12 Again...

I often have teased my boys over the years that I've been through ____ grade five times (once when I did it and once for each of them).  Now that LG is in our family, some grades will be SIX times for me.  Today I was thinking that ages aren't much different.  I remember turning 12.  I remember BEING 12.  I remember wanting to be older and be able to do things my older friends did.  I remember being in turmoil emotionally and going from happy-go-lucky to woe-is-me in a split second.  In some ways, the boys haven't gone through 12 like I did.  Yet some other pieces are very familiar. Adolescence is adolescence.  I started my "fifth time through 12 today" with DS 4's birthday.

I've shared on my blog before about the surprise he was to me (and to us).  And he, too, has had some rough days of adolescence that seem to define the tween and early teen years for so many.  Lately though, I've had glimpses of something more.  I've seen glimpses of a young man emerging where a child has been.  It only took me five times through to see that these little peeks into the future were probably there for each of them (and for me).  I just wasn't looking for them.

I think, in so many ways, DS 4's life has taught me to look at things that I hadn't seen before.  It has taught me to savor moments and to understand just how precious life is.  He's taught me to realize that my plans are so often not God's plans. He's also been a constant reminder not to rush things.  As he's wanted to be bigger and older since he was little.   For these lessons, I will be eternally grateful.

Today's been special.  We have had a standing "deal" with our kids for birthdays:  "You can have a party OR you can have $100 in cash."  Most often, they chose the $100.  I know this does not necessarily make me a nominee for Mother-of-the-Year...but that's another blog for another day.  He's often chosen a party.

This year, though, he was torn.  He mentioned wanting a new basketball hoop.  Yesterday, I brought him the giant box and he was surprised and EXCITED. And most important, thankful!

Today the surprises continued as DS 4 received the gift we've been holding back from him.  He's been playing a guitar for weeks at church that was donated for a mission thrift sale.  He's been asking for it...even swooning over it.  Last week, DH and I picked it up for him (and got them to throw in a small amp and case with it) for less than 1/10 of the price we found it for online.  DS 4 came out of church crushed when the person told him the guitar had been sold.  Several times this week he's said, "I can't believe they sold my guitar.  I wanted to buy it."

Today we presented him with it and he said, "Wait!  Am I DREAMING?"  He was thrilled.  No, he was beyond thrilled.

It was so worth it to see him enjoy something he's been wanting and waiting for.  Speaking of which, I hope he's going to enjoy these next few years because they too, have been something he's been wanting and waiting for, since he was a little boy.

Happy Birthday DS 4!  I love you!

Reflections on LAST Friday...

LG's 9th birthday was a week ago last Wednesday.  We decided to throw a "Pretty in Pink" party for her.  This included dress up, make up, nails, and a sleepover (which I left optional).  It was a BLAST!

I visited our local Goodwill store to create this dress up box:

The night before the party, we prepared our treat bags and our make up station.  I begged my friend Sandy to come help primp and do the "girlie thing".  DS 2's GF and two girls from my school also  came.  It was nothing less than PERFECT!

Here are the bags we found at IKEA:

And here is LG prepping them with stuff.  We found "Fancy Nancy" stuff at the Target dollar section and used that to make up our treat bags.  Each girl got a diary, body spray, lip gloss, and other goodies we found elsewhere.

When Friday night arrived, we KICKED the boys out.  LG was thrilled that it was "girls only" and the party  began:

 Sandy brought the Karaoke machine AND a "hair streaker" kit.  The girls were able to get a colored stripe in their hair a la Hannah Montana!  Dress up was absolutely HYSTERICAL!  The girls threw together some amazing and wild outfits.  And I'm telling ya' I intend to keep that box until I have grandchildren and they can play in it. It's obvious to me that there are hours of fun right there.  And the imagination and creativity was PRICELESS!

Here is my niece, K, with her "movie star" look on.  You can see the girls digging in behind her.

And look at the outfits these girls came up with!  Each girl modeled for me and I took their picture against the pink backdrop.   Later in the evening they decorated these frames (again from Ikea).  DSs 2 and 4 went to the photo shop to pick up prints and every girl left with a photo of themselves dressed up and in the frame.  It was PERFECT!  Here's the whole crowd including DS 2's girlfriend wearing our Cinderella dress!

