Can You see the (L.O.V.E)?

I love waking up when the sun is pouring through the windows. It had been a while, but finally on Friday morning, the sun appeared again.

 

The snow had finally melted away. Then on Thursday evening it started snowing again. And we ended up with about 2-3 inches~ I take back what I said a few posts back, about it probably being one the last times that I got to sled this Winter. ;)

                            

                                                                         =::=::=::=

 I love shots that are real life. Not posed. Everything is just like it is. Like when there are toys laying around, and the 4 year old is trying on pointe shoes.

Those are the best shots.  They really portray your life well! ;)

I know that I may have been sounding like a broken record in some of my past posts. Complaining about everything.

I didn't mean it like that. I was just telling it like it was. Not sugar coating everything, and making it sound like everything had gone right, when it hadn't. Just thought I would clarify. Oh, and things are going better now~ I guess it was those hard week days that just get to me!~ Hopefully next week will be better. :)

This is my new favorite picture. It's the screen saver on our computer, in my header, and in this post. I love it. Can you see the love? The admiration?

I can~...

Am I being unreasonable?

No! not at all!
It's just normal that I get frustrated when the two youngest of the boys sit down for lunch, and because one thinks that the other one is trying to hit him with something, and they get into a big fight. No- it's normal. You are going to get frustrated. You are going to want to raise your voice. You are going to loose your temper.

But.... Do you really have to? Is is a necessary to get frustrated, to raise your voice, or to loose your temper.

Can the problem be resolved *without* doing all those things?

Sometimes. Well, Okay~ Most of the time, I want to do all those things. Show them what I think. Get mad, and give them the "raised eyebrows" talk. ;)

These past few days they have been testing OUR (as in my mom, sister, and me) patience. SOME kind of a fight is going to break out when the boys are within two feet of each other.

Just now Titus came in and said that He had poured water into Gabe's face. Seriously?
They can't just can't get.a.long??

I guess not. We all go through fazes. Fazes when we can't, or don't want to get along. Or something completely different. I know I do. ;)

I seem to be asking myself the question, "What would Michelle Duggar do in this situation?"~ ha!

Thank goodness for forgiveness!!

Have fabulous evening~ I'm so happy it's Thursday! or should I say, I'm happy because tomorrow is Friday!

~Lydia

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”

{so much for my sad song}

The first thought through my sleepy head when I fell outta my bed is I

Hope the sky is grey I’m gonna write a sad song today.
So I make up my mind, slip on my shoes
I’m gonna pick up a paper and read the news
Cause I’m sure to find enough blues to write my sad song
But when I open the door and the sun spills through
Takes away my breath and I think of you
 and the only blues to hit my Eyes are those beautiful blues
 in the clear blue sky

So much for my sad song
So much for my sorry attitude
Let’s make this a love song instead
Cause I’m so in love with you
Come on let’s go out and play
Save the sad song for another day
No time for tears
I’m wearing a smile
So much for my sad song, yeah
So much for my sad song

So I pick up the news like I said I would
Drop my jaw right where I stood
Cause the headline reads ‘All the news is good because love is on the way”
And love floods the world right before my eyes
Everybody is dancing and slapping high fives
And such beautiful music fills the skies and we all sing along
And now I snap out of my daydream
And I can’t believe how real it seems
But I keep on dancing anyway
Cause it’s turning out to be a beautiful day

So much for my sad song
So much for my sorry attitude
Let’s make this a love song instead
Cause I’m so in love with you
Come on let’s go out and play
Save the sad song for another day
No time for tears
I’m wearing a smile
So much for my sad song

Sometimes I measure my day by how many things go my way
And when things go wrong I usually get mad
But this time I’m glad my song didn’t turn out sad


So much for my sad song
So much for my sorry attitude
Let’s make this a love song instead
Cause I’m so in love with you
Come on let’s go out and play
Save the sad song for another day
No time for tears
I’m wearing a smile
So much for my sad song, yeah
So much for my sad song
{::Chris Rice~ So much for my sad song::}

Did you wake up with a gray cloud over your bed?? I did~ Literally.
There was nothing but grey clouds outside.

