Sad News

My friend, Terri, lost her mother this past Thursday, March 27. Ms. Doris had been very sick, but died due to complications from a massive heart attack she had a couple of weeks earlier. We know that she is in Heaven and is feeling better than she has ever had. Ms. Doris will be greatly missed by her family and everyone she knew.

Happy Birthday Beth and Logan

Today is my friend Beth's birthday. She and her family just moved to Florida. Her son, Logan, had his third birthday on Easter. Happy birthday you two!!!

Haircuts

Well, it looks like I started a trend. All three kids got their hair cut today. I think they all look wonderful. Hannah kept changing her mind but finally decided to do it once we got to SuperCuts. Her hair was just past her shoulders but she would complained about her hair making her hot. The boys each got a trim. Will did great. Andrew sat in Mike's lap the whole time and cried. Mike is going Friday to have his hair cut. Tim, the guy who usually cuts Mike's hair won't be in until then.

Lots To Do

The next three months are going to be extremely busy for me and my bunch. Mike is playing softball with our church's men's team. He will be gone Monday nights. Will and Hannah are both playing ball and have different practice dates and games. I am helping to coordinate a big family event for the month of June at our church. The event will be on Wednesdays during June and will help parents teach their families about God and His Word. I am also helping coordinate a reunion for the Singles Sunday school class Mike and I were in before we were married. The reunion is on June 21. If you think about us anytime in the next few months, please pray for us. We could definitely use it!!

He is Risen, Indeed!!!!

Happy Easter from the family!!

Mike and the kids

Andrew's Easter basket (minus the book "Go Dog. Go!")

Hannah's Easter Basket (minus the book "Put Me In The Zoo")

Will's Easter Basket

Happy Easter to everyone!!! We had a great day. It started out in church, with us attending the early service. Ernie had a great message this morning. This afternoon, my family came over for lunch. Those in attendance were: Melanie, Nathan, Mom, Patti, Alyssa, Matthew, Aunt Carol, Aunt Sybil, and, of course, my bunch. Lunch was great but the company was better. It was a beautiful day, a little on the cool side, but that didn't stop the kids. They played on the trampoline, played basketball, and tossed around the baseball. After everyone left, Mike, the kids and I watched the University of Memphis play Mississippi State in the NCAA playoffs. We were happy: U of M won the game and moved to the Sweet 16. Go Tigers!!!! This evening we wished my dad and step-mom and Mike's dad and step-mom a Happy Easter then put the kids to bed. Andrew is still up prowling around because he woke up late from his nap. Hopefully, he will go down soon so Mike and I can retire. We are tired.

Hope everyone had a great Easter celebration. The reason for our celebration is because Jesus rose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. Because of Jesus' death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, those who believe in Him have forgiveness from their sins and have eternal life. That is cause to celebrate!!! He is Risen!! He is Risen, Indeed!!!

Report Card Day

Today, Hannah received her third 6 weeks report card. Drum roll please.......... she made the HONOR ROLL!!! She had three A's and 1 B. This year, on each report card, she has made either the Honor Roll (A's and B's) or the Principal's List (all A's). We are very proud of her and her accomplishments.

12+ inches

Before

After

I DID IT!!! Today, I had my hair cut and donated it to Locks of Love!!! Amber cut off 10 inches, the minimum to donate, in a ponytail. Even then, my hair was still between my shoulder blades. All in all, I am guessing she cut 12 inches or more. My hair is now just above my shoulders and is cut in long layers. Amber said this kind of cut would be easy to manage and take care of with my busy lifestyle and kids. I LOVE MY NEW CUT!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Locks of Love

Well, I'm going to do it. Tomorrow evening I have an appointment to have my hair cut. I am going to donate the hair to Locks of Love. The hair has to be at least 10 inches long from a ponytail holder at the nape of the neck to the end to donate it. Mike measured mine the other day and it is 11, almost 12 inches, long. It has taken me over two years to grow it out. I have enjoyed having long hair again but feel it is time for something different. I am going to miss being able to pull it back into a braid, clip or ponytail when it gets in my way. But, I'm not going to miss having the kids pull it, laying on it or having to move it when I lean back in a chair. If I remember, I want to take a picture of before, during and after the haircut. Gould's Salon is doing it. Their stylist will donate their time (i.e. it won't cost me anything) to do the cut for Locks of Love.

