Mommy plus Five

Good-Bye July!

Thank you for the memories.  I am however, very happy to bid adieu to the heat, and happy to welcome Autumn soon.  Very, very soon.


Okay August, we are ready for you.  :)

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

This morning, my Facebook news feed is riddled in irony.  I see posts from people that read..."Pray for me, pray for my family, pray for my dog.  God is good"...etc...etc...etc...

Yes, He is.  :)

Right next to these posts, I am reading opinions from these same people on the border crisis, the wars in the middle east, and other current world issues, that include words of hate and judgement.  Clearly lacking empathy and compassion from the same individuals spewing their love of God.  And I have to wonder...what is their truth?

You either believe in God or you don't.  And if you do, when it comes to all the crisis in the world today, all you have to ask yourself is "What would Jesus do?"  You know Jesus don't you?  That man you keep asking everyone to pray to to help you through all your life's worries and woes.

I doubt seriously He would be asking you to provide proof of your citizenship before He listened to your prayers.  I doubt seriously He would be asking you your political affiliation, or in which faith you worshiped. And  I doubt seriously He would be blaming it all on Obama.

We need to stop concentrating on blame, and start concentrating on solutions. I don't understand how anyone can look at the face of an innocent child on the news and feel anything other than love and compassion.  These are not political crises, these are humanitarian crises.  So why don't we all behave like humans?

Come on planet, break it down to the basics.  Love thy neighbor as you would expect to be loved yourself.

Until next time...

My 365...

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

In life there is at least one person that is placed on our path who inspires us, makes us pause and think about what truly matters, and helps us recognize, and celebrate what life is really all about.  And in life, you...I...are equally that person for someone else.  We all have the ability to quiet the noise of life, and simply listen. We all have the power and ability to heal all that is broken, resolve all that needs resolution, and to ultimately understand the meaning behind this thing called life. The power to challenge the dogma, and look to what is right in front of our eyes. The desire to grow, change, heal, understand everything that happens in our life, and in our world around us.  I am so gloriously open to discover the meaning of all that has happened in my life up to now.  If only others in my life would have the courage to do the same. What an amazing thing that would be.

I have that person.  I am blessed with someone in my life who seeks to discover, heal, grow and experience life at a very honest and basic level.  What I love about this person, is that he brings out in me, an awareness and understanding that is not always immediately apparent.  And I love that.  Conversations with my person, quiet the meaningless noise that is often life, and opens a path to real understanding and awareness.  Having conversations with my person, brings to light so many questions, and equally, so many answers.  How blessed I am to have him.  How thankful I am to have that connection, and how eager I am to share it forward.

I read a quote this morning that really stuck a chord for me.  It read...

"Life doesn't always introduce you to the people you WANT to meet. Sometimes, life puts you in touch with the people you NEED to meet to Help You, to Hurt You, to Guide You, to Leave You, to Love You, and to gradually Strengthen You into the Person You Were Meant to Become." 

This is so true.  

My person sent me a link to a Ted talk that is simply amazing.  I am going to post it in this blog so that I always have it to look back on, and for all those times I need a reminder.  After all that is the purpose of this blog.  A journal for me and for my family.

Brenè Brown, The Power of Vulnerability.  


To my person...and you know who you are...I love you so very much.  You gift me with your understanding, knowledge, introspection and love.  Never underestimate your clarity and joy.  I am so proud of you.  Thank you for being in my life, and letting me...be in yours.  Thank you for being my person.  <3

Until next time...

My 365...


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

Blake is feeling a little better today.  Last night was not a good night for my boy.  High fever, vomiting, sore throat, red swollen eyes, I felt so bad for him.  He was absolutely miserable.  He is not 100% back to his old self today, but he is feeling a little better.  Hopefully another day of TLC and rest will have him back to his normal, energetic self.

I was enjoying some travel shows on Youtube today, and came to the realization that I am so happy to live in Boise Idaho.  I do love our city, but what is awesome is that I am less than a day's drive to all the beautiful places on this continent that I want to visit some day.  I have been watching Ben Brown's Instagram travel adventure, and it looks amazing!

Places on my bucket list...

Coos Bay Oregon, car travel time - 10 hour, 13 minutes
Ecola State Park, Oregon, car travel time - 8 hours, 33 minutes
Jasper Alberta Canada, car travel time - 16 hours, 33 minutes
Banff Alberta Canada, car travel time - 13 hours, 22 minutes
Calgary Alberta Canada, car travel time - 13 hours, 57 minutes
Lake Tahoe Nevada, car travel time - 7 hours, 44 minutes
Jackson Hole Wyoming, car travel time - 5 hours, 46 minutes
Yellowstone National Park, car travel time - 5 hours, 50 minutes
Yosemite National Park, car travel time - 9 hours, 8 minutes
Stanley Idaho - the most beautiful spot on earth - 2 hours, 43 minutes.  <---Been here several times, and I love it!

Yep, I picked the perfect place to land.  I love you Boise, Idaho.  :)  I was talking to son Garrett this afternoon, and told him we need to go on some photography safari's before school starts in a few weeks. Time to bump up our Instagram game.  He agreed.  My Instagram...Garrett's Instagram.  I love that I share a hobby with my number one son.  *love*

My favorite Instagram photographers...

