Heather's Birthday

Today, my sister-in-law, should be celebrating her 35th birthday. She should still have her whole life ahead of her. How sad her life was ended at only age 22. I wonder if she would have fell in love, if she would have had kids. I wonder if she had dreams she would have pursued. I wonder if she'd still love eating fajitas and playing phase 10. I bet she'd still make me laugh until my sides hurt. I miss her. I know I shouldn't really be sad when she's spending eternity in Heaven...the past 13 years have been wonderful for her...and yet I still get a lump in my throat when I pause and miss her.

Also, look at this amazing coincidence:

Morgan's birthday (6/19) is the day before Mike's brother Jeff's birthday (6/20)
Sarah's birthday (2/11) is the day before Mike's brother Ken's birthday (2/12)
and now our newest niece, Meghan (7/22) birthday is the day before Mike's sister Heather's birthday (7/23)

Happy Birthday Heather!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

So every Sunday night the girls and I cuddle up on the couch and watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Mike has his football...we have Makeover. I love this time and look forward to it every week. So I was thrilled when I heard they were coming to our area. I tried to volunteer, but wasn't chosen...bummer. But the girls and I still got to the big reveal today and shout "Move That Bus!" We had to wait 7 hours in the rain and we really couldn't see much...but we were there! And hey, we might even make it on the show, as the cameras scanned the crowd by us several times! We'll see. It's suppose to air sometime in October. We even got to listen to Ashley Tisdale perform today (she plays Sharpay in High School Musical). They girls were excited about that, but disappointed she had brown hair instead of Blond today. :) We got to see Michael, Paige and Ty from Extreme Makeover which was cool too! We even made the evening news. You can see it at: http://www.ky3.com/home/video/51348352.html - with my big line "we brought ponchos and umbrellas". :)

On a bitter sweet note...I noticed Morgan "growing up" before my eyes today. She liked the ponchos we made until we got there...then she didn't like the attention..."Why is everyone looking at us?". She thought I was talking too loud on my cell phone today. What, my daughter who has 2 levels...off and loud...thought I was too loud on my phone?! It was the first time I think I "embarrassed" her. It was a strange moment. I'm sure it will be the first of many. I guess I can't be "cool" forever! :)

All in all today, I think it will be a fun memory as the years go by...remember when we sat in the rain for 7 hours to yell "Move that Bus!" :)

Morning

One thing I love about summers are lazy mornings. I dislike the chaos of the mornings during the school year. I like letting my girls sleep until they are rested and their bodies say "time to get up". It's 9:00 and Sarah is still sleeping. Morgan and I are sitting here in my bed still, both playing on laptops. Still in our pjs. Got a few ideas for the day, but nothing is set in stone yet. Hard to believe there is only one more month left of summer vacation...but I'm sure it will be as fun as the last 2, it's just going, going, gone too fast!

One Year Reflections

Where has this past year gone? One year ago we were sitting in a new house, in a new town, starting over, trying to get painting done before the moving truck arrived with our "stuff". Here we are a year later, moving on with life. Things I'm thankful for this past year...

• The easy transition the girls made
• Finding a job at the schools which allows me to be home when the girls are
• Mike continues to enjoy his job at the crime lab and actually enjoys the challenges that arise with his new position
• I'm still married to the greatest husband who is the bestest daddy ever!
• Good neighbors, new friendships growing
• Northpoint Church
• A new puppy
• A quieter year for reflection
• I'm still in awe that the God of the Universe has time to meet me in the quiet places of my soul

New beginnings are hard, but they also allow for the opportunity to experience new things, meet new people, grow wiser, and in the end be reminded of all that is really important in life. So if I ever have to pick up and start over again, I hope I can do it with a smile, but for now, I'm going to enjoy the peaceful feeling of calling this place "home".