Only a month behind :P

I got to dress up for church on Mother's Day as it wasn't my turn to snuggle babies in the nursery for the first time in what felt like forever. I do enjoy seeing them come in wearing their Easter, Christmas, and Mother's Day best, hehe. Anyway, I finally got to wear the dress that Dada had made for me during his trip in China. This dress was based off one I'd bought in State College to wear to Cammie and Jody's wedding (which was twenty years ago, just sayin') and had seen better days. Dada took the old one I'd fallen in love with to China and picked out the silk for the seamstresses there to make the new one. 

Because we are so classy, this picture was taken after church and before I changed in Bass Pro, which surprisingly has amazingly large and comfy dressing rooms. We had planned to hike in the quarry after church and I couldn't exactly hike in the dress and the "new young attitude shoes" as Mary Alice called them when we bought them, also for the wedding 20 years ago. They are the same shoes I wore for our wedding, and let me tell you, they have seen better days, too. But that's a post for another day. And I'm sinking in the mulch, above.

Anyway, Mother's Day was peaceful! We had church and a hike in the sunshine and once we got home everyone kinda peeled off to do whatever they wanted, so I got peace and a book and sunshine and perfection!

Thank you to my super hubby and my crazy kiddos for having me be the Mama of this family!

Family photos

Okay, Mommee, that should tide you over for awhile. Here's the last post for today. 

Some family members are fuzzier than others:

Happy belated Mother's Day to all you moms out there, especially mine because she has to put up with me. =D

Blog Stuff

Hello everybodeeeeee,

Yes, I am channeling my inner Grover today. Damon is rocking in the big chair with a book, so I'm anticipating about 245 seconds of peace. Figured I better make it count.

First off, you know who you are, but I'm gonna name names anyway: Wendy, Jessica, Emily, Jen, and Sarah- I know you're all incredibly busy with passels of kids, BUT as it is springtime and a time for new beginnings, get back on the blogwagon! I miss you! Throw us a bone! Don't get hung up on how far behind you are, just toss the blogosphere a few paragraphs about life and how old the kids are now and that you're still alive!

Second, I've added two new blogs to the post list that you should head over and check out. My friend Mike, from high school, has started a very thoughtful blog that hosts good questions and honest opinions. You can find him off to the right there under Mike Dean's Journeying. The other addition is Made for Freedom, which is a small idea with a big impact. I strongly encourage you to head over there, check out their mission statement, and then buy their pants! They. Are. AWESOME. My sister-in-law Becky has both the purple and the charcoal pairs, and I am debating which one I will be getting. Please, please, check it out. Mother's Day is coming up- helping out women AND a pretty gift? Can't beat that!

Third, we spent a very full weekend with our Indiana Kurths, in the beautiful sunshine and breezes of ... Indiana. Yes, well. You can't have everything. Seriously, the weather was perfect, the cousins had a blast running around together, the guys had some quality time together, and the food was excellent. And Dada won Settlers of Catan. ;) It was a wonderful weekend and we're so thankful for the chance to spend time together with our loved ones. Thanks for having us.

Fourth, if you're even remotely considering sending a child or three off to camp at Westminster Highlands or Camp Lambec, get that application in before April 30 for your early bird discount. You can find everything you need right here before time runs out. Yes, I'm reminding myself, too!

And that's all, folks, as the Damonater just announced that he's still hunnry. Make it a great week!

Almost 4

For those of you keeping score, Care Bear is almost 4. So we bought her a bike. It's a Dirt Dawg, which tickles me to no end. That's the one she wanted, and man, she is fast on that thing. Now we just have to find a helmet for Liam and we'll be all set for family bike rides. Hehe! I'm sure you'll like the pictures of the almost- birthday girl.

And there's some of just everyday stuff around here. Caught the kids in their usual poses and figured all y'all would like to see them. Will take more this week, it being the birthday week and all. She's informed me that she wants cookies instead of a cake this year. No problem there. She wants "chocolate chip ones... and I wanna taste the chips before they're cooked." Yes, ma'am. She certainly knows her own mind, that one. ;) Like aunt Lisa says, "she dances to a different drummer." My reply is, "yeah, to bongos. In a drum and fife corps..."

Don't forget all the outstanding moms in your life- next weekend is Mother's Day! Since I am a mom, and I'll probably forget next weekend to say it, I want to celebrate all the beautiful Girlfriend moms who bless my life. You know who you are. Thank you, thank you for restoring my sanity. Glad we can all be there together, surviving our kids' childhoods. I mean, glad we can all be there for each other. I mean... hahahhaa. You know what I mean ;) *whistles innocently* And Mommee, you rock too ;) Thanks for being you. Can't wait to see you next week!

Have a good one. Hoping the wind slows down some so we don't get blown to Yakima! =D