How old am I?

Luke: I know why you yell so much.

Me: Because you don't listen?

L: I learned about it at school.

M: What did you learn at school?

L: It was hard times growing up in the Great Depression Era.

If I'm yelling too much...maybe I should get out my cane!

NOTE to self

NOTE TO SELF The next time you pack the kitchen....make sure Leah is asleep!
My little helper has drop on the floor:
* half a box of rice crispies
* an entire box of elbow macaroni
* 1/4 a container of "chocy milk" powder

Our new hot pink dustpan and brush that we bought at IKEA is getting broke in well! It's hot pink.....perfect guarantee that Ed and Luke won't steal it for the garage!

Good byes

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON. Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind
but friendship is clairvoyant. ------ author unknown.

Tonight was my last day at work. I knew this day was coming for 3 years. We have actually had a count down to call day and were so excited about returning home. Now we are conflicted. We have all laid down roots here....much deeper than we ever expected. I have been blessed to find a job that was PERFECT for me, PERFECT for my family and worked with some of best nurses and team members around. I will miss everyone..... and I have met and made friends (of each: for a reason, season and lifetime.) Thank you God for such BLESSINGS!

New Nephew

Another big event came in the birth of Ed's Brother's first baby on Tuesday. A boy....here to be known as Baby H. The family had been calling him Baby Yoda, (before he was born); but I have a disability to remember Star Wars trivia, and I just can't remember that name. I won't post his picture.....just know that he is adorable and his parents are thrilled. We are so happy to be moving only 3 hours from our former home!!!

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart....and lean not on your own understanding

VACATION TIME IS OVER!!!!! I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 2 DAYS BACK AT THE INSURANCE QUESTION! YUCK!!!! Our doctors back home are baffled with the online companies....taking the issues to administration as they list doctors on their plan that are no longer in the state going back 10 years!!!! I could hear in their voices......run away FAST from these companies....even though they were too professional to say so. So COBRA here we come. I will be driving 7 hours for hospitalization if it ever comes to that!!! A tad inconvenient..... :-) Actually KLOVE's verse for the day brings this frustration way down! And the cooperation of my current employers! This too will pass. I will gain employment within the next month and back to hospital employer coverage that is SOOOOOOOO simple! Hopefully, I will have more time tomorrow to upload pics of our vacation. But, off to work now to turn in lots of paperwork and work a evening shift caring for people who face their death while focusing on Eternity versus insurance. What a blessing my job is!

Early Birthday

What makes a girl smile like this?





American girl Dolls, with their own stories. It's quite popular.....hundreds of little girls and their Moms and Dads were finding "just the right one" in Chicago. Leah chose a girl that looks just like her with 'Barbie Hair'. And named it Marissa. She begs to get her out of the box to just brush her hair over and over. It's an early birthday present that we bought while visiting Uncle J and Aunt M. She did enjoy picking out her own doll....but what a nightmare the store was!! Uncle J thinks its like a "new cult" store devoted to life like dolls. I'm don't think it's that CRAZY!! But I do remember riding a "Thomas the Tank Engine craze" not that long ago.......... Now that was a real racket!!! Soon Leah and I will learn to sew pretty outfits.....because we are NOT going down that road!

Vacation highlights

Wow -- what a week!

Luke and I had a blast!! Luke loved riding an airplane. We were unable to sit together....but he made new friends....and shot me looks making it quite clear that he didn't need a Mom reassuring him in front of his new 20-something buddies!

We loved reconnecting with Ann and family.....just picking up from our last visit. Luke and Owen have been friends -- as Luke says "since we have been born!" Ann and I met when she was pregnant and we were waiting for Luke. Both boys have been named for Star Wars (even if I didn't realise it at the time!) The light sabers and wii received a lot of attention. Ann lives in a very beautiful state!!!! It was a joy to drive. We checked out a really neat amusement park and all the extra perks it had to offer! The kids loved the park and played non stop.....having to be separated at bedtime if anyone was going to get any sleep. Ann and I found a million things to talk about and I was able to attend a prayer meeting at her new church!

On Thursday, Luke and I drove to the Ocean!!!!! His reaction was the same as Leah's pure LOVE!! He said a million times "I'll never forget this". We splashed in the ice cold waves and then walked the boardwalks....and won a Pokemon. In the morning, we found a new beach and played in the sand. All was perfect until the flight home when my ear drum ruptured as the plane doors closed. The stewardesses insisted I not complete the trip home and at our mid stop....I received the same news from my Dr. God again provided this city as home to my brother in law and his lovely wife. We were going to visit them on Sunday anyway....so Ed and Leah drove down today and we will leave a day early. My ear is muffled and crackles....but a cotton ball is all that I need for comfort. I will see my Dr on Monday or Tuesday.....but should recover fine (If I stay out of the air for a while!)

Tomorrow, we will tour this fine city and will have lots more to share I'm sure! I also need to tell you about my experiences with my loaned child "Jill the GPS system" and Ed's visit to our new home and church. But off to bed now to recover from "jet lag" and prepare for more fun!