Blue & Gold Banquet

On Sunday we had the Blue & Gold Banquet with the Boy/Cub Scouts. We all had such a good time. We all had spagetti and pizza and raffles off cakes that the Webelos had made. Each Den got up and told what they had been doing and some of them got awards or badges for work they had completed. Michael looked so cute in his little uniform. And little brother, Vince, was so good listening and paying attention to what was going on. Maybe next year he can join the tiger cubs.

Just a minor setback...

Ok, I had a little setback this past week and gained back some of my weight I'd lost since being on JC. I only gained back about 4 lbs so I'm still down 13. But it got to me. I hadn't been feeling real well. This cold that I got right after the first of the year came back so I didn't get all my workouts in like I wanted. Then, to top it all off, my ulcer started acting up Friday. Like I have nothing to worry about...ha! When it acts up, all I want to do is eat (usually greasy, comfort food) to help it feel better. But, I'm better now and back on the wagon. Greg was really supportive and said that it's alright. You'll lose it again. So, that's what I'm doing this week. I'm losing that 4 lbs and hopefully more...ha!

If you need a 2nd opinion, GET ONE!

If you've been following my facebook, you noticed that I had a friend in the hospital that just had surgery a couple of days ago. She found out she has Cushings Disease and had to have a tumor removed from her Pituitary Gland. A while back she noticed some things going on and she just felt crappy all the time. She couldn't get any satisfaction from the doctor she was seeing so she started doing some research on her own and got a 2nd opinion. She is doing great now after surgery and finally has some answers to what was causing her such distress and discomfort. She is a "go-to" type of person and thank goodness she took it upon herself to do some research and find out some answers. Way to go, Chelle!

So, my point is, if you're not comfortable with the answers your getting and you still aren't feeling like you should or know something else is wrong.... GET ANOTHER OPINION. There is nothing wrong with that. It could be a matter of life or death....

All God's little creatures

Yes, these are all our current pets. And, yes, I'm sure we'll be adding more. We've already added one as of today. I'll send pics later. And Michael and Vince are talking about getting a rabbit and hamster come spring. Oh, how I love my critters. Just call me Elle Mae...heehee!

OK, just how tolerant AM I???....

Ok - those of you with Harleys will understand this situation. Although, I'm sure you won't understand my tolerance for it. A few weeks ago, we lost about 6 chickens in one night to what we believed to have been a coyote. That left us with 3. About 2 days later, 2 of the 3 were killed during the day. And when we got home that night, the 3rd and lonely chicken (Red, we call her now) was hiding in the garage scared to death. When I picked her up she was shaking. Well, needless to say, she has become very tame and like a pet. We can't possibly butcher and eat her now. So, now everytime I let her out from her pen up in the barn, she makes her way down to our garage and perches herself on the seat of my motocycle. What can I do. I'm an animal lover and a softy, even when it comes to my Harley. ha! Poop can always be washed off, right?!...

A Valentine Song

Michael sang me a really nice Valentine's song the other day. He really has a good voice. It was so sweet.

Valentine's Day

I know it's a little late but we've had so much going on and our computer is going on the fritz AGAIN!! I'm about ready to throw it out the window. If it weren't for ruining a perfectly good window, I'd do it!! ha!

Anyway, Valentine's Day was great. We took the boys to see Hotel for Dogs and then the boys had a birthday party to go to up at the skating rink. They had a great time. I even got Greg out there on skates. He had never skated before. He actually did pretty good....didn't fall once. ha! The boys had never been skating at a roller rink either. At first, they spent more time on the floor than actually skating. But, eventually, Michael starting really getting the hang of it. Vince fell early on and hurt his ribs so he was done at that point. Give him time....he'll be ready next time.

After the skating party, we all went out to eat at a nicer restaurant in Boonville. There aren't many but Greg was able to get prime rib and I got steak and crab legs. YUM!!! It was a nice evening. I got to spend it with my 3 valentines. What better way to spend Valentine's Day.

Isn't she precious!

This is another addition to our family. No, we didn't adopt her....so to speak. We are sponsoring her. Yesterday at our church, a priest from the Diocese of Kansas City, KS came to give mass and talk about the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA). This is a Catholic organization started by 3 guys about 25 years ago in Kansas City. I felt so compelled and drawn to do something as I sat there and listened to him speak about their poverty and the incredible conditions they live in. 100s of 1000s of children live in conditions that we can't even imagine. And they don't deserve that way of life. I know there are children right here in our own country that live in the same sort of conditions. And, believe me, we do our part with volunteering and donating when we can to help out others less unfortunate in our own country.

Well, as I sat there, I nugged Greg and just looked into his eyes. He gave me one of those looks like, "I know you want to do this and I think we should, too." It made me so happy. I have wanted to sponsor a child for probably 20 years now but was never quite comfortable in knowing that all of my money would go to that child instead of getting lost in the process or being used for other things to help the foundation instead of the needs of the child. This program eased my uncertainties and we picked out a child. Her name is Katerin Jesenia Molina Cabrera. She is 2 years old and lives in El Salvador. She lives with her mom, grandparents and 2 uncles. This program actually sponsors trips on occasion to go and visit your child if you wish. I can't tell you how excited I am about this new adventure we have started. After we picked out Katerin, Greg looked at me and said, "There's your little girl." The boys are excited about it, too. They call her their little angel.

Our new addition

Check out our new addition that has adopted our pond. Isn't he (or she... I don't know how to tell) beautiful! He's not the same one we had last year. This one is a little smaller and A LOT tamer. I brought out some bread and fed him and he would have probably walked right up to me and eaten out of my hand if it weren't for my dog, Brandy, that kept trying to eat the bread I had in my hand. She finally took it upon herself to walk over to the swan and eat the crumbs I had thrown on the ground. You can see the picture of the swan flairing up his wings and hissing at Brandy. Last week, I walked out the front door and he was right at our porch. And these pictures are true to distance. I was a matter of about 3 feet from him.

Finally!!!

Greg is finally coming home! Yeah! He has been gone for 1 1/2 weeks down in Hayti trying to clean up after all the ice came through that town. Greg said that it just wiped out everything. NO ONE had power. Hayti is located right along Hwy 55 down in that little tag at the southeastern part of the state. He thought he might have to cut over to Kentucky but I think they're going to cut them loose tomorrow and let them come home. I'm so glad. I've missed my baby. The boys have, too. Love you, honey!

My little twins

They say be careful what you wish for. I remember praying when I was pregnant with Vince for God to bless me with twins so I could have my 3 kids. Well, he did...here they are. It's hard to believe that Vince (the blond) is almost 2 years younger than his older brother.

My little amateur director

This could be the start of something big. Who knows.... we might be going to the theaters to see one of his pictures someday. Notice in the 3rd video how he stands his ground and tell it like it is. I really think he's got potential. haha