My Baby's Birthday...

Our baby girl is celebrating her 9th birthday today. My husband took the day off from work and the kids and I have a holiday from school.

Today Abbey chose Krispy Kreme for breakfast; that was our surprise. She wouldn't tell us where she wanted to go until it was time for us to go there. Krispy Kreme is good!

After that we took off to the mall and our nearest 'Build-a-Bear Workshop.' Chloe is the newest addition to Abbey's family of bears.

Our birthday girl decided on Jason's Deli for lunch. Apparently a family favorite for many years. I know this because it's where we had Abbey's first birthday party! Spaghetti at home will round out the day. We had our family birthday dinner with everyone at Cici's Pizza last night. The whole 'friends' thing will be this weekend coming up.

With 5 kids, it seemed no matter how old our older kids got we always had 'our baby.' Well, I just don't know where the time has gone. Our 'baby' is, by modern terms, now a 'tween.' All I know is there are more and more departments at Toys 'R Us that contain items that are 'too young' for her. We're on a see-saw with Barbie Dolls at one end and CD's by artists such as Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Emily Osmet, and Demi Lavato at the other.

We're looking forward to a giggly all-girl sleepover this weekend. We know these years go by way too fast so we just have to hold on and enjoy the ride while it lasts. We'll have time to catch our breath later.

Happy Birthday, Abigail! We love you so much!

Welcome 2010

Happy New Year!

"Time has no divisions to mark its passage, there is never a thunder-storm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols."
--Thomas Mann

In Memoriam...

Virginia Whitaker

February 27, 1924 - December 25, 2009

December...Part 2

My December...
So many joys, celebrations, events. But painful losses and hurt, too. I know we are shaped, defined even, by our struggles. Through them we can truly appreciate our countless blessings.

December 2 - Beth R's birthday. Beth was my best friend growing up; primarily during my elementary school years. I'd love to reconnect with her. It's been years!

December 3 - My husband's brother Roger and his wife Vivienne's 26th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary!

December 6 - My precious niece was born on this day in 1973. One of the happiest days of my (then) young life! Happy Birthday, Tamara!

December 6 - The day my father-in-law passed away, 8-years ago. He's still dearly missed.

December 10 - My wedding anniversary! Definitely one of my most favorite days of the year!

December 10 - Alan W's birthday. A wonderful, dear man I'm blessed to have as a family member.

December 15 - My youngest nephew was born on this date in 1997. My youngest son arrived 3 months later and the two are great friends in addition to being cousins. Happy Birthday, Andrew!

December 19 - My husband, Kenneth's, birthday. Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! I Love You!

December 20 - Another niece, Michelle W., was born on this day 26 years ago. Happy Birthday, Michelle! I'd love to have one of your special hugs - it's been much too long.

December 24 - The eve we celebrate Christmas with extended family. Always a wonderful time with those we love.

December 25 - Christmas Day. A time of joy and reflection on the birth of our savior, Jesus. Also a warm and wonderful time with immediate family in the morning and throughout the day.

December 25, 2009 - My father's wife, Virginia Whitaker, passed away this evening after a brief illness diagnosed in November. I'm so sorry for the loss and pain my father is going through at this time.

December 28 - My dear friend, Dawn F's birthday. We met as teens and aside from the physical distance between us the ties remain strong. Sure wish we could celebrate this day together over lunch and catch-up time! Miss you, Dawn!

December 28 - Happy? Anniversary, Jeff. We certainly made some memories. Hope you kept the happier ones like I have.

December 31 - New Year's Eve - A time to usher out the old and ring in the new. The way I like to celebrate this has changed over the years but the promise of a 'new beginning' retains an irresistable sparkle...

Happy New Year...

December...Part 1

In my experience December is certainly the most dramatic month of the year. The weight of expectation hangs on it like a heavy snow on eaves and rooftops.

It is, after all, Christmas! Highs, lows, hot and cold. Stark contrasts from the 1st to the31st. We may spend months preparing for it...and months recovering from it. An emotional see-saw even to those even-keeled folks, the sans-drama-ites; mania disrupting the calm.

I was dreading this holiday season. Just wanted it to be over. My husband could have joined me in my pity-party but he refused. We had a beautiful Christmas. He made sure of it. Through it all he kept a thankful, upbeat, joy-of-the-season attitude. I took the easy way out - it's easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed. Easy to go with the sadness. He was the 'rock.' He took the cliche' lemons and made wonderful lemonade. In retrospect I wish I had done the same for him. Been his rock. But I wasn't.

But...

Alas, just ahead is the 'New Year!' I can start again. Refocus. Get back on track. Face, and hopefully accept the challenges along the way.

Life, and more importanly, God, offers us many chances to get back on track. Even make complete u-turns if necessary. We may fail today but that doesn't doom us to failure in the days to come. Failure, like attitude, is often something we choose. We have little input in what we're given. We do, however, determine what we make of it.

December...

Special Day!

Birthday Wishes Today To My Husband, Kenneth.

You're The Best...

The Challenge

There is within each of us a dream, an idea, a cause; a certain 'something' that we can be or are passionate about.

Have you found yours?

Apathy and mediocrity are passion killers.

Explore, ignite, and pursue that which brings out the passion in you.

Merry Christmas...