What A Weekend!

It went by so fast!

Michael had a soccer game on Saturday. They had no extra players so everyone had to play with no breaks. They won. Michael had a great assist with one goal and if the bar had been just a tad bit higher, he would have had one on his own.

After the game, it was a mad dash to get Noelle's hair done. She had 5" cut off. It looks so pretty. The lady spent a lot of time on her hair. Now, for all the years Noelle was in dance, I would put gobs of goop on her hair, leave it in hot rollers until the last possible moment, spray more "extra strong hurricane proof" hair spray on her hair only to have it all be straight again by the second number. By the time the dance was over, most of her hair was straight. Noelle has a TON of thick hair. Sean has thick hair, but when it grows out, it has curl to it. I have some what thin hair that is naturally curly. At times, people have asked if I have a perm and then proceed to tell me how lucky I am to have hair like this. (they should have it on a humid day in July!)

Anyway, Sean and Noelle had a great time at the dance. They had their picture taken and Noelle was so happy that her daddy danced with her even though he really can't dance. He will be the first to admit it. They main thing is they both had a wonderful time and can't wait to do it again next year. They had a great dinner afterward and Noelle loved riding in "the beast".

Sunday was Michael's 10th birthday. I made him a cake that for some reason didn't rise like it should. I cried because "that's not how I wanted his cake to be", to which my wonderful husband said "it's ok, we'll just buy him a new one if it's that important to you". So, Michael had two birthday cakes. He had a wonderful family party and he received many wonderful gifts.

He has been wanting a soccer bag and he got that from grampa along with some X-Box games. Grampa's girlfriend Edna, (maker of wonderful foods) got him an X-Box game as well. The fantastic "Bee Movie" and a t-shirt that says "I'm Bad Meaning Good" from Amy, Jon and the boys. Mom and dad got him some hip clothes, a really cool kite and an X-Box game. Noelle got him a Neopet. Sean and I got him "The School of Rock", a remote control Jeep and I had a shirt made for him that says "Mommy's boy and PROUD of it".

He had two games on Sunday and lost both of them. They played hard and had fun. Next weekend they only have two games.

8lbs 6oz

That's what our little Michael Raymond weighed in at 10 years ago. It's hard to believe that so much time has passed. I'm posting some pictures of "Michael Through The Years".


Enjoy.

Here he is!

Two weeks old.

Three months old. (one of my favorites)

First birthday.



Preschool graduation.

Third grade~he did his own hair.

This year~looking less like a little boy.

Daddy Daughter Dance

Tonight is our church's Daddy Daughter Dance. Noelle got a new dress, new shoes and had her hair done. She looks so grown up, it made me cry even more than I already have been. (not good to have a DDD the night before your youngest hits double digits.) Sean got her a wrist corsage and is taking her out to dinner afterward.


Here are a couple of pictures. Sean got "the beast" to the point where it is almost done and drove them to the dance in it. Michael and I are off to dinner and then are coming back to make his birthday cake.


Enjoy the pictures.

Explain This To Me...

I went to replace the kids and my social security cards the other day. Mine is who knows where, the kids are more than likely stuck in one of many boxes of "things my kids have made or worn that I want to keep forever".

So I go to the social security office to replace the cards. I walk in with all three of our birth certificates. I wait patiently for my turn. They call my number, I go to the window and say I need to replace our cards and hand the man our birth certificates. Then we have the following conversation:

• Man: "You can't use your birth certificate anymore."
• Me: "Ok, what can we use?"
• Man: "A photo id."
• Me: "I have my drivers license, but what about my kids?"
• Man: "Do they have a photo id?"
• Me: "No. I can bring my tax return, it has their numbers on it."
• Man: "No, you can't use that either."
• Me: "You're kidding."
• Man: "No, I'm not. You can bring a report card."
• Me: "You've got to be kidding me. I can't use a government document that is turned in to the government that has numbers provided by the government, but I can use a report card?"
• Man: "Yes. We can also use a prescription. Do you have a bottle?"
• Me: "What??"
• Man: "What?"

