"Red" roads

I got an email from my cousin relating a story about driving in icy conditions and her little boy saying a prayer to keep them safe. My "little boy" is almost 16 now but it reminded me of a time when he was little when we lived in NY. I wanted to share the story. I sure miss my children being little! Love to all!

When we lived in New York Erik was about 4. I'd never seen so much snow in my life. I always thought snow was beautiful until I moved there and learned very quickly how serious it can be. I remember that state of panic when driving in those conditions. Anyway, I don't know it it's a military term or not, but when the roads were icy, they would announce on the radio that the roads were "red." So, we were driving to the commissary one day and heard this announcement. I didn't think much of it. Like you, I just adjusted my speed accordingly and took my time. However, when we arrived and I went to lift Erik out of the car, his whole body tensed up and he clung to me and wouldn't let me put him down. Then he looked down and said "the radio man said the roads are red, but they aren't red!" I don't know what he thought that meant but we had to explain what it meant before he would let me put him down to walk. It's amazing how their little minds work!

Early Valentine's trip

You can probably tell that we go to the beach as much as possible. Lee and I celebrated Valentine's day early since we will be in the mountains for a friend's wedding next weekend. It's so great to know I'm with my soulmate and to spend some quality time together. Sunrise this morning was absolutely beautiful. As you can see I finally got a haircut! Hope you all have a great weekend!

So begins my 37th year...

Lee surprised me with a couple of days away at a resort at Myrtle Beach for my birthday. We had a great time even though it was freezing!


Self portrait. Why the bathroom? Who knows?
























Playing with my new camera. I think it's so cool that I can take pictures at night! :)














Even though it was only 30 degrees, I made Lee walk on the beach with me before we left on Sunday. Here are a couple of the creatures we saw.


















Sunrise on my birthday.






On the balcony outside our room. (This does it, I'm getting a new hairstyle).







When I got back home Lauren & Erik had a cake waiting for me. We didn't even have to turn on the heat that night because the heat from all of those birthday candles warmed up the whole house. :)

Christmas 2007

Hello everyone! It's been a while since my last blog....

We've been busy with Christmas parties, traveling to see family, baking, etc, etc. It was a wonderful holiday season and now it's time to get back to work.

This is a picture Lauren took of our living room. It is very tiny. We do have a larger den that had a pool table in it (which we recently sold) and now we can turn this larger room into our family room! It needs to be painted and we have to go furniture shopping so it will be a month or so before it is finished, but I can't wait!
















We had a great time visiting with everyone in TN. If you are reading this Aunt Denise, I'm sorry we missed you this visit, but we'll catch up with you next time, I promise!

Erik and Lauren playing "Guitar Hero" (XBox) in our hotel room in TN. They look really excited don't they?

Erik had a good time hanging out with Grandpa during our visit. He said on the way home in the car that "Grandpa was cool, I like him." I Think you scored some points Dad. :)

My Christmas present this year was a "Cricut." The scrapbookers reading this will know that it is a machine that cuts out letters & shapes for my scrapbooks. It's my favorite new toy. I couldn't wait to use it so I made letters for our stockings this year. Yes, I am Mommy and my presents come early. :) Jenny, this does not get you out of my embroidered stocking order.

Happy New Year everyone! In case anyone was wondering, I didn't get around to mailing out Christmas cards this year. I didn't forget about you. I just could never convince my whole family to be at home at the same time in order to get a family photo for my card.

Keep in touch everyone! Love to all!

Thanksgiving 2007

Lauren & I got to spend Thanksgiving in TN with Mary and her family. We went to her in-laws house for dinner and had a wonderful time. They are such good hosts and made us feel very welcome. As usual, we had a great time hanging out with Mary and the girls and even got to see Jennifer for a little while.

O Christmas Tree....

I've finally gotten most of our decorating done. It's taken a while since I've got a really bad cold (I've had to take a lot of breaks). It always amazes me that we forget to take a tape measure with us when we go pick out our tree every year. We think the trees are small until we get them home and realize they are a lot bigger than we thought. Our Angel is going to get a headache from banging her head on the ceiling. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas. To those of you that I will be visiting over the holidays, I can't wait to see you! :)

Things that make you say hmmm...

I love my family. They make me laugh, cry, and feel an entire range of emotions. I definately feel loved and I'm so grateful for them. I have so much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving and every other day of the year. Don't get me wrong, we are far from having the perfect life, perfect relationships, etc., but they are close enough to perfect for me. I love how my cousins record things that their children say so they'll never forget. I need to start doing that and wish I had been doing it all along. I'm getting old and I forget so much these days. The only things I seem to remember with great clarity are the things I'd rather forget. lol At any rate, here are a few things that they have said that I do remember.

Lee when he is not impressed with someone: "They are about as useless as a screen door on a submarine."

Erik on his feelings about his curfew: "I really don't understand why I should have a curfew anyway - none of my friends do. What's the big deal?"

Lauren, everytime I nag her as she's going out the door lately: "Mom, you really can't keep me locked up in the house forever, you gotta let go." (so hard to do)

Erik when he was 4 years old on one of our many beach trips. He comes running up to me with a bucket full of water, so excited and pleased with himself. "Mommy, I caught a wave for you!" (precious)

I remember someone posting on their blog that their husband felt funny about using the word "panties" - well, you can use Lee's word for them. Step-ins. Has anyone ever heard that before?

Now I really have to go do my laundry!

So I should be cleaning...

I know what I need to be doing. Cleaning the house and doing laundry. So what else is new? Sometimes it's just more fun to sit in front of this thing with a cup of java. I did figure out how to add music to my blogger page. Too cool. If anyone is interested in adding music to their page scroll to the end of my page and you'll see the link. It's so easy even I could do it. Have a great weekend everyone!