Park Place

PURE CUTENESS....

2012-01-08T17:46:00.000-06:00

When a little boy loses his two front teeth before Christmas, the inevitable happens.......

Learning this song was his gift to everyone this year!

WHAT I'LL REMEMBER.....

2012-01-03T21:41:00.000-06:00

Here's what I'm going to remember from Christmas 2011....

due to watching so many suffer, true focus on the things that matter (even if that meant letting some cherished traditions go),
hearing my sweet son sing, in a clear, loud voice, the Christmas carols at our Christmas Eve service,
a relaxed night on Christmas Eve with my 3 most treasured gifts,
the lovely Christmas cards we got from so many of you-thanks for not taking us off your lists!!,
the fun and thoughtfulness of the 12 days of Christmas gifts my hubby bestowed on me,
a daughter who is growing up so quickly and was our chief present wrapper this year,
a Christmas Day prayer that earned a standing ovation,
a Christmas Day sing-a-long with accompaniment by a guitar and a saxophone,
games, popcorn balls, and TONS of laughs during our Hershey celebration,
and
a heartfelt prayer to usher in 2012.

Cherished times.
Cherished memories.
Cherished people.

Happy New Year!

2011 IN PICTURES....

2011-12-31T15:36:00.000-06:00

I'm under no delusions of my photographic ability but every once in awhile I capture some good ones....here are my favorites of the year!

The hawk....my hero for carrying off one of the many rabbits that torment me!

The rents and the kids at the rodeo!

Easter egg hunt!! Love their anticipation!

Sweet Noah....Just a swingin'!

Classic 4th of July...red, white, and blue, watermelon, a picnic in the park and happy smiles!

It was so fun to actually capture a picture of a firework!

We finally got my Dad to go tanking through his beloved Sandhills.

So fun to watch CM pitch last summer.

Oops!

Cam was trying to give his big sis a thank-you kiss after he opened her gift to him.

GOOD BYE (and good riddance) 2011

This picture showcases two of my favorite things.....sunsets and the beauty of Nebraska!

2012......BRING IT!!

We wish you all a very blessed New Year!

I CONFESS....

2011-12-22T19:40:00.000-06:00

I don't have much Christmas cheer this year. Oh I've been trying with these last few posts, and a few parties and my shopping is all done but that is all just surface stuff. In all honesty my heart is just burdened for so many people (plus it has been a rather rough month here at Park Place) this year that it has taken a lot of the shiny and sparkly out of Christmas.

I'm thinking of (and praying for):

friends who lost their 9 year old son last summer to a very rare medical condition,
the families of my Aunt Vera, Uncle Richard, and Aunt Helen,
our pastor and his wife who lost their adult son suddenly and then 2 weeks later her father,
and a family who used to go to our church whose 11 year old son died last night as the result of a brain tumor.

All of these people are facing their first Christmas without their loved ones and I KNOW how extremely painful that is.

I'm also thinking of:

the many couples I know who are experiencing problems in their marriages,
the families I know that are suffering the consequences of divorce, and
the parents I know whose children are sick.

And these are just the major things. There are many, many hurting people in this world and there are very few that I can help.

But I can invest my time in things that matter, and I can pray and I can celebrate the ultimate GIFT that was given to all of us.

That will have to be enough this year.....

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS ALBUMS.....

2011-12-21T23:04:00.000-06:00

There are MILLIONS of Christmas albums (cd's or downloads to you millenials)out there, but right here right now you can see the top 5 of all time!

5. Mariah Carey-Merry Christmas
Now I'm not really a fan of hers but I have to say this Christmas album is great! It has a good mix of secular and "church" music on it and boy can she belt it out!! Just realized she has a new Christmas album out this year....I'm going to have to download that.

4. Steven Curtis Chapman-The Music of Christmas
Some familiar and some not but all great lyrics and catchy tunes.

3. Amy Grant-Home for Christmas
Lots of good songs on this one....especially The Night Before Christmas.

2. Jim Reeves-12 songs of Christmas
This is an oldie but it has some of the greatest Christmas songs on it including Senor Santa Claus. Jim Reeves was a country singer with a beautiful voice who died in the prime of his life and career in a plane crash. My mom used to play this record a lot around Christmas and we always kind of rolled our eyes but it just doesn't seem like Christmas without hearing these songs. So glad that my sister found it on cd a couple of years back. The Jingle Bells that is on this album was also used in the movie Elf. Now stop rolling your eyes and go find this recording!

1. Amy Grant-A Christmas Album
Hands down the BEST Christmas recording ever (and I'm not just saying that because Amy and I are best friends)!! Love every song on it but especially Love Has Come, Tennessee Christmas and Heirlooms. If I only had one Christmas cd that I could listen to this would be it and I should know since I've been listening to it since 1983!

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS MOVIES....

2011-12-20T13:17:00.000-06:00

This week I'm counting down my top 5 in various Christmas categories. Join the fun!!

Agree, disagree, discussion.....

5. The Santa Claus-A cute movie even if it is "gasp" about Santa!

4. Scrooged-This one is not for the kiddies (unless you have the Guardian on your tv). I like it because I like Bill Murray and it is classic 80's.

3. Elf-"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is by singing loud for all to hear." Enough said.

2. It's a Wonderful Life-Who wouldn't like a chance to see the ways in which they have influenced or changed the direction of another's life?

1. A Christmas Carol-I love, love, love this story....the redemption of a man's life and I'll watch any version of it and there are A LOT of versions!

TOP 5 CHRISTMAS TREATS...

2011-12-19T09:31:00.000-06:00

Welcome to top 5 week. Feel free to play along by leaving your own list or comment.

Top 5 Christmas treats....it just doesn't taste like Christmas without these.

5. Reese's bells-These are a new addition to the list. They are tasty little morsels that are way better than just a regular pb cup.
4. Crab Dip-Sam's favorite and mine too!
3. Homemade popcorn balls-The kind my Grandma used to make. The ones with corn syrup not marshmallows. They are so good. The kids and I are planning on making some soon!
2. My mom's frosted sugar cookies-Hers are so good. Mine never turn out as well but I'm not giving up!
1. My m-i-l's prime rib for Christmas Day dinner-No explanation needed!

A LIST....

2011-12-15T21:42:00.000-06:00

These things are a drag:

(In random order and not necessarily equal in "dragginess")

Expensive car repairs
Bickering children
A brown Christmas
White tile in the entryway
Muddy shoes
Mean, unprofessional bosses
Vengeful ex-step aunts
Divorce
Cancer
Death

These things are good:

(Also in random order and not necessarily equal in their goodness)

Twinkling Christmas lights
Jim Reeves 12 Songs of Christmas cd
Hot chocolate with whipped cream
The Waltons
Snuggies
Hugs from kids
1st grade Christmas program
Helpful parents
Praying friends
The HOPE of this Christmas season

Thanksgiving Eve.....

2011-11-23T23:17:00.000-06:00

A day off from school and therefore a day free from routines and schedules,
making turkey cookies with the kids and we all survived,
a husband who agreed to stop his busy black Friday preparations and pick out some new lights for our Christmas tree,
neighbor kids who my own kids love playing with and spent an hour today at the park with,
a car with 125,000 miles on it that is still running,
a new pair of very comfy pajamas,
crab dip, berry-glazed chocolate cake, and cream puff dessert for tomorrow,
a fall that has been filled with beautiful light and lots of color,
Sixty degree weather in November,
an extended family whom I love,
the anticipation of spending Thanksgiving with some of them,
my in-laws who are so good to me,
my parents and sister who put up with me,
the man who I get to share my life with,
the kids who I get to hug and kiss and love on,
and most of all the love and grace of my Heavenly Father.

For all these things I give thanks (and this is just today's list!).

Amen

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....

2011-11-18T16:05:00.000-06:00

1. Regis Philbin.....I will miss you or Good riddance??

2. Christmas shopping....I'm done, I'm 1/2 done or I haven't started??

3. Twilight books....Definitely read or Don't bother??

4. Christmas Tree....Before Thanksgiving or After Thanksgiving??

5. Cell Phone....Should an 11 year old tween have one or not??

Have a great weekend!! GO BIG RED!!

A SLOW FALL and BIG & TALL......

2011-11-11T08:59:00.000-06:00

There hasn't been much blogging getting done around here this fall as I have been out enjoying the beauty and the cold and the darkness of fall (Yes...that was sarcasm!). Hey at least I tried. I will concede that the light and the sunsets and sunrises and leaves have been beautiful over the last few months. But now it is time now to hunker down......

