Beauty on an otherwise stormy day...

Beauty on an otherwise stormy day..., originally uploaded by L~Treece.

I haven't been able to post this week due to my stubborn mind not being able to decide what I should name my post... see I had the most amazing weekend with family... I have so many thoughts racing around in my head on what direction to take my post... not to mention the 100's of photos I snapped of cousins playing around the yard... climbing, swimming, sand surfing... etc. So, as I sit on yet another stormy afternoon, wondering about my future post, I am reminded of our wonderful weekend everytime I look at this beautiful "Thank You" bouquet from my West Coast Family! Stay tuned for a better, detailed blog of my weekend visit with family... until then, enjoy my view!
~Le

My Husband Rocks Friday

Thanks to Katy Linn at The Great Adventure , she has created "My Husband Rocks" Fridays. We are to post anything, be it quirky, loving, romantic, silly, etc. about why our husbands rock. She got the idea when she found a company From*me Tees! who's mission is "to enhance marriage relationships, communicate a positive image of marriage and encourage/support the sanctity of the marriage covenant between a man and a woman in a fun and stylish way. (for more, read Mission Refleciton) Please, check out these links I provided to learn more about these wonderful people. But for now... here is my "tid-bit" on why my husband rocks:

When I received my first bouquet of flowers, a romantic jester to tell me he was "looking forward to our dinner"... why wouldn't I fall head over heals?! And to be honest, it wasn't the fact he remembered my favorite flower was the yellow rose, it was the fact he went out and bought an actual card from the card store. He then headed down to the flower shop and picked out the twelve yellow roses and made sure the standard "business" card afixed the plastic "fork" in the pot was not part of the bouquet. They delivered the beautiful bouquet of yellow roses along with the card he wrote in and signed himself. Now... why is this so important... well, to me, it shows he is very much one to be "involved" in all facets of life. He takes the extra steps and goes the extra mile... perfection and detail is important to him (wow... he married me... I should feel honored!)... and it's remained this way through the first five years of our marriage. I don't tell him enough about these "little" things that mean the most!

This is just one way in which "My Husband Rocks".... please take some time to join the group and tell us all how your husband rocks. I love reading everyone's stories!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Brother & Sister ~ Love Thursday

Brother & Sister ~ Love Thursday, originally uploaded by L~Treece.

I think all the fighting and bickering between my son and daughter is a facade... something they know gets under my skin and gets them the attention they want when I'm attempting to do chores around the house. If I could keep the irritated, witchy, where did she get that broom stick side of me locked up when I'm breaking up a wrestling match or taking toys away they won't share, I think there would be more love moments. I really think they enjoy the "Mom goes Wicked Witch fo the South on us" episodes too much... I'm sure I laughed a few times when my mother "turned witch" in my younger years.

Anyway... I know they truly love each other and this photo is very fitting. Owen is such a protector when it comes to Olivia. And she is his little shadow... following his every move.

I love this shot!

Click on my Shutter Sister button on the left side to see more "Love Thursday" photos from various photographers. Thank you Shutter Sister for creating such a wonderful website!

Fit to Swim

Fit to Swim, originally uploaded by leahOOt.

Well, once again I'm out smarted by a 2 1/2 year old. It's been storming and raining off and on all day. When we got home from work, of course the kids wanted to play outside. Now, my 6 year old didn't argue for the mere fact he has been grounded from "fun" until the playroom is cleaned... but my lovely daughter just wouldn't take NO for an answer. I tried pretty much everything... let's clean (she used to get excited over this, but she's starting to understand a vaccum isn't a fun toy), let's make brownies (ummm... some consideration but... no), so I just told it like it was... "Honey it's raining out, we'll get all wet." Off she storms to her bedroom. Thinking I "won" this itty bitty battle, I started in on some laundry. Low and behold... she comes running out of her room in her bathing suit and out the door she went!

Why haven't I learned how not to underestimate a 2 year old? And another point... do mom's ever really "win"?

A Mother's Rear"view"

A Mother's Rear"view", originally uploaded by leahOOt.

This is one of my favorite shots. One day early this Spring I was driving home and I took notice of how "green" the grass and fields were starting to look... still, just the ground though, no blossoming buds in the trees. But it was refreshing to see the grey dull winter disappearing under the vivid green of Spring. Then I looked backed and had a "mother moment"... my "blossom" looked so peaceful... I began to think about how much she had changed and how fast she was growing up even at a young age of 2 1/2. Soon she would be in Elementary School, then Middle School, then High School and Proms and then graduation and then WHEW... finally, in the driveway and the moment was gone... not before a few tears escaped but well before the sobbing and questioning of how I was doing as a mother, friend, wife, sister, daughter, coworker... and WOW, almost another moment! All you mothers can relate!

Here are our Peony Prince's and Princess' from this past weekend's Peony Parade... yes, we live in small town Midwest Ohio so this is the season for small town festivals and parades. This particular weekend is know as "One Wonderful Experience." Our town is packed full with local artists, musicians, animal lovers, craft lovers, food lovers, etc. etc. etc. And Saturday evening is the 100(+) year old Peony Parade. As one of the oldest businesses in our hometown, we entered my father's 63 Lincoln in the parade and let the grandkids ride on the back. They were terrific! Next year the committee should put together a Peony Prince and Princess contest for young kids... my two kids and my 4 nieces and nephews would surely be the top pick!!!

Meet the newest member of the family...

Kermit Michael the Frog

It is official, frog hunting season is among us. We spend hours walking around the pond, sitting on rocks, just waiting for the frogs to surface. Once they surface, the poor amphibians only have a few seconds of fresh air and sunshine before the lovely beasts (my two children) scare them back to the darkness. Owen has yet to catch one and Olivia just observes, doing pretty much whatever Owen does, with the exception of trying to touch one. Anyway, Kermit Michael is actually getting pretty daring (or just plain mad) and is starting to engage in staring contests with Owen. It's funny... I think if Kermit Michael were to actually speak, he'd be teasing Owen and laughing hysterically at how "slow" he is. Kermit Michael seems to stare Owen down until Owen's hand is just about around his slimy body, then he shoots back into the water, frightening all of us watching... "Those stupid humans... they think they can actually catch me!"... laughing all the way back to his amphibian family!

Oh, you are asking, "why is it Kermit Michael?" Well, for some reason whenever there is something new at home, be it a tree, plant, rock, kitty, or in this case, a frog... we've always asked Owen what we should name it. So, we have Michael the Maple, Michael the "Big Red Rock", Michael the Medim-sized Knockout Rose Bush, Michael the Large Topiary... and many, many more! So, when I asked him what we should name our first frog of the summer, I told him we couldn't have any more Michael's and that I really wanted something original like "Kermit"... Owen came back with a counter offer... so be it... Kermit Michael!

Oh... we long for summers at the ranch!