Bella Swan with green eyes.

This is one of Rachel's best friends. I am always telling her that she looks like who they cast for Bella in Twilight. Don't you think? Isn't she absolutely beautiful? We are very sad because her family moved today (frown). She spent her last night at our house and this morning her and Rachel wanted to have some pictures taken of them together. So, we set up camp in the garage and used my latest thrift store find. The oh so fabulous green chair. Love it. Both the girls and the chair. smile.
This girl is pretty cute too. smile.

We'll miss you Jessika!!!!!

Why am I so slow? I'll tell you why.

I swear Brooke, I have been working every single day on your pictures! Apparently, I am really slow. But, I will tell you now, the longer you wait the more pictures you get. I take over a thousand, and I just can't cut out a good one. My other problem is I get constantly interrupted. You would think because my kids are in school all day that I would have all this time on my hands. Oh, contraire . There are always appts. and issues that arise. This morning I found out that my daughter had been sexually harassed at school. It is quite the story, and I spent quite a bit of time at the school today. The day before, another daughter was being bullied. Just by a bratty 9 year old, but it left one devastated little Leah. There is seriously something every day, and usually multiple things. I am so so thankful that I am able to be home. When Leah's teacher called she said, "Oh, I am so glad you are home!" So am I, so am I. I was able to rush right over and wrap my arms around that sweet little thing, and tell her that she is the most awesome little girl ever. I brought her home and we made popcorn and watched a movie together (I was on the computer editing though. ha) Rachel this morning ran all around helping me with the morning issues, like dropping off lunch money for Jacob, buying drinks for Leah's valentines day party at school and dropping them off. It was during this time where I was able to finally discuss things in detail with Rachel. She said that she wasn't liking her math class, and had been making little comments. As we talked about it, more and more came out. I can't even write on the blog what this kid did. So crazy. Anyway, I am just glad that it came out and could be resolved. My advice for the day......You have to ask your kids questions. In depth questions, and keep asking them. Even if they are really talkative like mine, you still have to make the time to get them alone and really listen. That can be hard when you are always running around from thing to thing. But each kid needs individual time. You will learn so much about their life, their world, that they live in every day that you had no idea about. They are up against so much at school, it is insane. So, that is my advice to you and to me. I forget often.

Tonight was Jacob's last basketball game and they won. Hallelujah. It's been a rough year for them. They almost win every game. Hard on the morale. So, it was nice to end with a big win. We went back for the varsity game and it was really exciting. The game, and the fans. We actually had a coach (from the other team) and two parents get kicked out. I couldn't believe the things they were screaming. How are our kids supposed to learn sportsmanship and self control when their parents can't. Although, it was exciting and quite entertaining. ha ha. One of our players was even escorted out by the police at the end of the game. I guess to protect him.

At the Varsity game, I sat next to a young girl that I remembered seeing since the end of the freshmen game. She came with her brother who plays on varsity, and was there all night. Her brother looks like Seaweed from the movie Hairspray. He is so cute and is (in my opinion) their best player. She was sitting alone, so I talked to her all night. I was so sad that his parents couldn't be there for his last game and see how incredible he played. Again, I am so thankful. I could have to be working every night. I am so thankful.

What are you thankful for today?

Oh, yeah, about the picture above....Don't you love the expression on Brooke's face? Love is such a beautiful thing.

old hollywood glamour.

That's what this picture reminds me of. Like I know. ha.

WE miss you Reneers!!!

Miracle of all Miracles. For the first time ever! My oldest brother, wife, and five kids came to our house for a visit. It was fabulous and we miss them. They came for New Years. We had such a great time. The video is of us saying goodbye. I just love to see how much Jacob loves those cousins of his. He loves them like brothers. Luckily he has someone to pass his skills on to now. (He was lamenting to me one day how he didn't have little brothers to pass his skills on to. Like, light saber skills etc. I was cracking up.) So, we miss you, but guess what? We are coming up there for spring break! We'll be looking forward to your cheeks Ian (and not the ones we have to wipe. ha ).

My old fart of a brother. Doesn't he look so much older than me. ha ha.

