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For those of you who have been following me from way back, you might remember that every year my husband's side of the family goes camping and I opt to stay home for a little "alone time". Well, the event has come and gone...and now without it's interesting twists and turns.
This year was going to be a little different... since they were going to be gone for an entire week, I would be joining them for the last two nights.
The day before I would be going, I drove down to retrieve my mom, who would be letting our lab in and out and feeding her. It was with much trepidation that I went with this plan, seeing that she is up in years and our lab can be boisterous. But amazingly, our big brutesss has been very gentle around Mom, just as she has been the past few years with the girls...as if sensing she must be.
So then, my mom and I went on to have a nice, relaxing visit watching old movies and visiting for a day or so and the next evening my husband dropped over after putting in one day at work to pick me, my suitcase and sleeping bag up and away we went.
All the nights leading up to then, I would talk to my family on the phone and blow kisses to my girls at bedtime. A few of those nights had my youngest in tears because she missed me so much...so needless to say, I was really looking forward to seeing my girls and holding them tight. When we drove into the campsite at last, the girls came running when they saw me...all of us SO happy to be together again...so much so, that my sweet littlest actually cried happy tears...just melted my heart!
That night in the tent, it was a bit hard to sleep...I kept waking to hear a raccoon family who seemed to like visiting throughout the night. Followed by loud shrieking jays and crows in the wee hours of the morning. Now, I am actually a bird lover...but these things were a bit obnoxious to a gal trying to get her beauty sleep.
So, all day I was kind of going on fumes, but we still had some good times visiting with all the relatives, having ice cream at the Tillamook Cheese Factory,
touring a light house,
and watching the children play on the beach.
The weather that Saturday was nice...fairly warm with sun breaks followed by a pleasent evening around the campfire with everyone...
But sadly, the weather wouldn't last...
And neither, apparently, would the munchies that my youngest had eaten that day.
Yes...unfortunately, my little munchkin was sick ALL night in the tent on that very last night. And though I as the mommy am usually the main caretaker, this time my husband graciously took over after the first couple times while I escaped to sleep the rest of the night scrunched up in the backseat. Needless to say, we were all miserable.
As we emerged that morning (our sick little one was still sleeping after her rough night so we placed her into the back seat) we joined the rest of the family packing up our tents and gear...
In the pouring rain.
Only we had some nasty, messy items to also deal with from our tent. :(
Fast-forward two days...and little one is better. But now picture Mommy and Daddy taking turns running to the bathroom all evening and night. Not a pretty sight, is it? Ugh.
Somehow...our ten year old escaped the brunt of the 24 hour flu that ravaged the rest of us.
But unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for my mom. Although within two hours of arriving home from our camping trip, I drove her right home without her even touching our sick one, somehow she couldn't escape it.
The same night my husband and I were suffering, she was too...and ended up calling an ambulance! She was hospitalized most of the week but is thankfully home and doing well now.
What positive thing could come out of all of this horribleness, you ask? Well, for one thing, God has used it as a wake-up call for us to quit procrastinating and get my mom moved up here right away. We'll be looking at temporary apartments close to our home so that she is not living alone so far away from us.
After finally joining in on the big family camp out this year, will this catastrophe keep me away again for another yet four years?
It's a big question...but as everyone pointed out, sickness rarely invades the family camp outs...this was a rarity (and of course, just the year I'd go!) ;)
And I might...just might...be persuaded to go back next year...
if we had one of these...
I'm sitting here, after just writing everyone's name on teeny tiny little pieces of paper...cutting them up...and putting them in a little bowl.
What...you say there's that automatic random name drawing computer site now? Well, maybe I'll try it one of these days, but this way is so much more personal, don't ya' think?
And since I have a LOT of time on my hands this week, I didn't mind.
You see, this week is that annual time again when my husband takes our children and camps all week with his side of the family. The time when this homeschooling mom has a few days out of the year to call her time her own.
Only this year, I'm going to be joining them for the final two nights...because really, a gal can only have so much solitude before she starts doing strange things like...oh, say... finding old pictures of college friends while organizing and then googling their names...having long conversations with her dog... and considering actually cleaning things that haven't been cleaned in awhile.
But truely, I do look forward to just a few days to myself.
And since Sunday afternoon, I've been reading a lot, trying to make a dent in organizing a couple rooms, and just enjoying that rare time of not hearing arguments ensue or demands for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
Honestly? I'm not a big fan of cooking and meal planning...so for me, it's a pure vacation to reach into the freezer for a Lean Cuisine of my choosing and call it good.
