Grandma's Pond

Zach, Grandma, Katelyn & Babe

Feeding the Fish

Roadtrip!

Dear Adam,

We spent nine hours of your birthday

in a car with screaming kids.

You never complained once.

(I love you for that!)

I think you deserve a vacation, babe.

Seriously.

I love you,

-Dana

Life's a Commercial

Me: Your feet are getting big. I'm having a hard time putting on your Nikes.

Kate: Just do it!

Dear Adam, How Do I Love Thee...

*image from www.filmofilia.com.

...Let me count the ways:

1. Last night I passed up my chance to see Harry Potter 6 (Girls Night Out-style) because I wanted to see it with you.

Need. I. Say. More.

And...Tell me I'm cool! because I scored us some free babysitting this weekend!!

Guess who's going to see Half-Blood Prince?

You and me, BABY!

Love, Dana

Haircut

This photo makes me feel itchy!

Don't worry, Littleman...it grows back.

Doctor's Orders

These are our toothbrushes. Mine is the second from the left. The princess one. No I'm not kidding. I picked it out myself...Dr's orders.

Ever heard of receding gumline? I have it. Basically, it means I brush too hard. WAY too hard!

Some of the best tips my DDS gave me are:

1. Don't "saw" your teeth. Brush only 1-2 teeth at a time...not 5-6.

2. Brush from your wrist...not your elbow.

3. Don't use whitening toothpaste...it is more abrasive.

4. Use a kids brush...it forces you to cover a smaller area (plus it's way more fun than a normal brush!!)

5. Only brush twice a day...4-5 times a day is unnecessary.

I remember in Kindergarten my dentist came to our class and taught us how to brush our teeth. I always thought I was a great brusher, but I must have misinterpreted something he said. I guess more is actually less when it comes to brushing.

Props to my new dentist for setting me straight!

Twenty-Something Years Ago Today

July the Eleventh.

Free Slurpee Day.

Better yet...my B-Day!!

I have not yet come to terms with my new age, so let's not dwell on it. I'll just say that it's the first number that sounds old. Not old old, but no longer youthful.

Did you guess it?

No?

Good!

Here is a picture of my birthday dinner!! Broccoli beef, orange chicken, some other kind of chicken and chow mein!

Adam slaved over the meal.

Huh? What's that? You can see a take-out box in the background?

Oh well...it's the thought that counts.

Katelyn and Zach had fun playing Lady and the Tramp with a chow mein noodle.

I think tonight Zach will have "the noodle dream".

SkaDoosh!

Thanks for a great birthday!
You guys are the best!!

My Chapter Two

Where I live now is nothing like where I grew up, but every now and then, when I least expect it, I'll notice something that takes me back. It might be the smell of a horse stable or an old rusty car (I'm not joking, these are the smells I grew up with), but it just hits me and I long for home.

There is one thing that I count on every year to "bring me back" to my childhood:

The community fireworks display.

The excitement, the friends, the smells, the music, the sense of community, (the flirting teenagers)...It reminds me of a high school football game.

Simple things like these give me comfort as I navigate my way through my "new" life (marriage, kids, responsibility, etc). They remind me of who I am...or was? They remind me of where I came from. They help me stay grounded in a place that doesn't always feel like "home".

And so I look forward to the 4th of July each year. It's my hometown "fix"--one of my favorite holidays. I reminisce; I live it up...and then I move on.

Afterall, I'm pretty busy living (and loving) this new chapter in my life.

This Put a HUGE Smile on my Face

I'm totally dancing with Matt someday!!

Christmas in July

I hope I can finish in time!!

(It's going to be a stocking.)