Baby Kennedi

We got a new cousin in our family.  Her name is Kennedi Marie.  She looks exactly like her big sis, Grace. 

 

 

 

She’s joining into a crazy, energy-filled, giggly, loud, goofy extended family... the cousins are pretty fun too. 

 

 

 

If you ask me, she’s one lucky little babe.

Nothing But the Best

As a Mom, I want nothing but the best for my kids.  As luck would have it, that's exactly what we get when Aunt Judy shows up...

 

Who just has a way with her great nieces and nephews...

 

 

With the heart of an angel and endless energy...

 

She brings out the giggles in them...

 

I can't help but picture Aunt Judy 20 years down the road; helping Maisie with a veil...

 

 

 

And knowing one of the best gifts I could give them, was an Aunt Judy.

 

Showin' Her the Ropes

In some families, 'home' means a certain smell or an elaborate meal, a favorite pet or an old friend.

Yet to me, nothing screams 'home' quite like Orange Fluff and Hidden Pear Salad. 

Were fancy like that.

GG spent Friday evening showing Maisie the ropes...

Some traditions just need to be passed down through generations...

Like Orange Fluff.  It means 'Home'

In other news, my camera broke Saturday night.  No, I didn't do it.  Luckily, I was able to capture some great memories before it broke, which I'll be sharing in upcoming posts while my camera's in surgery. 

I recently read that "In life there are no problems; only opportunies" ;)

Sisters

I love sisters.  I love that each of my daughters has one.  I love that they sing into kitchen utensils.  Takes me back to my youth and the “Jitterbug.”

Keep on rockin’ sisters.  With your wooden spoons and wire whisks… keep on rockin’

 

March 4th

Life as I know it changed on Monday, March 4^th.  At 11:30 a.m. I was called into a meeting room, only to be told the Test Kitchen was dissolving. The place I’ve called home for the past 12 years of my career.

March Forth…

 

Going forward, I will be an administrative assistant working with computers systems which are completely foreign to me.

 

March Forth…

The range of emotions; surprise, disappointment, curiosity, confusion, sadness, anger, anxiety, sure makes me feel ‘alive’. 

March Forth…

Then, I think of perspective.  How lucky am I that I still have a job; when so many others don’t?  How lucky am I that my hours and benefits won’t change?  How lucky am I that I don’t work nights or weekends?  How lucky am I that a company found a job to transition me into, when they didn’t have to?  How lucky am I?

 

March Forth…

 

I realized I could look at this so many ways.  I’m choosing to look at it as a blessing rather than a curse.  I know in my heart of hearts this move is helping me get where I’m supposed to be.  I’m not exactly sure where that it right now, but I’m counting on faith to see me through.

 

I’m much tougher than I look.  I will March Forth.

 

 

Pinewood Derby 2013

Today was the Pinewood Derby.  Ross designed and painted his very own car.  Can you guess which one was his?

 

 

Yep, the camo one.  Car #102.  This is big time.

 

 

He wasn't too nervous pre-race.  He was busy socializing and being silly. 

 

 

 

His sisters were there to cheer him on.  Yep, Molly wore a tank top. 

 

He started off in lane #2...

 

but ended up racing in each lane.  Did I mention the racing lasted 4 hours?

His car was fast...

After each heat, the contenders anxiously awaited the results. 

Mike just happened to be the scorekeeper.  Is there anything hotter than a 37-year-old dad running the Pinewood Derby Scoreboard?  Whew!

 
Unfortunately, Ross' car crashed twice and he didn't win.  He held it together better than I anticipated.  I noticed his face begin to fall as he returned to the bleachers and I quickly escorted him to under the bleachers where he could let his frustration and tears out. 

However, luck was on our side and within minutes Ross' name was called for a door prize of a Lego Ninjango kit.  His disappointment quickly faded and he was soon laughing, cheering on his buddies and asking for concession stand money.  Sunday was a day filled with lessons, emotions, experience and pride. 

Pride for our Tiger Cub, who manages to keep our lives more exciting than we could have ever imagined.
 

 

1st Grade Music Program

Ross had his 1st Grade Music Program Thursday night.  The photos tell the story of the evening better than I can.



Ross meeting with his class before the program started.

As the curtains opened, all the students were deperately looking for familiar faces.  I'm guessing those lights were pretty bright. 

Ross instructed me on the way to the program I couldn't wave or make any loud sounds like, "Whoop whoop!" or "Go Ross", because he wasn't aloud to yell anything back.  We decided if he spotted us, he would itch his nose... that would be our signal.

He never itched his nose; couldn't find us.  He later told me he felt like a red ant was pinching his ball-skin the entire time and he had to focus extra hard to not itch it, which made his eyes water. 

I admire his will power.