Five No More

Joy, holding up her 6 fingers for her birthday.  She'll have to come up with something interesting when she turns 9.

She has been waiting for this day for quite some time.  Joy is beyond thrilled to 6 years old.  She started her morning by reminding everyone, even the sleeping boys, that it was her birthday!

(Notice the irony with the boy in the bed and the poster on the wall?  Ready?)

She was quite excited to see her presents and made sure she wore her "cake" shirt.

Ivy had her spring piano recital, but afterward, we headed off to get some yummy birthday treats.

 

So much to choose from!  How do you decide?

(Mmmm.  Seth decided to "dress up" for the occassion.)

 

Our stash minus mine.  Forty dollars well spent?  All for the birthday girl!  She had fun.

I cannot believe my oldest is 22 and my youngest is 6 years old.  There's a wide range of parenting going in in between.  It's the hardest, but most rewarding job there is.  I'm glad I took the job, although I'm sure I failed the interview and have been written up quite a few times.

Five Days With Jordan

She is a busy gal.  She spent last weekend with friends at the lake, she went to the station for her last check in before departure, then lunch with a friend.

(1999, hiking with Seth and her dad in WV)

 Her last day of work was last Friday.  I'm glad she took over a week of extra time just to be with friends and family.  Even though she won't realize it, I'll be pondering every last second with her, savoring the moment, even in the mundane things.  The magnitude of her departure is slowly starting to hit me, especially during those rare moments when I sit quietly alone.  So bear with me as I blog these last 5 days with Jordan.

Six Days Left With Jordan

After 12 hours of labor with Jordan, 2 of that push time, I stated that I was never having another child.  Being able to be her mother changed that thought just after a year with her.  I love my daughter.

Monday With Penney

I've been trying to process the events of this morning with my Aunt Penney.  She has been in my heart all day long after our visit to her house.  She is sick.  The years of asthma and second-hand smoke has taken its toll on this young lady.  She may not be young by some standards, but I consider 60's very young.

She ran her fingers through my hair when I should have been brushing hers instead.  She held my hand.  She loved me while I sat at her side. I remember her raspy breathing as I walked by her side when I was just a child.  I had no idea at that time how difficult it was for her.  I loved and still love her like my own mother.  I spent my summers at her house and she treated me like her child.  There are so many precious memories of my times at her house with my uncle and cousins.

Today I took all my daughters to visit her.  I haven't seen her in almost a year, and I was saddened by the toll this sickness has taken on her.  I hate it.  She is being cared for at home by nurses and her husband.  But, oh, how I wish for those days when I was younger with her, teaching me how to peel potatoes and enjoy a good pot roast.

Ivy, Eva, and Joy did not understand her sickness or my affection towards my aunt.  Maybe it is better they didn't.  Instead, they wandered around, petting the dogs, calf, and hunting for the cat.

Finally

Besides the occasional track or gymnastics meet in junior high school, I've never won a single thing in my life.  So, when I won the monthly snapshot, I was quite surprised and excited. 




For all of you that voted for me, a big thanks to you!  I've never met you, but you are all so kind!

This Is What Happens...

...when girls like to play dress up

with the dog.  Moxie is very patient and forgiving.  She lay there for about an hour in this get-up, never once trying to remove the glasses or bandana.