Day by Day

This year Keera received an elf on the shelf.  It sits wherever she puts it and then randomly is in a different spot when she goes to find it.  It is a sneaky little critter.  I guess the elf is watching for Christmas. She was so surprised when she found it in a different spot but now she is mad because it won't talk to her.  Oh boy....

Friday afternoon meant big hugs and kisses to all of our children.  How could you not want to rush home and hug and most precious beings in your life, in light of Friday's events?  We have no control over anything really, just the ability to try to deal with life happenings-the good and the bad.  How could anyone life without faith in a world that can be so harsh and cruel.  Faith that good exists, faith that people are good and trustworthy and faith that beyond what we have here is a world full of peace and kindness. 

Keera turned 8.  I said to Katie that 8 seems closer to 10 and 7 closer to 5, so to me, she is really growing up.  Today, one day after her birthday, she got up and made me breakfast and put out cereal for Connor.  She didn't react negatively to things in the way she has in the past.  If I didn't know better, I would think that her knowing she was 8 made her grow up.  Happy Birthday baby girl!

Connor turned 17 today....I remember the day he was born.  He was a big baby...9 lbs and back then, I don't think I weighed a whole lot more than that.  What a great baby he was....he didn't cry and he smiled all of the time.  I am so proud of who he is! Second milestone....Brendan had jury duty today....the worst situation too....they had him there until 4:45 and then said they didn't have time to finish interviews.  The times I have had it, I have been let go by 1 or so.  It's tough to grow up.

Chinese teachers and students were visiting Wallingford school systems and Connor was chosen as an ambassador to guide the students around. I love how the feds make it sound like other countries spend way more time in school, but according to Connor, they told him they go to school the same amount of time during the day as we do (but 8-12 and then 2-5), and they have two months off in the summer.  The teachers from China said they like the way there is more freedom in the classroom for our teachers.  I am really not into this "we are all behind in education" concept.  Maybe if we could get to the point where we dropped grades and taught kids to think and find solutions to problems, we would no longer be behind.  And what is so bad about not being number one in the world?  Most Americans graduate and go on to enjoy their lives.  If anything we should be tackling the poverty problem in our cities so that students could worry more about learning ...

Brendan and his friends (grew up with on 7th Ridge with) take an annual Christmas picture.  This is the rough draft.  The finished product is in a card.  Ian, Julie, Aaron, Pat, Eric, Brendan and Donny must be taking the picture at this point.  Cool to stay friends that long.

Cousins - minus Bren, who had to go back to work.

I came home about a month ago and there was a new little Christmas house in a box with my name on it.  I could not for the life of me figure out who did it, but I want to thank them.  (I added it to my collection that day...houses go up in November and down in January). It motivated me to try to do a random act of kindness every day in December.  I am like 1 for 4 right now, but I will try to make up for it as the month goes on.  It just makes you feel good when someone thinks about you.  I hope a few weeks from now I have made someone's day somewhere, somehow.

This is a Christmas classic.  Anyone who has not seen this movie, should.  Anyone who has seen this movie should watch it again. Every year I watch it.  I cry every year; I laugh every year and it makes me think different things every year, based on where I am at. It is so realistic in our expectations of people, ourselves, love of family, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationships, societal issues (homosexuality, racism, economic levels). It is as down to earth as it gets.  The actors and actresses are incredible. I love this movie!

Here is what I love about swimming...... 1.  The first plunge into the freezing cold water....knowing it is coming....feeling a sensation of waking up after feeling drowzy on a cold evening......coming up from under the water and swimming so hard and fast to get warm that I am exhilarated, physically, feeling as capable as possible. 2.  Doing the back stroke on my laps back.  With my ears submerged in the water, I can hear sounds muffled, so it is almost like I can imagine heaven is like.  There are still sounds, but everything is softer than how we hear it.  It is so peaceful. 3.  Seeing all different ages and types at the pool.  Sometimes there are elderly, like really elderly and they just keep swimming, just keep swimming.....slow and easy wins the race.  Sometimes there are athletic true swimmers, who amaze me with their swiftness and ability.  Sometimes there are disabled people walking the pool, using little boards and kicking do...