Anyhoo, my topic today is Big and Tall t-shirts.......
If you know me you know I'm married to a big guy! For his t-shirts to fit correctly I usually have to buy them in the big and tall section. My question is this. Why can't big and tall clothes be normal? I look at the regular t-shirts and they are just plain colors, sometimes with a bit of a cute design on them. And then I look over at the big and tall and see things like this on the t-shirt.

"Congratulate me. I used to be anorexic."

Or how about this classic.

A t-shirt with a picture of two thumbs pointing to the wearer saying, "This guy needs a beer."

Or the ever popular

"I have a six pack" with a picture of a six pack of beer on it.

Seriously.....

I just want to buy a normal t-shirt!!

THEY'RE BACK.......5 QUESTIONS

2011-11-04T21:19:00.000-05:00

1. What is one thing that you regularly buy that you have noticed is now more expensive?

2. What is one thing that you have changed as a result of the economy?

3. What is one thing you buy less of in order to save more?

4. What is your "go to" meal at the end of your shopping cycle when the cupboards are a little bare?

5. What treats did you give out to trick or treaters this year?

Have a great weekend!! Go Huskers!!

OCTOBER IN PICTURES

2011-10-31T21:17:00.000-05:00

and a few words.....

Pig Races at school

Climbing Trees in Hershey

Annual Weenie Roast

Trying to take some fall pictures

International Day at School
Beautiful Sunrise

Bring on November!!

THE CUTEST LITTLE JACK-O-LANTERN.....

2011-10-26T19:28:00.000-05:00

QUESTION....

2011-10-16T08:35:00.000-05:00

Notice any differences??

THE MARIO ROOM

2011-10-10T16:23:00.000-05:00

For the last few weeks my friend Keri Novacek has been working on a mural in Cam's room. We think it turned out great and as you can see from the pictures he is one satisfied customer!!

Keri is an amazing artist. She basically traced an outline on the wall and then did all the detail work freehand. If you live in the Omaha area and need any painting done (she can do anything), she's your gal!! If you know her you can contact her directly or you can contact me for her information.

MONDAY

2011-10-10T13:04:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read the entire Serenity Prayer? Of course we all know the beginning, but have you ever actually read (or heard) the whole thing?

It's SO GOOD!

The first part the "world" can agree with. The second part....not so much.

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,

not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and

supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-10-07T08:41:00.000-05:00

It's been one of "those" weeks around here so we are all happy it is Friday!! Sam has a rare day off so we are going to enjoy spending the day together!! Hope you all have a great weekend!

The fam and I enjoy playing a little game called this or that. Here's a quick-fire version of it for 5 question Friday.

1. Hot fudge sundae or Chocolate pie?
2. Pedicure or Manicure?
3. Windows or Dusting?
4. Appetizer or Dessert?
5. Snow or Cold?

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-09-30T17:30:00.000-05:00

1. If you are watching the BIG game tomorrow (or any game) tomorrow, what food will you be snacking on during it?

2. Candy corn and peanuts or popcorn and M&M's?

OK....it's a two question Friday. I'm tired.......

Happy Friday!

EMBRACE IT....

2011-09-28T22:09:00.001-05:00

My dislike of fall has been well-documented here and here. This year I'm trying to approach fall with a new attitude. Instead of thinking of it as the season that falls before ~~the Big Nasty~~ winter, I'm going to try and think of fall as that time of year when everything sleeps and rests and gets ready for a season of renewal. The operative words here are "I'm going to try".

For now I will focus on......

Football games with Cam and Sam

Apple orchards

and pretty fall decorations.

If you need me I'll be eating my candy corn and drinking my apple cider. ;-)

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-09-16T21:51:00.000-05:00

1. If you watch TV, what show are you most looking forward to starting again?

2. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?

3. What is your dream vacation?

4. In your opinion, what is the single greatest issue our country is facing right now?

5. Do you think the Huskers should wear black pants with their uniforms?

(Did you notice what I did there.....dropped a heavy weight question on you and then went right back to light?? ;-)

Have a great weekend!!

Maybe sometime I'll actually write a real post again.......

5 QUESTION FRIDAY.....

2011-09-09T20:29:00.000-05:00

Random but fun questions!! Happy Friday!

1. Do you prefer a holiday to fall on a Friday or a Monday?

2. Red Lobster or Olive Garden?

3. In your opinion, what is the best preparation of shrimp? (i.e. cocktail, fried, etc.)

4. Pumpkin patch or apple orchard?

5. Favorite fall dessert?

IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED......

2011-09-04T19:06:00.000-05:00

This is what Hootenanny green looks like. The kids love it. I like it more now that the shower curtain is up. The pictures don't quite do it justice. It is basically the same color as a granny smith apple.

I just read somewhere that using color in your home is one way of making yourself feel younger......evidently I am feeling really old!! ;-)

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

2011-08-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

The kids talked me into painting their bathroom hootenanny green. It is VERY bright.

When I can see again I will post a picture.

Maybe.....

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-08-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

Very random this week.......

1. What college football team are you following this year?
2. What is the biggest hail you have ever seen (in person)?
3. What is on your to-do list this weekend?
4. What is left on your summer to-do list?
5. What is your favorite pizza topping?

Have a good weekend!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2011

2011-08-18T21:55:00.000-05:00

FIRST GRADE AND MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH GRADE)

HERE WE COME!!!

THIS IS HARD.....

2011-08-17T20:40:00.000-05:00

When CM was little she cried ALL the time (colic) and Sam and I thought it was so hard and we couldn't wait until she grew out of it. We just knew that life would be easier then.....

When CM was 1 until she was about 4 she wouldn't sleep in her bed. She would crawl in bed with us or sleep on the couch and Sam and I thought it was so hard and we were convinced that we would never get a good night's sleep again. We just knew that life would be easier when she finally started sleeping in her own bed.........

Those things were nothing compared to today......

She tried out for the 6th grade volleyball team and didn't make it. She loves playing volleyball and couldn't wait until she could be on the team at school. She is crushed and Sam and I aren't much better. Not so much because she didn't make it but because she is upset and hurting. This was something she really wanted and we had hoped she would have some success here. She was so brave and waited until she got to the car before she really lost it. Now the tears have come off and on throughout the evening along with the questions......

Why are some kids good at everything?
Was I that bad during tryouts?
Why do you think I didn't make the team?
Why did "she" make the team?
Why didn't God want me on the team?

Teaching kids to handle disappointment gracefully.....now that is difficult when all I want to do is lash out at the coaches or snipe about how she is just as good as this child or that one. But that won't help her learn and that isn't what God expects from me.....

Tonight we did our "back to school" dinner (for more details go HERE). Our verse for the year was very fitting for tonight.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you a hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

We have spent time praying with CM and meditating on the verse and it seems to be helping......a bit.

The other thing that is helping is remembering that this is merely a blip on the radar and in the grand scheme of things, not that important. We have friends who recently lost their 6 year old son to a cause yet to be determined and we know of many others who have children who are sick.

But I'd be lying if I said tonight is not a struggle......seeing your child disappointed is TOUGH!! It makes colic and lack of sleep seem like a piece of cake!

I KNOW....

2011-08-14T18:38:00.000-05:00

I know that millions of people can do it....

but,

I love watching my girl dive!

It's something I have never been able to do

and

she's really good at it!

LOVE IT!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....CAMPING EDITION

2011-08-12T19:12:00.000-05:00

Just trying to keep our heads above water around here until school starts. Since we are not busy enough we decided to sneak in a quick camping trip this weekend. (Yes...you read that right....me + camping. I think I can hear the sounds of jaws hitting tables all over the Midwest!)

1. Tent, RV or cabin?

2. Hamburgers or hot dog?

3. Shower while camping or go without?

4. Hiking or biking?

5. Fishing or swimming?

Have a great weekend!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY.......THE GRANDPARENT EDITION

2011-08-05T15:27:00.001-05:00

It has been a quiet week around here as the kids have been out at my parent's all week going to Pandamania VBS with Grandma. So in honor of that, the following questions!

1. Do you think it is unrealistic to expect Grandparents to follow some basic guidelines or do you think what happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's.

2. After kids have been at their Grandparent's, what do you think is the average time it takes to retrain and detox them?

3. What is the most fun thing you remember doing with your Grandparents?

4. What is the most fun thing your parents have done with your kids?

5. What finally makes a Grandparent say no??

Happy Weekend!

HAPPY 7TH!

2011-07-29T22:41:00.000-05:00

One of our family traditions is that I always take a picture the night before the kids' birthdays.

This is Camden on his last night as a 6 year old. After I took his picture he said, "You can go ahead an put that on facebook if you want to."

