{ The Past Few Days }

So last week Thursday I did my Spring Cleaning post and then I wasn't able to get any spring cleaning done because we've had really bad weather, strong storms, tornado watches and so forth.

You're probably wondering what any of that has to be with my spring cleaning, but I want to carpet clean and open windows and wash them inside and out, and can't exactly do that with a tornado watch, high winds and hail.

I'm hoping to get things started this week but unfortunately we are going to be busy with the State Testing tomorrow and Thursday, which just sucks.  I honesty wish I could opt out of these tests.

Anyway, so Saturday morning I had to run and get the groceries, and it was literally a *run and get* because I had to come back, get things put away and get on the road to Oklahoma City by 10:30 am.

I managed to get all the frozen and fridge items put away and then literally shoved the rest of the bags in the pantry for when I returned.   I was thinking that I would be home sometime around 3pm but ended up not walking in the door until almost 7pm.  Really didn't feel like putting anything away, but I did anyway, and I filmed a grocery haul as I did it too.  I'll put it up tomorrow.

But....I'm sure you're wondering about the blessing I mentioned last week.  Well, that was exactly the reason that took us 2 hours north.

But let me rewind a couple years, and tell you a little story.

About 14 years ago when my father in law passed away, Curt and I really wanted his truck. It meant the world to Curt to be able to have his dad's truck, unfortunately we had no way of affording it and were heartbroken to see it sold to someone else.

We are currently a one car family and have been needing a second vehicle for a while, but we have quite a few financial commitments (a lot brought on by our move to Texas), and haven't been able to afford anything. We put it in God's hands and have just waited for the right vehicle to come our way, and preferably a truck.

A few days ago that blessing materialized. To some it may just be a simple truck, but to us, and especially to Curtis, it means the absolute world. See this isn't just any truck that God placed in our way, this was Uncle Mike's truck. The right price, the right time and from a wonderful family member.

Curt wasn't able to have his dad's vehicle, but he got his uncle's (dad's brother), and that is the closest thing to perfect. This literally made his year

That is what we went up there for, to pick up the truck.

It is a huge blessing to our family, and let me tell you, this truck is going to not only help us but my husband is so happy and I just know he is going to treasure his Uncle's truck.

While up in Oklahoma, we took our aunt to lunch at an amazing Indian restaurant.  She is an incredibly strong woman and her strong faith sustained her through all of his cancer treatments and through his passing and is continuing to keep her going.  She does have her days, obviously, and when we showed up on Saturday she was in desperate need of some family hugs and family time.

Thankfully we managed to make her feel better and even got a few good laughs and smiles out of her.

Here is a picture we took right before we left.  My brother and sister in law drove up there with us, so that they could drive my car back.

Sunday, Curt and I spent cleaning out the garage, giving it a good tidying up and clean up so that we could fit his truck in there too.  We managed to get a lot of stuff thrown out which we've been wanting to do for a while but didn't have a big truck to haul it all, so this again was a huge blessing.

So a busy weekend was had and I really could have used a bit more rest time before starting this crazy week but, it is what it is.

I do have a few photos to share with you.  I did spring clean the foyer/entry way.

Washed all the walls, bleached them actually.  Vacuumed every crook and cranny.  Washed the doors and glass panels, front door, windows, and the floors too.  Looks and smells so clean and that's the first part of the house you walk into, so all the better.

Spring is well under way, just look at all this greenery. 

My yard is filled with birds of all species.  It's wonderful sitting outside and not only watching them all, but listening to them.  I think it's one of the perks of living in the country, all you are surrounded by is nature and it's sounds and nothing more.

I also started the new crochet blanket and I intended to take pictures of the finished block and completely forgot, now it's too dark to do so, will wait until tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, it's our first day of testing and I have to drive out 45 minutes for it.  It will just be Nick testing tomorrow, and then Thursday we'll have to return for one last test for Nick and a US History test for Jasmine.  She wasn't supposed to test at all and on Friday they decided that all kids need to take the test.  Oh well!!!

I need to get off here and go get my stuff ready for the morning as we need to leave pretty early.  I am taking my laptop and Kindle with me, I'm sure I'll be able to use one or the other.  If I am able to be on the laptop I'll get some computer work done, if not, then I my books on the Kindle.