And most of all, I've been wanting to use to this time to have some uninterrupted time with the Lord...something that all of us as moms can find challenging during the busy days of parenting.
All of this said, I've got to come clean...
I miss my family SO much.
I miss my husband walking through the door at dinnertime and kissing me...
I miss my oldest daughter's silly sense of humor or our talks about the latest American Girl book she is reading...
I miss my youngest cuddling with me (at seven, she's still very much a cuddler) as we read stories at bedtime.
And last night, my heart was about broken when she began crying on the phone because she missed me so much.
I tried to encourage her, and then I prayed with her over the phone. But afterwards, I, too, was a puddle of tears.
So, needless to say, as much as I look forward to some rare alone time once a year, I am honestly looking forward to joining them in three more days!
Anyway, without further adieu...
Here is the name that I pulled out of my bowl with my eyes closed.....
DRUM ROLL....
Grandma Dawn!
Dawn, I'm so thrilled you won, since I know you love to read as I do!
You may have mentioned your first book choice already, but e-mail me and let me know what it is, as well as your mailing address.
(And I hope you enjoy sipping your Starbucks as you read!)
Blessings!
OK....are any of you still out there? I hope so, absent blogger that I am!
But at long last, my give-away is here!
But first...
This month of July has just flown by and I can't believe we're at the end already. Here's just a few tidbits about our month:
As some of you know, we here in the great northwest U.S. are in the middle of a heat wave. Over 100 degrees all week long, with today supposedly the highest, reaching 106 in some areas here! I was going to try frying an egg on the sidewalk with the girls...it could pass for a home schooling moment...but I find myself pretty much gravitating to inside all day where we are blessed with AC.
The girls are on their last week of swimming lessons this week, too...it's been pretty much the only times I've ventured out. I feel precariously cool watching all the kids swim below in the pool while I sit with the other parents in the hot bleachers, vying for the closest place to the fans.
But seriously, it's been a lot of fun, even for me, seeing how far they've come this year- especially my youngest who use to be afraid of the water. She is loving it this year!
In other catch up news, I gave my oldest an American Girl slumber party for her 10th birthday, complete with crafts, cupcakes (see picture at top) swimming in the backyard pool, watching an American girl movie and all the general craziness and giggling that accompanies all slumber parties.
A good time was had by all!
And now, back to our heat wave....I was remembering another heat wave that happened when I was growing up and I posted about it on Facebook today. I'll copy it here as well...don't worry, it's very short!
As Tony Curtis smiled, his white teeth gleaming at me through the little black and white television set, I smiled back and took another sip of ice tea. I was only about nine years old, but I knew a handsome movie star when I saw one!
We were in the middle of a week long heat wave in my little corner of the world- Kent, Washington. And though we didn't have air conditioning, we did have a nice, big basement- half of which doubled as my own personal play room. But this week, my parents and I were using it as our campsite...and it seemed like such a cozy adventure!
It wasn't a "finished" basement, but the cement all around only added to the cool comfort and cave-like feeling.
My parents had one mattress and I had another...and because we'd be there all week, they even strung up a rope with a blanket over it- just like in that classic movie, "It Happened One Night". I'm not sure why we needed this private wall of Jericho though...after all, they were just...you know- parents.
But somehow it just added to the adventure having my own private area for sleeping.
Yet before sleep would come, we'd all get our snacks and drinks and settle in to share the little TV, which was showing "The Great Race" ...part one the first night, followed by part two the second. It's has if they had planned this just to entertain my parents and I for our heat wave retreat down below.
This week as we go though our current heat wave, I am so thankful for our air conditioning....especially now that I'm a "mature adult".
But it will be forever ingrained in my memory the summer that my parents and I hunkered down in our cool basement with our ice cold drinks, he fan blowing breezes on us as we told stories and watching Jack Lemon chase Tony Curtis around on a little black and white screen.
OK...drum roll please...
Since I'm celebrating my three year blogaversary (a little late now!) I wanted to host a little giveaway.
I am giving the winner a choice of one of the following gently used (like new!) Christian fiction books-and tucked inside will be a $5 gift card for Starbucks!
The book choices are:
"With this ring, I'm confused" by Kristin Billerbeck
"She's finally found that nice, good-looking Christian guy who-gasp-actually wants to commit, but will she make it to the altar with her sanity intact?"
"Sweet Treats"- Four Fun Romances, written by four different authors- including Wanda E. Brunstetter.
