Family Member Tribute

Randy. Five letters that say so much. My back is sprained, quite painful, and difficult to maneuver. Yesterday Randy went to the grocery store, did the laundry, watched Collin, and did some work from home. Today he took the clothes to the cleaners, picked them up, got a few more things from the grocery store, and helped me lie down as soon as I got home from work in tremendous pain from my back.

I have the best husband ever.

The Garden!

My flower section of the garden. Randy got pink and red begonias for me today. Can't wait to see them planted.

Harvey's peach flower. Beautiful. From the way the the peach trees looked upon planting, I was wondering if they would do anything at all this year. They just looked like sticks in the ground.

Harvey Peach

Lori Peach

Belle Peach

Belle's flowers... :) gorgeous!

The blackberry bush looks like it's going to make it after all. We weren't sure if the snow would get to it or not.

The English peas are growing fast.

Look! It's a broccoli!

Our first bell pepper plant of 2010!

Beautiful cala lilies Randy gave me just for being me! :)

Words from India

Some monkeys enjoying the view of the Taj from the Agra Fort.

In the foothills of the Himalayas.

:) My experiment in teaching the slum kids body parts. It worked! They learned new words and couldn't stop labeling each other.

Jumping into the Ganges a day before my birthday.

Auntie and Uncle put together a family birthday party for Sarah.

She turned 21 on March 15th.

Yep, that's my baby girl!

Third Day of Spring

70 degrees and sunny!!

Only in Texas! Gotta love it!

Second Day Of Spring

SNOW?????!!!!!!!

Happy First Day of Spring!

This free digital ecard customized with Smilebox

New Flowers

For Valentine's Day, Randy got me this beautiful deep magenta cala lily.

Today he went plant shopping and brought me this lovely pink cala. They are planted in the first section of the garden, aka "The Flower Section." I can't wait to pick out begonias to go with the two cala lilies and rose bushes.

Tropicana Rose we saw in Connecticut at the Norwich Rose Garden...

Last year's rose...

Any ideas on what color begonias we should add to these two calas, rose bush, and the Tropicana rose bush Randy got me last month?

Tree Update

Lori was trimmed back pretty far before planting. We're excited to see green leaves sprouting.

Harvey's branches are turning from brown to green.

Belle and Lori have tiny baby pink flowers. Can't wait to see how they grow.

Belle is sprouting miniature green leaves.

Maggie grew about 6 inches last year. She already has new branches filling in this year. We're excited to watch her grow. Soon we're hoping for some fragrant white blossoms.

Stay tuned for more progress reports as spring blossoms.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

Today my baby girl turns 21! She happens to be in India studying abroad this semester. Her friend, Casey, is there spending Spring Break and her birthday with her. Thank you, Casey!

Happy Birthday, Sarah! I love you! Mom

Spring is in the Air

Spring is right around the corner. Plants are beginning to break through the earth in little sprouts of green with the promise delicious vegetables. These are English peas in a tiny little row.

In addition to the English peas, Randy already has broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, two tomato plants, Kentucky wonder beans, zucchini, and two kinds of Spinach in the ground. Sounds like a yummy summer is on the way.

Just three days ago, the English peas looked like this. It's amazing how quickly plants grow once they get started. Can't wait for the peas.

Who would've thought....

Who would have thought a children's song, "Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes" would make me cry?

It would if my baby girl who is 5 days away from turning 21 years old recorded it and sent it to me from the other side of the world!!

Sarah is volunteering at a school in Delhi teaching the kids English. In her words:

"My mom is helping me put together an English lesson for the kids at the slum tomorrow. Never thought I'd come halfway around the world to do what she does in our hometown. :)"

"The slum kids start school in one hour; I'll be there in an hour and a half. I'll sing, talk slowly, label my own body parts, and, no doubt, be laughed at all morning. (If not by the Bengali children then by the German volunteer.)

But if they learn what their head and shoulders and knees and toes are... Of course, it's worth it. These are the difficult things that produce rewards. I'm nervous, but I'll go and they'll learn and I'll walk away beaming."

A Good Day Indeed

Yesterday is one for my mental Book of Favorite Memories.

Eli called as I was waking up to let me know she's going to New Orleans for part of Spring Break. She just wanted to let me know...

Deborah called a short time later. "What are you doing?" "Nothing." "Do you feel like helping at a wedding?" "Sure. Be there soon." So, I spent the afternoon running the kitchen the wedding of a high school friend of Deborah and Daniel Scott. Weddings are almost as much fun as spending the afternoon and evening with my kids.

Sarah called after D&D left wanting info on trains from the Himalayas back to Delhi. It was a short conversation, but rewarding to be able to help.

The day ended talking with Daniel James about generalities of teenage life. So nice to have a"talk-able" relationship with my son.

I am truly blessed with four wonderful, intelligent, beautiful/handsome children. I am definitely a proud mom.

Did he really?????

Since Collin's recent health problems, he is under doctor's orders to "stay calm" and be "quiet." He spends his days in a crate while I'm at work. He is very nice about this and happy to see me when I get home.

After Collin goes outside he is excited to get a treat. Of course, he gets one. (Duh!) He throws it around like it's live prey. Quite amusing!

Today... DID HE REALLY throw his treat under the foot stool and come get me to move the stool so he could get it, only to return when he finished the treat to share a really LOUD and obnoxious burp?! YES, HE DID!!

Wordless Wednesday

Monday's Memorable Moments

..... My eldest daughter called this evening to ask me how I used to make grapefruit chicken. She was cooking it for her dinner. The funny thing about that is I've been vegetarian for 5 years now and haven't cooked grapefruit chicken in 7 or 8 years. :)

..... My second daughter called while her husband was in class. She came over and had dinner with me. Unusual for me, I actually cooked dinner. We had three-cheese tortillini with fresh steamed broccoli, red bell peppers, and yellow bell peppers with raspberry sherbet and strawberries for dessert.

..... My third daughter spent the weekend visiting the Taj Mahal. Words can't describe the memories she is making in India.

..... My son has an average of 104.4 in Pre-AP Biology! That's a great improvement over barely passing each six weeks.

Memorable moments indeed.