Tonight he came out to the kitchen as I was finishing decorating his cake and handed me a penny. He then said, "Here Mommy. This is for all your hard work on my cake, all the cleaning, and all the presents you are gonna give me tomorrow." Ha Ha! And to think he hasn't even tasted the cake yet.

Happy 7th Birthday sweet boy!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-07-29T07:48:00.000-05:00

School supply shopping and a birthday party for a young man are the inspiration today......

1. When school shopping time comes around do you stick with buying the cheapest crayons and markers or does Crayola get you every time?

2. What would you estimate you spend on school supplies each year?

3. What is the best place you have ever had a party for your child?

4. Homemade birthday cake or store bought cake?

5. Trick candles or regular candles?

Time to decorate a cake and wrap some presents....Happy Friday!

GUESS WHO??

2011-07-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

Guess who became a certified Red Cross babysitter today?

(also certified in Infant and Child CPR)

Sometimes it is absolutely surreal how quickly the time is flying by......

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-07-21T21:00:00.002-05:00

We love 5 question Friday here at Park Place!! Feel free to share the fun on your own blog. To make it easier for you to link back to Park Place I have created a button (on the sidebar). Grab the button by copying the code underneath. (If you need further instructions please contact me.)

1. What book was better as a movie?
2. What book was ruined as a movie?
3. What does RSVP mean to you?
4. Favorite breakfast bread/pastry/carb?
5. I might have already asked this before but now I'm asking again!! Who is your favorite food network/cooking channel personality??

Have a great weekend!!

OUR FAVORITES....SUMMER EDITION

2011-07-21T20:18:00.001-05:00

Some of our summer favorites......

Flashy new iPhone cover

Kiwi Lemonade from Charley's Grilled Subs
Just different enough to make it a special treat.....very refreshing!

New nail color-Stormy (dark gray) by Revlon

New glossy (even when dry) top coat-by CND

Chocolate chex snack mix-our new favorite snack
Recipe below

Where the Red Fern Grows

Our favorite family out loud read this summer

(Very hard to read without crying!)

Bubble Gum flavored shaved ice from Hoagie's (120th & Blondo-for those in the area)
Shaved ice is NOTHING like a snow cone
but we will debate that in an upcoming blog post!

New neighbors and friends

Just the right age for my kids to have a lot of fun with this summer!

and last but not least

New artwork to decorate my Stonehenge Greige (gray) walls

The artists worked cheap.....supplies, room and board only!

See you tomorrow for 5 Question Friday!

Recipe for Chocolate Chex Mix:

8 cups Chocolate Chex® cereal

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

3 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Into large microwavable bowl, measure cereal; set aside. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.

In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave on High 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes. Break into bite-size pieces.

A NEW LOW.....

2011-07-18T17:32:00.000-05:00

My purse obsession has been somewhat documented here (my top five). I can't help it....I love a good bag. However today I think I took it to an all new low. We went into Claire's to get CM some headbands and yes, you guessed it......I bought myself a purse there.

The only thing I can console myself with are CM's words to me as I was paying and mumbling something about not believing that I was actually buying this purse for myself......

"Don't worry mommy. I don't think any kid would carry that purse anyway."

Thanks.....strangely enough that helped.

The Claire's purse

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....

2011-07-15T19:10:00.000-05:00

1. Women's World Cup Soccer......will you be watching on Sunday or not?

2. If you were shopping in Menards and saw a 1 gallon jar of whole dill pickles for $2.98 would you buy them?

3. What is something that seems to come easily for other people that you wish you could do?

4. What is your favorite appetizer that you get at a restaurant?

5. If you could hire somebody to do something for you for a week, what would you pick?

Have a great weekend friends!

DREAMING AND SHARING.....

2011-07-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

Sitting here thinking tonight about all the girl names I'm never going to get to use........

Aubrey

Mallorie

Sydney

Laney

Darcy

and my very favorite......Delaney

I have generously given Delaney to several people and no one has ever taken me up on it, although I have heard it has made the final round a few times.

All of these names would have been paired with Lorraine (that was my Grandma's middle name).

Love them all!

Now I'm generously giving them all to you......let me know if you take me up on any of them!!

As far as boy names go.....I've got nothing! Boys names are hard!!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-07-08T21:28:00.000-05:00

These are totally random today.........

1. What is the best thing about meeting a new friend?
2. Spray or lotion sunblock?
3. What is the most inexpensive but fun activity you have done this summer?
4. What is your favorite kind of pie?
5. What are you reading right now?

REINTRODUCTION

2011-07-08T21:16:00.000-05:00

So I have a few new people checking this blog out and I thought it might be time to redefine this space....as much for myself as for new friends.

This is the place:

where you will read stories about my kids and my husband and my extended family,
where you will read stories about my experiences as a half stay-at-home mom and a half working mom,
where you will read stories about funny things that happen to me, about my pet peeves, and about my political leanings.

Hopefully my faith will be woven between the lines of these stories.

Simply stated, this is where you will read about LIFE and how it plays out with the things I love and am passionate about (after all it is my blog)!

This blog also makes my parents feel like the thousands and thousands of dollars they spent on me getting a writing minor in college was worth it.....so there is that as well!

This is also the place where every Friday I get to ask you 5 questions and you get to answer the questions with a comment. Did I mention that I love to get comments?

But even if nobody ever commented, I would still write as this is now a fun little hobby and a lot cheaper than therapy!!

So thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for 5 question Friday......

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-07-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

Which one is more July fourth-y to you?

1. Brats or hamburgers
2. Homemade ice cream or smores?
3. Home display or city display of fireworks?
4. Sparklers or no sparklers?
5. Lake or parade?

Have a great weekend friends!

GOOD NIGHT JOHN BOY.......

2011-06-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

photo by willow2us

I can't get enough of The Waltons right now......

Thanks to cable TV, specifically GMC, HALLMARK, and INSP, if you time it right you can watch it from 12pm-8pm daily. In between those times I have a couple of seasons on DVD that I can pop in if I get to "jonesing" for it too bad.

Unfortunately I am unable to sit around and watch the show from 12-8pm daily as things like children, laundry, cooking, cleaning, and work get in the way but when I have the TV on it is usually tuned in. Who doesn't love to see John Boy first fall in love, or Grandpa sneak the recipe when Grandma isn't looking, or Mama recovering from polio, or Mary Ellen defending Jim Bob when he had to wear a girl's shirt to school? It wasn't all paradise on Walton's mountain that's for sure, but it is sure nice to see people treating each other with kindness and respect, helping each other, settling their differences in a civil way; parents in charge of their household firmly disciplining their child when needed yet always loving them-a family who always stuck together.

No I haven't lost my grip on reality (yet)....I realize these are fictional characters. I guess I'm craving more of what they represent than anything...values, character, and most of all faith.

Sometimes life just gets a little discouraging and this is one of those times. Between the death of loved ones, the flooding, the worries about the nuclear plants and just a general unease about the culture of the world we live in, The Walton clan provides a welcome diversion.

It did this mama's heart good last night when, after bedtime prayers and stories and they were all tucked in, thinking no parents were listening, I heard the following exchange:

Claremarie: Good Night Camden
Camden: Good Night Claremarie
Claremarie: I love you
Camden: I love you too

Good night John Boy

Check in tomorrow.....after a brief hiatus Five Question Friday returns!

RELAY FOR LIFE UPDATE

2011-06-25T10:37:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the night for Relay for Life. I met my goal! Thanks to all who donated. It is much appreciated.

The kids sold water, pop, and candy over the last two days at our garage sale with all proceeds going to the walk. Camden was so cute. Anytime someone would come up the driveway he would say,

"Excuse me ma'am. Could I offer you a cool drink? All the money goes to fight cancer."

It almost wasn't fair to have him ask as he was pretty hard to resist but then again cancer isn't fair! They raised $32.00 that they get to turn in tonight and more than that they learned the power of helping others. Not once did they ask if they could keep the money....I love that!

Also love how it worked out that the day my family and I are participating in the Relay for Life just happens to be my uncle's birthday....the whole inspiration for our participation! Coincidence.....I think not!

MERCY....

2011-06-16T21:25:00.000-05:00

I.GIVE.UP.

5 uncles, 1 aunt, and my Grandma.

All gone within the last two years.

I'm tired of going to funerals.

I'm tired of grieving.

This last one was especially hard to take
as he was only 62 and still had

years ahead of him to live and
watch his kids and grandkids live.
His life cut short by cancer and by the by,

Cancer STINKS!

This is my Uncle Richard holding me when
I was 3 months and 3 weeks old (my Grandma had
written on the back of the picture-that's how I know.).
I'm told he was quite excited about my birth
although you wouldn't know it by this picture.

He will be missed!

TO MY LOVE....