"The Negotiator" by Dee Henderson
Book One in the O'Malley suspense series.
So, what do you need to do to enter? If you have already clicked on the sidebar to become a "follower" you are already entered! What if you don't actually want to be...let's say, you have all of these books and can't stand frappicinos? Well, if you neglect to tell me you don't want to be included but you win, I will just draw another name...simple as that! :)
If you want to be entered but haven't done that little sidbar thing yet, you have until this Friday -midnight. I'll be drawing one of your names on Saturday.
Blessings!
I'm back...and I wanted to thank everyone for your prayers and for your encouraging words. They meant more than I can say.
I am feeling so much better this week...both physically and emotionally. The past few weeks have been a time of spiritual growth...not always fun, but God has been with me, holding my hand and helping me to trust Him.
I hope to post in more depth about this soon, but for now I just wanted to let you know that your prayers have been working...and to let you know how much they've been appreciated. I have felt the Lord with me in bringing good out of a seemingly bad situation.
This past Father's Day weekend, I felt well enough to keep our reservations at a campsite in Southern Oregon, so Friday morning we hurridly packed my hubby's tiny car (packed to the brim...the kids couldn't even see each on another!) and began the half-day drive which would take us almost all the way to the California border.
I still wasn't feeling up to par, but with my meds in tow, I thankfully was well enough to be able to handle the long drive. (Granted, I didn't enjoy the tent and sleeping bag as much as I would have if I had felt better, but I survived.)
And the sights we way over the weekend made everything worth it.
I don't have a lot of photos to share yet, since we brought the wrong memory card and had to purchase a disposable camera! (Yet to be developed.) But I can hopefully share them soon!
Before we even set up camp, we headed first to the Oregon Caves, located on the southern tip of the state. We had to drive up extremely windy roads which spiraled up the mountain, but we finally reached the destination and signed up for the cave tour. After our ranger gave told us what to expect and a little bit about this history, he then led us deep into the narrow corridors of the discovered caves.
(This picture of the entrance to the cave is from their website...)
Did I mention I was on medication?
The lack of oxygen and steep steps made everyone feel a little light headed actually, but by the time we reached the half-way point where they give you an option to duck out, I was more than ready to see daylight again.
But my girls hugged me goodbye and plunged on ahead with their daddy, while I happily breathed fresh air again and heard the welcome sound of birds...
Here is the another photo courtesy of the internet...the beautiful Oregon Caves Chateau built in 1934...
It was so cozy inside, with a stone fireplace and even a pianist who playing soft, relaxing music to drift over guests as they either dined or curled up with a good book.
I was torn between lingering in there while my family finished the tour, or enjoying the nice weather outside, near a lovely man-made pond and waterfall!
The next morning after eating breakfast at camp, we began the drive to Wildlife Safari. I was so looking forward to this because I had heard about it since I was a child...kept asking me dad when we could go and it just never happened. So, finally like 35 years later I was going and it would be the first time for all of us.
More on that next post!
But in the meantime, be sure to add yourself to my list of followers if you indeed are...I will be drawing a name for my 3 year- 500th post giveaway which I will (finally!) have following my next post!
Blessings!
It was nice to read your comments and know that I haven't been completely forgotten after my hiatus! I'm still working on catching up with some of you, and hope to visit even more of you this week. But we're on the home stretch of full-time schooling for the year (even though we plan on doing it part time this summer) so blogging is still having to take a bit of a back seat for a bit longer.
Anyway, where did I leave off...Oh yes! The Musical!
After months of choir practices and rehearsals, the middle of May finally arrived...time for the big show at last!
Both of my girls were in the choir...
...but my oldest this year was apart of a choreographed dance team as well as having to do violin solo at the beginning!
Her daddy and I held our breath, but she did just wonderfully. We were so proud of her, not just for performing her best but for being so brave! (I still remember shaking at my piano recitals...)
The musical was entitled "Cool in the Furnace" which showed with music (and a little humor!) how God delivered Daniel's three friends from the fiery furnace after they refused to bow down to the king's idol.
My nine year old completely loved being apart of one of the two dance groups who periodically did numbers throughout the play!
(She's the is the one on the left.)
Everyone- from the director and choreographer- on down to each of the children- worked so hard and all for just one performance! But I think the final result was all worth it.