We miss all your toys too. smile.
Lizzie tried to be a stowaway back to Utah.

So sad when family leaves.

P.S. So do you like my new chair that I got at the thrift store for 5 bucks?!! I love it. (it's in the video at the end in my garage. Can't miss it. It is a lovely shade of green. smile.

What I did today

Watched Jacob play basketball. Here's a little taste. Don't be expecting the NBA folks. Jacob is number 10 in the white uniforms. I had to put music on it to cover up my non stop obnoxious cheering into the microphone. What can I say, once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader. And, I don't know what the deal is with the big space above. I can't fix it.I love this time of year. When girl scout limited edition ice-cream is out. Scrumptious. I deserved it since I did this dvd that I checked out at the library.Dave was dying laughing at the instructor. And why do the guys have to have their tights inside their butt cracks.This seriously was such a hard workout. I love ballet. Speaking of ballet, that was where my girls were while I was at Jacob's game. I always dreamed (and still do) of being a ballerina, so my poor girls all have to take ballet. Isn't that the way it goes. There is a really awesome ballet academy out in Peoria. We load up and go once a week. Their teacher is french and super strict. When they first started Madame Kelly told them, "It's OK if you hate me, you'll get used to me." She really works them. I feel their pain now after doing that class today. I only lasted a half hour and their class is an hour and 1/2. yikes. Poor lizzy limped for three days last week because she pulled something. She looked like "tiny tim". She is so tiny with skinny skinny legs.

Mostly, I edited all day Brooke and Dan's wedding.

i love these two that kelly took. (above and below) This really was a cool reception center.

Tomorrow's forecast. Looking like today's. A LOT of editing, treats to keep me going, and a break for exercise.

Times that I never want to forget.

When I am older and all my kids are grown and gone this is what I want to remember. Our nights gathered around the dinner table talking and laughing together. This is the best part of the day. Can you tell I made my family's favorite dinner? There isn't anything left on their plates. We had an authentic Italian dinner. Farfalle pasta with ham and a white sauce, green beans (in Italy it would be a salad and bread) and than topped off with "little cuties". Yum.

I love the feeling of these moments. So very warm, happy, cozy, and comfortable. Another thing that I don't want to forget is how my girls are always wearing a towel on their head after their bath. It is such a satisfying feeling to prepare a nice meal for your family and than see them truly enjoy it. Look at my little Lizzie all clean and yummy. She was so hungry and just gobbled up her food so fast. It gave me such mommy pleasure to watch her.

Is there any more?

Next is getting out supplies to do homework. Look at how tall my baby is? sniff sniff.I love this sweet face.

and her toothless smile.

I love being a mom.

I'm in love! I'm in love! and I don't care who knows it!

Just want to send it out to the cosmos that I am so totally and completely in love. I am so wrapped up in love and it is the most delicious feeling. Went out to eat with my lover tonight, and it was so very cozy and enjoyable sharing a delicious meal and talking all about everything. Thank you Dave. (who else were you thinking was my lover? smile) You make every day of my life better than the day before. Like I always say, I know that God loves me so so much because he gave me you.

I am so filled with love that I am not going to even care that I got two traffic tickets in the past two days. There is the true test of a great husband. I called him twice in the past two days upset by the ticket that I just received. He didn't get mad, he just comforted me and agreed that they were totally undeserved. OK, OK, so he didn't agree that they were undeserved, he just gently reminded me that I need to stop at stop signs like everyone else, even though it is a waste of my time. ha ha. I love you Dave. You are my best friend and you just make me in the mood to celebrate Valentine's day a week early. Heck, every day!!!

PS-if you are totally sickened by this post, please realize that there have also been times in our marriage when I thought I was going to die of a broken heart. Times when I thought I could never resolve our problems. If you are feeling this way, push past it, keep praying, keep working. If you are both willing to do whatever it takes, you will in time enjoy the fruit of your labor. So keep pulling the weeds, watering, feeding, and giving light. And say I love you every day. Now, I need to go and snuggle in bed with my honey and try to get at least a couple hours of sleep. (I am having trouble with that lately. Too much on my mind. But that is another post.)