Time at a glance...

It's been a couple weeks since I've updated--life has been so busy! It's all good, though. Here is a little glance at the last few+ days' happenings that stand out to me and some random photos to accompany:

• Yard sales with Valerie Luthy - we had a great time! She is so much fun and so interesting to talk to. Looking forward to our next venture!




• Ethan being at home last weekend. We didn't see him much as he spent most of it with his friends. It was the first anniversary of one of his best friends' (Doug Harris) death and all his friends came home and spent lots of time together remembering all their times together. They met Sunday afternoon at the site of the accident and put flowers and other memorabilia there...they are such a tight group of friends, more like family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Doug's family at this difficult time.




• Addison and I are still car-pooling together and it actually is a lot of fun. I really think I'll miss it when she has her own car at some point. It gives us some quality time together that we wouldn't have otherwise and I love this time we have! She's such a good sport at being where she should and picking me up from work at the right time. Then sometimes while I'm waiting for her to get off work at Sonic I place an order and she makes me a fantastic sandwich to eat while I wait. She is just too funny on that microphone at Sonic and has great people skills! Thanks, Addi, you're amazing.




• Darla's birthday on the 13th--sorry, Darla, you're the oldest now! Ha! (We are the same age for 2 months then she passes me--somehow she has maintained her girly figure so much better than me--I need lessons!!!) I did bake her a caramel cake for her birthday and hopes she enjoyed it. Happy Birthday, Darla!
  
  


• The Book of Mormon class on Wednesdays has been wonderful. I learn so much each week. I missed one week and could tell something was missing and couldn't hardly wait until the class this past Wednesday. It's always so good and I enjoy visiting with friends there. My friend Jayne Bowers is there and we have fun catching up after class. See ya Wednesday, Jayne!




• This gorgeous weather we've been having. Yes we need rain but it has been absolutely gorgeous!




• The price of gas--TERRIBLE! We need to pray for cheaper gas. We've really made an effort to consolidate errands, it's almost unbearable. Let's hope it doesn't increase again...




• The Safety Fair at work on the 13th was a lot of fun. The employees seemed to provide lots of positive feedback and comments. Paula is an incredible person and sooooo smart! She did a fantastic job with this and I was excited to be a part of it with her. High five, Paula!




• My pedicure date with Joey--it was heavenly!!! After a long day at work I came home and Joey surprised me with a full pedicure and what can I say more--just wonderful! Thank you, honey, you are so sweet. (It must've brought him good luck because he got a big doe the next morning hunting!)




• Carson's first birthday party yesterday at Grandmother and Grandaddy's house. It was so fun! Carson was just too cute with his turtle cake--he enjoyed every bite and even offered to share it with Grandaddy Oree! Ha! It was a fun time for everyone. Ginger and Shaun do such a good job! Happy Birthday, Carson! He's so grown looking with his new "big boy haircut" and his bright blue eyes! Little Shaun--looks just like his daddy!




• The "Dinner and a Murder Mystery" party at Alana Harper's last night--we had a blast! Joey and I were Mark and Maria and we were not the killers. We were just happily married and Mark had a secret job with the CIA and was a writer. Darla was an exotic dancer, Becky and James were investigators, Boyd and Laresa were an interesting couple. However, Boyd had several roles and just died too many times for me to keep up! Ha! Mike Chesley was the funniest--his part was so out of his character and he was just hilarious as also were The Cogdill's!! It was a lot of fun. We dressed up in 50's attire (it was a class reunion setting) and everyone looked great. Alana (A.K.A. "Jenny" who was snobby) looked so pretty in her scarf tied around her hair. It was a lot of fun and the food was marvelous--made from the bread recipe Alana and her husband make and have given classes on preparing the bread. Thanks, Alana, it was a blast!

Now we're about to go to Mom's for dinner. Ethan and Addison went to visit at their daddy's house in Lexington for the weekend and I'm just waiting for them to return. I hope they've had fun, they've not seen their dad since Erika's wedding in August except for a breakfast date Addison had one Sunday morning. That's another chapter for another day but I know they miss their daddy and Ivy, their little sister there. They, especially Addison and probably Ethan, too, would love to be included in their lives more. What boy doesn't crave their daddy's acceptance and support? I used to push the issue more but learned a long time ago you can't force people or things...Each individual has his or her own free agency about how to spend their time and with whom to spend it with. I just think their daddy and his family for that matter have really missed out on getting to know some awesome kids better. Sorry if I'm stepping on toes a bit but they are all wonderful kids and it's sad to let so much time pass when we don't live very far from any of them and more effort is not made to be more involved in their lives. I could not imagine not knowing my children, my grandchildren, or my nieces or nephews very well. I realize it always goes both ways and an effort has to be made on both sides. At the same time adults sometimes have to make the first move--Ethan is practically an adult, too, but feels as though some family are like strangers and may not be as comfortable as someone older to make that first step. As for Erika, she lives far away now and it's probably a little late, except for the fact there's email and cell phones and postage letters--so it's really not too late. She just has her own little life and family with Jack in Idaho now and even though we talk nearly everyday it's still not like she and Jack can just swing by after church on Sunday for Sunday dinner or a Friday night movie or just come by to visit a little while. However, Ethan and Addison are still within visiting length. They are bright and witty and a whole lot of fun to be around-- if this perhaps applies to you why not get to know them a little better and spend a little quality time with them. Time doesn't cost anything and the rewards are quite outstanding in a very positive way.