In other news, most recently our home school group got to be apart of the audience of a local television show last week. I don't have any pictures to share, but it was fun experience and we did, indeed, get our faces on TV! (But please...no autographs...) ;)
And on Memorial Day, our family escaped to the Oregon coast for a unbelievable warm and beautiful day!
The girls had such a great time frolicking in the waves and building sand castles. Or should I say, helping their daddy design and construct!
My youngest and I enjoyed making "sand turtles" too...
But the most interesting part was taking our lab to the beach for the very first time. Yes, she's been slowly growing out of her eternal adolescences these past few months, but seeing the sand and surf for the very first time made her revert back to a hyper, drooling mass of overgrown puppiness.
Well, it was the sand and surf plus being suddenly transported into what should have been clearly labeled as "dog beach".
It's true...we didn't do apart in her puppyhood about socializing her enough... and were way overdue taking her to the beach. But better late than never, right?
Some folks were letting their dogs off leash, so I followed suit and she was soon wanting to play tag with a dog even larger than herself.
But her lack of social skills were evident, which apparently brought out the aggressiveness in the other dog...and she came frantically whimpering back to me as if to say, "Put that leash thing back on me, pleeeeeeese!"
But later that day, I'm happy to report that she had a great time running free - actually zooming- on the beach and through the tide pools.
And as you can see by this last photo, she was completely tuckered out for her ride back home... 
Now, before I forget... For my 3 year blogaversary, I will be doing a little giveaway. I still don't have all the details on the item as of yet, but I hope to let you know both how to enter and what the giveaway is on my very next post! So stay tuned...
and Happy June!
Helloooooooooo?
I'm listening with my ear cupped to hear if there's just an echo in reply, since I'm not sure if any of you will be still be tuned in to this frequency! Yes, my "little break" turned out to be not so little...over two months, in fact!
And the amazing thing was that I had planned to at least read some of your posts during this break! But somehow, my blogging break became just that- a complete blogging break.
But don't think that I haven't missed you...I have! And I hope to begin visiting as many of you as I can...I'll just try not to look at the overwhelming numbers when I head over to bloglines...I just know it will be like a total of about 1000 unread posts waiting for me!
But a few of you- those of you who are Facebook friends- know that at least I didn't completely disappear off the face of the earth.
(And some of you may claim that is why I wasn't blogging...I was pulled into the vortex that is Facebook!) ;)
So...what have we been doing during this time? I mean, besides Facebook...
Well, probably just like many of you, the past two months have been filled to the brim and if I tried to catch you up here, you'd be settling in for a five hour read.
So, I'll make this a 2- part post, just giving you the highlights....
In March, just as our heavy hints from the workplace indicated might happen, my husband did indeed come home one day to announce that he was no longer working there. He had joined the growing ranks of the unemployed.
He had been miserable there for a long time, but being the sole sorce of income, he was still doing all he knew how to to do in order to keep his job. So it was with mixed feelings that we faced this news. Although we felt it coming, there was still a certain amount of shock, uncertainity, and fear. But underneath those feelings were relief, peace and a confindence that God was closing this door to open a new one, even though we didn't know what or when.
We were so thankful for so many who were lifting us up in prayer during this time...we could just feel the support and prayers!
And during this time, my husband was able to spend some incredible time with us as a family...in between his job hunting, he was able to play with the kids, and even helped in home schooling. WIth his previous stressful job, there was seldom enough time or energy left so we secretly savored our time with him.
Then miraculously, God DID give him a new job....just three weeks after being let go, he started his new position. And not only was having a new job an obvious blessing, but he says that of all the places he's worked in his life, this is so far the very best one.
God is so good to us.
Other highlights included....
My youngest turning seven in April. She invited several little friends to her pizza\Tinkerbell party and a good time was had by all!
A visit to Multnomah Falls...
Spending Mother's Day at a restaurant followed by biking at a park...
(And if you're a keen observer in this last photo, you'll notice that both girls got their hair cut short...my oldest being able to give hers to locks of love!)
And then there was the big musical production where my nine yr old played a solo and even danced...but I'll save that for next time!
No, it hasn't been all sunshine and roses, but we have seen God working in our lives and the lives of our family in exciting ways.
I needed this blogging break but I am so ready to see what all of you have been up to while I've been away.
And it occurs to me that it's been three years since I began this blogging journey. I know...it's cheating a bit since I didn't blog for two of those months.
But still, it is blogaversary so I think some kind of giveaway is in order...and will tell you more about it on Part 2!