2011-06-15T06:31:00.001-05:00

Happy 20th Anniversary my love!

Dec. 20, 1990-the night we got engaged.

Just kids when we met and fell in love, now "mature"

adults and still in love. We have lived a lot of life in those
20 years, some of it difficult but most of it great! There is no
one I would rather have at my side. I keep thinking of the
words from the song "God Gave me You":

On my own, I'm only half of what I could be

I can't do without you

We are stitched together

And what love has tethered

I could never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs

God gave me you for the days of doubt

For when I think I've lost my way

There are no words here left to say, It's true

God gave me you

-Dave Barnes

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God picked you especially for me! I love you!

HOME SWEET HOME

2011-06-14T19:02:00.000-05:00

2,500 miles and a great vacation.....but it sure is good to be home!

Checking out the water flowing out of Lake McConaughy

Courthouse Rock

Chimney Rock

Carhenge (Don't mock us!)

This was Sam and both kiddos favorite!

One of my favorite places!!

Little brown chapel in the woods

Hey Boo Boo....where is my picanik basket??

They promised their Grandpa they would see Crazy Horse....wish

I would have asked him to finance the visit!!

Evan's Plunge-Hot Springs

FIRST AND LAST

2011-05-26T08:17:00.000-05:00

August 2010-First Day of School

May 2011-Last Day of Kindergarten and 5th grade

MAY....IN PICTURES

2011-05-26T08:13:00.000-05:00

AWANA AWARDS AND SAYING GOOD-BYE TO HER LEADER

CREATING GLASS ART WITH THE GIRLS

KINDERGARTEN TEA

GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K

CARNIVAL AT SCHOOL

COUSINS, MERRY GO ROUND AND DAD PUSHING

HOLDING SWEET NOAH

HANGING OUT WITH DAD

MAKING MEMORIES WITH FAMILY

FIRST SWIM OF THE SEASON

IT'S HIS OBSESSION.....

2011-05-24T17:19:00.000-05:00

There are many things I could discuss here today but I guess I'll explore the following topic:

WHY is my son obsessed with former Nebraska football coach Bill Callahan??

Sunday night as we were driving home from our weekend trip we were playing 20 questions. They had the following info about my person: male, older than me, a politician. Who would you guess? Camden yells out, "Bill Callahan". (The answer was Barack Obama if you were curious.)

Earlier this year I chaperoned the Kindergarten field trip to a museum in Lincoln. There was a bust of a man's head and I heard one of Camden's classmates ask him if he knew who that was. Camden said, "Oh I know who that is. That's Bill Callahan." (It was a bust of Charles Darwin if you were curious.)

One day we were driving in the car and I was listening to a talk radio program. Camden asked me who was talking and I said, "Who do you think it is?" He said, "Oh, I know who this is. It's Bill Callahan." (It was Rush if you were curious.)

Another day someone rings the doorbell here. Out loud I said to myself, "I wonder who that could be." Camden said, (You may have already guessed!) "I bet it is Bill Callahan."

These are just a few examples of this weird phenomenon...there have been many others!!

Bill Callahan.....the man who single-handedly almost caused Sam (and most grown men and some women in the state of Nebraska) to have a nervous breakdown in 2007. This is a person who is persona non grata around here. Sure we talked about him plenty in 2007. Well maybe talked isn't the right word. We yelled, screamed, cried often during that season and I'm sure his name was mentioned but Camden was only 3 then. I don't think we have even uttered his name since then so we aren't sure why this man is Camden's "go to guy" as an answer to almost every question.

This is one of those moments where I wish I knew exactly who Camden thinks Bill Callahan is. Evidently he's the most powerful man in the world, with a bust in Morrill Hall, who also has his own radio talk show but who still has time to stop by occasionally!

LOVE THESE....

2011-05-16T09:59:00.000-05:00

I'm not too crafty (although I love doing crafts) but I think I can recognize cute things

when I see them and aren't these the cutest?

family...with whom you are always loved

home...where your journey begins

Happy Monday!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....THE FIELD TRIP EDITION

2011-05-13T13:55:00.000-05:00

CM was suppposed to go on her 5th grade field trip today. They were headed to a camp where they were going to zip line, rock wall, canoe, and hike. The trip got postponed but the questions are still happening today!

1. What was your favorite field trip when you were a kid?

2. If you have ever chaperoned a field trip, what was your favorite?

3. What special treats do you put in your child's lunch for field trip day?

4. What special treats did you get in your field trip lunch when you were a kid?

5. Don't you think adults should get field trips?!!

SLEEP TIGHT....

2011-05-12T08:14:00.000-05:00

This morning I had the displeasure of reading the following article that has left my skin crawling: "Scientists Discover Bedbugs carrying the MRSA Germ". Ewww! I don't know about you but those little bugs scare me. For the last few years I have been paranoid anytime we go anywhere and stay in a motel that we will bring them home with us. Yes....I always do check our rooms before we bring our stuff in but you never know where those little nasty creatures are hiding. I thought I was being pretty nonchalant about my room checks, trying not to pass my paranoia on to my children but the last time we walked into a motel CM yelled, "Time for a bedbug check!" See....I am teaching my children lots of valuable life skills!

There's also a website you can check and it tells you all the motels in the United States where bedbugs have been reported. DON'T LOOK AT IT! If you choose to ignore my warning and look at it you will never stay in a motel/hotel again. (I know it is definitely complicating our choice of lodging for our vacation this summer.)

From what I've read about them once you get them they are very hard to get rid of. I've always comforted myself the following mantra, "It will be ok even if we do get bedbugs. Sure the bites will be irritating and it will be hard to get rid of them but they won't kill us." It turns out I may be wrong about that. Now not only are they disgusting they may even be life threatening!!

Bedbugs were virtually eradicated in North America in the 1940's but are now making a comeback and seem to be immune to most treatments. That is not good news. I'm sure there is something that can kill them but it is probably illegal now because it is bad for the environment. I say bring on the good stuff and let's get these things under control!!

Sorry I had to bring this subject up but if I have to itch all day I want company!!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY-Mother's Day Edition

2011-05-06T15:03:00.000-05:00

1. Mother's Day.....a chance to really be extra special nice to your mom or a made up holiday??

2. Breakfast in bed.....a nice idea but pretty impractical or something you have to do on Mother's Day?

3. Who is your all-time favorite television mom?

4. Mother's Day cards....store-bought or homemade?

5. Rank the following mother's day gifts from best to least desired (by you): flowers, jewelry, time alone, chocolate. (Feel free to add your own favorite!).

Happy Mother's Day to all my female readers and have a great weekend everybody!

WHY I THINK IT IS OK TO BE "HAPPY" ABOUT OBL'S DEMISE

2011-05-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

It didn't take long for the news to spread Sunday night. Finally....we got him. Facebook, twitter, and blogs were alive with messages of victory, happiness, and pride. And then came the self-righteous posts. Posts talking about how wrong it was to be happy about someones death, especially someone who died without knowing the Lord. As a Christian, I'll admit, I was a bit conflicted.

After thinking about it for a few days here's what I think was going on Sunday night.

In my opinion, most people weren't "celebrating" the death of someone.

People were just excited to have some "good" news for a change. This war against terror has drug on and on and grown very weary. Every day we hear about these young men who are killed by cowardly IED bombs (Iowa and Nebraska have been hit especially hard lately). There is never any mention of the good we are doing in the middle east.....only negative news is reported. So to hear the news that we have finally found one of the bad guys and that he will no longer be a threat was very welcome.

People were celebrating a military victory. Those men were carrying out a mission that their commander in chief ordered and they completed it with bravery and skill. I can't imagine the nerve it takes to fly into a compound, unsure of what you will encounter. Your helicopter crashes and you have no way of knowing how you will get out of there but you carry out the mission anyway. That is amazing!

People were happy to have something to feel pride about again. (I'm not going to lie here. When we heard the news Sam went and hung up our flag, quickly setting the trend on our street as several neighbors followed suite.) We have a President who went around the world on his "apologize for America" tour soon after he was elected. We have a first lady who said she had never had a moment of pride in this country until her husband was elected. Our military has been called every name in the book. Every day we are told how we are ruining the planet. Unemployment is at an all-time high and let's not even talk about the price of gas. The spirit of America has been demoralized by all of these things and it was nice to have something to bring that back a little bit. Whether you believe it or not, this is the GREATEST country in the world. It is a country, which from its very beginning, has fought against amazing odds to survive and thrive. We have done more to help people in this world than any other country ever. We financially support many countries (including Pakistan) and causes and we are a moral authority in the world (oh yes I said it!). We are given that responsibility because of the way we were founded, on Christian principles and values.

