~~ I Remember ~~

It's been 19 years.

I remember where I was that morning.

I remember the incredible shock.

I remember the unbelievable loss.

I remember the overwhelming sadness.

I remember the non-stop praying.

I remember the round-the-clock news reports.

I remember the inconceivable tragedy.

I remember the promise.

I will always remember that day.

~~ Warm & Cozy ~~

Got some super warm and cozy PJ's and a super soft blanket for Mother's Day from my girls and tonight we got a little taste of fall so I got to wear them finally!  

Yesterday we got about 2 inches of rain and last night our first cold front of the year.  It's a teaser and I know we'll probably be back close to 100 degrees in a few days, but I am going to enjoy every minute of it while it lasts! My fingers are crossed that it will stay cool at least til Saturday so I can get some outside work done without sweating to death.  

~~ It's in the Mail ~~

I ~LOVE~ to get mail.  Who doesn't, right?  A friend of mine told me a couple of years ago that her New Year's Resolution was to mail more letters to family and friends.  Well, I just stole that idea and ran with it.  Last year I did pretty good and well, this year with quarantine - it's my best year EVER!

Seriously, I always loved to write letters and receive letters and I wanted to be that aunt that sent cards for every holiday.  I remember my aunt and grandma used to do that for me when I was younger.  There is a feeling of excitement and love when you get special mail.  I want to be the person that sends a card for every birthday and a thank you notes and random notes of encouragement or just because letters.  I usually fall short.  I start strong and then, life gets busy and the letters stop.  (kinda like this blog - hmmm)

Well, today I wrote a thank you note - it was from a month ago, but ya know it's never too late!  I sent a random card to someone special and another letter to a special friend that sent me a letter last week. I hope the 3 people that get my letters feel the same way I did when I checked the mail this past Saturday and opened the letter my sweet friend sent.

Now, maybe I can make this a habit too!  Something to think about and work on.

~~ Bye, Bye Sweet Little Bird ~~

Last Friday as I was leaving work I saw the most beautiful bird.  It was a yellow finch, but he was vibrant, bright yellow.  I'm pretty sure I've never seen a finch like him before.  I tried so hard to get a picture of him and he just fluttered around so quickly.  I gave up, figuring he'd never sit still long enough for me to get a picture.  And, it was Friday!  

Sad news though.  Today I was out for my morning break walking laps around one of the buildings when I saw it there on the sidewalk.  When I saw the bright yellow I knew it was that sweet little bird.  I was so sad.  He must have hit the window and because he was so small just didn't make it.  RIP sweet little bird. 

Side note: On Friday when I was walking to my car there was a homeless man that was being rather loud, not aggressive, but creepy.  I was a good block or more behind him and it occurred to me that maybe God put that little yellow finch right outside my office for a reason that afternoon.

~~ Yardwork ~~

Well, we wrapped up this 3 day weekend with an evening of yardwork.  Got the front yard and backyard mowed and edged (mostly).  It's been too hot to do much during the day, so I started late, and well, the sun went down on me before I was able to finish up.  We are supposed to get another round of rain Wednesday so the mowing had to be done.  I love working in the yard and the boys and Phillip are a huge help with trying to bring my flowerbed visions to life.  I need to take a current picture and compare it to ones from the past.  The change is amazing.

*This is day 7!  How many days of doing the same thing, over and over, does it take for it to become a habit?  There are a few other things I am trying to do consistently on a daily basis to be a better me.  Some I'll share here.  For now, I'll share today's verse from my devotional - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.   Matthew 11:28  

~~ Soccer ~~

Today was spent at the soccer fields.  The boys haven't played soccer in years, so it has been awhile.  This weekend my niece was in town for a tournament.  I wasn't able to make yesterday's game, but today I got to see both her games.  That's her in red surrounded by white defenders.

 

The first one was early and the weather was amazing, but the best part was seeing her score a goal.  Her team won 3-0.  The second game was a tie 1-1 and it was in the heat of the day.  Sun was beating down-no clouds, no breeze.  I don't know how they run around and play in it.  Turns out her team won the tournament and got championship medals.  It was a good day for her and her teammates.

Between games we were able to run home and get the dog out for a walk and after the games it was a quick lunch and a nap.  So glad we were able to see this little firecracker play today.  

~~ My Girl ~~

This is my girl Zola.  She joined our family in July 2012 so she has never been mentioned on the blog.  She is a rescue dog we got from the shelter when she was just 6 months old.  They advertised her as a lab/border collie mix.   Um, yea I don't think so.  She may have a little bit of those in her, but she most definitely has some pit in her too.  Not that it matters though, she is the sweetest dog and the biggest scaredy cat.  Of course she barks and chases squirrels (when she is in the mood), but she is not aggressive at all.  She loves people and kids and other dogs.  Like the rest of the family she likes to eat so recently she's been enjoying lots of evening walks.

A side note about the blog - the conversation last night my oldest:

Jess - What are you doing?

Me - Just writing a blog post.  

Jess - Oh, you blog?  

Me - Yes, I'm starting up again.

Jess - Really,  Hmm

FIST BUMP!  

Surprised me, but he thinks it's cool I'm blogging (again).  Maybe one day he'll actually check it out!