If you aren't familiar with Locks of Love, check out their link on my blog. They use donated hair to make wigs for children up to age 18 who lost their own hair due to illness, alopecia, or cancer treatments. It is a wonderful program. Growing up, we had a neighbor, Laura, who had a brain tumor. She lost her hair due to radiation treatments and it never grew back. I remember her having to wear scarves, hats and heavy wigs to school and when she went out. Mike's step-brother, Blaine, use to donate his hair to Locks of Love before he died last year. Blaine's health wasn't the best but he said he could grow his hair and help others in need. I want to do this for him and for Laura. Who knows, I might do this again. But, of course, it will be a few years down the road before I can.

Date Night

Mike and I had a date night tonight. Mom watched Andrew for us while we went to dinner. We ate at Carraba's. It was delicious!!! We picked the Zucchini Fritte for the appetizer. It was lightly breaded zucchini, which had been cut into french-fry like pieces, fried in oil and served with a roasted garlic aioli. Bellisimo!!! Mike had the Mezzaluna Ravioli while I had Mr. and Mrs. C.'s Favorites. The bread was fresh and hot, straight out of the oven. The spice mixture they served with the olive oil for the bread was wonderful. It was better than Macaroni Grill. After eating our fill, we walked around World Market, which was next door, then across the street to Barnes and Noble. Mike and I both love books and bookstores and it is hard for us to leave. Before we tore ourselves away from the books, we stopped in the cafe and got a hot chocolate for me and a Mocha for Mike. It was a beautiful night and the temperature was perfect for March. WONDERFUL!!!

Water Park and kids

Today, Andrew and I drove to the Tunica Aquatics Center to meet my MOPS group. The kids all had fun. Tracy brought Seth, the little boy she and her husband adopted from Thailand, along with her other two children, Kara and Will. Seth is sooo cute!! He is only four days younger than Andrew and we are hoping they become good friends. The water was really cold. At first, Andrew didn't play and wanted me to hold him. After a little bit, and some coaxing from Mom, he got in the water and played for a few minutes. He loves to splash the water with his hands.

Hannah and Will are coming home tomorrow!!!! I can't wait to see them. They've only been gone a few days but it feels like a week. Andrew has enjoyed having Mommy and Daddy to himself but I know he misses Hannah and Will, too.

And then there were three

Hannah and Will, along with my nephew Nathan, are spending the rest of the week with Mama Joan and Papaw. Since the kids are on Spring Break, they wanted to keep them for a few days. So, that just leaves Mike, me and Andrew at home. I dropped them off about an hour ago and already feels strange not having them around.

Congrats to Julie who, today, blogged her 300th entry. WOO WHO!!! Way to go girl!! If you want to check it out, her blog is http://www.eyesoftheblind.blogspot.com/. Also, here's a shout out to new blogger Beth. She has caught the blogging bug. I'm glad because she is moving to Florida this weekend. Now I can keep up with what is going on with her and her family. Check it out at http://www.lau-beth.blogspot.com/.

Pictures of Andrew's first snow

Here are pictures of the family outside enjoying the snow. Andrew had a blast. He was laughing and squealing the whole time he was outside. Due to his being sick, we didn't stay out for very long. Needless to say, he wasn't very happy when he had to go back inside.

Snow Today and Then It's Gone

Well, we just had the perfect snow. It started snowing Friday afternoon, first just an occasional flurry then harder as the day wore on. By 5:00 p.m. the yard was covered in snow. By the time Mike got home from work, there was about an inch to inch and a half covering everything. It snowed all night. We ended up with about 4-6 inches. The snow was the perfect kind: sticky enough to make great snowballs and a big snowman. The kids, dogs and adults had a great time playing in it. It was Andrew's second snow but the first he was able to get out and enjoy. (The first came when he was just a couple of weeks old.) Saturday, the temperatures were around 36 degrees and the snow started melting. By dusk, most of the snow had melted with the rest leaving today. The kids only missed a half day of school and will get to enjoy a warmer (around 55 degrees) Spring Break this week.

