Ruston and Mrs. Brenda

 
Ruston and Mrs. Brenda. Well you didn't think Ani would let him take the picture alone did you?!?! He loves Mrs. Brenda and she is great with him.

Hey, notice the dog Ani has. Well, that was mine when I was a little girl. Poor thing has been patched up several times, but a good little pup!

The graduate

 
He graduated! He was so very happy. Not a bad lookin family. . . and yes there is a star sticker on Ani's forehead.

Adjusting to the easy life

 
Oh yea, he can get use to this! Relaxing after a nice swim, a hot dog, a little music. At least he doesn't have a beer!!! LOL

A day on the water

 
Geoff and Gail, we enjoyed your company. . .

Warm weather. . .thoughts of summer

I live for summer. I thought I was perfectly fine without winter until we lived in Key Largo and realized that I missed cold weather around Christmas. Actually, that is the only time I really want it cold. The warmer weather has found us, with a roar. The worst storms and tornadoes recorded. Note, to all: if they say "long track tornadoes" run! WOW! There were countless F1 and F2 tornadoes, over 10 F3, 8 F4 and 2 F5 in one night. One F5 is enough to shake any area. We were under a tornado warning for over 5 hours. Not anything I wish to repeat. When I heard roof damage occurred at the school building next to Ani's during school, my stomach hit my throat and I was done for the day. Knowing my babies were home safe with Dad, late in the night I did go back to the plant. The worst transmission grid damage this area has ever seen. What can I say, I am constantly torn between my love of my family and job. I am blessed with a husband that helps distribute the burden well. Without him I would be lost.

We are looking forward to days on the boat and on our dock. How we have dreamed of that. Watching the kids run and play on our dock, jump in the water and be the fish they were born to be. Share the summer days with good friends, ending up a little sun burned makes all the long days and short nights well worth the fight.

Ani is itching to put the water ski back on (so am I). She will win, that water is still a bit cold. I have proof, Ruston turned blue at least three times on Sunday. His criteria for getting back in the water, "am I still blue?"

June 11 I have been waiting for, a family reunion with happiness to share. Making sure that our family continues to stay together. I can't wait to see those kids. It just amazes me to see them all running and playing together, just as we did. Pulling the same silly stunts, thinking no one is going to notice. Ha, kids - we know! We already did it!!!

To summer, sun, boating, water, family, friends, hard work, love, friendship, and the journey that never ends.
Happy summer!

Happy Easter!!

 

Dreams coming true

 
I have always wanted a sports car. Always said I wanted a red corvette. Sometimes when things happen in life you don't realize the affect it has on you. Sometimes it is overtime, sometimes faster than you can blink an eye. Our lives have changed at lightening speed in the last five years. It has been good and we have been happy. The lost of two very special people in our lives in the last two years as made me realize life is yesterday, today and tomorrow. Without them all it is just a day. So without waiting for all of the tomorrows to come, I have moved to making dreams come true today. So in 8 weeks, this will be my new car. It is just a car, but it is so much more. It is dream, a lot of work, a reality I never thought I would know.

sweetness

 
He may be getting older but he is still my baby. How sweet is this?

Smiles

 
Happy to spend the evening and afternoon with Aunt Sharon. Always a joy.

Surprise visit

 
Uncle Richard and Aunt Sharon stopped by for a night on their way to Florida. The kids loved seeing them again.

We finally gave in

 
We did it, gave in and gave her a PLAY make up set for her birthday. She was thrilled. She was ready to put it on and head to dinner. That's when we broke the news - at home ONLY!!!! It is a good thing too. It took two days before we could get her to understand the blue was for eyes, not cheeks. very, very funny.

My boy. . .

 
Just look at the eyes. They say it all. Sweet, tender, mischievous, happy, and loving. Don't forget the stubborn determined streak that runs right through it all. That is my Ruston. At four, his best friend is his sister. He is lost without her. As a mom, I couldn't ask for more. He looks to her to learn, to teach, to share. Together they are growing up.

What can I say

 
This is my girl. It is all Ani. She LOVES her make up kit that we gave her for her 8th birthday. Yes, she is 8. Where has the time gone? She has grown so fast. I am so proud to be her mom. She has a HUGE heart, such compassion and caring for being 8. It always surprises me. She is so full of life, so full of happiness. So full of spirit. I hope that no matter what she encounters in this life, no one takes a single ounce of it away.

Prayers to all. . . .

The events of the earthquake and tsunami and the impact on the lives of so many is unimaginable and been in my thoughts. I have thought about how horrible Katerina was to us, yet is was so small compared to what Japan is dealing with. The added affect of the the struggles to manage the nuclear plants is also on my mind. The men and woman making the decisions do so with heavy hearts knowing the world is watching. Pray for them, for the decisions they make.
Recognize the "experts" that are on the news do not know all, including the condition of the facility.
Most are waiting to see all the data, understand the facts, and learn all we can.

So funny

 
Emma wouldn't look. She was terrified of the crab coming after her. The tubes they have in the big tanks the kids can stand in are awesome. It was too funny getting all five kids in one. When that crab starting moving toward them, Emma just freaked - hilarious!!

Simple beauty

 
I love this. It was a quick picture and it turned out so beautiful. Of course, it is an orchid. I do love taking pictures, but when they come out like this I want to take so many more. . . . .

So pretty, little butterfly

 

Butterflies

 
I love this area, the kids usually don't let me stay long. There were not too many people today, so I was able to catch a few. . .

Beautiful turtle

 
The boys loved the sea turtle.

It is a beautiful place

 
Looking out over the Tennessee River.