Poolside At Bungalow'56 (Spoiled Children)

Since I'm still stranded without any operating systems on my computer
and I'm really wishing the snow on the ground would leave,
I figured it was time to haul one out of the archives...

It will always be one of my favourite posts.

Poolside At Bungalow'56

or the alternate title

Spoiled Children

It seemed everywhere I looked, (see here and here,) I was reading blogs about summer fun.

I found myself gazing at families splashing in the surf at their local beaches,
or yelling "Cannonball," as they flew into their backyard pools.
I was trying not to let the green monster of envy show it's ugly face around here,
but let me tell you, it was getting harder and harder with every blog post I read.

You see, this story started many years ago.

It had been my dream to have a pool ever since my early 20's

even before I had kids.  

I attended university on Vancouver Island in Victoria.  

I was fortunate enough to be near family. 

I would often enjoy some time on the weekends at my Aunt and Uncle's 

for a Sunday meal, and it was always much appreciated.

  

They had five children....and (being smart parents) they had a full size pool.

I watched as my younger cousins, and most of the neighbourhood kids, 

played all day swimming and splashing, and having a blast.

Ever since then, having a pool for my girls had been my dream.

My kids deserved it.  

I figured I deserved it. 

So this past Saturday, I decided we could wait no longer.  

My Frugal self, knew there was a way!

My kids were so thrilled, it brought a tear to my eye.

With a lump in my throat I watched them frolic in the water.

I could see they pretty much figured I was the coolest mom on the block.

I understood then what it felt like to be a superhero.

I was so cool, I even let them have a pool with bubbles.

They lounged and hung out in their pool.

It made me want to jump in with them.

Summer is the best time of year.

Especially.... with a swimming pool.

If that had been me, I wouldn't have wanted to leave the water until late evening.

They were disappointed I wouldn't let them jump off the trampoline into the pool,

but I explained you have to have a really deep one to be able to do something like that.

Sometimes though, I feel as though my kids are not very appreciative.

I didn't think it was too much to ask them to get a long
at least for an hour or two without arguing.

Why couldn't they just be happy?

I mean, they had a pool, for goodness sake?

I try my best, but it just never seems to be good enough.

They just never seem to "appreciate" how good they have it.

It was at this moment I realized... it was going to be a verrrry long summer.

Rubbermaid Pool or not...

     XO

This post will be linking up Blogbash celebrating Mamalog's

and Mama Wants This's first year blog anniversary with our most favourite post.

Check out all of the other great posts HERE!

and also with Wordful Wednesday 

at Parenting By Dummies and Seven Clown Circus

 

40 Lenten Faith Photos: 5 More

This one was really hard.

I was on a high when I first watched it.

Then hearing all the criticism I felt sad, and a little foolish.

The girls and I read what the critics had to say and also the Invisible Children's response.

And we decided to still have faith that their intentions are for good.

The latest news story saddens me, only because it muddies what the real story is.

Pyschotic breaks are never pretty.
And for whatever reason, we feed on the pain of others like Piranhas.

What gives me faith in the end?

Is that this video was watched by over 80 million people in one week.

It is clear we want to do something. 

Something good and meaningful.

I have faith in humankind because of the response.

Faith seems to greet me at times when I least expect it.

I can count on one hand the times I've waited in the hallway for Youngest after school.

She normally waits for me outside.

But for reasons I can't remember both Eldest and myself were waiting for her at the end of the day when the bell rang.

The bulletin board I was standing up against was filled with quotes about love.

This one caught my eye and my heart.

Something I can put into action with my children and husband first.

It looks so simple doesn't it?

Then why sometimes is it so hard to do?

 

Sitting in Emergency with my mom and dad made me feel many things.

I had to put my faith in the hands of the nurses and doctors there.

If felt safe.
They were good.

I had far more questions for God than I knew what to do with.

I always figure questions are good though,  

because it means I'm still having a conversation.

   

So many things are changing.

Job interviews.

Driving lessons.

Finished 30 level courses.

Some  days I have little faith that we are capable of guiding her.

And then I see who she is, and I realize I have nothing to worry about.
Because her own faith is the guide.

Eldest mentioned TOMS a lot.

I didn't listen too carefully.
The only thought I had was "overpriced fad."

When she brought them home, I was impressed with the quality, and the message.
New shoes for an underprivileged child for each pair bought by a privileged one.

There are many brands out there with exorbitant prices simply because of their name.
Somehow TOMS has managed to create a brand that is desired,
and also humanitarian in spirit.

It's with companies like this that I realize faith is in action in many places.