In the meantime, I'm off to cook dinner and then try to catch up with you all a little at a time. Oh, and be in a live audience tomorrow of a local television show....which I'll tell you all about in...you got it...PART 2. ;)
Blessings!
I am finally making it a point to sit down and post after another busy week...
Well, at least the first half was busy, I should say. But the past couple days we've all been resting at home (my youngest recuperating from a 24 hr bug which hit her Thursday night.)
But I just looked at bloglines and I can see that I'm not only behind in posting, but very behind in reading most of your posts! I'll try to catch up as I can, so bear with me!
But first of all, Happy Spring!
I promised to tell you the mystery destination that my girls and I took my mom for her birthday...
My Alma Mater was putting on the play, "Little Women" and knowing how much my mom- all of us, really- love that story, I knew it was the perfect surprise treat!
Sure enough, she was delighted!
(Here she's opening the flyer for it...)
And I have to say, the production was SO well done and professional...with the spotlight on the humor in the story.
Each main character was so perfectly cast...
Here my and girls are with two of the cast members after they changed out of their hoop skirts to mingle with the crowd...
"Little Women" seemed to be the perfect play that could be enjoyed by all of us, in spite of our generational differences.
My nine year old has read a "condensed" version of the book, and in a few years she will probably read the unabridged version...with the very copy I read from in my early teens!
It was also fun just to be at my old college again...so much of it was the same, but yet a lot had changed for the better.
Earlier that day, the sun was out so we stopped by a local playground so that the girls could run around a bit. They are so impressed with the country feel of the neighborhood...a pasture and everything! ;)
Although we had to rush back the following morning because the girls had a special choir practice, we agreed that it was a fun "Girls Night Out" birthday celebration for all of us!
We're not going to take this particular week off...since there's a lot of rain in our forecast we're going to keep doing the school work and wait for the sunshine to have a break! :)
But whether you're enjoying spring vacation or working away this week, I hope it's a good one for each of you!
Blessings!
Although it's not even Show and Tell day, I just couldn't wait. (And I have a different item to share on Friday!) I wanted to show you what arrived for my girls last week, thanks to dear blogging friend, Becky...
Aren't they adorable?
This is Anne on the right of course, with her friend, Diana on the left...and these paper dolls came complete with lots of different clothes and accessories.
Becky had heard that we were big Anne of Green Gables fans and happened to have this set at home, with no one to play with it.
When it arrived, both of my girls squealed with delight and promptly asked if they could play with them right away.
Thank you again, Becky, for thinking of us! Be assured that Anne and Diana went to a very good home!
We still hope to visit Prince Edward Island but we haven't decided exactly when quite yet. The legistics make it a little challenging for us, since we live completely on the other side of the continent! And my youngest, although she'd love to visit, doesn't want to actually have to travel to get there. She doesn't like flying and is my little homebody. I can't say I relish long flights myself...I wish I could just click my heels and suddenly be there!
But even so, we sent away for the island catalog and as our whole family looked at it together, we longed to visit even more.
And then, my dear friend, Pea, posted this week on her son and daughter in law's visit there! No fair!
And on the subject of all things Anne....if you love the Megan Follows version of the movie, then you will also love the Focus on the Family Radio Theater audio version.
At bedtime, my girls and I have a custom of reading stories, then praying together, followed by lights out with an audio CD or tape for a short time. I usually stay and listen with them for a bit, so for Christmas I bought us all a present of this CD version, and we all absolutely love it!
It completely comes alive, and the voices of each of the characters are so much like the movie version we love.
So, I guess it is only a matter of time when we do find ourselves playing on the beach of Prince Edward Island, seeing the live musicals, exploring the countryside and museums...sigh. And I think I honestly expect Anne and Gilbert to be there to greet me!
Before I go, I also wanted to thank Susanne...I won her book giveaway and received this book set yesterday...
I think my husband and I will soon be reading these and I can't wait...thank you, Becky!
And I don't know about the rest of you, but I am so looking forward to spring! Our neighborhood is slower in blooming this year but we saw our first crocus flowers and even some daffodils on our walk yesterday and they were a welcome sight at last!
Blessings!
Unless you're one of my "facebook friends" you may have wondered if I fell off the face of the earth.
But I'm here....it just been one of those busy weeks in mommy-dom.
Between their new children's choir schedule beginning again, violin lesson, rec center classes, check up with their new dentist, Missionettes, Missionette slumber party and...oh yes, doing actual school work...we've had a pretty full plate this week.
