Butterfly House

 

More Seattle

 

A Day in Seattle

 

Flying High Into The Wild Blue Yonder...

Here are a couple pictures of Joshua in his Airforce Uniform isnt he cute?
 

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE...

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO LEISURE IN THE WARM WATERS.

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE OTHER FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER RECOVERING FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE.

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE OTHER FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE,

BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!!

Fried Worms

Ok for Nic's birthday I take the boys to see the movie, it is a cute movie and it even has a story line it isn't just a gross out film. LOL I must say if you are squeamish at all about worms and eating them.... It was cute and the boys loved the movie it was very much a young teen movie. I loved how they put out a movie for this age group.

Birthday Fun

Nicholas had a birthday party last night for his 13th birthday he had a wonderful time, he had 2 friends come over to celebrate we had pizza and soda, movies and dump cake they stayed up until I think something like 3 or 4am talking. Boys! Now I want to explain something I wanted to make Nic's birthday really special so I get the cake all together light the candles and I am taking his cake to put it on the table and the cake slid off of the tray it was on and just like a piece of Jelly bread when it falls and it lands jelly side down...... So did the cake. Ok now I am really upset, but of course there isn't anything I can do I yell hey it is under the 10 second rule... the boys all yell back COOL! so we picked up the "dump cake" put the candles back into the cake and we take this cake that looks like it has been in a battle zone in we sing Happy Birthday and then we all "Let them eat cake" LOL I just love boys!

Happy Birthday Nicholas

I've always loved you so much because you drew a tough spot in the family and it made you stronger for it. You cried less, had more patience, wore faded hand-me-downs, and never in your life did anything first. But it only made you more special. You were the one we relaxed with, who helped us realize a dog could kiss you and you wouldn't get sick you could cross a street by yourself long before you were old enough to get married. And you helped us understand the world wouldn't collapse if you went to bed with dirty feet. You were the child of our busy, ambitious years. Without you, we could never have survived the changes and the tedium of the routine that is marriage. Nicholas Aaron I love you very much have a wonderful 13th birthday.

I'm Back! Whew!

Well now that I have a new computer I can now catch up on a bunch of things that I haven't really been able to do. First of all I need to say HappyBirthday to two of my 7 nephews you can see their pictures here Evan turned 8, and Gavin turned 6 here. I am still learning my new picture printer so new pictures will be coming in the near future. I now need to get picture paper too it prints pictures without the need for a computer, I am so happy, payday isn't coming fast enough. We had a wonderful time on vacation we spent a lot of time in and around the pool visiting with family and having a good laugh. My brother just had his pool finished as well as Mom and dad so it was fun seeing the different pools Mom and dad have a really traditional pool rectangular in shape very blue with blue tiles around the top and is a perfect pool for doing daily laps in for exercise it doesn't have a really deep area but was a perfect pool for just lounging around and a beautiful deck area for quiet conversations. Aaron on the other hand has a free form pool that he designed himself that has a large sitting area that has a space in it to put an umbrella in for his MIL who is handicapped the pool has dark brown tiles around the top and is a gunnite pool with small pebbles put into the concrete so you get a really outdoor feel to it with a waterfall that comes down into the deep end with a large rock for diving off of. Both pools have so much to offer when it comes to entertaining. The boys spent so much time it the pools the first part of the week that when it came to the end of the week they were happy just sitting in the house catching up on movies... LOL We had a very nice time with Ken, Kris and the Kids, Jared and Caylum were all over Charles. We had a very fun time.

When the cats away.....

The mice will play. This is the only time I get to blog, my boss is away from the office. :) Charles and I missed getting our new computer by one day I am kicking myself for missing the sale on Dell's that they had at Costco, we waited and planned for that sale... grrr Charles doesn't want to get a Dell over the internet or over the phone because he has issues with it so we will be on the hunt again for a pc that he can touch and feel. Best buy, Circut City, Office Depot here we come.

We are in count down mode for vacation, 2 more weeks to go, this is going to be the longest 2 weeks as it always is. I have the boys in swim lessons this week so they can get some extra help with their form they are having so much fun the pool has a slide on the side that reminds me of the ones at the water park they love that slide. Next year I am getting the season passes for them so they can go over when ever they want and have a day of fun.

