Happy birthday to ME!

What a fabulous weekend it's been.  After a week of illness in this house the germs were released and smiles came shining through.  I mentioned that Mason began the weekend with his family dinner time request.  That rolled into a weekend of fun times and surprises and treats and a date night and volleyball and grilled meat and just plain good times.  Life slowed down for a bit and we took time to enjoy the scenery.   My husband spoils me to no end sometimes.  He's the best.

I am overwhelmed by the good wishes received and pile of cards (both snail mail and electronic) and phone calls.  It's been a great time of catching up with friends and family.  Birthdays don't have to be dreaded.  They can be enjoyable - a time to celebrate life and maturity.  We don't have to worry about the number attached to the day.  I am happy where I am on my number line of life and that's the perfect number for me.

May all of your birthday wishes come true!

Long-awaited new glasses
gluten-free strawberry shortcake - yum!!
that handsome guy I happen to love
Captured an action shot of Megs at the net
birthday flowers from my little guy
anticipated staff lunch at my favorite Donna's Cafe tomorrow
had to fit my pedicure in this weekend
white iPhone - been dreamin' about that one for a while - OMG so exciting
take out from the mall is easy - no cooking required

First Glimpse of Vegas trip

So I've been waiting to blog about my recent trip and have spent alot of hands-on time recently nursing sick children.  There is currently no one calling my name because I'm the only one home, so I will take a minute to post.

I enjoyed the 4.5 hour flight from Louisville to Las Vegas a few Saturdays ago with my mom and sister, Mary.  It was not crowded so we had room to spread out and visit and read and nap and laugh and take funny pictures and watch the beautiful view out the window.

This is somewhere over Colorado we assumed.  No one could say for sure.
If it were my job to accompany passengers over this beautiful handiwork of God daily I would certainly
make it a point to be able to tell them what they were ooh-ing and aah-ing about, but that's just me.

There was a lot of laughter going on.

We left late afternoon and arrived in Vegas at early evening.  We were tired but determined to get our bags and get to the hotel to rest.  The taxi line was long but we endured and made it to the LasVegas Grand Dessert excited for a Grand time.

Upon check-in we met up with some friends that drove in from California and got reacquainted over dinner.  The death of Whitney Houston was all over the news.  We went outside to look around.  I loved the palm trees with lights everywhere.

The moms and even my sister went to bed soon after we got back to the room.   I stayed up way late with all the time changes  - I was up for 22 hours but I used my time wisely in catching up with my friend, Bridgette.  We had such a sweet reunion and both came with iPads loaded with pictures.  It has been nearly 3 years since I saw her face to face but we can always pick up where we left off.

Funny, I didn't take a single picture of the fabulous accommodations we enjoyed but the mini salt & pepper shakers were captivating.

Why is everything so cute when in mini form??  Like baby feet.....

I got to spend 24 hours with my newest niece on this trip.  She's such a cutie.

and is LOVED by her mama and daddy.

My household is finally well and we are enjoying some family time this weekend.  Mason directed our time together last night and if you know him that included a stop at the golden arches.  Not Vegas style but family style.   I guess this would be his first stop if he were to travel down the casino strip.

He was thrilled last night that we agreed to his request to "go in and sit down together as a family."  I'm glad he knows the importance and value of those times together.  I'm off to make more memories.

Happy weekend!

A Special Day with LOTS of Candles

Five days shy of my third birthday two of my sisters were born.  It was a big deal in the tiny Kentucky town where we lived.  Even bigger because our dad was a twin as well and had grown up in the small community.

Mary and Tara at 3 weeks old.

I remember the familiar sight of MANY (I almost typed 100s but that seems improbable) clean cloth diapers that had been washed and hung to dry on the line.

I didn't really realize at that time that I would always have playmates and someone to boss around, well until they were big enough to boss back.  We played summer long games of Monopoly and mermaid Barbie in our pool on the porch.  The kickball games are some of the best memories. 

They were referred to as "the twins" every day.  I know they each worked hard to be their own person and they are definitely different personalities but still as close as two sisters can be.  They even live within "spittin" distance.  (Yes, it's valid unit of measure.) 

Though as adults we've never lived closer than 5 hours drive we can always pick up where we left off.  That's what sisters do.  Our kids do well together as well.  They are accepting and loving and playful with each other in spite of the age span.  Of 11 cousins I have the two oldest and the 3rd youngest, #11 is almost 2 months old.

My visit with Tara last Fall.

Mary and I after the Blue Man Group show last week in Vegas.

Today "the twins" celebrate their 40th birthday.  Congratulations Mary and Tara!!!   It's not so hard after all.  It just means in a few days I get to add 3 to your number.  Yes Mary, only 3 not 6.  Good try though.  

Happy Birthday!!! - Love ya like a sis!

Love is...

I have been away from home, my wonderful Valentine and my kiddos for a few days.  Took advantage to rearrange life (thanks to all players involved) to spend a few days visiting with some family and good friends.   Made one stop in Louisville to visit my sister and her precious baby girl.  Then met up with my mom and another sister to fly to Las Vegas where we met more friends to enjoy a few days of relaxation.  Yes, it is possible to relax in this seemingly over-stimulating town.

There is so much more to talk about but I woke this Valentine's day morning as the one designated to print the boarding passes in the hotel computer room.  When I woke up I realized I was singing this sweet song that I learned when I was a kid.

Love is a very special thing, a smile or a tear, a soft summer rain.
It has no beginning it has no end.
But I like it best when it's shared with a friend.

Love is never stuffed up, never puffed up, never gives up when the going's rough.
It's the biggest little word you can say.
By the way, it's sympathy, sincerity, its' charity, the main variety of
everything happiness is made of.
And I like it best when it's shared with a friend.

Now it's time to print the boarding pass and make the most of the final 24 hours of vacation.

Love to all and I pray you know the love of the One that never fails.

Happy February

^{Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.}  Love never fails.  


1 Corinthians 13:4-8a