Date Night

Jacob sent me this picture earlier in the week - he is fully outfitted with his dress blues now!  Kind of a blurry shot, but you can still see how sharp he looks.

I wandered into his room today and felt so empty.  Empty room, empty heart...

Empty bed... more empty heart...

So Danny and I had a date tonight

to drown our sorrows! haha

Miss you so much Jacob!!

This one is for you Jacob

Here is darling Hannah helping me cook dinner since I burned my hand.  As Jacob would say, this is Hannah "in her natural habitat." haha

A package full of love

Today we received  a package from my parents that was so full of wonderful stuff!   (like all really good packages should be! haha)

They were sending me some olives that I can't find here in Maryland, but they threw in other stuff too.

Grandpa blessed Hannah with a really special Science Award he had received in High School to "encourage and motivate" her (in his kind, grandfatherly words).  She was so blessed and excited to receive it - it really WILL encourage and motivate her as she heads down her career path in a science/medical field.

And what good grandma doesn't throw in some yummy snacks?  Thanks mom!!

SAT test day

Hannah took her test today at a beautiful Catholic high school in Olney.  She said the same thing when she came out as Jacob did when he came out.  "This high school is beautiful!  Can I go to school here next year?"

Preparing for the SAT's

Hannah's lot this week...

Missing Sue

Today marks one year since my dear friend Sue went to be with the Lord.  

I miss her still.

Snowy Day

Today we woke up to snow which turned out to be beautiful on the lawn and trees.  These pictures are courtesy of Ryan as he was trying to convince me we needed a "snow day." 

 Jacob received the final pieces of his dress blue uniform, which I am eagerly awaiting a picture of when he puts it all on!!

On this snowy day Hannah worked on a presentation for her WWII history class.  Like her older brother, she whips these things out in a day.

Ordinary moments

Homeschooling and having a husband who is at home and a son who has a flexible work schedule allows for some really wonderful moments that I try to stop and appreciate.  Take it all in.

Today we were all gathered in the kitchen and hearth room, some eating a snack, Matt cuddling the dog, and me doing dishes.  It was just an ordinary moment in a very ordinary day, and truly only lasted a few moments, but I looked at my family around me, living life together, and I realized how sweet it was.  How blessed I am.  How I hope I will always remember these moments.  The big events are memorable too, but I really love the little moments of life with my precious family.  You aren't expecting anything great.  They just happen and fill one with pure joy and contentment.

This picture is especially touching.  I LOVE it.

Sunday Rifle Practice

 Hannah went to an additional rifle practice today with some friends from the team.

She is coming along so nicely!!  

Wisdom tidbit

Awesome Tattoo

Matt is in the process of getting another really awesome tattoo - this one is a Samurai Warrior.  It isn't completed all the way yet - some color will be added at a later date.  One can only sit so long and take so much pain!  So I will update with another picture when it's done!

Spent some time today playing Blokus with my buddy Ryan.  

He always wins.

But I have fun just spendin' time with him!

Prescott weather today

 Apparently Prescott had some snow this morning...

but two hours later it looked like this!

A husband who cooks - what a blessing!

Nothing like a hot, juicy steak, crispy seared potatoes and hearty vegetables to warm you up on a cold, rainy, January night.  Thank you honey.  I am grateful.

Getting Organized

Something about January makes you want to get a fresh start in some things, or at least have change.  I thought about what area of the home, by being un-organized, caused me the most stress each day.

Hands down - it was the pantry.

So... we pulled everything out of the pantry.  Things always get worse before they get better in a project like this.

BEFORE

AFTER

 BEFORE

 Along the way we found some special things that were hard to throw away, like our super-special slurpee machine!  But yes, I threw it away...

BEFORE

 AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

 Danny's mad organizing skills resulted in this beauty

AN AFTER SHOT

So about 10 hours and 9 large garbage bags later, we now have a beautifully organized pantry without any leaking, sticky, disgusting or out of date products.  

Can't wait to cook.

Stylish Dog

Indy wearing my favorite scarf.  He looks like he just wants me to take the picture and get it over with so he can take it off.

Date Night

Amazing story - hard to watch - but amazing.

Braces Off for Hannah!

 Before

AFTER!!!!

SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SMILE!!  Worth all those years of braces.