I can't believe that Nicholas will be 13 next month the boys are growing up so fast. I already have a teenager and now I have another one, I think someone needs to shoot "Father Time" because the "time marches on" thing is getting really old. LOL

The things with Charles and I are the same, work, home, church.... The days of our lives.

Happy Anniversary

Mom & Dad we hope that you have a wonderful Anniversary, and a very happy day. We can't wait to come and visit. I hope that you had a wonderful time camping.
We love you lots.

Working Through The Pain

What makes our children become gluttons for punishment? We got a trampoline a week ago it was a hand-me-down from a friend that just wanted a new one... Well the boys have been on it non stop for the week everyday from the time they get home from school till they come in for dinner, hours and hours, well that is all good and fine, great exercise etc. I get it, but lately I am hearing "Mom I can't walk my legs are killing me" "Mom can you bring me some Tylenol I can't get out of bed" "Mom the tops of my feet hurt", "Mom" "Mom" "Mom".... LOL it is so funny but will they stay off of the trampoline for a little while to give themselves a break. No!

Shiloh

Shiloh Dec. 10, 1986- June 3, 2006. We had very hard time Saturday night as we had to say goodbye to our very dear friend Shiloh. He was a very wonderful dog and will be missed terribly. He started getting sick about 3 weeks ago, at first we thought he just had a cold and he would come out of it so we kept a watch on him and he never lost his activity level. Then he started not eating all of his food but he was still eating and drinking lots of water well this weekend we had to take him to the vet to see what was wrong as by this time he had lost about 20 lbs. He had pancreatitus (?) and diabetes, as well as a mass in his abdomen. He was almost 10 and given he was at the tail end of his life expectancy and because there was no guarantees, we had to send him to heaven. Shiloh you will be greatly missed and especially by your buddy Joey who is grieving you terribly. We love you.

Family

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?

 

Magical Name

M	Magical
A	Astonishing
S	Slow
H	Hairy
E	Eccentric
L	Luscious
L	Lively
E	Earthy

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

A Dream Realized

I have such a Happy Husband! The bike is a charcoal grey (Black Pearl) and his helmet is black with charcoal grey flames it is way cool. ;)
 

Dragon

You Are A Black Dragon,you live in recluded mountains or marshes, occasionnaly in deeps forests. You are very smart, and you rather use your brains before attacking. You rarely speak to humans, but when you do, you speak perfectly any language. You are very good at occult arts and often use magic. You would rather have nothing to do with humans, but will be of great help if you do. You are very fierce about the violation of you territory. Unfortunatly, you are quite unstable, maybe chaotic. You can spite acid.stone: onyxquote: "What a splendid head. " from Aesop you control: darkness
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My Doll

The doll is all yours. take care of it!!
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Your Inner Power

Uniqueness- Your inner power is Uniqueness! You are very different from everyone around you, and you like it that way. In fact, youd be furious if you were anything else. To the world outside you are a buoyant, fun loving person, and are probably pretty popular. Yet deep down you feel the urge to be accepted as who you are, and desperately want someone who is truly there for you. You are very indecisive and change your mind regularly over just about anything. Youre very opinionated, and bulldoze over anyone who doesnt share your views. At times you can be very depressed, though few people realise it with your animated personality. You are great fun to be around, and enjoy shocking people with your out there views and beliefs. At times however, your urge to be different can work against you, as people dont often enjoy their ideas of right and wrong having any shades of grey. But dont let them get to you; youre an awesome person who many love. You have no doubt heaps of friends, but dont always have that close friend/s that you want and need. You strive to be accepted for who you are, and are protective and loyal to those who earn your trust. Although at times you think there may be no one there, look around. There is someone in the shadows who desperately wants to be your friend, who maybe you just havent noticed. Dont let anyone get you down, youre the one who gives this boring world excitement and culture. Keep it up! Boy/Girl who will sweep you off your feet: Someone different and independent. Someone who isnt your typical male/female, who can accept that not everything has to be black and white, and yes, there are many, many shades of grey. Your stone/jewel: Amethyst Your power: Difference/Change. This is the ability to make a difference in the world, to create new ideas and opinions, and to open up the minds of others to show that there is more than one shade of grey. Your element: Electricity/Lightening A quote that applies to you: "Id much rather to be hated for who I am than loved for who Im not."
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Simply Abundant

I have been amiss on my postings for this.

