I am back.....

I have MISSED my Blog, so instead of trying to write about everything that happened this summer I made a photo collage to capture a few things. Well to start I am another year older(shh), Ayssa turned 8...sigh and then we had a great summer. We went to Sea World,boating, to New Jersey, and of course several trips to the beach.

Alyssa started cheerleading this year for the Ocoee Bulldogs and she loved it. Ethan started Pre-k and Alyssa is now in 3rd grade...where oh where does the time go?

Ethan started playing flag football and there will be photos of that very soon. Life is still a fun day to day roller coaster ride.

Kyle and I have attended 2 weddings this year and had a GREAT time. I love seeing old friends and making new ones. It is going to be another great year I can feel it!!

Day 8- Lent Blessings

Today is a belssing to both Kyle an I. Today marks our 8 year wedding anniversary!! I meet Kyle in 1997 and we just hit it off and had so much fun and then in 2003 we were married.

Marriage is alot more then just saying "I do", some people make it look hard, while others make it seem easy....I think it is just like everything else in life- you get out of it what you put into it.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

No matter what LOVE has gotten us through the tough times....and LOVE with always win!

Day 7- Lent Blessings

Today I gave the blessing of patience! I was helping a retiree enroll into her medical benefits and she was so confused, to be honest at first I was annoyed that she did not understand what I was explaining and then she said "My dear, I am all alone and no one to help me".....I felt so bad and realized that I was annoyed at her, but she had noone and was needing me a complete stranger to help her.

I took the time and was extra nice, and we talked even about the weather and about basketball.....after our 38 minute conversation she knew exactly what she needed to know and at the end of the call she thanked me for my patience and said "God bless you"......I thanked her for her time, I really think I was blessed today more then she was.

Day 6- Lent Blessings

For Christmas/ birthday gift Kyle got the Xbox 360 and has been playing online for about a month now, and he needed the headset.

I stopped at Target on my way home from work and he was so excited to play online with his friend...hope I did not create a monster!!!

Day 5- Lent Blessings

Today continued with the yard work!!!

Day 4- Lent Blessings

Saturday, I took the kids out for a little bit so Kyle could sleep in.Then after he woke up we hung out and later when he was leaving for work, the kids were riding their bikes and I decided to start raking the leaves...then I thought what if I did the whole yard for him...so I did, which actually ran into Sunday and still not completely done.

I realized by doing this that we have a big yard....Also I realized that yard work is hard!! So next time when I think about complaining about the house work not being even...I think I will remain quiet since yard work is not even either!!!

Day 3- Lent Blessings

Friday my friend Alisha and I went to our work coffee shop, I was getting my usually and I looked back at Alisha and asked what she was getting, she was surprised when I told her I was treating.

Alisha has been a VERY good friend to me and is always there to listen, I enjoyed treating her to a coffee!

Day 2- Lent Blessings

Today Alyssa got all dressed, did her own hair, brushed her teeth, and then told me it was time to go! This is a HUGE deal because normally I have to tell Alyssa at least 10x to do all those things so we can be out the door in time.

I decided since Alyssa did such a great job, I would treat her to McDonald's for some cinnamon melts and a chocolate milk (her favorite).

We chatted an she told me that some of the kids at school were picking on her, but was not telling me about what, like her hair or shoes etc.... I told her that it only matters what her family thinks and was kind of at a lose of what to tell her to make her feel better.

As Alyssa got out of the car at school I put the window down an yelled out the window.." I love you sunshine" She turned and smiled and said "I love you too"... I then said "You are too cute, I bet you are the prettiest girl in school", She smiled an skipped off....I hope my words made her day, her company at breakfast made mine =). Love her to pieces!!!!

Day 1- Lent Blessings

Day 1-

Kyle works nights and he watches Ethan during the day. I know that some nights he has a hard time falling to sleep and then the next thing you know, Ethan is awake.

Today I woke up early and made Ethan french toast sticks and chocolate milk. I also set the TV on a channel that has his favorite cartoons, and set it all up in the playroom, so when he wakes up he will just go an eat and hopefully Kyle will be able to at least lay in bed and not have to get up to make him breakfest.

Lent 2011.....

So I have been talking to a friend of mine for about the past week trying to figure out what I should give up for Lent and tonight, my friend Alisha was reading a blog and found the best idea ever:

40 days of Blessing Others......

These blessings can be small, They don't have to be extravagant. Here are some of the bloggers ideas, not sure I will use all of them but I will update daily on the blessings I give!!

Cook my children's favorite meal
Do a chore that is normally my husband's
Send a note of encouragement to someone
compliment a stranger
give a waitress a truly generous tip
Allow someone in front of me while waiting in line
Visit someone who is lonely
Offer to babysit a friends children
Make a double batch meal and bring the left overs to a friend
Make an extra donation to charity
Put I love you notes in my children's lunches
Give someone your smile

I am not sure what else I will add to my list I think I will just let it "come" to me on each day and I will update my blog to share my daily blessings...starting tomorrow.