Sneak Peek

Here is a shot from the back. Is it really me though?

I do not yet have a front shot, so this will have to do for now. More to come, soon!

Just a Teaser

While I was pregnant with Eli, I decided that I would grow out my hair and donate it to Locks of Love. I grew it out until just after Claire was born, and then I cut it off. I went to a friend's house and had her cut it for me. Eli was about three years old, and right after I got it cut he came into the room. I asked him how he liked my hair, and he looked at me and started crying. He told me that he didn't like it.

A few years ago, a friend of mine got cancer. Several of us got together and cut our hair really short to show our support for her. I decided at that time I would grow my hair out and donate it again.

I decided today to go and get it cut. I didn't tell anyone, and as I type this, Brett still has no idea that I got it cut.

Here is the before picture.

Here is what I have to donate.

I have not yet taken any after pictures. Hopefully I will get some soon!

Braces

Caleb went from this...

to this...

Or he went from this...

to this...Oh the years ahead of us.

Food

Education and Educators

Today I was able to finish my conferences with the children's teachers. There were no surprises about any of them. They are all doing very well with their studies and their behavior.

I am thankful there are people who have dedicated their time and energy to teach my children. I met with more than ten teachers who enjoy what they do. I could tell that they really like what they do. It is nice that my children can be taught by them, feel their enthusiasm for the subjects they are teaching, and feel the love that they share. Teachers do not get enough credit. They shape minds, bodies and souls. They help to build our future.

My Children

Today I was able to spend most of the day with these four. They cleaned and they played. There were a few tears, too. Mostly, it was a good day. Spirits were high. They are friends.

I am thankful for my children. They are good children. I got to talk to Caleb's teachers tonight for conferences, and tomorrow I get to talk to the children's other teachers. I am looking forward to it.

I LOVE THESE LITTLE PEOPLE!

Butter

Today I made many things that I put butter in... carrots, cinnamon rolls, marshmallow popcorn, and frosting. I estimate I used about 3 cups of butter today. Fortunately, I did not consume all of it (myself).I am thankful for butter because it makes things delicious.

Boy Scouts

Caleb had a merit badge fair today. He was able to go and complete a merit badge and play some games. He had to decide between the merit badge fair and a swim meet. He chose the merit badge fair, because if he went, he would finish all of his merit badges he needs for a rank advancement. He still has some service hours to complete, and he wants to do that this next week.

I am thankful for the Boy Scout program because it offers direction and values to my sons. It gives them opportunities that I would not be able to offer them (or think to offer them). They have role models to look up to, and my boys are able to learn about setting goals and achieving them.

My Family

It has been a long week with lots of activities. Brett has been in Texas all week, there has been dance, swimming, scouts, piano lessons, cello lessons, visiting new babies in the hospital, watching friends' children, and just living life.

Today I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that they are all mine, and that they love me. I am thankful that I get to participate in their activities and watch them grow and develop. I am thankful that they enjoy being together (most of the time). Mostly though, tonight I am thankful that we are all home together... finally.

Media & Technology

Today I was able to watch a few different shows. I used netflix and also hulu. It is fun to be able to catch old episodes of popular television shows and movies. This is just the beginning.

There are so many ways to stay connected with people and information. It is amazing to think about what is available to us. When I was in college, and I wanted to talk to my parents, I would pick up the telephone and call, using a calling card, and we would talk for a little while. I think I only called about every other week. Then I would end up paying a pretty price for the call. I was also able to write letters, and then I would put them in the mail; and I would wait for a reply.

Now a days, that is not the case. I had someone upset one evening because I did not respond to her email that she sent out that morning. If I want to talk to someone, I can call them right away, it doesn't matter where I am. If I try to call my parents, I think between work, home, and cell phones, there are about seven or eight numbers to call. My family has four numbers based out of our home.

It is mind-boggling to think of the changes that have happened in the last 20 years. I cannot even fathom the changes that will happen in the next 20 years.