Don't even get me started. This is so beyond sad I don't even know where to begin. What is a report card supposed to do? Anyone could dig through the trash and get a prescription bottle. (as part of my being anal, when I do throw out prescription bottles, I peel off the labels and shred them)

The man did say, as a retired military person, it was ridiculous the things that are accepted. He suggested that we get the kids government photo ids. He figures it's only a matter of time before everyone has to have one. I told him that he sounded a lot like my husband and that a photo id is something Sean would think the kids would need.

I was right, looks like that is on our things to do next week.

It's Wednesday Already???

Sometimes, time flies.

The kids didn't go back to school until TUESDAY!!! Big surprise for me, since I thought they were going back on Monday.

Life is going to be getting more crazy around here it looks like. This week alone is nuts:

• Monday~KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL, Sean and I had our Dave Ramsey class
• Tuesday~kids back in school, Michael has engineering club, Noelle takes a free gymnastics class
• Wednesday~Noelle has French club, Michael has soccer practice
• Thursday~wait, how can this be, there we have nothing slated for Thursday???
• Friday~Michael has soccer practice
• Saturday~Michael has a soccer game, Noelle and Sean have "Daddy Daughter Dance" at church
• Sunday~Michael turns 10 (I've been crying all week) has a soccer game in the morning, family birthday party at 2 and another soccer game

Yes, Noelle has decided she wants to do gymnastics. She did play softball one summer and didn't like it because she was hot. Noelle does not, let me repeat, DOES NOT like to be hot and sweaty. No one does, however, she could win an academy award for her dramatic portrayal of a young girl who has become too hot due to the fact that, even though it sounded like fun, she will end up uncomfortable.

She begged and begged to play softball. We made her continue because, I'm sorry if you don't agree with me, but you don't quit something because now it's not what you thought it would be. When you are a member of a team, you can't quit, it's unfair to the others. She enjoyed volleyball, but that is now over. She danced for years and decided to take a break.

A friend of hers is in gymnastics, but is in the advanced class. I took her to the free trial last night for the beginners and I have to say, she really impressed me. I could tell she was hot and sweaty and not once, not one single time, did she complain about it. They worked her hard and on the way to the car, she said she loved it and wants to continue.

Also, it looks like Michael will be taking guitar lessons from one of the kids at church. A teen saving up for a car. What could be a better deal for us! Not to mention the fact he lives two blocks away.

My interview went well. They gave me about seven take home tests and then I'll have some orientation stuff to do. We didn't go to the hearing about the building on Monday because of the class and the fact that the builder was going. We haven't heard anything.

I wonder if that falls under the "no news is good news" like after your annual exam.

Oh What A MESS!

As I said earlier, we were having turkey for dinner.

Our turkey is always made with just "a little" butter, (2-3 sticks), mashed potatoes are made from real potatoes not flakes, (with 1-2 sticks of butter and lite sour cream), green bean casserole and gravy is made from the drippings from the turkey (that has had the fat separated out using a fat separator I love OXO stuff).

After I pealed the potatoes, I was putting them down the garbage disposal like I always do. For some reason, the sink was backing up. Sean came out to see what he could do. He grabbed the plunger and all of a sudden, the sink drained.

Seconds later, there was water pouring out from under the doors beneath the sink. Now, I had planned on organizing under the sink tomorrow, and I guess it will for sure be happening. I got everything out from under the sink and put in a Rubbermaid bin, wiped up all the water and potato skin pieces. I cleaned out the pipes and Sean put everything back together while I put the potatoes on to boil.

Before long, it was time for Sean to carve the bird and for me to make the gravy. Not to hard you would think. I've made this dinner 3-4 times a year, some years more, since we've been married. Granted, it has only been in the last three years I have made the gravy from scratch and not opened a can.

Anyway, the drippings heated up faster than I thought, and when I mixed the cornstarch with cold water and poured it in, the gravy ended up thick and pasty!!!! Somehow, I managed to save the gravy. Now dinner is done and the my clean, beautiful kitchen, that still has messed up walls, looks like a small war has taken place.