LG said she had never had a "real birthday party" before where you get to invite friends.  I have to tell you, it was the greatest joy to watch her enjoying her friends and knowing that she was able to be the young lady God intended her to be on this special night.

Happy birthday (again) LG!  I love you!

Sushi Anyone?

DS 3 got his license yesterday. We enjoyed a family dinner at our local sushi restaurant where it's "all you can eat". They put away some sushi. And we were surprised by DS 2's visit to celebrate! I love it that our whole family was around the table together celebrating DS 3. There's nothing else to say except that's the way it's supposed to be!

He's 16 Today...

My DS 3 turns 16 today. I couldn't be more proud of the young man he is becoming! He is witty, funny, organized, determined, daring, and a thinker all rolled into one. He amazes me at times with his thoughts and plans.

This is the son who has created a bucket list and posted it on Facebook for all to see. His list goes well beyond what most 16yo boys would probably write. Of course, it includes a few "crazy things" like driving an Indycar and or running from the 50 yard line to the goal post at an Ohio State football game. But his list also includes some very sophisticated thoughts and goals: He wants to "bring God with him wherever he goes." He wants to be a mission pilot in a third world country. He wants to circumnavigate the globe. I could go on and on...

This is the son who announced rather matter-of-fact like that he finished reading the Bible a few weeks ago. I knew he started back in Sept. or Oct. ...but FINISHED it?? I've never really done that. And to do it in less than a year? All I could think was "Wow!"

This is the son who has extended a great deal of grace and brotherly love to his siblings. He is the one who has welcomed LG into our lives in such a special way. He has developed a bond with her that is very special and helps her feel more a part of our family every day.

I could go on and on about DS 3.

The photo essay above really shows the person he is and the one he is becoming. He is a pursuer of dreams and goals and ambitions. At 16, I can think of no better way for him to be!

I love you, DS 3! Happy Birthday!

Shine on Me Sunshine!

I think it's finally going to start warming up here in Southwest Florida! I have to say that we are used to sweatbeads rolling down our foreheads in the mid to late afternoons by now. This year, we're still in long sleeves and jackets! It's nuts.

We had a busy weekend at our house. I know, you're suprised, right? Those of you who read this blog regularly know that's pretty much the MO of our lives. Here's an update:

Friday night I went on a sunset boatride in honor of a colleague who died in the Fall. She really wanted people to have a party and celebrate her life, so that's what they did. It was a nice tribute to her. But, I have to say, it was COLD on the water! I kept telling myself that I weathered several scenic boat tours in Alaska in much colder weather. Still, I was thankful for the bottom floor of the boat (which was enclosed). There were about 50 of us there. I am so thankful for the "family-like" atmosphere in which I work! It is a very special group of people who truly care about one another.

Also Friday night was the funeral for our friend who died last week. I did not get to go, but they webcasted it, so I was able to watch it on Saturday. What an amazing turnout for her celebration of life! There were more than 1000 people there. I know it may sound strange, but I often wonder if these people with large funeral attendance really knew the impact their life had on the world. My guess is that very few of them would guess that so many people would turn out at their funeral and in many cases, they'd never be able to predict the kind words or special rememberances that are given as people talk about a life well-lived.

Saturday, DS 2 left for Nicaragua. He is there this week with a team of college students on a mission project. They are working in a dump, doing a VBS, and playing with kids in an orphanage there. Please be praying for their mission and trip in general. It is so exciting to watch your children catch that fire and desire to get out and help others!

Saturday afternoon DH and I threw a picnic for LG's family--including her siblings, an aunt, their grandmother, and other foster parents. It was LG's older brother's birthday, so it was quite special. He is such a great young man. He's the one that started my affinity for this family. I taught him in 2nd grade and mentored him throughout his remaining elementary school years.

The pictures above show some of the kids enjoying each other's company. It was a special time for LG. I asked her to name her favorite part when we were done and she said, "EVERYTHING!"

