Part II

See what my husband did for us for dinner? The girls were in on the secret and they could hardly contain themselves. It was a blast! We celebrated ten years ago, my birthday, and he did the same thing! BUT, there was a ring hidden in one of the pieces, and he got down on one knee, then asked me the question that makes my girls giggle....

..."Will you marry me?"

Of course I said yes, and here we are ten years later and he just had to bring more this time since all of us are all sushi lovers. What a great way to celebrate.

Feeling loved and not a day older

I woke up to love notes taped everywhere, and sleepy eyes with tangled hair greeting me with a "Happy Birthday, Momma!"

That was all I needed...and by ten oclock this morning, I had a number of phone calls all wishing me a great day and making me feel loved. How great is that!

I wonder how my story began, did I cry loud? Was I a good sleeper? How hard was the delivery? Was I tempermental? Did I whine or cry much or was I a quiet child? Did I have a quick humor, get a riddle? I remember things from pictures and my brother (scary!)... like I taught him to whistle and he taught me to ride a bike. Brady Bunch and Little House on the Prarie were my favorite kid shows, I was never a fan of cartoons. Sunday nights we always missed the Disney show or movie, because we had church, but we could count on making the last 30 minutes or so of it with a bowl of popcorn and a chocolate treat. My life has had many chapters, some great and some sad. The most recent ones bring a smile to my heart as I share them with my little girls and husband. They know their story, and it is fun to tell.

My girls are learning the 23rd Psalm as their bible verses this month, so I have been dwelling on it as of late...It is a comfort deep in my soul..

The Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I also love reading Max Lucado's book Traveling Light...it is a great find.

Fever Marathon

We are on day six of sporadic fevering. Olivia has been a great patient, but does ask for the "princess tray" at moments of hunger, and has been given a bell to ring so we can hear her requests. She has had a number of bad hair days. And she has made a permanent indention of her body shape on my side of the bed. She is pitiful. It was nice having Dad do some of the nurse-duty this weekend...but my number is up again today. Stephanie is a help, running at times to see what is the next request. BUT, she is done. Her patience with her patient is gone. There is a reprieve on the horizon....maybe...it comes in the form of...

WEBKINZ. Stephanie has had a one before, and she was diligent about caring for her online pet for about six months,but that account timed out. So, they both wanted to use some of their Christmas money on new Webkinz, after their doctor's appointments last week.

The visits were well visits not because of sickness. They both are growing right on target for their 90% curve that they have always been on.

They were so cute shopping. So, in between bouts of laying on the bed and watching another movie, Olivia is on the computer earning more dollars to spend on her virtual pet, Sandy. I am seeing a dark shadow over her future of saving money. She spends it as soon as it is earned. YIKES! Steph is a saver. She likes seeing that amount grow and grow and saves for big ticket items to spend on Marshmallow, the black lab.

Now for the big confession...I love playing some of those games. It cracks me up to earn them some money. And for the record...gaming on 3-D Logic doesn't earn anyone anything except a headache. But it is fun and addictive...so beware.

Fresh OJ

Everyone knows that some Florida fresh orange juice is a powerful punch to any germ laying dormant and just waiting to show its ugly face.....well, maybe everyone except the germs.

For you see, we have been squeezing it daily and gulping it down in excess, not to stay well, just because it is so darn delicious. Thankfully I have friends with trees full of ripe fruit, and we can pick all we want. It is better than I remember as a kid out on the farm...but, unfortunately, the pesky germs won.

Olivia and I have been down for the count today....we have watched every modern princess story on the DVR, but then I had to get up and move a little. Breathing is a little harder to do, but moving I can do. And of course, I had some squeezin' to do! YUM!

A day in history

I knew that I would spend the day watching t.v. since it was a historical day for our country and the world. I did not know it would be SOOOO cold.

It has been fun watching the inauguration of President Obama with my girls. Here are a few short comments.

"Ooh, look I like her hair, she is so pretty."

"I bet they wish they did not have to sit there and listen."

"Everyone will want to be friends with them in school."

"They can go bowling in their house?"

"There is a movie theatre there too?"

"Sleepovers?" "Would I be able to go to a sleepover there if we were friends with them?"

"He is a very serious man."

