MY NEW TOY!

Here she is -
We haven't named her/him yet. The kids have already started calling it "the sub" but I'm not sure if it'll stick.Ever since the baby was born (last June) we've had to travel as a family in two separate vehicles. Now we finally fit in one. No more driving home late at night with a van full of kids by myself. DH can drive - - I am a scary driver after dark.
DH spent all day Saturday cleaning out the garage so that our Suburban could fit.

I want a license plate that says Wahooo because that is what I keep saying to myself!

My Birthday

Happy Birthday to me. Last week I turned 38! I think I'm going to have to start wearing make-up and using wrinkle cream and all that stuff. I don't look 20 any more.

The kids went shopping at Gateway with DH. They got me some books, a bowl (kind of sad that I'm really excited about getting a bowl for my birthday, but I really needed a good bowl that was big enough to mix stuff in) and they got me kitchen towels.

I got to go out for dinner with some good friends on my birthday. It was ladies night out. My mother-in-law pointed out that I would be able to eat my meal while it was still hot, and not have to clean up afterwards. It was very nice.

My new mantra - Just Do IT!

Many of you have heard of Rachel Coleman the mother of two beautiful girls, one of whom was born deaf and the other with spina bifida and cerebral palsy, but have you read about her latest endeavor here! Talk about inspiring.

What challenges am I working to overcome? I do have Heavenly Father's help, but I have to start on the path. I have to set a goal, to dream to vision what I'm trying to accomplish, then work towards it. There have been things that have fallen into place when I have set goals and worked to accomplish them.

When challenges seem insurmountable, there is a way to overcome them. All we have to do is ask ourselves - "What CAN I do?" How does one change their way of thinking and look for solutions where there are seemingly no solutions. Rachel's oldest daughter (Leah) was born deaf. When her daughter's playmates were unable to communicate with Leah, Rachel started to look for solutions.

I'm done with the excuses. I'm going to start looking for solutions.

In Memory

Edla Mae Hammond - My DH's 90 year old grandmother passed away on Saturday.

Edla in 4 words - Stately, independant, considerate, and giving.

She was an amazing woman and made me feel like one of the family. There was never a visit where she was too busy to stop what she was doing and talk with us. Oh, and did I mention the food? She always kept some Dan's cookies or pies on hand. Even when her and Carl (her husband of 70 years) moved into an assisted living center where their meals were prepared for them, she still had a supply of goodies for my kids (just between you and me, I think Grandpa has a sweet tooth).

Before we had children, my husband and I would go visit her and grandpa. We would sit and listen to her and Carl tell stories of their life together. When it was time to go, they would start filling our arms with stuff. We never left their house empty handed.

When DH and I were poor college students and had to make homemade gifts for everyone, Grandpa Carl cut wood in his shop and Grandma Edla taught me how to tole paint. She was always sharing craft ideas with me. When her hands were too arthritic to paint or crochet, she taught my daughter how to knit a hat using a loom.

I know that these all sound grandmotherly, but Edla was also a smart lady. She liked to do math for fun. When I married into the family, I got a kick out of the fact that sometimes Grandma and Grandpa would get in their camper and go wherever they wanted without knowing beforehand exactly where they might be going or when they would come home.

These are just a handful of many happy memories -

Grandma - I love and miss you and am so glad to have known you.