My aunt and uncle came over yesterday with my dad and step-mom. Uncle Fred and Aunt Sandy drove in Thursday from Florida where they had been staying with my grandmother. They are working their way back home to Ohio. My cousin Janell sent us some pictures of the record snow fall they are having there in Ohio. The e-mail said it had reached 15 inches deep and it was still snowing. I sure am glad it is them and not me.

I'm having trouble uploading pictures. Please check back later to see the kids having fun.

Another one down

Well, another child is sick. This time it is Andrew. The doctor said he has an ear infection, sinus infection, and pink eye. Since he developed a rash taking Amoxicillin a couple of weeks ago, she gave us another antibiotic along with two other medications. Hopefully these meds will knock out the infections and get him well. I am just praying that the rest of us stay healthy in the mean time.

The weather is acting crazy again. Yesterday, the high temperature was in the 60's with a cold front moving in last night. The forecasters were predicting at least a half inch of snow overnight. We were all disappointed to wake up and see green instead of white. Schools let out early today because another cold front is moving through today, supposedly bring snow and bad weather. There has been some rain/sleet/snow mix off and on today but no accumulation. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Next week is Spring Break so I hope it is warm enough for the kids to enjoy their time off.

We heard from Will's T-ball coach the other day. He will play for the Little Giants. Games will be Tuesday nights at either 6 or 7:30 p.m. The coach will get back with us regarding practice schedules. I haven't heard back from Hannah's coach and hope to soon. We will keep you posted regarding games schedules and their stats.

It's Snowing!!

Yes, it is actually snowing here today. While there is no accumulation, it is still nice to see the white flakes coming down out of the sky. This morning while the kids were getting ready for school, the snowflakes were big and well-defined. As the day wore on, the flakes got smaller and harder to see. But, if you looked hard enough, you could see them in the air and hitting the windshield of the car. It sure is nice.

Weather Changes

There is an old saying around here: "If you don't like the weather, stick around about 24 hours. It will change." Boy, is that sooo true!!! The high Saturday and Sunday was in the mid to high 70's. Today, the high was 68 with rain moving in this afternoon. Tonight, snow is predicted in some areas not too far north of here with a possible chance of snow for us tomorrow. Yes, I said SNOW. Unfortunately, it won't stick because of the nice warm weekend, but I can still dream, can't I?

Due to this crazy weather, Hannah has an upper respiratory infection with a nasty cough. She got to miss school today and, if she is not better, maybe tomorrow. The boys both have slight coughs. I hope they don't get worse, too.

Comments

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Basketball and Parties

Hannah got to play basketball today at the FedEx Forum. For those who aren't familiar with the FedEx Forum, it is the stadium where the University of Memphis Tigers (#1 in the NCAA with one loss the whole season) and the Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) teams play ball. Her Upwards league had their Jamboree there today. The teams played half court and for thirty minutes instead of their normal hour. It was fun. Hannah played very well. She did great on defense, guarding her player. She also played great offense. She would dribble the ball then toss it over the crowd to one of her teammates, who would then make a basket. The only down side was the FedEx Forum parking garage wanted $20 to park. Of course, we turned around and found parking for $5. It's a beautiful day so walking a little farther to get in wasn't too bad.

Hannah is going to a sleepover birthday party tonight. They are having it at a local hotel that has an indoor swimming pool. Glad it is her mom and not me. Just before the school year started this August, we had a "End of Summer / Going Back to School" sleepover. Counting my three, there were five girls and three boys. The last two girls finally went to sleep around 2 or 3 a.m. and everyone was up by 7 a.m. Needless to say, Mike and I were both exhausted and don't plan to do that again for a while.