September was energy and I am still living by what I set my goals to be....I am doing yoga and continue to swim at the YMCA 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes each time.  It is so wonderful....another entry. October was my relationship with Bob (because it was our anniversary month).  I did really well I think, but fell back to the easy and lazy ways by the end of the month.  It takes a lot of energy to be in a relationship.....no wonder so many marriages fail.  I guess remembering that underneath it all, if you had it to do over again, you would pick the same person, keeps you on the right path. November was family month (turkey day and they are tied for most important as Bob)....didn't do too well with the goal of not nagging as much (that is a tough one), but did good with the being present goal.  Had a day devoted to each child.  Brendan and Connor still have cashed in on theirs.  They decided they wanted me to get a tattoo with them.  They w...

Did you ever notice how little it takes to make people smile or brighten up?  Did you ever just spend the day saying to people, "Have a nice day"?  When I leave the YMCA pool, after swimming a half an hour, I always try to say to the life guard on duty, "have a nice day".  When I leave the cashier, who has to spend the rest of the day standing and scanning items through the register, dealing with happy people and not so happy people, I try to say, "have a nice day".  It is surprising how good it makes me feel and I think it might make a difference in someone else's day too.  So, "Have a nice day".

It is hard to believe a year ago today we found out that Travis had gone to heaven.  I am not sure how Dannie and Eric have moved on.  Time heals most wounds is true, but the scars usually stay.  Travis was such a sweet kid and a good person.  I know he is looking down and smiling at his family.  Peace to Eric and Dannie.

At work the other day, Brendan's area had the Christmas party for the dementia patients.  He told me that he was dancing to the music behind the counter.  The women workers convinced him to go out and dance with the patients and their families.  He ended up leading a conga line for all of the patients.  He said the families told him how much fun it was.  I imagine that it made the day for some of the elderly dementia patients.  I am so proud of who Brendan is.

Sometimes I look at Keera's face and then remember Bren, Connor and Katie at that age or younger-and I think, how can God make such perfect little creatures.  So sweet and little are those cute faces....so full of promise and goodness....God Bless little faces!

Keera saw this at goodwill and had to be it for Halloween....a Horse rider???? Katie wants to be an iphone app..I'll capture that one too.

 Nicki and Keera for pumpkin picking....Katie was looking for her perfect pumpkin at this point. Mexican Puggle???? Nonner (as I call him, bought her a Halloween hat).  

Bob and I joined a couples bowling league on Friday nights.  We kicked butt...he bowled a 253!

Katie donated her hair.  She chose to do it all on her own through school.  They had to sign a contract in the Spring that they would not die, highlight, etc their hair.  Here is the before and after picture. She is my inspiration!

First was the break through in August, then the many hours of building and roofing from August through October.  The last picture is about a week ago and I will add a final picture once I take it.  Wow-what an incredibly talented person....not only is he smart enough to work on computers, but he is as handy as they come....my hubby!!!!

The confirmation Sermon was a great one for young and old.  The bishop spoke to the confirmation candidates about three evils that they will come across the role of the holy spirit for them.  The evils were 1.  wanting worldy goods (nice cars, nice clothes, etc) 2.  wanting status (good paying job, etc) 3.  caring what other people think about you.  He told the kids that they should look inside themselves to determine who they are and not rely on these other things.  The Holy Spirit will help them find their way if they listen to it.  I think it was a great sermon for young people at their age.  It was followed by the sermon at mass the next day by our priest.  He told the story of Adam Greenberg, the baseball rookie who got up to bat a few years back, was hit in the head with a 92 mile a hour pitch, then made a comeback a few weeks ago to have one at bat.  The point of the story was that the man, Adam, said it wasn't about t...

Confirmation - Katie and Nicki- Sponsors - Brendan for Katie and Kelly for Nicki.  Connor and Jeff at Pizza afterward.  Fun times...family...stick together!

