Random Ramblings

I don't have new pictures to post but I do have a lot going on so I'm posting anyway, just not really a post in keeping with the whole "Photography for Fun" theme. Oh well. There'll be plenty of photos in the days ahead!

Bill, I know you like more words and less pictures so here you go! :0)

Yesterday was my friend Pat's birthday, so Happy Birthday, Pat!

Yesterday was also my boss (and pastor and friend)'s birthday, so Happy Birthday Mitch!

Monday was my nephew Brandon's 17th birthday. Happy (late) Birthday, Brandon! (Regina can we really be getting old enough for Heather and Brandon to be this old???

Yesterday was also my best friend Erica's mom's birthday, so Happy Birthday, Jean!

This is my 300th post so I was going to save it for tonight in celebration of the display of my photos at the local coffee shop, but I changed my mind. I'm entitled to do that and do so very often. Just ask Marty or Heather. :0)

Speaking of Marty and Heather, thank you both for putting up with me the past couple of weeks while I've recovered. You've been awesome and I couldn't ask for anyone to have taken better care of me.

Yesterday I was invited to be a guest author for a post on my cousin's blog. I'm very flattered to have been asked and told her that yes, I'd be honored to write a post for her. So, keep watching and I'll let you know when you can find me over there too. Thank you again, Carmen!

And, today my Nana arrives! I can't wait to see her and I know the next few days are going to fly by but we are sure going to enjoy every minute of them!!!



Lots and lots of photos coming soon so stay tuned!!!

The Easter Sunday I Missed

I am still not feeling well and even had to stay home from church on Easter Sunday. I tried to get up and get ready to go anyway but passed out and finally gave up trying to convince anyone I could go and went back to bed. I so wanted to be there and I so wanted to see the musical everyone has been working so hard on. I wanted to hear Heather sing her solo. I just didn't want to miss any part of it. But I missed it.



My mother in law Billie took what pictures she could with my camera and Erica sent some pictures of Heather's solo that she had her son Robert take with her camera. Thank you so much, guys! I know it's not the same as being there and seeing and hearing it in person, but I do appreciate that you all tried so hard to help me see some of it any way I could.

Heather portraying a young Mary singing her solo "Beautiful Hands" to a young Jesus, portrayed by our friends' son Deano.

The young actors in the musical: Maggie, Bethany, Cameron, Deano and Cheney.

Our friend Dean portraying Jesus on the cross.

Our friend Denise portraying an older Mary as she sings "Beautiful Hands" to a crucified Jesus.

Because I wasn't there, I am unable to depict the scenes well for you. Check out Erica's blog for better captions for her photos.

Here's hoping you all had a Blessed Easter Sunday.

Friends of Gold and Silver

You've heard the song, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." Those words ring so true for me this week.

I have friends old and new I wouldn't trade for the world.

I was feeling pretty rotten today and instead of wallowing I should have been counting my blessings. I took a nap and was awakened when the phone rang. My favorite aunt called to check on me and during our conversation the phone kept beeping. Elizabeth called and Erica called. None of them knew I was feeling down today but how great it felt that they'd be calling just when I needed them.

Elizabeth's been my friend the longest as we met when we were seniors in high school. We don't get to talk or see each other often but we've never let that come between us. Elizabeth was there for me the first time I thought my heart was broken and has been there ever since. Elizabeth, your phone call today was just what I needed! Once again, you knew without knowing!

Elizabeth and Me, Summer 1989, just before I moved to Arizona.

Dar and I have been friends since we were room mates in school in Arizona. No one knows me quite like Dar does as she's lived with me and loves me anyway. Dar was there when I met Marty, when I married Marty and when I had Heather. She's the one who completely understood when I wanted so badly to go home and quit school but held my hand as I stuck it out and together we made it through. Dar, your emails this week making me laugh are just the therapy you always know I need!

Dar and me, the day we met, Summer 1989

Erica's my newest friend and I count myself blessed to have her in my life. We never seem to run out of things to say and seem to find more and more we have in common. She's the one who keeps me from pulling out my hair over parenting a 16 year old daughter. She's also the one who, even in our 30's, can hang upside down on the monkey bars and act like a kid with me.

Erica and me, Summer 2007

I consider myself blessed to have friends such as these and even other friends who I consider silver and gold as well. These three are the nearest and dearest to my heart and I'm so very glad they are in my life. Whatever storm I'm weathering or whatever joy I'm experiencing, I know I can count on these 3 to be right by my side!

More Colors of Spring

Each day there are more colorful flowers popping up everywhere. Next week when my aunt comes to visit I'm hopeful there will be lots and lots of flowers blooming everywhere for her to enjoy.





In the meantime, Nana, here's what I see within about 5 miles of my house.

Spring Has Sprung in My Backyard

I've been out taking pictures of the wildflowers that are already blooming. The following photos were all taken in my backyard, not far from the deck and the future swimming pool site.







There are many more areas not far from my house with more flowers in more colors I'll be posting in the days to come.

