Time to get on with life!

As Amy says, "this took 12 years too long!" The big day has come and gone, and finally our girl is a graduate! To Amy it feels like it took way too long, but I still remember clearly following the big yellow school bus that took my little girl away to kindergarten many, many years ago. The in-between years are pretty much a blur! I'm so proud of our girl. She not only made it thru, she thrived! And now she can get on with culinary school and the rest of her dreams. Way to go, Sunny!!!

Let's Party!!!!

There was so much to do with so little time....and now we get to celebrate and enjoy a full house. ( I have to say that being seriously organized worked to my advantage. Getting so much done ahead of time allows me to relax and enjoy my time with everyone.) Laura, George, and Vera arrived yesterday, and tomorrow will bring Brian, Ian, Susan, and Shailyn. It'll be a whirlwind, but a sweet time of celebration and joy. Amy turns 18 tomorrow, and on Saturday she'll go thru that wonderfully long and exciting ("cough") graduation ceremony. Today she finished up her candy striping, too. Our girl is excited about what God has in store for her in the months/years ahead. And when you stop to consider how far she's come, it really is a miracle. (Just a few short months ago we wondered if she'd be on crutches or a wheelchair at graduation!) Time to give thanks for God's richest blessings...and time to celebrate!!!! Congratulations, Sunny!! ILY!!!

Way to go, Helio!

So my favorite driver, Helio Castroneves won the Indy 500 and my second favorite driver, Danica Patrick, came in third. It was a good day at the brickyard!

The Greatest Spectacle in Racing!!!

Tonight Brian asked me to read my to-do list so he'd know what our priorities are for the weekend. Amy loved it that watching the Indy 500 was on the list! Yep, I'll admit that it's something I look forward to all year. Seriously! When I was growing up in Indiana we used to pick up a bucket of chicken and have a picnic in the stands during qualifications in May. I grew up loving the sound of the cars racing around the track and the sights and smells of the Speedway. Oh, you probably couldn't pay me to go to any other car race in the world; there's just something about Indy. When the drivers broke the 200 mph mark I couldn't believe it! And now the pole sitter usually averages close to 225 mph. Hard to believe. On race day mom and I would sit close to the radio to listen because TV coverage was blacked out in Indiana. These days we get to actually watch it, and it's beautiful! My girls have grown up loving the race as well, and it's so much fun to share it with them. Admittedly, Laura only stays close for the finger food we nibble on absentmindedly as we watch with fascination. She kind of drifts in and out of the room. Brian doesn't usually watch it, either, because he knows I'll run outside or to the basement or wherever he is to shout out the highlights. I love instant replay and the human interest stories and the symbolic bottle of milk at the end, etc. I love it when Jim Nabors sings "Back Home Again in Indiana", and I especially love it when I hear "Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines!" Don't bother calling me on Sunday while the race is on...I won't be answering the phone.

It's been a fun 24 hours filled with laughter and even a few tears. My ex sister-in-law ( who really isn't an ex since we kept her in the family,) retired today after 30 amazing years in the Air Force. Last night was a fabulous dinner/party at the Officer's Club which was really light-hearted and fun. The food was incredible, and the whole evening was quite entertaining. There were lots of funny stories and pictures of Liz, and she was a great sport about laughing along with everyone else. Friends & family came from all over the country, and there were even friends from Canada. Today was the actual ceremony, and it was quite impressive. There were so many wonderful things said about Liz; she's had quite a ride in her 30 years! What touched me the most is how humble she is. She made it a point to focus on what others have meant to her along the way...their influence, their kindness, and their support. This was a day she's worked toward for 30 years, yet she chose to recognize others. That's what I love about Liz. She gives of herself 100% to others--ALWAYS. She's humble...she shares...she cares...she loves unconditionally...she always looks for the best in everyone she meets. I'm blessed to know Liz and look forward to many more incredible days of friendship ahead. Maybe one day you'll know her, too.

Never thought I'd hear this...

I keep my cell phone close by...you just never know when Brian or the girls will need me. So today when the caller ID said "Bethany" and it was during school hours, I could tell something was up. Was I ever in for a surprise when she was hyper with excitement over the honors biology lab she'd just completed. "Mom..I just dissected a rat and it was SO COOL!!" Yes, my sweet baby was thrilled over smashing in the skull and cutting out the brain of a rat she'd nicknamed "Claudia." How gross is that? It's bad enough that she was enjoying the lab and was giddy with joy. Then she mentioned that she and her partner had taken lots of pictures and she could hardly wait to show them to me! I'll spare you the visuals.
Part of me wonders how in the world I ever birthed two daughters who get so excited about such things. Another part of me is thankful that one of my girls is a "mini-me" and wouldn't do that lab even if it meant failing the class. But I'm so very proud of my girl for doing something I could never do in a million years...even if I wanted to, which I don't. How cool is it that my girl isn't afraid or grossed out by a biology lab? Maybe I couldn't do what she did, but I'm sure proud of her for being able to. You're one tough girl, Bethany Rose!

playtime is almost over...

It's been a wonderful, casual and relaxing week with Laura home. We played and laughed and talked and just enjoyed having her here. I let a lot of things go this week in order to spend time with the girls. And now it's crunch time! Amy graduates in just 2 weeks and we have family/friends rolling in before that. Suddenly I have a million and one things on my to-do list and instead of growing shorter, it gets longer every time I sit down to prioritize! We'll have every bed filled and even a couple of girls sleeping on the floor. So much to do...so little time! So if you pass me on the street and I seem a bit focused, just smile and remind me it will all get done. This will be a time to celebrate Amy's accomplishments...not stress out if I missed a dust bunny. Meanwhile, I'm going to put things off just a little bit longer until we take Laura back to Golden to work on campus for the summer. Surely 2 more days won't matter in the grand scheme of things...will it?!!

Laughter is good for the soul...

In 1988 when Laura was born I used to shop for adorable little outfits for her at Target. This November she'll turn 21 and guess what? We're still shopping for her in the girls department at Target!!! After trying unsuccessfully at Kohl's, Penney's, and Old Navy today to find khaki skirts, capris, and pants for her summer job, we were hugely successful when we discovered girls size 12's with adjustable waists at Target! Laugh if you will, but there's nothing like the price of children's clothing for a 20 year old! And shoes...oh yeah, size 2's! What a deal!!! The best part of all is that Laura and I always laugh A LOT when we shop. Did I mention how much I love having her home for a few days?

Guess who's almost home?

We received a call today from Golden..."will you please come up and pick up some of my things?" Laura had been trying to work it out so that she could move from one dorm to the the next without having to bring everything home for a week, but things just didn't work out. So Brian and I headed up and loaded up the car with Laura & Ian's help. Tonight she has lots of loose ends to wrap up..paperwork to fill out...etc. And tomorrow she comes home for a week before going back to start her summer job on campus. I suspect it will take her all week just to sort thru things! Surely we don't have to load all of this back up next weekend to go back!

"smokey"

Bethany (or "Smokey, as I like to call her these days) has had an incredible time working with the female firefighters this week as they recruit new campers for Summer Heat. She's more confident with each passing day. Speaking in front of high school kids she doesn't even know has been a really great experience, and I'm so proud of her for stepping out of her comfort zone. At her age (or even now), I seriously doubt I could have been so bold even if I'd tried. I'm in awe of what an amazing girl she is! I don't know what her future holds...only God does. But I know He's holding her in the palm of His hand. For today, that's enough. And if one day she decides to become a firefighter or a paramedic, He'll still be holding her!