Counting my Blessings

Yep, it's been a bit.   I have had a lot to process in the last week.  On Saturday February 28, I was blessed to be surprised by my husband, friends and family with a celebration of 40 years.  Yep....40!


I have spent the last week thinking about it.

A week!

Number one for hubby to be able to pull this off without telling me about it is amazing!  It also humbled me to no end for everyone to turn out to celebrate with me.  I had an amazing time as evidenced by the pic that Sam Ritter snapped of Brian and me!

Thanks to everyone that joined us for a great evening and for all those that wished me a Happy Birthday!  The next 40 are sure to be one hell of a ride!

Birthdays!

It is the end of February....it is cold, windy and almost miserable at times.  I am ready for spring (and baseball season)!


That being said this last week of February brings about some celebrations at our house.  What a way to end this month of cold, snow and ice!

Today is #40 for me.  This brings some crazy emotions for me.  Most of all is disbelief!  How the hell did I just turn 40?????   In reality, I don't feel much different than I did yesterday, after all it is just a number!  Today will be a great day.  I will make sure of it!   It will involve coffee, books, yarn, and my lovely family!   Cuz, that is something I didn't have when I was 20......


In related news my dear darling daughter will be turning 7.   Now, I think this is what has got me down a bit.  Not my #40, but her #7!  When did my baby get so big????  She really is a joy and has us in stitches most days, she is hilarious and will definitely tell you the way it is!  

Life is full of change.....

Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history. ~Joan Wallach Scott



There has always been change.  We can perceive this as good or as bad.  Welcome or unwelcome, change happens.   My 2014 has been full of change.   Lots of BIG changes and some little changes.


1.  Move from Albany, MO to Charles City, IA = BIG change.   With this change came the obvious changes of new home, new job, new friends, new schools, new teams, new teammates, and new routines.

2.  The death of our beloved Sammie.

3.  Loss of new job  (totally unexpected change...sometimes the hardest kind!)

4.  New school year!

•      This has been the freshest in my mind.  We have been preparing for this moment when my baby boy moves up to the middle school all summer.  He met this new challenge head on and was prepared!   The in a new town playing baseball and throwing discs at the local disc golf course with new friends helped him to adjust!  We all need those friends.  The Beatles knew what they were singing about!  
•       My precocious daughter has entered 1st grade.  She too is prepared.  She was able to make some new friends over the past school year, but her age limited the growth of those friendships.  She pines for her good friends and the known friends of Albany.  She had a history with them and was comfortable. Sometimes change isn't comfortable, she gets that now. There has been some tears with missing the  familiar, but she too is adjusting very well!  First grade is bound to help her with that.  How could it not?  She is such a social butterfly!

Yep, these changes have taken up time.  They have been stressful and uncomfortable at times.  I expected that, but thank goodness I can not tell the future to see what it will hold.  We have to take life as it comes. I will take it with a smile, a few good friends (those I have known a short time and those I have known a long time) and of course an ice cold beer!  

CHEERS!

"Momma....

.... is it OK if I rest my eyes? "

Our Furry Best Friend

Sammie, you were with us for 12 years.  You were our first baby.  You were amazing.   We have happy, funny stories about you.  Yet you were always there to snuggle with too!   Thanks for being our puppy girl and making our family so happy every day.  I miss you!

I'm ahead of the game........or maybe not.

We started packing early.  I thought I was so far ahead of the game.   The pile of boxes in the living room has diminished.

I was so very wrong.  A walk through the house proves that it is going to be a challenge to everything boxed and ready by 3/20.   Anyone want to help?

Final basketball game in Albany

We had a ton of fun watching the Albany boys play basketball this season.   I saw siome amazing improvement in their skill levels this year.   Great job boys!!!!!  

Today was a bit bittersweet as this was the last basketball game Tyler will pay here in Albany.   These boys will be missed.