1. Having a good Parent-Teacher conference
2. knowing Nicholas is getting better (he has had a fever virus for 3 days)
3. Our new wall T.V. and recovering space in the living room
4. The Joy on Joshua's face when we let him have the old T.V. in his room LOL
5. Making my bonus this month

Story

This is a funny story I have been intending to posting sense St. Patricks day, I hope you find it funny.


Jacques Chirac, The French Prime Minister, was sitting in his office wondering what kind of mischief he could perpetrate when his telephone rang.
"Hallo, Mr.. Chirac!", a heavily accented voice said. "This is Paddy down at the Harp Pub in County Sligo, Ireland. I am ringing to inform you that we are officially declaring war on you!"

"Well, Paddy," Chirac replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"

"Right now," said Paddy, after a moment's calculation, "there is myself, me cousin Sean, me next door neighbor Seamus, and the entire dart team from the pub. That makes eight!"

Chirac paused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have one hundred thousand men in my army waiting to move on my command."

"Begorra!" said Paddy. "I'll have to ring you back!"

Sure enough, the next day, Paddy called again. "Mr.. Chirac, the war is still on. We have managed to get us some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be, Paddy?" Chirac asked. "Well, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Murphy's farm tractor."

Chirac sighed, amused. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 6,000 tanks and 5,000 armored personnel carriers. Also, I've increased my army to one hundred fifty thousand since we last spoke."

"Saints preserve us!" said Paddy. "I'll have to get back to you."

Sure enough, Paddy rang again the next day. "Mr... Chirac, the war is still on!" We have managed to get ourselves airborne! We've modified Jackie McLaughlin's ultra-light with a couple of shotguns in the cockpit, and four boys from the Shamrock Pub have joined us as well!"

Chirac was silent for a minute and then cleared his throat. "I must tell you, Paddy, that I have 100 bombers and 200 fighter planes. My military complex is surrounded by laser-guided, surface-to-air missile sites. And since we last spoke, I've increased my army to two hundred thousand!"

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!", said Paddy, "I'll have to ring you back."

Sure enough, Paddy called again the next day. "Top o' the mornin',

Mr..Chirac! I am sorry to tell you that we have had to call off the war."

"I'm sorry to hear that," said Chirac. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

"Well," said Paddy, "we've all had a long chat over a bunch of pints, and decided there's no foo-kin way we can feed two hundred thousand prisoners!"

Simply Abundant

1. My good friend working with me, Tabatha! =o)
2. Making my numbers for today at work
3. Shopping
4. Hearing excellent things about our re-fi
5. Having the Boss buy lunch today

S.A.

1. Afternoon movies
2. The happiness when my children
get to go on a field trip at school
3. New clothes
4. Winning things from the radio
5. Listening to the St. Jude Telethon

Simply Abundant

1. Falling Snow
2. Girl Scout cookies
3. Funny email messages
4. A knowing Wink from a friend
(she is leaving this job but hasn't given notice yet)
5. My favorite song on the radio

Simply Abundant

1. Sean is going to get better.
2. There is a little bit of snow mixed with the rain
3. The phone call from a lost friend
4. A much needed break at work =o)
5. The feeling of accomplishment

The Sureal Life

Never before have we been so close to a violent situation as we were yesterday with a good friend of ours and a coworker of Charles, Sean was on his way to work when he was rear ended by another car he pulled over to do the normal checks then the other guy took off. Sean then got back into his car and followed the guy to get his license plate number to call into the police. They turned into an apartment complex where the other guy then rammed his car then took off on foot when he couldn't get his car going again. Sean called the police and they came out and did a police report. The police left and just as he was getting back into his car the guy came back (hit him with a gun, they were wrestling for it) and then stabbed him 7 times. Praise God he is doing ok, he is young with a young family and a very nice man. The police did catch the man who did this and he is being held on many felony's, I hope he gets many years.

