I have the best job in the whole world.

Well.  A lot.

This was an old screenname from an old time, and I always found it amusing and unique.  But it’s time to move on.  I can’t yet change the actual root name of my blog, but that will come someday.

Last night, I was laying in bed with my 1 year old and she slowly rolled over, put her arm around my neck as tight as she could, snuggled her head into my cheek, and fell asleep twirling my hair.  I was listening to the muffled sounds of the rest of the house -  Autumn and Justus playing in his room, Brett’s video games in his space, Daddy downstairs catching up on his NFL shows – and realized I’m really not the person I was a few years ago.

I cried as I said my nightly prayers, thanking God for this little person clutching to my neck and sharing my heartbeat, her breath warm on my face.  I thanked God for the three other little miracles going about their business in the rest of the house.  I know I’m blessed to have Gary in my life, to take care of us and love us all.  We’re healthy, we’re happy, we’re a family. 

I decided “Geriatric Mama” was no longer appropriate.  I feel younger than I did a decade ago.  Althought I’ve gotten older, I’ve grown tenfold.  I feel rejuvinated, fresh, full of life because of the life in my home.  Vintage, like a fine wine, is a much better term!

Just wanted to show a few…

Five Faces of Four

sans mantle.  I don’t know why I don’t have a mantle.  I built the house and didn’t include one.  11 years later I still don’t have one.  I don’t know why.  I guess the benefit is it’s one less thing to dust.  But I digress…

First, a long nap on the swing in the late morning:

Then cooking some hot dogs over the fire pit:

Ayla was a big helper with her hot dog stick:

Sitting outside and eating is FUN!
 

Then onto some roasted marshmallows cooked over the fire!!!!  Gooey Yummy!

Then Ayla had some fun with big brother on the trampoline:

While Daddy giggled with Autumn on the swing:

Ah.  I love springtime – and family.

I’m still laughing:

I think it’s wild that it seems to happen all at once – one day, everyone inside, nestled by the fire, wearing sweaters… then the next day in short sleeves out working in the yard.

Love Ohio weather.  Tomorrow we could have snow, you never know.

And so it goes that my little girls got the outdoor fever too.  After the family (yes the boys helped!) cleaned out the garage to unbury the bikes, and swept out the shed to get access to the lawnmower, it was play play playtime.  We try to go out even in cold weather, but there’s just nothing like the first sixty degree day for burning off winter energy!  I get the warm and fuzzies as I stand at the kitchen sink preparing lunch while the girls are in the backyard playing in the sandbox, or on the swings, or just chasing the puppies around our backyard.  The giggles, the squeals, the smiles.   I love being able to fling the back door open and let everyone come and go.  Ayla is transferring sand from one end of the deck to the other, Autumn is jumping on the trampoline with her brother, the puppies are chasing invisible predators across the lawn.  This is what it’s all about. 

Spring is a time for renewal, not only for the land, but for us too. It could almost be looked at as as a fresh start.  Clean the house, plant the garden.  Toss out the old, polish the new.  I’m taking the renewal seriously this year, renewing my relationship with God, spending more time with extended family, working harder on my studies, and this year I’m going to take some time for myself.  I think it’s been 15 years since I’ve taken time for myself.  I’m going to spend that time in prayer, in peace, in forgiveness, in love with ME for once.  I’ve spent my life “in service” to my family and others - I’m going to be of service to myself for once.  Even if it’s just briefly each day, 15 minutes or so, I think  it will renew me physically and mentally, and I will be able to take on the new challenges sure to come in my future!

(now if the grass would get green and the trees would get leaves!)

We had her fourth birthday party over the weekend.  Just a small affair, with a big menu!  I made a batch of my “vegetable paste” (my pureed mix of carrots, peas, onions, celery, and peppers) and used it in both the beef meatballs and the evening’s meal of individually formed meatloaves.  The meatballs were loaded with the paste, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasonings, and fresh breadcrumbs, seared and simmered in a crockpot full of beef broth – delicious!   I also made my “Taco Roll“, but with mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, and pepperoni, ala “Pizza Roll”.  I sliced it thin and had pizza sauce on the side for dipping.  A cheeseball was at the ready, as were deviled eggs, shrimp cocktail, chips, and date bars.  Homemade noodles coated with butter and parmesan cheese rounded out the day’s snacks. 

Autumn played the Horton game with her cousins, and had a great time outside too. Although – she refuses to say she’s four, because she doesn’t feel like she’s grown up from the day before, when she was just three.  LOL 

Autumn wanted cupcakes instead of cake, so red velvet cupcakes were made for her.  Pink icing, of course.  The girls helped make the homemade chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream the night before - which we had to dye pink for the birthday.  It was yummy!  Ayla enjoyed checking each ice cube for taste before dropping it in the maker:

The dinner meatloaf  was formed in small greased bowls, inverted onto parchment paper, then baked.  When they were done, each was placed on top of a pile of homemade cheddar mashed potatos, with buttery sweet corn on the side.  Mouthwatering.

So I thought I’d share some pics of my big little girl, growing up entirely too fast.

(and I had to sneak one in of her little sister – trying to figure out how all the big people got those little things to make such a loud noise!)

Sigh.  Another one growing a year older.  The next birthday is the big “16″ for the oldest one, this August.  That could be the hardest milestone for me to deal with yet… what happened to my little boy, nestled beside me in bed??? Sniffle.