Hoffman's Hideaway: Couples & Waterfowl

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Couples & Waterfowl

The sign is a wonderful gift, that reminds me daily of my life goal. Thank you my dear friend.

It has been one of the snowiest winters on record. Needless to say, we are desperate for Spring. We've been cooped up sometimes for 3-4 days in a row and at the rate we are going with school closings, Cole will be in school until July with make up days.

Sometimes being locked up together for long periods of time doesn't always bring out the best in us. Dare I say that sometimes we might just get on each other's nerves.

This year, Troy and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage. Almost 19 years as a couple. In the early years, little things would bother us. My inability to put a cap on the toothpaste or the fact that I chew my straws used to drive him nutty and I used to go crazy about his ability to have our yard in constant states of disrepair. We have lived through so many REAL rough spots that those sorts of things make us giggle now. We have learned to appreciate each other's finer qualities and truly enjoy each other as friends.

So as I gazed out our window this week, I looked at what would be the first sign of Springs return to the Hoffman house. Our Ducks and Geese. Every year like clock work we have a set of ducks and a set of Canadian geese that come to roost and hatch their babies. It is truly something we look forward to seeing every year. They are so calming and beautiful. We watch in anticipation until finally little ones appear on the pond in Spring.
I have heard that ducks and geese mate for life. I don't know how long ducks live... but if it's 17 years......

I'd hope they would give up the argument about who chews straws and who doesn't. Hurry up Spring! Troy has a yard to dig up!

1 comment:

lorabelle said...: I really do love that picture of you guys. I think it's my favorite. Can I have a copy? Perhaps I'll try to swipe it from your blog (hmmm:)
Had to giggle when I read the heading of this post because I halfway expected to see you guys sitting infront of one of those old time Olan Mills backdrops with the "Waterfall" in the background! Figured "Waterfowl" might have been a typo! Hee hee hee!!!
I can't wait to see those pictures:)
Glad to hear that in time (17 years) Chris and I might not get on eachothers nerves as much as we do now... You guys truly are an inspiration:)
Chris wants to know if Troy is still planning a Koi pond this Spring. Let us know!:); February 27, 2011 at 5:01 PM

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A Prayer for Children

A Prayer For Children

We pray for the children who sneak popsicles before supper,who erase holes in math workbooks,who can never find their shoes.
And we pray for those who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire,who can't bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,who never "counted potatoes,"who are born in places where we wouldn't be caught dead,who never go to the circus,who live in an X-rated world.
We pray for the children who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money.
And we pray for those who never get dessert,who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,who watch their parents watch them die,who can't find bread to steal,who don't have rooms to clean up,whose pictures aren't on anybody's dresser,whose monsters are real.
We Pray for the Children who spend their allowance before Tuesday,who throw tantrums in the grocery storeand pick at their food,who like ghost stories,who shove dirty clothes under the bed,who never rinse out the tub,who get visits from the tooth fairy,who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,who squirm in church and scream in the phone,whose tears we sometimes laugh at and whose smiles can make us cry.
And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the daytime,who will eat anything who have never seen dentist,who aren't spoiled by anybody,who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,who live and move, but have no being
We pray for the children who want to be carried and for those who must,who we never give up on and for those who don't get a second chance.We pray for those we smother and for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

Our Pledge to our Children

The Parent's Pledge
I will set a good example for my child. I will show my children I love them every day through words and physical affection. I will listen to my children and let them know I value what they say. I will praise my child's accomplishments and efforts towards those accomplishments.I will have realistic expectations for my children. I will allow them to make their own mistakes and learn from those experiences. I will avoid being too critical or focusing on my child's shortcomings. I will encourage my child to meet new challenges and have new experiences. I will respect my children as individuals even if I don't always agree with them. I will enjoy my children and make time to share interests and appreciate one another. I will love my children unconditionally. I will let them know they are lovable, worthwhile and valuable human beings.