Simply Abundant

My friend Jennifer (from work) and I have been doing the Simply Abundant gratitude book and journaling our 5 things daily sense the first of the year so I thought I would start doing that on my blog as well.

Joyful Simplicities:

1. Cuddling a new born baby
2. Seeing my purple crocuses pop up through my grass
3. My bible study
4. Taking a moment with friends and enjoying a cup of Cold Stone Ice-cream
5. A warm cup of coffee

One long week

It has been one of those weeks where I have been to the emergency room twice with a friend who was having problems with her diabetes, plus taking care of her kids, Praise God everything has been worked out.
My SIL (sorry Sheri I can't link this with the MAC I have at work) ;) has been talking about reflection today and what kind of legacy we will leave for our family I am so glad that during these times of looking back my children will know I love the Lord and that I loved them very much.

Note...

Well I thought I would update really quick what do you write when your life is blowing by you. Between taking the kids here and there for fun and service projects for their youth group and work and church..... whew! I am excited for Saturday we are finally getting to do our Valentines thing it just happened to be the time when all of us could get together and all go out. We are getting together with 2 other couples and going out to a movie (The Pink Panther) and then to dinner and a very nice Italian resturant with a View of the Sound, it is such a beautiful place.

I am teaching the next 3 weeks it is so nice to be on a schedule of 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off, and Charles does the sound board at church and has the same schedule as I do so it is really nice to be able to sit together in church on the weeks that we aren't busy.

We are supposed to be going to a family snow day after church this Sunday, we will see with how cold it has been aound here lately and the snow we have had they keep closing the passes. I will let you know. Well the lights keep flashing so I had better send this befor we loose them.

Robbed

We were Robbed of this Super Bowl victory by some very bad calls, first of all we had a touch down taken from us and then the Steelers had a touchdown given to them that they didn't deserve, ok I will give you there were 2 field goals that we missed (darn kicker) that may have been the make or break game for us but not the Bad call. Lets go Next year GO SEA HAWKS!

Excitement

The excitement in this city has come to a fever pitch, there isn't one conversation that doesn't have some mention to the SEAHAWKS. What are you doing? Are you going to watch the game?....
Everyone is so excited to have the possibility of winning the Super Bowl. We are down as the long shots and that Pittsburgh will beat us.... We will see!
Now for more Seahawks fever,

GO SEAHAWKS!

To A Keeper

TO A KEEPER!

One day someone's mother died. And on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of her bedroom, the daughter was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. No more hugs, no more lucky moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most goes away . . never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I Love You."

So while we have it . . . it's best we love it . . .. and care for it and fix it when it's broken . . . and take good care of it when it's sick. This is true for marriage .... family and friendships .... And children with bad report cards; And dogs with bad hips; And aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we cherish them .

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, so are people we know... and so, we keep them close!
I received this from someone who thought I was a 'KEEPER'!
Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way.

Thank you very much for being a special part of my life!
YOU ARE A KEEPER!
Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today. .. I did.

Thoughts...

I went to a funeral this weekend in support of a friend of mine from church who lost her mom unexpectedly, (she came in and found her mom just sitting on the couch with her lunch in her hand, it was very quick) and I listened as the pastor talked all about this woman, about how she had nothing to give her family in her passing. She had no inheritance to give them, but what she did give them was worth more than money, money comes and goes and can be gone in a flash with nothing to show for it, she gave them a legacy of Love. The family had such stories of love and tenderness and how Dottie would go way out of her way for them it was beautiful. It made me realize what I hope to leave behind for my children.
A legacy of Love.
God Bless the family of Dorothy Jelvik.

GO SEAHAWKS

All I can say for that game yesterday was that it was almost boring, I am not complaining but I did expect it to be a closer game. Anyway
WE ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!!

Records

I just thought that I would make a few comments, First of all "Good Job, Seahawks" let's go all of the way, just 1 more game to get through to go to the big time. Second We just missed breaking our record for having the most straight days of rain the record is 33 and we just missed by 6 days, Yesterday was quite a lovely day but it would have been fun to beat a record from 1953.

This weekend was fun we got to go to a baptism for Tennae and Aathina then celebrate afterwards with them in going out to dinner. It was so nice. That is it in a nutshell.

