It's (A) Wild Life

Can you say SUN?!?! We are so happy to have had some really SUNNY and warmer days here this week! Despite being very thankful for the cold, snowy winter we had (since my internal thermostat was apparently set to HOT while I was pregnant), I am so glad the first signs of Spring are finally here! Mr. Quackers, the affectionately named white duck living on the lake in front of our house, is busy 'making his house' in a yet leaf-less bush that extends out into the water. The daffodil bulbs are beginning to pop open revealing their cheerful yellow blooms and the two swans on the lake seem happy to no longer have to walk on the frozen water! Apparently, it is duck (mating) season, since the mallards are often chasing after the brown female ducks.

We love our feathered friends that also make their home here - they are quite entertaining! While Daniel and I were out on a little stroll, I took a few pics of the swans... paddling along, often "diving" in the water for a nibble on a few tender green water plants. Bottoms up!

Little Things

I truly believe it is most often the little things that count - brief words of encouragment, offering some kind gesture to a stranger, a smile, little inexpensive (but loving and thoughtful) gifts. My husband is a master of so many of these little things. On our second date, he showed up at my front door with a bouquet of brightly colored gerber daiseys. The third date, he unloaded several grocery bags of fresh produce and fruit into my fridge (almost empty except for mustard, water, and coffee), explaining that "if I am going to spend much time here, we need some fresh food to eat". Ok, maybe that was just a matter of sheer survival. Nevertheless... it's the little things. Little things that showed he cared. As he does a couple of times a month, he returned from shopping with a bouquet of fresh cut tulips... beautiful red ones with yellow margins. He said, "You are the best wife and mom ever." For any guys out there who might be reading this, just know that he got BIG (actually HUGE) points for that ;-) ! Little things - the best of all!