{Virtual Coffee}

Good Morning.

Happy freezing Tuesday morning from Illinois.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr.

It's still really early, the sun hasn't come up yet and it is only about 10* out this morning. It's true.

This, right here, is the weather that has me dreaming of Summer nights on the back patio under the twinkly lights and early morning coffee on the front porch.

So I am really having coffee on the couch under a quilt before anyone else is up this morning, and it's still kinda dark so that picture wouldn't be the best- So I thought I would show you where I wish I was having coffee this morning, instead.

Ahhhhh. How yummy does that look?

I'm kind of fantasizing about this latte and the delicious french toast I had recently at this adorable little restaurant last week in St. Louis.
Not only was the food and coffee so good, it has the cutest logo/signs/menus and the most adorable coffee mugs- I really wanted to sneak one into my purse - And yes, I really did think about it. Do you blame me?

But, if we were really having coffee this morning, unfortunately it would just be here at home.
And there wouldn't be french toast, or anything else really, because we are in desperate need of some groceries in this house.
For some reason grocery shopping is so much worse in this weather... Really though, any errand that you may not mind too terribly much, is always worse in this weather though.
If I could, I would hibernate for most of the Winter.

Oh, I would have some big news for you over coffee this morning, you would get to meet Choo Choo, the newest addition to our family.
He is the sweetest little thing ever and we are so happy to have him here with us!
On Valentine's Day our local animal shelter was having a special meet and greet to encourage people to come in and adopt, so we decided to go check it out.
We wanted to see this dog in particular because my cousin was looking online at the shelter animals and tagged me in the post. Choo Choo was surrendered by his owner with a boxer about five days before and the boxer was adopted the same day.
We are kind of in a state of shock as to how well Choo Choo is doing, he fits right in, he follows the kids around and wants to be near us all the time.
If we can't all agree on a new name soon he will just be stuck with Choo Choo, none of us seem to like anything even remotely similar.

Also, let me just add here that my kids are at a great age for getting a dog I think.
They are so willing to help and are loving the responsibility, asking to take him out to use the bathroom, to feed him, trying to teach him tricks and things already.
It's awesome.
Ohhhhh.... and just look at that sweet face.

If we were really meeting for coffee this morning I would have to ask if you did anything fun for Valentine's Day.
Dinner ? Movie? Anything fun? Are you into Valentine's Day.... or could you care less?
I guess I'm really not that into it... It's like I kinda want to be for the kids but then I'm like mehhhhhhhh, as it gets close, like let's just get this holiday over with already.
One of the highlights for me was a special delivery of my mom's homemade sugar cookies though, delivered by my mom and dad.
Every time I see my dad I am somewhat surprised at how well he is doing since his stroke, it's been about three months now.
There are always little things that remind me he is not 100% yet but considering how things were in the first week, it is truly amazing to see where he is now.
And for that I am so very thankful.

So today I am headed out of town with the fourth grade field trip to the Abraham Lincoln Museum.
I am really looking forward to it, but lord give me strength too because then I remember how big groups of kids can stress me out in situations like this. ha!
Patience is not one of my strongest virtues, unfortunately.
BUT I am really looking forward to it and taking the day off of work is always a good idea and I love this museum, it is truly amazing.

So that's what I am up to today, I am ready for a day out of town and off of work. Yay!
Tell me what's going on with you... What are you up to today? This week?

Oh! And byt he way-- Any dog name ideas for us?
Anything at all?
It's a boy.
Or are we just stuck with "Choo Choo"?
Hellllllllllp.

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Thanks for stopping by here for coffee today!