DS 1 is coming home this week for Spring Break. I am excited to have him around for a few days. We finally went and bought a futon so he would have a place to sleep at the house! DH and DS 3 helped put it together yesterday. I had to laugh because LG was picking music from DS 3's iPod to entertain them while putting it all together. I heard many songs flowing out of that room, but my favorite still has to be the themesong from Cheers...when they started singing at the top of their lungs:

Sometimes you wanna go....

Where everybody knows your na-ame!

And they're always glad you ca-ame!...

Cracked me UP!

In the midst of futon assembly, DS 4 came running from the backyard demanding everyone stop and come see what was there. Remember when I told you last week that I don't spend enough time there? Well, just LOOK at what he wanted us to see...

This giant little guy is about 3 and a half feet long. He was sunning right at the edge of our backyard and the pond! Of course, I am praying that this is all the further he comes...but I WILL be watching before I just up and go enjoy the beauty that is back there!

So that's an update from our neck of the woods! I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Today He's Twenty

My blog readers and I have celebrated FIVE of his birthdays right here on my blog. My DS 2 is 20 today.

When he turned 16, I wrote: "I remember being 16. I was not nearly as focused or ready to enter my "next stages" as he is. He is already thinking about what he wants to do when he "grows up". And his dreams and goals are good."

On his 17th birthday I shared: "DS 2 has always been someone who (as my Dad says) "Goes for the Gusto"! As one of his favorite middle school teachers told me last year, "He's a complete package!" He is a joy in our lives! I suspect with this type of determination that he will be successful in whatever he chooses to do."

By his 18th birthday, we had a relapse of sorts. Some of you might remember the "Duck Debacle"! Here's a snippet of the conversation we had around that time---DS 2: Mom, I've got a question for you. Me: OK DS 2: Uh, what would you say if my friends bought me a duck for my birthday? Me: HUH? Like a LIVE duck? DS 2: Yeah, I've always wanted a duck. And I asked them to get me one for my birthday. And now they're looking for one. And I want to name it "Llama". Me: Ducks are DIRTY. They are not meant to be kept in a house. Call your Uncle Greg and ask him about the ducks HE had as a child. DS 2: OK, I will. {Note: He called but Uncle Greg wasn't home.} Me: Still it's not a good idea. I would NOT be happy.{End conversation...}

Some of you might remember the evidence photo of that memorable experience:

Last year, I shared this photo:

I also shared the threat reminder that DS 4 gave when he found out I was sappy about another one of my guys getting older: "When he heard I was a bit sappy about my DS 2 turning 19, DS 4 said to me today: "Don't worry Mom! I'm not going anywhere. I told you I was planning to go to college online. I'll live at home forever." (Note: I may need serious therapy cause I'm starting to believe it.)

DS 2 said he's having a bit of a hard time turning 20. I did too, believe it or not. It was at that moment in my life that I realized that I was really "growing up"--no more "dumb teenage" decisions. I wish I could really tell him my "dumb decisions" stopped on that pivotal day in my life. They didn't. BUT I knew that it was a time of transition for me. And he knows the same.

By the way, DH seemed a bit left out cause he never knew I had a "hard time" turning 20. I reminded him he didn't KNOW me when I turned 20. He reminded me that he hasn't had trouble turning any age and that we already had a son turn 20 and I hadn't told them about it. I reminded him that THAT son was pretty much like his father.

Now we've come to this moment. Last night DS 2 told me: "For the first 20 years other people are pretty much making decisions for you. Now, I have to make decisions for myself to determine where I'll go and what I'll do for the future or I pretty much won't have one." Exactly!

I am confident, though, that he is on the right path. It was just a few weeks ago that his Twitter made me even more sure of it. He wrote: "Be still and know that I am God!" Thank you God!"

To that, DS 2, I say a hearty "Amen!" Don't you worry about a thing...you'll be fine as you head into your next 20 years. Your Mother on the other hand, is a bit of a sap! But, I'm a sap who loves you dearly through every twist and turn your life has taken and every one that's up ahead of you. Yes, you can "Be still and know that HE is God" whether you're 2, 12, 20 or 200!