Any psychologist will tell you how important/helpful it is for victims' families to have some closure by facing down the criminal who harmed their loved one. Obviously that was never going to happen with OBL (much to Eric Holder's dismay) and the 9/11 families. But this is probably the next best thing for them. To know he is gone and will not harm them or anyone else in the world does bring some measure of comfort to them. I heard the brother of a lady who was killed in the south tower on the radio yesterday and he was so relieved with the news. It made me cry just listening to him talk about his grief and how no one ever called to tell them Julie was gone, she just was. There was never any body to bury, just a pot of ashes from the site. OBL's death won't bring Julie back but to Mike it was justice.

OBL was an enemy of this country. He irrationally hated us and wanted to see our downfall. His sin of plotting the death of innocents has a consequence. Yes it is sad that a man died, in all probability without the Lord, but his heart was hardened against the things of God long, long ago. He chose the way he lived his life and that ultimately led to his demise.

So am I happy (or rejoicing) about his death? I don't know if happy is the right word. But I definitely do identify with all of the aforementioned things. So does being human make me less of a Christian? God will let me know the answer to that.

For now, if I'm going to feel bad about someone dying (or worry about whether they were ready to meet their Maker), I think I'll save my sympathy for the victims who perished without warning because of nothing they had done.

•93 (Feb.): Bombing of World Trade Center (WTC); 6 killed.

•1993 (Oct.): Killing of U.S. soldiers in Somalia.

•1996 (June): Truck bombing at Khobar Towers barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killed 19 Americans.

•1998 (Aug.): Bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; 224 killed, including 12 Americans.

•2000 (Oct.): Bombing of the USS Cole in port in Yemen; 17 U.S. sailors killed.

•2001 (Sept.): Destruction of WTC; attack on Pentagon. Total dead 2,992.

•2002 (April): Explosion at historic synagogue in Tunisia left 21 dead, including 11 German tourists.

•2002 (May): Car exploded outside hotel in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 14, including 11 French citizens.

•2002 (June): Bomb exploded outside American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12.

•2002 (Oct.): Boat crashed into oil tanker off Yemen coast, killing 1.

•2002 (Oct.): Nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia, killed 202, mostly Australian citizens.

•2002 (Nov.): Suicide attack on a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, killed 16.

•2003 (May): Suicide bombers killed 34, including 8 Americans, at housing compounds for Westerners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

•2003 (May): 4 bombs killed 33 people targeting Jewish, Spanish, and Belgian sites in Casablanca, Morocco.

•2003 (Aug.): Suicide car-bomb killed 12, injured 150 at Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia.

•2003 (Nov.): Explosions rocked a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, housing compound, killing 17.

•2003 (Nov.): Suicide car-bombers simultaneously attacked 2 synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 25 and injuring hundreds.

•2003 (Nov.): Truck bombs detonated at London bank and British consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 26.

•2004 (March): 10 bombs on 4 trains exploded almost simultaneously during the morning rush hour in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 and injuring more than 1,500.

•2004 (May): Terrorists attacked Saudi oil company offices in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, killing 22.

•2004 (June): Terrorists kidnapped and executed American Paul Johnson, Jr., in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

•2004 (Sept.): Car bomb outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, killed 9.

•2004 (Dec.): Terrorists entered the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing 9 (including 4 attackers).

•2005 (July): Bombs exploded on 3 trains and a bus in London, England, killing 52.

•2005 (Oct.): 22 killed by 3 suicide bombs in Bali, Indonesia.

•2005 (Nov.): 57 killed at 3 American hotels in Amman, Jordan.

If you are still with me, thanks for letting me get that off of my chest.

RELAY FOR LIFE 2011

2011-05-01T20:49:00.002-05:00

Uncle Richard with his grandson Noah

This year my family and I will be participating in Relay for Life in honor of my Uncle Richard. I've lived most of the years of my life relatively unscathed by the insidious disease of cancer and its even more horrible sister chemotherapy, but this year cancer has hit home. If you are interested in donating please visit my personal page at the following link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sherpark

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....THE ROYAL EDITION!

2011-04-29T16:17:00.000-05:00

Yes....it may be frivolous and unimportant but we are going to recap and debrief today!!

1. Did you or did you not watch and if you did watch.....live or DVR?

2. Which channel/coverage did you watch?

3. What is your verdict of the dress and the hair?

4. Do you think the queen's choice of yellow was a wise one?

5. What was your favorite moment of the day?

MY FAVORITE!!

2011-04-28T16:44:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite picture from our Easter weekend in Hershey. On Sunday afternoon, we held our Easter egg hunt. We had to do it inside because of the rain. I just love that all of them are smiling (and looking at the camera-that never happens). Lanay peeking over CM's shoulder is just precious and Camden and Maddie's smiles of anticipation are so adorable!! Love it when a picture turns out!!

RESURRECTION DAY

2011-04-24T00:39:00.000-05:00

Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior.

He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord.

Up from the grave He arose,

with a mighty triumph o'er His foes.

He arose a victor from the dark domain

and He lives forever with His saints to reign.

He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Robert Lowry 1826-1899

LOW SATURDAY

2011-04-23T06:31:00.000-05:00

Vainly they watch His grave, Jesus my Savior.

Vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord.

GOOD FRIDAY

2011-04-22T11:13:00.000-05:00

Low in the grave He lay, Jesus my Savior

Waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord.

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-04-22T09:58:00.000-05:00

Friday friends,

Our fun 5 question Friday game is on hiatus until next week! See you then.

A BROKEN HEART

2011-04-21T22:36:00.000-05:00

Today while I was at work I read the story of a little girl that was recently brought in to our emergency shelter. There are many sad cases that come to our agency but her case caught my eye as she was almost the exact same age as my little girl.......10 years old. The surprising thing about her situation and the thing I'm having a hard time letting go of tonight was the reason she was there. Usually kids come to the shelter because they have been hurt in some way but the police had to bring her to us as she had physically assaulted her mother......beat her mother up. I just can't wrap my mind around what had probably led a 10 year old to that place, to the place of raising her fists against her mom. God only knows what her young life has been like up to this point, how many times the physical or mental abuse has been against her.

I gave my little girl an extra hug tonight and told her how thankful I am for her! My kids have never gone a day in their lives without me telling them that I love them and that God loves them. How I wish that were true for all the kids in the world....but sadly it is not. I'm thankful that there are places like Children's Square U.S.A. to take in these kids that need help but that seems a little hollow so I'm praying that the Father will draw all of these children close to Himself.

HOW DID WE GET HERE SO FAST?

2011-04-15T21:35:00.000-05:00

FIRST YEAR

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

FIRST SLEEPOVER FOR TRIBE

(which is our junior high group at church)

THAT.WENT.FAST!

and yes....a few tears were shed!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-04-15T17:32:00.000-05:00

They're back.....

1. What is your favorite springtime tree?

2. What is your favorite springtime flower?

3. Little House on the Prairie, The Walton's, or Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?

4. What is the best "as seen on tv" gadget you have ever bought?

5. What is the worst "as seen on tv" gadget you have ever bought?

THIS AND THAT

2011-04-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was looking for some cute flip-flops (although I still think of them as thongs!) for CM. Both of us love, love love our shoes!! I was in the girls' section looking at all of the cute shoes with the ribbons and flowers and beads when I realized...all of these shoes are too little for my baby. She has graduated into women's sizes. It's hard to believe those small, little, chubby feet have grown so much over the last 10 years.

We were talking about how the kids will go into public school when they get to high school and Little C says. "I don't want to go to public school that would be like going to military school." Um.....not quite son. Then he said, "If I go to public school I won't be able to praise God." We were quick to tell him that he can praise God anywhere but I thought that was so sweet.

This is now the home of the superior medallion recipient in 5th grade poetry! So proud of CM and how well she did in the District Speech contest last week. She scored 99 out of 100 points. We are proud of her in all of her accomplishments but I think speech is such an awesome life skill to have and to develop and something you can use throughout your whole life.

SO THANKFUL

2011-04-08T10:45:00.000-05:00

for these three for giving up many hours of my time over the last three months,

and for these two who watched my kids and ran my household for 4 days,

so I could help with an event I love and serve women that I love!

Table by Jenny Hofer and yes she folded all those little birds!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY....

2011-04-01T23:19:00.000-05:00

1. What is your favorite new car out on the market?

2. Have you ever changed your own oil?

3. Do you participate in this farce of a holiday...that is April Fool's Day? (Not my favorite day if you can't tell!)

4. Pepperoni pizza....Do you like your pepperonis on top of the cheese or under the cheese? (Hey this ain't brain surgery people!)

