A Treasured Friendship

 

Friendship is one of life's greatest blessings. Girlfriends are just special...they laugh with us, cry with us, celebrate with us and just be with us...good times, bad times and just plain old ordinary times. I am truly blessed to have the best girlfriends in the world! Beth is one of my gifts from God...friends for over 20 years now, she is truly a treasure! She is beautiful inside and out...she can make me laugh with her remarkable sense of humor, she is compassionate, generous, and so much more! She is a reflection of God's love and grace and there is no doubt that God is the center of her life and her strong foundation. Beth has been in the fight of her life for over 10 years...battling cancer and beating the odds time after time. She said once that she needed a miracle...I think Beth truly is a miracle! She is stronger than she knows and has touched people everywhere with her amazing faith and strength! I admire her...I don't know that I've told her that enough. I was so glad to visit with her this month...I loved just being at home with her, Scott, Christian and her Mom, Roberta. I feel like one of the family...what a wonderful feeling! Beth gave me a special gift...the beautiful silver cross I'm wearing in the photo above. It belonged to Beth and she enjoyed wearing it...and I will think of that every time I wear it...every time I put it on, I smile and thank God for giving me such an incredible friend!

Valentines Day

 

February 13, 2009 - "school Valentines Day": Anna was so excited about making her Valentine cards and candy necklaces for her friends at school. Who new that our little love bug would be sick on Valentines Day with pneumonia and an ear infection. I took her to her class on the way to the doctor so she could deliver her cards and pick up her Valentine wishes...she was thrilled! As time was zipping by, there wasn't time for home-made treats, but I did buy some of Austin's favorite iced sugar cookies for his class...pink and white for Valentines and sent to school with him. He wanted to do his Iron Man cards himself and was most interested in the fun dips he taped them too...he loves those fun dips! (Yes, he ate the extra ones!) He was so sweet to help Anna make her candy necklaces for her friends...his reward?? You guessed it I'm sure...eating the left over candy! Anna and Austin are our major candy eaters! Austin's class decorated Valentine bags at school for all their cool cards...he had fun going through them...and yes, eating more candy! So, today is officially Valentines Day and we spent the day snuggling with Anna at home and taking turns going to Connor's soccer tournament to cheer him on...more to come on his tournament tomorrow! Jeffery came home with filet mignon, fresh artichokes and asparagus...all the ingredients for a fabulous dinner! I had already started peeling shrimp, so he cooked those on the grill as well...dinner was fantastic! The kids are most ready for dessert...Dad got the most delicious looking chocolate covered strawberries and Mom got a yummy cookie cake from the Cookie Co. Just a few of our favorite things! So, we are about to settle down with a movie and dessert...a great end to Valentines Day. Hope your day was filled with love and little surprises that let you know you are special...Happy Valentines Day!

Austin's Cast

Austin broke his arm playing indoor soccer. He didn't complain too much about it and went on about his normal activities. We thought it was just bruised. A few days later, when Mom & Dad were out of town, Gan and Gramma had to take him to the doctor for an xray...yep...broken. So, he got his blue cast. He would not let anyone sign it. Once I got home, he was proud to show me his cast. He brought me a sharpie and said "You can sign it, Mom!" Awww...he wanted me to be the first to sign it...I felt very special! February 5th, he got his xray and it had healed nicely...you could see where new bone had grown. He got his cast off and didn't have to have another one...he was very happy about that! It was glad to straighten out his arm again...it felt very strange!

Cheerleading

Anna is on a squad of 8 little girls...all so excited about cheering! They did such an awesome job at the first game! I'm very proud of my little cheerleaders! It's going to be a great season!

Cheerleading

Anna has always wanted to be a cheerleader. Her 3 brothers have tried to no avail to convince her that we are a "soccer family" as they say. She wants no part of soccer...who can blame her...she's been watching soccer games since she was just 3 days old. She's been to more games and practices in her 5 years than most girls go to in a lifetime. :) So, her day has finally arrived...her first game! Cheering for Basketball...we know nothing about basketball, but she doesn't mind...she's going to cheer and it could be cheering for floor sweepers and she'd still be thrilled! I am her coach and she is totally thrilled! I'm doing my best to lead my little squad of 8 girls. They are so adorable and sweet...I just love them! Anna was counting the days till her first game and she was not disappointed...she was in her element. My beautiful little girl growing up too fast...