Happy Birthday Hannah

WOW! Where has the time gone? My baby is 9!!! It was a crazy birthday weekend. Her birthday was May 30th and was also the opening night of Broadway Baby, the year end recital at her dance studio. The big birthday celebration will be this weekend and we have a house full of girls coming over to spend the night. yes, I have lost my mind completely:) I figure I did it a few months ago with boys for Zakk and there is no way on the planet that it could be crazier than that. Trust me. A house full of sweet, quiet, girls that will sit and do crafts, snack and just hang out in no way will compare to a house full of boys. I am positive there are still nerf darts in crevices of the house I just can't get to yet. I went thru so many batteries for video game remotes and rc cars I lost count. So looking forward to a quiet evening with sweet little girls(yes I am laughing hysterically inside right now)! Look for photos later next week after I have recovered. These photos are so cute. I am still trying to figure out my camera, and Hannah was such a willing subject this evening,(not the norm) and I got some great photos of her in her costume. One of the numbers she danced to was Step in Time from Mary Poppins and she was a chimney sweep. That's why her face is so dirty. Anyway, I thought these photos of her were great!

Oklahoma

I was recently in Oklahoma(yes Oklahoma) for my Dad's funeral. I was fortunate enough to see my sister, brother, nephews and neices. A friend told me about Smile box so this is my first attempt. It's a little bit of happiness I found at a sad time.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I've been tagged!

I have to admit, I didn't know what being tagged was, but it sounds fun so I'll play

1. Favorite person(outside of family) Too many to name

2. Favorite food? Mexican or Italian

3. Quirks about you? Hmmm...I am sure there are a lot, but I have to add cream/milk into my coffee cup before I add coffee. It doesn't taste the same otherwise.

4. How would the person who loves you most describe you in 10 words or less? Sensitive, caring, giving, a great Mom

5. Any regrets in life? Yes

6. Favorite charity or cause? Animal rights and the Multiple Sclerosis Society

7. Favorite Blog recently? Keeping up with what's going on with Sophie on Michele's blog

8. Something you can not get enough of? Hanging out with my kids

9. What job would you pay not to have? Anything to do with trash/sewers(YUCK)

10. Favorite bible verse right now? Just read this one and it is fitting right now
Come to me and rest in my loving presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials. As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you - now and always. Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur. Do not multiply your suffering in this way! Instead, come to me and relax in my peace. I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust. (Matthew 11:28-30; Joshua 1:5,

11.Guilty pleasure? Chips

12.Any confessions? No

13.If you had to spend $1000 on yourself how would you spend it?
Probably some clothes, hair cut, make-up including a fabulous mascara and lunch with my girlfriends:)

14.Favorite thing about your house? Summer time on the deck that Rick built.

15.Least favorite thing about your house? The back yard gets a bit swampy in the winter

16. One thing you are good at? Buying clothes for my kids

17. If you could change one thing about your circumstances what would it be? That this past weekend never happened

18. Who would you like to meet someday? The Dog Whisperer:)

19. Blogger convention anyone? No

20.What makes you feel sexy? A great pair of jeans

21. Who is your real life hero? My Mom for being so strong and brave in her fight with multiple sclerosis. For fighting until the end.

22.What is the hardest part of your job? I love my job and there really isn't a hard part, but sometimes the phone rings way too much and I would love to turn the ringer off. Seriously, I hear that ring in my dreams!

23.When are you most relaxed? When I know my family is at home safe and sound.

24. What can you not live without? My husband and kids

25.Do you agree with the recent article that blogs are authored by narcissists? I haven't read it, but will say no.

26.Why do you blog? To keep family and friends far away in the loop. It's more fun than licking a bunch of stamps and envelopes, plus they can see video.

27.Who are you tagging? I don't know too many bloggers, but probably Beth and hopefully will find a few more:)

10 Reasons I love you

Mother's Day is always a bit bittersweet for me. I love being a Mom and my kids love treating me extra special on that day:) I am coming up on the 5th year anniversary(why do they call it that?) of my Mom's passing. It makes me wish I could share with her all that my kids say and do. It makes me sad that they don't know her and never will. It makes me sad that she died so young and from such a horrible disease. This Mother's Day, Hannah made me a card listing the 10 reasons she loves me. I was literally brought to tears. Of my two children, Hannah is the most subdued and does not share her emotions/feeling as much as Zakk. I am always pleasantly surprised when she crawls on my lap or wants to cuddle. The fact that she made this card on her own time and it was not a school project planned by one of her fabulous teacher's, makes it even more special. I realize that even though my Mom is not hear, some of the things I have learned about being a Mom, I learned from her. These are the reasons I am loved:)
1. You love me
2.You care about me.
3. You help me when I'm stuck on something
4. You bring me happiness
5. You hold me when I'm hurt
6. You make my teacher happy which makes her a great teacher
7. you're #1
8. You care about our family
9. You're beautiful
10. You love me more every day.

Video of Hannah at her State Meet 2008

For those not familiar with gymnastics, there
are 4 events the girls have to do. The uneven
bars, balance beam, floor excercise and the
vault. Hannah's favorite and best event is
bars. Her least favorite is the vault. Here are
some videos of her at the Level 4 state meet.
Daddy got a few of her after event antics so
enjoy those as well!!! First up is balance beam.
She has struggled with the handstand all year
and finally the last few meets has really mas-
stered it!