5. Did you just cringe when I used the word ain't? Be honest!

This is kind of a weak addition of 5 question Friday. I apologize for that....it has been a very LONG week!

Happy Weekend!

TAKE A BREATH....

2011-03-31T21:51:00.000-05:00

Feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of parenting tonight.......

Disappointed by the actions of one child. Nothing horrible but disappointing nonetheless. It seems to feel worse when they do something that you know they know not to do. As a parent, I pray everyday that both of them will stand strong in the face of peer pressure, that they will always stand up for what is right.

And then I remember....

They are no different than me. How many times have I disappointed my Father by doing things I know are wrong and I do them anyway? How many times does He wish that I would stand strong in the face of pressure and that I would always stand up for what is right?

But He extends forgiveness and grace, undeserved but freely given. How can I do any less?

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-03-25T20:28:00.000-05:00

1. What is your favorite month and why?

2. What is your least favorite month and why?

3. What is one thing you have started that you wish you would have finished?

4. If you could have picked your own name what would you have chosen?

5. If you have been, what is your favorite exhibit at the Henry Doorly Zoo?

Have a good weekend friends!

COMES IN LIKE A LION

2011-03-25T11:37:00.001-05:00

A pictorial commentary of the weather here in NE this week.

On Tuesday I was wearing my sandals. It was 80 and we had a tornado warning and hail Today it is back to my snow boots. 4 inches of snow last night and 3-5 more in the forecast for tomorrow.

March has just moved into being my fourth least favorite month.

IF WE HAD A THIRD....

2011-03-25T00:43:00.001-05:00

Our third child is our perfect child.

With CM we didn't do a good job training her to sleep or to eat. With Cam we learned our lesson about the sleeping (he is the BEST sleeper!) but still didn't do too well with the eating part. So we often joke that our third child would the best sleeper and the best eater EVER!!

I'm sitting here writing this as I wait for the older C to go to sleep. It is 12:41am. I have to be up by 6:30am. Unlike some around here I love to sleep (even have pajamas that say so) and I don't do so well when I have less than 6 hours. Tonight there are no sharks (yes, even in Nebraska), intruders, ghosts, Indians, or tornadoes.....she just can't sleep and she doesn't want to be the last person in the house awake (There is one way to solve that problem....GO TO SLEEP!).

I'm sure my mom is getting a huge laugh out of this post. She tells the story about me when I was a child not wanting to be the last one to sleep. I guess I could see her from my bed, in the reflection of our fish tank, as she sat at the table working. If she moved and I wasn't asleep yet I would raise quite the ruckus. You know what they say about payback.

That brings me back to my original point (sorry I'm rambling....Did I mention I need SLEEP?) It's probably best that our third child stay imaginary.....we don't want our dreams ruined!

This is what I'm hoping to see soon!!

THESE THINGS....

2011-03-21T18:27:00.000-05:00

...are making me happy on this dreary Monday!

Isn't that a cute little spring/Easter idea? We made this at the mom's group I am a part of.

I know credit should be given but I don't know where the idea came from.

So if you are the inventor of this cute idea, good job!

Isn't my little solar-powered kitty cute? I picked him up last year when I visited China.

Every morning he faithfully waves at me and continues to do so all day long! Such a fun little

reminder of my trip and something that brings a smile to my face (and my cousin to my mind) every day!

Have a great week!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-03-18T19:04:00.000-05:00

1. Is it too early to wear sandals?? (We have an event tomorrow night and I would like to wear sandals.)

2. Do you think it is lying to not answer the phone when a telemarketer calls? (Not judging, just had a conversation about this recently and would be interested in your answer.)

3. What's your favorite cooking/food show on TV?

4. To pinch or not to pinch (on St. Patty's Day)....that is the question?

5. Favorite color in the spring clothes? (Sorry to the male readers....couldn't think of anything else.)

MY DOPPELGANGER

2011-03-12T10:32:00.001-06:00

Quite frequently people say to me,

"You look like that actress. Oh what's her name? Kathy Bates...You look just like her!"

I never quite know if that's a compliment or not. When I think of her I usually think of her as Annie Wilkes in Misery. She was neither attractive nor nice in that movie (although I thought she acted the part superbly)!

My pride just wishes I could have a doppelganger who is more-widely thought to be attractive and/or skinny. I can never quite tell if people actually think I look like her or if they think I look like I'm the same size as her. (For the record I realize that she is probably a lot smaller than I am!).

Here are a couple more pictures of her when she's all cleaned up.

I guess it could be worse....people could be telling me I look like Rosie O'Donut or Roseanne Barr!! (Don't get any ideas!!)

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-03-11T10:34:00.000-06:00

Here's the scoop....if you read this post you are required to answer!! ;-) Happy Friday!

1. Do you do laundry once a week or a couple of loads every day?

2. What is the most unusual thing your child has ever woken you up for in the middle of the night? (If you have no children feel free to substitute pets/neighbors/etc.)

3. Favorite birthday decoration (we are getting ready to celebrate Sam's birthday this week)?

4. What is the last movie you have seen AND do you recommend it?

5. What is the last book you have read AND do you recommend it?

FRIDAY NEWS

2011-03-11T10:17:00.001-06:00

There are a lot of ups and downs in the land of parenthood. This has been a week of ups!!

We are enjoying it and celebrating our kiddos!!

SPARKYS WIN!!

Of course I didn't get a picture of the team. They had disbanded by the time I got down to the floor. This was Camden's first time playing in the Awana games and he was SO excited!!

TRUTH AND TRAINING GIRLS WIN!!

It was so close but they pulled it out!! So exciting!

I did manage to get a picture of these champions!!

In other news...CM got selected to represent Trinity at the district speech contest in poetry! She did such a good job! We are very proud of her!!

DEAR AUNT VERA

2011-03-01T18:41:00.000-06:00

May 2006

My Aunt Vera died this last weekend. She was kind of more like a grandmother than an aunt in a way. Her house was one that whenever my sister, brother and I were there, we were adored and doted on. Hugs were plentiful and rules were few. This was not a place where children were seen and not heard.

There was a porch swing there...yellow if I remember right. (And it is for this reason and this reason alone, that my dream home will have a porch with a swing on it). There was an entire drawer full of colors, a plentiful supply of coloring books and the encouragement to date and sign every picture completed, as though it were a work by Picasso himself. There was a playhouse there with pots and pans and dishes and utensils. And one of the very best things that was there were the barbie doll clothes...little handmade clothes that my cousins had sewn. Fancy dresses, coats with fur, matching pajama tops and bottoms....everything you could imagine.

But most of all there was love. This was a place where a little girl could say something as seemingly rude as,
"This sure is a gooder dinner than you usually fix Aunt Vera" and not be in trouble, but instead be the star of the story that was told over and over again. (Much to my chagrin during the awkward teenage years but now appreciated so much!) This was a place where we were cherished.

However, I think Aunt Vera's most important legacy is her children. She was left alone to raise them after her husband died. 5 young girls, my cousins....Jerryl, Janny, Joye, Jane and Julie. I'm sure there were plenty of very, very difficult times for them, there had to be, but she did something right with them. I don't think I have ever met, in one family, 5 more wonderful women. Loving, loyal, each creative and talented in their own way, friendly, interesting and funny....all of them making the world a better place just by being here! They have honored their mother by lovingly caring for her, especially through these last few difficult years.

So Aunt Vera, good-bye for now. Your smile, laughter and hugs will be missed. You were loved. You will not be forgotten.

FIVE QUESTION FRIDAY...a little late

2011-02-26T08:33:00.001-06:00

1. Who is your favorite president and why? (This question courtesy of Camden)

2. What is your favorite thing about the circus?

3. As I'm sitting here watching the flakes fall, if snow could be any flavor what would you pick?

4. What restaurant can you go to and ALWAYS have a good meal?

5. If you were Phineas and I were Ferb, what would we do today? (This question courtesy of Sam)

(FYI...I wasn't going to include that last question because it is hard and I told Sam that no one would answer it and he said, "No one answers your questions anyway except me and Rhonda." Prove him wrong people!!)

LETTING GO....

2011-02-26T08:24:00.000-06:00

When Little C got his spectacles last summer I knew they were going to be trouble. I thought the trouble would be losing them or breaking them. That's not it! The trouble is remembering to take them to school.

The child needs his glasses (evidently his eyes have gotten dramatically worse since July, as he recently failed the eye test at school....with his glasses on...but that's another story) and I usually remember to say, "don't forget your glasses" but some days I don't.

Even though he is only 6, I believe that HE needs to learn to take care of his glasses. He needs to be the one to remember to take them to school. (Dr. Rosemond would be so proud!)

