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!

Much Needed R & R

Today, our family enjoyed a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our plates have been full lately with work, Shelby's 8th grade graduation, dentist and doctor appointments, baseball and girl/boy scouts.

The weather today was perfect for resting...rainy and cloudy. We all managed to stay in our pj's for the day. We enjoyed family time, reading, watching movies together and tonight the girls and I plan to have a midnight scrap book night...what fun!

I don't know when we will be able to do it again, but for now it was heaven on earth!

Our Little Man Turns 7!

Where does the time go? How can our little man be turning 7 years old? Say it is not true!

When I look at you I remember the moment the doctor said you were a boy. I asked him if he was sure. I just knew you were going to be our third precious girl; however God blessed us abundantly with our little G-man. There were many times throughout your toddler years, that I knew God must have a sense of humor to give me a little boy...that was all boy. Yes, you were into everything, climbing, tumbling and out running your Mom. Throughout your toddler years you were into construction machines and fire trucks. You could name them all...bulldozers, backhoes, cranes, etc. Then about the age of 4 your love for baseball started. You can name all the players on the Royals. You are the only little boy that can set through 9 innings of baseball and enjoy every minute (Mom can't even do that)!

Congratulations on being 7 years old! XOXO Mom

God Called Her Home

Early this morning, God decided it was time to take my Grandmother home to be with my Granddad, Uncle Butch and my "other" mother.

Grandma Long enter my life when I was just 5 years old when my Dad married my "other" mother, Barbara. From the moment we met she took my twin sister and I in as her own grandchildren. You see, she was also from a divorced family (which was not a common practice in those day) so she knew what it was like to have a "special" family.

The memories of Grandma are precious, especially our birthday luncheons with her. These were special as we had our own time with her. She valued family, friends and faith. Grandma was an angel on earth...now she is an angel in heaven!

Love you and miss you, Grandma!

First Day of Spring...Snow?!

Yes, it is the first day of spring and in the midwest we have a couple of inches of snow that has fallen over night. I can't believe that yesterday afternoon my kids were in short sleeve shirts playing outside and today we have 2 to 3 inches of snow.

All I can say is living in the midwest, if you don't like the weather just wait 24 hours it can change drastically.

**Note by mid week we will be back in the 50 to 60 degree weather...bring it on! **

Our Precious Girl is 10 years old!

Shannon you came into this world quitely, with your ebony curly hair and skin as white as snow. From the moment we saw you, we knew you would be called our precious little one. As a baby, you definitely commanded attention. When you were tired the only way to get you to sleep was to walk you around the house humming. Our rug had ruts in it from walking you so much. You were our "budda" baby full of rolls. As a toddler you loved to explore, run and climb. Then one day, the your curly hair straighten and our "budda" baby became a tall lanky little girl. You have become a beautiful young lady, with a sweet caring personality. You love animals and eventually want to be a vet. You are a loyal friend and a free spirit.

Happy birthday, our precious ten year old!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Today our daughter turns 14 years old! Shelby entered this world on her terms. From the moment we saw her we know our lives were changed for the better. Her sweet, curious but cautious disposition, her deep belly laughs and her "pucker" up kisses remind me of those wonderful younger years. Now Shelby has grown up to become a beautiful, caring and spiritual teenager. May you always remember that we love you. Happy birthday, sweetheart!

A balancing act...

As of January, our lives have been changed. I have decided to take on the responsibility as Cafe' Manager at our kids school. I never thought in my wildest dreams as a 22 year old that one day I would be running a cafe'. My dreams were sit high...a business executive. However, three kids later, I am excited to say I have the flexibility to work while my children are in school and have the same days off as they do.

It has taken a little time to get used to the demands of being a "working" mom and still balance the responsibilities of family and home life. It has been over 9 years since I worked outside the home (and we only had 2 then...not three with all the sporting activities).

So, if I don't call as often or blog as often...just remember I am trying to "balance" work, family, home and friends.

What A Night!

Dress, pants and shirt pressed; shoes shined; hair styled just so, beautiful corsage put on, sparkly clean car to take Shannon and Darren on their Father Daughter dance. What a night to remember!

Frosty the Snowman

Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow!

These past few weeks have brought much snow to the Midwest. Our first snow storm hit Christmas Eve. What a great way to celebrate Christmas. Right after returning back to school, we were hit with another snow storm and even had two days off of school (which very rarely ever occurs). So with all the snow, we had fun sledding (even mom and dad), making snow angels, throwing snow balls and even bringing to life our very own Frosty. This brought back so many memories of my sisters and I sledding down our hill between the houses, making a snowwoman complete with breasts (thanks Dad) and having snow ball fights.

After our wintery fun, we came in to drink hot cocoa with whipped topping and a candy cane to stir it with! I only hope our children will remember these fun time when they have children of their own!

Tooth Fairy Again

This week, our brave little guy went to the dentist to have a cavity filled. Only upon examing an infected area on this gum, did we find out Grant had to have the tooth extracted. Ouch!

Grant was a trooper! He was a little sore, but just a few short hours he was running and playing...and ready for the tooth fairy to visit again within a week.

** The tooth fairy was very generous. Grant received $4.00...what happened to the days of a quarter? **