A Whole Month Slipped By

Hello! I'm still here. February was such a busy month so I just didn't have time to post or visit the blogs of my friends. I'll try catching up the most important things....

As you can see by the pictures, my son sucessfully completed the Sheriff's Academy. He graduated Monday, February 23. The pictures show him receiving his badge, him and his wife, Shannon after the ceremony and

the dessert I served at his surprise party the day before. Most of you know the joke about peace officers and their love for donuts and coffee... Well, instead of a cake, I bought 3 dozen donuts and used some of them to create this cake-like stack decorated with a badge, police cars and handcuffs. He loved it and insisted on taking it to work with him the next day to share with his friends. Luckily, I bought enough so everyone could have one without messing up his 'donut cake'.

He has started his job as a patrol deputy in one of the desert communities. His first shift is 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Tues. thru Friday. We are so happy that he won't have to ask for time off for Cari's wedding. He will have that day off! Phew!!! He will work with a Field Training Officer for the next four months. He will work each of the three shifts and with four training officers over that time. He's heard that Field Training is as tough or tougher than the academy so he's a little apprehensive. He's going to do fine.

Yesterday, my sister, mom, and daughter-in-law gave a beautiful Bridal Shower for Cari. The theme was Bedroom and Bathroom so she got most of the things she will need to get started. Several women brought baskets with things like cleaning supplies, spices, cooking utensils, and other small items. She got bath towels, kitchen towels, and the comforter she wanted for thier bed.

Before the shower, she and I, along with one of her bride's maids, Amanda, went for her final gown fitting. Brought tears to my eyes when I walked in and she was standing on a round platform in front of a mirror looking like a princess. We also picked up all the bride's maids dresses. They are just lovely.

We have a meeting with the venue on Saturday to pay the final payment and to choose the set up and decorations. That's going to be fun.

I bought a dress but I don't really like it so my sister and I are going out later this afternoon to look for another one and I'll take the first one back. Wishe me luck.

I got the following from: http://lindasworld-lindasworld.blogspot.com/

"I was tagged by my friend Trees in her Garden of Hope blog. What you're supposed to do is go into your fourth folder of pictures and take the fourth picture in that folder and post it. So here goes; this is the fourth picture in my fourth folder~"

You need to go to Linda's blog to see the picture she posted. It's adorable.

So I went into my fourth folder and posted my fourth picture. My picture is at the top - The Eiffle Tower. This was take in April, 2007. I want to go back SO bad. I need at least 2 weeks in Paris to see and do the things I want to do. Ahhhh, my heart is aching right now... I'm longing. LOL

Good Week

We had a good week around here. Couldn't have asked for nicer weather. For all of you stuck in the snow, you may want to skip the next 2 sentences .......... It's been in the mid 80's with clear, beautiful skies. Perfect.

I spoke with my son last night. He passed the biggest tests he will have while in the Sheriff's academy this week. He's pretty much home free (knock on wood). He and eleven other recruits were called into the office yesterday before their lunch break. Their sergeant told them, "You men are my top twelve." Wow... What an accomplishment. I'm so proud of my son's commitment and achievements. The twelve men were offered the 12 patrol jobs that are open at this time. It is a real honor to get out of the academy and go right to patrol. Most go to the jail for a few years or to the court system before going out on patrol. Some never go to patrol.

Of course, as his mom, I have mixed feelings about his new job. I have anxiety about the fact that he will be putting his life on the line every day to serve and protect our community but I trust his judgement and his training. I also know that the Sheriff's department needs men of character and they will have one in him.

My husband has a ski trip coming up. He is leaving on Jan. 24 and will be home on Jan. 31. He and his ski club are going to Big Sky in Montana for a week of skiing and fun. I don't ski so it's a waste of my time and our money for me to go. He's been skiing for over 40 years and it's one of his passions so I encourage him to go.

Now, you would think I could plan lots of fun things to do while he's gone. I would but I got called for Jury Duty. How fun is that? It's not. Darn. I got called for U.S. District Court which means I'll get paid but big whoop. It's not very much. I would rather go to the beach or my sister's. Maybe I'll get excused on the first day because I have a family member in law enforcement. I hope I'm that lucky.

I went grocery shopping today. They had a good sale on spices so I bought eight different ones, some salt and pepper, and some chicken taco seasoning for my daughter's bridal shower. The shower is going to have a Kitchen/Bathroom Theme. I am making her a recipe book with all of her favorite recipes. All the invited guests are getting a recipe card with the invitation so they can add to the book. I thought between now and then, I would pick up a few things each time I grocery shop to help stock her pantry. Two of my aunts did that for me when I got married and it really helped us out.

More soon.

Whoops!

I forgot to give credit for the previous post. I received that cute story from my friend, Virginia, via email this morning. When I re-read the post, it sounded like I was telling a personal story.

My five-year old students are learning to read.
Yesterday one of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said, 'Look at this! It's a frickin' elephant!' I took a deep breath, then asked...'What did you call it?''It's a frickin' elephant! It says so on the picture!' And so it does...




' A f r i c a n Elephant '


Hooked on phonics! Ain't it wonderful?

Happy New Year!

Andrew opening his Ironman toys
with his Mommy helping him.




Nathan as Indiana Jones






(l to r) Megan, Nathan, Andrew, Matthew







Nathan is playing guitar while his sister sings.






Megan entertaining us by singing Christmas songs.

Matthew in his goggles with his Nerf gun.

He's a character!

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that this new year will bring peace, happiness, and happiness. I hope it is going to turn out a lot better than what is being projected.

We had a nice Christmas Holiday. My brother and his wife came for the first time in over 10 years. It was a thrill for me, my sister, and my mother to have all the siblings together. My sister-in-law is a changed woman. Up until a year ago, we had no relationship at all. She had the attitude that we were my brother's family and she married HIM not US. In 25 years of marriage, we were invited to their home twice. After some traumatic times with her blowing her top (after drinking too much), we just gave up trying to have anything to do with them.

A few years ago, my SIL was effected by Rheumatoid Arthritis. It hit her hard and fast. To try to get some of her life back, she saw a doctor who specializes in RA and she started going to an acupuncturist. Thelittle Chinese doctor, told my SIL that in order to get better she had to let go of all the anger, resentment and bitterness in her heart. Carrying those toxic emotions and feelings were keeping her from being healthy.

Over a few years, she really worked on healing her inner self and since May of 2006, we have been building a relationship. She has softened and she has been loving and kind. It is something I NEVER expected to happen and I am so grateful that things are so much better.

I learned Never to say Never. LOL

I posted a few pictures of our grandchildren which were taken during our family celebration. We had such a good time with them.

In Memory of Jill..................

I am so sad to write that Jill passed away last night. She was surrounded by her family, Steven and his family, hospice workers, and friends from high school.

A 4.0 Student, chosen as 1 of 100 outstanding high school kids in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jill was loved, respected, and admired by everyone who knew her.

Please send prayers to all who loved her. This is a very sad time for our family.