On whole month gone already??

It seems the month of March escaped me....blogging at least.  Somehow time flies and I seem to get less done rather than more.  Priorities change though and seeing those I care about is at the top of the list.  Even that becomes hard to do sometimes.  Mike invited us to come up last week and the girls were showing us their new gymnastic skills.  They really are amazing, I think.  Bailey particularly, can do cartwheels, do splits, stand on her head etc with ease.  It was fun to watch her...them. 

Photos with Nana (me :-) the sweetest.

Then once again, it was a special birthday for one of my friends since high school/nursing school...Cindy. here at Judi's house.  (Judi even gave up her bed for us that night!!!)  We spent the night like teenagers, making pizza, eating cupcakes, watching movies and talking. 

Like a slumber party, we still just enjoy catching up and celebrating
 the small stuff.

Last week we thought we were in the process of losing Scoobie.  He had a seizure and slept for two days like he was in a coma.  He's been slipping away bit by bit for the last two years (he's 14).  He can't walk anymore (disc in his back) but we carry him around and he seems to have no pain, loves seeing us with a wagging tail, licking our hand and is thrilled when we take him anywhere.  He rallied so we put off talking about the next big step until the next health event.  He's a sweet part of our life too.  Isn't he still charming too peeking over his bed??

Once again, catching up....

Miss 4 year old Emma

 February is a big birthday month  around here...Emma (and her grandma -last of Jan, grandpa, & aunt are all within a week or so. ) then Whitney's is 8 days sooner.  It's paar~tay time!!

 



The newest celebrator baby cousin Luke.  Happy birthday Aunt Jamie!!

 

Lori made the cakes...too cute!!

Emma getting ready to open gifts...maybe kicking them gives a hint of what's inside?

Cousin Cooper

Hugs all around

the guests

the girls



Whitney's festivities in the evening with his family



What could be better than this for a cake??




Yesterday went to a church conference (550 women!) with a group
 of friends from work.
  It was one of those inspiring days where you laugh, cry,
sing and everything in between.
A great way to begin the weekend!! 

 

Wild, Wonderful Valentine Weekend!

They all still like to get out my (chemo) wigs and play with them.

Ahhhhh,....you probably thought it was a different kind of wild weekend, didn't you??  But if you know me, you know it's probably all about the grands.  We invited them for their first ever combined sleepover at our house.  Getting them together with all the schedules isn't easy, but worth it and FUN!!
Larry and I went to the dollar store and found some prizes and goodies that turned out to be a hit.  The fathers (my sons) said it was all a hurricane disaster the next morning when they helped clean up...ha! 

We blew up our $26 air mattress....the hit of the evening.
 They bounced on it using it like a trampoline,
Bailey showed us her gymnastic skills on it,
 they lined up to watch cartoon movies on it and finally
they slept on it.

We had a tea party complete with animal crackers and "tea". 
(Cooper wasn't into this activity...lol)

We played dress-up, detective and archery.  Then had pizza,popcorn
and s'mores over the fireplace.  They go together don't they??

Sleeping arrangements were pretty easy..
.Me on couch above and kids on mattress, just big enough.
 Cooper decided to go up stairs to sleep with his dad.

Breakfast was red pancakes (not very popular..."where are the REAL ones??)
bacon, and donuts. Nutrition...out the window for this paartay.

But all had a great time and are ready to do it again....Larry and I
cleaned for 2 hours and then took a L.O.N.G nap! 
Getting old?....not me!

Another year.....

This year started with a recovery and what I hope is breaking of bad luck from about the last 10 years or so.  The recovery is mine....a total hip just before Christmas.  I'm progressing well, I think but it's slower than I'd like.  I think age is catching up with me somewhat,  so right now a cane is my constant companion.  I picture it with my grandmother whom I loved with all my heart, but not really ready to be "there" yet, ha! And as for breaking bad luck....wow, there has been so MUCH in the past few years, loss of 5 close family members, my husband's business closing, my cancer etc, etc.    This is what I have found from all of it,...that humor and joy need to be my best friends.  If you can see the bright side in things and let the "stuff" roll off, -it's a much better place to be.  Somehow, this year feels like it may turn around.  I have nothing to back that up....just a feeling.
I haven't been out of the house much yet...one to the doctor, and once to the grocery.  When the call came to babysit for Cooper, we gladly said yes.  It was a sunny hour and a half  ride to their house and I enjoyed the relief from cabin fever!  Seeing them was icing on the cake. 

What a ham!  I think he'll be an entertainer when he grows up.



The many faces of.....thanks Cooper for all the giggles!!!