catching up

It's been a while since I've posted anything. I thought I'd catch up any readers to what our family has been doing.

Again, the winter sped by as I was the Apex Nativity Chairman and head up a wonderful display of 448 nativities. Preston and Hannah played soccer and basketball through the fall and winter seasons. Darrin & Haylee have continued to attend karate classes each week. When we get time, we work around the house. The list of projects grows and grows.

We spent the holidays in the great state of Texas, visiting family and friends. It's always hard to leave, especially when we don't have the chance to see everyone we'd like to over the short time.

January seemed to be the party month. We held a "cupcake" birthday party for Haylee, who turned 12. These are her creations... dogs, of course. It was her last "friends" party, for which I'm grateful. Several of my friends had birthdays, along with my 38th, so many brunches, lunches & dinners with girlfriends. Darrin & I saw Mamma Mia, fighting the snow storm to get there and home. The kids missed 3 days of school resulting in more partying around the house.

February highlights include:

· Haylee became a deputy brown belt in karate.

· Hannah has improved her basketball skills and her team continues on in the current tournament. She’s also being tested for the Academically Gifted program at her school.

· Preston won the "Kindness" award at school. He and I went on a “date” last week and he ate Coldstone ice cream for the first time. A funny moment with him:
P- “Mom, when can I buy lunch in the cafeteria?” (he’s tired of taking his lunch)
Me- “I guess when you have money to pay for it.”
P- “But it doesn’t cost anything… you just give your lunch number to the cafeteria lady!”
Me- “Your lunch number doesn’t work if there’s no money in your lunch account at the school. Who do you think gives the lady money for your lunch account?”
P- after thinking for a moment, “Well just write a check. That won’t cost any money!”

Last week was consumed with a friend’s passing and assisting with the funeral details. She had battled cancer for almost 3 years, but it was still hard to lose the sweet mom-of-three person that she was. We certainly feel more grateful for our simple health issues and for the time we have with our children each day!

Finally, we booked a cruise for May 8th and are very excited! WOO HOO! More details later.