A Weekend in Review

I headed to Dallas early Saturday to celebrate my grandparent's 65th wedding anniversary. Benjamin stayed here with his daddy {strep throat struck again}. Weekend details follow . . .

Spent some quality time with this little roomie. While admitably adorable, she proved to be a less than desirable roommate. Cameron-girl, while I fully understand that you do not need your beauty sleep, your mother needs it desperately.

There's no telling how many germs we brought back home to Ben, especially after Cameron's love affair with La Quinta's remote control.

Moving right along . . . Following are pictures of my handsome grandfather, Big Jim, and his darling Bessie Mae. She still lights up the room, and he still beams with pride over his beautiful bride of sixty-five years.

The little great-grandchildren had a ball. They also had animal crackers, sidewalk chalk, bubbles and more.

Then the real fun began. We gave the kiddos some fruits and veggies pizza and juice and lots of candy . . . Then give them a giant pink bat and three pinatas to demolish.

The little ones needed some help. No hesitation from these big kids volunteers!

The pinatas proved to be a little tough to destroy. So Uncle Rich pitched in.

Did I mention that my Uncle Richie is a Colorado State District Court Judge?

Finally, candy {just what we needed, more candy} for everyone.

We had the most wonderful time! Happy Anniversary, Grandmother & Grandad!

My Kind of Soldier!

Have ya'll seen this yet? This is my kind of soldier. The kind that makes me happy. Makes me smile. Makes me proud. He jumped out of his bed to battle the Taliban in his pink "I Love NY" boxes and his flip-flops.

From the Fox News article:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops, Reuters reported.

Gates said in prepared remarks that he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan. "Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in a speech to be delivered in New York. "I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said.

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions. A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY."

When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Obama saw him out of uniform. "I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech.

Mother Knows Best

Mom just knows . . . She knows when I need advice. She understands when it's tough. She listens when I need an ear. She's ten steps ahead of me most of the time {as in, been there, done that}. I call her about ten times a day . . . And I rely on her when I have a sick kiddo, or don't know how to handle a temper tantrum. The sound of her voice is comfort enough.

She sent me THE BEST email the other day. She gets daily devotionals from Jim Denison {formerly our pastor in Midland, Texas, now in Dallas}. I think this May 14th except regarding God's love may find a permanent place on our fridge.

From Henri Nouwen's classic book The Beloved:

I have called you by name from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother's womb. I have carved you in the palm of my hand and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You are my beloved in whom I am well pleased.

Whether she's filling my ear, or filling my inbox, Mother Knows Best. I needed that.

Sugar & Spice

Home Sweet Home

He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.

-Johann von Goethe

The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant

and let the air out of the tires.

-Dorothy Parker

Where thou art, that is home.

-Emily Dickinson

Dull women have immaculate homes.

-Author unknown

When I'm old and gray, I want to have a house by the sea. And paint.

With a lot of wonderful chums, good music and booze around.

And a damn good kitchen to cook in.

-Ava Gardner

So, here's a hint. A big hint.

So our address is changing . . . and I think Dorothy said it best.

There's no place like home.