I'm home! My sister decided to plan a girl's only trip to the Smoky Mnts. for my niece's graduation present. It was kind of "spur of the moment" and Lexi and I were invited. I hesitated but S encouraged me to go. I hated to leave him and the boys with the total responsibility of all the animals. I also didn't feel I had enough time to prepare the house and meals for my absence.

We had an awesome trip nevertheless. There was lots of silliness and laughter - no schedule, cleaning or cooking! We did lots of shopping downtown and in the outlets. The kids loved the pool- they swam in the evenings and had it all to themselves. The weather was perfect and the mountains beautiful as always. We enjoyed walking by the creek and looking for special rocks.

I love to go places but when it's time to go home I'm ready especially if my family is there.

I rarely go anywhere without S and I missed him (and the boys) terribly. I just don't feel complete without him. We spoke several times on the phone during the trip and then on the way home. I did not know it but he made plans to leave work early so he could get home and help the boys get the house in order. Before we left, Lexi and I cleaned thoroughly. S wanted to make sure everything was back in place. He knows how I love to come home to a neat house.

Upon walking into my beautiful clean house, I noticed a gorgeous spring bouquet of flowers and a card sitting on the counter. The card was so sweet I have to share it. On the outside: Without you around, I sleep just like a baby.... Inside: I wake up every hour and cry - Miss you. It was such a perfect card because we truly do not sleep well apart. The bed seems way too big and empty. We always tell each other - never again!

Like Dorothy says " There's no place like home!"

I have been basically a "country girl" most of my life. I live on the same property I grew up on where my parents played a good bit at farm life. We had horses, cows, goats, free-range chickens, rabbits, pigs (gross!!!!) guineas, turkeys, and assorted cats and dogs. They also gardened and cut firewood for the wood-burning fireplace.
I remember all that but I never had total responsibility for any of those things. I do remember loving that lifestyle.
My husband was exposed some to that lifestyle as a young child but in his older years was pretty "citified". He knew my dreams when we married and has tried to mesh our lifestyles.
It took a lot of pleading to convince him chickens were worth the trouble to raise. Finally he said yes 4 years ago and built me the cutest little chicken coop. Okay - I researched breeds and care. I bought 5 adorable young chicks and 4 survived. They all got named- Priscilla, Ms.Red, Buttercup, and Queenie. They laid like clock work that first year- beautiful brown eggs. They laid pretty regularly the next. We added to our flock over time. Now the 4 older girls are not very productive anymore. That is the way of things. Now my dilemma:The country girl in me says it is time to get rid of the old girls. They cost more to feed than they contribute. My brother-in-law says "Eat them!" I can't - I would choke! They have names and they were my first. The sad thing is chicken is my favorite meat. I am like most people; I just try not to think about it. I truly don't know what I will do but killing them is not an option for me.
Another part of country life I hate- snakes! Uugg!! In the last week, my sister next door has found 2 King snakes in her yard. My brother-in-law knows they will eat mice/rats and other poisonous snakes so he just moves them out of the yard. Again, my country girl brain says that is wisdom but my heart screams "Kill It!!!!"
Being a true country girl is difficult.

Uniforms!

One of the moms arrived for a visit with the director during school hours. She snapped some really good pictures. All the kids at the O wear uniforms for school. Our baby girl looks like a spring flower in hers.
She must be adjusting to life at the O because she is smiling in most of her pictures lately I've noticed. I could not be more pleased.

A Lovely Story

I love, love, love to read. It's my way of relaxing. Many times in moments of stress, I think "if I could just find a few minutes to read..." Some books I enjoy so much I read them over and over.
One of my very favorites is a true story called The Family Nobody Wanted by Helen Doss. Its about a methodist minister and wife who adopted 12 interracial children over the course of 10 years during the 40's and 50's. They were infertile and that started them on an incredible journey.
Every time I read this I feel pangs of envy. They adopted a beautiful rainbow of children which was very unusual in those days. The process was so different from today- it's amazing. I am sure those waiting in the Haitian process could really appreciate how quickly these adoptions occurred.
I am sure this book is out of print but if you looked on Amazon or half.com you might be able to locate it. It is worth the effort.

Another Picture

Just thinking of my sweet girl this morning and thought I'd post another picture.