Girls' Getaway Weekend

Thanks to the generousity of one of the husband's family, I was able to join several outstanding ladies for a weekend away at a lake house.  No kids. No husbands.  No housework.  Just girls.  I hope to live off the joy and relaxation for the next 360 days until the next trip.  The trip has been happening for about the last five years.  I have made three of them.  Loved every, single one.  If the seven of us busy moms can manage a girl's weekend out, anyone can!

Ladies, it was an encouragement and a joy!  This trip was very low key with time for talking, eating, laughing, crying, walking, praying, sharing and watching the Olympics and Sonic.  Good stuff for the soul.

Sorry I didn't do a better job with photography- mostly I was too busy not being busy to document every single moment... some heads in the picture below may appear larger than they are--needed different lens and set up on this one... :)

Yummy Shrimp in sauce

Delicious Gumbo

Brown paper packages tied up with string...

Holding finished crafts...

Snow Day

Snow in South Carolina?  Yes.  Alas, it is melting as I type so I am glad the kids got out early this morning and a little last night to enjoy it.

Last night's mini snowman.

Ben enjoyed snowball fights.

Snow Family

Valentine's Day Treats

Faith volunteered me to bring cookies to her class party.  I haven't sent any items in for one of her class parties yet so... we made semi-homemade cookies (mix), while finishing a science project with Hannah (i.e. starting a different one because our previous one didn't work out, while Dad is out of town...pizza tonight.)

Experiment complete and successful.  Cookies made.  Valentines written.   All is well.

Reading Update- four books read

I finished Matthew Kelly's, "The Rhythm of Life".  He is a great speaker and has written several books.  It is inspiring.   From the back cover.

"Everything is a choice.   This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson.  It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power to live the life of our dreams.  It is a hard lesson because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now." 

I will probably reread this one a few times.  This book has lots of good insight, challenges you to think about your life and choices, and it is easy to read. 

I snuck in a Tracie Peterson novel, "Dawn's Prelude" and read another easy romance this weekend.  (Too much serious reading- needed my book fix.)  Can I count the easy books in my quest for 52 books this year?  I think I will.

Pinewood Derby

Isaac had a great day at the Pinewood Derby yesterday.  I am so proud of both Isaac and Brian.  Last year, they had purchased a precut car.  This year, Isaac and Brian, participated in a cutting day workshop and Brian downloaded a pattern to cut.  They painstakingly sanded and painted, put stickers on, and glued the Lego man to a block on the car (so he can be removed later.)  I had prepped Isaac emotionally before the race, "Hey buddy, just because you got a trophy last year, doesn't mean you'll get one this year.  You know that, right.  No tears.  Be a good sport."  All set to race. 

READY...SET... GO!!!

Isaac ended up with 1st for the Wolves and 3rd overall Pack finish.  We are so happy for him.

Little brother posing too.