Treasured Surprise

My twin sister, Sheila, surprised me the other day with a treasured piece of artwork she has done. I bust made out of chicken wire. For months I have "drooled" over her busts, now I have one of my own.

Thank you Sheila for a treasured surprise.

Step Back in Time

This past week, the kids and I spent time with MiMi my mother-in-law. She lives in an old farm home with one bathroom, one tv and no computer in a small town in north Missouri with a population of around 2000. Yes, our teenage daughter thought it was a drag with no computer, no cell phone coverage and only one tv. However we did manage to have fun.

Shannon & Grant spent their days catching butterflies (and even a frog), hunting lighting bugs, playing catch and swinging on MiMi's front porch swing.

A couple of afternoons, we all went to the lake to swim and to tub....something Shelby really enjoyed. Mom also got on the tub this year; however no pictures were taken of me on the tub with Grant.

Another afternoon, I was able to get out by myself to go Jamesport over to go antique shopping and go to the Amish store to purchase seasonings/baked goods. It was a wonderful time as I have been going to since my husband and I were dating (22 years ago). Not much has changed (except for a few less shops) which is wonderful to set back in time.

Thanks MiMi for a wonderful time!

Precious

My neice, Janna, took this picture recently of my children. I just love this picture! Janna is becoming a fantastic photographer just like her mom (and my twin sister), Sheila.

Thank you Janna for capturing this moment! Love you all!

Freshman Excitement!

Excitement filled the air, as we met friends to get Shelby's schedule for her Freshman year. Needless to say Shelby and Katherine (Shelby's friend) were on cloud nine; the mom's were more apprehensive and less excited.

As we enjoyed the day together, we realized that time goes by to quickly. Just a few years ago we met each other as our girls entered Kindergarten and now we are entering into a new world of high school.

The high school excitement begins!

A Day with Mom

Today, Mom and I went "bumming around" like we use too. We enjoyed eating lunch together, catching up on "small talk" and then going through our favorite place...antique malls. We spent a ton of play money and dreamed of what could have been, but in the end neither one of us spent a dime. What we did spend was time together...laughing, reimencing and just being together.

Mom, thanks for a wonderful day! Let's do it again real soon.

**Note to self...take picture of Mom & I. I have only pictures of Mom with my kids, since I am the one behind the camera taking it.

Cherished Memories

This week, I had a lunch "date" with our son. I let him choose the place, which ended up being KFC (not my favorite...but I agreed). Much to my surpise when I got up to the cashier to order my food, so many wonderful memories flooded my mind.

When I was child, my grandparents lived in a RV. They traveled the country in the cold months and made "camp" in the summer in a small town north of us. This town had a KFC. On special occassions, we would drive to town and pick up a bucket of chicken, mashed potatoes and biscuits complete with butter and honey. I remember the velvet smooth potatoes with a touch of spice to the brown grave, the crispy, mouth water chicken and delicious creamy buscuit with sweet honey...yum yum!

We devoured our lunch (not the most healthy) but delicious. I took the time to tell Grant about the memories I had with Grandma and Grandaddy Great. Hopefully I am sitting up memories that will last a lifetime like the ones my grandparents did. Thanks Grant for a fabulous lunch date and for bringing back those cherished moments!

Wedding Bells?!?

Last night, we met our Dad and Martha for dinner. What a wonderful time shared, but the best part of it all was that my Dad (after the loss of my "other" mother to cancer) has found a remarkable lady to spent the rest of his life with. He said it best..."whatever life I have left, I want to spend it with Martha". How romantic! So wedding bells are ringing in the near future. What excitement!

Congratulations Dad and Martha! You deserve all the happiness in the world!