Last night Abigail had ballet in a town about an hour-and-a-half away, and my dad had work off yesterday, so I went with them. My mom and I went to Whole Foods, and the mall.
We had a very good time!!

We got home at about 10:15, and once I had done some stuff, and gotten my shower, is was 11:30.

Needless to say, I was sleepy. ;)

Morning came to early! I was not ready to face the day. I was still tired, and I had a bunch of stuff to do today. More than usual.

I had to::

do school work
do the rest of school that I didn't get to finish yesterday
finish cleaning bathroom
clean living room
and more...

I just woke up with a big frown. I wasn't going to have a good day. I knew it!!!

but like the song says... so much for my sad song. ;)

It ended up not being too bad. Yes, I still had a bunch of stuff to do, which most of it got done... and I ended up having a smile. Just like the song said! See:: ☺
Doesn't my cleverness kill you? Ha!

I hope you have a lovely evening~!

{saying goodbye...}

...to the snow~

I hate to say goodbye. To good things. ;)
Even if it's just a small thing... Or big. It's always a little sad.

Even though it is good to see the sun shining through the windows after three days of cloudiness, I still don't like seeing patches of grass around the yard.

I went sledding this afternoon. It was probably one of the last sledding times of the year.
Lily Kate joined me for a few turns, and loved every minute of it. At one point when I thought we were going to flip ;), I looked down at her, and saw her face peeping out of her hat, and her big blue eyes were sparkling, and she had a big smile. I then realized that even if we did flip, it would be completely worth it.

As you can tell from the pictures she as pretty enthralled with the snow~ :)

 I mean seriously? Who doesn't like to eat snow?

 She loved it~

Hope you have a wonderful weekend~

Lydia

{things that make me smile}

 Thanks to those who left the sweet comments on my last entry~
It really made me smile reading them.!.

I wanted to share some photos of my board that I have hanging above my desk.
I collected my favorite pictures, lyrics of songs, and tags~

I wanted to be able to look at it and it make me happy. Happy to see all the things that I love. I wanted it to look peaceful, and it to bring me inspiration.

 I have had this Hancock carpet magazine ad folded up, and put away for several years now. I have always loved the beautiful colors that the room had, and the pretty little girl, and her gorgeous curls! ;)

I was happy when I could finally put it out on display~

The above is a beautiful post card that my cousin brought back to me from Chicago! I love it~ It adds the perfect touch. {thanks McKenzie, I will think about your description of Chicago that you shared with me every time I see it!}

I found the above sunset picture from my last trip to the ocean. it makes me feel peaceful.

Also above, New York & Company tag from a recent purchase.

I received these adorable tissues in my stocking for Christmas. I couldn't resist putting one up! ;)

I received this wonderful bar of Burt's Bees body soap. It smells heavenly, and makes my skin feel so soft~ I thought the packaging paper was too pretty to throw away!

             
                       Below, one of the many verses of songs that made it to my board. Love that song.

Another phrase of lyrics.

        The finished product~ I am pleased with how it turned out. The last time I re-did it I just threw some pictures up. This time around I took my time, and went through my drawers, and stacks of cards, and papers.

Have a wonderful evening~ I love Thursday nights. I stay up a little later since tomorrow is Friday, and Fridays are always more relaxed~ I love them! ;) My mom and sister, and I are going to watch "Road to Avonlea". That is the best series~ I adore them!

xo,
Lydia

{500}

Yesterday marked a small mile-stone for me, and my blog~

I made it to 5-0-0 posts! in a ways it sounds like a ton...
when you think about every single posts that make up 500!!

Then it doesn't sound like that much when you think about the long-time bloggers that have been going at it for seven or eight years!~





I have loved blogging. It inspires me to be creative, and artistic~

I remember the very first blog I ever got on, I was amazed that there was such a thing as a b-l-o-g!! ;)

I have had mine for about 2 years. I had taken only a hand full of pictures when I first started. I wasn't really interested in photography a ton. But that year I got a camera for Christmas~ From then on I have lOvEd photography.