Happy Birthday! I love you!

He's 21 Today!

My DS 1 is 21 today!  He's away finishing up his AIT for the Army.  I have to admit that having him in the service makes me view Memorial Day a bit differently.  In many ways, today I celebrate him for two reasons.  First and foremost because he's my son.  And second because he's chosen to serve our country through military service.  

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was in the doctor's office on the 25th of May in KY hearing the news, "It's going to be at least two more weeks."  Two more weeks?  I had already been on "bed rest" for four weeks due to preterm labor!  I was going stir crazy!  Tears came easily as DH and I left that visit.  

We went to lunch at Ruby Tuesday's where I had a mushroom burger.  Leaving lunch, I could barely walk my back suddenly hurt SO bad!  We headed back over to the doctor's office where the nurse told us, "You need to get to the hospital.  You're in labor!"  What???  

Just a few hours later we were able to hold our firstborn son in our arms.  I can remember nothing as sweet as knowing that he was ours.  I remember staring with wonder at the miracle of his birth.  

Now, 21 years later, I am still amazed at just how their life's journey goes.  It twists.  It turns. Some parts aren't so pretty.  But still, we can marvel at just what a miracle life is and how every twist and turn defines the man he is becoming.  

I couldn't be more proud of him or his accomplishments.  Happy birthday, son!  I love you!

Today He is 10

Ten years. In some ways it feels so right and in others, it feels as if it cannot possibly be, but my "baby" is 10 today.

He was the fourth. He was a total surprise. A jolt out of our day-to-day routine that shook me to my core.

Ten years and 9 months ago, my youngest was heading off to school and we looked forward to being out of the whole preK/baby mode. We needed no stroller to walk Disney. We were done with potty training and other "baby stuff". I got rid of everything that remotely said "BABY". There was no crib. No clothes. No toys. Nothing. DH and I had decided that we were done with that phase of our lives. And I was glad.

But God had other plans.

Suddenly, on a day in May, I wasn't feeling great. It felt remotely familiar, but I put "that thought" right out of my head. Still, I knew I was off kilter a bit. I went to the doctor and he told me I was pregnant. "Pregnant?" I thought. "No way!" That day, I remember laying on our couch in total silence. It wasn't my plan. I was done. HOW could this happen? (No smart answers, I know HOW...but I really wanted to know WHY?) DH kept telling me, "It'll be fine! It's a good thing." I didn't believe him.

My pregnancy plodded along. I was uncomfortable and could barely walk when I left work in early December. I remember that Christmas being oh-so-special as I felt like I could understand young Mary better than ever before. And I could not imagine plodding anywhere by Donkey! In that final pregnancy journey I think I experienced every single emotion that Jesus' young Mother must have felt. Shock. Fear. Anguish. Physical pain. Emotional pain. Still, in many ways, I was going through the motions. Always in the back of my mind were the words, "This wasn't MY plan."

Three weeks or so before I had DS 4, the ladies at church threw me a surprise baby shower. It was such a blessing. I also had a shower from my friends at school. Still, I brought the things home and put them in a closet. We did get a crib...although I cannot remember where it came from! Still, the room was pretty much undone two weeks before I delivered.

My friend, Mellissa called me and said, "Have you used your gift cards yet?" I said, "No." She said, "Have you picked up sheets and the basics yet?" I replied, "No." She said, "Susan, you ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY! You HAVE to get ready." She was right. I went to the store the next day and picked out a few things that I knew I would need for a brand new baby.

Those last two weeks were brutal. I could barely walk. I was lonely. I was scared. I couldn't sleep. He kept me up from 11:30 - 3:30AM almost every single night doing acrobatics in the comfort of my womb. I would sit in our recliner and cry. I prayed for him. And for me. I asked God to help me be the Mother he needed me to be. I admitted that I simply didn't know if I could do it again. I was scared to have another delivery. My last two were no picnic at more than 9 lbs each.

Sunday morning, January 17th, I knew we had to go to the hospital. We left before 6:00am. By mid-morning the doctors were very concerned because his oxygen levels were dropping and he appeared in distress. They broke the news to me. C-section. More fear. More panic. More anger. By noon, our fourth son....a gift from God...was born.

