As She Realizes Her Girls Are Growing Up SO Fast!!!

I'm such a wuss, but I can barely even type it. Today was the 1st day of 1st grade at a brand new school. It didn't even phase the girls, but I fretted all day today and cried like a baby last night. I am so proud of how they have grown, and the difference from just the beginning of this summer until now is just amazing. They are getting so big and, as I told Grace last night when she asked, "Why are you crying, Mommy??" I said, "Well, you just used to be so little, and now you are so big... it's like, I *grew* you in my tummy and now you're just - so grown up and it's so COOL!!" To which Grace replied, "I'm not THAT grown up." :) Faith made a friend already today, and got good remarks on her homework, and Grace has already earned a pajama party for tomorrow. We're off to a good start! (And I will probably not fret as much tomorrow, either!)

As a Bunch of Fish in Windsor Were Saved From a Deep-Fried Fate

We had a great time fishing this weekend in Windsor, MO. We went to visit the Varner family and Jimmy took the girls and I fishing (along with Jenny, Reid and Randy) on Saturday afternoon. I had been feeling guilty because I have taken the girls fishing a few times and they have never caught a fish. You can then imagine Faith's shock when she caught a HUGE bass after her line had been in the water for *maybe* two minutes right when we got there. She was scared to death of it! I helped her reel it in and Jimmy got it off of the hook... it was flapping and flopping all over the place. She wanted NOTHING to do with the thing! We barely even got a picture.

Grace and I both continued to catch fish. Faith took quite a few "breaks" after catching the big one. But Jimmy threw back every darn one of those fish -- even the crappie we caught, which was quite disappointing to me. Hours of fishing and nothing to show for it but leftover minnows. We'll have to do something different next time!

(Thanks to Jenny, Barry, Reid and Mallie for having us... it was great fun, as always!)

As she dreads the return to work after a wonderful long weekend at Big Cedar!!

Well, just back from a lovely long weekend at Big Cedar with Faith, Grace and Anne. Had a great time, and even managed to squeeze in a visit with Jana and Bryan in Nixa, and Jimmy met us on the way back through. So, a week spent with lots of folks that I love! Big Cedar was wonderful. The scenery (above) is just gorgeous. Had a nice relaxing time by the pool(s) and finally got some sun on my skin! We went horseback riding on Saturday morning to finish things off; Faith and her horse, Jake, led the group of us. Grace and I both had horses (Snickers and Hershey, maybe it was the candybar names) that had some trouble - they wanted to stop and eat various foilage along the way. This is apparently against "good horse" rules. Tell that to some animal that has me on its back and that is about 4 or 5 or 6 times my size. Anyway, good times, very relaxing, and now am dreading going to work tomorrow, of course. Although, the sooner Monday gets here, the sooner Friday will be here, which means #1 - my Thursday trial will be over, and #2 - most importantly - we'll be moving to the new house!!! More on that later this week.

As she reports that things were dry in Hannibal for the 4th... maybe too dry

Went home for the 4th of July. Had a good time - hung out with the ruthless and the toothless at Tanyard Gardens and heard a great band called Torque on Thursday night, saw lots of old cronies. Hung with the family on Friday, nearly broke my neck on a stupid carnival ride, and watched the fireworks from Union Street - perfect view!! Frog Jumping on Saturday night, and then a nice (thought short) visit with Katie and Regan on Saturday night. That pretty much sums it up: a little beer, family, friends, and a whole bunch of naps :) What more do you need from a vacation!! No mud volleyball makes things very different... drier, in more ways than one!

Happy Independence, all!

As she looks at the pictures from the weekend and says, OUCH

Great time had by all this weekend. We went to Kansas City to celebrate Anne's birthday by attending the Cardinals/Royals Game. We tailgated in the parking lot before the game, "watched" the game (I think Jimmy and I were in the line for beer for the majority of the time), went down to the Power & Light District downtown KC, and then it gets a wee bit blurry. Here are a couple of pics... you might guess which one is from the beginning of the night and which is from the end. :)

As she reports on our fun in the (not so much) sun

Well, we had a pretty great weekend, all things considered. Grace, Faith, Auntie Anne, Jimmy and I all met in St. Louis and had a fun weekend planned to continue the 6th birthday celebration. The Zoo, Grant's Farm, a little bit of this and that, some swimming, and so on. Saturday, we made it to the zoo and had a great time. Favorite sights were: the penguins, the hyenas, and for goodness sake - riding the TRAIN!! The showers were scattered and the cool temperatures were enough to keep the crazy crowds away. We did luck out and see Regan, Chris, Ethan and baby Gracie though!! Enter the rain. Our big outing on Sunday ended up being TARGET. So, Faith and Grace are now mean UNO players (though it is no secret when Grace gets dealt a Draw 4 Wild card), and we've seen the Adventures of SharkBoy and LavaGirl more than anyone needs to. But it was a great, relaxing holiday weekend, and the rain probably saved us from overdoing it. And who can beat putting on the goggles and playing in the hose in the backyard, anyway???

As she reflects on being so lucky to have a deer-hunting husband...

Last weekend, lucky us, Jimmy finally got his deer head back from the taxidermist. He's been dying for me to get a picture up for all to see. I found a picture of the deer, au natural (i.e. BEFORE stuffing) and here it is. So proud! Honestly, I never thought I would admit it, but it is kindof pretty. After you get over the whole 'killing-something-for-sport' thing. I don't know about putting it in the living room or anything, but maybe the... well... hallway?? :)