Like blogging, photography also inspires me to be creative, and artistic... It gives me a feeling of pleasure like nothing else does~

I think blogging has been really good for me. It has been kind of like my online journal.
It will be so much fun to be able to look back at old posts in the years to come, and see how much everyone has changed, and read about what was going on in our lives.

I never thought that I would enjoy it as much as I do. But I really, really do.

 It amazes me how many people have blogs!! I would LOVE to be able to read the very first blog post, e.v.e.r. Wouldn't it be so interesting? I wonder how many comments it got? :)

I used to be really worried about how many comments I got on each post. I would worry if my number of viewers would go down, or if I went a while without getting a new follower.
My mom would tell me, "Just treat your blog like your journal. Do it for yourself". I didn't really pay attention to the comment at the time, but now realize that it's a lot easier running it like that~!

Sure, I absolutely love getting comments, and new followers. It makes my day when I see a new face in my followers box, or if I get comments on a post~ But I can't judge how people like me by how many followers, or comments I get.





 I don't think that I anticipated getting so into this thing called blogging~
but I guess I did! ;)

I have "met" some really neat people. I love reading about peoples lives. You can find so much inspiration through people, and their blogs.

                 
 I have felt like laughing, and crying when reading peoples blogs. It is like you are sitting down, and talking with them. Hearing what is going on in their life at the moment. They can really make you happy, or sad!! ;) believe me~

I have loved my journey in the blogging world so far, and am looking forward to the many posts to come!

Thank you for looking in on my life. It really means a lot to me~ I like knowing that I am getting to share my life with people. It is a lot of fun writing posts.

Thanks for following me up to 500 posts!

~Lydia

{11.1.11}

Today is the coolest..

wouldn't you just love to be born at 11:11, or 1:11 today.
Or turn 111? or 11!

You would definitely always remember the date and time of your birth! ;)


I was listening to the radio this morning and a man called in who was turning 100.
He was so sweet. The DJ asked Him if He had any tips for young people, and He replied,
"I never drank, I never smoked, and I love the Lord...with all my heart. Amen."
I love to hear about neat people like that.  He probably did a lot of stuff to make it to 1-0-0!!
Not only physical things, but spiritual things also.

 Today the snow started falling again. still is. I'm debating on whether or not to go out and sled. Should I? ;)

Lily.Kate is walking around in her pj's. Not because she already has had her bath, but because they never made off of her today!! Oh, the joys of wintertime coziness!

Levi just got his Hershey Kisses out of the drawer next to me. I asked him, "Can I have one? Can I have three? Can I have 9?" {I was kidding!.!}

He looked up at me, and said, "I don't want to waste them."

I laughed, and explained. I love teasing that kid~ It's so much fun! ;)

 This afternoon I was taking pictures for canvases for the dining room walls...
I just realized that the milk looks green~ really nasty.
It's not..I promise. We aren't ones to keep sour milk in our refrigerator!
I think we need to save this for St. Patrick's day breakfast~ Along with our green eggs and ham!

I'm kidding~ We prefer not to celebrate St. Patty's day with green food!! That's not our thing. ;)

Have a wonderful 11.1.11~ especially if you are born today, or are turning 111, or 11.

Or even if it's just another old day. But it doesn't happen all the time, so just enjoy it!!

have a happy day~

.Lydia.

{joy}

books read
dishes washed
kisses given & received from little siblings
words written
songs sung
grocery store trip made
pie crust made
cookies eaten




just a short list of things that have happened in my day.. could go on and on listing things that don't really matter, but have happened.


Every morning I dread getting out of bed. I'm not a morning person, okay?
I would much rather stay tucked inside the warm covers, and think about getting up..
It's not an easy thing for me, most of the time I just jump up still half asleep, just so I can get my blood pumping in the chilly air.


