Letting Go...

Yesterday morning, I put my ten year old daughter on a school bus for an overnight field trip with her class. It was the first time she's been away overnight with people other than those that are family or friends. It was the first time in all the years of preschool field trips and field trips every school year thus far, that I have not been allowed to accompany the class, either with them on the school bus, or with a group of Moms following behind in our own cars.

And you know what...it was not easy.

I had tears in my eyes watching the class gather their gear and load up onto the bus. It was hard watching the bus pull out of the school driveway and whisk down the road. It was hard not getting in the car with the other moms left behind and following the bus.

But I survived.

And it helped that in this day and age of technology, I received a picture via text. I got updates through statuses on Facebook from one of the parents who was on the trip. And other updates from a friend who's husband had snuck off the ship to use the bathroom and called home in the process. LOL.

The school bus is due to return to school in the next hour or two. And I cannot wait to get my Hannah and hear all about her day yesterday. And her adventures of 'keeping watch' in the night and what it was like to sleep on a Tall Ship. And what it was like being away on a field trip without her Mom or her Dad. :)

This adventure has definitely been a step in "letting go".

A Decade of Parenting

Today is Hannah's 10th Birthday. She's away on an overnight field trip and won't be home until mid morning tomorrow. So the birthday festivities will be held this weekend. This morning, a friend left Hannah birthday wishes on my Facebook wall and pointed out that I've been a Mom for a decade! When you put it that way, it sounds so weird! But it's true!

Spring Tea

On May 1st, the Women's Ministry of our church will be hosting a Spring Tea. And guess who's in charge of it??....my Mom and I.

A few months back I found a killer deal on some luncheon plates at the Salvation Army, making my collection a total of 25. I casually mentioned it to the Pastor's wife about how we could use them if we ever had a luncheon, etc. And she responded with asking me if my Mom and I would like to plan and be in charge of a Spring Tea.

As so it is. My mom and I have been planning and buying and delegating for a Spring Tea to be held on May Day.

I knew it would be a lot of work when we agreed to do it, but there are so many little details involved and I've got lists and lists and revised lists of things to do, to buy, what we need, etc.

It's going to be a beautiful morning when it happens.

Costco Cookbook

The weekend following Thanksgiving, Costco hands out cookbooks to their members. This last year is the second year I've gotten the cookbook and boy are there some GOOD looking recipes in there! The ones I have tried thus far (between the two cookbooks) are VERY good.

The recipes in the cookbook are all based on ingredients and products that can be purchased at Costco. But you can pick up the ingredients at any grocery store and just follow the recipe.

You can check out the current cookbook online and browse through the recipes.

OR....

I just happen to have an extra cookbook I'd be happy to give away!

All you have to do is leave a comment in the comment section telling me whether or not you plan your menu's.

On April 10th, I'll place the names into a hat of all who've entered and will draw a name for the cookbook! And then you too can start making some of these yummy recipes!


***Edited to Add, April 13. So after only receiving two comments - one via email, and one left here, the winner of the cookbook is Kim. I'll be mailing it off to you next week! :)

April Fool's Day

Wikipedia defines "All Fool's Day" or "April Fool's Day" as "a day celebrated in many countries on April 1. The day is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible."

Today is April 1st.

What are some of the April Fool Pranks that have been played on you over the years?? What are some you've played on others??