I'm going to start Diana Gabaldon's The Lord John Series, it's been sitting on my Kindle for well over a year now, as well as some of her other books.  I'm just hoping to find some books to tide me over until Outlander returns in September.  And I'm also hoping this kick starts my love for reading again.

I'll probably take my crochet with me as well so I can work on the third square before the new square is released this week.

He'll be testing at 9am and then again at 12:30pm, so I don't plan on being home until late afternoon.  Busy tiring day I'm sure.

Anyway, I really do need to get my things ready for the morning.  Have a wonderful blessed night friends :)

{ Sweet Blessings }

Well hi everyone :)

It's just gone 7pm here in Texas.  We are under a severe weather/Tornado watch, so it's rainy, cloudy and just weird outside.  We're expecting the worst part of it later this evening, which I don't like because it's when we're asleep, but I'll have my phone on and charged and will be able to get notifications from the weather app.

I was just thinking earlier though that it's one of the things I most miss about Arizona.  Not having to do the whole daylight savings thing or worrying about tornadoes  Hahah

So, I've been busy with house stuff the past few days.

I had every intention of starting my spring cleaning today, but for that to happen, I want to be wash all the windows, open the windows and curtains all the way and carpet clean and all that fun stuff.  It doesn't help when the weather is overcast and rainy, so I had to put that chore aside until tomorrow.

I spent the day working on computer stuff, schooling with the kids, and crocheting on my Mandala Madness.

But the reason I wanted to come in and share is because of some blessings that have unexpectedly come our way.

It's no secret that things have been kind of difficult for our family the past few weeks.  The stress has been real people, like overwhelming at times.

 So when we receive blessings in the middle of all the chaos, it's a welcome reprieve and it completely shifts our moods.

My husband handed me a box from the mail.  I had no clue what was in it, I wasn't expecting anything, nor had a I bought anything.  The minute I opened it I knew immediately who it was from, my sweet friend Rhonda.

I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly kind and thoughtful she is.  You all probably know her too here from my blog, and it's not the first time she's blessed me with some of her amazing work.

I needed this little blessing, I actually started crying when I saw what she had so kindly sent me.

How amazing are those? My word, she is one talented lady. Thank you again Rhonda, you are a blessing :)

So I wanted show you what happened to the Hygge Shawl CAL I was doing.  I still plan on making another one, or rather, the full one, but I've realized that I am not good with these pattern follow alongs when I have to wait a week between each release.  It tends to unmotivate me and make me lose interest quickly.

Also, I was running out of white yarn and that's the yarn I am needing on my Mandala Madness, so I decided to scrap the project for now.

I didn't want to just leave it as it was and so the only way I could think of making use of it in it's current state, was to turn it into a pillow.

I'm so happy with the way it looks, it's beautiful :)

I know this post may seem all over the place, and I apologize for that, but I have a few things on my mind that I wanted to share with you all.

Like my absolute favorite dish soap. Actually I really love the Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, and usually go for the Lavender and Peppermint scented, but when I saw this one at the commissary last week, I had to grab it.  It says Limited Edition Scent, but I'm hoping and hoping really hard that they keep it around, because OH MY GOODNESS, it smells amazing.

I've also started making some Easter decorations.  Just some simple white eggs and a little embroidered flower.  What do you think?  Cause I think they turned out so adorable :)

And finally, this Mister here.  He has stolen my heart.  He is almost 7 months old and weighs almost 60 pounds LOL  He is huge, but not a single mean bone in his body.  Cutest, sweetest, meekest, gentlest, baby ever.

We also have another blessing, but I'm not going to tell you about it yet, I'll wait until Saturday to show you.  Let me just say that it's one of the biggest blessings we've had and it means the absolute world to us, especially my husband.

Well friends, I need to get off here, the lightning and thunder are now in full splendor and Marley is terrified.  I am hoping for some good rain but no tornadoes.  Please keep everyone in the areas affected in your prayers, and if you're in the same path of the storms as we are, please stay safe.

God Bless,
Sandra
xoxoxo