HALLOWEEN 1981

Homemade by Mom.

(I know...I'm speechless too)
:)

STEVIE'S KICKS

Let's take a vote, shall we?

One of us says TOSS 'EM,

The other says there's still some wear left in 'EM.

What say YE?

OCTOBER 29

29 is my least favorite number now. 

( I can't even believe it's already been 5 months.)

So on those particular days, I try to keep my self pre-occupied.

Like making the kids go for a walk with me...

and raking up the thousands of leaves in our yard.

Thank goodness I have cute and fun kids.

They're all the distraction I need.

peace OUT!

TWENTY FOUR HOURS

I pulled my back. (again)

I called Steve to complain.

(for no other reason)

15 minutes later he surprised me with a heating pad AND chocolate.

He left work early to do that.

(something he never does)

Gestures of love make my world go round.

Tonight I took the girls to their basketball game.  I came across THIS car.  It baffles me that people have the audacity to take up TWO parking spots.  Why?

(don't answer that)

 My heart was warmed today as a friend took time out to visit little Ben and then send me a snapshot of his grave.  Gestures of love make my world go round.

(did I already say that?)

Dinner time was just Stevie and I.  The other three were in three different directions.  I made her a most delicious salad and then attempted to reach for a glass so that I could give her some milk.  My clumsy hand dropped the glass right on top of her plate causing both the glass and plate to shatter.

Thank goodness all turned out fine.  She was very forgiving and thankfully there was enough food to make her a duplicate salad.  She loves me, she loves me more.

And THAT, my friends, have been my last 24 hours.

Over and OUT!

FRIGHT NIGHT!

 Know what's FRIGHTFUL?

Going out with friends to "Morbid Mountain" to be SCARED

and having your pants split down the middle

which ends up being scarier than anything "Morbid Mountain" could throw at ya!

CHAMPIONS!

Spent the day at Kaleb's end of season soccer tournament today and it was FREEZING!  And that's no lie.  9 games these boys played.  NINE!  After fighting some tough fights, their team landed in the championship game.  It was 0-0 at the end of the game which meant overtime.  After one overtime it was still 0-0.  That resulted in a penalty shoot out.  Five kids from each team took turns shooting on the opposing teams goalie.  Gilford won 3-2 in the shootout with Kaleb making one of their goals.  It was INTENSE and fun to watch.  Congrats to Kaleb and his team for a great season!!!

(one of Kaleb's goals below)

SCHOOL PICTURES

(please excuse the poor copy of a copy)

They are NOT my favorite.  In fact, I stopped purchasing them years ago.  Way too overpriced for the okay pictures that come back.  The kids still have to go through the process though and they still send home the proofs hoping you'll bite.  I'm just not feeling it with this one, are you?  In fact, I'm kinda scared of it.

(he claims the lady never gave him a chance to smile before she yelled, "NEXT!!!")

BUT, they do provide some good dinner table entertainment.

This one we call BUBSTA!

SHARING LOVE

I love my girls.

I love that they know how to love and serve others.

This summer they adopted a 90+ widow from church to be their grandmother.

They LOVE to visit her and help in anyway that they can.

They wash dishes, play games, dust, entertain, do odd jobs and just visit.

I feel so lucky to have such caring and compassionate children.

Again I say...I MUST be doing something right. :)

BEN'S BEANBAG

(I'm thinking that Ben is happy to see his beanbag getting some good use.)

Thanks for sharing Ben.

I'M PROUD OF HER....

I know pride isn't a good thing, but I can't help it today.  It was Stevie's last primary program EVER.  She did an amazing job.  She spoke a few different times, sang a duet with one of her classmates, played the piano as she accompanied the primary and congregation (had everyone in AWE!) and then ended the whole program with her testimony.  The last part was very difficult for her as she was going to be speaking about Ben.  She was really afraid that she would start crying in front of everyone.  I explained to her that it was okay to cry.  I could tell that she was really nervous as it got closer.  So could her friends as they were rubbing her back and whispering that she could do it.  Finally she walked up to the pulpit and started bearing her testimony, but she ended up cutting it short because she just felt she couldn't make it through.  I knew she was so devastated because when she sat down again, she was fighting the tears so hard but they still came.  My heart was sad for her as I know she really wanted to do it.  I'm proud of her for giving it her best.  And I know how hard it is to talk publicly about Ben.  The emotions are still so raw and painful.  I know Ben is proud of her and knew what was in her heart.  And I guess in the end, that is what matters most.

BIRTHDAY DATE

37 years young because I don't ever want to grow up.

Steve took me on a fun photo shoot today.

The weather was beautiful, and so was the scenery.

I think everyone should do a photo shoot on their birthday.

It's a great way to celebrate YOU!

Besides, it was fun and FREE.  Those kind of dates are the best.

I'm grateful for 37 and I can't wait to see what it has in store for me.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

(thanks for the poster Stevie)

It was a birthday surrounded by people I love.

And it ended with CAKE!

AND the traditional bite of the CAKE!

Followed by a group KISS.

That left frosting on my cheek from a certain someone.

So I shared it right back.

 Which inevitably led to a cake fight!

It was a pretty great ending to another birthday. :)