I'm going to take a minute or two, or an hour and then get the umph to get up and get it back to where it was.

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!!

Happy Easter!!


I thought I'd post a picture of the kids this morning before we head to church. (Noelle was appalled by her hair and didn't want it in color) The bunny was here and brought Noelle a new Nancy Drew game and Michael got a pair of walkie talkies and a Neo Pet.


Later today, we are having our traditional holiday dinner of my killer turkey, that I'm sure will be followed by a nap.

That Was A Fast Week

Talk about a week that went by fast!

Monday and Tuesday were pretty wet, much the kids dismay. Who wants a wet and cold spring break? The rest of the week cleared up nicely and they were able to enjoy a couple of nice days playing outside with friends.

I didn't get the basement done. I guess I've run out of some steam. I have a feeling it will come roaring back and suddenly it will be done.

This week will more than likely go by quickly as well. Michael will start having two soccer practices a week, he has also joined an engineering club at school and will have that as well. He also has two soccer games this coming weekend. Noelle will have flute club and French club.

I have an interview with a different agency on Tuesday. I'm excited about that. It should get me back to the emergency room once in a while. I miss the adrenalin so much. When I talked to them the other day, they asked where I would really like to work. I've been working in long term care lately, and am really ready to get back to hands on nursing.

Don't get me wrong, long term care nurses work hard and it takes a special kind of nurse to deal with some of the end of life issues their patients and families face. That's just not really for me, at least not right now.

Forgot To Mention

Michael did have a soccer game on Sunday, the second game was a "you can play if you want to" game due to the fact his coach was short a few players for that game. Since the field is on a bluff, it was cold and windy, we decided to pass on the second game.

The first game ended in a tie. If I haven't mentioned it before, Paul, Michael's coach is from Ireland. I could just stand and listen to him talk forever! It was funny to hear him say with an "Irish Brogue" things like:

• "Michael, you're playing midfield now son"
• "Oh, me heavens, we need to talk about building a wall"
• "Don't all go over there now, oh, your off sides now aren't ya"
• "Ref, you need to get your head out your arse"

Sean, Jerry, dad and I were all giggling with each thing he said. He is so encouraging to the boys. (Noelle was sitting in the car, reading a book, keeping warm)

Not only that, but I think that it's kind of funny that the sport they call "football" is as meaning full to some of them as our "football" is to some of us.

Resting From The Weekend

Those Wells' boys are CRAZY!!

They go nonstop. Luckily, so do Noelle and Michael.

As I said, Michael's game was cancelled Saturday so I stayed home while he was at the party so he could go back with me to the Wells' Ranch for another night of fun with the boys.

Jack and Riley are two very different boys. Jack is very much a "I don't like change" kind of little person and Riley is very much of a "there was a change, huh, I didn't notice" kind of little person. Jack is a very neat eater and Riley, well he needs to be hosed off after dinner. The boys had ravioli for dinner Saturday night. You really couldn't even tell that Jack had eaten anything messy. Very clean. Riley, I think more made in on him, his chair and the floor than actually in his mouth!

After a much needed bath, the boys teeth were brushed and they were ready for bed. Jack was pretty much out like a light. Riley did the "I'm going to moan to keep myself away in case I miss something" that my kids used to do.

Again, the next morning at about 4:30, Jack was awake and wanting "mommy's bed". Noelle got up, and brought him into the bed and he was back to sleep in no time. What's funny is that when he does wake up, he just sits in bed all wide eyed and quiet. Now, I don't know if that is what he normally does or not, but it sure was cute to open my eyes and see these big blue eyes staring back at me.

When Amy and Jon got home, Jack ran right to Amy at break neck speed. Riley cried and ran to Michael because he knew with the two of them back home, we were leaving. That did make us feel kind of good.

Now things are back to "normal" and that makes me miss all the sloppy kisses, hugs, giggles, baby language and diaper changes from the weekend. Ok, maybe not the diaper changes.

No Game Due To SNOW

You read that right, SNOW!

