Still in Love!

27 years ago today I married my best friend. Yes, that guy with the HAIR and glasses is David. For those of you trying to figure it out David's parents are beside me and my parents are beside David.
I'm so grateful to have these pictures. Our photographer didn't show up at my house that morning as he was supposed to. He actually showed up at the church a few minutes before the ceremony was about to start. He was totally wasted! Most of the pictures we have are from friends and family. One friend, Ray, was a photography buff and took many candid shots for us. Even that little snafu couldn't ruin our day. So 27 years later I still consider him my best friend and the love of my life. That doesn't mean things have always been rosy - but we have always been determined to keep communicating (sometimes better than others or louder than others....). But I'd say we truly beat the odds. Most people that marry as young as we did (he was 20 and I was 18) - anybody need extra fingers and toes to figure out how old we are???? - - most people that young end up growing apart from each other. We are very lucky because we grew together. I think that fact that we lived in different towns for the three years we dated was a big key to our communicating. Seeing each other mostly on weekends was tough - but the hours on the phone talking was a blessing. It really helped us to truly know each other and be best friends. So 27 years later for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health have new meanings - but I would still promise it all over again! David, thank you for all your love and patience over the years! All my love forever..... :)

Sweet 16!

Happy sweet 16 Kelly Bennett!!!!!

Baby you can drive my car - - - but you've got to come back to Indiana to do it......

Love and miss you!

PS ~ are you hungry???

A very happy 13th birthday to Rachel Turner! Hope to see the pictures from your party and newly redecorated room soon. Your mother is such a slacker!! He! He!

Secret is out

Well that secret didn't last long as Katie was home last night and part of today. She didn't seem too upset about the amazing cleaning job I did on her room. It worked out well as far as the sleeping arrangements as Sarah spent the night at a friend's. Emily had a friend spend the night here and it was really nice having the extra bed in her room. It was a quick trip for Katie - long enough to get laundry done and see Zane. You know - all the important stuff! She'll be home again next weekend to work so we'll get to see her a little longer. It's almost like she's been away at camp - long enough to miss her - but not enough to feel like she doesn't live here anymore. She felt like she wasn't really making too many new friends but got texts from five different people at school wanting to see if she wanted to hang out last night. Guess she might be rethinking that friend thing. I think the freshmen are just now starting to get settled into a routine and venturing out a little more. I know on the tv shows people meet their new BFF the day they move in. . . welcome to the real world! Megan and some of her new friends had a surprise birthday party for their friend, Bill today. They went out to eat, to Mill Race Park and then hit the mall. Hours of clean teenage fun. I'm thrilled she's venturing out again. I knew we needed to do something drastic to help her get back on track, but was really nervous that having her switch schools (especially to the "Jesus School" as her East friends call it) might make her totally shut herself off from all of us. She is getting involved at the school, too. She'll be doing basketball cheerleading and is already involved with Yearbook, too. I have no idea about their basketball teams. Didn't even know they had them until this summer. I guess with the cheerleading it's such a small school that you either cheer or are on cheerblock. But I'm thrilled to see her making an effort so quickly into the school year. It seems as if she may have realized that she needed a clean start, too. It is wonderful to see not only Megan - but a smiling, laughing Megan again. Another reason for her smile lately has been thanks to Cody, her boyfriend of three months. He seems to be a good sounding board for her (and she for him). But whatever the reason(s), we are thrilled to watch her enjoying life again!!!

Shhh...don't tell Katie....

Tuesday Emily had a sick day due to pink eye. Yuck! So I got to stay home with her. Not exactly a day off, though. I know Katie will hate to hear this - but I took all the stuff from her bureau and desk and shoved (I mean gently placed) it in boxes that are now either shoved (oops, gently placed) under the bed or on shelves in the closet. The bathroom has been totally disinfected. Not an easy feat, mind you! Teenage girls have so much "product" it's mind boggling! Shampoo, condition, comb out and blow dry. Maybe the occasional curl. At least now that I'm working I do. Before that it was wash and go! I can't imagine doing all that other stuff

day after day. I guess I'm just not one for primping. I've got too many other things to do. Like clean a teenager's room so her youngest sister can use it while she's not home. Sarah hasn't "officially" moved in yet. She can't as the drawers and closet are still filled with Katie's stuff. But she's thrilled to be able to hang out, do homework and sleep in "their" room as she calls it. It looks so bare without all of Katie's things in it that I'm going to have to help her put her own stuff out. Katie will be home the weekend of the 12th so I'm SURE she'll get a box or two put down the basement - perhaps between rounds of switching laundry? I have to admit I almost feel like a teenager with a crush everytime I get a text from Katie. Remember that feeling - butterflies of anticipation? Then the exhilaration when you were acknowledged by the "crush". I just don't know of any other way to put it. She started classes yesterday and was excited at the end of the day. I'm glad my girls are settling in and happy where they are!