SURPRISE!

The only thing Brigitta wanted for her birthday was to spend an evening in a motel with her family. She got her wish! All week long she has been trying to find out what her "special surprise " is, but we kept it a complete secret. Everyday however she was allowed to guess. Here are her guesses:

• Are you are taking me to see Aunt Natasha?


• Are you are taking me to Disneyland


• Do I get to spend the night in a motel? (We answered no, because technically it is a resort)


• Are you getting me a boy for my birthday?

After that last one we put an end to her asking. Only a seven year old with older brothers and sisters who are married and having children would ask for a boy on her birthday. Someday I will have to share with you her latest artwork. As I moved my sofas for cleaning this week I found the initials B loves C written in a pink heart ON MY WALL. Apparently she loves an adorable boy named Collin.

We were able to pack in secret and then we blindfolded her for the trip. We had so much fun just watching how excited she was.

Are we there yet?

That was the theme for the entire ride.

Our home away from home.



The first thing she did was check out her bed.



On our way over we stopped off at Claim Jumpers
to pick up "The Mother Lode".

I can't believe my baby is seven.

Our view from our balcony.

Breakfast on the balcony.

We had so many activities to choose from and we

enjoyed them all.

Pool

Hiking

Swimming

There was even a playground.

Everyone had their morning workout

except for Kendrick. He left at 4:45 in the morning

to meet his uncles to work on his

Shot Gun Shooting Merit Badge.

The bike was Brigitta's favorite.

The restaurant of choice for the birthday celebration.

Great food and fun.

The company isn't bad either.

It is Mar-Kay's birthday this week and

so this was his special vacation time also.

After dinner we strolled around the Foothills Mall

and visited our favorite store, Barnes and Nobel.

Brigitta is just starting to enjoy reading.

It was the perfect get-away!

Before I go I must tell you about Brigitta's nightmare.

The first morning on our mini vacation Brigitta came into

our room and climbed in bed.

Tears were streaming down her face.

I asked her what was the matter and she said that she

had a nightmare. I asked her to tell me all about it. "I dreamed

that we only got to stay at the resort for two nights

and then we had to go back home."

As you can see, she had the perfect birthday.

Happy Birthday!

It is terribly late and I am totally exhausted, yet I cannot let this moment pass. Today is my "baby's" birthday! It seems only yesterday when the doctor laid her in my arms and I gazed into her eyes with wonder and awe. She has been a blessing ever since. Brigitta has grown so much this past year and time is rushing by so fast that I can hardly bare it. Sometimes I wish I could just make time stand still so that I can cherish these precious moments a bit longer.

Just for fun we looked up the meaning of our names today . Brigitta's means: Exalted one, or One who is strong. If anyone knows this little girl, she fits her name perfectly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGITTA!

WE LOVE YOU!

As you can see, Brigitta loves her daddy!

This last picture was taken on the first Sunday

of this month when our family got together

to celebrate the birthdays for September.

Mar-Kay's birthday is in just a few days and we

have some wonderful surprises in store for both of them,

but don't tell anyone because it is hush, hush.

Too Precious Not to Post

Do you believe in Angels? I do! They are around us everywhere, they lift us in our darkest hour. Some of them can even be found among those whom we cherish the most.




I have been going through some trying times lately due to some health issues that have evolved since my last surgery. I have good days and bad days. Today was a particularly difficult day. I can't pinpoint what set things off except that when you are in constant pain normal everyday situations can be difficult to cope with.

My sweet six year old noticed that I was struggling today. While working on her homework she stopped and walked across the room. She gently put her arms around me and said, "It's okay. Sometimes Mom's just have bad days. I love you!" That was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, that someone loved me and that it was okay to have a bad day.

I squeezed her tight and whispered, "Thank you. I love you too!" Suddenly the cloud lifted and I began to smile again.

I am grateful for the angel that was sent my way today.

An Anniversary to Remember

Today is our 30th year Anniversary! My life is rich beyond measure because of the man I choose to marry. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful loving, caring, patient husband at my side. He is everything to me!

We had such great plans to celebrate this special day. Yesterday afternoon we took off without the children to spend the day together. We walked, talked, shopped, dined and then spent the evening in a motel. We had not been at the motel very long when all of a sudden we both became extremely ill. Would you believe it, food poisoning? We spent the entire evening in agony. After being up all night in the bathroom we both decided we would be more comfortable in our own bed at home. We packed up, went down to the dining room to get our breakfast and then took it to our children at home so that they could enjoy it.

Mar-Kay being the wonderful husband that he is took the children to church and let me stay home in misery. He came home later and crashed.

Last night as we were moaning and groaning we were pretty depressed, but now that we are beginning to feel a bit better we have had a good laugh over the whole incident.

Happy Anniversary Mar-Kay

I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY SISTER

I remember very clearly the day my baby sister was born. My mother woke me in the wee hours of the morning and led me to the living room. I was instructed to stay awake and watch over my younger brothers and sisters. I was only 11 at the time. After my parents left for the hospital every sound that you can imagine frightened me, but I stayed awake and alert until the phone call came. Our family at that time had three girls and three boys, this baby was to be the tie breaker. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I received the phone call that my newest sibling was a girl. Honestly, I don't think I could have taken another brother.

Natasha was the most adorable baby imaginable. Being the oldest daughter I was put in charge of her. She slept in my room and I watched over her and even got up with her in the middle of the night. As she grew she had the cutest ringlets and a round chubby face. She reminded most people who saw her of Shirley Temple. I loved how she would follow me and want to do what I did, even if that meant getting into my make-up and other things. (Oh the stories I could tell) I enjoyed taking her with me as we grew older and she would often join my friends and I. She was that lovable. It was a sad day when I left for college. I missed her terribly. As the years have gone by we have each been busy with our own families, but to me Natasha will always be my baby sister. How grateful I am that we can be together forever.

I wish Natasha lived closer so that we could spend more time together. Not only is she my sister but I count her as one of my dearest friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!

My thoughts are with you on this special day.

I Love you!

The Finished Product

After cutting of several inches

and having it layered,

The curls are back!

Thank you Nora!

In Concert with...