The kids and I spent the night last night with the wonder twins. Jack knew right away that something was up. Amy got out of the car and the kids and I climbed in. She kissed the boys goodbye and we headed off.

Riley was oblivious that Amy had headed in the house because he was laughing and playing with Michael. Jack was a COMPLETELY different story. He FREAKED OUT!! He finally calmed down when we pulled in to McDonald's.

When we got done eating, we headed back to the Wells' Ranch. All the kids colored and had a great time. The boys got to bed, past their bedtime, and both slept really well. As Amy has said, Jack was up at 4:35 and he joined Michael and me in bed. (Noelle slept in the basement)

During the night, we had rain and snow, so Michael's game was cancalled. He is at a birthday party now and when that is over, the two of us will head back to the Ranch. Mom and dad are watching Noelle watch the boys.

It is so funny to hear them talk:

• "Go downstairs now, hold hands, be careful"
• "Up pea's Noelle"
• "You sit down now, now, pea's Mike-coe"
• "Watch June" (Little Einsteins)
• "More Milk"

You have to imagine hearing all those things, as well as other things being said in the voice of a two year old.

I really miss this age. However, when Noelle came to me with a beyond stinky Riley, I'm glad that age is gone at the same time.

Things Change

It's funny how as you get older, the things you are excited about change.

When you're little you get excited about things like bubble gum, new toys and staying up late. When you're an adult you get excited about flip down storage, vacuums and mop heads.

I, like my mom, my sister and my grandma have been blessed with "Anderson Knee's". This is something passed down mother to child. (hopefully Noelle, Michael, Jack and Riley don't get this) Your knees "snap, crackle and pop" when walking up and down stairs. Some days you can hardly move they hurt so bad.

When I wash the floor, I tend to like to wash it on my hands and knees because I feel I can get it cleaner. I like to do it this way because it does seem like it "looks better", but I hate to do it because then my knees hurt.

Yesterday when I was at Wal*Mart, I finally remembered to pick up a new mop head. I told Sean today when he was home for lunch that I was so excited to use the new mop head. He looked at me, shook his head and rolled his eyes.

I looked at him and asked him if he was laughing at me. He said "always babe, always".

How Busy Is YOUR Weekend

Ours is jam packed!

Our weekend begins by watching the WonderTwins stating tonight around 5:00. All four of the kids can't wait. I hear the boys have been asking about us, so that makes it even more special. Saturday Michael has a soccer game, (if it doesn't snow~it has been beautiful here this week, now this) and a birthday party for his friend, and lake buddy, Cameron from down the street. They are all going to see "Horton Hears A Who". (I want to see this as well, but was not invited) He also has two games on Sunday. One is with his team and the other is to fill an opening on his coaches other team.

I don't think I'll know if I'm coming or going. It will be interesting to see how this goes. I am well past the "it's 4:30 in the morning, I think now is a good time to start the day" stage and am planning to pass that early wake up call on to Noelle and Michael.

I'm pretty much there for the "adult supervision". I guess it's a good thing that the kids are out of school next week. It will give them a chance to rest up after chasing the boys.

One Step Closer To Opening The Doors

Last night, the city of Liberty had public hearings. We are needing to change the zoning of the business so that he will be able to sell cars as well as repairing them. The city had to post signs around the property to advise people of the public hearing as well as mail out notices to neighbors and list it in the paper.

Last night, everything was approved, that's step one. The next step is having it before the city council. The architect told us that sometimes the council meeting can be a long drawn out process that sometimes is continued to the following month. We are hoping that is not a problem. It sounded like everyone was so happy that the area was being cleaned up and going to be used for something other than a large junk yard.

After meeting with the city council, we will be putting in a paved drive and bathroom. Those are the two big things that will need to be done, from what I can understand, before the doors can really open.

Daddy's Girl

I heard this song on the radio the other day called "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. I kind of put it in the back of my head and forgot about it, then I heard it again today after I dropped Michael off at school. It really took my breath away.

