Dandelions are weeds... NOT flowers, dummy!

Boy do I feel silly. Sillier than usual. Dumb even! I was at the Garden store today looking for plants. Ofcourse I had to ask one of the workers for help because I don't know much about anything that grows out of the ground! I tried to explain to the lady that I already had a few flowers planted, then snapped my fingers in the air over and over trying to figure out the names of those said flowers. "What were those again? Hmm... I don't remember. Oh! I think they're Dandelions maybe?" The lady smiled, but didn't say anything. Now, an hour later, at home, it has just sunk in... DOY! I didn't mean Dandelions, because (DOH!) Dandelions are WEEDS.

I meant Pansies.

How did I get those two mixed up? Anyway, I feel a little bit dumb. But what can you do. The lady was very helpful and didn't point out my obvious mistake. Now she will really know how very new I am at this gardening thing! I did however end up picking a fantastic mix of flowers and accent plants, so I am pretty happy about that.

I think it may take me nearly a lifetime to really know what I am doing out there. But it is very fun learning and figuring it out. All I know is that it is going to take me a very long time watering everything! :)

Loving this weather and thankful for the life I get to live.

Here is a verse I have read many times in my life, and have come back to just recently:

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet  Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't He be more surely care for you?..." Luke 12:27-28

I hope you enjoy my random ramblings. But if you take away one thing from this post, take away this: God is good, no matter what. He is takes care of the beautiful flowers that are blooming all around us. And he is taking care of us. There are times I feel so very overwhelmed with life... but then I realize how FANTASTIC I have it! Life is good. 

 <3 Pam

Home Schooling is Hard!

And I'm not even in it full time! YIKES!!! Everyday, Jake's reading program becomes even more torturous! It's probably my least favorite time of the day (and his!). We are nearly done with the program, so that's why I am sticking it out. Otherwise, I'd cough up the big bucks for "Sing, Spell, Read and Write." We still may have to reach deep down into our pockets to purchase the higher up program, so we can continue after our current program is over. I don't want Jake to slip back. For a 4 year old, he is doing very, very well. I need to look at the positives.

But oh, does this program makes me crazy! It is slow, and not kid friendly in any way shape or form. I am very suprised we lasted this long. I thought we'd make it to lesson 10 and be done! Now we are on lesson 80... whew. I just need to keep chugging along. I think I can. I think I can.

Since I can barely handle 1 hour of homeschooling, I am thinking heavily about enrolling Jake into pre-school. I don't think I am patient enough to teach at home. I guess I have a lot of praying to do!

On another note, who else is doing the Reshaping it all challenge? I have been doing OKAY this week! More updates to come!

Pam

Pretty Pretty Flowers

My tulips are starting to come up, and I can't wait to get started on my vegetable garden, but that wont happen for a few more weeks. For the past month of so, I have had major "spring fever" and since I couldn't plant flowers outside, I decided to do so inside :)

Having tulips around makes me feel even more cheery... these came from my wonderful hubby:

I know that spring doesn't exactly scream "TIME TO BAKE!" but I have been baking more lately, than I have in the last few months.

Yummy zuchinni bread that my hubby eats for breakfast every morning.

Enjoy the fabulous warmer weather! I know we definitly are!

Pam

Febuary Fun

Here is a precious picture my 4 year old drew for me:

I know I am 2 months late, but I have finally downloaded pictures to my computer. I am just so lazy about things like that, especially since I am taking a break from facebook. Anyway, we had a pretty fun Valentines Day. I had the boys make valentines, cupcakes, and then making cute little goodie bags:

For every holiday, I like to fill canning hars with candy, and decorate it a little bit... here's what I did for Valentines:

Simple, but kinda cute.

Pam

Things I have been LOVIN' lately...

