Animal Quote Monday

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. -Anne Dudley Bradstreet

A Night In

The kids went to grandma's for a night, so Charlie and I had a nice romantic dinner at home. I made up a new salmon dish that was SO good I wanted to share.

All you need is a fresh salmon fillet. I seasoned it with garlic salt (tiny bit), chili powder, Paprika (for that great color)and a few other things I don't recall..play around with it.

Baked it, and after it was done cut my fresh basil and chives from my window garden and topped it.

For a sauce I used avocado and mandarin oranges blended together and sprinkled with chili powder. It was VERY good!

Animal Quote Monday

The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

-Robert Byrne

*side note*

I don't know who this person is, I just found the pic on the internet, but I thought it fit the quote.

Norman Rockwell has got nothing on us!

Lou Lou got her first REAL bike today! This is her very first, new, from the store, not handed down, no weired twist in the handle bars, bike!

I have this dream that the whole family can go for a bike ride all together. But in order for that to happen Lou had to have a bike that actually fit her. So, after church today we stopped at the store, found the perfect, princess bike with streamers, and we are on our way to a post card family! Can't ya just see us all, riding along the country roads, breathing the fresh air?...Well I can, and it's GREAT!

She road it to the car, and MD took on Big Brother role and guided her through the parking lot.

Now, to tackle those training wheels!

Age 8

MD had soccer tonight. His team practices 4 blocks away at the neighborhood school. This is how our conversation went at a quarter to six.

Me: Time to head to practice, get your ball and get in the car.

him: I'll ride my bike

Me: Alone? You're only 8

Him: I ride my bike all the time.

Me: But I always take you to practice...

Him: Can I please ride my bike?

Me: Don't forget to wear ..

Him: Yeah, my helmet.

Me: and don't...

Him: talk to anyone

Me: Look before...

Him: I know, the street

Me: Are you sure you don't want me to drive you? You're only 8

Him: Mom, I'm 8

Apparently 8 is a relative age, and my son is taking himself to soccer.

Animal Quote Monday

"Following the path of least resistance makes men and rivers crooked."

My Favorite Color Is Dirt!

It is my favorite time of the year... YARD WORK TIME!!!

Charlie brought home the first load of fresh rich dirt today, and, as is tradition, we all climbed up in the truck with our bare feet and walked around in it.

I love the feel of soft dirt!

See that tree in the back? That's my new Weeping Cherry! So pretty when it blooms!

Both of them got the gardening jean!

MD wanted some spring in his cool surfer room, so we bought him a bright orange flower, drilled holes in the bottom of last years sand bucket, and... Vwa-la, a little bit of spring that matches his room's theme!

(I had a sand shovel sticking out of it that was adorable, but he didn't like it.)

See the cool green paint?...That's all over his room, with surf boards, lays, and giant flip flops! I'd have shown you the whole room, but it's a mess!!!

I love the growing season!

Animal Quote Monday

"Fear not the path of truth for lack of those on it."

I'm Not a Drug Dealer, I'm an Activist

So, if there was one thing I never thought I would be, it's an activist. If you could have seen me in grade school you would surely agree. I was the quiet insecure little rag-a-muffin girl in the back.

So what happened...? I have no idea, but something did because now days I seem to stand up for all that is good and just in this world. Could be my faith that calls me out to do so, or it could be that I just got tired of being quiet. Whatever it was, I am now a full blown activist.

In a previous post (that I would link right here if I knew how to do it) I wrote about how the principal at my kids school is trying to fire the best teacher ever. We don't know why she is, I think it is because she didn't like said teacher going over her head in defense of a child, plus she's just a bit evil.

Well, I, along with many other parents are furious. We have never liked this principal and now we can't stand her. So, we have been writing letters, making phone calls, demanding a meeting with the district big-wigs, and we have a petition going around.

The petition just states that we disagree with the action being taken against this teacher (Mrs. Awesome). There is no shortage of people who want to sign it, so everyday I'm walking the pavement in front of the school with my little green folder in hand. While almost all of the parents dislike the principal, some are not willing, or afraid to cross her. There in lies the awkwardness.

As I walk the sidewalk, wonder halls, and make copies in the office, there is an odd feel in the air. Everyone knows what's going on. Most, support us, if not vocally than with silent nods. But, there are those that disagree. It is always interesting to see the eye contact that takes place. Those who support our cause will give me this slight nod. If they have not signed the petition yet I always get this strange sideways glance, which I interpret as "I need what you have, meet me in the parking lot at o-dark-thirty, (or when the bell rings)"

Those that disapprove usually refuse to make eye contact and pretend they don't see me standing in line for the copier. The principal has yet to say one word to me, and yesterday I rocked the boat a bit further by sending a letter to district calling for her resignation on behalf of a very large parent group. I made sure I cc'd her on that letter because I want her to know how her schools feels about her actions. Then, I promptly drove down to the school and spent the day in the class just to prove she couldn't intimidate me. My, my, what happened to the quiet rag-a-muffin?

A Blessing For Lent

Here is a blessing our pastor has been saying at the end of each service. I absolutly LOVE it and I'm going to have it framed and put on my wall!

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.