I came in the house and couldn't get the song out of my head. I googled the lyrics, read them and then found the song. (click on the stop square, then the play triangle and grab a tissue) I then found a video of it on You Tube. I cried as I thought about how big Noelle is getting and how part of the song has happened and part is still yet to come. Then I thought of why this song really means so much to me.

It was a week or so before Sean and I got married. I was on my to the house we were getting ready to live in. It was a really clear September night. My dad was walking me out to my car when we stopped on the top step leading down to the driveway. As always, my dad was giving me a big hug before I left. This night, I held on a little longer and started to cry. I told him that, while I couldn't wait to get married to Sean and I loved him very much, a big part of me felt that a door was shutting and that I would no longer his "little girl".

My dad gave me a big squeeze, kissed my head, wiped away a tear, looked deep into my eyes and said "Oh Erin, no matter how old you are, you will always be my little girl". I gave him back a big squeeze as if to say "that's all I needed to know".

Of all the memories I have of the things I have done over the years with my dad, everything from installing air conditioners and furnaces, changing out the motor in my uncles blue truck, to him rubbing my feet and legs when I was in labor with Noelle, that is my number one all time favorite memory. I hope it's one of his favorite memories too.

Monday, Monday

Don't you just love The Mama's & The Pappa's?

The basement is about 1/2 done!!! I have even vacuumed parts and done some rearranging. I'm hoping to have it all fully done by next week as the kids are out of school for the whole week. (again I must say, parents needs drugs when this happens) I have a feeling that we will have a few kids over then.

Michael has detention today after school. I'll be glad when this year is over. He got "three strikes" last week:

1. I put the things that needed to be signed in the wrong folder, he didn't know and put that folder in the "cubbie" where they go Monday morning.
2. I saw Sean's signature on a page on his planner thinking he had signed it. That was for a different day so the he had a day where his planner was not signed.
3. He missed turning in a math sheet.

Call me crazy, but this IS fourth grade. I'm so glad that since there is obviously no bully problems or other pressing issues in the school, they can focus on the need for this kind of detention. (I do love, love, LOVE our school district, but there are just some areas where a kid needs to be a kid)

Noelle had the school play this weekend. She helped with make-up again. It was "Dr. Suess' The Cat In The Hat Jr". More like a combination of "Horton Hears A Who" meets "Horton Hatches The Egg". (can't wait to see that movie) Both kids have always liked Dr. Suess. My personal favorite is "Fox In Sox". I would read it to the kids all the time and when we would get to the part with the poodle, I would read as fast as I could.

Right now our bedtime story is "On The Banks Of Plum Creek". That doesn't sound so well read fast.

No Soccer Today

Today was supposed to be Michael's first outdoor game. He is not playing parks and recs this year because there would be conflicts with his Futura games.

It was cancelled due to "inclement weather" and standing water on the fields. It's funny because today was one of the nicest days we have had in a while. Tomorrow will be his last indoor practice. I hope it warms up soon here.

Did You Remember To Spring Forward?

We didn't, so we overslept and missed church today. I remember hearing to do that yesterday and was going to change all the clocks, got busy and forgot.

I can remember when the kids were little and it would take them a week or so to get used to the time change. I can also remember having to go to bed as a kid when it was still light outside.

Today is "attack the basement" day. The kids are banished so that there are no cries of "don't get rid of that", "I know I haven't played with that in a year, but I want to start again today", or "I've been looking all over for that thing, I can't remember what it's called". I have told them no begging or crying when things are loaded up to be taken to the thrift store.

I was long trapped in a "I can't get rid of this because so and so gave it to me" type syndrome. I have broken free of that knowing that:

1. chances are they don't remember giving it to me
2. what is the purpose of keeping something that I don't use
3. someone else could use it and it frees up my house

It took a long time to get there. Then one day, Oprah did an episode on people who hoard. I was shocked by what I saw. Not only did this lady have 75 TONS of trash in her home, she also had enough stuff to fill up a 10,000 square foot warehouse.

I grabbed some trash bags and I'm pretty sure the trash man has been cussing me ever since.

