishwasher. Last night he did it on his own while I was upstairs helping Hannah with garbage from bathrooms. When I went to the kitchen about an hour later I realized there was heat coming from the dish washer. I opened to find a few clean dishes.

Richard had loaded the dishes he could reach, put soap in, and started the dish washer. All on his own. All without being nagged. This morning I thanked and praised him for doing such a great job...this afternoon I will further instruct to fill it before starting the washer.

This small event lightened my heart and I have been smiling about it since late last night. :) The kids are growing before my eyes and I LOVE. EVERY. SECOND!




Even when 4 plates, 3 cups, a mug, a handful of silverware, a small bowl, and a cheese grater are the only items run through an energy and water sucking machine. Even when there is urine all over the floor near the kids' toilet. Even when there are tears from a little princess that it is not her birthday. Even when there is blue toothpaste all over their bathroom sink. Even when I am tripping on Transformers, Princess shoes, plastic jewelry, and Hot Wheels. Even those moments of being awakened at night with tearful bad dreams that end in snuggles and Primary songs.





I am so blessed to have these beautiful angels as part of my life. I don't know what we did to deserve such amazing, interesting, fun, beautiful, intelligent, funny, spiritual, and did I say AMAZING?! little people to love, teach, and learn from. I love my kids!!!

Mr. Six

My little Tiger turned 6 yesterday and boy did he have some fun. It all started last Friday night when Richard chose to go to Chuck E. Cheese's. We had some greasy, mediocre pizza; a terrific concert, and tons of fun on the games. The favorite part was getting tickets to trade in for more crap. But the kids LOVE crappy toys. And Chris had just as much fun getting the tickets as the kids did!

I surprised Richard with cupcakes for his class at lunch time on Tuesday. He was wearing the class "Birthday vest" and all the pre-k and kindergarten classes sang to him. Then he devoured his chocolate cupcake. I'm lovin' this handsome boy!

Chris got off work early to celebrate. I told Richard we would have to wait to open presents until Dad got home and he was so bummed. But when we got home...Dad was already there with wrapped presents and balloons. What more could he ask for?

Grandma Kia bought new mattress for the kids' new beds (pics to follow) and we are so excited for them to arrive! Thank you, Grandma! The kids have LOVED their new beds.

Grandma Taggart sent two boxes full of fun gifts and treats. Some of them were Bible action figures that we have been reading about so Richard was excited that we go to act out the Bible stories. He said, "They are from the Bible so they are from Jesus." Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Richard got 3 different guns, transformers, and an addition to his Hot Wheels tracks. He is a pretty happy boy, until I told him he could not take a toy rifle to school.

I cannot forget my beautiful sunshine girl, even though it was Richard's special day. She loved these chocolate cupcakes and had fun playing with Richard's new toys. We had a few sad moments since she was feeling left out, but was a good sport for the most part. I let her help me wrap, pick balloons, and even got Hannah her own balloons.

You and me goin' fishin' in the...

It was a BEAUTIFUL day today so we headed to the lake. Richard began playing with a remote control truck we picked up, including a t-shirt, for $1!

Hannah found clam shells and began a collection. She found so many we lost count.

Each one had to be cleaned just so.


Since the snow has recently melted there was mud everywhere. The kids were covered by the end. It was fun!

This was so pretty today! I am looking forward to the leaves coming back!

Hannah's pants are a touch big and I lost the adjuster trying to tighten them today. She kept doing the funniest dance to get the pants back up without using her muddy, shell-filled hands. I laughed all day because she kept hamming it up for me. She is such a funny girl!

I am looking forward to a lot more of these nice spring-in-winter days!

Snow day...the city is shut down

This is the view from my top balcony this morning. The first, and probably last, snow fall of the season. It almost feels like home.

The city has really been shut down. We had a call 1 hour into the snow storm last night that school was cancelled for today. Chris's client closed and so his cafe closed. The parking lot was full of snow covered cars until noon today, Chris was the only person from our complex that even attempted to go to work.

Then there are my kids. The second Richard woke up he wanted to go play in the snow. After breakfast I got them bundled up and we headed to the snow.

The kids met another little boy who was fascinated by the snow. He was wearing a light coat, knit beanie, jeans, and rain boots. One can tell the snow fall in AR is minimal based on the apparel of the residents.

Here are the kids hiding from the boy, after Richard started a snowball fight.

This poor, unassuming kid didn't stand a chance with my kids. Look at Richard's fact compared to the boy's.

A few times Richard and Hannah ganged up on him.

In true Hannah fashion, we had a little photo shoot. She made up all the poses by herself.

We call this the toot pose.

This is her ballet pose.

We started and ended the outing with snow angels. It was a lot of fun and I'm sure we will go out again today. Maybe tomorrow since I'm sure school and work will be cancelled again.