Sweet peas

All this cool rainy June weather has been a boon to our pea crop.  The plants are so happy, enjoying perfect pea-producing weather!  They are growing like crazy!  I love that we can stroll around the garden and munch pea pods as we pull a weed here or there, observe the growth of the plants, and chat.  And the kids like to hop out of the pool and be right near the garden, to pick some peas for a little snack while they swim!

My capable husband

This is only one example of my capable husband's capabilities:  Last Saturday he made new screens for our windows.  Now we can open the windows to cool off, and enjoy the soul-reviving delights of a cool breeze, without worrying about bugs coming in!  I am certain there will be more posts in the future about my capable husbands abilities!  He's awesome!

Blueberries

Today I am thankful for blueberries.  They take boring frozen waffles to a whole new level.  A little all-fruit jam and a big handful of blueberries .....  Mmmmm, I'll be satisfied all morning!  Satisfied 2 ways: nutritionally, and visually!

The Hammock

Today I am thankful for my hammock.  It was my Mothers Day gift from my husband.  I am thankful it is there waiting for me when I have 5 minutes to escape.  I like to lay and look up into the trees and let my mind clear out.  It's almost as if the breeze can blow my cares away, or at least blow them into an orderly pile I can deal with, the way it blows old leaves into little piles that are easily swept up.  

Peonies

My sister brought me some peonies today.  She sure has a way with words when it comes to describing peonies, this is what she said:

"Loving the peony for me is trusting in the disorderly order of nature.  They are beautifully messy and at the same time perfectly put together.  It's a calm crazy."

Good, huh?  The other good thing is that I get to enjoy them on my kitchen counter for a few days.  Believe me, I am super thankful!

Not what it seems...

Today I am thankful for something unseen.  It is my own growth and progress as a mom, that makes it so I don't freak out when I see things like this:  

A lemon, stabbed thru with a bunch of jumbo push-pins.  A decade ago, I would've been mad at the waste of the lemon, and the sticky push-pins.  Today I am able to smile about the creativity and joy of my 3 year old boy, and celebrate the "space ship" with him!

I am thankful I can grow and learn and change for the better.  I hope my kids can forgive me for the naive and uneducated parent I started out as.  

Sharing

Today I am thankful that my son has learned that joy of sharing.  When there were 4 kids and only 3 popsicles, he chose the kindest response.  I love you, Joey.

Creative Kids

Today I am thankful that my kids like to dress up in costumes and put on plays for me.  They stay busy for hours while they prepare everything, and entertain me and make me proud!  I am thankful they do not need a TV or a Playstation to keep them occupied on long summer days.  

Do you see what I see?

I call this "Mom's Summer Survival Kit."  Can you see what is hiding on the top shelf?  When I saw the great price WalMart had on big boxes of my favorite treat, it was easy to justify buying some.  (It's especially low compared to movie theater prices, which I just paid on Tuesday night!)  So, today I am thankful for yummy treats and low prices.  Oh, and a freezer to hide them in!  Shhhhh......

Sleeping Beauty

'Nuff said.  

Making a Difference

Today I am grateful for this kid who is making a difference.  June 1 is the 2-year anniversary of the beginning of "The No Cussing Club," which is why I chose to share this with you today.  The video was taken a couple weeks ago at an event I attended to honor mothers just before Mothers Day.  It is of McKay Hatch from California who started the No Cussing Club.  McKay talks in the video about his experience starting the club, and how his mother helped him and inspired him.  To learn more about the No Cussing Club, click here.  McKay is making a difference.  I am thankful for people like him who reach outside their comfort zones to make the world a better place.