I am thankful for media and technology that helps me keep in touch with my family and friends. I am thankful for the simplicity of communication. I am thankful for the ease in getting information. It is a blessing that we need to guard.

Modern Medicine

We have been very blessed lately, and modern medicine has helped. With friends and family, there have been many things that have happened where modern medicine has helped out. From heart surgery to cesarian sections, from flu shots to sore throats, from heart attacks to pneumonia, from eye glasses to exercises, from diabetes to diarrhea, and for just general well being, many people we know have been blessed.

I am thankful for modern medicine. In the past week, many of our friends and family have had encounters with some faction of medicine, and I am thankful for all the advances that have been made for my benefit.

Power Naps

I was a little tired during the day. I was able to get a twenty minute power nap in, and it helped me make it through the evening.

I am thankful for power naps because they give me the boost of energy I need to make it through the day.

Newborn Babies

A friend of ours went in at 5:00 a.m. to have this little one. I made two trips to the hospital today. One to deliver his older sister, and the other just to love on him. He was born a little after 7:00 a.m.

I am thankful for newborns and the miracle of life. The precious little ones are so sweet and they are miracles. (I am especially thankful that I can love on him and not have to get up with him all night long.)

Bedtime

We have two extras tonight, and it is not even 9:00, and all of the children are in bed (almost).

(These are old pictures of the children, but I didn't want to go and disturb them in their beds.)

I am thankful for bedtime because all of my children look so peaceful. They rest their tired bodies and get a recharge for the next day. I also get a moment to breathe and relax (and play with my toys).

I am thankful for bedtime, because no matter what happened during the day, I get to put the day to rest and start again.

I LOVE BEDTIME!

Goodnight!

the Seasons

This was a picture of our first snow - Oct. 28th. It was just a dusting, but it did show itself.

I am thankful for snow, because that means we get winter, and winter means spring, and spring means summer, and summer means fall, and fall means we get to start all over again.

With each of the seasons comes different activities, new excitement, and the marking of another year spent with those I love!

Homework

Caleb needed to make a model of the earth. Part of the project was to be "creative." People made models out of cake, jello, clay, styrofoam, etc. Caleb didn't want to use any of these objects, so we brainstormed. We came up with fruit. We made his model out of fruit. I say "we" because it was a group project. It started out just Caleb and me, but then Brett couldn't stay away, and he scraped the melon out of the honeydew. Overall, it was a fun project, and we got a perfect score.

this pictures was take a week after it was turned in

this is Caleb's math homework

I am thankful for homework. I get to play and do projects. I am also thankful that I can still do homework. Caleb needed some help on his math homework, so I showed him how to do a problem. He turned to the back of the book to check the answer, and I got it right.

Veterans (a tribute)

my great grandparents

Bill and Nina Mackie

my grandfather (papa)

Tokyo 1946

papa

Mac Arthur's Car, Tokyo

papa

Real gun, Real bullits, not for each other------Manila 1945

papa

Convalesnce leave, Hoover Dam 1947

papa

Manila 1945 Not My Hat,Stole it from a Navy Ensign

papa or stinky

Tokyo, Sept.1946.. Tokyo General Hospital before shipped home. arived in San Francisco Oct 1946 (Met Vi there)

Papa's legs were burned and Mamma took care of him. She affectionately called him stinky because he smelled of burn flesh.

my grandmother (mamma)

mamma

After Sur. Tec. School. Georgia 1945

mamma

San Francisco . The Gen Omar M Black was the ship I was on going to Japan in Feb.1946

mamma

San Francisco 1947

papa

Ditto

mamma

Fishermans Wharf, San Francisco, 1947

my grandparents

S.F May 1947

mamma & papa

S. F. 1947

Please note that in these pic's there is usually one perfectly dressed Soldier, and One who was never properly dressed as a soldier.

papa - I love this picture (isn't he handsome?)

Basic Training, Texas, July 1945

mamma

my father

Midshipman 1966-69

my parents

Thank you all for your sacrifices and your service.