Happy Valentine's Day

Flowers and lots of chocolate for mom....way to keep her happy.

Frog and Monkey things for the girls, chocolate included. Note the Chinese red envelopes too, and per Sara, with money.

Cute little mice I now collect

beginning...middle....END

THE END

TX quick melt

As they say in TX, if you don't like the weather, wait. This is 24 hours after the 12 inches and it is going quickly. The snow did tear down the netting around the trampoline with the weight, so we are in a market for a new net. We did lose one large branch from one 20' Crepe Myrtle bush, but that was all. Much better off than many around here and the live oaks that keep their leaves during the winter seem to have taken the largest toll since the snow was so wet and it stuck to all the leaves.

Note the snow people are on a diet program. They now look VERY old and stooped....what a diet program!

We should be snow free by tomorrow!

12 inches of snow!

Jeff did a wonderful job at keeping the walkway and our very long driveway cleared.

WE HAD 12+ INCHES OF SNOW!!!

Yes, we are in N Texas. As you can tell, the kids had more fun outside than I did---BURRRRRRR! I was suprised that the dogs loved the snow. Cooper the black dog has long hair and he looked like a little snowball after being in the snow and we had to pick the snow off him.

WE had to get the snow off the trees and bushes because it was snapping the branches all over the neighberhood and we did not want this. WE also helped two neighbors-both single women-shovel their driveways so they can get out, and in one case, up the hill into the garage!

Yes, Sara does not have a coat on. It is not really that cold and the snow is already beginning to melt quickly. Just wondering what all this snow on the roof will do-either slide off or melt. There are many places in town that is having roofs collapse.

HAIR

Sara is still growing her hair. This is the first time she has had long hair and is loving it. She will eventually donate most/some of it to Locks for Love, but she is enjoying having it long and warm for the winter.

CONFIRMATION

Today Ruth began the 12 week confirmation classes at church. She likes the small group she is in with many of her friends. They are served lunch at church before they break into groups.

COLD again

Winter thinks it is back again. We have cabin fever for the weekend. Jeff and I went and bought a new sink and faucet for the kitchen--the last of the big spenders.

Ruth has been reading up a huge storm. We are back to the library every week to load her up again. I think next time we will get 4 books instead of two, which she finished one a day on the weekends. Jessie keeps Ruth warm as she reads.

Sara-she had a huge project and just finished it. She did a fantastic job and will post a photo ASAP. This is Sara with all 3 fur babies-Puff the cat, Jessie and Cooper. Though Sara is smiling, I suspect that the animals are ready to run away as fast as they can!

MY CUTE GIRLS

All grown up

Ruth and Sara meet and become sisters....friends.

fun weekend

Sunday we went to the trails in town and had a great time. The day was a beautiful spring day. I even took my turn on the scooter-what a hip mom I am!

Doggy dress up

Friday evening Ruth-in the teal blue-had her volleyball and they won 3 of 4 games...way to go Ruth!

We had a beautiful sunset Friday night---followed by a rainy Saturday.

News from afar

Our very good friend returned to the US today with her beautiful new daughter who is from the same island as Ruth. While there, she tracked down two of Ruth's bio aunts~they are the ones in the foreground. We also received some contact information that we will follow up on.

Beautiful tropical weather today-2 tornadoes last night but they were east of us, we didn't even get rain which was nice because the girls and I did wash the van on Saturday, and waxed it to. My dad taught me the correct and thorough way to wash a can, so I am forcing this info onto the girls, who want to get it done with quickly.....

still here...

Sara has been hitting the books very hard since during Christmas break. This week is mid-terms and it is amazing how much it covers-everything since the beginning of school for all 6 subjects. Ruth has once again another project which is due tomorrow. I am finishing putting away Christmas things. Now that the big freeze is over, the girls and I will get back into the attic and put the rest of it away....always to find more a few days later...you know what I mean.

I really need to wash the van, but rain is coming, so oh well....until another day. I really hate having a dirty van and even the inside windows are smeared with doggie nose prints in the back.

Happy 2010. May it be a year of happiness, family time, and good health. May you have strength to see the good in those around you and to not judge too quick.

snow again

As you can see, the snowman changed while we were gone..."I'll be back again some day"

Today we got up early to drive home before our snow started again and we made it JUST in time. It is nice to be home and unpacking seemed to take forever.

old friends

Today we got together with a family we met nearly 12 years ago in Hawaii on our way to Majuro to adopt a little girl ~ Ruth. Our friends adopted a little boy who was 3 months old and it was not a done deal until the last minute. You see, the mother had changed her mind but they went on faith and came home with a son. Today is his 12th birthday too.

WE HAVE A TEEN!

Today Sara turned 13. In looking back, it feels like she has been a teen for at least a year and you know what I mean. Today she will get her ears pierced (ear pokes she calls them) and she has been stocking up with earrings for 2 years in anticipation for this. We will have a small family birthday with grandparents and aunt & uncle....and another cake.

It is amazing how quickly they grow and I am grateful I take pictures constantly to go back and see how exactly this happens...

Christmas #2

We arrived at my parents with out issue-the snow area ended about 1 hour into our drive and the temp continued to climb. We were the first to arrive-2 dogs in tow. A few hours the masses arrived and first was a super delicious dinner.

Then it was on to the 3 hours of opening gifts.

THEN it was the hours of cards into the next day.

My 3 kids

The girls wanted to go to the cemetery to say hi to their big brother Bryan. We took his Christmas tree and Sara took a brush to clean off his marker. The kids like having a big brother that they say look over them.