February has come and gone!

I love this month because it's

short in the number of days

and 

sweet because of Valentines Day!

I saw this quote and loved it!
I can be pretty miserable in the winter months
which in turn can make the lives of those around me miserable.
And it does take a lot of work to be that way,
and then more work trying to dig out of that miserable hole.
So instead,
I started focusing on being strong!
I work out on my elliptical most everyday, I'm eating healthier,
and I have felt God's grace and guidance more in my life than ever on matters personal.
I figured if I choose to make myself stronger
during what I classify as the yucky, gray, drab months,
then it will make me happier and healthier and ready to take
on all there is to offer in the warm, fantastic, wonderful spring/summer months.
Though, I do have to say that we have been blessed with a lot of sunshine this winter
so,
thank you, God!

Things that have been helping with the winter blahs this month are
going to watch Graham play tennis,
 hosting an art retreat, and playing with Vera!

Graham was the feature on the Wabash sports page 

since his match was the deciding factor for a team win against Oberlin!

The summer before Graham headed off to Wabash he started hitting with Mark,

the young man on Graham's left, at his home's tennis courts.

In fact, that is how we ended up in this neighborhood.

Mark's house is down the street!

Graham and doubles partner Mazin.

They are a close team and they have a winning 9-3 record!

On Friday they leave for Spring Break to Orlando, FL to play in warmth (hopefully)!

Only 19 more matches to go!

Also,

he was selected for the National Society of Leadership and Success!

It's a tough schedule to keep when you play tennis.

I'm so proud of all you do day in and day out, Graham!

Tony Levi came to spend a week with us for his annual art retreat.

The ping pong table was where he placed his pieces to dry.

It takes many steps to get to this point.

He had to figure out what he was going to draw, sketch it out, and then layer on the paint.

For inspiration he cooked two FABULOUS dinners, walked the woods by the lake and 

watched movies with me…chick flicks that Todd would rather not watch! Ha!

The first night we had pasta fresco tagliatelle 

with shrimp, artichoke hearts and ricotta cheese!

The second night we had beef brisket 

with brown sugar bourbon seasoning drenched in coke cola, 

homemade bread,

and candy bar donuts for dessert! 

Snickers one was Todd's, Rolo was Graham's, 

Mounds and Reese's was Tony's,

and the Heath was mine!

Tony made the dough and Todd stuffed each one with the candy.

Tony put it in the dutch oven to fry…

umm…remember me saying I was eating healthier at the beginning 

of this post?

I took a break!!

Voila!

Sin in food form!

They were fantastic!!

We took a much needed walk after those meals!

The lake was so beautiful with the ducks and swan.

Valentine's Day was also during this week.

Honestly, I was glad that T was here with us and not alone for the first time since his divorce.

 Evan and Ashley celebrated their first Valentine's Day
as a married couple!

She is so crazy!

I was glad that these two got to spend the day before Valentine's Day together.

Showing her lovely blue socks!

Also,

Congratulations, Shelby for being accepted in to Purdue next Fall!!!

During all of the celebrating Tony kept on working down in the basement.

And, he did eventually finish his art!

This one he did for me in a small version and a bigger version for Kiely.

I just love the saying :)

And this one he did for Vera Lyn's room :)

He wanted me to think of thirty words that 

would give her wings now and later in life.

He chose from that list and used them for the body of the butterfly!

Vera looks very happy about her new picture :)

(I spy a poodle tail…Doug is never too far behind Vera)

Thanks, T! 

Art retreat was a blast!

My very favorite thing to keep away the blah's 

is going to see Vera!

This day I was babysitting while Kiley went to the doctor.

Vera had cut her bottom front two teeth 

but was now working on her upper two front teeth.

 The banana teether was never too far away.

 

But, when it was she would find a replacement! Ha!

 I bet you'll never guess whose home?!
All of your girls are waiting on ya, Momma :)

Another day I went shopping with Kiely and Vera
and when we returned Vera opened up her Valentine's Day present.

 She loved the bag…

…and tissue paper! ha!

 Thank goodness her favorite puffed yogurt bites were in the bag!

But, chewing on socks is always good too! ha!

 You can see she wasn't too thrilled about the clothes!

 So, back to the bag it was!
She did so well opening her gifts.
You can tell she was ready to go down for a nap.

A few days later I went to babysit and she was really exploring and crawling
at warp speed!

Later that day was when she came over to get her picture that Tony painted for her.

She loved looking out of the family room window.

One day when Evan was home he stopped by to see her.

And hold her!

(holding her is a big thing…you don't even know!!)

She sure did love him

and his sweatshirt drawstring!!

Last week I went over in between her nap times and played with her.

I got there just as she was waking up from her mid-morning nap.

This is the best time to read to her.

Kiely was trying to sneak a picture without Vera knowing...

…but, she saw her right away :)

We were able to finish without her knowing she was being photographed!

 She was showing me her new toy :)
Dimples for days!!!!

Lunchtime was over and Mercedes was licking Vera's sticky fingers!

We were playing bouncy bouncy!!

She loved it!

I love how she is trying new things.

Speaking of trying new things…

Sandy Ballenger this is for you!

I tried a new hairstyle

 AND, 

took a selfie AND posted it!

AAANNNDDD,

there will be no more of those! ha!

Ashley is trying something new too!

Her "For The Dainty Days" 

Instagram account has surpassed 3,000 followers 

so...

...she is going to start a FTDD blog!

For those of you who follow her 

"What Ashley Wore" blog, this will be replacing that blog.

This will allow her new followers to learn so much more about...

"...The Braid Fairy"!

She is hoping to launch it next Wednesday. 

She will be blogging all things hair,

 make up,

clothing, and

accessories!

You know,
the whole package!
It will be so much fun!
(Photo credit: Carpenter Photography!)

And speaking of fun...

…this is how you handle working Sunday's at Dottie! ha!

Ashley is still keeping crazy hours…even planning in her sleep!

And, 

this is how we spend 50% of our time together.

But, I don't mind one bit 

and I know the poodles don't mind :)

She still makes time

to be crazy with her hubby
and...

 ...go to his formals.
This was Evan's first Barrister's Ball for Law School.

So proud of these two!

And these two boy doggies…

well,

they just want to go outside and play where there is no snow!!

Spring will be here in 20 days!!

In the meantime,
I will keep focusing on God's truths and staying positive!