timber...

so, we've had this half-dead tree for nearly as long as we've lived here.
a few weeks ago, we had a pretty strong storm that finally brought half of it down.
luckily, it narrowly missed hitting the corner of our house and the power and cable lines.

the other day, jackson decided to saw the trunk into pieces (more because he wanted to have a bonfire than he was really motivated to move the debris).

and, after taking a bajillion pictures of him using a chainsaw (not sure why i find that photo-worthy or why it makes me giggle), i decided to carve our initials into the trunk...8th-grade style.

then i decided it was too cute to throw in the bonfire.
so i convinced jackson to keep it as one large log and use as a bench on our patio.

not bad for something that's been dead for almost 7 years.

look what i caught...

a couple gold-fish-bowl-heads

i filled my house...

with lilacs.

we've lived here for almost 7 years.

and we've had lilacs for almost 7 years.

i am absolutely infatuated with their scent.

so i finally decided it was time to cut gobs of them and bring them inside.

i was sad and shocked to discover how quickly they wilt. they lasted less than 3 days.

but my house smelled just like spring for those 3 glorious days!

can you spot the monkey?

the only one NOT using the ballet bar correctly?

yeah...that one's mine.
photographic proof that her nickname is appropriate.

right now

this one:

* loves to dress up (i can't get the child to wear jeans or a plain top for more than 5 minutes)
* is still attached to "pink"
* has quite the temper (like head-spinning, green-puke spitting kind of temper)
* is smart beyond her 4 years
* loves to draw, write, cut, color, and do just about anything artsy
* really does give some fantastic hugs and snuggles (you know, when she's not possessed)

and this one:

* is a total tech geek...ipods, laptops, dsi's...you name it and she's on it. ALL. DAY. LONG.
* loves music
* enjoys the fact that she's old enough to earn an allowance (although she's not thrilled about what she has to do to earn it)
* is undeniably a daddy's girl
* would rather be outside than in
* has the best smile and will do anything to help you (even if she doesn't get an allowance for it)

well, i guess i asked for it...

and i got it!

i wished for more snow.
and boy did we get it!

we've had 3 major storms in a matter of about 10 days.

i haven't measured, but i'm guessing we have close to {if not more than} 2 feet of snow.

the benefit? 3 snow days so far. {would've been 4, but yesterday was a holiday}

the downfall? 3 snow days so far....with 2 girls who are going stir crazy and won't spend more than 15 minutes outside playing in our winter wonderland.

oh, and, as i sit here and type this, we have yet another winter weather advisory through tonight.

guess i'll have to be more careful about what i wish for.

i'm waiting...

for more of this.
more snow, more snow days, more outdoor winter fun.
i'm not sure if we'll get it.
i mean, we live in ohio...not, say, arizona where you can expect 7 feet of snow, right?!?!?
what crazy weather it's been.
near 50's here one day then frigid, below-freezing temps the next.

so, i'm just sitting here, with my fingers crossed, hoping we'll still see a little more winter.

out with the old...

and in with the new...

i've been away from my blog for a loooong time.
spending time with my family, getting ready for and enjoying the holidays, wrapping up my first experience with a student teacher...
i have just been busy.

so much happened this year...good and bad.
i plan to a "year-in-review" post...just as soon as i find a little time to edit and upload some pics.

but, for now, a list of what i'm looking forward to in 2010...{i've never really been one for formal "resolutions"}

in 2010, i am looking forward to:

*being in love with my husband
*lots of family time
*watching my girlies grow up
*hours and hours of creativity & craftiness
*getting {& keeping} the house in order
*being more active & making some healthy changes
*being more positive
*lots of ladies nights, game nights, cookouts, and bonfires
*learning about my camera & new lens
*taking thousands of pictures