Wishful Wednesday

Yesterday, Flynn and I went to the dentist. No cavities, by the way! I saw this little peek of yellow in the parking lot and knew I had to take a picture. If you have read here for a while, you know why. If not, let me explain with pictures.

Years ago, when Flynn was little, she noticed all the beautiful specks of yellow popping up in our yard and ran outside to admire them. While many see these annual visitors as a nuisance, Flynn sees them as a bright and cheery part of nature. We began to wait each year for her dandelions and captured her happiness with a few pictures, showing her joy. Well, years passed, as they seem to do, and although we no longer document these little signs of spring, we still notice and remember the days of Flynn's dandelions. I am thankful to her, for in that initial moment of childhood innocence, she instilled in me something I always remember. We can see certain things in life as weeds needing harsh removal or as flowers that, for a brief time, offer us an opportunity to pause and admire them before they blow away as wishes in the wind.

I wish a dandelion-filled Wednesday for you, my friends.

Have a cozy day!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee Talk

 

Good Monday morning! And Happy Eclipse Day! I know we have all heard so much about this, so that is all I will say about that, except be safe and enjoy! As for the weekend, we had a great one here. Saturday morning, Steve, I, and all the kids met at a new coffee shop~bakery here, and we had the nicest time. Madison, Nicolas, Peyton, and Christopher have been going to "Cinnamon Roll Saturday" and kept telling us how amazing it is. So, bright and early Saturday morning, we all met in the cozy reading room for breakfast. I can confirm that the food is fantastic. And they have the second most delicious cinnamon rolls, next to Peyton. 

Saturday late afternoon, we went to mass and were surprised to find out that we all have very bad memories! We were so excited to be there eight minutes early for 4:15 mass, only to find out it starts at 4:00 and has for quite some time! Mass was packed, but fortunately for us, Christopher is very tall and could see us standing in the back from his and Peyton's seats up front. He texted Rhett and told us to come up. So I chose sitting in a comfy seat right next to the altar over standing in a crowd at the back of the church for the entire mass, despite that weird feeling you get walking past a whole church filled with people long after mass begins. 

After mass, Steve's brother Todd and his wife Beth came for dinner. Steve had planned on cooking chip steak with mashed potatoes, but due to a rather unfortunate incident discovered when Steve unwrapped the meat, we had to change plans. Instead, we did what most hungry Americans would do. We got buckets of KFC chicken with all the sides! And it was good! Beth brought some of the most perfectly cut brownies I have ever seen, which were also delicious, and a peach berry pie. We ate, visited, and played cards. It was a fantastic night. 

Yesterday was a HAPPY DAY! I got to see my momma. Rhett and Kyrstin drove down with me and Steve and surprised her. Margie was there, and I am so very thankful to her for everything she does for Mom on a daily basis. We had a great visit, made even better when I was able to actually see the very moment Mom recognized me. I felt it in my soul and saw it in her eyes, smile, and tears. I will keep that feeling in my heart forever. 

It was a good day. We headed home, and after a quick 30-minute nap, I woke and cleaned up for our friends, who had come for puppy playtime and dinner. They have a beautiful dog, and they brought her over to play with Cosmo as those two dogs are so good together. We ordered takeout from a restaurant they own and then played cards. It was a great night.

After a good night's sleep, it was morning. Morning is my favorite time of day. I like the quiet, my coffee, my prayers, my pups, and just sitting and watching the world wake up to start a new day. It's one of the perks of getting older! I'll take it. 

And that's it, my friends. Today, I am going to wipe down my bedroom with a big bucket of water and Murphy's Oil Soap, change my bedsheets, and clean some bathrooms. I hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for visiting!