The cord was wrapped around his neck AND in a knot. The doctors said he would not have survived a trip through the birth canal as that knot was cutting off the oxygen. I cried. I knew we had a miracle on our hands. And at that moment I felt as if God finally whispered in my ear: "This one is born for a very special purpose. For my work. He's going to do great things."

And the bond was made.

I always knew that I would have boys no matter how many I had. God had shown me that when I had DS 2. I feel so strongly that DH and I were "supposed to" help raise up Godly men that would one day make great husbands and fathers. And I have been so greatful for that call.

After I gave birth to DS 4, I started savoring moments more. I knew this was my "last". There would be no more. Each of my children have taught me so many lessons--and in a way I learned from HIM to take the time to enjoy the others even more. In this past ten years I have learned more about love and life and compassion and joy. He lives life to its fullest. HE enjoys moments and makes memories. He is tender and kind. He loves his brothers and family beyond belief.

And, today, as I reflect on the joy he has brought to our family, and the way in which he arrived, Isaiah 55:8-9 comes to my mind:

My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the
Lord.'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than
your ways,And My thoughts than your thoughts.

And, to that I say, "Thank you, God!"

Happy Happy Birthday, Son! I love you!

One Precious Moment

When I arrived at my Grandmother's birthday party last Saturday, my Dad immediately told me he had something for me. He and my stepmother had come up earlier in the week for my Great Uncle Al's funeral. He was 92.

Dad pulled out a grocery bag and said, "Nancy sent this up for you and said you had to have it. I don't know why. I hope you do." Nancy is Uncle Al's daughter. And before my Dad got the words out of his mouth, I said, "Is it a little black and white dog?" I think he was stunned that I knew what was inside that bag. For him, it had no meaning. In fact, I'm pretty sure everyone in the room was wondering what the heck it was and asking "WHY?" But for me it was a reminder of a sweet time long long ago. I was flooded with emotion and memories!

When I was a little girl, and still living in Ohio, we used to go visit Great Aunt Rachel and Uncle Al. He worked in a Napa Auto Store. One time, when I was probably 3 years old, we visited him at his store. He had this little dog for me to play with during the visit. I am pretty sure he let me take it to their house later that day. I also remember playing with it a few more times at their house. I don't know why, but I thought it was so neat.

Uncle Al remembered. And so did Nancy. In fact, I remember several times when I saw Uncle Al as an adult that he would ask, "Do you remember coming to our house and playing with that little dog from the auto parts store?" And I would assured him that I did. When her Dad died on Sept. 7th, Nancy found the dog and made sure that it was sent to me.

In the picture to the right, Aunt Rachel and Uncle Al are seated with my Grandparents behind them. Aunt Rachel and my Grandpa were siblings. My Grandma is the only one left here on Earth.

These four people enjoyed spending time together and with their extended families. They have passed on their deep love for family to those of us who are blessed to be part of it. They taught us that treasures are often not expensive meaningless things. They taught us that treasures are in the memories that we make with one another. They taught us love. And laughter. And savoring time with one another. They taught us that simple things can make a difference in someone's life. From them, we saw how to create and make long-lasting memories from the simple things.

And in one little grocery bag last Saturday afternoon, I could once again feel that familial love that makes up so many precious memories in my mind today. When I gaze at that little dog on my shelf, I know it will be a constant reminder of the love that binds our family together. And I hope it, along with so many other treasures from my Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles, will serve as a tangible reminder that it is our job to pass along those life lessons to our Children and someday, our Grandchildren.

I don't know why Uncle Al and I shared this precious little toy together. I know it touched me deeply to receive it. And I promise to love it and care for it! :-)

Thank you, Uncle Al! And, thank you, Nancy for such a sweet gift! I will treasure it always!

Happy Birthday Surprises!

