My Handsome Son's Birthday is Today

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON!!!

I can hardly believe you are 9 yrs. old already. We love you dearly.

Love, Mom

Our Eldest is 11 Yrs. Old Today

Happy Birthday, H! Our oldest son was born 11 yrs. ago today. I can't believe that much time has elapsed since I became a mother. He was born in a little community hospital south of here. He has kept us on our toes since day one. He walks to the beat of a different drum, and is definitely a non-conformist, though not for the sake of rocking the boat. He continues to make us smile with his quirky sense of humor. We are so blessed to call him ours.

Here is a picture of him at 2 1/2 mos.

4th of July Birthday Girl

Our sweet daughter is 5 yrs. old today. I don't think I can get any pictures uploaded due to poor internet coverage, but I'll try. Stay tuned for lots of pictures of our vacation trip to Georgia. It's just beautiful here, and even better, we're enjoying lovely weather.

To celebrate B's birthday today, we picked blackberries, went wading in the Toccoa River, and we are going to count lightning bugs and watch the big fireworks show in the local town. What more could a birthday girl want?

14 Years Ago Today....

It's our anniversary! We were married 14 years ago today. It seems like it was just yesterday that we said, "I DO.", and then again, it seems like forever ago! But I would marry him again in a heartbeat. Here are a couple pictures from that day. (They are scans of prints, so the quality isn't quite as good as it could be.)


We were married on Easter Sunday, so it was a very Spring-like wedding. It was also the day after the time-change the night before, and I was nervous the groom would be an hour late to our wedding! But he was there on time.


Publix Grocery Store did our flowers and our cake. They did a good job. These stained-glass windows were in the church. I hadn't planned the wedding there for the beauty of them, but they sure were a nice touch! And you ladies might be interested to know that my dress was not supposed to be an off-the-shoulder type, but the lady that did the alterations took them in much too tight and they wouldn't stay up! My shoulders were nearly bruised by the end of the day.

Busy Birthday

I already went to bed tonight, and couldn't sleep! I kept thinking about everything we did today! It was a really great day, and I thought I would write about it really quick. Maybe it will clear my mind so I can sleep.

First of all, the boys wanted their hair cut, so I cut it. I don't do anything fancy, so don't think too highly of me. Not to be left out, B had to have a haircut too, so I trimmed the back for her.

After haircuts, we made a huge pitcher of fresh-picked, fresh-squeezed homemade lemonade at C's request. It is delicious. It was quite a tedious chore to clean up after 3 kids squeezed enough lemons for that huge pitcher full! But the kitchen got nearly an entire mop job of the floors, and complete wipe-down of all the counters.

We started our school work late because of all the haircuts, and lemonade making, but got reading our read-aloud, and got very absorbed in it. I am so glad to see the kids listening to me read more. They are quite used to listening to tons of audio books and audio dramas in the car, but have never remained as quiet for me when I try to read. Most of the trouble is probably my fault because I can become quite distracted by the sounds of legos shuffling in the lego bin, innumerable trips to the restroom, and them needing to go to another room to find something "real quick" as if it's an emergency. It's also neat to see how adjusted B is to listening to our read-alouds. She's just now 4 1/2, but her listening abilities are so much more than what they boys' were at the same age. Certainly it's two-fold, with her massive exposure to audio stories, and I am sure partly due to her gender.

We finished some other pressing school work, and then headed to the kitchen to make lunch. All 3 kids helped me make lunch today. We then played an educational game, and made a gluten-free chocolate zucchini cake together. This was not a simple box-mix kind of cake either, but a full "from scratch" cake because of the required gluten-free diet C is on. (Gone are the days of quick and easy baking for me, I am afraid. I kind of miss the simplicity of mixes.) I had all 3 of the kids helping in the kitchen at once. Some of you know how big a feat this can be. I did feel like the manager of a 3 ring circus for a time, but the cake was actually a success.

I am on a mission of sorts. Our kids are quite used to helping out around the house, especially with all the family projects and jobs we seem to keep busy with. I am often very amazed at how hard they work, and how valuable their help is when hubby needs a few extra hands. But I fight with my tendency to prefer to do things myself inside the house like laundry, major house cleaning, etc. because I am particular about how I want things to be done. It has come to my attention that I am working too much, and they are playing when I am working! This is no way to teach my kids how to run a house, I know. It's not like they never help inside, but they could surely be doing more of what needs done around here. So, today marks the beginning of changes to come. Today they helped me with 2 loads of laundry, dishes, sweeping floors, etc. I believe I will see real progress if I can keep up my determination to teach them and include them more. B even told me that I could go put my feet up and watch TV if I wanted to, but I didn't. I don't have any bon-bons in the house. Actually, I've never tasted a bon-bon. Are they good?

After a little more school, it was time to make supper! We had a nice dinner of portabello mushroom gluten-free pasta, brussel sprouts (of which the kids each ate several brussel sprouts without complaint, even though it is not their favorite vege!), and yellow zucchini. We cracked open a special bottle of sparkling pear cider that we purchased from a local orchard/vendor in GA when we were there on our vacation. Chocolate zucchini cake followed. Yum!

C blew out his candles after we sang to him, and hubby took the boys out scouting for rabbits. They had better keep away from the blueberry bushes, or else!! B and I read a few books together. We watched some political debate/commentary, and Michigan polls results, then it was off to bed for the kids.

Phew!! It doesn't sound like much when it's down on paper, but it was a busy, full day. The best part of all? It was so much fun hanging out with my kids! During supper making, we put some music on and everybody was dancing around a bit having a grand time. You should have seen C teaching his sister how to dance! Like he even knows how to ballroom dance (not!!), but it was so sweet! It wasn't his usual funky "jiggy" dance, but full spins of the little lady. Anyway, it was fun. I love that our kids are each other's best friends. If I could only get them to act that way 24/7. Hey, no body's perfect, right?

Eight Years Ago Today

Eight years ago today, my husband and I were blessed with a second son. C is quite a unique child. He has so much spark and energy, and a tremendous drive for life. How can a little person make us laugh so much, and drive us crazy at other times? I don't know, but he certainly does! The reality is, we would miss him dearly if he weren't part of our lives! I am very grateful that God saw fit to bring him into our family and our lives. I love my sweet, crazy, challenging, smart, adorable, lovable, huggable, single-dimpled boy. Happy birthday, C!!

In this picture, C is standing with 2 of his cousins who also share his birthday! Yes, on C's first birthday, R was born. Two years later, A was born also. Our daughter B is the little one in this picture with them. These painted face pictures were taken at A 's birthday party. C is "Santa Claus" , R is a "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle", and B and A are bunny rabbits. Can't you tell?