Billie Jo

Refrigerator Delight

Well, Hello there! Sorry to leave you hanging on Wednesday. I am usually consistent with posting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but Wednesday got away from me this week. I had an appointment, and that threw my whole day off. The title of today's post is from the files of things my Mom used to say, as are so many of the things I do. Because when your Mom is the best, you have a childhood filled with memories to draw from. My Mom cooked dinner every night when we were young. Dad got home from work a little after five, and dinner was at 5:30. She was a great cook, and I remember loving everything she made except one. Chili. I cannot and will not eat a bowl of chili. Can't explain it. Just is. Every so often, my dad would go somewhere, and takeout wasn't the rage then, let alone DoorDash. So Mom would serve "Refrigerator Delight. She would take whatever leftovers and random things she found in the fridge, and we would help ourselves. This post is just that. I looked through my photos and found the ones I still needed to share. What do these photos have in common? Nothing. Except. Like Mom's Refrigerator Delight, they are a collection of things that define moments in our happy family life. First up. Nicolas and Madison were thrilled to finally meet Marty.

Speaking of Marty, I wanted to reintroduce the assortment of pups in our family. Sometimes, I read a blog and need clarification, and I hesitate to ask because...Shouldn't I know this? This person is my friend; I have read this blog for years! I cannot ask. Tell me I'm not the only one? Anyway, here are the dogs that call us family.

This is Mocha, my little Yorkie. She is eight years old and never leaves my side. Unless she does. And then she barks. Or howls.

Next is Draper. Draper is four years old and is Madison and Nico's Havanese pup. He is the sweetest dog and loves them so much.

Here is Jenny, Christopher, and Peyton's beautiful Lab. I don't know how old she is, but she has been Christopher's for a long time, and Peyton loves her so much! Jenny is so relaxed, well-behaved, and kind.

Next is Cosmo, Steve's ten-month-old Cavapoo. When we lost our Kirby last summer, Steve knew no other dog would take his place. Cosmo isn't trying to do that. He is here to love us and make us smile. Cosmo is by far the cuddliest and most tender-hearted dog ever. I know Kirby picked him out for us. 

Finally, here is Marty. He is Flynn's Maltipoo puppy. He is three months old and a cutie! Flynn researched, studied, prayed, and wished, and finally, she chose Marty. Or maybe he chose her; whatever the case, he is the newest member of our family, and we all adore him.

What else? Oh yes. I had my hair chopped, and I am thrilled. It is short and healthy, and I can still pull it back with a couple several bobby pins if I want. And I really am not someone who takes pictures of herself on a regular basis. I just always like to show Madison as soon as I am done. 

Peyton and Chris had us all over for dinner last night, and it was delicious. She made lasagna and homemade breadsticks, and Kyrstin made a delicious salad with homemade dressing. Madison brought ice cream to go with the skillet cookie pizza Peyton made for dessert. Although there is absolutely no photographic evidence of that, I assure you, it was amazing! Steve and I sat on her cozy couch and watched all the kids play cards after dinner. Although I was lovingly teased about how I would write about it on the blog, I am going to do just that. I felt so much joy and contentment watching those little children we brought into this world as young adults and one teen, along with the amazing person each chose, playing and laughing together. God is good, you know. I loved, loved, loved being a mom of little ones. But I am loving this chapter of my life, too. So very much.

Finally, here is an assortment of random photos that I could try to caption, but in the interest of us all moving on with our day, I will not. This is just life—ordinary life—the best life there is.

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Billie Jo

Home And Happy Easter!

Hello there! Yes, we are home in Pennsylvania! We arrived late Friday night and, through our combined effort, managed to have a beautiful Easter celebration. Madison set out my Easter decorations while we were gone and tidied the house; Peyton picked up the ham and made her delicious deviled eggs and traditional bunny cake! I managed to dig out my Easter tablecloth and embrace the rustic look rather than break out the iron and press it. Walmart grocery delivery assisted with the rest, and a lovely Easter Day was achieved! Not pictured: Beautiful Easter Mass, a nice afternoon nap, baskets filled with sunscreen and lipgloss, and a fun game of Family Feud! 

I plan on sorting laundry and enjoying my view of the lake today before starting homeschool tomorrow. I apologize for not visiting recently, and I will remedy that soon! Have a lovely Monday; remember, Easter is more than one day! Celebrate!

Billie Jo