I really never had a strong interst in setting out to read the Bible, but I think there is something about the forties that inspires you to do new things.  So, one of my new things is Bible study.  I actually really enjoy it and am looking for other good sections to read.  I think I will turn to the book of Psalms and another suggestion was the gospels. 

Katie will be confirmed on Friday with Brendan as her sponsor.  Friday is also our 21st wedding anniversary.  Who would have thought on that day 21 years ago that 21 years later we would be spending the day with family, at a religious ceremony, involving our daughter and son, moving into a form of adulthood through the church and with our other son and daughter celebrating with us.......so cool-isn't it?

Keera tried out for the school play...Annie...she had to practice the song for a week before hand and she was so excited.  She did not make it.  Only 7 second graders out of 40 made it and 85 tried out (2-5th graders).  She was so sad.  She has gotten over it since then, but it is true...as parents we bleed with them (and maybe even more so).  This is the fourth child I am going through disappointment with and it doesn't get any easier.  They each have had their fair share of disappointing moments.  Katie volleyball, Connor baseball, Brendan break up of first love, to name a few.  While it doesn't get any easier, I would rather feel that pain than not have it.  It is an opportunity to teach someone that there is a plan we don't know about, that things always happen for a reason, that there is strength found in a faith that they will still get up the next morning and they will find something else new and exciting to jum...

Crazy.....third time in a year...we don't call it by it's name anymore......Keera came home last fall with it after being at someone's house, who a few days later discovered they had it at school.  Within two weeks, Keera had it.......this summer Keera went to camp, where they do not check at all or keep a nurse on hand to check (not doing that camp again)...Keera had it.....four weeks ago Keera came home saying they checked her class at school......two weeks ago discovered itching, both me and Keera..... Here is what I want to know.....three children within four years of each other go through 15-19 years and never get it....one child by herself gets it three times in one year....I don't get it......but I know it is nasty.....wash everything under the sun...vaccuum...spray....check, check again....treatment.... this is nuts and clearly a good way to drive someone insane.......

What an incredible book - I happened to pick it up on a whim and it has made an incredible difference in my life.  It describes how a woman set out for a year with a happiness project.  Every month she focused on a different aspect in her life.  I was so inspired by it that I adapted my own.  I thought it out, planned it out and even bought a calendar to write it out so I would chart it and follow it. Now if anyone told me that they had to create a happiness project to be more happy, I would have said "you are nuts"...."Happiness happens, you don't create it".....but after reading this book and making myself be more concrete in a process (I am so random most of the time), I am actually happier for doing it. September was about energy, so I focused on different forms of exercise (biking, walking, jogging, swimming, yoga class and fall softball fell into my lap).  I charted my exercise on my calendar so I ended up exercising 5 out of 7 days a week, 2 of which ...

New Policy in the Reed household...."Family Dinner" every Sunday at 6 p.m.  Everyone (but Keera, who doesn't have a phone) receives a reminder text on Saturday that family dinner will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Every week someone new chooses the meal.  This started six weeks ago with my random choice of Chinese food.  Brendan did not show up....didn't get home on time and Keera left family dinner almost as soon as it started because people were talking over her and she was mad/hurt.  While I get that, I also think she is used to being the only one with me and/or Bob, so she usually has the center stage.  Connor shortly after, so it was decided that Katie would have the next week's choice of meal.  Then Connor, then Keera, then Brendan and somehow Bob ended up last.  It is a bit of a work session for us because not everyone likes the same thing, but for this one day a week, I don't mind cooking two lasagnas - one with meat and one for the vegeta...

Here is how Bob's dormer is coming.....He is amazing....one nail at a time.

In the town I work in school began for students last Monday.  In our town, Connor, Katie and Keera don't go back until this Tuesday.  That right there ought to tell you there is an issue.  Katie and Connor manage to stay out of each other's hair for the most part.  Keera had YMCA camp Monday and Tuesday, so that went well.  When Wednesday rolled around, Keera did not want to go to the last day of camp.  My last words to her were, "Ok, but don't call me at work unless it is an emergency." Well, around 11, I receive a call from Connor.  I answer the phone to, "You will never guess what Keera did."  Two things about that, one....you can tell Connor just can't wait to tell on her.  Although he is 16 and she is 7, they are very much alike, constantly butt heads, and are more than happy to tell on each other.  My first thoughts on what Keera did, racing through my mind were, let the dogs out by mistake, broke something, blood....etc. So whe...