Now, don't worry...I know all about the dangers of over-scheduling, so I am always mindful of not piling too much on our to-do lists and try to make room for plenty of down time...for ALL of us.
But this was just one of those weeks.
What about the sleepover, you ask?
Well...both girls were suppose to spend the night at the Missionettes sleepover, but my six year old kept fluctuating between being excited and just plain terrified.
Finally she decided to go...I got both girls packed and my husband and I took them to the church. But soon, my youngest was falling apart over the slightest thing...then she was fine...then she was in tears again saying she didn't think she could do this.
And looking around, my mother instinct told me she was right.
Although first graders were allowed to stay without a parent, I really didn't see any other first graders there. She was so tiny...trying to fit in with the "big girls".
Plus, I had a feeling everyone was going to stay up very very late.
She has a very sweet small group leader that was going to be watching out for her, but I knew that this just wasn't going to be her year. She was completely overwhelmed!
And really, if you're going to do your first slumber party, it helps if you're in a small group of friends and in an actual homey atmosphere. And as nice as this particular church is, it is also a vast building...with loud noise and a lot of strangers -not exactly conducive to feeling secure and cozy.
She felt such conflicting emotions, poor thing...so disappointed that she wasn't staying but yet knowing that she just wouldn't feel right. She was in tears all the way home...but finally cheered a bit when I whipped up some chocolate pudding and then cuddled with her watching Barbie's Island Princess.
I know she's my daughter, alright, when only chocolate and a musical can console her.
As for my oldest, as predicted, she had a wonderful time but didn't "slumber" too much. When I picked her up, the adults looked only a little worse for wear...but only because they each were brought St*rbucks upon awakening.
Probably quadruple espresso lattes...easy on the lattes. ;)
It's been quite the busy weekend for us...and especially on Saturday.
We had to leave that morning for our nine year old's music recital...where a dozen or so brave children of all ages would go up and display their recent instrumental accomplishments.
Our sweetie girl has been taking violin since for exactly one year (not counting summertime) and she is now playing some simple songs, such as "Lightly Row" and "Mary had a little Lamb".
Complete songs, mind you!
As she sat over with her fellow trembling musicians, you could see the nervousness on her face...I just felt for her!
But when her turn came, she bravely went up, introduced herself and her songs, and went on to play with the accompaniment of her teacher...and did just great.
I was so proud of her for performing in front of strangers for the second time now!
And her daddy and I- and I think her little sister, as well- probably all felt just as relieved as she was after her performance ended and was able to sit back down and enjoy the rest of the recital...whew!
Then it was a stop for lunch to celebrate, and then we headed down to the Eugene area, stopping to pick my mom up on the way. We were on our way to my aunt's 80th birthday party!
Just look at this professional tiered cake! My aunt's friend made these for her!
My mom and my aunt G. were close in age growing up...they were the only sisters, but they also had an older half brother who doted on them. (He passed away just a few years ago.)
Here my mom and her sister are as little ones, back during the Great Depression years...
My mom use to be slightly taller, but Aunt Ginny soon passed her up by quite a bit! Here they are at the birthday party this weekend...
A few of you may have read my posting about my cousin, Ken, as I was remembering his passing two years before.
Before this weekend, I hadn't seen his two brothers since Ken had passed away. Knowing now how uncertain this life can be, I was happy to be reuniting with them again.
Here's a picture of all three of them when they were little, with my Aunt G and their dad... 
Ken is on the left...and cousins Gary and Chuck are beside him.
And here I am with Chuck and Gary just this past weekend...
And let me add one more thing about these handsome guys...not only are they just all around good people now that they're all grown up, but even as kids, when I was just their little pesky girl cousin, they were always sweet as could be to me!
In fact, Gary was such a long-suffering little ten year old gentleman, that I remember him playing Barbies with me just because I probably looked up with my big brown eyes and toothless smile and begged him to.
On a side note...thank you to those of you who are praying for my mom and her sight. She is going to a specialist today (Monday) so your continued prayers are appreciated.
Also, a long time friend of mine (she was one of my bridal attendants) is having major surgery on Tuesday and I know she is nervous about it, so you can believe I'm keeping her in my thoughts and prayers this week, too.
I was so glad I could be there for my aunt's special celebration...and to see my cousins and their families, since sometimes several years go by in between visits. None of us never know how long we have our loved ones with us...and yet, our lives can be so busy and hectic days can turn into months...years.
I think we need to try to make time...to treasure each of them...even the cousins and far away friends... while we can!
Blessings!
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