New Years

This is my first post of the new year, I am so excited. I haven't gotten to mention how much fun we had over the New Year. On the eve of the new year Charles and I went to a themed "70's" fondue party there was hot oil for cooking our meat (steak, chicken, and Italian sausage) which had several different dips. There was also cheese for dipping veggies and bread chunks and there was of course a chocolate fountain for all 0f chocolate dippers like angel food and pound cake, fruit (strawberries, pineapple and bananas) there were cookies and pretzels, marshmallows.... it was so much fun fonduing. We then sat around playing "70's" pop trivial pursuit and listening to "70's" music. Oh boy did it bring back fond memories from a more simple time. LOL
We toasted in the New Year and then came home hoping we would get to drive through a check point but there weren't any, bummer! It was the first New Years Eve party Charles and I have been to in years it was very nice.
On New years day we had family over to watch football and take naps and just have a good laugh or two. The New Year is starting out great!

Crystal and Dave

Well did you guess it? Yup it is my niece Crystal and her boyfriend Dave they got to come for Christmas. We loved having you guys. 

Christmas pie?

Joey is ready for his debut as a "got milk" spoke's person. 

Joseph Christmas Picture

 

Nicholas Christmas picture

 

Christmas

 

Christmas Past?

Christmas I feel came and went so, fast did it really happen? Ok I see my guys with the gifts they got and are so happy with, another electronics year here. Joshua got a couple of books and games, movies, Nicholas got a little TV with DVD player for his bedroom and a King Kong game for the Xbox, Joey got a new game-boy Micro for his favorite present along with roller-blades and a game, and all got the traditional Christmas Eve jammies. Now all of the lights are coming down and decorations I know it is usually that time but I am taking it down kicking and screaming because I am not ready, I love Christmas and so enjoy this time of year. Now on to the next thing that is already out there and in the stores, Everyone ready for Valentines Day?

Hump Day... Wednesday... Year End!

Well this is the last hump day of the year, the last week of the last month.... ok stop going own this philosophical path! The New Year is almost here and what plans do you have for the new year? I am not talking New Years Resolutions I am talking about wishes and dreams. For me it is Charles and I planned on going on a cruse for our 20th Wedding Anniversary, I am still wishing and hoping that it will come true, not holding my breath but none the less still wishing, as we only have 6 months left... LOL I am also wishing to get my piano from my friends house into my own home it has been away on loan for far to long. What is your wish?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone I hope that you have a very wonderful day filled with lots of love and laughter.

"God Bless us, Everyone"

Thinking......

I must say I am really surprised I have had no comments about the conspiracy theory that I posted, back on my "Thoughts of Thanksgiving post" no discussion, no feed back, no nothin.... I know I have some huge fans in my family and I know it caused quite the thought provoking and discussion in my household. Sheri, Kris, Ken??? Anyone?

Your Eye

Your eye ~amazing pics~
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~Birthdays~

I know someone who is having a Birthday....
Happy Birthday Sheri
I hope that your day is an awesome adventure for you
and you do something completely out of the ordinary.

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday and God bless you,
Happy birthday to you.

I love you Sis and I hope your day is one in a million

Trust

The more you trust God,
the more you'll come to know his character,
and to stare in amazement at what he's done in your life,
and wait in anticipation for what he's going to do next.

God is the Sunshine that warms us,
the rain that melts the frost and waters the young plants.
The presence of God is a climate of strong and bracing love, always there.

~Joan Arnold~

We Have.....

We Have Snow, We Have Snow! (Singing and dancing around the room) Oh how we love it when it snows, it is just so beautiful.
Look at this Picture of our area + Gorgeous!