I am such a night owl.. if your're an early bird, your're not wanted here! ;)


It's not that I dread stuff that I am going to have to do during the day.
Nope. that's not it at all. It's just getting out of my comfort zone. Literally!
Blame it on the fact that I'm a huge procrastinator. I hate being one, it's just one of my faults.
I try to work on it. I try to be more efficient and get.things.done. That's a biggy for me.. getting things done.


Sometimes jumping out of bed half asleep is due to my procrastination, because I kept putting off going to bed the night before. It is just an endless cycle for me.


Go to bed late one night, get up late the next morning. Go to bed late, get up late. Go to bed late, get up late.


like I said. It's an endless cycle.


Now for some people it comes so easy. Like my sister can go to bed at the same time I do, and get up at 6:30, and it not affect her. I just lay in my bed, and roll my eyes. seriously-- it comes across as that sickening to me! ;)


.... go ahead and call me a selfish brat because I'm envious of her ability of being able to do that!! ;)


Sometimes it takes all of me to just smile. Just a simple smile. Not because there are not things in my life that are not worth smiling about.
That is not it at.all.


It's just that sometimes I don't feel joy, have joy or, for that matter, want joy.
I have a hard time admitting that I don't want joy. but don't we all sometimes not want to accept joy.


99.9% of the time I do want joy, I want to be filled with the joy of the Lord.
And it completely depends on my attitude towards life. If I want to go around with my head down, and if I want to have a smile on my face or not. Or if I want to jump out of bed, ready to face the day with a smile.
It is my choice.


I want to find beauty in my life, and even if it is not something earth shattering, and something worth listing on my blog. ;)


I read this quote in a book, and thought it was beautiful. So inspirational, and simple::




{when I was working on this photo I didn't have the quote handy, but knew most of it so just put it on there, later to find that this is what the quote really says, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched ...but are felt in the heart."~ at least I was close! ;) }


Remember to have a smile on your face, and joy in your heart when you wake up in the morning. The day might seem long, and the air outside the warm bed might seem cold, but in the end it really is worth it.


Lydia

{the snow is falling}

This morning I woke up to the ground being covered in snow...again. It snowed pretty much all day, and I wasn't very anxious to get out in it, but my mom told me that I would probably regret it if I didn't. So I put on my snow boots, coat,  gloves, and hat, or in other words, bundled up!... and went out. Abigail was making a snow man with the boys so I helped some, and then decided to try out the new sled. And I thoroughly enjoyed myself! :)

I felt like a three-year old sliding down and squealing, with my hands up in the air! {like I mentioned Here...which by the way, feel free to follow me over there!}

I danced with my brother on the driveway. Just the two of us. I sang "Baby, it's cold outside", and danced. Singing both the man, and woman parts of that song is hard, but I still lOvE the song!

...

When we arrived home from the library I had some school to do, so I made a cup of hot chocolate and went up to my room, and put in Chloe Agnew's cd that I had gotten at the library, and did my work, while the snow fell outside my window. It as a very cozy moment~

It's not completely weird that I am eating cranberry sauce in January is it?

Cranberry sauce holds a special place in my heart!... maybe it's because I love Thanksgiving so much! :)

                                    Here are some pictures from the lovely snow this evening~...

                                                     {I think she was in mid-throw of a snowball!}

                                                         {busily shaping a ball for the snow lady.}

                                                  

                                            {the snow man that the guys built-- it wasn't looking it's best!}

                                                          {Titus and the finished "Snow lady"!}

You don't know what it took for me to get him to pose for this picture! I'm seriously? is it that hard to kiss a snow lady? ;)

I'm off to snuggle up on my bed and watch "Road to Avonlea", with my sister.

Have a fabulous weekend!

{just a few photos}

Let me start of this entry with one of my favorite pictures from Christmas week~ it's the best picture of my lovely cousin e.v.e.r.

You see when we get together we get a little happy. You can't tell can you?? ;)

Here is a picture of me and my grandma making pancakes together. We do it every time that we come for a visit. It's tradition. and I'm all about that. ;) 

 Here's a couple pictures from my other grandparents house when we were opening presents. We had a lot of fun getting to visit with them!

I will post more pictures later when I have more time!

happy new year my friends~