Happy Belated Birthday, Momma!

As far as moms go, I've got the best!

Joan Elizabeth Taylor, January 10, 1947.

I won't brag on her, because that would embarrass her but my siblings and I are so blessed to have her as our mom. Not only is she willing to drop everything to come help at a moment's notice, but she loves to hang out with the kids, fold our laundry, wash our dishes, have the patience with the kids that I just don't have. If I've needed help with money, she NEVER hesitates to find a way to help me...(maybe that's a not so good thing...(:(:big smile:):)).

Mom, you've been a picture of courage, faith, patience, unconditional love and joyfulness my whole life and for that, I am eternally grateful. If I could have half as many of your amazing qualities, I might not scar my kids and send them into therapy...and I could be the Mom that God wants me to be.

I love you so much. I am so thankful that you are my momma! Happy Belated Birthday! (we still need to have a party...)

Girls Night Out, so to speak

this is what I think of your picture-taking hints, Beck...:) luv ya!

Mom, Beck, Mel, Pipes, Nora, Molly and I took a trip down to Edinburgh last night...in the hunt for Easter dresses! We had some great success, had a fun time, and ended our night at Cracker Barrel...Thanks, Grandma (and Gpa...in spirit...since he was working away at GM)...All the girls will look so cute on Easter...Mel even got some "young lady" dresses...my little girl is growing up right before my eyes.

This is Molly's idea of "doing the treadmill"...she's such a monkey...

Today is one of "those" days. A heavy day. but in a good way...that's all I can say. wish I could say more. I will rest in the fact that I am a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. God is in control, still on His throne, working in the lives of those that call on His name every moment of every day.

Chew on that for a bit.

Be back later...tonight is the big Yellow belt test...E. and Mel are slightly nervous, though their Shihan told them to rest assured.

Happy Tuesday, last day of March, almost April to you!

Like fine wine...she just gets better with age...

these little collages are from some of the scrapbooks I've done for my parents.

this collage has the pic of us (upper right hand corner) on one of our first trips to the circle downtown...me in the polka dot jumper (nice, yes?)...we had just ventured UP THE STAIRS at the Soldier and Sailors Monument...on a hot summer day. No space...claustrophobia...ahhhh...hence the expressions on my face and my sisters are quite hilarious (to us anyways...)..maybe you can zoom in on it, Dad...

Happy Birthday to YOU, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Joanie, happy birthday to YOU!

I know I've posted this before but this so reminds me of Miss Molly Moo!

and I can totally see Ethan in this face...

I can totally see Tom in you here...

and yes, I've posted this very picture recently but I LOVE IT! it's such a good pic of two of my best girls!

~Mom, here's to you, on your 62nd birthday! Doesn't seem possible, that you are eligible for senior citizen discounts now but hey! Live it up! Laugh it up!

~My siblings and I have been so blessed beyond words to have a mom like you! Thank you for always being so patient, loving, helpful, giving, kind, considerate, and I could go on and on! but I'm tired from our visit at Starbucks this evening...:) We would have come to get a head start on your birthday celebration, even if you WEREN'T paying..but thanks for doing so! So giving, even on YOUR day! that was so fun, Mom! and 3 of your 4 biological children were there...

You are the best. I thank God for you! every day. Happy Birthday, Momma! I love you!

this one's for you, Momma! and then some...

See below...to see what I mean about my momma...get past all this gobbledegook...

Hey, hey, everybody...hope this post finds you enjoying a glamorous, amorous Thursday. I know, that's a stretch but it was fun to say....

Not much happening here today...but here's a recap of the morning thus far:

1. ~ Folded some laundry, but not all. whites are waiting...woohoo!

2. ~ Ran someone to the bathroom before they pooed their pants AGAIN!

3. ~ Went thru all of the toys upstairs...and some of Levi's clothing...time for a
Goodwill trip, that boy is growing fast...and getting some winter chub on...

4. ~ Told the kids that we could put the little Christmas tree up on the lower level...

5. ~ It's way too early for that but they enjoy it, right? Velvet has me all
psyched to get into the "holiday spirit", even if it kills me. Which it just may!

6. ~ Listening to Mel tickle the ivories...Levi is screaming at Will, who is outside...

7. ~ Alison Kraus is singing "Baby Mine" on my playlist...love that. had a dream I was
pregnant last night....OMGoodness...yikes.

8. ~ No spelling tests today...yah! But History and Science are calling our names...
rather loudly, I may say.

9. ~ Is it just me or is it dreary out there again, for the third day? This calls for some action...
turn up that Christmas music and get mistletoey...

10. ~ Hug your kids...I need to remember to do this...and not just after they
have received discipline...
My kids thrive on affection, hugs, positive affirmation...so let me encourage you to hug 'em.
(your own, of course, but u are welcome to hug mine too...)
Let them be kids...do the things that kids need to do......within those loving, parental
boundaries....

Ok, that is all I have on the list...but in other news, because I know you are waiting with bated breath....yesterday was weird. rainy, solemn...but I got a good workout in with my sister at the YMCA. It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A...I'm hoping to join there for this next few months of intense working out etc. Nothing helps like some sisterly encouragement. She is such a fun one...even with a hurt neck and foot. I love you girl...I don't know how I would make it through a day without you...you. complete me. that sounds weird. but it's true. I could do with out all the workout garb on whilst in the sauna...it was sooooo warm in there, tight, dark and small...Next time, I will show up prepared...I bet that sauna is niiiiiiiiice in the dead of winter.

I think I'm taking my new Pumas back...can't find brown work-out clothes to go with them...blllpfff! how aggravatin'. :P

...Hope you are achieving a lot in your day...and just remember,

God is in Control. I'm so glad about that! not Obama, not the NYSE, or the Dow, or Alan Greenspan, or that guy in North Korea, or Big Brother....rest in that...God is still on the throne!

Blessings!


found this adorably cute pic of my loving, beautiful mother while cleaning out the storage room today...doesn't Miss Molly resemble her? and you know who else I see in you, Mom? Charlie....say it isn't so...whaddya think?

sweet little round chubba face...so kissable.

one more baby pic of Willi Nilly

Mom, here is that picture that you were talking about yesterday...at the McDonald's on the circle downtown when Will was 2 weeks old.

Ok, just wanted to share that with ya. those were some sweet specs u were wearing! shhhhwweeet.