Memorial Day Highlights and Lowlights...

Monday was Memorial Day! It is a nice day for me to ponder and appreciate the selfless sacrifice of so many men and women who have given their lives for the freedoms I enjoy- perhaps take for granted, but truly love. We live in a blessed nation. Both my Grandfathers served in WWII and so did Dana's. We have tried to tell our children the importance of our service men and women now serving to protect this nation as well as those who helped define it.

Our ward has it's annual picnic on Memorial Day. We have gone each year we have lived here. The park we go to has created a new kid play area, so the kids were even happier this year. The weather was perfect too. It is always great to spend time with friends at this picnic, since we don't always get to hang out in our day to day busy lives. After the picnic, we went home and relaxed for an hour, and then went to Julie and John's for "beer can chicken"- a John specialty that is wonderful. We truly enjoy their friendship and the time we spent with them.

Here are some collages from Monday- I know, I take way too many pictures!

Julie and Body- the biggest love able dog I have ever known.
Dana on the basketball court, playing with the Young Men and the Old Men!
The annual egg toss, that I managed to escape from again, but Bonnie, in the green was a good sport.
I don't know who won, but lots of people played.

It got hot at the park- it was very warm. The day was going so well, until....

someone asked me if I was "expecting"!! Yes, I know....there is no tact for some people. I was wearing this really cute, stylish shirt, that is gathered at the top, and just A-lines out. Adorable, actually, with a white tiny tee underneath. Perhaps it was that I was leaning over, or that I had a bowl of cake (yes a bowl, there were no plates at this point), perhaps it was that I had eaten a little too much...whatever it was, NO EXCUSE for the comment- NONE!!! So mad, was I, that I had to remove myself from her presence. I just don't understand why women, mothers, no less, feel the need to ask that question, when the answer could easily go one way or another. I learned very early on from my own mother that you DO NOT ask unless you are 100% certain, meaning the woman is about to give birth, or you DON'T ask at all! Clearly this woman never learned that- and I am certain won't or even teach her own daughters. Sad.

I am over being mad now...it has taken a day or two. It totally made me self conscious, and that is frustrating. I had even ran 2 miles that morning at a record speed and pace. Way to go and ruin that great feeling. It's okay, I do realize that some people just don't get it- it's okay, I refuse to be offended by ignorance. Wait till she sees me on Sunday...see if she asks me then! Ha!

On a much lighter note- check out my rose and dahlia that just bloomed this week:

Christian Comes to Visit!!

Christian and GeeGee are here today!! We had a really full, fun day with them!! It started around 11am- we headed out, went to a park after looking around at some houses for us, then to the mall, then to Sonic, then home for a cookout, then washing cars, then playing with the hose and the neighbor's dog! Whew! That was a lot!! Such fun times!! My kids are adoring this time here with Christian! We just can't get enough of him...he is going to stay with us for a couple of days!! We are very excited- he is just adorable, and wonderful, and a ball of fun! Thanks, Annie for letting us have this time with him- we love you!
Can't you just see the happiness in their faces?! Only cute cousins can do that!

How Does Your Garden Grow? II

This was the first year I ever planted anything close to a "garden"! I usually acquire a tomato plant or two from my mom- plant it by the fence, water it religiously (for a while, till I forget) and then get one at best...pathetic, I know. This year, since Suzanne showed me a fun way to start with seeds in March, I thought, "what the heck"...so we (the kids and I) got some seeds, a planter and we set to work. It was fun for them!! We planted tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, chives, zinnia's, cosmos and moss roses. The cosmos and roses didn't grow, but the veggies flourished! You can see them in the top left of the collage. I was amazed! My sweet neighbors and friends dug this huge garden, and since our house is on the market, let me plant my plants in theirs. It helps that all I have to do is jump the fence, and I can help water and till- which the kids loved too! So tonight I planted the tomatoes, 16 of them, the cucumbers, 12 of them, lots of carrots and the chives. Now we water and wait.......

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Well, the title of this post does NOT refer to my garden...however...I am growing one- from starter seeds, no less...I know, you are all impressed, huh?! I need to take pics before I plant them in the garden my neighbors dug out- how nice of them to let me have some space, huh? I am going to plant soon, so when I do, I will surely post about that.

