St Nick Day

I adore that Kade's school has a holiday tradition. Today is St. Nick Day! All students place their shoes in the hallway. The teachers explain St. Nick. Shhhh.... 'He' is out there delivering tangerines, gold coins and a peppermint stick in each child's shoe. I appreciate being a part of this surprise. Kaden is going to be over joyed with this gift. St. Nick gave an extra delivery for Ashton in Kaden's other shoe. 

Festival of December 2014

'Festival of December' is now in full swing. Our first night is at the Zoo Lights. This is the first year you boys remember the year before: a tradition has been created! As it is our 7th year spending time with TaTa doing one Christmas activity a week and one activity with only the four of us. We named our time 'Festival of December'. I cherish each event every year...

Daddy injured his knee. We rented a wheelchair for the zoo. It took all of my strength to get him up the hill as we left. That is a big hill! I was huffing and puffing. It was very chilly outside, which did not help matters of the hand much! 

Happy Vegetarians

After checking out at the market I say with a smile, "Happy Thanksgiving!" The checker replies, "What happened to Happy Holidays?" Quickly I turn around and look at him. He is not being playful. I shake my finger in his direction with a twisted face of understanding. "Ya know, now that you mention it I have been wondering what happened to Merry Christmas. So, while on the subject may yours be merry." Gal behind me laughed. He stood irritated. I push my cart onward. Ash hollers back, "Happy Vegetarians Day!" (veterans). We need a reality show.

Pilgrims

You are my favorite pilgrim, buddy. Thank you for inviting me to lunch for your tofurky dinner!

Sharky

I present to you Sharky. It is Wacky Wednesday: tin foil and duct tape day. Papa Ed took on the challenge of a creation. He did FANTASTIC! It continues to make me giggle.

soup-ials

MOM! Did you know Chihuahuas climb trees and are animals? 
Baby bear are you speaking of the koala on your hat?
Yea! 
Chihuahua is a dog. Koala is a marsupial.
Oh! That makes sense. I like soup also.

Note to Mom

While I was a carefree young adult I imagined friendships so deep we'd cancel a days plan to help, prepare meals in time of need, babysit one another's children, surprise the other with a 'date' to catch up or share a kindness, bring over groceries because of reasons they cannot shop, sit in silence because this is what the other needs.... 

At this stage in my life with lives experiencing tragedy, hectic schedules, growing families, distance and etc I have over my fair share of these friendships. A few are men while the others are women. I have known several over half of my life while the rest have grown more recently. To have this extension of love is a gift I am honored to know. I would have counted myself lucky to have one such friend. How did all of this love find me? I am humbled.

Even at 36 years of age we still find our gratitude.