Haley's Sweet Prayers

Even though first grade Haley is a lot spunkier and goofy, that sweet girl is still in there.

Tonight she prayed instead of me and said something like this,

"Dear Lord thank you for this day. Please be with all the boys and girls in America to give them a good night's rest. Please give shelter and food to those who are in need. Watch over the kids in Africa who need shelter. Help find a home for kids who don't have parents and help them to love the kids. Help me be nice and sweet like you know I can be and help me obey my parents. Help me be kind to others and make sweet friends. Amen."

Lord, let my children know you intimately all throughout their lives and may they cling to your grace & love forever.

Burrito Theory

Evan LOVES burritos. I have been joking for months that if we put it in a burrito he would eat anything. So tonight, we tested the theory.

Tonight I made shepherd's pie, which the rest of us love but Evan can't stand. He doesn't like mashed potatoes...really what is not to love about mashed potatoes? He doesn't particularly like ground beef. If it is disguised in a taco he will generally eat it but not always.

However, he loves onions, avocado, pico, salsa, peppers and other unusual things. So, tonight instead of fighting him I just rolled up his shepherd's pie into a burrito, poured salsa on top and gave it to him. (We actually called it a crunchy potato burrito for all the Bueno fans)

He ate it and asked for seconds. I may have a new way to get the little guy to eat anything I want. I am definitely heading to the Hispanic grocery store down the street to buy some fresh whole wheat tortillas. Let's see what kind of burritos we can create.

Gigi's Surprise 60th Party

Other than hosting an open house for about 75-100 people three weeks after we moved into our new house, Gigi's 60th party was my first big event at our new home. And, this wasn't just any event, it was an amazing celebration of 60 years of vibrant, passionate, love centered living for my precious mother-in-law.

For weeks, all Fran's siblings, David & the kids were plotting and scheming to have a surprise party that she would never forget. She specifically said that she did not want a party, she only wanted to spend time with family so they all came (almost all...one brother in NY could not make it). But, this was the first time in years that she had her brothers, David's mom and all her kids together at one time and we pulled it off...she was completely surprised.

She thought she was going to a musical down town and instead ended up "dropping" a book off at our house on the way. Before she knew it she was swept into one of the prettiest dining rooms ever created at my house (thanks to Daniel and Liz's flower power). Then, our barn doors opened and the kids and Grandma were there. Total shock. Then, she went around into the kitchen to find two brothers and sister-in-law (from CA and NY). Complete teary mess. It was AWESOME!

I think Gigi cried for at least 45 minutes, maybe more. It was such an amazing gift to have all her family together and I couldn't be any more thankful to be a part of making it happen. It was the most work I have done for any party. We hired a photographer, had things printed, made precious gift boxes with her favorite candle as party favors, cooked food, bought flowers, arranged flowers, hired kitchen help, hung lights, bought liquor...the whole nine yards. I am officially and adult!

The evening ended with mini desserts, all her favorites, and the delivery of her gifts which were all made by each relative. Nothing store bought. Only things created, sung, written, sewed, painted, performed or said. It was priceless.

What a memorable eveing. And, I am so thankful I don't have to tell any more lies about why I need her china or what I am doing tomorrow night. The secret is out. Gigi is one of the most precious gifts we could all receive and we are all better for knowing and being loved by her.

Thanksgiving 2012

I have to start somewhere so Thanksgiving seems as good of a place as any. We had a wonderful trip with the Baggerly crew to Fossil Rim. We spent the holiday "hiking" trails with dinosaur fossils and life size figures.

The cousins had a blast spending time together running between hotel rooms, playing with toys for the "thankful turkey" (who left thanksgiving dinosaur stockings for each of us) and terrorizing the few people staying at the Best Western with us.

A highlight of the trip was taking a bus tour of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center where they have opened up a ranch for all kinds of exotic animals. Giraffes, deer and emu's were eating out of our hands. It was so amazing to see the animals up close and get to pet them. The kids just giggled with delight as the giraffe's giant head poked into the bus next to them and licked food from their fingers. Priceless.

Not only was it awesome to just show up and eat an amazing Thanksgiving lunch at a darling Bed and Breakfast type of house, but I didn't have to cook or clean the whole weekend. Awesome. And to top it all off we got to spend a few days all together with my family with nothing to do but play. Wonderful memories and a great adventure!

Plans that don't work out

You know how you make plans to do something new and it doesn't work out just as you hoped. Well, that's what happened to me when I decided last year to not print pictures each month and instead just "print my blog" at the end of the year. It didn't work because I have been terrible at posting this year. Between renovating and moving the church then showing our house and moving our family, life happened and my plans didn't work out the way I hoped.

I feel like I have lost some memories, gained some new ones and put other things on hold....like this blog. But, I am ready to live again. No more boxes at our house. The car is nestled nicely in the garage for the first time since the move and I am ready to get my life back...well, as much as any mother does:) ha.