Summer's Finally Here!

Sitting in the cool grass in the shade of a tree with my dogs resting peacefully by my side, enjoying the breeze, the chirping birds, and watching the horses graze in pasture, I realized...it's summer! It's been a long time coming it seems, but Eric is finally done with the extra days of school they tacked on to the original last day. His football and wrestling conditioning has begun. No rest for the weary in that department! His first order of business was the #2 BUZZ! His eyes are once again, the prominent feature of his face!

I forgot what it was like having a toddler (Derby the 4 mos. pup) around the house. Exhausting! The best part about summer for me is that her care now officially transfers to ERIC! Good luck with that, son! Her nose NEVER stops, whether searching for the cats, or finding the cat food.In this photo, Derby jumped up on the bench, stepped up on the trashcan, and stretched across the aisle to reach the cat food on the third shelf. Hmmm....Eric has his work cut out for him with this one!

We're sure Sarah is enjoying the Smiths and the Smithsonian every day. I can't even imagine all the cool "specimens" she is cataloging. Ah, the stories she will have to add to her already incredible life story. But that really doesn't make us miss her any less!

As I was typing, Derby was sleeping....for about 7 minutes, so now it's back out the door into the exciting world for us!

Hope you all enjoy your summers!

April Showers DO Bring May Flowers!

We've all been saying "Rain rain go away!" On the bright side, however, the flowers are thriving. It seems like a long time since we've enjoyed the bright colors and lovely fragrances that flowers bring. Leo is loving his new pal, Derby. He no longer mopes around the house and yard like he did after Millie's passing. Eric picked Derby from the Humane Society a few weeks ago, and she has adjusted very well to her new home. We believe she will certainly do justice in honoring Millie's memory

.

Happy Mother's Day!

As I sat browsing the internet on my iPad today, my hubby asked what I was so intent on researching. I responded that I was determined to find a poem or letter written for a wonderful mother for Mother's Day, and I would post it as a gift to my mom with some pictures. He laughed and told me to write a poem for my mom myself! Well, being an engineer, I pride myself on being efficient, direct, and logical, to name a few skills, but this particular skill set does NOT include writing. Just the other day via Skype, I was informed, and I quote, "Mom, you are a TERRIBLE editor! You have no idea how to put together a sentence....WHERE is DAD?" Well, I told my husband that if it was left up to me to write a Mother's Day Poem, it would consist of a LIST of reasons why my mom is amazing. He promised me that if I put together the list and gave it to him, he would gladly make a poem of it.....then he read my list, and said "Print it." As I replayed memories of my mom in my head, these were the words that most often applied.....

THE REASONS MY MOM is an AWESOME MOM

Kind Heart

Great mind

Faithful

Happily serves

Vast capacity to make everyone feel loved

Uncanny intuition

Always willing to LAUGH at any given situation

Generous - with time, ears, smile, hugs, reflections, patience

Creative

Supportive

Always up for an adventure (check out the picture of her on top of an Austrian glacier!)

Great gardener

Interesting and dynamic

Healthy as a horse (or healthier as compared to my cur

rent horse standing in his stall)

Growing up with a mother that has all of these traits (and more that I haven't even listed) makes for a wonderful childhood. Best of all, though, was having the perfect example of what a mom should be so that when the time came I knew what to strive to be for my own children, so they too could become the best that they could be.

Thank you, Mommy, for always smiling your love on me! May your Mother's Day be blessed. My love for you is more than my words can begin to describe.

Forever your #4

Happy Easter!

Browsing through old pics, I was surprised to find very few photos of Easter morning. Guess it must have always been a bit too hectic for one of mom's photo sessions. These are 1995 vintage. Oh how sweet they were. (are?!) Hard to believe these two are 20 & 18 and their childhood is now only a memory.

Speaking of memories, it has been mandated that the basement be purged. That's right, the Little Tykes papaphernalia, dresser full of Ty Beanie Babies (remember the line at McDonald's for the Beanie Baby toys?), piles upon piles of books, infinite craft supplies, dress-up boxes, figurines and Legos galore....all have to go. "But where?" I ask. That is like asking me to throw my memories out to the curb. Hmmm....an episode of "Hoarders" could be in my future if I don't get past this hurdle. Suggestions of how to accomplish this daunting task are certainly appreciated!

Note the mischievous look on the boy's face, and that sums up why there are so few Easter pics!

We wish you a Happy Easter and remember to enjoy each moment as it too will too soon become just a memory.

Blessings!

Goodbye WINTER!

We celebrated the coming of Spring....playing in the SNOW! Yes, I really do claim this crazy hatted 18 year old as my own!
While others were basking in the sunshine we were skiing in the beautiful Canadian Rockies, and checking out the sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics in and around Vancouver. Who knows, maybe Eric has bobsledding in his future! A good time was had by all and we were happy that Kevie's scheduled opened up so he could join in the fun!