See, this is why it is always fun to look through a kid's view. Respect comes when respect is expected. I loved sharing this day with my girls. Oh, Stephanie did love that the last four presidents were left handed.

We will continue praying for our leaders. That is one of the things I remember most while living in Paraguay. They as a people, pray for their leaders with fervor and passion. It is a great example for our democratic country.

Serious girl time

A reunion of sorts occurred last night, when five women who shared common dorm life in the late eighties, got together to share some memories, laughs, and catch up on life.

Faith, Melissa, Andrea, Cindy and I went and took up residence in a booth at Mimi's Cafe. I tasted fried dill pickles (amazing!) and had some so-so chicken picata. We covered material from kids to marriage to political issues to schooling, to hormones. Yikes, we are some middle aged fine looking and intelligent women. I am so blessed to have a group of friends who have known me for a long time, loved me for a long time and share with me a love for Jesus.

Before we ended the night at 2:30 a.m. just the three of us; Melis, Faith and I, sat around back at Melis' home and chitty-chatted and I got my hair cut. Thanks Melis. I am lovin' the bangs.

No pics to document the fun, the camera is on the fritz, but don't worry your pretty little heads, I have one picked out... and am ordering it today! Thank goodness for some Christmas money!

First job

Stephanie had her first real job this weekend camping. She got paid for it, but did not know that until we got home and we gave her $2.00 for helping watch little sweet Caroline. She is an amazing girl. Her heart was willing to care for another even when raccoon hunting was looming on the horizon. It did make me think about our future of adding another child to our family, and how she is just perfect for it. I love seeing her grow and how she is her own person.

Ft.DeSoto

Off we went to camp at one of our favorite spots, Fort DeSoto, which is in St. Petersburg. We took a long weekend, enjoying friends, the fabulous Florida weather and the beach. We had a few bumps in the road along the way, but it was a time for me to be reminded of what is really important. I want all of you to know, I remembered.

While looking so forward to spending some time with Steve (since we have been like ships passing in the night), other plans were to be had. But, as I look back on it we did spend some great time together, but he also was able to do the superhero thing too. He spent almost all of one day at Sears getting us a new battery and water pump in the van, and that is without any complaints. Amazing. (CHA-CHING!)

Then he spent another day helping out one of our friends with their car troubles. And then another day. I was very proud of him.

We all are used in different ways to meet the needs of our neighbors, but I am so glad we were honored with the chance to be the givers this time.

This is white sand all of you people living in snow at this time of the year...sorry!
We fed the troops first most nights and then we sat down to our food. Brent and Dave did a killer job on the steaks this night. This is the same table that in the later hours of the evening, once the kids are in bed, is transformed into Canasta playing area.

That is the Sunshine Skyway in the background....oh the water was COLD...but they did not care. They went in, but not me...not even my big toe.

She was raccoon hunting. Silly. There were so many around you did not have to look hard to find them. Super friendly too....they scare me.

Tea Time

This months co-op was scheduled to take place at the local Tea Parlor. Our girls put on their fanciest dresses, brought their dolls, and had an afternoon of loveliness. I have never heard so many faux-british accents asking for cream and sugar. It was hilarious.

Good thing we have all girls in this co-op because I don't think any boy could have endured this lunch. The china we ate on and little teapots were so attractive, the girls basked in their lunch.

All of the girls had something to share about what they had learned. Taylor told us about Martha Washington. Alma brought some of her memorable items from her trip to Williamsburg. Emma shared with us information about Benjamin Franklin. Stephanie discussed her travel journal.

Olivis was the very well-mannered little sister and had shared about elephants at her morning co-op group. She shared the cutest poem.

days gone by

Getting the new year off right, I decided to clean out a few cabinets and tackle some closets, the latter is yet to be done, but hey it is only Jan. 4th. So, while I was cleaning, I found an old calendar I had made for Steve. It had pics of the girls from 2005 in it, and I became a pile of mush. Olivia loved it. She milked it. She crawled up in my lap and wanted to hear every story of her long five years. Stephanie just rolled her newly eight year old eyes and said "Mom! I not a baby, you have to let me grow up!" That of course made me even sadder, but funny how the story changed that night when it was time for bed. Hmmm...she wanted me then! Hah! So here are a few of the pics. They are just yummy!