Here we go.....dryer broke...thank goodness for Bob's smart sense-replaced the heating element for 20.00, versus having someone in to do it for 200.  Plus last year, Bob saw an old dryer outside a house for free...we picked it up and it was our saving grace during the fix the dryer episode.  It is in our basement-yeah Bob! Washer-goner....bought a new one, but Bob may be able to fix the old one to put in the dryer as a "just in case". Central air unit in the front area of the house (yes, we have two....why did I move again?) not working...probably at least 20 years old. Guess houses are like us people.....need some fixing up as we get older.....

of my husband's ability beyond his brain.  When I look at the dormer he just added onto the garage I cannot believe he had the mind to do it and, despite being 49, the physical ability to do it all by himself. Every nail, every brace, every piece of wood, whole windows....amazing.  I only wish he had more time to do it so it would get done a little faster....but of course that is me...I need to learn to enjoy the process versus getting to the end.

My word....I went seeking some sort of new group of people to fulfill some sort of longing in myself and I found myself becoming a treasurer.  I decided to look into the women's club at our church.  It started last May when I called to inquire and ended up going to their end of the year dinner.  It was quite fun and it is mostly older women, but I enjoy that to a degree (sometimes more than my own age).  Well, next thing I know I am getting a call to help with the fried dough at the carnival, which again was really fun, actually. Then not only was I planning on attending the club meetings, but am now the treasurer because they really needed someone to help.  In addition to that, the original woman I met is holding a 7 week Bible study of Job "why bad things happen to good people".  I love that theme, so I decided to do that too.  It is amazing how one thing can lead to another, and another....all about taking advantage of opportunities.  Well, I'l...

Hard to believe it, but we are back already.  The old neighborhood had a get together of all the kids, as we did many years ago when they were really young.  Most are off to college and some still in high school, except Keera.  It was fun to have everyone together, but bitter sweet also.  Where has the time gone?  To watch the friendships that had formed...some stayed, some strayed, some strong bonds, some loose....but all connections with people.  I have had mixed emotions of how I was the moving force of moving our family off of that road for a bigger house.  Parts of me are still very happy to have  moved on (sometimes as wonderful as it was, it was a bit clickish and I always seem to be on the outside of clicks-not much for me I guess).  Parts of me are sad that I am not sure what could have been if I had stayed there.  Then we came home to our garage that Bob is preparing to have Brendan live in and I am so glad we have a place for ...

Last night we were at a get together and Brendan was leaving to go somewhere.  He came up behind me and gave me a big hug and said, "love ya mama".  Then later on we went home and Connor (who had left to go home early) gave me a big hug and just held on.....Love my boys' hugs!!!

Happy 49th Birthday Bob!

Watching tv with Keera tonight, I made the mistake of asking a question or two about the show.  She says, "If you want to spend time with me, I suggest you not ask questions about the shows."  I think she may be the youngest girl to enter adolescence - age 7.5

I haven't blogged in a month and now they are overflowing.  Patrick is my cousin and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with him this past weekend.  Here is what I remember of Patrick.  When he was first born and younger, we heard our mother talking all about him.  It was her younger brother Vincent who had his first child-and a baby boy-which Mom nor her sister had, so it was a big deal.  Then we got to meet him.  I remember I was seven at that time and I was so taken with the baby.  (As is Keera now with his baby girl-Finley.  She is all sad because she wants a baby sister-not going to happen Keers).  I remember Gonnie (my grandmother) saying that in seven years, when I was 14 and he was 7, he would be enthralled with me.  Now, I can tell you for a fact that he was not enthralled with me.  At age 14, I would spend my summers at Patrick's house (as I was most appreciative of Aunt J. and Uncle V. for having me and treating me like...

