Big Hugs for Little Axe

I have spent many years of my life in Tornado country.  First in Wisconsin and now here in Texas.  I've seen them, but thankfully, never too close for comfort.  Since I've lived in Texas, the Oklahoma City area has suffered twice from large, devastating tornados.  In 1999, my family drove up and helped in Norman, Oklahoma and it was a truly humbling experience.  Pictures never quite do the horrific aftermath justice.  Now, just over a week ago, they have been hit hard again.  Harder, in fact.  With company in town and the last days of school at hand, it's been difficult to actually travel to provide the much needed assistance.

So, we're doing what we can from right here in our own small Texas town.

Hopefully it will be quite a party!  We have hot dogs and chips being donated by a local church, bounce house and slide by my friend's business, music by the one and only Lucy Scholl.  We are asking those who attend to donate the urgently needed goods and of course money to assist in the relief in Little Axe, Oklahoma.  Little Axe hasn't had the attention that Moore has, so they desperately need our help.  I'm so happy to be able to really DO something to help - from home.

If you live in the area (even outside Prosper) I hope you will come and join the fun.... and bring some batteries or duct tape!!

Never Stop Creating

It's always a goal of mine to continue creating throughout my life.  At some points I was creating children or memories.  Other times I sewed, painted, scrapbooked.  I really enjoy creating and I came by this quite naturally.  I have a mother whom I watched create my whole life.

Here are two paintings I have in my home that my mother painted many years ago.  I love them and wish I had more...

My mother is now 82 years old. You'd never know it - she looks fantastic. But she's still creating.  Here's her latest project.  It's hanging on her front door.  It has the photos of four generations of our family ages 6 months - 84 years old.  

Pretty sure that's me, behind the ribbon.  Maybe my mother is ashamed of me???  Just kidding. Anyway, isn't it great??

The letter came from the craft store... you know the ones. She painted it red with acrylic paint.

She printed the photos, all in black in white on regular bond paper the size she needed. (Around an inch and a half)

Then she used Mod Podge to decoupage the photos onto the letter.

The frame came from Michael's and she painted it black (you could buy a black one)

She stapled a ribbon loop that went around the top of the frame and the ends are stapled to the back of the letter so the letter is now suspended from the frame.  The she tied a bow with two colors of ribbon and attached it to the ribbon that's holding the letter.  

The frame is hanging from a wreath hanger on the door.  (The kind that hangs over the top of the door.)

Pretty cute, huh?  My mom rocks.

So, It's Been a While....

I'm sitting here waiting for the Locksmith to come and make a new key for the car Lucy drives when she is home (notice my avoidance of the term "Lucy's car.") I've lost the one and only key somewhere in my house.  Which tells me, instead of sitting here waiting, I should be somewhere else cleaning out and organizing.  But I digress.  I thought it might be a good time to quickly post on my very, very neglected blog.  As you see, in my last real post, Will turned 12.  Yeah, well, he's 15. It seems too much time is passing without having accomplished what I would like.  A case in point: I just glanced over to my right and this is what I saw

March 28.  It's April 8th.  How are there so many things in my life that are behind, or not happening?  I have to get with the program.  And now, after watching four sessions of my church's bi-annual conference (which is a highlight of my year) I have so many things to add to my list of important things to do... 

I will not be discouraged.  I will just DO IT.  

So here is a blog post.  It's not imperative, or even important, but it's something I've had on my list that I can now say I've done.  And to make it more worth your while, I just have to show you what Will, our 12 year old in the last family post, looks like today.  Good lookin' guy.

Maybe I should keep this up.

I LOVE General Conference

There were so many amazing talks yesterday and today.  I can't wait to read them.  Here's a little fun I had after the last session this afternoon:


















Maybe I should think about this blogging thing some more.  It's been a while.

Conference Weekend

Two of my favorite weekends of the year are Conference weekends in April and October when the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worldwide, listen to the leaders of the church speak directly to us. My cup runneth over. This quote was taken from just one of many talks that left an imprint on my heart. There are so very many ways I can, and need, to improve my life, but also, so many ways I have been richly blessed. I'm grateful.

One Year Later.....

I took a whole year off. I guess I really have no good excuse, but I need to start recording our family story again. Not that we have a particularly exciting story to tell, but because I want to remember. I want to remember the little things that happen in our day to day living along with the bigger events that shape our lives. The kids often ask me about things they did as babies or even several years ago and sadly, I often can't remember. After five kids, things are kind of a blur sometimes and I wish I remembered more. Scrapbooks tell mostly the big stuff - the first days of school, holidays and other special events, but I think, if I can get better, blogging will help to capture those moments that you may not be able to photograph, but are worth remembering.

So, here I go. I'll try to not be an annoying blogger. I'll try to paint a true picture of my family, so when we look back to answer those questions like, "who was that girl that lived in the next building who always wanted to ride my Big Wheel?" we just might be able to check out the blog and answer that question.

And We Had a Party!

So, we don't throw big parties for our kids every year. But this year, being the special year that is was for Will, he got a party. We decided on a movie theme and had a movie outside in the back yard.

We set up a concession stand where we served all the regular theater treats!

Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Drinks, and candy were enjoyed by all!

Karen insisted on M&Ms to go with the popcorn.

A homemade, birthday cake, too! Karen had fun making a popcorn cake, but it was much more fun to eat!!

The cake really lit up the night with twelve candles on it! And all those boys singing "Happy Birthday" woke up the neighbors!