Ben Brown
Steve Booker
Alex Strohl
Laura Pritchett
Jeff Bartlett
Tyson Wheatley
13th Witness
Louis Cole
Rishad Daroo

Who do you follow on Instagram?

Hope your day is going well planet.

Until next time...

My 365...


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

Happy Monday planet.  Not so happy for Blake though, he managed to get sick this weekend.  Poor kid.  :(

We enjoyed a nice lazy Monday together.  Lots of rest and juice for him.  Hopefully he will feel better tomorrow.

It was too hot to do anything outdoors anyway...

Garrett has an exciting week ahead.  Some really cool business ventures coming his way.  I am so proud of my Garrett.  :)

Hope you are doing well today everyone.

Until next time...

My 365...




Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

My quiet weekend was cut short, but that is okay with me.  Blake decided last night that he missed home, so he had big brother Garrett drive to Nampa to pick him up.  Blake tries so hard to be Mr. tough guy, but deep down inside, he is still my little boy.  I feel loved.  :)

Today we are enjoying a lazy day.  It is too hot to be outside, so instead we are enjoying some Minecraft and movies.  Our favorite things to do.  And the dogs are thrilled to have Blake home too.  School starts in 4 weeks, so I am going to enjoy my Blake time for as long as I can.

Hope you had a great weekend planet!  Best wishes for an awesome week ahead.

Until next time...

My 365...
 Dozer:  "Blake has been my boy longer than he has been your boy Miss Lilly."
 Dozer:  "Blake is our boy!"

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





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Hello Dear Family,

Mama had a dream.  Uh oh...you know what that means?  Mama has a plan!  And I do.  I think you will all approve.

In January, Brandon and Amber took me to McCall Idaho.  We stayed in an adorable RV campground in the mountains.  There was a central lodge surrounded by little cabins.  The little cabins were perfect little three bedroom homes with full kitchen and bath.  They were awesome, and it was heaven.  Perfectly in line with my dream home, which would be small living space...huge view.

In less than three years, daddy will be retiring.  At that time, we will have access to a pretty substantial nest egg.  Initially, I thought that daddy and I might travel, buy a small house in the mountains, and retire comfortably.  But now I have decided to build our family village.  I picture a few acres of land between Boise and McCall or Stanley.  On this land we will have our main house, and all around the main house, little cabins.  One for each one of my sons, and one for me.  The boys will be involved in building their own spaces with their own hands.  No labor costs involved.  In the main house we will offer our services to the community. Everyone can finally have their dream.  Amber and Brandon will have their bakery and restaurant, Garrett will have his photography studio, Casey can work on his auto restorations, Blake can raise and breed dogs, and daddy and I can do whatever hobby makes us happy.  It will be our legacy to our children, and their children and on and on and on.

We will have chickens, a beautiful garden, half a dozen Great Danes and Great Pyrenees, solar panels and of course satellite Internet.  Can't live without satellite Internet ya know.

When I first mentioned my idea to Garrett, he looked at me funny and laughed.  After a very short discussion, and the realization that I am serious, he was definitely on board with the idea.  Everyone knows that once I put my mind to something, I make it so.  I have lived my entire life fulfilling my dreams.  Often I jump...then build my wings on the way down, but at least I take that first step.  After all, we only have one life to live.  You have to live your dreams.

Garrett and I discussed documenting the entire process, and making a movie or writing a book about the building of our little village.  After all, maybe someday you will want a family village of your own.

Mark my words family, we will do this, and it will be amazing!!

"Amber honey, we better start planning now, my queen of the planning committee."  :)

I am so excited!!

Hope your weekend is going great planet.

Until next time...

My 365...
 Very sweet young lady.  :)
 My little diva.  The best little canine friend in the world, Miss Lilly.


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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Hello Dear Family,

Happy weekend everyone.  Looks like mama is going to have a very quiet weekend.  Blake has been invited by my grandson Cooper to go to Nampa for the weekend.  Blake loves spending time with his big brother Brandon, and sis Amber.  School will be starting soon, so this is the perfect weekend to spend with them. Garrett is probably going to be working all weekend, Casey only comes home to sleep...he is 19 ya know...and Jack is working this weekend too.  Oh my goodness, two solid days of peace and quiet? I declare, whatever shall I do?  Sounds dreadful...said no one ever.  *grin*  Oh who am I kidding, I will miss the heck out of my youngest son.  Life is too quiet when he is not around.

It is funny to watch Blake pack for a two day vacation.  Anyone would think he was permanently moving out.  The shoes have to match the hat, which have to match the shirt.  He can be such a diva about color coordination...just like his big brothers.  Then there are the electronic devices.  He has to take his Galaxy-Tab 10.1 so that he can check his Facebook, and Skype with mama.  His 3DS so he can play Nintendo with Cooper and Brandon, and of course the XBox, just in case he runs out of games to play.  He would pack up his computer if I let him.  He would probably take Dozer and Miss Lilly too.  Like I said...it is like he moving out.  Silly Blake.  :)

We did enjoy another gorgeous day in Boise today.  I really wish I could put a freeze frame on the weather yesterday and today.  It has been so perfect.

Hope your Friday has been a pleasant one planet.  Have a great weekend!


My 365...


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,





My 365 Blog.

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