• Guitar Lessons. I am currently taking lessons and am happy to say that I am getting pretty good at playing some of my favorite songs. I still need LOTS of practice though!
• Brooks. Loving my new Brooks running shoes! I purchased some Nike free runs a couple of weeks ago, but they don't support my feet very well. In other words, my feet were not very happy after a couple of my 30 min running sessions. I figured I should invest in shoes that will prevent injuires. Anyway, don't worry, the Nike frees will not go to waste. I have reserved them for gym use.
• Light, light, Everywhere! I get happy feelings now that it is still light out when I get home from teaching my step class at night!
• Extra Energy. No matter how blah or exhausted I feel, a workout usually helps me to fell better!
• Flashbacks. It is such a blast watching my almost 2 year old playing by himself. He takes his cars and makes awesome car sounds that only little boys know how to make. He also makes them have conversaions with eachother. Makes me think that I've witnessed before... wait, I have!!! Haha... it's 2 yr old Jake all over again! What a blessing!
• Training. This week is my second official week of training for my half marathon. My first week wasn't too bad, but I think this week, I came down with a tiny cold that has wiped out my energy. I was still able to workout and run, but it was definitly harder. One plus... it's almost Friday, which as I have mentioned before, is my lazy day :)
• Weight loss. I have lost 2 lbs this week, after a long, long, LONG, plateau. Still not at my goal, but to get to what I was before having my first baby will be a while! Now if I want to get back to what I was before my second, I only need to lose 7 lbs. I will settle for that for now :)
• Food! Okay, so I am supposed to be watching what I eat... but I guess what that has been meaning to me lately is: Me see food. Me watch food. Me smell food. Me eat food. That being said... here are some foods that have been on my rader lately: egg, sausage croissants, sour cream coffee cake and potatoe casserole!!! I know, healthy right??? Will post some tastey recipes soon!
• Flowers in Bloom. I have planted some Hyecynth flowers in a couple of pretty flower pots, and they have bloomed and smell delightful! This is yet another wonderful sign that Spring is on it's way! Riding on Spring's tale feathers are those dreaded allergies though, but maybe I shouldn't think about that just yet.

Things everyone should think about doing this week:

• Get your booty in gear and get movin! I promise exercise in any form will boost your energy and your mood!
• Bake something yummy! It will make your house smell delish and make your mouth and tummy happy too!
• Get together with some friends. Nothing better than getting out of the usual routine and have some grown up talk.
• Read from the word (The Bible). I have been guilty of not doing a lot of that lately, but now that I have written this, I will be accountable to do so! If anything just go to Psalms or Proverbs to get started, and just read ONE chapter.
• Pick up a friggin book! ha! Whenever I dig into one of Jodi Picoult's books, I usually will have devoured the 500+ page book in three days or less. Find an author you love and feed your brain :)

Anyway... once I download pictures from my camera, I will post some on here! I am pretty lazy about that.
Have a fantastic day!

                                                                                       Pam

Is Spring really around the corner?

This morning I awoke to a beautiful 35 degrees! That may not sound very warm to my many friends and family in warmer climates, but to this homesick Kauai girl, 35 degrees felt like heaven! I even went outside for a few seconds without a jacket! Praise Jesus! Spring is on it's way!

I definitly don't have a green thumb, nor would I call myself a "gardener." I am however, a novice gardener at best, but I have to admit that I am getting really excited to start planting my vegetable garden, and a few new flowers (roses!!!). I hope to expand my vegetable garden and add:

1) tomatoes
2) green and red bell peppers
3) onions
4) lettuce
5) broccoli

My zucchini's didn't grow last year, so I will have to try my hand at that one again! My 4 year old is excited to plant strawberries and carrots again too.

Spring is definitly right around the corner. I can smell it :) I can't wait to throw open the windows and let the fresh air in. To spend most of the cool days outdoors... and to start planning for my outdoor dinner parties. I am getting giddy just thinking about it!

Here is an example of a rose bush that I'd love to grow!! Isn't it gorgeous!!??

This is The Alnwick Rose, Hedging

Here are Lady Emma Hamilton Roses:

They are both English roses bred by David Austin. Pictures taken from davidaustinroses.com