C * O * N * G * R * A * T * S

A great, big, huge CONGRATS is in order for one of my very best friends in the whole wide world. Karah & I have been best friends since approximately 5th grade when we were the only 2 still awake at an overnight Birthday Party. We kept each other ROLLING with laughter by setting G.I.Joe figures on people while they slept in their sleeping bags among other random things in the basement that we found to keep busy & laughing. We remained best friends even when her family moved 300 miles away in 7th grade. We were "pen pals" with letters & cards, before graduating to e-mail when the internet made its way to both of our households. My first summer job I saved my money to fly to Chicago to see her and we visited each other at least once a year from there on out. We remained best friends all through college & even after I got married, moved even further away & had 3 kids. We've always known about every detail of each other's lives... right down to purchases at the store that day & what got returned, what we ate for dinner, & what we were going to be doing the next day (all via multiple e-mails throughout the day). After 17 years of living in separate cities we both wound up in Kansas City. Karah & I have been through pretty much EVERYTHING together. The good, the bad, the ugly... and the FABULOUS. The SECOND I heard about Doug, I loved him for her. They seriously have the most amazing "how we met" story EVER. If you haven't heard it, the short version is that separately they took a sight-seeting bus ride tour of Kansas City (by themselves) & they were easily the only 2 younger than 50 that were on that bus. {Seriously, who does that? But I'm so glad you 2 did!} :) ha That & everything that followed after it were just signs that these 2 were put in each other's lives on purpose. When you've known someone for 22+ years, you can tell when it's the real deal... and I couldn't be happier for you 2. CONGRATS to the soon-to-be Mister & Misses. :)

The Backyard

I love our backyard. There's times when it's not the most pleasant place to be... too wet, too muddy, too many leaves, too much dog poop, too many mosquitoes. But for the most part, it's a fun place to hang out.

Here's what we love to do: Brett loves playing any & every sport. Libby loves swinging & playing on the platform at the top of the slide. Davis loves playing in the mud & finding bugs. Daisy loves chasing squirrels, chipmunks and bunnies, as well as eating the birdseed I've left out for the birds. Kyle loves playing catch with the boys & having a beer on the patio. I love checking out the status of all my plants, flowers & herbs and tending to their needs.


My thoughts on gardening: As it is with most of my skills, I'm a "trial & error" gardener, so I have to constantly check on things for their progress or lack thereof. In the instance of the transplanted Japanese Maple, I get a unanimous thumbs down; the transplanted Evergreen, looks like it might turn out okay, despite all the yellowing & bald spots (yeah that's it behind Brett); Basil, I have used it twice in cooking, but I'm waiting for the supply to come back; Rosemary, looking good so far; Flowers are all doing great. The red geraniums are my favorite. Every year I am drawn to them because they are just so strikingly beautiful & low maintenance once you get them going.

I think I get some of my gardening skills from my mom. My mom's take on plants is "I'll set you outside & water you when I think of it, but that's about all you're getting." In other words, she believes plants need to pull their own weight & I agree. If it's too high maintenance, it doesn't belong in my garden. I'm not a believer in fertilizer or putting any plant up on a pedestal. I'll prune you when I want to prune you, not when some tag you came with says to do so. Oh & you require a $10 bag of fertilizer, just for yourself? Oh do you now. Thanks for the info, but I have four words for you: Sunshine, Rain, Love & Happiness. Take it or "leave" it. :) I have 3 kids & 1 dog that I have to bathe, feed, water, nurture & give medications & vitamins to. Maybe when I'm an emptynester I'll get you that fertilizer you asked for... that is if you're still around in 17+ years. 'Til then, I'll see you next week when I come around with the hose. :)

3 * Sillies

There is nothing I love MORE than to see my 3 kids enjoying each other's company. Yes we have lots of fighting, tantrums & time-outs, but there are also many moments in the day that these 3 are laughing at & with each other. Brett is 6 1/2, Davis is 4 & Libby is 14 months. You wouldn't think they'd have a lot in common, but they sure know how to make each other laugh. I love sitting back & being a spectator to their little "Sibling World". These are photos taken of the kids last weekend during one of those moments!

Here we go!

It's been approximately a year & a 1/2 since posting on my last "family website". Holy moley, huh? Not only has my family come a long way since then, but apparently so has the internet. (Doesn't my old site just look ancient?)

In an effort to cut down on my long-winded e-mails, I've set up this blog. Oh not so fast, I'm sure you'll still be getting my e-mails! But when you need a Twenter Family Fix you can come here & get all caught up with us.

Oh & if you're wondering if we ever had that baby we posted about in late October 2006, YES. Her name is Libby ("Elizabeth Morgan") & she's a gorgeous little red head with blue eyes. I can say she's gorgeous because she doesn't look much like me... she looks like a cross between her daddy & her Aunt "Reebs" (my sister).

I absolutely love all 3 of my kids with their 3 distinctly different personalities, looks & capabilities. I get warm fuzzies, laugh, & roll my eyes DAILY. Life with them is the perfect mix of blessings & shenanigans, which I also realize DAILY. (But don't count on me to write DAILY!)