Of Mice and Men... or rather.... Life in the Ark

What a month this has been!  I can't believe that it's almost over because, frankly, I really don't even remember it starting.  I guess that's what happens when you're my age and in an accident that totals your truck and wracks your aging bones ;)

Seriously, I'm still on the mend.  The left side of my upper body is still hurting, screaming at me by the end of each day.  I started Physical Therapy last week and am very thankful for that; but it's still a bit of a long road to full recovery.  While I didn't suffer cuts and broken bones, I did end up with whiplash and a constant onset of headaches (not my migraines).  It slows me down to a crawl at times... and I don't have the patience for this pace, I gotta tell ya.  Honestly, if the headache would go away and stay away, I'd be forever grateful.

All that aside, we are enjoying our family time more than normal lately.  The simple things like working alongside each other, iced coffee runs, spending time with our animals, listening to the girls giggle, country drives on a rainy evening, just all seem to be sweeter this year.  Why?  Maybe because we are getting a bit older, the girls are growing up and getting their own lives, who knows.....
Does it matter why?  Not really.  What matters is that we take the time soak it all in while we can.

I LOVE that picture up there :)  Hannah embracing the moment, like she is prone to do.  Here is what was going on behind her....

We'd just finished grabbing dinner at Chick-Fil-A.  Craig and 3 of his girls, last Sunday night :)

Around our home right now, we are doing some spring cleaning.  The girls are cleaning out and finding things to sell this weekend at a yard sale my sweet friend, Julie, is having and invited us to sell our excess stuff as well.  It never ceases to amaze me how suddenly appealing EVERYTHING becomes when Mom suggests they get rid of it ;)  That said, I'm very thankful that the girls are so willing to help since I'm in more of a "delegating" role at the moment.  Even if we don't unload everything I'd like to around here, some is better than none.  As they are cleaning out, we are trying to organize a bit too.  Gracie put together some cubby units for my sewing supplies over the weekend (Hannah supervised for a bit, then ran off to take care of the dogs, as they were more fun than shelving;).  Gracie always impresses me with her handyman skills!

While, Gracie was busy working on the organizational part of my sewing studio, I converted a little vintage toy truck into a new pincushion.  We make quite a team;)  Once it's all put together, I'll post some pictures.  We are going for a campy, fun, vintage look so we can be easily inspired with new projects.  Tiffany blue and vintage yellow is the color palette :)

We are spending Brody's final days loving on him every chance we get, all day long, every day.  We know his time is near, but are cherishing the time we have left with him.  He is just such a special boy and we want to fill our hearts and minds to overflowing with memories of him and his sweet face.  Losing any of our animals is always heartbreaking.... and he is absolutely going to tear our hearts to shreds when he is no longer here to snuggle and love on.  He had a bit of extra energy yesterday and fetched a ball a couple of times, wagging his tail slowly, and smiling up as we poured out praise on him:)

Please excuse the "spring clean out" mess!

On the "grand-furbaby" front: Doug is getting along beautifully!  We all adore this goofy boy and Gracie especially loves to spend time with Tess and Doug :)

Then of course, there's Sarah's little dog, Annie.... the princess of the house.  Yup, Gracie has fun with her too.....

Seriously, she has no qualms sitting in a baby walker!

 We make at least a couple trips each week to Tractor Supply.  This is what horse crazy girls do when they're picking up bedding... apparently they think the cart is like a Disney ride;)

Wendy Loo Hoo is behaving herself and loves all the attention she gets each day from her girls.  Craig has aptly dubbed her "Princess Poops A lot"... it's a well earned nickname;) 

That's pretty much all that's going on around the ark lately.  Nothing big, just enjoying each other and all our critters and hoping I heal up enough to be able to do some of my summer projects I've been planning on since this past winter.  If not.... well, I can finish some of my quilts that are waiting for my attention;)