2 days ago, after a particularly trying afternoon with my youngest daughter, I felt that I was on the verge of flying off the handle and really letting her have it. I really did not want this to happen as she has spent most of the last year living with her Dad instead of me, has finally moved back home, and I am really happy that she is home.  I grabbed the dog and went to the beach. I needed to have the waves. Unfortunately it was very flat, but there was a bit of wind and it did help. It is amazing how the water is so calming to me even though I am an air sign and can barely swim. (I do a mean breast stroke but thats all I can do)

Now things have calmed down with her. I think she has decided not to go back to her Dad's house. My adopted daughter is moving back to Utah though, her mom is sick and needs her she said.

Now, we have lost our family mealtimes though because DD#1 has college classes on T/TH late, and DD#2 has soccer late on M/W and they have dinner with their dad on Fridays. That leaves us weekend nights which compete with boyfriends also.

I think that it is detrimental to our family to not have the togetherness each night and the contact. Take this weekend, DH will be watching the Superbowl, DD2 will be playing soccer, DD1 will probably be taking care of her Dad's dogs while he is out of town and DS1 and I will try to do something for Imbolc and watching soccer and touching base with Daddy during football. We will also need to do some homeschooling sometime this weekend.

I need to go back to the beach, at least I can always claim the need to walk the dog and get out to the beach that way.

Ok, it has been too long since I have visited. I am truly sorry about that because I enjoy being here and reading my friends blogs. This has been a busy time. I have a new family member, a friend of my daughter has moved in with us. And the other daughter who was living with her dad has moved back in.  Life has become busy and crazy and since I love having a full house, lots of fun.

Ok, it can be hectic cooking for 6-8 depending on who is home each night, but I have always enjoyed the chaos of a full table and lively conversation. Then add in all the holidays and the activities for each one, and homeschooling and a trip to CO to care for my mom, and it has been a whirlwind of movement.

Now I am starting to think of how to celebrate Imbolc with my son who is 5. I am trying to figure out what we will do, what we wont have time for, because we could happily do it all...

My only problem with the beginnings of spring when we haven't even had a good solid winter yet... I  long for snow still and while I love the bright sunny days, I miss the big snow drifts of my youth in Utah and Colorado. I want the forest to stay asleep and snow drifts up the side of the house (I know, I am lucky I am not an animal living out in the cold waiting for the warmth of the sun)

Blessed day to all of you.

May this time of year bring you closer to your family and your dearly departed.

I was blessed with a visit from my grandmother 2 nights ago. We sat in her kitchen (in the Netherlands)and talked about mundane things. We were kept company by her dog and her crow. It was very nice. I haven't seen them since 1986. I wish I could have shared the experience with my kids since they never met her here. I miss her but it was so good to visit. I hope she stops by again soon.

My baby has his first wiggly tooth. Not only that, but apparently I won't get to enjoythe cute little gap in his smile, like a little Jack-o-lantern, because the new tooth is already1/4 inch up and the wiggly tooth isn't even out yet...

He is certainly a big kid now,,, I am out of babies,,,I am not sure I am ready for this,,,I have been a mom to a little one for so long, I need to redifine my role now, soccer mom, sports mom, chauffer ,,,etc.  I dread the step where they no longer want to cuddle, when he is past asking me to be his girlfriend or marry him...I know it has to end, but I definately don't look forward to it...

this weekend was crazy. It started Saturday morning with a soccer game. My DS's team, 6 boys 5 years old chasing a ball all over. There is no such thing as 2 teams 3 on 3. Rather this game is 2 teams, the one who has the ball against the 5 who do not have the ball. And all this in freezing rain.

Then since it was my B-day, my DH made me a plate of Nachos for lunch and then we had cake and presents. I got a watch, badly needed as my sundial is continuously under clouds, and an ipod.I really wanted one of those.

Sunday, we went to the NW Lego Brick Con in Seattle. It was a blast. Then we had lunch at Uwajimaya, an Asian foods market in Seattle. It is like the local asian store on mega steroids, so big and bright and crowded. Lots of things to look at, taste, try,,, I found a perfect gift for my DD#1's birthday(in 5 days). When we got home, I got into my comfy jammies early and sat down to watch some TV and listen to the rain with a cup of tea.

All in all, a great weekend. Goddess thank you for letting me take this trip around the sun.