Happy Memorial Day!

What a beautiful morning!  Hans took Cody and I down to the Norwood Memorial, and we had an al fresco Dunkin Donuts breakfast on the lawn while waiting for the parade to come by.  Now we're just hanging out around the house (I'm going to head out to finish lawn work and some gardening), and I'll grill some marinated chicken and pork chops this afternoon.  Josh is heading out to a BBQ with his friend Shannon, and I'm just grateful to have my family safely here and able to enjoy this day.  Please pray for all our veterans, the active and deployed military, and especially their families (particularly those who live in Oklahoma).  And remember them more often than holidays.  I'm probably 'preaching to the choir' on this one, but I just wanted to say it out loud.  As a nation, we don't give enough due to our soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors.  But tomorrow is another day, and we can start each morning hoping for our best in everything.

Happy Memorial Day - we love you all...

Awesome deal...

So I just bought this waterproof case for my smartphone, and thought I'd add the link to purchase it.  I bought a couple for gifts, and thought it might be a nice gift idea for other people (birthdays, Christmas... I really do plan that far ahead!).

Click here to see the deal!

It's supposed to allow you to use the phone, as well - take pictures, etc.  Since we like to travel - heck, just going to the pool or beach - and I take my phone everywhere, I thought this would be a great opportunity.  I'd love to give you a real review, but I won't have it before the deal is up.  (I will be testing it, first though - just to make sure!).

Love to all...

Happy Birthday, Cody!

Today Cody turned 37, and we had a really great day!  He woke up to decorations and gifts in the Living room/Kitchen, and Josh and I took him out to lunch at this GREAT Indian restaurant, Shere E Punjab.  We stuffed ourselves - seriously.  This afternoon I finished his last gift, while Bethany and Josh rode over to the store and she got him a new dress shirt.  Tan, just the color he loves.  Meanwhile I baked him a Vegan/non-soy birthday cake with lemon icing; it was REALLY lemony and tangy.  I also attempted chocolate vegan ice cream, and this came out much better than last time (although I had to stir by hand, since the mechanism on our maker broke.)

 Finally, I grilled a New York Strip and a Sirloin steak (delish!) along with some corn on the cob and a salad.  We had a really relaxed dinner, opened presents, and then played some darts with the magnetic game I got him.  (It's double sided...  the kids played darts, but they aren't allowed to use the other side. Adults only!  wink wink!)



So it was a really nice birthday.  Cody seemed to enjoy himself and relax, and eat lots of great food, and overall be adored.  As he should be every day.  And thanks Mom and Dad for calling him tonight to wish him a happy birthday; it means a lot to both of us in our own ways.

Love to all...

  



 
   

Mother's Day

Hi all...

I know I'm slacking lately; just when I should be writing daily because there's so much going on, there's so much going on I can't seem to keep up!  So I'll backtrack a little, and get everyone up to date.

Last Sunday was really lovely; actually, my Mom's day started Friday night, since Cody and I went dancing and then out for drinks with some friends from dance class.  We haven't been 'out' with another couple in a while - or at all - so it was spontaneous and fun!  Saturday Bethany's LAX game was cancelled, so we got to relax a little, but I had a wedding to sing for, so I went to work.  Then some shopping on the way home, dinner together, and then Hans took me to a Ladies & Lads dance at school.  And he actually danced with me!

Sunday, after church, we headed out to Longwood Gardens.  We stopped at a huge nursery on the way there (one I'd always wanted to visit), and found the Lantana that we've been looking for ever since leaving NC.  It was one of the plants we'd had out front and Hans has been asking for them.  So after a few plant purchases, we stopped at Mile High where Cody had made lunch reservations; it was wonderful!  Finally, onto Longwood Gardens; it was CHILLY.  Especially for May!  But we had a lovely time; everyone took lots of pictures, and we just enjoyed being outside, together.  It seemed like a while since we'd just hung out together...  That evening we heated up leftovers, watched Once, and ended a really great Mother's Day.  Oh - and I got some Coconut Coffee, the Les Miserables dvd (which is great, but still not as good as seeing it live), and a really awesome 'garden' hat.  You'll see in the picture.

I hope all my friends who are mother's, plan to be mother's, and/or have mother's (which is everybody), had a great day.  Remember, hug a mom - every day you can!

Love to all...

 

  

  

  

  

  

Confirmation

Saturday was Hans Confirmation - we are SO proud!  He studied so hard, and was always willing to do his community service.  And the best part was having Josh as his sponsor.  Watching them study together and talk about their faith was really amazing and special for Cody and I.  My parents came into town for the event which was fabulous as always, but they had to leave today.  (How's the book, Dad?)  Here are some of the pictures from this remarkable weekend...



  

 

    These last pictures are of the 'headband' game mom had us play.  You put a picture in the headband, and then ask questions to figure out what it is while the timer is running.  Rather challenging - I think I'll stick with Apples to Apples!  But we had fun playing it, that's for sure!

