I'm pleased to report that lacrosse season has offically begun! We've been to two college games so far and BB has had several nights of practice. Then on Saturday we have his first tournament. I LOVE lacrosse! Even LL likes practice nights because she gets to play with the siblings of BB's teammates. A great way for her to make new friends indeed!
Today, Sunday, LL and BW were invited to Lilly's little brother's birthday party at a bouncy bounce facility. It was so cute watching all the toddlers play. At one point LL got the courage up to scale the HUGE slide and then attempt to slide down. It must have been eight feet tall at least. Well once she was up and peeked out, then realized how high she was--she just started screaming. The attendant had to climb up and let her slide down (guess that was the only option?). The expression on her face was so pitiful!! It had to have been the scariest slide-ride she's ever taken, and I'm sure it'll be the last for awhile. The photo speaks better than I'll ever describe the moment. Go ahead and grin, it's OK :)
Saturday was BW's Junior Prom and what an evening it was! The group of twelve met at the Commons in our town for a pre-prom gathering. The dogwood trees were in full bloom and the evening setting sun provided a beautiful backdrop for photos. At 5:30 all had arrived for photos and a toast to start the evening off right (sparkling apple juice of course). Then promptly at 6:30 the S-T-R-E-T-C-H limo arrived. The entire group settled in and they were off to our capital city for an Enchanted Evening. Afterward, the high school sponsored an afterglow party at a popular nightclub. There were free t-shirts, food from TGI Fridays, a disc jockey, etc. Basically they had free run of the entire club til 3:00 AM. BW came home with glowing reports. It ALMOST made me wish I was 17 again.
Today is a happy day on the lane, Papa is finally home after seven long weeks in the hospital. And boy, what a great day to be released! The sun is shining, the birds are singing and it feels like early July and yet it is still April. What a nice payback for enduring what seemed like an endless stay for all. Praise the Lord that Papa is home. Now we just need to help "fatten him up" and get his strength and balance back. Please keep him in your prayers.
During the last few days it sure has been tough to motivate to continue in our home repairs. So, instead we've been outside playing with Little Ladybug and enjoying every minute of it. Just sharing a few pics from the last couple days of fun in the sun.
Though we are not done, I must say our kitchen has made a dramatic change. So by request, here are the "so far" before and after shots. On the To Do List are upper cabinets to still be built, some touch-up painting and wall decor. But we are SO relieved to have moved into current time in our eatery. Yet on the other hand, the old decor reflected happy times as this is the home that DB grew up in. Hence, many past memories of DB's Mom linger. But I'm sure she would approve of our update.
I need to be quick with my post as LL is likely just finishing her nap. But I'm happy to report that April 15th has come and gone and me and my co-workers have survived another year. Now for my boss...the 15th was a grueling day. But that's another story. Fred, soon you'll be poolside, sipping iced tea wondering where the time went, take a deep breath and enjoy the quiet phones, LOL!
As for our kitchen mini-makeover, well that's going along well also. I'm happy to report that I no longer am washing dishes in the bathroom sink. Have you tried to srub a pot under a bathroom faucet? And, sadly, our days of take-out and eating out are over. Hey, no one ever said you couldn't make the best of these times did they?
The job would never had happened if it were not for the help of BB and BW taking such good care of LL while DB and I worked. Or for their efforts in the room too. Thanks a million guys, you deserve an ATTA BOY award for sure! One of my favorite moments during all this was when LL did not want to settle for her nap. DB and I were deep in the throes of a job. So to help his baby sister relax, BW got out his guitar and sang her some songs while she fell asleep. Now if that doesn't melt a mother's heart, nothing will. As for BB, well his sheer volume spent caring for LL is impressive all in itself. Never a complaint, never a harsh word, just steady and loving as always. What a fortune little girl she is to be loved so deeply by her Ge-ge's.
Tuesday begins lacrosse season for BB and I am SO ready to see some good game action. BW is actively in search of a new job, a little closer to home. As summer comes we'll all appreciate that.
Recently I've been emailing our friends that we traveled to China with. And I'm so pleased to see that we may ALL actually spend our one year reunion together, despite the big distance between us. I'm hoping and praying it all works out. What an awesome, blessed time it will be to get all the girls together again. Please join me in praying for this special time to work out.
This weekend, we plan to spend some MUCH needed time relaxing together. It has been crazy, but worth it. To cap it all off, the weather here is finally feeling like Spring, AMEN to that! I don't know if I'm just getting more impatient as I get older or what. But this winter seemed to take forever to pass. I usually try very hard not to rush time as every day is precious. But I had to fight hard to keep those winter blues away. But not anymore, Praise the Lord for sunshine, blue skies and flowers blooming.
As I checked my mail today it came to me that I have not ventured into the blogosphere in nearly a month. I had a feeling as I began this little hobby that it may go awry during tax season. So I'm taking this opportunity to get current, if even only briefly with a few pix to follow.
Our hearts have been sad and life on the lane has certainly been very quiet. Papa Bug has been in the hospital for a few weeks now recovering from a severe infection. It has weakened him considerably and he needs time to recuperate. I am happy to report though that he is doing much better and should be home on the lane next week if all goes well for him. Your prayers for his continued physical and emotional strength would be greatly appreciated. Speaking of prayers, it is for certain a "God Thing" that I prepare taxes for many members of the clergy. All in various denominations. Hence, Papa Bug has been well covered in prayers these past few weeks. God sure knows just what we need and when we need it. He even works for our good through taxes, this is proof, LOL!!
So, like many people, at night DB and I like to sit and watch home improvement shows. Sitcoms and reality TV are just not for us. The net result, however, has been that we are now in the kitchen giving it a facelift. Right on the heels of our hard work in the living room. I think we are totally out of our minds. Perhaps I should just get rid of the TV and then we can relax! Being a do-it-yourselfer is exhausting and painfully slow. On the flip side it is immensely gratifying when the job is done and our bank account doesn't suffer nearly as bad as hiring all of this work out. I must admit though, this is a job that was SEVERELY overdue. I'll post pix of our re-do's when we are done. But don't hold your breath, it may be awhile.
BW is readying for the big night out, his Jr. Prom. All of his spare money has been being tucked away for this special event. He and his girlfriend and 10 other teens have rented a B-I-G limo. They are very excited, hurry April 24th!
BB is gearing up for lacrosse season to start in two weeks. This is my favorite time of year personally. BB's favorite position is middie, but he is strong in defense also. He plays on a local league and has made so many good friends as a result. Our local state college has an awesome team who is doing very well again this year. Last year on Mother's Day when asked what I wanted to do, I chose to go to a game. It was so much fun and our team won too. I'd happily do the same this year --BIG HINT!
LL continues to get new words in her vocabulary, though I must say it is moving very slowly. She is finally putting two words together! Despite her delay, she certainly knows how to make her needs known. I just wish I could get a full understanding of what she is saying sometimes. I'm almost certain she is babbling in Chinese and I have no idea what she is saying. It is frustrating to me, I can't even imagine how she feels. Her big brothers have been babysitting for her alot lately. I have been working nights and weekends and DB has been working here at the house. She loves time with her Ge-ge's. Last week Mother Nature cruelly dumped a few inches of snow on us and they all made a snowman. When I came home there he was and she was SO proud of her creation.
With 10 days to go until Tax Day, YIKES, I'm rather looking forward to a slower pace. However, with the number of extensions I have to file it may take until June to catch up, LOL!
