Texas Winter Wonderland!!!

It has certainly been an experience for all us Texans finding the long buried coats, scarves, hats, and for those rare few who still have them....I am sure long-handled underwear!

It has been a long while since we have had a really cold winter. There have already been several winter advisory days with the school being closed at least twice and also a couple of late start days. Several of our Texas friends and family have been down with the winter colds, flues, and things like unto it.

We've still had very little moisture. It would be fun to have some real snow instead of sleet and ice. I can't remember the last time we made a snowman. That would be so much fun. If anything even looks slick...the Texan children are out in in making Ice Angels, and sliding down every little hill! Having Sooooo Much Fun!

What can I say.....We are a Glass half full type of state!!!! You folks up North, we'd be happy to have some of your pretty white snow...since it is really cold and it's Hot Chocolate and a Movie Type Weather....That would be fun too!!! We are enjoying our Texas Style Winter and trying to stay safe. We wish ya'll the same!

God Bless!

A New Birth...A New Blessing!

Gavin Paul Sharp was born December 23rd just before 3:00pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 ozs. And was 18 and 3/4ths inches tall. He looks a lot like his dad when his dad was born so many years before. He outweighed his dad by only 2 ozs. I am sure that Tammy will post all the details. She went into the hospital about 7:00 AM and before 3:00PM the magic of birth happened. And I am sure to Tammy's relief things went faster and without a hitch. Both mom and baby are in perfect condition.  Shortly after he was born, his Papa Craig, Aunt Valerie, and Uncle Michael showed up at the hospital to welcome him. I was already there. I had brought William a late lunch and stayed for a while. Then went into the waiting room which seemed to be only a short time before Gavin was born. What a miracle and in the season of miracles too! Congratulations to William, Tammy, Madison, and Hailey...as well as to Tammy's wonderful family in Portland!

The Best Birthday Ever!!!

This was the best birthday ever. It seems that this one was VERY special. It actually lasted a couple of days. On Sunday...I had my birthday dinner with my family. William made me Chicken Cordon Blu...my favorite. Craig was feeling better after surgery and it was such a nice day.

On Wednesday, Erin Cummings arranged for me a luncheon at The Olive Garden and invited my favorite peeps. Erin, Carolyn, Mickey, Valerie, and Tammy came. It was fun and relaxing. Erin made me a special cupboard to carry meals on. It was so pretty AND I will get lots of use out of it as I am always burning myself on hot food that I am carrying somewhere or another. Mickey gave me a special book about nutrition. She is such a smarty.

On Thursday...my birthday and Halloween, it was a busy day. I got lots of phone calls from my favorite folks. Kathy, Craig's sister sent me flowers. Beautiful. Lisa Peart left an entire box of chocolate bars on my porch. (She knows that I like to give out full sized candy bars for Halloween).
She later came over and gave me a special hair-do and gave me a special hair clip. I got calls from my sister and mother. I had received a book that my sister wrote for me about our Canadian Vacation last year. She is so talented and the book is awesome. My mother sent me some picture is my niece's wedding and some fun jewlery.

That evening, my daughter Valerie and her family and William and his family came to my house for a Chili Cook Off. Michael came home from college to surprise me for my birthday and I WAS so surprised that it really took me to my knees. I can't believe that he would do that for me!!! AND All the Chili was great!!! Some great cooks in our family. Penny and Melvin (Christopher's parents) came too as they were here for Dallin's baptism on Saturday. It was such a treat to see them again. It had been a very long time.

Anyhow....the end to a wonderful day! A person that I hadn't seen for a long time came over for a minute and said....it looks like you are so happy with all your family here. And I could honestly say that I was. I am so very blessed to have my family near who really loves me and to have such wonderful friends. I got to see Heather Schorr and her kids as she came by trick-o-treating. Such a treat for me!!! I just love that family.

Thanks to all my family and friends, who love me and who I love so very much, for making my day so special!!!

What a wonderful day!

New Grand Piggies!

Yesterday Odet Valerie's Guinea Pig had three sweet little piggies. Odet and Bat Pig are proud parents. Odet is such a cute mother. Right away, those little darlings were taken care of with all the mothering in the world. She knew just what to do to get them ready for the world. So, Robin, the only little boy looks just like his mom with hair standing up everywhere. His name is only fitting since his dad's name is Bat Pig. The two little girls look  just like their dad and one is named spot (because of a giant tan spot on her back) and the other one is named Patience (because she was so patient with people wanting to pick her up). I was so surprised that guinea pigs come into the world with eyes wide open and fully clothed in fur looking just like their parents and capable of eating regular food. Odet makes sure that they get plenty of rest but these little darlings are ready to take on the world. What a sweet Christmas surprise!

Homework....friend or foe!!!

Tuesday, this past week was to be Kate's very first day of homework. We all knew this as the kindergarten teachers had sent home a note letting parents know what to expect. It just so happened that Tuesday, I went with Valerie to pick up the kids from school. Out bounces Kate from the school. She is so excited that she could barely contain herself. She said, "I have homework for the very first time in my entire life. This is the best day in my whole life. I am so excited, I can't wait"...all the while unzipping her backpack to pull out the proof of homework as she was still bouncing towards us. Not more than than a few seconds later, a young boy (it had to be a kindergartner and probably in the same class) came out of the school and collapsed onto the lawn in total agony with tears rolling down his face as he proclaimed to his mother, "I have homework and I don't want to do it. I don't know how to do it. This is the worst day in my entire life". Poor boy was scooped by his mother who gave him a big hug but is didn't seem to console him much.  Homework....friend or foe? I guess it depends on your perspective.

Labor Day and Birthdays!

Sunday, we celebrated our daughter Valerie's birthday with a family dinner at the house. Valerie was born on Labor Day, on a Sunday, 33 years ago. I can remember it like it was yesterday. Craig was the Ward Clerk at the time and needed to make sure that things were taken care of on that end. Meanwhile, Everyone kept checking in with us and it was the real buzz that I was in Labor ON Labor Day. It's funny but I remember every little detail about the day that she was born and even the day before. And now, she has three kids of her own and I bet that she remembers every little detail about their precious births as well. Children are such a blessing...and even after they grow up, they continue to be so.

"I got pulled over for picking up rocks"

Yep, it is true! Kate started Kindergarten this year. It is so fun to hear those first stories out of the mouths of the babes themselves. Kate has always had a fetish for picking up rocks and bringing them home. She has always done this and most recently after the passing of her bunny Peanut, she and her brother had painted rocks from their yard and put them on his little grave. Apparently it is a real "no no" at school to collect rocks on the playground. She was told by one of the teachers at recess to put the rocks down and when Kate didn't do it, she got in trouble. When relating the story to me she said "yep, Nana I got pulled over for picking up rocks at school". I laughed my head off...later of coarse!  Out of the mouths of babes.