Family fun...

Jon called me at work yesterday afternoon and said I have a suprise for tonight. I envisioned adult conversation, maybe a movie just the two of us or another couple, maybe a nice dinner in a dark grown up restaurant, not browsing over the kids menu. But his idea turned out even better. He had bought a fire pit, picked up some firewood that was stored in the back of the lumberyard, then headed to the grocery and bought hotdogs, buns and marshmallows. Sarah had basketball practice until almost 6:00 and then we stayed to watch a little bit of another girls basketball game before we headed home.

We got home to a roaring fire in the backyard, with chairs pulled all around. It was so nice, no TV, no IPOD, no stereo playing, just the four of us sitting around a big camp fire, roasting weenies, eating hotdogs and then marshmallows. Almira had never done any of this and so we gave her a quick lesson in marshmallow roasting and how to get the outside just crunchy, just right and get the inside all gooey. Yum! I haven't had a roasted marshmallow in at least 3 years since we went to church family camp in 2004.

It was a nice night, around 50 degrees here. I understand it is quite cold back in Petro right now. I know it has been negative quite a bit lately. Almira was talking about how much she missed the snow today. The kids were running around in the driveway today playing badmitton and then hitting the tennis ball some - with short sleeves on. It was 65 today and overcast.

I hope everyone is enjoying their new year. We got the last of the Christmas decorations down and put back in the attic today. Then I ended up having something similar to spring cleaning. The Lord knows this house needed it, with all the craziness of Christmas.

Enjoy your weekend. Sorry, didn't take any pictures of the weenie roast, but I finally did of the Christmas cards that the kids painted before Jon took them down. Almira drew both of them and then painted hers. Sarah and her friend Kellen painted the Santa card that Almira drew.

Kathy B.

Back to the grind ...

Hello everyone. This has been much harder than I thought ... returning to work after almost 2 weeks off. The update on Molly is she is much better, but not out of the woods yet. We got to bring her home yesterday. She can only eat 1 teaspoon of food at a time and is on an antibiotic.

Yesterday I decided to take off work and get a few things taken care of. I started my morning off at the eye doctor. I felt like I needed an eye exam. I only started needed some light reading glasses about a year ago, mainly because I spend 10 hours a day on computer and then reading for school. I have been having more trouble reading small print lately. Boy was I right. My doctor recommended bi-focals. Yikes! I'm only 39, just turned, so what is the big deal. Between my foot killing me and now bi-focals, I feel like I'm falling apart!

From the eye doctor I had dental cleaning appointments for me and the girls. Then ran to Sarah's doctor because she had an ear ache. She had a right nasty little ear infection, probably from swimming last week in the in-door pool. It was quite a busy day and I'm glad I took off work.

The girls are enjoying their last few days at home before school returns and Almira is already counting the days until the next day out of school. I did find out she made straight A's this time, so I can't believe she doesn't like school. I think she just really enjoys having nothing to do, which I can understand ... I remember those days from many years ago, mainly pre-children.

I'm also trying to plan a birthday party for Sarah, who is turning 10 on January 16th. It's a good thing I didn't wait until the last minute ;-)

Just wanted to drop a note and wish everyone Happy New Year! I just hope this year is as good as or better than last year. 2007 was definitely a memorable year.

Kathy B.

Happy New Year!

Pictures: Fun at the beach, building a sand castle. A yearly tradition in the shark's mouth. The last day, walking back to the car. Saying goodbye was hard.

We arrived home Saturday night late and finally all got to bed about 11:30. It took most of the day Sunday to get unpacked and then into Monday to get all the laundry done. Monday morning started off with a trip to vet. Molly, the kitten, has not been feeling well for a couple of days. Sunday she just wasn't herself. She wasn't eating much and just cried and cried. She stayed curled up next to me most of the day on Sunday just sleeping and purring. A trip to the vet led to major surgery. Seems as though our baby Molly ate a 6 inch piece of elastic string. She had major surgery but is expected to recover.

We are going to have a quiet night this New Year's Eve. Mom and Dad are taking the girls up to my aunt's house in the country to see all my cousins and everyone. I am in the bed with a bad foot. I found out in July of this year that I have plantar faciatis and a bone spur on my left foot. After all the walking I did the last few days, I got up yesterday morning and pulled my crutches back out. Every step is so painful. I am trying to stay off my feet as much as possible, which is okay since I've been studying for a biology clep since yesterday morning. I have some more great pictures of the girls from the beach, that is the main reason for my post.

If you read this, say a little prayer for our baby Molly. I'm sure she is feeling pretty scared, lonely and hurting right now. She can't come home until Thursday, maybe.

Kathy B.