30

My sweet husband,

Today is your thirtieth birthday.

This milestone is an exciting one, and I'm so grateful I get to experience it with you. Your life hasn't been an easy one, and in spite of that, you willingly jump in where you feel you ought, following me often into the unknown, bringing along your delicious enthusiasm and energy. You have taught me so much about NOT standing outside the fire. It's so fitting that the idea you brought to me when you proposed is one that has followed us throughout our life together.

You are such a good daddy to our girls and husband to me. You are relied on so much by this little family; I don't think you could ever understand how much. Thank you for how you continue to push this family forward into good things.

I love you so much, sweetie.
Happy Birthday.

They Grow Up So Fast...

My oldest daughter is really into asserting her independence these days. It's so wonderful. Basically this consists of telling me I'm wrong about pretty much everything. Additionally, I get the big bonus of her deliberately disobeying because she doesn't like the rules. Case in point:

The other day, T woke up, and dressed herself in a way too-short skirt. I told her,

6:45 a.m.
"Honey, you aren't wearing that to school today. Go put on some pants."
7:00 a.m.
"T, it's wintertime. That skirt is too short. You aren't wearing it to school. Go change."
7:15 a.m.
"T! Pants!"
7:30 a.m.
"No, it's not okay if you wear it with leggings. Your leggings are too short. No, it's not okay if you wear it with tights. The tights don't make the skirt any longer. Go change."
7:45 a.m.
"T! Are you kidding me that you haven't changed yet? Your pants are downstairs in the laundry basket. Go get them on now!"
7:50 a.m.
I walk into the laundry room. T, at last, is wearing pants, but she's looking sheepish and clutching at her sides funny. I stop her as she tries to sneak past me and pull out the skirt that she was poorly concealing under her shirt. "So, what was the plan? To take your pants off once you get to school?"

She nods.

Seven, folks.

I may just have a meltdown.

Is anyone else COLD?!?

Wow! I know it's winter, and I know I'm an Idaho-born girl, but MAN! This cold snap....QQ!!! It's gotta break sometime, right? At our house, mornings and evenings look a lot like this:

I'm the short, squatty one in purple and pink. I hate to admit it, but going out to do chores right now is HARD! Poor goats, having to have my frigid fingers on their teats. :( I love that we have snow, and I do love the seasons, but thinking about going outside sometimes just flat-out makes me cringe. I know, I know, I'm opening this wide up for you all to call my pansy, but just in case anyone else is feeling this chill and trying to not cry about it for fear of the tears freezing to their face, I feel ya, and you are welcome to come over for hot chocolate any time.

Way Behind

Alright, folks, back to reality and finally finding time to blog. Yes! Wow, just got on and realized I still had an autumnal background. Can we say slacker?!? Where my head has been these past two months....whew! But, I'm hoping to get caught up a bit and move smoothly into this new year. Excited for what will come in 2010!