Um, What's that smell???

One of my days off last week, the sun was shining and it felt nice to be outside without a jacket. So I decided it was a great day to clean out the cars. We had bought a new booster seat for L because she's big enough now to be out of the 5-point restraint, so I started with removing the car seats from both cars...and oh what a mess to behold!!

Every time I move the car seats, I am determined to not let the kids eat in the car...and then we go on a long road trip, or I just have a week moment while out running errands or grocery shopping and I succumb to the Gold Fish! And then I pay for it later... every time.

Anyway, as I'm using the dust buster, I find myself guiltily enjoying this little task. There is something about vacuuming that I love, and I think it's the Instant Satisfaction. You see the mess, then **Poof** it's gone!

Chaos is gone and Order is once more established!
(insert sinister laugh here)

So I happily busted dust and debris and food crumbs in both cars that day, followed by a quick clean-out of other little compartments where "treasures" were certain to be found and rewarded myself with a quiet drive, alone, for a moment anyway, as I picked up the children from school and listened to them say, "Whoa. What happened in here?"

This, my children, is what happens when we choose to accomplish something and follow it through until completion: Cleanliness. "Um, what's that smell?"

Oh, the fresh car sent you ask? Why, I believe it to be called Waterfall. "Uh, no, I think L dropped her banana."

Sure enough, there was a banana peel that my little "helper" left behind. Quickly stuffing it into the new trash bag, I enjoyed the short ride home listening to them chatter and realized:

Any mess is worth the clean-up as long as you enjoy the creation!!

xoxo Rachel

Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask, How are you?
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
we’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say, 'Hi'
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

Anonymous child fighting the losing battle with cancer
Her doctor is Dr. Dennis Shields

(found this in some of my husband's files from 2007, his year-long chemo and radiation experience)
We lost a good friend in 2008 after a long battle with an inoperable brain tumor. After all that, reading this little poem really makes me stop and take a breath...

Enjoy today...

...I'm a guest blogger!! Go to this site and read my post for today!! :) So exceiting! This blog is a group blogging site, like MMB. They just put the blog together this past month, so check it out!!

Rachel xoxox

Editing Fun

My sister, bless her heart, has introduced me to a new obsession... editing pictures. I spent a whole day retouching photos, decorating, just basically being creative. It was nice to have the time, actually. So I thought I'd share the fruits of my labors, but give My Sis all the credit, because ever since we were little kids, it's her fault!! :)

xoxox Rachel

P.S. She did the ones with the girls in their dresses. I did the random ones :) but I wanted to show off my family. Thanks again, T!

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

Just When You Thought Things Were Boring...

It snows, again :) I love a lazy snowey day! Plus, the new white covers up the gray dull and once again, I love winter.