PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/12/11

Look what we saw when driving through the Safeway parking lot the other day...THE WIENERMOBILE! Chris and Zach were with me and I offered to stop to check it out, but they said "no" but we all thought it was fun to see. That would be pretty funny to drive down the street.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/11/11

FOOTBALL TIME! It may be a "quarterback controversy" for the Bronco's, but for me, it's a no brainer...time for Tebow to "bring it!" Watching the first preseason game against Dallas.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/10/11

Amongst dishes, laundry and picking up for the cleaning ladies tomorrow (plus trying to continue to declutter/clean out/give away), this is my creative mess...which, by far and away, is my favorite kind of mess to make.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/9/11

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...all off for their day at school. This is Nick's "last 1st day" in regards to k-12. He will have many more first days, I know, but they will be different so this year, while taking them, was bittersweet...however, I am trying so hard not to think too much about that and just be happy they can do all they do...they're good, nice, smart and oh so handsome kids and that is what I want for them...selfishly, I just miss having them around and time is going way too fast for me. I don't want to waste time on thinking and want to spend more time on enjoying each moment. Nick will be driving Chris to school this year and I think that made me as happy as anything...seeing them get in the car together and head off to the same school. Zach's day was much better than his first and he seems to be adjusting well. Nick was excited to start his senior year and that is the way he should feel. I'm excited for him, too. Well, we got through those first 2 days and now, it's time to drag Zach out of bed...Nick and Chris have block days/access today so they don't have to be there until 8:30...boy, they will love Wednesdays.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/8/11

FIRST DAY PHOTOS...a tradition every year. Since they started school, I took have taken these kind of photos in our backyards...first at English Sparrow Trail and now in our backyard here. Excited, sad and nervous as the boys start back...Chris will now be a freshman at ThunderRidge and I love the idea of Nick and Chris being in the same school for this next year. Zach will be at Ranch View and I don't think I will ever get used to the fact that my littlest boy is a "tween". I think those first days are really long and probably overwhelming, however, they both came home saying they knew how to get around and seemed fine with that. I am glad that I could feel the "nervous" for them and not let them know :) Looking forward to seeing all they will do this upcoming year.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/7/11

I took this photo of the rainbow spread across the sky on Friday afternoon...it was August 5 and exactly 23 years since I said goodbye to my Grandad Dell in those early morning hours at AMC Hospice. I posted the photo of Grandad Dell on my FB and it just captured the man he was to me...fun, happy, a great smile and sense of humor in his favorite place...Ruidoso. That afternoon, I sat in the backyard and a butterfly flew by and around me...I just know it was a sign that he was saying that he was nearby and always would be...then, the boys called me outside a while later and there was a giant rainbow spread across the sky. In fact, it was a double rainbow and the colors, although fading, were bright and beautiful...another sign that Grandad Dell is watching over us and still part of me. Boy, I sure would like to be able to give him a real hug and see his smile and hear his laughter. I still miss him so much.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/6/11

I can say without a single doubt that this patio room addition was the best idea and follow through we have ever had in any of our houses. We are using it many times throughout each day and I am quite sure we will continue using it into the colder months also. It is bright, cheery and fun as well as such a high functioning place.