Thoughts of Thanksgiving and Beyond

Here it is the last day of November and I am wondering where the year has gone let alone Thanksgiving. The day started off very nice and relaxing I got up and made scones for my family, (Thanks Mom they were wonderful and very quick and easy) I got the turkey in the oven and started some things that I knew would take longer to cook then I went in and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving parade. In years past I usually only get to see parts of it but this year I wasn't on a timetable so I got to see the parade it makes me smile because I always think of the movie I love to watch Miracle on 34th St. My niece Crystal came by for a visit She has just moved here with her boyfriend (He had to work that day so she came, He was busy protecting our country for the rights and freedoms we enjoy, Thank you Dave). Crystal left around 12:30 then we had Lunch a little while later. This was the first Thanksgiving in 2o years we celebrated with just our family it was so nice and relaxing we took naps later after lunch and watched movies all in all it was a wonderful day. We have always loved being around family with lots of laughter and joking but this year was just different and the whole weekend went that way. We went and saw Harry Potter It was a wonderful movie and probably the best one yet, and very much worth taking the time to go and see. Josh keeps saying he needs to see it again. It was a wonderful weekend. I have a treat for those of you who like conspiracy theory's and have read all of the Harry potter books click here ~

What is the Mystical Land of Your Birth

The Land of Moonlit Magic

You are a siren of the Land of Moonlit Magic. The
moon is your goddess and you follow her with a
mystic eye. You stare up the night sky and
question the world. You are inquisitive and
that is wonderful. You feel most comfortable in
the night air under a cloudless sky. You thrive
under the moonlight.


What is the mystical land of your birth? {13 results with gorgeous anime pics}
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Here is Dad and the boys

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Here are some pictures from the vist we had from Mom and Dad

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I thought I would play this little game, Thanks Kris.

I ask each of you to choose a letter of the alphabet and answer each of the following with a word/group of words that begins with the letter you've chosen... And as always, thanks for playing! =) I Pick- M (Hey It's my initials)!

1. Name one color- Mustard yellow
2. Name one song- Monster Mash (Halloween was just a couple of weeks ago)
3. Name one movie- My Funny Valentine
4. Name one vehicle-car- Maserati
5. Name one food- Mashed potatoes
6. Name one household item- Microwave
7. Name one book- Misery

Happy Birthday Charles

Happy Birthday Charles, well another year has rolled around and it is Birthday time again, I hope that you are having a wonderful day off lazing around the house with the boys... haha LOL. I do know you are having fun watching movies your favorite thing to do, and the boys are loving it. I do love you very much and I hope that this coming year will be an awesome year.
Happy Birthday again.

Happy Birthday Mom

Yes it was yesterday and although I did send you a card I didn't post about your birthday or "officially, for the world to see" Blog about it. I hope that you had a wonderful day and that you were treated like a Queen. Things are looking up in that area at least for you, sense you quit working at McDonalds at least you are no longer one of those "abused older workers" we hear about. I hope you will have a Wonderful year this next year. I Love you Mom.

Lookie, Lookie

I am so excited we are getting the first snow of the season in the foothills around us and in the Cascades. Wahoo! Snow! I love, Love, Love the fluffy white stuff. The ski resorts are are talking about opening maybe by this weekend. Oo0oh gooodie I hope we get some right at sea level thats me!

Thoughts From Halloween

Well I am sitting here thinking quite fondly or in sadness, I haven't quite decided yet, about our first Halloween.... Ok so it has been 16 years of Halloween's with our children but this was the first year our children went Trick-or-Treating without us. I can remember all of the past years where we have had 3 Musketeers (which has become a Halloween night tradition to watch), Mummy's, Ninja's, Monsters and scientists, and walking dead. Where there were cold fingers, hot steaming chocolate, bumps and bruises, rain, and Blue Moons. The boys decided that they wanted to go Trick-or-Treating without us and that they were old enough to go with friends. I did let them go with some trepidation and my cell phone. We live in a safe neighborhood but hey, you never know. They came back with "loads" of candy and happy smiles. I guess this is where we start chalking this time up to being in "The Days of Our Lives".

Feeding time at the Zoo? LOL

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Here is Joshua... I'm not sure what he is but he reminds me of something out of "the Lord of the Rings"

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Here is Nicholas... I had 2 court jesters

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Here are the pictures from Halloween...Joseph.

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Here is a picture from Joe's birthday, he wanted to go to Red Robin where he was treated of course to singing, balloons, and a hot fudge sundae. =o)

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A few weeks ago I had a visit from Patrice.

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Happy Birthday Joseph

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Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Joseph, my sweet baby, my 11 year old, my young man, my love buggie =o) my stink bug, and my sweet heart I love you very much and I hope that you had a wonderful day. God Blessed me with a son like you.

