keeping the Forrest in my mind

This is a picture that came with my new camera's software~ I have to say that I wish I could walk along this path-- I wish that I could feel the lush greenery and the natural quiet of the out-of-doors. It looks like a safe and calm path--
I can just imagine spending some time with the kids and Jerry walking the path and then finding a warm cosy place to sit for a spell and drink some hot chocolate, and eat a scone or biscotti!

Instead... the kids and I are going to go grocery shopping-(Ah, the Joy's?)- today is a normal school day for them -- but I decided to keep them home, we got in late last night from Roseburg, and Shane was complaining about his tummy-- then I realized that breakfast would have to wait until I went to the store for milk! Maybe, not the best Mommy choice, but one I decided to make.

I spoke a bunch of times yesterday with S. the staff person who is teaching Shane, First Steps-- this lady is amazing, she is a mom herself and I really think that she sees my point of view as valid! She found out how Shane had "earned" the [plastic snake] -- and she asked that there would be ...NO MORE tangible rewards until after the training was done-- so that the tangibles did not become a distraction! She also found out why I had not gotten the red/green card home and she is solving that issue.

Although I know that there is stuff to do, and there will be a lot of emotions this weekend-- I am going to try and keep the picture of the Forrest in my head and keep my thoughts positive.

A long time ago,ahem... when I was a teen, I was a Rainbow Girl, and also for a time I was a Job's Daughter-- these are both great teen focused service organizations that are associated with Eastern Star and the Masons'. One of the offices I held was that of a bow station called Nature, I remember how hard I had to work to memorize the initiation speech for that station--- I still remember some of it---
"because it is there, in the still and quiet spaces, that you will commune with God, get his lessons there and let them be impressed on your young life."

Isn't it amazing the things that you retain ?

Awards and books to read-

This morning I spilled coffee in the kitchen,
and then I attempted to move the beads
(that Jessica had left out) and I spilled those also--

So, when I
went over to visit Michelle, at In The Life of a Child~
I was happy and smiling!

What a sweety she is -- she gave me an award!
I just spent a few minutes looking on line for some clip art that might express my feelings, and although I found MANY images and backgrounds,
I was not successful in bringing any back here
for the multitudes
{you know who you are?}{echo,echo} to view...

So, please use your imagination for the following--
(my spell check tells me that I don't know how to spell biscotti, and it's suggestions aren't helping either-- so please, just imagine the correct spelling! and if you know the correct way, please feel free to leave the spelling in your comment! Thanks!)

A beautiful grassy area with soft,early morning sunlight, a clean but slightly rustic table and chairs,
on the table a set of china with tea,coffee, and biscotti. There are even white cloth napkins with napkin rings that look like they belong hanging from a chandelier.

I walk over and sit, to enjoy my coffee and biscotti~ on the table is some really great books--(imagine YOUR favorite titles) and my award---
Ah, the Joy! [[By the way,the only sounds are the birds chirping]]
The pesky but loved children are still sleeping, and will only awake~
by Mommy whispering these words,
"I love you, Darling, time to awake and enjoy the day!"

Jeff Foxworthy is on Rachael Ray
talking about his new children's book--- "Dirt on my Shirt"
I'll have to get it and read it in the imaginary area I just described!

I hope that this first day of April will shine
some light in your life where you may need it
and grant you sleep at the end of a beautiful day!