ALWAYS!

Yes, to those of you who ask. Yes, She always poses. Grace almost never takes a candid picture. You have to catch her totally of guard in order take a picture she isn't posing for. She has always done this. I have pictures of her at Christmas when she was 17 months old. In them she is tilting her head and holding her arms up. Posing evidently comes natural to this child. I guess it is a good thing. But, it often borders on the line of cheesy! Maybe I should put her in beauty contests. I really detest that whole venue. But for what ever reason it comes totally natural to my child. The ridicule I would have to endure from my friends if I were to become a pageant mom is more than I could stand. Cant you see me now....

Taking Grace for her spray tan. Taking Grace for highlights in her hair. Taking Grace to a voice coach. Taking Grace to get her nails done. Taking Grace for dress fittings. Dear Lord she would LOVE it. No one else would have a life. But Grace would be in her glory!

Second verse, same as the first.

Yes, I know I keep doing this. I take her picture. I post on my blog. Its the same thing over and over. But is seems to me that she is changing day by day. Sometimes I hardly recognize her when I see her from across the room. She seems so much older than my heart feels she should be. Other times its like looking at myself thirty years ago. She is much thinner than I was (thankfully). She is changing and growing up so quickly I am afraid if I don't take her picture and document it I will miss it.

My new luggage.

I got new luggage for Valentines day. Yes, I know this doesn't sound very romantic. But if you knew how much I love matching accessories you would realize just how wonderful this gift really is. I already had the makeup bag and overnight bag in this pattern. Today I got the large suitcase and the carry on with matching jewelry bag. I was soooo excited. I absolutely love animal print on anything. Add to that the fact that "everything" completely matches and I am in love with my new luggage! Did I mention that the pattern stands out making it much easier to spot it on the luggage conveyor at the airport or on a cruise. I am thoroughly thrilled my present. And I am pretty happy with the man who gave it to me.

You do the math.

Normally, I really don't notice the financial aspect of having five kids. But, when you go to get simple Valentines gifts and end up spending over $70 you tend to take notice. Sadly most of the items in there gift baskets came from the Dollar Tree. Yet it still cost that much. If you think about it that comes to $14 per kid. So in reality its not much to spend on a child at all. It's when you add it all together that you feel pinch. Oh, well their only young once and I absolutely love putting every ones basket together.

Dag gone it!

I am soooo aggravated. I have a cold! I detest being sick. I managed to stay well all winter. At least until now. I feel like crud. My face hurts, my throat hurts, my ears hurt, and I can't sleep for coughing. Which would explain why I am up at 2:34 am.

Oh well, that's enough complaining. I am praying that I will feel better by the time I go to crossing guard.

Vanilla Noel Bean

Ok, typically I don't care for vanilla scents. But this is different. It smells wonderful! My boys beg me to put on the lotion just so they can smell it. Candy cotton is what Isaac calls it (he has always said it backwards). And he is right it does smell like cotton candy.

Robin Lieser bought me a bottle of the lotion for Christmas five years ago. I have been addicted ever since. I get the lotion, bath gel, body spray and any thing else I can find. Bath and Body Works only carries it seasonally so I stock up at Christmas each year. Its heavy scent lends itself to warmth and winter. So in the summer I switch to a more citrus scent. It works perfect.

I am very scent oriented. I have always associated smells with very vivid memories. I like to purchase a new scent of lotion and bath gel for special events. I wore "Jessica" at my wedding and on my honeymoon. Now every time I smell anything with Jasmine I am reminded of that time. If I am going on a cruise or vacation I will pick a specific scent just for the trip. It helps me to capture the memories in a unique way. And if I ever want to recreate a certain feeling or time I just put the lotion or spray on that I wore then. I still buy Coppertone suntan lotion even though there are better ones out there. I just can't resist the smell of it. As soon as I put it on memories of long afternoons at Big Ridge Park flood my mind. It is wonderful. And now Vanilla Bean Noel brings back all those wonderful Christmas memories with my boys and "candy cotton."

#31

After all of the recent news reports on the ice fisherman in Ohio I am rethinking #31 on my bucket list. Let's just say the whole idea is on thin ice, LITERALLY!

It is happening way too fast.

My girl is growing up way to fast. She is my only girl out of five kids. My days of pink ruffles are fading quickly. I love the women she is becoming. She has such a clear idea of what she wants and what she likes. Very much unlike myself at her age. Yes, some would say she head Strong. Ok, everyone would say it. But I prefer think of it as assertive and self secure. I pray that she carries that attribute with her through life and allows God to use that to His glory.

Oops! I forgot.

Thanks be to Cherdo I realize that I left a few things off my list.

41. Learn to speak a foreign language.
42. See the Great Wall of China.
43. Spend Christmas Day serving food at a homeless shelter (actually I should do that on a regular basis.)
44. Para sail
45. Go sailing

I really think this list is endless. Thank the good Lord I plan to live a long life. I better start taking better care of this body!

My Bucket List

I have been kidding around for about a year now that I needed a bucket list. Well, I am forty and I can't think of a better time to make one. Here goes:

1.Go to New York
2. Go to a Broadway play
3. Do a forty day fast
4. Go to Vegas
5. See the Grand Canyon
6. Drive a Harley
7. Get a tattoo
8. Learn to scuba dive
9. Go to Egypt
10. Take a cross country road trip
11. Go to D. C.
12. Go to the Amish country
13. Learn to play the piano
14. Go shopping on Rodeo Drive
15. Learn to fly a plane
16. finish my degree
17. Learn to snow ski
18. Organize my pictures
19. Go to Canada
20. Go to Europe
21. Go to Alaska
22. Climb a mountain (any will do)
23. See the Swiss Alps
24. Watch my children and my grandchildren graduate from college
25. See the Holy Land
26. Go on an overnight train trip
26. Go to Hawaii
27. Go on a safari
28. Swim with Dolphins
29. Be a contestant on a game show
30. Own a convertible 1968 VW
31. Skate on a frozen pond
32. Go to Germany
33. Go on a mission trip with my children
34. Own a farm (again)
35. Travel along the western seaboard.
36. Go to Italy
37. Write a book.
38. Start my own company
39. Find the secrete to doing laundry effectively.
40. Fully understand the depth of my salvation.

We are in shock!

What could she possibly be thinking?

It finally snowed. We played outside most of the day. The morning was spend creating the perfect snowballs. Then proceeding to have one incredible snow ball fight. The afternoon took on a life of its on as the entire neighbor came out play. There was sledding and snow-angels. The evening ended with a giant snowman, complete with Mohawk. I'll give you 3 guesses whose idea that was (the first two don't count).