Only A Couple More Checks To Go

Two more rooms to go and my "house overhaul" will be completed and everything will be crossed off my list!

I'll more than likely do the basement next. Noelle's room will be a BIG overhaul. Her room is the same as when we moved in. Very little girlie. Pink and white gingham with a boarder of bunnies, kittens, puppies and baby chicks. It will be very hard for me to redo her room because it will be yet another "in your face" reminder that she is no longer a little girl.

Michael's room is still Buzz Lightyear. He has no plans to change it anytime soon. With Michael's "I don't care what anyone thinks of me" attitude, it is highly likely his room will remain this way when he is off to college.

It has really hit me lately that kids are growing up. Michael will become an official member of the "two digit" club later this month and Noelle will become a member of the "preteen" club. When I turn to my parents for sympathy, I'm met with "how do you think we feel?". I don't know, old??

Now it's time to clean a couple of hamster cages~the fun never ends.

It's Friday!!

It has snowed here AGAIN today. Not as much as it has in the past, and I don't think it will stick around, but regardless, the ground is white.

The puppy DID eventually find a home. It ended up being Tuesday and not Monday. It turns out the person we believed would be taking him on Monday turned out to be somewhat of a flake. The puppy has found a loving home with a four year old boy and a two year old girl. The mom stays home so he won't be kenneled up all day. She left me a message yesterday to say that the puppy was playing outside with the kids and having a wonderful time.

The bodies exhibit was fantastic! I took my time, read every detail and even paid $5 for the little radio thing that tells you extra stuff. One interesting thing was a display they had that showed a healthy heart and lung next to the heart and lung of a smoker. A teenage girl walked her dad over and pointed out the differences. The dad looked kind of shocked. Hopefully it will be something that sticks with him and not something he forgets when he walks out the door. I've never been a smoker, but Sean was smoking when I met him. (in April we will be together 21 years!) He quit in June. He tried several different times to quit, but for him the key was Chantix.
Today, I'm working on Michael's room. I continue to provide the thrift store here in town with plenty of merchandise. I have a feeling there we be a lot more to offer when I get to Noelle's room, not to mention the basement. We did provide the boys with a large amount of "new" books. Several of them were one's that had been given to us my aunt Julie.

I'm now totally understanding the feeling my mom always feels when she passes thing on to me and they leave her house.

Off To See Some Bodies

Today, I am going to attempt to "chill out". I have just a "little bit" of anxiety going on, so I decided what better way to get ready for my test tomorrow than to go and spend the day at Union Station and see "Bodies Revealed".

I know it is not something for everyone. I have to say, nothing really bothers me. After working in an emergency room, I've pretty much seen it all. (yes, things put in places they should not be)

That said, I am reminded of the time that one of Michael's hamsters died. I was trying to put it in an empty check box. I was having a difficult time when Sean came in and asked what I was doing:

• Sean: "What are you doing?"
• Me: "I'm trying to get Buster in this check box."
• Sean: "Ok, well just pick him up."
• Me: "I can't pick him up, he's dead!"
• Sean: (looking at me like I'm strange~yes, this happens a lot)
• Me: "What? I can't touch him, he's dead."
• Sean: (again with the strange look) "I understand he's dead, just pick him up."
• Me: "I can't, I can't do it. You pick him up."
• Sean: "You have cleaned up how many bodies of dead people, bagged them up and taken them to the morgue and you can't touch the hamster?"
• Me: "I know, I know. A person is different, this is an animal."
• Sean: "Ok, I'll do it. You are a bit strange you know."

I don't know why there is a difference, but there is. I bet if I worked in a funeral home, I couldn't put a person in a box either.

Successful Day

Today has been a super successful day for me!!!

I have:

• finished cleaning out our closet
• organized the closet so everything is back in order of color (I'm doing the happy dance inside while several of you are rolling your eyes)
• filled yet another bag with clothes for Good Will
• blocked the access to the attic over the garage so our closet will contain warm clothes
• vacuumed the house (except the kids rooms~next project UGH!)
• vacuumed under the cushions on the couch and rearranged them (I started to notice the cushion most used was getting out of shape)
• ran the dishwasher
• got the trash out for tomorrow
• FOUND A HOME FOR THE PUPPY

All in a days work!