The World's Creepiest Places

The World's Creepiest Places
by Melinda Allman for the Travel Channel


Ghosts and hauntings. Mysterious disappearances and murderous daughters. Whether it's Halloween or not, most of us enjoy a good, clean scare. What happens, though, if the hauntings are real? When the places appear to remain home to their long-departed guests? Then the fun takes on a whole new meaning; the screams and chills become more than some people can stand. For those who are not faint of heart, though, we've compiled a list--from creepy to creepiest--of some of the most frightening places in the world. Are they real? Are they a sham? You decide!

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Bermuda Triangle
Location: Atlantic Ocean
What's cool: Area also called the Devil's Triangle, the Twilight Zone, Hoodoo Sea, and the Limbo of the Lost

A writer named Vincent Gaddis first used the term "Bermuda Triangle"  to describe the area from South Florida to Bermuda to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and back to South Florida in a 1964 magazine article. It was a phrase that named the place that had, for years, been a watery grave for countless travelers. Some say aliens captured the unfortunate souls; others maintain that some aberrant energy field creates a time warp that envelops anything. Scientific evaluations have concluded that the number of disappearances in the region is not abnormal and that most of the disappearances have logical explanations. Regardless, it's a place many people avoid, including some pilots and ships' captains.



Roswell
Location: Roswell*, New Mexico
What's Cool: An extensive lecture series and tours to crash sites

In 1947, resident William "Mac" Brazel found pieces of debris from what he claimed (and others came to believe) was a crashed UFO. Since then, Roswell, a tiny desert town guarded by the southern Rocky Mountains, has become synonymous with UFOs and mystery. The dozens of alien-themed shops and the area's International UFO Museum, located in downtown Roswell, only perpetuate the mystery. At the museum (which calls itself the worldwide center of UFO information), visitors can see exhibits ranging from pieces and pictures of alleged UFOs to evidence that claims the town's sheriff and government concocted an elaborate scheme to cover-up the incident.

See also: Columnist Tamim Ansary on "The Truth About UFOs"



Winchester Mystery House
Location: San Jose, California
What's Cool: A window built into the floor and doors that open into blank walls

When rifle heiress Sarah Winchester began construction on her Victorian-style mansion in 1884, she pledged that building would never end during her lifetime, thinking the continuous pounding of hammers would appease the ghosts that plagued her after the deaths of her husband and daughter. Only Winchester herself knows whether or not the plan worked, but the Winchester House stills stands today, now a museum to the oddities and mysteries that were part of this woman's life. Among the most strange, doors open into blank walls; one chimney rises four floors; and a set of stairs leads to the ceiling.



Gettysburg
Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
What's Cool: A day trip to Washington D.C.

One of the deadliest battles of the Civil War took place in 1863 in the tiny Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Union soldiers, low on ammunition, were losing the fight, nearly capitulating to the advancing Confederate army. Then, as they used up the last of their gunpowder, a ghostly George Washington on a white stallion appeared before them, commanding them to continue and win a battle that ultimately turned the tide of the war. That's the way the legend tells it, anyway, and to this day, the people who live in and around Gettysburg maintain that George Washington's ghost rides regally across that same battlefield every summer.


Salem
Location: Salem*, Massachusetts
What's Cool: The annual Halloween Haunted Neighborhood

During the winter of 1691 and 1692, in the tiny New England village of Salem, two young girls (9-year-old Betty Parris and 11-year-old Abigail Williams) accused three local women of coming to them in "spectral" (ghost) form and of causing the girls to have fits, cry out in pain, and go mute, among other afflictions. The village elders who heard the girls' story came to believe that the accused women were witches. This set off a hysterical wave of accusations of witchcraft, and led to the now infamous Salem witch trials. Ultimately, 14 women and 5 men were hanged, another suspect was pressed to death under heavy stones when he refused to take part in his trial, 4 people died in jail awaiting their trials, and nearly 200 other people were arrested. Rumor has it that the ghosts of the people who lost their lives still haunt the town, and the Salem Wax Museum and Witch Museum allow visitors to experience the terror that reigned during the trials and come face-to-face with the accused (in wax or, perhaps, ghostly form).