The view of my backyard (before Marty mows the flowers soon)

In Which the Adults Get to Act Like Children for the Evening

Last night we were finally able to go out for another date night with our friends Jason and Erica. We'd been wanting to spend an evening out playing at Dave and Buster's and finally had an opportunity to do so. If you're unfamiliar with Dave and Buster's, it's a large restaurant and game room with pool tables, shuffleboard and soooo many video games you'd have to spend days there to play them all. We'd been looking forward to hanging out there without our kids (even though we know our kids would LOVE it too). We'll have to go another day with the kids. Marty's the only one of us who'd never been. I accompanied Heather's 8th grade band on a trip to San Antonio on a day they had a contest and then afterward went to Dave and Buster's to eat lunch and play games for the afternoon. I knew Marty would love the place. We spent most of our evening playing shuffleboard, which I had never played before. We switched up teams every round and I could generally be found on the losing team (sorry team mates!) but I sure had fun learning and by the end of the evening I had it down and my team mate and I at that time (Go Jason!) won the game. That game ended up being a close game because Marty and Erica would be ahead, then Jason and I would move ahead. It was back and forth like that the entire 40 points. And it helped that by this time in the evening Marty seemed to have lost his touch. :0)

The lighting wasn't conducive for the greatest photos, but this shot shows you how loooooong the suffleboard table is (for those of you who, like me, had never played before).

When Marty does play games, he usually takes them seriously. He did cut up and have a great time, despite being so worn out this week!

Erica's good at this game! And this shot makes it look like she takes her game seriously too! :0)

Jason and me.

If at any time Erica was off her game, it's because she had to put up with this.

Me and Marty.

Jason and Marty.

Me and E.

See, I told you she takes it seriously.

I'm just following her lead!!!!

The last game of the night, Jason and I won so we posed with our game pieces under the scoreboard.

When we finished playing shuffleboard we hit the midway to play a few games and we found photo booths and anyone who knows Erica, knows how she loves to have photobooth pictures taken with her friends. Head over to her site and check out the baby picture she and Jason created in a photo booth, as well as more photos of our fun night out.

Our last stop was a race car video game in which we could all race each other. Jason beat me and came in 1st, I came in 2nd, Erica 3rd and I think the long week at work and the late night (it was after 1 am when we left!!!) affected Marty more than we realized for he came in 32nd place.






Thanks for a really fun night out guys! We'll have to do it again soon!

Airman Chris

I recently posted here about my nephew Chris' graduation from basic training. His parents recently sent more pictures to us. I wish I'd attended his graduation and had the opportunity to visit with him before he transfered to his first duty station.





My brother in law Mike just posted the most amazing tribute to his son here. Take your tissues with you if you go read it. What amazing love this father has for his son and how it shines in the words he has written.





Chris, when I think of you this is how I will always picture you. This is the boy I still see behind the man you now are. I'm proud of you and so is your Uncle Marty....and it's apparent to all how proud your parents are of you.

My nephews, Tony and Chris (I don't know how old they were in this picture.)

Airman Chris

Proud Dad Mike, with his son Chris

Spring Showcase '08

Tonight was the high school's Spring Showcase in which the Dance Team, Drill Team, Cheerleaders, and Winterguard perform their competition routines for the parents and community. The "Weesteppers" also performed. Weesteppers are the children in the community who spent a recent Saturday morning learning dance routines from the Starsteppers dance team. The little girls were then able to perform tonight with the "big girls" for all the parents. One of the little girls Heather has been working with even brought her a bouquet of flowers tonight!









Our friends Bill and Denise's middle daughter Maggie loves to dance and performed tonight with the Weesteppers. Heather was one of the teachers for her clinic Saturday.









Many of Heather's former dance team mates are now cheerleaders so I saw a lot of moms I knew from my dance mom days at the local studio. One of those dancers, Chelsea, and Heather used to be very close friends and looked so much alike people got them confused (even the parents a time or two when not looking close!). We used to call them the "twins" of the dance studio. Chelsea's mom Cassie sat not far from us tonight and when I called her name she said she didn't even recognize me and thought I was just one of the teenagers! I laughed and thanked her and teased Denise that we look like teenagers. What 30-something year old woman wouldn't love to be mistaken for a teenager?! :0)





For most of the evening, the lighting in the gym was terrible but I did the best I could with attempting to get good photos.

After reviewing the photos, I recognize this dance as being one Heather has told me so much about. She loves how this one starts because these 4 pictured here have been dancing together for 7 years, since we moved here. From left to right: Brooke, Shelby, Heather and Ashley. Gosh 7 years ago these were the little girls at the dance studio and now look at them!!!

Heather.

Jenalee and Heather. They sure enjoyed this number and laughed all the way through it.

Heather and the dance team's modern dance number.

Shelby and Heather.

The winterguard performed their routine and it was fabulous! Everything from the costumes to the choreography was just beautiful!!!

Weestepper Maggie. She's having a ball!

Weesteppers

Marty drove home from his out of town job site as fast as he could in hopes of arriving in time to see the performances. He missed most of Heather's and he missed Maggie's dance, but he did arrive in time to see 2 of Heather's dances and a few other performances. Of course it didn't take long after his arrival for Katie to climb into his lap! She loves her Mr. Marty!!!

Bethany and me watching the dances.