We Are Suckers!

On Saturday, Noelle called to say that there was a puppy running loose in the neighborhood and asked if she could put it in the backyard. I said she could and that we would post signs to see if someone would claim the puppy. (no, we are NOT keeping it~you can only have three dogs here)

We put up signs and posted that we found the dog on Craigs List. Nothing. Today after dropping Michael off at school, I picked up the dog from the shop and took it to our vet to see if they might know who owned the dog or to see if by chance it had a chip in it. (it was much easier to have the dog at the shop. thank heavens it has heat now~big thanks to dad)

Bingo! The dog has a chip. However, the owner had given the dog to someone else who didn't change the chip information and they dumped the dog! (she said she would take the dog to the pound for us~don't think so) This is the cutest little dog. He is a Min Pin mix. The vet said he is about as big as he will get. He even has all of his shots. So, now I've posted the dog up for a good home on Craigs List and we are hoping to find a home for it. I don't think that there will be a problem at all. (fingers crossed)

Here's a picture of said pup:

Longevity

Two members of our family are in their 90's.

One is my gramma. She was the youngest in her family. I have listened to the stories she has told about how she met my grampa at a dance. She also has told me of how it was hard because her family was Norwegian and his family was Finnish. It was interesting to learn about how even though they were only a few miles apart, that there was that kind of division.

The other is Sean's gramma. She is a spry little lady who wanted to have grey hair, but had mostly her natural color. She is one of the nicest little ladies, who like my gramma, continues to shrink in size each time we see her.

Our kids have been very fortunate to get to know, not only their grandparents but great-grandparents as well. I can remember two of my great-grammas. There are things I remember about each of them.

One of them lived in a house with a pink oven, which I thought was so neat because pink was my favorite color. In the summer, there was always a HUGE garden that I can remember picking tomatoes, cucumbers, dill, beans, peas and pulling carrots. (sometimes the best carrots are those plucked from the ground with a little dirt still on them) We played countless games of croquet. She had a cute little dog named Goldie.

The other one lived in a small town that had a small ally that ran between the houses. I can remember birthday parties for her and running from her house down the ally to my great aunt and uncles house. I also remember when she developed Alzheimer's and visiting her in the nursing home. Sometimes she would just sit there and rock back and forth. Sometimes she would laugh about some secret memory that was locked up inside. One of my favorite memories is when she looked at us, started speaking German, laughed for what seemed like forever and then said, "oh, that was funny". I'm sure it was.

They are able to make some wonderful memories with my grampa whom they see several times a year even though he lives so far away. I'm glad that Noelle has memories of my gramma who left us much too soon and sad that Michael can't remember her. I'm happy that I'm able to share the stories of my grampa who died when I was around Noelle's age. (Michael's shares his middle name with him)

I'm greatful that my parents and Sean's dad live in town and are able to see Noelle and Michael often. They are able to attend school concerts and soccer games. I hope the longevity that comes from their parents continues on through them so that someday, they will be able to make some wonderful memories with their great-grandchildren as well.

Beulah The Buick

Well, I have my "new" car. It is a 1996 Buick LeSabre. It is gold and I feel like I am driving an "old lady" car. Actually, I told Sean that I feel like a 17 year old driving my grandma's car. He said, "so you're saying it makes you feel younger". I did not find this funny. The important thing is that it gets me from point A to point B.

Amy has always named her cars. The car that she was letting me drive was a purple Grand Prix named Violet. Violet was a fully loaded car with leather and heads up display. Violet was a cool car, that you looked good driving.

Amy now has Betty The Buick. She says that Betty is reliable, cool and someone you could go to with a problem. As I was listening to Amy describe Betty. I thought of Beulah. Beulah is someone you go to the grocery store and beauty shop with.

I hope to one day find my "Betty".