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

Favorite Foto Friday

This is not a recent photo but it's a favorite and I use it as my desktop picture.   I took this picture in Lancaster, Pa when I went with some girl friends and stayed overnight at the Hershey Farms Inn.  We saw a show at The Sight & Sound Theatre and did some shopping.  That's what you do in Lancaster, of course.

I remember it was my first night away from home without Mason.  I had such a great time with my friends.  It's now two weeks until I'm away from home again.  Will spend some time with family and friends again in a fun, fun place.  Stopping off to visit my sister and her new baby along the way.

The past few days have been full of NOT fun stuff.  Staying up all night and watching endless episodes of Star Wars in a variety of formats - some animated, some original movie version while caring for a sick child.  I've had my fill of Cartoon Network and Nick Jr and I think it has come to an end.  Mason's fever is gone, the bucket can be put away and the crying over ear pain has subsided.  I wonder what my parents did to keep us occupied at night when we were up crying with ear infections.  We didn't have cable tv or even a VCR.  How did we make it through without the unlimited supply of dvds and on demand entertainment to distract us.  Do you remember The National Anthem playing at midnight with the flag waving on the screen?  and then fuzz........ til at least 5 am I think.

Regardless, I'm glad for the company our technology provides.  It's a great distraction for a sick kid and his sleep-deprived mommy.  I'm catching up and only one day behind as I post this Friday blog on Saturday a.m.

Happy 1st birthday to my blog.

January's Spirit of Christmas

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.  Isaiah 9:6-7


Today was another beautiful warmer-than-usual January day.  My "boys" spent some time playing outside.  It was fun to watch them play ball and then go right into fight mode with light saber and scarf turned whip.  I suggested Dad needs a light saber.  He says it should be Darth Maul's double-bladed light saber.  (So he has thought about this also.)

 

 I wanted to focus on the spirit of Christmas this 25th day of the month after December.  There is so much hustle and bustle and focus on gifts and trees and treats during the holidays.  I want to make sure we remember to teach our kids about the real reasons that WE celebrate.  


First we set the mood with some rockin' Christmas tunes and measured out the holiday chex mix while we waited for dinner to finish cooking.

I dug out a few lone red plastic cups left over from December and found a few loose napkins at work with poinsettias on them.  Mason set them on the table with real china plates. We lit a candle as a centerpiece and he insisted we should eat with the lights off.  I was tickled that he wanted to play along.  





We poured some wine and sparkling cider and Michael read the verses above and told us in child-easy language what the verses meant to him. 


We pulled out a few Christmas greeting cards we received this year.  They are the only remnants of the season still left out for display.  We took time to pray for each of those families by name.  

Next, we enjoyed a splendid "Christmas" meal complete with favorite treats.  There was a small gift for each person just to keep it festive.  It was an enjoyable evening and one with simple focus and discussion.  I was happy with the kids' participation and questions.  I look forward to our spirit of Christmas celebration in February.

Kelsie's basketball game was our entertainment among other fun stuff during kitchen clean-up.  Congratulations Lady Falcons on 10 wins in a row.