Of course before Brendan left I had to give worlds of advice to him.....just had to......and in my last piece of advice he said, "I know mom."  I said, "Well, I just want to make sure you understand everything while traveling down there."  He said, "Mom, I have been watching you all of these years.  I know what to do."  And....he was being sincere, not asking for money or anything-lol.  Wow-the ultimate compliment from my own child.

So Brendie left on a road trip today with two friends.  They are headed to MB, SC to stay with his aunt Dannie.  Along the way they are stopping in at least three major cities - Philadelphia, Baltimore, Virginia Beach, in order to skate.  Why must youth head out on these journeys?  I am scared of all of the things that could happen to him and yet I know that anything could happen to him here at home too.  I also know he is going to be smart and treat this as a true adventure.  He will meet people and come back with all kinds of stories.....and probably a little bit more mature and savvy too.  I will miss him while he is gone and I will be nervous until he gets down there and gets back!  Love ya Brendie!

Patrick came to visit and of course charmed the heck out of Keera.  I was brushing her hair a few days ago and she said, "I am really glad Patrick is my Godfather."  I asked why and she said, "Cause he is funny and good at things, like taking care of Finley."  And I said, "That is why Daddy and I picked him." 

Katie did more than her good deed today.  She is a volunteer at Masonic (elderly people) and a woman asked her for some help today.  She of course responded with, "sure, what can I do for you?" She fully expected the woman to ask for help finding something or opening something.  Nicki and Sam followed her into the room.  When the woman presented her foot and it's issue, asking Katie to rub lotion on it, Nicki and Sam found the door.  Katie had to rub lotion in this woman's foot.  She had some sort of condition for which she took medicine and had topical ointment-itchy feet.  To hear Katie describe it was more than hilarious.  Katie earned a mark in heaven today.  Thank goodness the woman told her to use gloves!

Connor offered to take Keera to All Pets Club and then he ended up bringing her to Subway.  He wouldn't take the money I offered him for her meal and he offered to pick Katie up from her volunteer work.  Wow.....maturity is awesome....and so is Connor!

Tryng on outfits for an appointment tomorrow.....Keera - "Mommy, you look really pretty in that outfit."   Sweetness of children.....

Or OBX....hot sand, beautiful waves, sand bar, crabs scurrying into holes, horsehoe crabs, hot tub, pool, bicycles, laughing, water pong, logos game, tanning, music, breakfast cooking, Kelly, Jenna, Brendan, Jeff, Connor, Katie, Nicki, Keera, Grandpa, dolphins swimming, long ride, long bridge, grocery store x like 100, ice cream truck, fireworks, relaxing, beautiful.

hot humid days lightning and thunder storms green and yellow grass bicycles blue pools music laughing, talking sawing and hammering bees and mosquitoes buzzing family and vacation dogs walking cats meandering, snakes slithering spiders crawling, ants scurrying bond fires hamburgers, hot dogs grilling sun shining reading cleaning boring and relaxing canoeing sand and waves fireworks hot humid days

Do I start with the fact that Bob is a genius and a skilled builder all in one?  He started adding a dormer to the garage and it is amazing to watch him build.  You would think someone as smart as him would not know the first thing about something as skilled as building, but he is amazing at it.  Of course everyone's nose is out of joint because Katie says, "I have been asking him for one shelf in my closet" and Connor says, "I have been asking for a closet" and Keera says, "I have been waiting my whole life for a door knob."  Now, Katie, I have to agree with, but Connor will have a new room with a closet and Keera will have a new room with a door knob if Bob finishes Brendan's room and he moves out there.  They are too funny. Next - Brendan's hair...big topic of conversation.  He went from looking like Luotenant Dan in Forrest Gump (the long hair, the bandana around his forehead, except Brendan has both legs). To looking like one of the litt...

