Filled With Joy

The view at the end of our road is often breathtaking. Today, as Trent and I were walking, I had to take a picture of the "big sky" to the north of St. Anthony. The mountains are covered in beautiful white snow and the flats are not. Happy day! But, the whole view was amazing. I love were we live. I love the sky, the mountains, the fields, the rivers, the dunes, and all. Living in St. Anthony has brought me great joy. It has been a fantastic place to raise our children, make memories, and call home.

Today we visited Trent's mom, dad, and sister, Tracie. I needed Tracie's help with some computer files. She is very smart about that stuff. Thank goodness! Her assistance brought me much relief and joy. As we were leaving, Trent's mom gave us a jar of bran muffin mix. We haven't had her muffins in FOREVER. I immediately came home and baked them. So much joy in a little muffin. They are delicious (and I try to pretend healthy, too). We gobbled up a dozen of those little guys in no time flat.

We drove by Craters of the Moon today. It is closed for the winter but it reminds me of last spring when I went out of my comfort zone and attended an artist retreat without having any artistic skill or supplies. We pulled up a chair on a sidewalk and painted what we saw. The art didn't turn out that well, but the Craters were beautiful with a carpet of pink, purple, and white flowers covering the stark blackness of the lava cinders. Joy comes when you see something in a new light. Hurry and melt snow so we can go back.

Two days of conferences have made me exhausted and there isn't even a reason to be tired. I have good parents to visit with, but I learn a whole lot about the kids and parents. This meme sums it up . So glad it is over - great JOY!!!

Today was the first of two Parent-Teacher Conference days. It is a long night. I always feel like I need to be dressed up for these. I don't know why. But, I also work with 2nd graders and am on the floor often. Joy is found in a skirt that serves both purposes. I was so comfy today. Happy, happy, happy.

For the longest time we have had the ugliest mismatched everyday glasses from which everyone drinks. They are old. They are old enough that they have scratch marks from teeth on the outside. I found them embarrassing and a big disgusting. I don't know what took over but I decided over the weekend to order some new matching glasses that don't have scratches. At the same time I threw away MANY mugs - we don't use them. Today the glasses arrived. They joy of drinking out of a glass without scratching your lips on someone else's teeth marks. Simple joy.

 Joy was felt today when my new course opened up for me and I could begin the VERY LAST class. Six more credits and all is done. These will be very difficult six credits. But, I was very happy! And, I had a meeting with my new course instructor and her direction was very helpful. Also, WGU has been a great place for me to get a degree. I would highly recommend it. I have and now two other people at our school are seeking degrees - a bachelors and a Masters.