be nice.

I saw this quote today and really liked it:

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. 


Corey tells me sometimes that I'm too nice.
And that because of that, I expect too much out of other people.
Because I expect them to be nice, too.
And then I get disappointed by people if they aren't.
Which may be true.

But really... is that too much to ask??
Be nice.
Be friendly.
Be thoughtful.
Think about how your words or actions affect other people?

Maybe so.
But I think I'd rather be nice than important.

first swing.

Grandma and Grandpa were here the other day and Gretchie got to test out the swing for the first time. 

She kind of liked it.

But then she wouldn't stop chewing on the straps and Daddy was afraid she would get E. coli, so she had to get out. 

Pretty sure we'll be spending a lot of time here this summer!

random.

** I've had a lot of people asking about Gretchen's birthmark lately. Like 6 people this week. "Did she fall? Did she bang her head on something?" Nope. It's a birthmark. It's always been there. It's more visible sometimes and more noticeable in some pictures than others. I don't know why. I promise I'm not PhotoShopping it out or anything. Our pediatrician said it may fade as she gets older, then become more visible when she gets really hot or angry. We'll see. 

(fyi... this should be the last picture in the green dress. For now anyway. I took a lot of pictures that day!)

** My kids have been entertaining themselves for quite awhile this morning. Lawson has used lots of big marshmallows and toothpicks. Sophie has been raiding the recycling for box and then cutting them up. I think she's making a bed for a stuffed animal. They are both using lots of Scotch tape. Lots. 


** Gretchen loves her Exersaucer. She jumps like crazy and will stay in there for a long time. Right now she's rolling across the floor and getting herself wedged under the coffee table. Again.

** We are going to a friend's house sometime this weekend to pick up a fun gift. It is fun and happy and I am so excited about it!

** I've been in a funk the last few days. Like a wanting-to-be-alone-not-being-a-good-wife-or-mommy kind of funk. I need alone time every once in awhile. Maybe that's how I re-charge? According to my friend Jana, I must be an introvert with social skills. :) But alone time is hard to come by when I spend my days and evenings surrounded by small children. Often I am able to fake it at work with those 20 kids, and then come home with nothing left for these 3. Which isn't good. But it's an occupational hazard, I'm afraid. So thankful for Corey, who takes over in these times and lets me have some time trying to get out of my funk.

** No pictures from this entire week. That would be part of the funk. I do have some super cute pictures of Gretchen's first time in the swing Monday evening, but that's it. I need to get those edited and posted.

** Only 20 days of school left. This has been the most delightful class that I have had in a long time. Someone in the lunchroom told me this week that they are the best class in the whole school. That's 15 classes. Love hearing that. Love this class, but am oh-so-ready for summer.

** I just cut out a picture of "Chicken Little" for Lawson and he was really impressed with my cutting and that I stayed in the lines. :)

** There are some changes coming in my grade level next year that I am really excited about. This year was tough for a few reasons and I am excited about how different next year will be. (But not excited that I might be moving rooms.)

** I want to make a blog header. It was on my To-Do-List for Spring Break and didn't happen. Hopefully this summer. I still like the simple look, but hoping to happy it up a little bit with some fun pictures.

** Gretchen has had an ear infection for about a month now. We may be heading to an ENT soon and looking at tubes. Mr. Lee has been awesome. Thank you for all your help.

** The kids and I are all still in our pajamas. It's 11:54. I should probably start being productive. I'll start with making a To-Do-List. Something about being able to cross things off a list... love that.

my girls.

6 months.

It does not seem possible that you have been here for half a year.
I cannot imagine our family without you.

more gretchie.

Those eyes... 

You looked so sweet today in your new green dress. 

Your brother and sister have been yelling "Shrek and Donkey!" at you all day, trying to make you laugh.

Daddy gets the best laughs out of you, though. 

You are getting so strong... pushing up all the time... 

This morning during church, you figured out how to grab your little jitterbug that hangs above your carseat. I kept my eyes open during the whole prayer, just watching you grab it and pull it down, over and over. You were so excited. 

We adore you, Gretchen Jane. 

You are the best surprise God ever gave us. 

baby bunny.

This little guy was found in our backyard yesterday...

Seriously cute.
I convinced the 4 shrieking children that we should put him back where he was and let his mommy come back to find him.
Then I kicked all the children and the dog out of the yard.
When we went back to check later, he was gone.
I'm hoping his mommy did come back to get him, or that he found his way back to where he was supposed to be.
But he may have had a heart attack from all the screaming and running and fighting over him before I got there.
Poor bunny.

painting.

and some glue...

rolling.

She started out here... 

and ended up here... 

gretchie.

These pictures are from a couple weeks ago... but I thought it was time for some cute baby again.  

And tell me she's not one of the cutest things you've seen today.

target.

I love Target.

It's possibly my favorite store. 

I can always find something that I never even knew I needed. 

I think it's their bright colors that get me the most.  

So much happy stuff in that store. 

But I found something I don't like.

The dressing room mirrors. 

That lovely way they are positioned in front and behind you, so you can see yourself from all different angles. 

Ugh. 

My elliptical and I need to become friends again.
Very close friends. 

raccoon.

Corey came home from work just a wee bit dirty today. 

Crazy blowing winds today... combined with dirt... and sunglasses... 

Poor Lawson was disappointed, though.
He went running to Daddy... so excited to see the raccoon that I was talking about.  :)

spring tree.

Our trampoline had to come down. Too many springs flying off. Fast. 

Corey and I were laughing at the two springs hanging from this tree... 

Later... we're standing at the fence, talking to the neighbors... and we notice this happy little tree...

Look closely... 

I counted 37 springs hanging from this little tree. 

he loves me.

Corey came home with this from Sam's awhile back...

The same cheese you get with nachos at any concession stand.
Only LOTS of it.
So I can use as much as I want with each chip.
No rationing the cheese to try and make it last through the chips.
Which makes me very happy. :)

conversation.

This was the conversation over cereal at our house this morning...

Sophie: I have a name for really old people. Do you know what it is?
Me: What?
Sophie: Witches.
Me: Well, that's not very nice.
Lawson: Yeah. That's not nice. I don't say that. I say, "I'm sorry you're so old."

weather.

Only in Kansas does the temperature drop 40* in less than 12 hours.

And my poor little students who did not listen to their teacher yesterday when I told them it would be cold today... froze their little selves this morning in shorts and tank tops.

Crazy weather.

silly, happy things.

Birthday daisies from my dad. (They really are the friendliest flower) 

Super cute birthday necklace! Thanks, Kristi! I love it!! 

9 other options to make my necklace super cute! It's a magnet!! So cool!

Her name. It just makes me happy. 

Especially love this one. Thanks, Amy D. for making it... and thanks, Crystal for the inspiration! 

These happy little magnets... which used to be giant brads. (Thanks, Danielle for the idea!) 

My bathroom drawer organizer... no more 400 bobby pins floating around. 

Happy new faces of friends and family to look at for 2010! 

Newly organized cabinet.

My second favorite flower. 

All silly stuff... but it all makes me smile.
I'm discovering a theme... apparently color and organization make me happy. And flowers.

birthday wishes.

Wishing you a day filled with sunshine, daffodils 

and all things yellow!! 

You are my favorite person to share a birthday with!  :)