At the hospital

Cody had his surgery yesterday for the kidneystones.  It went really well, thanks to our AWESOME Doctor Volfson, and of course God (thank You)!  He was home by about 1:00 in the afternoon, and has a stent in place, but he says he hardly feels that, and it's nothing compared to the other suffering he was experiencing.  He stayed home from work today; we'll see if he's ready tomorrow.  The doctor was able to laser everything - even the stone in his kidney, so he really should be all clear.


The kids are doing all right.  Josh had his first unofficial Martial Arts Club meeting yesterday, and is very excited.  He's also getting registered for Summer I and Fall classes, so he's staying on top of his academics as well.  Bethany had her first LAX game, and played goalie the second half.  She was GREAT!  She stopped about 65% of all the shots, and the other team really knew how to pass the ball. Hans is hanging in there; he has his Student Council meetings Tuesdays before school, and we are going to Chess Club locally most Monday nights.  Most of the men are older...  but Hans hangs in there and enjoys it.  (He's become sort of a favorite around there - they like seeing someone so young learning Chess, and he gets a little spoiled since they bring treats!)  Here's some video and pics.

Love to all...  (And thanks for the prayers!!!)

Hanging out...

Bethany's friend Tim came over this evening and hung out with her and Hans. It's so exciting to see them making such good friends here; we never even knew this many children in NC!
As for the kitchen, it's looking good - I have the first rough framed wall in place! It just needs a header over the rough opening and it will be done!  More pics to come!

Quick update...

So yesterday my kitchen finally got underway. Here are some pics from the end of the day!  Also, Cody had a kidney stone that he's still struggling with. But he was released from the hospital Monday, and we have been taking really good care of him. God bless Percocet!

Mmmm... Vegan cookies

I had a sweet tooth this afternoon, and Josh did too, so I made some Vegan cookies for an afternoon treat.  Hans and Bethany were very pleasantly surprised!  And since it's nearing Easter, I added on a little something to make them special.  How cute!

Thanks to Obachan for giving me this recipe years ago.  It is so easy, I have to pass it along again (with a small difference):



                            

Cake Mix Cookies
(preheat oven to 350o)

1 box any cake mix
2 eggs or egg replacer (mixed per directions)
1/2 c. oil
Any desired add-ins:  chocolate chips, nuts, etc.

Mix together until it starts to form a ball of dough, then spoon or roll balls of dough onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350o for 10-12 minutes.  Delish!

So many things going on!

So I should update everyone on a few things:

On March 7th, Josh was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Delaware Community College.  We are SO proud of him; he's doing well in school, working hard, and at the same time trying to start a Martial Arts Club for the college.  He's almost there!  And speaking of martial arts, last night (18th) at his Kosho class he was given the purple belt promotion on merit!  Why, you ask?  Because this weekend - at a seminar - he displayed a Kata that HE made, on his own, in front of several Sensei's and Masters.  They were so impressed, he was promoted - WOW!  Here's some pics...

                    His new belt...    

To wrap it up with Josh, his friends - Teron and Alex - invited him to an Eagle Scout celebration last weekend.  Josh played 'fashion designer' and they all looked so good, I had to get a picture.  I'm so grateful that Josh is finding friends who are smart, responsible, and have good morals/ethics.  It's nice to see!

Bethany has been working hard at school - she got A/B Honor roll (and we are going on a date soon) - and also hard at Lacrosse.  YEP!  From Field Hockey to Lacrosse, she's running another field, and constantly surprising me with her willingness to try new things.  Especially sports!

That's her in the dark outfit - it is March, after all!  This was their first practice, and she was doing great her first time out!


She also went to a birthday party for a girlfriend, and we took Vegan doughnuts so she could have a 'cake' thing.  They were a big hit, she had a great time, and she was the only one with me the next day for church (I had cantored the Sat. mass).  So she went with me to Michaels, and ... well, look what she did in the store!

The next day Hans and I finished making the doughnuts while Boo was at LAX practice.  They really were delicious, and disappeared in short order.

 
         

And since Hans got A/B Honor roll as well, he too wanted to go to the movies, so we saw Oz the Great and Powerful.  It was good, but I was disappointed since they clearly designed it to be seen in 3D, and I hate paying the extra for what is usually an unimpressive 3D experience.  But he liked it - and I made him take a picture before we went in.  He's the pig monster...

AND lastly, his artwork was in the County art festival.  Well, as he said:  "everybody's art is in the show", but I'm still proud!  Here's his... (bottom right)



I guess that catches us up.  Cody is working late now, and next week I should be starting the tear-down on the kitchen with our sub-contractors.  YES!!!!  Finally, an enclosed, WARM kitchen.  I'm so excited!

Love to all...