Emma Visits !

Actually Kim, Russell, Samantha, Davis and Emma visited. Jim had to stay behind for school, and we did miss him, but were lucky enough to have Kim and the children come from Washington for a spring break visit. I'm so sad they weren't able to stay longer but we sure packed a whole lot of fun into a very short week. We started by visiting the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Emma and I stayed down on the ground while Kim and the boys climbed all the way to the top. It was a beautiful day !

This is a picture of us after eating at one of our favorite restaurants, Cracker Barrel.

We headed over to Orlando for the weekend and spent a day at Disney World and then Sea World. We had so much fun making memories and I can't wait to see them again.

I love my friends !

It's been a long time, but we were finally able to get together Saturday night for a much needed Girls Night Out. This is something we had done on a fairly regular basis for sometime but things change and life gets busy. We met at Stonewood for dinner. Had a great meal, laughed, chatted, and played a cute game where we exchanged small gifts of each others "Favorites". There was a pretty big group this time so I took pics in groups of two.Jill and Janet (Sisters)Alyssa and Arian (Sisters)Rhonda, Baby Bryce and MonicaBrooke and AlyssaLoRaine and JulynneAnnetta and DebraAndrea and StaceyLaila and ShellieThe whole gang

Oh....and we did have the most amazing server ever ;)

Another "Blue-Eyed Angel"

Hugh Laurie was born in Oxford, England, and educated at Eton and Cambridge University, where he took a degree in Anthropology. He rowed in the University Boat Race of 1980 and was also elected president of the venerable Footlights Revue. Along with Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson, Laurie produced "The Cellar Tapes," which won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival of 1981 and propelled the three into a number of groundbreaking British television shows, including four seasons of "A Bit of Fry and Laurie," which Laurie co-wrote for the BBC with Stephen Fry; three seasons of "Blackadder," written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton; and three seasons of "Saturday Live." In addition, four seasons of "Jeeves and Wooster," based on the novels of P.G. Wodehouse, aired on PBS's "Masterpiece Theatre" from 1990-1995.

Laurie's performance as "Dr. Gregory House" has garnered him two Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. He has twice been honored by the Television Critics Association with TCA Awards for Individual Achievement in Drama.

This my boyfriend, Dr. House. Darin lets me have some boyfriends, and he says this one is acceptable. But Seriously..............Can I say that I LOVE HIM ?????

Landon

This little blue eyed angel is Landon. Landon is the son of one of Randy's friends and we've been having such a ball with him. Having a little one around has brought a lot of sunshine to our lives. He is the sweetest little guy and melts my heart with his constant smiles and giggles. Sometimes all you need is a little one's dependence and unconditional love to remind you what life is really all about. Thanks Landon, We sure do love you :)

Thank goodness that's over !

I've been out of it for a while. After my trip to Washington I came home, celebrated the holidays, packed up and moved!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Very quiet. It was just different. Very different. We are used to a huge Thanksgiving celebration with family and close friends. Usually 50-60 of us gather together, eat, play games, just spend time together, eat and maybe eat again. This year Mom had surgery and since no one else wanted to take over the task of hosting we decided to do nothing. At the last minute Darin and I decided to fix a Thanksgiving dinner and go it alone. We were intending to take Mom and Dad a plate but they decided to drive to our house and eat. Tabitha was in Texas visiting Collin and Randy ate with Ashley's family so it was just us. Very quiet, and very different. I'm probably more thankful for my family this year, and certainly realize how blessed I am.

Our Christmas was very different this year also. Darin came down with a fever and stomach flu right before Christmas so we spent a very quiet and different Christmas Eve at home.
Christmas morning we had our traditional biscuits and gravy breakfast and opened presents with the kids. Collin was in town for the holidays so we were lucky enough to have them on Christmas morning and then back again Christmas night for Turkey dinner. Darin and I did a Thanksgiving dinner for Tabitha,Collin and Randy since we all couldn't be together in November. We played a game, watched movies and just relaxed. It was a great Christmas, but I am looking forward to traditions returning next year.

Then it was packing, tossing, packing, tossing and packing some more. On January 1 we moved. I thought I was a pretty good house keeper. I thought I was pretty good at not being a pack rat. And I also thought moving wasn't that big of a deal if you were neat and organized. HA! Boy was I wrong! We were amazed at the junk we accumulated in 17 years. I was mortified at how filthy my house actually was. And moving is a very big deal no matter what, and should only be done by the young. We will be renting for a while and on one hand I never want to move again while on another I think it may be necessary to remove everything from the house once a year. That way you know what's under it, behind it, and if it needs to be tossed. We are all moved to the new place now.......just how long it takes to get moved in is another question.

"No Fuss Russ"

Meet Russell! I'm pretty sure I've blogged about my visits with him before but I wanted to do it again. This boy is simply amazing! The reason I called him no fuss Russ is exactly that. No fuss. Now I've been around my share of 16 year olds before. Heck I even was one a long time ago and I will assure you he is amazing. Maybe he was on his best behavior because the parentals weren't around (or maybe they threatened him), but he never once gave me a reason for concern. Never had to be asked to help. Did his homework and took care of all his responsibilities without anyone on his back. This to me is amazing. Not only is Russell no fuss. He's a great help with Emma, super funny, super smart and well.....pretty much amazing. I'm thankful for the time I had to spend with him and look forward to our next visit. I love you Russell. Keep smiling!

"Boosha Rump"

Meet Davis! Alright he's much to old to be called my little "Boosha Rump" but that is a name he acquired when he was my sweet little side kick. Let me tell you..... this guy is pretty much perfect. I can't believe what a smart, sweet, and sensitive young man he's turning out to be. All of my favorite things about him still ring true, and our relationship was as if he'd never moved away. Davis was a pleasure to spend time with and I looked forward to our mornings together, and also looked forward to picking him up from wrestling practice every afternoon. He was so protective of me and spent much time worrying himself about me and my well being. There's a new member in their family, a kitten named Luna ("Lunatic" as I lovingly referred to her) and Davis showed so much responsibility in loving and caring for her. It made me so proud. It was very hard to say goodbye to him and look forward to seeing him again soon. I love you Davis, my little "Boosha Rump".