Book Fair! Grand Quad Time!

I woke up at 5:30 this morning and was out of bed at 5:40.

As in AM! Morning!!

I made a cup of coffee in the Keurig and went back to bed.....but only until 6:08!

I was dressed and had hair and make up done, my overnight bag packed back up and my stuff sitting in the foyer as I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking my second cup of coffee!

I could barely believe it myself.

Amber cooked up bacon and toasted bagels for our breakfast and the kids had yogurt drinks while I had another cup of coffee!

Can you believe Amber and Mike do NOT drink coffee??

We were out the door in the vicinity of 7:25.....and that was late!

We all had fun both on the way to school and on the way home!

Just look at all these happy faces.

Please know that none of us are 'morning people.'

Just goes to show that you do what you gotta do!

WITH a smile if at all possible and you can see lots of smiles here.

I went to school today to work in the Book Fair.

Amber had put in lots of hard work getting this all set up and there was plenty of laughter going around. Did I mention I had THREE cups of coffee??

I did the odd and end job and ran the cash register.

I knew exactly how to make mistakes because I practiced them until I didn't do them anymore. Much.

I had a great time!! I absolutely LOVED seeing these little kids come in and 'shop.'

I do believe most of them were impersonating their parents.

When they came up  to the register, I would act like a real store employee and ask them if they found everything they were looking for. I tried to treat them like grown ups and I swear I could see them glow. Their little eyes all screwed up in concentration before deciding on their purchases. The concern on their faces when counting out the money - afraid they didn't have enough. And sometimes they had to make grown up decisions when they didn't and had to choose which item to put back.

At the end of the transaction, I would give them their receipt and bag and say, "It was a pleasure doing business with you!" Or....."Thank you for shopping our Book Fair." Or......"Please come back next year!"

I just loved all those little people!!

I especially this young man!

All four of the kids shopped the book fair.....

and we all ate together as a family in the cafeteria.

I had my very own lunch - and you know Amber is famous for her school lunches!!

I am grateful for every minute of time I have ever spent on my children and my grandchildren.

I have always been humbled when people spend time with me.

I used to wonder why they would even want to.

My self image has improved but I continue to be grateful and never take for granted the time others give me.

And I'm talking about you....yes, YOU.

The time you are gifting me in reading my words, hearing my thoughts and listening to me recount my days. In taking the time to write to me in comments, emails, cards, messages. You are giving me gifts of your time.

Time is a most precious commodity.

I am in the winter of my life and I do not have as much time as I once did.

I can't do everything or even as much as I once was able to do and I can't be in as many places as I would like....

but I can spend time in prayer when I can't be there in person.

There's a million different ways to be there for those we love.

And with that I am going to go out to the den and spend some precious time with Louis Dean!

He has been Home Alone and will be again tomorrow night.

Bless his heart! I am so thankful he has found a new western to watch.....

It's a good one!!

We go back to the ranch next Monday and then it will be just the two of us!

I am so happy he is looking forward to that!!