Halfway through Lent already!!!

 Outside my window...it is a cloudy day. Even cloudy, though, days when the temperature rises into the upper 50’s and low 60’s are a blessings worth counting. 

What I am hearing...Auntie is busy cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast while the girls gather their schoolbooks for the day. Teddy is in his swing murmuring to himself while Kim is on the phone with Jason. After nearly 6 months here I have begun to feel and even anticipate the rhythm of this houseful.

What I am wearing...I admit I am still in pajamas but I intend to blame the lapse on daylight savings time.  Things still get done, people still get loved, and time still passes whether I get right up and get moving or not. 

What I am learning...how to buy a house. Last week we looked at a lovely 3 bedroom/2 bath home near hear. The woman who lives there now is obviously a seamstress as one of the rooms is setup into a sewing room. Once we walked through the door the house wrapped itself around us as none of the others we have viewed ever could. The view from the front is open fields and hills while the back and sides are farmland with cattle grazing and chickens clucking in their yard. I think this is the home we have been looking for since moving. Now I am praying that all things move forward until we get to moving day.

What I am planning...I need to prepare packages to be mailed and spend some time in my sewing room. 

What I am working on...there is a pile of quilt blocks that will be sailboats once I get all the pieces cut and put together. I also have been asked to make a blueberry nightgown for my granddaughter Ellie. So, shopping for blueberry print fabric is on the list as well.

What I am thinking...that the time flies faster and much more pleasantly when one is busy doing for others. Between being with the kids, my two sons, and two daughters there is much service to be done. Daily I get to experience the joy of being selfless and the necessity of putting my own feelings and desires aside for others. I think Papa would be proud.

Here are some pictures to make smiles and perhaps some giggles...

Grandma is no longer strong enough to heft this boy up into the truck. Thankfully he enjoys checking out the tires and making sure they are safe while he waits for assistance.

He fell asleep in my car yesterday on the way back from the flea market. I never knew doing a split was so comfortable.

I have never seen so many donkeys as I have since moving here. Jason says coyotes are a serious problem in this area. The girls say the donkeys are fun to visit.

One of the best moments from last week: taking Nate and Annie through the car wash. That smile says it all.

It seems that a day of shopping is quite exhausting.

Sasha is learning how to sit and stay. She looks so noble when she sits still.

Even our horse loving Annie cannot resist the donkeys.

Last week I ordered a sewing table to fit my machine. When it came Nate, with Auntie’s help, got right to work putting it together. This little boy has done more to heal his Grandma than any single person. He seems to have set himself up as my sole caretaker. If I had a heart it would be swelling with more love and pride than it can hold.