of the 'JACKPOT' variety

Anyone that knows me well, hears me say, "Jackpot' frequently. It can be something of little importance (ie, "Jackpot, I got a close parking spot" or "Jackpot, I have an extra soda in the little fridge at work." ) to the more important topics, (ie, "Jackpot, Nate is moving to another base in 17 days!" or "Jackpot, Missy is coming to St. Smellbans for a quick visit.")

So... here's my list of recent "Jackpot!"

- Jackpot, I think I have hit the morning newspaper jackpot. Our new St. Albans paper carrier actually comes onto the front porch and places it right in front of my door. That is amazing and deserves a Jackpot with a capital J. I actually have a difficult time opening the front door sometimes because the newspaper is so close to my door. Yeah, I know - its a jackpot with complications.

-Jackpot, My neighbor, Rebecca is a fun and sweet. She aint no Kathi Reed, but still an amazing jackpot that makes me like St. Smellbans much more than before.

- Jackpot, I am raisin' an amazin' daughter. Just earlier in the day, I bought some spray tanner for my white, white legs. Later that evening while playing badaminton - I asked E if she wanted me to spray her legs. She said yes, "With OFF bug spray right?" I said "No the self tanner," and she was appalled that I would even think she would want that. Jackpot, she is so grounded (unlike her mother).

-Jackpot, Nate has this eyebrow thing that makes him move his eyebrows with each thought for emphasis or question. It is adorable and hilarious. Its a jackpot and it makes him more adorable!

- Jackpot, I painted the porch AND deck before it started to rain.

-Jackpot, that the boys still had some White Wheat break left, and it would surely go bad before they are back to eat it... so I have to eat it! Carb Jackpot!

- Jackpot in a BIG way, E and I are going to CHICAGO in ONE week. But to make the jackpot even sweeter, CATS, the touring BROADWAY show will be there The. Week. We. Are. There. Get out- Jackpot is bursting.

-Jackpot, my friend Karen H in North Carolina emailed me about a week ago and said that she occasionally would drop in to this blog to see what was going on with our fam. Oops , I hadn't written anything in months, so that little email from a good friend got me back on the Bloggin Wagon! Jackpot for good friends that care!

- An unspoken jackpot has come into my life, will post in an entire blog post itself, but trying to gather a few good picts before I share, its that big. Jackpots can be whispered under your breath so that no one even has to know how your heart is bursting from a secret jackpot.

- Jackpot for summer time. I have one particular spot that I write from, and through the winter I could see a Go Mart station in the distance.... Now instead, I look through the beautiful blooms of a lilac bush to a mightly oak tree that is full of healthy life. Ahhh, that is a Jackpot.

- Jackpot that E and I both like bean burgers and corn on the cob for dinner. I fixed her dinner on Saturday evening and she fixed me Cindy's recipe of stirfry mushrooms and zucchini on Friday evening! Yum for two gals that like to still eat dinner together over from beans and veggies.

- Jackpot, Nate got to FACETIME with me while I had Jake home sick from school. So Jake comes up and snuggles on my lap and reads the whole time I am talking to Nate. Couldn't have been a sweeter and happier Jackpot for Dad and Son right then.

sweet scent of sleepy kids

Sleepy children have a different smell.

The sleepy smell can be found in the slight bend of the neck.  

From this vantage point right below their ear, I can tell they played on the swing set while the sun reddened their faces and the wind cooled them unaware.

The smell tells me they slept in the campground after playing in the nearby lake until the darkness set in and welcomed them to warm by the fire.

The sleeping bags, a bit musty from storage welcomes them in while the crickets clicked their final serenade.  The moon calls for the children's dreams to be gentle and kind. 

So, the sight of these sleepy kids remind me of that memory of camping in Virginia....

simply by the sleepy smell.

blended

Define blended:
(verb) Mix different types of the same substance together so as to make a product of the desired quality.


I am constantly seeking to understand the term "blended family" as it relates to us.
By definition, we are each different but of the same substance, I get that all too clearly as we bend and mold because of how different we are at times. All five of us have our own history, our own thoughts, feelings, and ways of communicating with the world around us.
Yet, we all seek to make a product of desired quality. We are aiming to create that family for love and kindness that will forever nurture us through the good times and rough patches. Our desired product isn't to just make it through the day, instead we are aiming for a desired quality.
What are our family goals that are a quality to sustain us?
kindness to one another, sharing all that we have, laughter and giggles, overlooking annoyances, time together, and the deep secure feeling that we are in this for the long haul.
Blended is allowing us each to remain as an individiual body and spirit - yet to create something even more beautiful together.
The whole is greater than the parts.

this is why I love our new kitchen

There are so many reasons why I love my new kitchen.

One reason is that it holds flowers that remind me that I have been married ONE YEAR!

I love the counter tops, they are almost high enough for a tall gal like me.

The new stainless steel appliances show just enough finger prints to remind me that I have the love of some little ones running around the house.... (or that I should clean the steel occasionally)

I also love cooking in a sp0t that is close to the living room.

and coloring easter eggs right in the middle of the kitchen!

a day of FIRSTS

First cut board with my new miter saw
First day since Nate left - that Ihaven't heard from him
First time parking at the last parking space in the lot and walking to the store
First time buying a size zero jeans... for elizabeth
First time I asked for a 2nd serving of soup at Olive Garden
First time I cried being in Krogers healthy market without Nate, doesn't seem right
First time painting in jeans and not getting paint everywhere
First sunny day to walk with two good friends

A sneek peek

I am in the middle of a total kitchen remodel.

Yep, as crazy and messy as that is - that would be me.

Nate and I were doing most of the work ourselves, but since that duo has become a solo, I am getting some help and still doing some on my own.

Upcoming - Tuesday electrician updating outlets and install new switches

Thursday counter top and sink coming (two weeks without a sink, gross)

Friday handy man friend to help me with the bedboard and cabinet trim

Next week sand cabinets and paint primer and paint and sand and paint

But... I have one little bright spot in kitchen

All of the beautiful whole foods will have to be taken down before Monday, but this weekend I am really enjoying this one finished spot of the kitchen. ahhhhhh.

ahhhh.... a sunny Friday

It's been a long week. Work for a couple of days has been crazy busy as I try to fit everything into a few days in the office. Elizabeth's schedule of school, homework, dance and projects seem never ending. Several busy evenings with the boys to do homework, to read books and to play outside. Nate spending several days packing and trying to finish up all loose ends has been full of stress and sadness.

Yet, it's now Friday and the sun has come out again.

The four of us came home, Chance immediately grabbed my phone to play a game, Elizabeth went upstairs to put away her school things and Jake grabbed a book and began to read it on the couch. And I sat down just to take it all in.... in the sunshine.

Things that I am not looking at...

the construction mess in the kitchen

the pile of shoes by the door

the jackets all left on the couch

last night's popcorn bowl still out

or the two days of newspapers unopened

Instead I choose to relax in the Friday sunshine.