Joy in Performance Mode

Intense Focus

Ava!

Playin baseball

Marci and I are watching Weston and Gabe while Andrew and Michelle are at a leadership retreat. The kids are playing soooo well together and we are surely loving this time.

Meet MacDaddy!

An Open Door!

I watched the girls last week from Wednesday noon till Saturday when Jon and 
Marci returned from KC. 

Joy and Ava spent 4 1/2 days at Bob & Sue's and then I picked them up for the 
last part of the week. 

We had a great time playing outside while the neighbor's huge dog continually 
barked and Ava practically lived at the fence watching him. 

Joy and I did an Easter treat craft one day while Ava napped. 

I took them to Applebees one night and then on a quick Target run. 

Ava woke up at 1:00 am Saturday with a 102.7 fever, even though she was on an 
antibiotic already for an ear infection! (Hmmm???)

One night, after Joy's bath, we played "nail salon". She was the client and I 
was "Alicia".  We had picked up some Hello Kitty nail polish while at Target. It 
came in an assortment pack with several colors, some even had glitter. 
As she arrived at the "salon" I told her, "choose your color".  I trimmed 
her nails and did a little massage and then she chose a Bubble Gum color for her 
feet, and a Hot Pink for her hands

On Sunday, Marci had everyone over to celebrate Jon's birthday. We had a very 
nice dinner. 

Joy chimed right in with the adult conversation, and here's a video to prove it!

Ava begging for that big dog

Saturday Morning Smiles!

Michelle sent me this picture this morning. I simply LOVE IT!!!

Look at Weston!!!! He looks soooo grown up!!! Just makes me want to kiss that little face!! The other 2 faces are pretty special to me too!! :):):)

Gabriel and his Feet!!

Look at this cutie!!!

This was taken just this week.
Michelle and Andrew have been busy getting ready to move. They also get to go to visit their friends in North Carolina soon.

The first part of June Marci, Jon and the girls along with Andrew, Michelle, the boys and I are heading to Disneyland! Looking forward to watching all these little ones have fun!

Princ'ss crowns, pj's & dress up!

Marci's going to shoot me for posting this, but....I just gotta!

Ava's been sick and it's been a rough week. Yesterday afternoon I was over there and next thing I know we're all wearing crowns! Joy had her little mermaid dress on. We danced to the kiddie tunes on the music channel and although all 4 of us had crowns on, there were still crowns in Joy's armoir, just in case any of you would have dropped by and wanted to join in the fun!

Frosting Nanni's B-Day Cake

About a week before my birthday, Marci asked me what kind of cake I wanted. Nothing really came to mind, so I did a little research.

Last year, Marci made me that gorgeous Reece's Peanut Butter topped cake. It was Yummy! Rich, but yummy!!

I have a carrot cake recipe that I simply LOVE, but I think it tastes best when the leaves are colored and falling!

So, I found a recipe for a banana cake that had rave reviews.

I emailed it to Marci. Both Joy and Jon asked her what kind of cake I had decided on. When she told them, she said both of their faces fell!! Wasn't quite what either of them would have chosen apparently. Jon added a few grunting sounds to his expressions! Joy not so secretly was hoping for chocolate.

Well, the recipe didn't look all that different or unique; BUT.....it turned out to be VERY good. So good in fact that it got thumbs up from both Jon and Joy!

I'll post the recipe soon and if you'd like you can try it yourselves.

Thank you Marci and Joy for an awesome cake.

Joy

Hmmm... Wonder where she gets her "let's ham it up personality!"

Status Report: March 4

Sitting...at my computer in my comfy chair.  The one where my feet touch the floor!  (imagine the comfort!)

Where...#2, the apartment.  Yea, the one that Julia and I moved to 1 month ago, cuz the rules at our 55 and older subdivision clearly specify no one under 45 can live there.  Thankful to God that Paul and I are able to rent an apartment for this 8 month stretch till Julia goes to college, plus we get to keep our home in that 55 and older community!

Drinking...Black coffee, of course.  It's only 8:00 am!  After I brush my teeth, I'll switch to my beverage of choice for the remainder of the day;  iced tea.  (Yea baby)

Dreading...Going to my first Weight Watchers meeting this morning and "weighing in".  I'm afraid there'll  be an earthquake in California when I get on those scales.  Haven't dieted or even been careful in AGES!

Preparing...for Sunday morning.  My testimony is written and turned in.  I've spent a lot of time recalling where and who I was prior to 3.5 years ago.  I'm being baptized this Sunday.  My life has changed, priorities calibrated to the Gospel; outlook completely different.....All because I now see a Savior who loved me enough to be torn, scourged, beaten and crucified in order that I may be free.

Figuring out... how to get my car's AC fixed before I leave for S. Cal next week, when to deal with the other car issue, (the one I can't write about until I've talked to my husband about it. :) Who to talk to at the college next week, what to include on the nacho bar Marci and I are serving Saturday night when Andrew & Michelle are here for a quick 24 hour visit; how I'm gonna finish this post and get myself to Weight Watchers!  Lol!

Thankful...For God's providing and leading my family's lives.  Our Sovereign God knows All, is All and continues to amaze me with His grace.

Excited for...that new ipad coming out March 11th.  Yes, I can't wait.  (well, really in the scheme of things, I really can...but it's gonna be awesome)

Remember when faxes weren't "plain paper?"

Three Ladies in a Sauna
THREE WOMEN, TWO YOUNGER, AND ONE SENIOR CITIZEN, WERE SITTING IN A SAUNA.
SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEPING SOUND. THE YOUNG WOMAN PRESSED HER FOREARM AND THE BEEP STOPPED.
THE OTHERS LOOKED AT HER QUESTIONINGLY. "THAT WAS MY PAGER," SHE SAID. "I HAVE A MICROCHIP UNDER THE SKIN OF MY ARM."
A FEW MINUTES LATER, A PHONE RANG. THE SECOND YOUNG WOMAN LIFTED HER PALM TO HER EAR.
WHEN SHE FINISHED, SHE EXPLAINED, "THAT WAS MY MOBILE PHONE. I HAVE A MICROCHIP IN MY HAND."
THE OLDER WOMAN FELT VERY LOW-TECH. NOT TO BE OUT DONE, SHE DECIDED SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING JUST AS IMPRESSIVE. SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE SAUNA AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM.
SHE RETURNED WITH A PIECE OF TOILET PAPER HANGING FROM HER REAR END.
THE OTHERS RAISED THEIR EYEBROWS AND STARED AT HER.
THE OLDER WOMAN FINALLY SAID.........."WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT......I'M GETTING A FAX!!"