So if Saturday was couples day, Sunday became family day.  I told Keera we could go play miniature golf and with some pushing and prodding, we ended up getting everyone to go! It was the boys against the girls and of course the boys won, cheat though they tried, fair and square.  The funnies moment had to be when Bob (who has like no temper at all) was mad at one of his shots and took a half pegged anger swing at his golf ball....it went flying way up in the air and landed over by the paddle boats.  He didn't even see where it went because he was just swinging, not meaning to hit the ball.  We all saw it, as did the father behind us, who then gently put his arm around his young son.  Yes, that Bob is a character.  Now we know where the boys get their temper from! hee-hee. Katie got a hole in one (the only one to that day).  She also layed down to watch the windmill on hole eight and Bob gently hit my golf ball at her, which end up on her back....

Keera headed off to a girl scout camporee on Saturday - 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  My feelings were mixed.  When I realized on last Tuesday that she would be gone all day, my first thought was...a little bit of freedom and excitement....then worry that she wouldn't like it and finally worry of whatever would I do with myself without hearing "mom" , a million times that day. As it turns out, she absolutely loved it, so that was good....but even better was what I turned out doing that day. I took the dogs for a walk, which feels like I am taking care of them.  I took myself for a walk, which feels like I am taking care of me.  Then my day with Bob began.  We shot 9 holes of golf together, which we have never done.  I have decided to take up golf and have gone with a few ladies from work, but I needed someone to give me pointers and Bob was the man to do that.  Then we went to lunch together.  We stopped at home and showered, then we went to a...

As much fun as it is watching Keera start her softball journey....batting lefty....fielding balls...wearing little cleats...doing cheers on the bench...... I think it is more enjoyable to watch the handsome guy pitching and coaching the girls.....my Bob!

Not only was the day good but the afternoon was fantastic. Katie had a home softball game, which she has not had in a week. She played center field and made an awesome catch. Then I went down the hill to watch Connor play in a home tennis match which he has not done in a week. He did great. His hits have improved so much. The whole time Keera kept herself busy riding her bike and playing wih other kids. Then I dropped Keera at the YMCA for kids night out, which she loves. I went across the street to watch Brendan and bob play softball together. Wow are they good. Bob is still trying to be young by running on a ball that should have kept him at second.  When he reached third base the third baseman was waiting for him with the ball so he decided he should go back to second. Most 48 year olds would not have been safe, but he was. And Brendan just hits the ball so hard and runs so fast. Nice to be 18 again, physically. It was a perfect day. What more could I ask ...

Connor has inherited my Honda Odyssey "mom van" and I have bought a new (used) two door (sunroof) stick shift (so cool) car.

Katie is doing well playing softball on JV Sheehan team.  She is the one on first base, getting ready to run to second.  I should get up closer for a picture, but I don't want to embarrass her.  I can't even get a picture of of Connor playing tennis because I think me just being at the match embarrasses him (lol).

This is Keera playing softball.  Bob is helping to coach again, after 14 years of coaching basketball, baseball, soccer and softball.  Bob wants Keera to bat lefty, so when she started t-ball two years ago he had her bat lefty (even though she is righty).  She didn't play last year, but this year he is determined to have her bat lefty.  She got up to bat and Bob was pitching.  She started righty (first photo)...he told her to try lefty, she switched (second photo) then she switched back to righty (third photo).  She won.  But she did bat lefty the second and third time up and got some decent hits.

Keera had to have these knee high sneakers and fell asleep wearing them.

I was able to get in a book this vacation - Home Front, by Kristin Hannah.  It was really good.  The love/relationship story was good, but the great part about the book was the storyline of a wife/mother, in the reserves who is sent to Iraq.  At the same time her husband is a lawyer defending a case in which a husband killed his wife, after coming back from the Iraq war.  It was an incredible insight into how much the Iraq war has affected people in the military and yet, unlike other wars, we are not as aware of it- yet.  I think we are still trying to show honor to the veterans from the Vietnam ware-honor that they never received forty years ago.  At the same time, we have people coming back from Iraq that we are not even aware of.  I think because there was no draft, unless you had a son or daughter who chose to be in the military, you (we) lack an awareness of the trauma these men and women went through.  Another good thing that came out of r...

