Just Another Snow Day...

It's the second snow day of the week.  The best part of all?  Sleeping in, of course!  (Until you remember that your Handsome Husband is out of town and the responsibility of clearning the driveway falls to you, and hopefully a few cooperative kids...)

The view from the front door.

The view from the back deck.  Those limbs are HEAVY with snow.

Kellie and Gracie on the driveway.  I'm not sure Grace really likes the snow.

The snow is about 14 inches deep.  And our drive way is LONG.  Let's get to it.  Got my boots on, my gloves on, my sunglasses on and my IPOD in my ears...

This snow was deep and very heavy.  This is going to take a while. Where,oh where is Bob when I need him?

The streets have already been plowed.  Now I just need to be able to get down to them.

Lucky for us, we have a VERY kind neighbor who, I'm sure took pity on a poor, old mother and her children and lent us his awesome snowblower.  Lucky us!!  Get to it, Blake!!  (I think some homemade cinnamon rolls would be an ever-so-nice thank you for our kind neighbor.  Don't you think?)

The snow blower did the majority of the work.  But Syndie and I had to get the last inch or so of ice off the driveway with our shovels.  That's okay.  Just listening to some old 80's rock music as I finish the driveway.

Even though Sydnie exhibits some teenage 'tude' occasionally, this girl really does know how to work.  She helped until the bitter end.  There wasn't a flake left on the driveway.  Hard-work ethic and tenacity.  Those are awesome qualities to have.  Ones that will serve her well throughout her life.

3 hours later.....Finished!!

Time for some delicious hot chocolate and an equally delicious hot shower.  Toodles!!

She Must Really Sing!?!

I love to sing. I sing in the shower, in the car and anywhere else there is music. I always have the radio on and can recall the lyrics to almost every song from the 80's on. I assumed my girls would have the same love of music that I do. Well, maybe two out of three isn't bad.

I have one 'spicy red-head' who I have never heard sing. For Real!! As we sit next to each other at church, I can barely get her to help me hold the Hymnbook, let along sing! I was thrilled when she said she wanted to take Choir this year at school. Maybe... Just Maybe...

Well, I still have never heard her sing. But we must be moving in the right direction, because I really saw her move her lips during the Keller Middle School Spring Choir Concert.

Each song was absolutely lovely. These boys and girls can REALLY sing! Their harmonies were beautiful. They were poised and professional. It was a really wonderful concert. She Must Really Sing!!

Sydnie's 7th grade choir

If you look real close, Sydnie's the one smack dab in the middle.

There she is!

The whole Keller Middle School Choir.

They ended their show with

'Don't Worry, Be Happy'

It was Awesome!!

Sydnie with her look-alike friend, Sarah.
Heaven help us all when TWO red-heads get together!

I Sing, Can You?

Apparently, She Can.

A Friendly Surprise

Last Saturday was Madie Rousseau's baptism. We were so excited to attend this special event and celebrate afterwards with her and her family. She looked absolutely beautiful in her beautiful white dress and perfectly done hair. It was a beautiful baptism.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful luncheon at the Rousseau's home. Christine is a wonderful cook, but an even better hostess. She has the perfect knack for making everyone feel extremely comfortable and welcome in her and Leslie's home. She served delicious pulled pork sandwiches, the best potato salad ever, the most awesome pasta salad, a healthy veggie tray, a yummy fresh fruit salad and, at Madie's request, grilled hot dogs and individual bags of chips for the kids. We served a cookie cake for dessert. And in case that wasn't enough, at the last minute, Chef Christine whipped up an unbelievable Triple Berry Cobbler right on the spot. Let me just say, there wasn't much left over at the end of the afternoon!

We might have overstayed our welcome a bit when Sydnie and I stayed to selfishly visit with Christine and her wonderful friends and continue playing with the kids. As we visited, we cleaned up the kitchen a little and got it back to normal so that Christine and her family could easily enjoy the rest of their wonderful weekend together. What a surprise when my dear friend showed up yesterday with a special 'thank you'.

Christine, simply being my dear friend is indeed thanks enough. You are such a wonderful example to me of optimism, selflessness, service and unconditional love for others. I am truly a better person for having you in my life. Thank You!!

My 'Spicy Red-Head' was so excited!

She loves those cute Rousseau kids.

Christine always wins the prize for creativity.

Gorgeous roses.

Today they are starting to bloom.

Roses just make you smile, don't they?

Spring Break - New York City Style

What could be more fun than Spring Break in New York City? How about Spring Break in New York City with a bunch of silly Middle-Schoolers? Sydnie and I spend four jam-packed, fun-filled days in the Big Apple with 77 others middle-schoolers and some of their parents. We had a fantastic time!

For me, life is all about making memories. Hopefully, someday, my kids will look back and remember all of the special times we spent together. Spring Break in New York City will be one I hope Sydnie will remember forever. It's not every day you turn into a real-live teenager, on Saint Patrick's Day, in New York City!! Happy Birthday, Little Leprachan Girl!

Me and Sydnie with our friends and roomates, Jana and Andrea.

The Little Leprachans eagerly awaiting our showing of 'WICKED'

Enjoying a chance to sit down at Trinity Church across from Ground Zero.

Inside Trinity Church are numerous memorials of 9-11. This picture was one that imediately caught my eye. This brave, young firefighter lost his life on 9-11 rescuing his fellow New Yorkers from the Twin Towers. To me, this picture represents the all that is great about America. Our willingness to help our neighbors, our youth, our courage and our willingness to die for what we hold dear.

Inside Trinity Church, across from Ground Zero. Interestingly, this church was built in the 1700s and is one of the few buildings still standing from this era. This was one of the most moving places we toured.

A 9-11 memorial inside Trinity church.

A view of Trinity Church from Ground Zero. Over 3,000 firefighters and police were fed and sheltered here during the months following 9-11.

Inside the main building at Ellis Island. I am so grateful for my ancestors who made their way to this freedom-loving country so that I might have the opportunity for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness here in America.

The New York Stock Exchange.

Don't ask. Suppossedly, this picture will bring us good financial luck! Cross your fingers!!

One of some cool statues on the small island where we visited the Statue of Liberty.

A beautiful spring day with my Little Leprechan Birthday Girl.

Sydnie at the Statue of Liberty.

What a welcome sight by so many of the people who came here to make our country great.
After the American flag, the Statue of Liberty is the next most recognized symbol of freedom in the world.

Our tour guide, Angie.

You might recognize her from her days as an Apprentice with Donald Trump's, Street Smarts vs. Book Smarts. Angie was so funny, friendly and SO New York!!

(She could be Sarah Bahr's twin!!)

Sydnie and Andrea.

"Luck o'the Irish to Ya Birthday Girl!"

I love this girl!!

No where on earth like Time Square in New York, City!!

If you ask Sydnie, the highlight of the trip for her was 'scoring' a Channel purse behind one of the 'moving walls' in China Town.

Do you recognize it? The diner where Jerry, George and Elaine hang out.

What about this famour fountain? Does "FRIENDS" ring a bell?

Strawberry Fields in Central Park.

Close your eyes. You can almost hear John Lennon sing.

Jana and I waiting for dinner outside Mars 2112 in Times Square.

The weather was beautiful!

Last stop before heading home, Grand Central Station. Beautiful.

What a fantastic time we had in one of the most amazing cities in the world! But truly, there is No Place Like Home. After a long nap on the plane, it was good to be home, Deep In the Heart of Texas!!!