Too

Since becoming a mom 3 1/2 years ago, I have to admit, I am a little selfish with my love. I often feel like there are not enough hours in the day to love on both of my girls, to give them the attention and focus they deserve. Then, of course, there is my wonderful husband, who also needs much attention and focus, and whom I want to give that attention and focus too. Which, I admit, is often difficult in the middle of bathtimes and stories and sweeping the floor after dinner and wiping noses...you get what I'm saying.

I also have to factor in my family and friends and my responsabilities as a MOPS co-coordinator, and ultimately with quiet times, which I will admit have been all too few lately. To say the least, I often feel like I'm pulled in a million directions and there just isn't space to love on one more being. And then...
...well, then the big browns come out. SHE looks at me as if to say, "Love me, love me, love me..." And what can I do but love her too?

These are a few of my favorite things...

So tomorrow (Friday) for MOPS we are supposed to bring in our favorite thing. Something from our home that we love, whether priceless financially or priceless to us for sentimental reasons, just something that we really love. I've been thinking about it, maybe my scrapbooks, or pictures, they are my favorite things for sure. But I couldn't decide which or what. Then I finally got it...my camera! It kind of encapsulates the whole thing since without it I wouldn't even have the former.
I love my camera. It's a Canon Rebel XT and it is really a great camera. I do wish it were smaller as there is no way that thing is going in my purse, but it takes great pictures and I really do love it.
I was also thinking about how I have very few shots of me since I am always the one behind the camera. Even when the peanut was really little, there are like three pictures of me with her. Bummer. So, today, on what may be the last warm day we have for quite a few months (it was like 80 today and is supposed to hit a whopping 65 tomorrow!) I took a few outside shots.
Enjoy!

Oh, and this last one I just had to show you was taken once we came in...ya think the peanut likes peanut butter?

My cup runneth over

As I've mentioned before, it is seriously snowing here. The fluffy white stuff just keeps coming and coming and coming. I guess we are supposed to get another 2 inches by tommorow.

Well, I have a beagle. Beagles are short dogs, of course. So, snow and beagles peeing usually doesn't mix. Poor Ellie's hoo hoo must be freezing because she tries to take care of business as fast as possible and get back in the house the quickest route. So cute! Michael actually had to dig a square for her in the field across the street so she could go #2 as well. You got to love having a dog.

Anyway, Michael was taking Ellie across the street to do her business and Lilla and I were standing at the door watching Ellie hopping up and down with white stuff flying everywhere. It was as tall as her I tell ya! Michael was looking back at the door just laughing and Lilla was laughing and pounding on the door just wanting to be part of it. It just made me laugh.

As I stepped outside of the scene for just a moment I couldn't help but be thankful for all my blessings. I just had to remind myself of what a good life I have. We are not people of means. We have the smallest house in the neighborhood, we drive older used cars and I shop at Goodwill to save some money. I tell you that just to say, money cannot buy happiness. Being married, having kids or a dog, travelling to far away countries or meeting famous people will never do it either. Ultimately you just have to be thankful for what you have. I need to be thankful for what I have. It seems to me that when I am truly content with what God has given me, that he just blesses me with more. My cup runneth over. What a good God.