But really, this post is for Alex- his 3rd grade musical this year was titled, "How Does Your Garden Grow?" He was a farmer, who had a dancing number and he was so hilarious. He practiced his moves for weeks ahead of time, and his partner was the cutest girl in the 3rd grade too, so that was some motivation I am sure! It was hard to get good pics during, but I tried...

He doesn't look real enthused, but I promise he was!
At the end, Kylie sits on his knee- such a cute pose, but he turned the other way!
The cutest cowboy gardener ever, I think!

Since the levy here didn't pass, our kids will lose music, art and phys ed next year! So sad! We hope we move by the end of summer so our kids won't miss out. And for those who haven't heard that read this blog, Dana accepted a teaching job at Heath High School. It is about a half hour away, so if our house doesn't sell, he can commute, but we really hope it does!! I will miss the Elementary School my kids attend- they have amazing teachers and staff, and my kids have really flourished there. I am so grateful for all that they have done with my kids, because despite being a teacher myself, I would not have done as well with my own had I homeschooled! They love school! Alex will miss his friends there- we are happy he is so eager to make new ones! Leah, too- she likes everyone- and is super easily adjusted- thank goodness!

Race On...

So Saturday was the Race for the Cure here downtown...It was nothing short of wonderful in so many ways...the weather was perfect, the skies clear, the people, and survivors were just fantastic. I got there at 715am to meet my mom, Aunt Trudy and Stephanie. We walked from COSI, to the expo to get free stuff- cute bags my girls love, and then back to the car to drop it off. Then, I walked back to the race start and ran the 5K in nearly the same time I ran last year- so not too bad...33:30. After that, we walked to meet my mom in the 5K walkers, so about a mile more, then back to the finish with them, and then all around...do you see where I am going with this?! I figure I got in nearly 10 miles - seriously, my legs are still tired! But so worth it!! I even got to see Peggy's family, her husband and little boys- and then later in the day went to a park to celebrate in her honor. It couldn't have been better- I loved every minute (except for around mile 2.5- that was hard!!)

Stephanie and I before the race- no sweat YET!
Uncle Gary, me, Matt, Mike and Steph- sweaty messes!

My gorgeous Aunt Lori- a SURVIVOR!!

Team Lori!!

My in Memory of Peggy tag and in Celebration tag with all my survivor heroes.

45000+ people in one place- so crazy- but so motivating!!
This was our start line- not that we run 8 minute miles, but it was nice to think that we could!
Heather Pick's team of pink wigs- she had a ton of supporters- it was so inspiring and unbelievable!
Breast Cancer is such an awful disease! It has affected more women I love than I want to count. I am in awe of them, truly, for their heart and dedication to finding a cure and enduring to the end. I am honored to have ran this race...my heart aches for those who lost their lives to this dreaded disease- my dear friend has been gone for over a year now, and I still think of her every single day- my heart breaks for her loved ones, those who honor her life. I pray for my Aunt, who has fought the disease for nearly 3 years- she is such an inspiration to me, and I love her. If there is a cure out there, we will find it- I am sure of it.

Why I Love May...

Yesterday, I was complaining that I didn't like May when it was raining...this is still true...but, after the rain yesterday, the sun came out in full force, and warmed me right up! We went to the park while Alex had baseball practice, and then after his 3rd grade play (another post coming), we went to get ice cream with my parents. It turned out to be a great day...hence, why May is my favorite month!

Looth Tooth

Check this out:

Can you see how long it is hanging- such a long root!! It took her nearly 3 full weeks to wiggle that out!
Once it was out, she was ecstatic!! This is only a fraction of how wide she can open that mouth!! Ha ha- so much like her momma!!

Congratulations, Leah!! The tooth fairy told her she was looking forward to getting the next top tooth for her collection!

My Loves...

It was our Spring trip to visit my grandparents at the farm this past weekend! It was so wonderful and perfect- the weather was super nice and the kids had a great time as usual. I got to spend some of the best hours with those I love and treasure- couldn't ask for more- except that they could be in better health. My grandpa's body has too much sodium, so his legs are seeping fluid because the skin just can't stretch anymore. My grandma's memory is getting worse, so she isn't much help in remembering that he can't have salt! I am going to get back up there in the next couple of months- these are the times that can't wait!
But here are some pics of while we were there- the kids and the horses in the pasture- and our pic of all of us together.

So, till we see them again, I am counting on a bunch of prayers and hoping all is well with them. Oh how I love them.