It's hard to believe that it was just a week ago that we headed into Ohio for my Grandmother's birthday surprise. I made a great little slide show on Rock You and when I hit publish, it was filled with photos from a Hispanic family not to mention Spanish captions! They were nice photos, but they weren't mine. I can't figure out what the problem is! So I'm going to post all the pics here. {Forgive the text alignment issues. I've republished this post nearly ten times...and I've just had a "let-it-go-and-hit-publish-for-the-last-time" moment!}

I love both of these photos and think I may put them in frames. One is my Grandma and Me. The other is DS 1 and Me.


The picture of me holding the little dog will be a blog post in the very near future. In many ways, I think I got one of the best presents of the day. I was touched beyond words and will share the whole story of this sweet little dog soon.



In this photo, Grandma is directing the "birthday singers" with her flower! I love it that she made sure we added that tag that says, "...and many more!" at the end of the traditional song! May it be so!


Below is a photo of DS 1 with my cousins two young children. They had a great visit with each other. I remember talking with my older cousins as a child and just looking up to them in great adoration. Maybe one day these sweet young things will think the same about this moment.



The other photo is Grandma with her children and their spouses who were able to be there that day.


This photo shows Grandma with several of her Grands and "Greatgrands". She has 13 Grandchildren. There are eight of us in the photo. There are 28 total Great Grandchildren and even a few "Great Greats" now. This photo has 7 "Great Grandchildren" in it.

It was definitely a weekend to remember!

Let's start at the...END???

I'm a chronological blogger for the most part. When I blog, it's usually a "thinking post" or an "informational family post". Pretty much when my posts are bringing bloggers up to date with the happenings in my life, I start at the beginning. Not today. I want to start at the end.

Most of you know that DS 1, my brother Dan, and I went to Ohio to surprise my Grandma for her 88th birthday this weekend. We had a great time. I DO intend to go back and fill in the missing events from the weekend, but I am limited on time to blog right now. So before I go back and fill in with pictures (which is easy to do), I want to tell you the part I don't want to forget.

It's all about coming home.

We flew out on Monday afternoon from Louisville, KY. There was a better deal if we left from there, so we made the four hour drive between the airport and Columbus both at arrival and departure. On the way, I think I mentioned to DS 1, "I hope we can remember where the car is parked at the airport in Tampa." He had the ticket, so we didn't talk too much more about it.

My brother in the meantime, tells us about losing his car in the airport once and walking from floor to floor looking for it. He mentioned that he "knew" he was "higher" than the first floor, so he never went down. [Side note: Keep this detail in mind. It's going to be important in a moment. And suffice it to say, I DIDN'T keep his little story in mind until later.]

DS 1 and I arrived in Tampa at 10:15PM. We had our bags by 10:30 and headed out to the parking garage. DS 1 looked in the pocket of his shorts that he wore on departure day...but he couldn't find that little ticket that told us where our car was located. Both of us were sure we had an idea. And we could at least use the key to "beep the lock".

Down we went to floor 1. We peered out the elevator doors and didn't see the car, but we KNEW we'd parked right in front of the doors and low in the lot. So, DS 1 beeped the horn from the remote key. We could hear it "calling to us"...but it didn't sound like it was on floor one. It was a distant honk.

Up we went to floor two. We could still hear it...but it wasn't in front of the elevators. Now there ARE several elevators. So we walked and beeped until the beeping stopped. Then we'd turn around and walk in another direction until we couldn't hear the beep anymore. We repeated these steps SEVERAL times. In fact, we even found a young couple who were in the "We-search-for-our-car-for-an-hour" club.

DS 1 looked at the assistance phone and it said to "dial 3 for help". Turns out the other club members DID that exact thing and found out that if you know your plate number they can tell you exactly where it is.

Now, picture what I'm picturing. It's almost the middle of the night. We are SCHLEPPING our stuff around several floors of a very large hot parking garage. We find a phone to use for "help"...and all I can think is there has to be a guy sitting in a room somewhere watching the whole thing on security cameras with sadistic glee! I didn't want him to tell me verbally where my car was...I wanted him to get in a cute little golf cart and TAKE me to my car!

DS 1 determined that he knew my tag number. Almost. It is one off from my DH's (who knew?). So we called DS 2 who really wasn't too happy about being asked to go outside at that hour to look at his Dad's car plate number. I am pretty sure he picked up on the fact that his Mother wasn't happy either! In fact, by that time I was quite CRANKY!

