Family Ties

So, in case there is any question to the family connection, take a look at this picture. Tadd and Jennifer have grown up together (well, nearly together) since they were born, and they've been in countless photos together, but not until this very shot have I ever noticed the uncanny resemblance between the two. Weird.

So, on with today's update. Well, we went shopping today. Wow, was that a treat! Every store is busy, the streets are crazy, and it was cold. Otherwise it was a perfect day! I got to spend the day thinking of my family, and wondering what would make them happy! Who could ask for more. On a sad note, my car is acting 'sickly' so it's got an appointment at the car doc right after the holiday. Bummer. That'll cut into the after Christmas sale shopping funds. :(

That'll do it for today, hope all is well with you, talk to you more tomorrow.

Boy did we have fun.......!

So, here I sit, watching the Broncos struggle against the Bills, and hopefully I'll enjoy a good outcome, but I thought I'd take a minute to let you know how much fun we had yesterday making cookies! I invited the neighbor kids, and of course Dane was here, and I asked if Morgan could join us. which of course he did. It was messy, chaotic, noisy, and several kids ate so many cookies that they got sick - boy did we have fun! I'm sending pictures so you can get the basic idea. During halftime (I had to let the cookie dough chill so I could cut more out) they played out in the snow. I'll write more later, but I wanted you all to know how much fun we had, and how much I love being a mom, grandma, and domestic goddess!




The first picture is all the kids standing around decorating, the next is the kids with the finished products (16 dozen), and the third is Morgan coming in from the cold.

Update from the mountain

Well, another week has come and gone. Sometimes I sit and reflect on things, and this week is no different. Crystal makes me think back to the amazing days of babies sleeping on my chest, the smell of their skin and the comforting sound of their breathing in my ears. It still makes my heart skip a beat. From there its on to toddlers, then kids in the yard, school, teenage angst, wow wasn't that fun. I can't imagine missing a single heart beat of it, but I have to admit that I prayed for the strength to endure on a regular basis during that period (Crystal and Tadd will understand that one - and it wasn't about them).

When my mom died, several years ago, I was raising teenagers. My sister was too. We have one more sister who has chosen to remain childless through her life. I don't get that. She made the comment (at the funeral) that she had successfully avoided those issues that Deb and I were living through, and she thought it was a good choice. I remember - like it was yesterday - Deb and I just looked at each other, smiled, and said nothing. Clearly she wouldn't have understood. It's even hard for me to explain. I'll try though.... someday.

Anyway, I've rambled away from my original comment of reflecting which is sad, because I reflected on how amazing life is now. Though certainly not without issues, we've got a great life. I guess maybe its the Viking blood in me, but I always want to see what's around the next corner, or the next week, or just tomorrow. What new and exciting adventures will there be? It's important to always want more, try to go further, learn more, do more, be more. Never allow yourself to become complacent.

Then when you're done thinking of cool new things to do, see, and be. Get out your old copy of Joni Mitchell's 'Circle Game' and after you've listened to it, stick your foot out and try to slow the carousel down.

SIDE NOTE-----

For those of you who didn't know this, or who haven't read my posts. Dane got certified this past month, and had his open water dives in Mexico. One of the divers on our boat brought an underwater camera and just sent me a stack of pics of Dane's dive. How sweet!

So this is Dane at the bottom of the ocean! OK, so its only 40 feet deep, it's still the bottom, and its still the ocean!

OTHER SIDE NOTE -----

I am still giving Ginger and Mucho (and George and I) the new drugs. The dogs seems to be feeling better but I haven't seen a huge improvement in the tumors. I wasn't supposed to see any marked improvement for at least 20 days, and its only been 14, but I must admit a bit of disappointment. I'll keep you posted.

For those of you who don't know her, this is Ginger.

Continuing experiment!

So... Ginger and Mucho haven't had their pills for the past two mornings. I wonder how much I am screwing up my experiment? I had class for those days and left very early. They got their pills in the evening, so it wasn't a total loss, but we'll see.

Tomorrow is the big day. It's been a whole week tomorrow, so I measure Ginger's lumps. I'll let you know the results (of course!).