Thank God for Cameras...

So, I thought I'd sit down to add my weekend in review via pictures...and as my pictures popped up on the computer I was all...oh yeah! oh yeah! and that! awwww too cute! Anyway...I just love pictures. There are so so so many moments in life that would go unremembered (is too a word!) without pictures. So...here's the weekend in review...

First off Friday and Saturday, I had school...My friend Carlene and I are carpooling and that is terrific; A few more minutes to spend chatting, despite our crazy busy schedules. Meant to take a picture of us, but sure forgot! Saturday, in the midst of the non stop, never ending, flood producing rain...(but I'll quit whining cuz it's nothing compared to Ike) Anyway...I got the mail and found this!! From my friend Catherine...in France...I commented that I would love a set of aqua uno cards...and she sure sent them! Thank you so much Catherine...Stephanie opened them in the car...and Catherine had even wrapped the present in wrapping paper that had French writing on it... We just thought that was the coolest thing ever. Thanks SO much! Ok, now...we have to figure out something cool from the US to send to your kids...let me know if you have anything in mind, ok? So...we got the errands ran and then I had a fabulous nap...I mean fabulous...a rainy Saturday afternoon, what could be better? Saturday night I went out to dinner and a movie with my friends. I cannot recall the last movie I have seen in a theatre and really, I think it was 3 or 4 years ago that we all went out to see the 'Stepford wives' (which was awful) We saw Women this time and I loved it...it wasn't an Earth shattering, best movie of all time type movie, but it was good enough and I really enjoyed myself. We laughed and commiserated with each other and Ms. Shannon and I got to catch up with our crazy Sophomore daughters. We caught up on the doings of all things family and it was terrific.

Sunday morning I finally headed back to church. It was the first visit back for me after Poppy's funeral it was difficult at best. I pretty much cried through the last half of the service, but I was glad to be back. I picked up the last plant from the funeral while I was there (the one that was too large to fit in the car after the funeral) and stopped in the memorial garden to say hello to Poppy. His name has been added to the grave marker. It was a fitting rainy day...

The best part of this day was that I got to spend some time with this precious girl! Can you believe how big she is? She surely has her 2nd birthday coming up and is a toy story fan just like my Brennan. I am now on the search for all things toy story for the baby girl. I gave her one of Brennan's old Toy Story sheets and she was all a dither. Aubrey's Mom and I were talking about Aubrey looking like Stephanie when she was little, which I agree is true...but if you look at this picture...you can definitely tell these girls are related! They could sure be sisters! My kids so love Aubrey and she loves them. I love that they have cousins close that they can love on! My cousins always lived far away so it involved trip planning to see them. My girls especially love taking care of the little ones! Brennan doesn't appreciate babies so much, but he has come to love Aubrey, especially when she is yelling B-E-N-N-A-N!!!! At the top of her lungs! He calmly replies..."yes Aubrey?" To which she has no reply...she just wanted a little attention from her cousin! Finally, I thought I'd share this for your viewing pleasure. For lunch yesterday, I made ravioli, green beans, and garlic bread. Aubrey especially loved the garlic bread!

Until next time...

Hi Poppy!

Please accommodate my sense of humor here, as sometimes you have to get through difficult days with humor... As I mentioned earlier, my Dad has been in the hospital this week after taking a fall at the nursing home. We finally got to go see him today. He was pretty coherent today, had a bit of a sense of humor, and seemed to know who we were. He was quite calm and didn't pace much. He still sleeps in other people's rooms (as is quite typical) and refuses to move when asked. We found him in another room and coaxed him to his own room. This is such a nice hospital and they take such good care of him there. The staff is always so kind and understanding. Kristina said, I wish he could live there mom...it doesn't smell :( On Monday, I am going to check with the one home in Byron that said they could take him and see if we can transition him there. I am just not happy with the care he is getting at the present home. As his needs increase, I think he needs higher quality of care, as evidenced by his fall.

When you enter the hospital, this sign always makes me chuckle....
Now, if you know my Dad, you know he does have a high elopement risk, cuz he is always in the ladies' rooms! They constantly have to chase him out. So believe me...if he could get one of those ladies to elope...he sure would!

We took the girls with today and we all had a nice visit...
When I said all of our names to him, I finished up saying 'Jackson' which is what he often called me....when I said 'Jackson' a big smile came across his face. That made me feel really good.
I don't know whose blue jeans he had on and neither did he! All I know is they're not his. I've never seen him in jeans before and it sure looked funny! Besides they were about 6 inches too short. Perhaps he was sporting some Capri's for spring. I told him I'd get to the Penney's outlet to look for some Small Tall Sweat Pants for him, if they do indeed make a 'small tall' He chuckled when I said that! He (despite the black eye and healing head wounds) looked really good. His arm is getting so much better, just in the short time he's been in the hospital. They have him very nicely regulated with medication, yet not dopey.

We thought perhaps if we put the visitor tag on him, we could sneak him out for a good meal of Swedish Cooking Sausage and Lutfisk. He said Ya, to the sausage, but no! to the Lutfisk :) :) :)
Yup! He was definitely in there today. If we can get him closer to home, that would be one of the many benefits: that I could cook for him. Nursing home food is ... well, nursing home food. Yuck! I wouldn't eat much of it either. Although it's always sad for me to leave Poppy, I sure felt better having seen him and knowing that he is making a speedy recovery with a great staff.

Before the visit, Steph had softball practice. She pitched today and didn't do too bad for not having pitched in the last year and a half! Her team however, leaves a bit to be desired and if the coach doesn't pick up the coaching skills, I feel I have no choice but to sign on as assistant coach. You KNOW!!!! I do not have time for that, but nor do I have time for kids that can't catch and when they miss the ball, they slowly walk over to get it.... WHAT!!!!????!!!!!

RUN!!! I can tell right now that I am not going to be reasonable at the games if these girls walk to get the ball. So, perhaps coaching is in my future...Really, I'd like the coach to do the coaching job...but it's Steph's last year, and I'd surely like her to have a chance!

Until next time...