This is how we spent Easter....eating out and then putting up the trampoline that the Easter Bunny brought.  I have denied trampolines for at least ten years because of the danger, but when I think about the amount of stitches my kids have had from sports, the trampoline doesn't seem that dangerous.  So far....so good and they have had so much fun.

So many things to be thankful for..... Vacation Watching Katie play JV softball for Sheehan-a beautiful hit to left field. Watching Connor play tennis for Sheehan-hitting returns that no first year tennis player should be able to. Watching Bob and Brendan play softball together-Bob as skilled as ever (maybe a little slower) and Brendan, the young powerhouse, homerun hitter. Picking Keera up from the YMCA, where she had a good day swimming and playing and then having her all to me tomorrow-mini golf, lyman orchards, etc. Princess and Grady....always happy to see us and so cute and cuddly. Connor preparing to take his driving test on Wednesday (where do the years go??) How am I so fortunate to be able to enjoy so much?  Some people don't even have an ounce of what I have gallons of.  My husband, my kids, my animals, my house are my life.....how fulfilling. This has to be the most content feeling there is.  Thank you God for all.

So, I want to remember this years from now and have it for my children and grandchildren......I sat with my father recently and by accident ended up in a discussion of his family.....wow I wish he would write a book on his life.  My Dad is the most knowledgeable, kind and loving person.  He has his faults, and he is the one who will tell you all about them, but as with all of us, the things that he doesn't like about himself come from difficult times when he had to rely on survival skills.  What I remember of my Dad....playing basketball, tennis and softball with us on his off working times (which was tough when he worked 3 jobs at once).  Helping him with his wood projects or sorting out canceled checks that needed to be put away.  Helping him at his job at the Herald, putting inserts in papers.  Being proud of all the writing he has done in his life.  Collecting all of his humorous columns as a Christmas present for him and learning how well...

Funny that this should come right after the faith post, but it has been on my mind lately.  I am definitely guilty of judging others.  How hard it is not to.  But recently something happened that I am finding it hard to come to peace with.  It is a judgement by others of someone they hardly even know.  The judgement is based on things that happened years ago and spite has become the method of dealing with that.  It is a situation which involves multi generations and leads to actions that are just petty.  Why do we hurt others?  If we truly look at our actions, how do we call ourselves christians?  Why do we think we are the ones capable of deciding whether human actions are correct?  There are always two sides to a story (as I have learned very well in my career and as a parent) and we can't possibly always know both sides, so how is it fair for us to make judgements on people?  I am guilty of judging right now because I don'...

I have found myself gravitating toward religion and the church more and more in the last six months.  I feel like I did when I was 15-23.....in need and in love with that spiritual connection which grounds me more.  It is a good feeling.  I think the path that led me to it again was the strong need with all of the things happening in my life.  My life is always filled with good things, but the tough times were outweighing my blessings, in my mind, and I needed something more to get me through.  When I really looked, I realized that "the footprints in the sand", were Jesus', not mine and he was carrying me.  When he put me down, we began to walk together and it is has been such a wonderful blessing to me.  I have found myself more open to listening to everything and everyone.  I am more in connection with the good and the positive.  I love going to church every week, despite some of the things I do not agree with that the institution of the ch...

Keera asked for Orbies for Christmas.  They are little plastic pieces that you put in water and they blow up to a huge size when they sit in water for awhile.  In these pictures, Keera is putting her hands in 900 orbies.  Connor is then trying to put Keera in her orbies.

 TV area-built in  Couch area-built in  Bob working  Whole room from one end to other-half finished Bob is slowly finishing above the garage for Brendan to live in.  He has half of it dry walled and has half to go.  Now that the weather is warming up, he will go out and work on it more.  He is almost ready for a plumber to put in the shower.  Here are pictures

Keera wanted her ears pierced, so here they are.   Keera's Principal decided to do a dance with her class, so they all learned "boogy woogy wonderland dance" from the Wii.  They bought tye-dye shirts for the class and they did the dance for the school and parents.  Bob and Keera's second father daughter dance in February.  One girl scout one and one for school. Keera playing basketball.