But oh how my heart aches when I see him getting out of the car and I know he has forgotten them....again and I know how much he needs them and how much he will struggle throughout the day without them and how much I will worry about him struggling. And I so want to go home and get them and bring them back to him and make everything OK......fix the problem.

Hopefully some lessons are being learned from this little blip on the radar of life......

For him-A start on learning the life skills needed to be a responsible person in this world. We all know what happens to kids who don't learn that lesson when they are young. They learn it later and in a much harder way!

For me-A start on learning to let go. If I can do it with these little issues, maybe it won't be so traumatic when the big issues (summer camp, college, marriage) come along. We all know what happens to moms who don't learn that lesson when their children are young. :-)

So, no matter how hard it is or how many times the teacher scolds me, I will persevere! And by next year I pray this lesson has been learned by him.....for me I think it is going to take a little longer.

THE TWO SAMS

2011-02-19T09:46:00.002-06:00

So hard to believe that this little guy

Sam Park with Sam Lee in 1996

is now this big guy

who got to wrestle in the state tournament this weekend!

Sam on the right

Good job Sam!!

A FUN WEEK...

2011-02-19T09:06:00.001-06:00

CHOCOLATE CAKE AND

STRAWBERRY MILK FOR VALENTINE'S DAY BREAKFAST!

FUN GAMES AT VALENTINE'S DAY PARTIES!

A BIT OF A MIXED MESSAGE??!!

KINDERGARTEN FIELD TRIP TO MORRILL HALL

TED AND WALLY'S ICE CREAM!!

A VERY FUN, FULL WEEK!!

5 QUESTION FRIDAY

2011-02-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

Well it has been a very busy, full week around here. Can't wait to share some pictures and blog about it but am just getting ready to head down to the state wrestling meet to watch cousin Sam. So for now the five questions will have to suffice.

1. If you are a girl....did you ever have any interest in wrestling?

2. I don't think many men read this blog but if you are a man reading this, how would you have felt about wrestling a girl?

3. Did you have a great Valentine's Day and if so please elaborate?

And because Amy and Michael W. Smith put on such a great concert on Monday night...

4. What is your favorite Amy Grant song?

5. What is your favorite Michael W. Smith song?

Happy Friday friends!

5 QUESTIONS FRIDAY

2011-02-11T14:53:00.001-06:00

We haven't done this for awhile so here's how it goes.....If you read this post you are asked nicely (required :-) ) to answer. I would LOVE to hear from you!! Happy Friday everyone!

1. What is your favorite Valentine treat to give?

2. What is your favorite Valentine treat to receive?

3. Do you prefer to give sentimental or funny cards?

4. Do you prefer to receive sentimental or funny cards?

5. What is your favorite chocolate in the box?

ONE OF MY BFF'S....

2011-02-08T22:22:00.001-06:00

...is coming to town next week. I would by lying if I said there hasn't been a few estrangements but for the most part we've been in each other's lives for 20+ years. It's been a few years since we've seen each other but I'm sure it will seem like no time has passed at all. She is a little annoyed that I can't come to her sound check on Monday afternoon (I told her Valentine's day parties at school take priority) but hopefully she will be over that by Monday evening and we can just enjoy catching up. ;-)

AFTER ALL THIS TIME....

2011-02-06T16:52:00.001-06:00

For the last 10 years or so we have been awakened in the middle of the night to MANY alarm calls from Sam's store.

It has always been very jarring to receive phone calls in the middle of the night (since the worst phone call we ever received came then too).
Sam has to get up and drive the 20 miles to his store to meet the police there. I always worry that he will doze off, get in an accident with a drunk driver, or somehow get in the middle of the robbery attempt at the store.
Whenever we get these calls my heart starts beating so hard that it takes me awhile to calm down. This usually ensures that I will be minus at least 1-2 hours of sleep for that night.
And the worst part is that they have never ever caught any of the thieves who have set off the alarms.....

UNTIL NOW

Finally, after all these years, last night they caught one of the thieves. Sam was so happy, I was happy, even the Bellevue police department was happy (They have been trying to catch these guys for awhile!) Finally some sort of payoff to all these late night trips. We kind of feel like we won the super bowl today. Now if they can just get the charges to stick....

POSTSCRIPT....

2011-02-04T09:53:00.002-06:00

Yes Debbie...I really took that picture of the hawk. It was sitting right on my driveway. Unfortunately it flew away right as I got closer. The picture of him up in the air with that carcass would have been really cool but I didn't get it.

Now I think I'm being haunted by rabbits. The night after the day I took that picture, we came home really late and there was a rabbit sitting on our front step. Right by the door. Just sitting there....waiting for me....and people think they are all nice and cuddly.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO TRY THAT.....

2011-02-01T16:36:00.002-06:00

They are Bugs Bunny.

I am Elmer Fudd

They are kryptonite.

I am Superman.

They are Road Runner.

I am Wile E. Coyote.

In my ongoing battle against the rodent rabbits that live in my yard, I have tried the following:

Cayenne Pepper

Tabasco

Human Hair-(Gross but do-able)

Wolf Urine-(Getting desperate)

Rabbit Off-(Expensive and stinks)

Rabbit Fences

Ceramic Owls-(The rodents mockingly made their nasty little nest and had babies at the base of one of these worthless things last summer.)

Sling Shot-(Don't judge until you have had rabbits eat 197 of the 200 tulip bulbs you planted in your yard.)

BB Gun-(Go ahead and call PETA)

A Dog-(I think he was scared of them)
I even chased one of them around my yard with a baseball bat, which horrified CM as she had invited a friend over after school and they happened to be watching me.
In my anger at the rodent I forgot we had company.

I may have been going about this all wrong!! When I came home from school drop-off the other day this gorgeous creature (some kind of a hawk I think) had swooped down and picked up his prey out of my yard! Sorry for the graphic picture but to me it represents hope!

I may have to start raising hawks in my backyard!!

THE NOSE DOESN'T ALWAYS KNOW....

2011-01-31T13:23:00.002-06:00

I guess no one wants to talk about Tom's nose so how about we go back to talking about how adorably ornery my favorite son is...

Don't you just love his big blue eyes and his dirty face??

I asked him who he played with at Sunday School yesterday. He said he played with hunky dory. I said who is that and he said I don't know her name but anytime you ask her anything she says hunky dory. I then asked him if that was the little brown-haired girl he was talking to and he said oh no....she's a dirty blond. (I have no idea where he learned that term and I informed him that I would prefer he say dark blond instead.)

Sat. night he decided to try out the a** word on us. That earned him some special alone time with daddy in the bedroom. Don't think he will be saying that again anytime soon. Glad he tried it out here instead of at school. The sad thing is that even though I knew he needed some fast and furious discipline, I immediately felt sorry for him and couldn't listen. Poor little potty mouth.
While playing his nintendo ds this weekend he excitedly said, "Mom come look at the technique I'm using on this screen."
This morning on the way to school he asked me why he wasn't already 1 when he was born. (This followed questions about the way a family member had died some years ago. I had successfully put an end to that conversation by saying that I would tell him about it when he was old enough to understand. I was feeling pretty good about deferring that topic when this question popped out and on top of everything, it was extremely icy outside and I really needed to concentrate on driving.) Anyway, I told him that we don't count the years like that here in the U.S. but that they do count them like that in China. (Always like to throw in trivia when I can.) I then said that technically when you were born you were really 10 months old because you were alive for 10 months in my tummy. Which led to the inevitable question, "And just how exactly did I get in your tummy?" I said, "It's all about the love that dad and I have for each other and the rest we will discuss at another time." He then said in the most dreamy voice ever, "I'm here all because of love."

I love that son o' mine.....but I have a feeling I may be having an awkward conversation with his teacher later today.

PEOPLE.....

2011-01-28T14:53:00.000-06:00

****disclaimer...This post is not deep nor does anything in it have eternal implications....I just want to rehash some of the things I read in my People today. For the record, I do not condone the lifestyles of many of the rich and famous nor do I idolize them in any way. That being said, I do enjoy reading about them, seeing what they wear, and discussing all of this with friends. If that describes you then join the discussion if not then come back tomorrow!! :-)

So I was reading my People today at the gym, looking at all of the pictures from the Golden Globes and I just wish somebody....anybody could tell me what is so great about Angelina Jolie. Most men I know think she's the cat's meow and I just don't get it. I personally don't find her overly beautiful (that sounds mean and I don't mean it to) and I don't think she dresses that great either. (I didn't care for the green dress she wore to the Globes?) Yes, she "seems" to be a devoted mom but I wonder how many nannys and other helpers actually care for her children. Anybody who could make Brad Pitt into someone who braids beads in his beard is suspicious!! If I were styling her I would suggest a tan and some highlights in her hair.