He gave us the number and we called the "help line" in that parking garage. I barely got three numbers of my plate out when the parking lot guy tells me that my car is ONE FLOOR BELOW US. And he was quite amused because "another couple just called and their car was almost in the exact same spot"! I won't even go into the fact that I really wanted to know how they KNOW that! It's not like we stop and give our numbers on the way in! Weird!

Perhaps our trouble was because the floor is labeled on the elevator as "Floor BC". What the heck does "BC" mean? We were on FLOOR 1. Sure enough...we went down ONE little story and there she was beeping away when we called (Ok pushed the button) for us to come find her!

Now, on this end, it's a funny story. DS 1 reminded me in the midst of it all that we just needed ONE MORE STORY to make the weekend even MORE memorable than it was. And it was good for a laugh. Whatever!

As always, there are lessons to be learned. Like...

* get the card and put it somewhere SAFE so you don't lose it
* sometimes answers are closer than we think
* usually there's a signal that can guide us in the right direction...we just have to look (or listen)
* looking on the bright side is more fun
* you might arrive at the solution differently than you expect to do so

And, as usual, there's that "kicker" of a lesson...

* you never know when you might be some parking lot attendant's middle of the night entertainment!

Hey, it's all for the cause, you know?

Surprises!

Three years ago, our family surprised my Grandmother for her 85th birthday with a HUGE party in her honor in Ohio. Yesterday she turned 88. Last week we got an email from my Aunt inviting everyone who lives in town to come out for a potluck to celebrate.

I didn't think too much about it because we DO live so far away. I planned to send my wishes via mail. Then I had a conversation with my brother. We talked about just how precious these times are. And we decided to look for last minute deals on the airlines to come be a part of her special day.

It took a little planning, but yesterday DS 1, my brother Dan and I flew to Louisville, KY and drove to my Grandmother's hometown in Ohio. Last night we surprised her at a special dinner at a special dinner at Red Lobster. It was definitely not what she was expecting.

Here she is ready to celebrate with DS 1 looking on. I'm not sure if that adoration is for her or for her fancy pina colada! But I love the picture either way!

And of course the rest of us girls had to take part in the celebration too! This is my Aunt Sandy, my Stepmother, and Me celebrating. The picture of the rest of the guys didn't come out, so I'll have to snap some today at the potluck. The celebrations got off to a great start. I'll share more when I can.

Happy Saturday!

Reflections

We took DS 2 out for Sushi for his birthday. It was all you can eat. Well...they may change that rule after MY family ate there, cause I am fairly certain that the restaurant LOST money on this crew. DS 1 at 45 pieces. DS 2--our birthday boy--at ONE HUNDRED pieces! DS 3 didn't do too bad with 61. And I'm pretty sure DS 4 was also somewhere around the 40 - 50 mark! Don't know about DH's count...

It was GREAT fun!

When he heard I was a bit sappy about my DS 2 turning 19, DS 4 said to me today: "Don't worry Mom! I'm not going anywhere. I told you I was planning to go to college online. I'll live at home forever."

I said, "yeah, but what happens when you want to get married?"

He said (without missing a beat), "I'll do online dating!" Uh. OK...

But will there be "online marrying" by then????

You gotta love 'em...

Wordless Wednesday Wishes

This one.... is NINETEEN today! Happy Birthday, DS 2. I love you and am so proud of the young Man you've become!

He's 14 today...

My DS 3 has a birthday today. He's 14. It's hard for me to believe it. It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital.

Tomorrow he solos in a glider airplane (which you can't do until you're 14). He is passionate about this whole aviation thing. It's neat to see him explore and develop his passion at such a young age. He knows more about airplanes than I could ever relay here. And when he talks about them, he just lights up.

DS 3 is a steady presence in our family. I think he gets more text message updates from his brothers than I do. They often tell HIM where they are and when they'll return! Perhaps it's because he is reliable and "always there".

I'm very proud of the young man he is becoming. I can't wait to see what his future holds, because I know it's awfully bright!

Happy happy birthday son!