A First

Jim's first-ever hunting trip.  He didn't shoot anything, but he sure looks good!

Progress

First a hole in the ground.  Then cement forms.  Then cement.  Today, lumber in the yard.  Tonight, it's snowing and should stop sometime tomorrow night.  Is that a problem?

Flirtations

Flirtations with sin abound. 
Flirtations to hold back the truth. 
Flirtations to keep what is not ours. 
Flirtations to go over the line of decency. 

Why is it when we are flirting with sin that we feel so in control?  Justifications spur us onward, that we are powerful enough to control the situation.  That "it's okay".

It is not.
We are not merely dancing with flirtations; we are engaged in a war.
A battle for our minds.
A battle for our hearts.
A battle for our lives.

Yet, I know One who has won the battle.
He offers me the same victory.

We are under attack.
But we will be victorious.

Friday Card

Boy meets Girl.
Girl wants to run like the wind.
She's had her share of heartache.
But she stays.
She discovers Boy's had his share of heartache, too.
So they both stay.
And learn to trust and love.
And that's a good thing.

Sonshine

Today I stopped at David's school for a quick PAC errand.  As I was leaving, the end-of-the-day bell rang, and kids were pouring from the classrooms.  One kid caught my eye.  My kid; tall, blonde, red sweatshirt.  Yep, my son.  Our eyes met, his filled with confusion as to why I was there.  I knew better than to act too excited to see him.  He would die.  Or at least he would pretend to die.  I think he really likes me, most of the time.

As he approached, I held up my fist for a bump, and asked "Do you want a ride home?"
"Nah" he said bumping.  He continued down the hall to catch the bus.  (Anyone else think it a little strange that he WANTS to ride the bus home?)  I was perfectly fine with that, knowing that the bus ride home is some strange sort of debriefing time for him.

Walking to my car I heard "Jaron! Jaron!" and I looked to see an elated preschooler hanging out of a parked car yelling to his older brother.  Jaron took off running toward the car, and the two boys embraced in a forever hug!

I thought how nice it would be to have someone be that excited to see me. 
I remembered that my kids used to be that excited to see me. 
I remembered how sweet it was to hear "Mommy! Mommy!"
Now I get a fist bump.
But I love those fist bumps!
It means we understand each other; I don't embarrass him and he knows I need to "hug" him.  Fist hug?
We are in a good place.
Mutually respecting each other.
That's my sonshine.

Me. Totally.

"I like to think of myself as an optimistic realist.  I know the glass is half full.  

I just want to know who’s been drinking from it and if I still have to pay full price."  

Robert Tetreault

Yellowstone Bison-Grizzly Chase Caught On Camera

Yellowstone bison, grizzly chase caught on camera | KBZK.com | Z7 | Bozeman, Montana

This is where I live. Well, not far from here.

Kale Chips? Make'm. Now!

Jim was a little worried when I was putting the salad in the oven the other night.  It wasn't salad.  It was kale.  The last time I ate kale I lived at 14251 Briarwood Terrace in Rockville, Maryland.  A very long time ago.  But Kale Chips are all the rage on some food blogs I frequent, so I decided to give them a try.

1 bunch of kale, rinsed and dried.  Tear leaves from stems.
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp sea salt

Mix all in large bowl, rubbing the salt and oil into the kale.  Bake at 275 degrees for 12 minutes.

A fabulous new way to eat your greens!