Does anyone think Tom Cruise's nose is getting bigger? As a student of noseology, I think it is. Coming from a family that has a very distinctive nose on one side, I feel qualified to comment on this. As we age I think that noses do get bigger and change and I think his is. I've never really noticed it before and now it seems to really be pronounced. (Can't find a picture of it to use here...search for a picture of tom cruise at days of thunder reunion and you'll see what I mean).

Love this dress but don't really know who the actress is. Could live without the shoes though.

Jesse James is engaged to the tattoo addict Kat Von D......you messed up dude! On the same note.....Sandra, I know you are trying to move on but bangs are not the way to do it!!

Regis is retiring....we just got him back here in Omaha a couple of weeks ago and now he's leaving. That's a bummer. I really like the first 15 minutes of that show.

Happy Friday everyone...it's the rodeo for us tonight!!

CAREER UPDATE...

2011-01-26T21:50:00.000-06:00

I almost forgot. There has been some change in Camden's career path. He had told his class earlier this year that he wanted to be a pastry chef (this due to only really liking to eat carbs and sweets) but now he has changed his mind. He has decided that he wants to be a GAME SHOW HOST!

I guess he does kind of look like Guy Fieri.

SWEET NOTHINGS....

2011-01-26T21:23:00.000-06:00

Just found out that Sam doesn't like my blog picture and background right now. He says it is misleading because people will scroll down and think that they are reading the blog of a country girl who writes about making her own butter and such (boy would they be wrong!). I like the picture and the background....maybe not together though.
Camden lost his first tooth. I don't have a picture of it yet because we have been BUSY! I don't do well with loose teeth and throw up so I told him to go in the bathroom and wiggle it until it came out. A few minutes later it was out!! Tooth fairy even remembered to come. ;-)
2011 will be the year I perfect the ultimate coconut chocolate chip cookie. Any tips or recipes you have would be appreciated!!
So thankful that Jan. is almost over for another year and that this winter hasn't been as dark and depressing as last year!

30 HOURS...

2011-01-15T22:33:00.002-06:00

A night at a motel complete with 2 hours of swimming in Grand Island

A very nice visit with dear Aunt Vera in Burwell

A wrestling meet (haven't been to one of those for about 24 years) to watch "little" Sam in Atkinson

A meal at a small town steakhouse in Clearwater

A big surprise at seeing Miss Nebraska win Miss America (watching it) in Omaha

We have circled the state and had a very full weekend and it is only Saturday night!! You can get a lot done in 30 hours!

WELCOME BACK FRIENDS...

2011-01-08T17:58:00.001-06:00

It's been a long time since I've thought about my friends Nancy, George, and Bess. You too Donna and Trixie and Cherry. And of course there's Anne and Emily (well not so much Anne as I try to spend a week or so with her every winter!).

By Nancy of course I mean Nancy Drew (and her friends Bess and George).....the upstanding, loyal, detective.

By Donna I mean Donna Parker (and her friend Ricky)....the high-schooler who had friend trouble, and family trouble, and boy trouble.

By Cherry I mean Cherry Ames (I don't think she had the same friends in all the books)....the dark-haired, rosy-cheeked, very caring nurse/detective (who I always pictured looking like a grown-up Donna Parker).

By Trixie I mean Trixie Belden (and her friends Di and Honey).....the "slightly more spunky than Nancy" detective who was always getting into scrapes.

And last but definitely not least the beloved Anne (and her friend Diana) of Green Gables and the more mysterious and only slightly less beloved Emily (and her friend Ilse) of New Moon.

They seem like friends....friends from my youth....friends who I definitely spent many, many hours voraciously reading about!

FINALLY much to my great delight, sweet Claremarie has discovered Nancy. I have been trying to get her to read these books for quite a while and the suggestion has finally become a reality. She can't get enough of them!!

Can the rest be far behind?

POPCORN BALLS...

2010-12-30T21:17:00.000-06:00

For the first 22 years of my life I spent every Christmas Day (except one) at my Grandma's house and in later years even if I wasn't with her on Christmas Day I would see her sometime during the holiday week. Now in these last years Grandma wasn't able to participate much in the festivities but she was there.

One of my memories of Christmas at Grandma's was the popcorn balls she used to make. (Now these are the good popcorn balls not the ones made with that marshmallow nonsense). She would always bring them out in the afternoon after dinner was eaten and cleaned up and after gifts were exchanged. They were SO GOOD.

Today, even though we have had every treat known to man over the last few weeks, I decided to whip up a batch of the popcorn balls. They aren't as good as hers always were but just biting into one brings memories rushing back and brings a little part of her here this year....our first Christmas without her.

And that's what traditions do....they link generation to generation and bind families together. Here's hoping you have all had many special family moments this holiday season.

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Signing off for 2010,

THIS LITTLE GUY...

2010-12-26T22:13:00.000-06:00

I believe this sensitive, little guy is going to be an awesome husband for some special, lucky girl. Tonight when we were playing LIFE (which by the way is not a bad game-I hadn't played it for awhile), he was SO very excited when he landed on the "you just had a baby" space. Then when he had to pick whether he wanted to go on the regular life path or the risky life path he said, "I better go on the regular life path. I have a family now!"

2010-12-24T07:05:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas from The Parks

SANTA....

2010-12-21T22:10:00.000-06:00

Me: Camden do you want to go see Santa today?

Camden: No thanks.

Me: Why?

Camden: I'm too big for that.

Me: Sob, sob, sniff, sniff.

So NOT prepared for that today!!

SWEET JUSTICE...

2010-12-17T16:16:00.000-06:00

As a postscript to my last post.....

Today Sam was leaving work and carrying four 2X2's. He turned around to tell the cashier good-bye and accidentally whacked someone in the chest with the boards. When he turned around to see who he hit, he saw none other than the man who asked the now infamous questions (see last post...I'm not repeating it!).

Ahhh.....sweet justice! (Well not really since he lived but it's probably the only retribution I'm going to get!)

NOT GONNA LIE...THIS ONE HURT...A LOT!!

2010-12-14T14:02:00.000-06:00

It has been documented HERE and HERE...the unfortunate incidents when I have been called my kids' Grandma. I honestly didn't think it could get worse until today.

I met Sam at Menards this morning to look at carpet (yeah...I might be getting new carpet!!) and we were also picking up a few presents. Sam started talking to a shopper that he knows and then he turned and looked at me and said....some of you know where this is going....

"IS THIS YOUR MOM?"

OH.MY.HEAVENS.

Let's just say I did not react well to this. First of all I "corrected" the gentleman and then I hightailed it to the next aisle where I immediately broke down crying. (Crying in Menards, where your husband is the manager, also not a pleasant experience....for anyone!). But you know us Grandmas and mothers of 41 year old men...we are so emotional...probably menopause or something!!

Sam's job tonight...returning all of the presents he bought me. I will be taking the money and immediately booking my appointment for botox or a chemical peel or something....anything that will help. Obviously I need it!!

Sam was also not happy to have me referred to as his mom. His mother is a very lovely person but it is still kind of creepy to have your wife called mommy!!

I MUST CONFESS....

2010-12-09T19:40:00.001-06:00

Sam at the ??? Hmm I wonder where??

Sam, Rhonda and I were fortunate to be able to travel to the Big XII championship game last weekend in Dallas. I was looking forward to it except for the part about being in Texas, surrounded by Longhorn fans. I know, I know...get over it already right? Well I was fully prepared to be met with much rudeness and crudeness and cockiness etc. but I MUST CONFESS. We were treated so nice everywhere we went from our hotel, to the restaurants we ate at (including the Waffle House...yes I finally can say I ate at one) and especially at Jerry's world (the stadium). It was a very pleasant experience....actually it was a blast!

Sam and Rhonda outside of Jerry's world

After the VERY disappointing outcome of the game I MUST CONFESS that I wanted to leave the stadium but I just couldn't go until I had the chance to boo (Oh yes I did!) Dan Beebe one more time!! It was fun. I don't care if you think it is wrong to boo or not. I felt better!!

Then...walking to the car I came very close to getting Sam into a fight. Three OU fans walked by and taunted us by saying, "Have fun going back to the corn." (First of all how lame is that line?). I MUST CONFESS that before I could stop myself I said, "Have fun going back to Oklahoma to marry your sister you hillbilly!" (Hey, at least I didn't use a certain adjective that Billy C. used back in the day!). Anyway, they stopped and looked but you see when you are trying to get "back to the corn" you walk really fast and they couldn't catch us!!

I think that's it.

I feel better!