And as Eldest has shown me, if we want...in every step we take.

xoxo,

Posts I Wish I Wrote: A Friday's Favourites Installment

Today I am tackling my FINISH list.
On it is the dreaded call to the Applecare Protection Plan People.
With only three weeks left on my plan,
I need to wring out every last possible ounce of info from the PPP....
Plus Eldest's welcoming computer mat is starting to become threadbare.


The questions will be very technical in nature.

Like... why do little weird white paper images show up on my screen

when I randomly click on it?

Why does my computer spit out any and all CD's when I politely put them into the side slotty thing?

Is is possible for my computer to be possessed?

When the beach ball from hell appears

is there anyway I can kick it to kingdom come stop it from spinning?

Do you like Canadians?

Where are you talking to me from?

Is it warm there?

Is there anyway you can just take over my screen and do this for me?

They love me over there.


So....while I sit down to have a nice chat with my Applecare buddy,
confusing him to no end because I'm asking him if I need to plug anything into the UPS?
I figured I would give you a little gift.


While reading blogs from far and wide, I will on occasion find ones that I think are particularly stellar.
As this happens I save them for you,
so that when you have the time to sit down with a nice cup of steaming hot coffee,
hot chocolate, or tea, or ding dongs, or whatever it is that tickles your fancy.


You can relax, knowing I've done all the hard work for you.
I'm nice that way.


So without further ado...

Here is Bungalow'56's  Friday Favourites 

~Posts I Wish I Wrote~  List

Chosen especially for you from me.(simply click on the name of the post in capitals)

Dumb Mom is a mom of three boys and knows how to make me laugh.

I'm not sure why this one resonated with me.
Maybe because I fancy myself a bit of a dancer.
This was her try at Flamenco Dancing with: DANCER FOR MONEY

Glenna over at Momastery relates a hysterical morning where everything falls apart at the dentist's office:  LOWERING THE BAR

Kelley Rae with a more serious post about trying to hold it all together as a mom,

wife, friend, and feeling as though she's failing.
I could relate:  FAITH AND COURAGE I'M CALLING YOU

Reading this post at Pancakes and French Fries and looking at the before and after pictures of a house that goes  FROM MESSY TO CLEAN was so inspiring.
I too spend more time thinking about doing the "big job" than just getting to it.
I think I will start timing how long a clean up takes.

About focusing on NEGATIVE COMMENTS at In Pursuit Of Happiness.

How do we even  KNOW WE ARE HAPPY? and then stay happy? 
At Nothing but Bonfires.

And last but not least Pioneer Woman's recent post about how her daughters are different. I laughed out loud a few times....A MOTHER-DAUGHTER DAY.

Have a wonderful Weekend!
I will be back on Sunday continuing to share my 40 Faith Photos...
Because yes.... my iPhone was found! (in my mother's purse... where I'm thinking the thief must have put it while I wasn't looking :^ o ! It's the only explanation I can think of :)


xoxo,

The Question? What Would This Blog Look Like If The Agronomist Had Sons

Words Just Didn't Seem Necessary.

xoxo,

Joining Wordless Wednesday with 

Live And Love Outloud, Dagmar's Momsense, Seven Clown Circus,
Parenting By Dummies, Naptime Momtog and Project Alicia

Project Baby: Mission Accomplished

You can find Project Baby weeks 20-24 HERE



and Project Baby weeks 26 to 39 HERE.

With only one week left before Halloween, 

Mrs. D decided that it was a good idea to take a family photo

with an extra large special pumpkin.

Just a few days after halloween,
She got her treat without any tricks.

At first when I tried to interview Li'l Pumpkin for the final Project Baby post.

She seemed a little perturbed with me.

and quite honestly?

A little bored with my questions.

My final hint was her snoring.

So I decided to see if mom and dad might have more luck.

And as you might have guessed...

 she was much happier with their interviewing techniques.

Once Baby T was brought home and all her fingers and toes were accounted for.

She had a chance to visit with sister.

and brother.

They of course were very proud of their pumpkin.

Toe counting became their new favourite past time.

And mom and dad of course, also did a full point inspection.

All parts seemed to be in good functioning order.

Thankfully for mom and dad, keeping her siblings entertained
was at the top of Baby T's to do list. 

After a hard day, the kids decided to just hang out for awhile.

It was revealed to me that she happily concluded this was in fact a

keeper family.

Congratulation Mrs. D on your Mission Accomplished.

Project Baby turned out to be more than a resounding success!

She turned out to be perfect.

xoxo,