Happy Birthday Ben!

My oldest child is now an ADULT! Yes Ben turns 18 today! I.can't.believe.it.

We had a combined birthday and graduation party for him last Saturday.







We had a wonderful time and Ben raked in the cash. :-)




See the flowers on the cake on the graduation side?



Here's what happens when you eat one:





Nice, huh? :-)

I homeschooled Ben for 11 years - from 2nd grade through high school. Now that he is graduated, he is taking a year off to work full time, save some money, and get his private pilot's license. Not sure where he's going to go from there - possibly go to the community college next year and go into finance. He has wanted to be a pilot since we went to China for Lindsey (4 years ago!). That is still his goal, but whether as a commercial pilot, private, or just flying for fun while pursuing another career, he is undecided at this point. He has certainly done, and continues to do, his homework regarding the aviation field. He had been accepted into an aviation program at a local technical college, but decided the loans would just be too large and he's going to try to pay for college as he goes as much as he can. We are helping him out the best we can but we're not made of money - wish we were! He has been great about saving money and watching his spending. I'm very proud of him. Now if I can just get him out of bed!!!!! :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!!! I love you very much!

P.S. Have you ever played Blongo Ball? One of my sisters brought it to Ben's party, and my sister Ginny and I got totally hooked on it! I'm not very, ahem, coordinated and athletic, so I wasn't sure if I could even hit the target or even come close, but I did fine! It's so fun!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! For my present, Lindsey decorated this cake for me:



She did it at the local grocery store where my son works. He had the idea for the cake which was sweet. Thanks kids!

I also got to sleep in a little bit then Jay brought me coffee in bed. The girls came in for hugs and to say Happy Mother's Day, then they all left, shut the door, and I read a book and drank a few cups of coffee in peace and quiet. :-) Took a shower then the day began. :-)

My in-laws came over for supper. Shortly after they arrived I went to get Allison up from her nap. I opened her bedroom door to find her wearing nothing, clothes and diaper on the floor. I'm pretty sure she slept like that, buck naked, because she had majorly wet the bed. Thankfully she went there (everything easily washed) and not on the floor. No picture unfortunately! :-)

I had a really nice day, although it was very bittersweet as this is the first Mother's Day without my mom. :-( Yesterday my 3 sisters and I walked in the Soleburner (5K run/walk) to raise money for cancer. It felt very good to be honoring my mom in that way and spend the morning with my sisters. We have always been close but this past year has brought us even closer and we have spent so much more time together. After the walk we went out for coffee and then visited my mom's grave.

Mom, I love you and miss you so much! Happy Mother's Day to the best mom EVER!

Happy Mother's Day to my MIL also, she is a wonderful MIL and I have absolutely no complaints. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, to those who are waiting, waiting, waiting for their little one from China especially. And Happy Mother's Day to kitty mothers (you know who you are, Wrigley and Quincy's mom!!! ~smile~)

Who ARE these kids????

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Ben!

My "baby" is 17 years old today! Happy Birthday Ben!

After 12 weeks of bedrest for preterm labor, then almost 3 weeks of walking around, having contractions but no baby, I was finally induced a few days early (I was due 8/17) and Ben was born at 6:12 p.m. He was 7 lbs. 2 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long. I can't believe 17 years has gone by since that day. Ben is a son to be proud of. He will be a senior in high school this year (homeschooled) and plans to go into a career in aviation. He loves music, movies, hanging out with friends, and anything aviation related of course. He works part-time as a bagger/checker at a local grocery store. He's a great big brother, a big help to me, and bigger than me!

My sister is watching the girls tonight while we take Ben out to dinner at Hu Hot Mongolian Grill. Yum!