A Palette of ME

I have been busy covering my world in colors of Me. It has become addictive seeing my environment change into reflections of my own being.

I'm not sure Mr. Finn feels this same way, but he is allowing me the freedom of creativity that I have craved for so long. I am more excited with every wall that transforms into something soothing and rich that satisfy the soul. Or at least mine.

So, here are a few pictures of our home with it's new palette of color. I have more walls to color and will post when they are complete as well.

My office. More like my sanctuary.
Entry way. The wall that looks whiteish will be sage green.
I know the bed isn't made. Not an uncommon thing in this home.
Back wall will be sage as well.

The Value of a Good Friend

Last night was a nightmare. Miss Boo's best friend for ALL HER LIFE was LOST. How does that happen when it is permanently attached to her very being, you ask?

I truly don't know! A rare moment when I lost my focus and did not scan the area before leaving.

The error was not noticed until that dreaded hour of...BEDTIME!
And boy, were there tears and more tears and yet...more tears with wailing of biblical proportion. I got into my car (actually hubby's) at 10:30 to drive back into town on the off chance that it had "magically" found it's way to a curb where I could find it.

I was not to be the HERO this night. I had to find a substitute "blanky" for her. Thank you Auntie Barb for the gorgeous pink and white one you crocheted for her birth. She clung to that as if her very being could be soothed from the very touch of it.

AND THEN...there was silence. For 9 hours and then she awoke to her Daddy wrapping her in her precious Blanky that he had searched for the moment the businesses had opened this morning.

We would like to take this time to thank Platte Valley Bank for sensing the "specialness" of this Blanky and placing it in the most auspicious place for a parent that has had to go a whole night without it.

Her Friend is home and all is right in the world.

Bring on the Heat

On Saturday I took the Concealed Weapon Carry Class. I actually had a ball. Worried that I wouldn't be able to pass the shooting test, but I got 20 out of 20. Not too shabby!

The instructor made a 10 hour class fun by having a sense of humor. Thank Heavens or I would have volunteered to be the target. As it was, I was pretty sore from sitting in that chair for so long. The Attorney at the end, (4 hours of constant talking) was dry but fairly entertaining despite the lateness of the hour and the length of his briefing on Missouri Gun Law.

Today was the day to file for the permit with the County Sheriff's office. After a short wait of 3 weeks, I will be legal to carry a gun on my body at all times.

Did anyone start to perspire uncontrollably with the thought of it?!

You should all feel safer that I will be packing!

Hardeharhar.

I should tell you that the picture above is the gun I bought myself. Ruger 38. I love it!

Name?

Here's your package Mr. Tennis Shoes.

It's Tentacles.

I thought his name was Squidward! Shouts the Dude.

It's Squidward Q. Tentacles, corrects Miss Boo.

A conversation I never thought I would hear and actually enjoy.

I love hearing them discuss things.

They are funny kids.

Angel Dust and Fairy Wings

Sometimes I take a picture of Miss Boo and I find it magical. It brings me back to the joy of her very being. I forget at times how special she really is when she is being "spirited". (A new word I am trying out for her.) She possesses this ability to be unbelievably sweet and the next second, infuriating. Mrs. P. her teacher once told me that she didn't worry about children like her. They are the ones that couldn't be led astray, that they make their own decisions and most will follow them.

Mr. Finn and I always joke that she has her own gang...it's called "Big Rosey". I pray we can guide her in a way that this "spiritedness" is a strength for her and not a heartache.

She truly is amazing in a yummy exasperating way. I am blessed to have her and know that Heavenly Father must of known us better than we know ourselves because it wouldn't be the same without her in our lives.

Grandkids

It was a very full several days with the visit of my daughter Nyoka and her family. I was able to take her to our favorite theatre downtown for dinner and a movie. We spent the rest of the time just visiting and letting the children play and play and play. It was too short as always, but it was fun.

It was interesting to see that the Dude loved to play with Maya. They were in the pool together for over two hours. The Dude has a sun burn on the top of his tush from his swim trunks falling down from sliding into the pool. (Mr. Finn said I couldn't put the picture on here, but it was hard not to.) Miss Boo played with Konya the whole time. They call each other "friends". Way too cute.





We love you all!

White Sands

White Sands, New Mexico is a magical place for children.

NO EXCEPTIONS...

4th or 5th? Does the day matter?

When The Dude helps take the picture.

For a week we have been bombarded by the sounds of World I or II. You pick! Our neighbors have become more fireworks friendly and competitive or ego driven as each year passes.

I feel as if we have been under attack and today...the 5th of July...I am praying is our day of Truce from the daily bombings...dare I say...OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY?! Do I blaspheme? I will let you know if our surrender was accepted or the war rages on.

I do want to add a part that may turn sappy, so you can move on if it might make you a bit squeamish.

I am truly blessed to be a citizen of this country. It took me 36 years to make up my mind to do it. In the end it was a gentle nudge from Mr. Finn that helped me to see that I was already "in love" with this country. As the famous singer Lee Greenwood croons, " I will stand up, next to you, and defend her still to day. For I love this land and always will." Well, something to that line.

I remember when I was 14 years old and tagged along on a trip to Mexico with my friend, Leisel's family. It was the first time I heard that song and it made me tear up. I believe it was the first time I ever thought about being a U.S. citizen. When we came back through the border we were all singing at the top of our lungs; "Coming to America"! It was exhilarating! I have felt that way every Fourth of July since.

IT IS EXHILARATING being a citizen of this country. We enjoy so many privileges and freedoms that are taken for granted. I am no exception. I complain sometimes about what I see going on, but don't always give credit for the good. There are many women in many different countries that would trade their trials for ours. I am going to remember that more.

I have a Heavenly Father that gave me the blessing of living in this country so I could worship HIM as I please. I am able to have as many children as I want...just for the record...it is 3! (refresher course for those that are saying to themselves right now, "Doesn't she have the two little ones?!) Yes, I have the two little ones and one that is not so little with way more little ones. But, she lives in a country where she can have as many as she pleases.

I really do love this country. I celebrate it's independence and pray that it forever remains that way.

I also want to express my love for the country I was born in. Canada Day was last week and I would be remiss not to thank that country for what it has given me as well. I have family that lives there and I am proud to be part of them. They have given me many values and traits that I hold tightly to.

And, lest I forget, this country is what brought me to Mr. Finn and with that came A LOT of BLESSINGS.

It's about "Time"

Just so I don't get asked again by Mr. Finn when I am going to update my blog.

WE ARE HOME!

I AM TIRED!

Since we got back on Sunday, I have seen two movies in the movie theatre, ran to Cabela's to buy a gun on the day I wanted to stay in my pj's all day. Slept for only two hours one night, went to YW Capture the Flag where I stood and held a trash bag. It was a lot of work...painted Mr. Finn's work office, went back to Cabela's to pick up the gun they didn't have on Monday.

Seems like so much more. The kids are on Arizona time and so bedtime is a battle. I am desperate to get them back on their schedule so I can have some down time.

So thanks for following our vacation. It was fun! Busy!

I also got to see Missy, Denise, Leisel and My Aunt Carla on this trip. So glad we had the time. Thanks again Lee for the baseball ceiling fan for the Dude's room. He loves it.