This picture is from a year ago, but that's ok! Happy Birthday to the best husband and father I could ever have imagined!!!! No great big plans for this year.........I don't know if I could ever go through the stress again of planning a surprise party. We are just going to go out for dinner to a place of the birthday boy's choosing. Nice and quiet: other than the kids fighting.

ABC's of Faith

Ask and it will be given to you
Believe
Consider the lilies
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Encourage
Forgive
Give to one from whom you will not receive
Hope
Instruct
Judge not
Knock and the door will be opened to you
Love your neighbor as yourself
Be Mindful
Do not Neglect the gift that is within you
Owe no one
Practice kindness
Be Quick to listen
Rejoice
Seek
Take heart
Understand
Value truth
Walk humbly
Strive to eXcel
Enter into joY
Be Zealous for the good

Catawba Queen

On Friday we had the opportunity to take a lunch cruise around Lake Norman on the Catawba Queen. Pretty good lunch. The captain pointed out some homes that are quite the estates. Fun times!!!!

Tug and Nor got to drive the boat. They thought that was pretty neat.

10 Years

Ok, not a great picture b/c it's a picture of a picture, but you get the idea. I decided to chronicle here the things that have happened in the last 10 years of marriage. They have been the best years and I am beyond blessed. So here goes: 3 houses but more moves than that. At least 10 moves. 8 different vehicles, 12 different jobs collectively (7 for one, 5 for the other). It's up to you to decide who changes jobs more. The loss of 4 grandparents. The birth of two beautiful children. At least a 8 trips to PA (I miss these). A few excursions to the beach both in GA and SC. Disney World (everyone must do this at least once in their marriage). What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. 2 dogs-Shelby and Sadie, this didn't really work out for us. 4 surgeries-gall bladder, thyroid, toes and moles. Those last two crack me up and not just b/c they kind of rhyme. Hahahahahahahaha A deeper relationship with God that has both strengthened us individually and strengthened our marriage. Can't wait to see what the next 10 years hold.

Some Thoughts

1. Really, will the school year ever end? I don't think I have ever been more ready than I am this year. But maybe I say that every year. My students haven't been so bad but I really need summer to get here. And I am sick of work place bullies...........just saying.
2. Looking forward to some mini-vacations. We cancelled the beach trip we had scheduled for July and have decided, I think, to take trips to Savannah, Williamsburg, and Atlanta. I did some research on those locales today along with some things we would like to do. We just went to the beach in April so I wasn't really feeling going again in July. I want to do and see some different things.
3. Dance is over for the summer as of this past Sunday. Recital is over...........and I am kind of sad. I didn't really realize how much I looked forward to those Tuesday nights. I hope to get to zumba a few nights a week through the summer. Gotta keep going on this weight loss which has been frustrating the last few weeks only because life has been so crazy and I haven't been able to exercise as much as I would like.
4. Little House on the Prairie really is a good show. I have enjoyed watching old episodes with the kids. It's funny to answer their question about wagons, school and how they lived 'back in the day.'
5. I think I could wear a sports bra 24/7.
6. Looking forward to the delivery of some new bedroom furniture. After nearly 10 years of marriage (coming up next week), it was time. The stuff was falling apart. Which will also allow me to do some organizing. This house is driving me crazy........which is another reason summer needs to hurry up and start.

Off to do some laundry and put the kiddos to bed................