See also: "Petition of an Accused Witch,"* a letter sent by Mary Easty shortly before her execution in the Salem witch trials; and "On the Use of Spectral Evidence Against Witches,"* a defense of the trials by Cotton Mather, a noted Puritan clergyman of the time



Tower of London
Location: London, England
What's Cool: The sites of London

Diaphanous apparitions, rattling chains, howling winter winds... The Tower of London* has it all (or so the legends say). In the 900 years since it was first constructed, the Tower has served as, among other things, a tourist attraction, a prison, and a place of execution for some of England's most notorious characters--Henry VIII's infamous second wife, Anne Boleyn, lost her head there, and rumor has it that a chained Sir Walter Raleigh still prowls the Tower grounds. The inner fortifications include Bloody Tower, so called from the tradition that the English child-king Edward V* and his brother Richard Plantagenet, duke of York, were murdered there in 1483; and Devereux Tower, where, in 1478, George Plantagenet, duke of Clarence, supposedly was drowned in a barrel of wine. Whether haunted or not (that's for visitors to decide), the Tower displays many eerie mementos of times past--including the guillotine that took the lives of Boleyn, Raleigh, and others.



Paris Catacombs
Location: Paris, France
What's Cool: Sign above the underground hallways reads "Abandon hope all ye who enter here."

Hidden beneath the streets of Paris are the city's famed catacombs*, long an escape route for revolutionaries, smugglers, and the French Resistance movement battling the Nazis. In this dark, dank underground world rest the remains (primarily the bones) of long-departed Parisians who died when there was no room for them in the city's cemeteries. Many of the bones are arranged neatly, like carefully laid bricks, and visitors (on their walking tour of about 500 yards) shouldn't be alarmed if they encounter hundreds of human skulls - some with teeth missing, some bashed in, some with grinning jaw bones.

See also: 360-degree view of the Paris catacombs



Haunted Hollywood
Location: Hollywood*, California
What's Cool: A day trip to San Diego's haunted Hotel Del Coronado

Since the first Tinsel Town star walked the first red carpet, celebrities (dead and alive) have been fascinating creatures. Today, visitors in search of a supernatural celebrity sighting can venture into Hollywood at night and discover the places where the deceased rich and famous like to spend their time. Among the most notorious--the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel's room 928 (supposedly haunted by actor Montgomery Clift*), the Laugh Factory (and its nightly visits by late comedian Groucho Marx), and the old Hollywood Reporter building (rumored to house reporter William Wilkerson, who died in 1962). If a walking tour isn't your thing, catch a ride on Tour Land's Haunted Hearse, a guided tour that takes visitors to places around town supposedly haunted by celebrities.



Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast
Location: Fall River*, Massachusetts
What's Cool: Spend the night at the scene of the crime

In 1892, Andrew Borden and his wife, Abby, were brutally murdered by someone wielding an ax. Although ultimately acquitted of the crime, Borden's youngest daughter, Lizzie*, never regained her precrime innocence, and many folks in Fall River (and around the country) remained convinced that she got away with murder. Today, the house in which the Bordens lived and died is a city landmark, a museum, and a bed and breakfast. Anyone interested can visit the murder scene; peruse the collection of Fall River and Borden memorabilia; or shop for any number of souvenirs, including coffee mugs, sweatshirts, and even a brick from the Borden chimney (complete with a certificate of authenticity). For those who want an extra creepy experience, the B & B owners treat their overnight guests to a replica of the Bordens' last meal: a breakfast of bananas, johnnycakes, sugar cookies, and coffee.

What Type of Food

You Are Chinese Food

Exotic yet ordinary.People think they've had enough of you, but they're back for more in an hour.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Here is a Post

Ok I realize it has been several weeks sense I posted and I am trying, there are just some weeks that are busier than others, we have had 3 open houses to go to, 2 skate nights, church, pta functions, dinner with friends, visiting family, and this weekend a friend from out of town.... whew! Nic is doing awesome in school this year so far, Joe is strugling with his body growing and focussing problems, Josh thinks he know's it all and doesn't really need school but he is still plugging away at it. Charles hurt his back at work and is in light duty doing what he hates, standing behind the counter greeting customers and writing the service orders. I am just hanging out and eating bon bons! :)