Scout Sunday & Blue and Gold, plus a new family member

Busy, busy, busy. That's what it's been around here. I wanted to post these photos of the boy's Scout Sunday Mass that was last weekend. They each earned their religious medal and it was given to them and a lot of other scouts at the mass on Sunday. They all looked so nice in their uniforms. Charlie and his friend got to lead the procession into church. After mass we all headed over to the church hall and had a nice reception and celebrated Blue and Gold which is a celebration honoring scouting. It was a full day. You can see that Audrey loved to run around outside. Robert and I took turns with her. We also brought home a goldfish. They had them in the centerpieces. Charlie picked one out, I've never seen him so happy. So, welcome to the family, Moe!
* I am getting used to the glasses. My vision is clear, that wasn't the problem. When I read, I can see things much better without holding the book so close to me. What an improvement!

here is my second set of eyes...

I know this is a cruddy photo, and I promise I'll post another one later. I just picked my glasses up today. They feel good, the real test will be tonight when I go to read...

guess who is getting glasses?

That would be me. I went to the eye doctor today for my "when-I-remember-and-have-time-to-schedule-one" eye exam and got the news. Apparently I am right on the cusp and need glasses for reading and driving at night. The prescription is so low he said that I could fill it or not that it was up to me. Truth be told, I have noticed at night when I am reading that I sometimes adjust the way I hold the book or blink a few times too many to see if it helps. Lol. I know, I know. So I checked out some frames while I was there but I need someone else's opinion. I just couldn't decide. Believe me, you'll see them when I do.

On my desktop right now. He loves her and she loves him.

A little bit of our afternoon...

We are having some glorious weather here and today it was calling our names outside to enjoy a nice little walk. Everyone is finally feeling better. Audrey was running a low fever this week but thankfully, it has passed. The boys had their Valentine's parties at school today and came home loaded with sugar. I think the walk helped them release some of that pent up sugar rush energy.
Happy early birthday to my dad, his birthday is tomorrow.
That's all for now. Lot's of love to you this Valentine's weekend. :)

I can't forget the 9th birthday that occurred

Can you believe that Harrison had the nerve to go and turn NINE on us? Thank goodness everyone was well enough to celebrate at Chuck E. Cheese, it would have been an absolute crime to miss out on that. :) We really had a good time. He invited a couple of friends from school and the scouts and we were lucky that enough of them were around to celebrate with us. Harrison is a neat, thoughtful, caring boy. He can be a bit of a tattle tale, or as we like to call him, "Captain Obvious". I count on him a lot. I have to remember that he is only nine. It is hard to believe that is was nine years ago that he came into our lives, and we are so glad that he did.

We were so festive...

Here's how Christmas played out at our house. Don't we look happy and joyful? Well, we weren't. The boys were sick and Audrey was on her way to being sick. Instead of having Christmas here at our home on Christmas day, we had it on the Thursday after Christmas. Instead of spending Christmas with Robert's family the day after Christmas, we celebrated it on Jan. 2nd. Sometimes these things happen. Kids get sick and what are you supposed to do? While I wouldn't recommend it at all, it was way to have a nice, relaxing Christmas if you don't count the fevers and ensuing coughs that followed. It was still a blessed holiday, that is what is most important. And I guarantee none of us will forget it soon. Except maybe for Audrey. :)
In case you are wondering about that fabulous beaded necklace I have on, that is what Harrison made for me. He told my dad that I didn't have a necklace to wear to the market. I am so happy that he took care of that for me. :)

soon it will be Christmas day...

I'm having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I alternate between loving Christmas and loathing it. I love all of the obvious good things about Christmas and loathe the crowds, the traffic, the selfishness, the commercialism.

There has also been a lot of loss and heartbreak this year. Robert's Uncle Joe died a couple of weeks ago from the same lung disease that took Robert's father from us and that now is infecting his other uncle. So I don't have to tell you what that does to me, this is a hereditary disease. A friend of mine is going through a brain cancer diagnosis with her 11 year old daughter. As of right now, her future is uncertain. Another friend is grieving for her best friend that she just lost also to brain cancer. Unfortunately I could go on and on. What is it with this time of year? The melancholy just creeps its way in. We haven't had a tough winter here, far from it. The sun is still shining. It is cold but not that cold. My friends back east would call me a sissy and they would be right.

The kids are beyond excited that Santa is coming soon although Santa better hop to it and quick. Those gifts aren't going to wrap themselves! Watching them is all it takes to perk me up, but I still feel for others. That is something I can't stop doing. And as bummed out that I am over Charlie being sick (he has been running a fever for the last couple of days) I sure am not complaining.

So my Christmas cards came from a box this year, and most will probably be late. I may call them, "happy new year" cards. I at least got a photo. I'll leave you with a couple of photos that didn't make the cut.

Merry Christmas and may God bless you in the new year and always.