I've Been Tagged!

My sister Melissa tagged me a while ago and I am supposed to list 6 random things about myself. The problem has been trying to think of those random things. Most of what I do is weird and random so how in the world am I going to narrow it down? Well here goes nothing!

1) I eat lunch or dinner things for breakfast. I am not a big breakfast person in the morning. My favorite thing for breakfast is actually a tomato and cheese sandwich on toasted sourdough bread.

2) I feel like a rebel if I don't make my bed. My mom drilled into our heads that before we left for school our beds had to be made. She even came and checked me out of school once because it wasn't made. Needless to say that never happened again!

3) I talk to myself out loud all the time about anything and everything. It has gotten worse since Marc is not around all the time to have some adult conversation; so I carry on both sides of a conversation and sometimes I think my kids think I am really weird! I am surprised that none of my neighbors have called the pros to have me committed!

4) I always read the last page of a book before I start reading it. I have no idea why really other than I can!

5) I almost never follow a recipe when I cook - which has its advantages and disadvantages. It allows me to be creative and in the moment when I am cooking, but the down side is that I almost never can recreate exactly what I made in the first place - a real bummer for my family at times!

6) I got my first (yes there have been a few more since then) speeding ticket just a week after I got my license! It's that talking to myself thing I am sure of it! If I wasn't talking to myself so much I could actually pay attention better! Never fear I have been ticket free for over 6 years and counting!

Well that is as much randomness as I could come up with! Hope you all laughed a little!

My Grandma!

My friend Karin recently (okay a few weeks ago!) tagged me - it's a photo tag. You go to your picture files, choose the 4th file, go to the 4th picture and post it and explain it and then tag 4 people. Since Marc has been home my blogging has declined, but he is off helping a friend with some of her "honey do's" since her husband is in Iraq, so I thought this might be a good time to catch up on some blogging. So here is my picture!

This is my grandma Ellen Coon looking at a picture with Hannah and Hailey, my niece Addison and my nephew Steven. It was Christmas time and they were looking at a picture that Grandma had received. They just love to be around her and that hasn't changed either!

This picture was taken almost four years ago on 12-18-04. Hannah was four, Hailey and Addison were two (almost three) and Steven was eight almost nine. Grandma was 90 in this picture! At the time she was still driving, living on her own, reading a ton and doing cross word puzzles like no one else. She played Canasta on Thursdays, walked at the mall daily, and told the rest of us to keep up!

Grandma just turned 94 in August and is still quick as a whip and as sharp as a tack! She drives less - but still drives, lives with my Aunt, walks most days either at Target or around the neighborhood and still does cross words. She is amazing! She is such a great example of unconditional love and service. She loves without judgment and serves with no thought of reward or recognition! She is genuinely concerned for the well being of others and makes sure to express her love often! I am sure that this is in part, her secret to longevity~ I hope I am half the lady she is when I am that age~ I love you grandma!

I tag Misty, Alision, Jen Mackay, Kim Mackay - can't wait to see what is in your files!

Bensen turns 1 today!

Happy Birthday burgers! You have brought such joy into our lives this past year! Your laugh and smile are contagious just like Hailey's. You are as determined as your older brother! And you have Hannah's ability to snuggle and show love to others. Your are as handsome as your dad and as independent as your mom! The world better look out - with qualities like that, there is not telling what you fabulous things you will do with your life! We celebrated his birthday on Sunday with some of our family. Bensen sure enjoyed his cake, but didn't really have a clue about the present thing. He was actually more interested in the boxes and the wrapping paper. We love you and look forward to the many things you have in store for us!

Resident Artists

I have always known my kids had artistic talents but the past few weeks some of them have more than proved their love for and ability in the "not-so" fine arts.

Braiden, a very rambunctious little guy is very focused here on his finger painting. Although I am not so sure he is that focused on what he is drawing as much as figuring out how to eat as much of this as he can...it is chocolate pudding...his favorite medium!

One night before going to bed I noticed that Hailey had a pencil in her hand and was drawing on her head board. I looked at her from across the room and asked "what are you doing?" At that point I had not really seen her "masterpiece". She looked at me and with a slight hesitation said.."drawing?" I immediately said "you are kidding me right? On your new headboard! (okay so it is a year old - but still) I walked over and saw what she was drawing. To be honest I must say my first thoughts were not the most pleasant ones, however I surprised myself and asked "what are you drawing?" With a grin Hailey said, "It is a picture of me! Do you like it? This way I won't get lonely at night!" I just giggled and told her to go get my camera so that we could take a picture of it before she washed it off. Thank goodness for Magic Erasers!




Bensen is just beginning to take an interest in holding pens and pencils, crayons and draw with them. Most of the time I am close enough to monitor him. Well, not so much this time. I wish I had a video camera because when I found him he was giggling and laughing as he was writing on his little tummy. Not sure if it was because it tickled or because he thought he was doing something he's seen his older siblings do - in any case it was the cutest little laugh!