Happy Birthday, Kahlo!

The sweetest, most honest eyes. My pony.

Peek-a-boo! Kahlo and me - Idon't think she's having as much fun as I am!!!!!

The picture below was taken before I was married. Kahlo was excellent during the photo shoot. Isn't she such a pretty girl?!

Kahlo is (as of 3/23) now 10 years old! We've been together for 5 years now and it has been a fun and exciting ride! Ha! She is one of the many ways God has blessed me. She is healthy, sweet and a fun friend to ride around with! I love her and the environment she is a part of, both the outdoors and the wonderful people who have horses, too. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAHLO!

Parents for a Day! (or just a few hours, actually)

The weekend was wonderful, as always. It seems that every Monday I find myself counting the days until Friday! Sam and I worked in the yard, of course, and spent some time with our furry family members. Probably the best part of the weekend, though, was fun time with our nephews!
Dana and Ms. Mary needed to get some shopping done, so we picked up Landon and Connor from the mall (Connor was recovering from seeing the Easter Bunny) and headed to our house for some fun time with bubbles! Landon found he was very good at the bubble trumpet and Connor did an excellent job popping the bubbles and chasing the beach ball.
"Youre' doing a great job with the bubble trumpet, Landon."
"Thanks very much, Michelle." Landon replied in his confident, grown up way. "When are we going to the park?"
"Oh, after a little bit."
"That was a nice one, Michelle." Landon stated, surveying my bubble.
"Thanks!" I was a little taken aback by his Sam-like maturity. He can be so cute, silly and rambunctious one second, then the next he speaks calmly and confidently, like a miniature adult!
After a bit of that and walking around the house, we decided to head to the park. Yay! The slid down slides, swung in swings and ran and climbed on everything! Both boys were VERY well-behaved and had excellent manners. No tears or tantrums this time around! Sam and I got lots of exercise and a little bit of sun.
After that we met up with mom and Me-Me for lunch at Chick-fil-a. The car ride over included an interesting conversation:
"Um....Michelle, why are your teeth brown?"
"......my teeth?????"
"Yeah. You know. The ones right about here." Landon said, pointing to his incisors.
"Well....." I began to panic and think back to the commercial a few years ago where the teacher asks the kids what color her teeth are and they reply with everything BUT white. I glance over at Sam and he is focused on his driving.
"You know the teeth. Let me see them again!" Landon excalimed.
"I anna seeeee brown!" Connor chirped. I faked a smile and showed Connor my teeth.
"Why are they brown?" he asked again.
"I guess it's because I am old." I admitted.
"Am I old?" Landon said, showing me his teeth.
"No, you are young. Your teeth are white."
I vowed to begin a round of whitening gel as soon as we got home.
Lunch was good. It was nice to catch up with Dana and Me-Me, but the boys were in need of some nap time, so we soon went our separate ways. I think I would have been happy to keep them longer, but all good things must come to an end. It was wonderful to spend some uninterrupted time with the boys and get to know them a little better since we don't see them often enough. They are great kids.
Sam and I got a refreshment at Sonic and then relaxed at home. He took a two hour nap, I read magazines and visited neighbors.
When he awoke we went out to do more yard work.
Sam asked, "So, do you REALLY still want four kids?"
"Well, yeah, I think so!" I replied.
I think Sam was a little shocked.
I hope the boys come again soon!!!!!!

Friends and Neighbors

Sam and I are very blessed to live in our little neighborhood. I have been in the house for four years, Sam for six months.

We are in the type of neighborhood that you don't find much anymore. We borrow cups of sugar and give each other plants from our gardens.

Our houses were built in the late '10s to the early '20s. You have to be a special type of person to want to live in an old house with drafty windows and squeaky floors! They have so much character though....old glass in the windows, wood siding, hardwood floors, built-in china cabinets, etc.

While all of that is great, the best part of our neighborhood is the people. It is made of of old and young, single and families, well-off and not so wealthy, white, black and everything in between! What's even more is that we all get along (well, as much as any group of humans can!).

Just this past weekend, Sam and I saw a few of our neighbors chatting at the end of the block. I had spoken with one earlier in the day and offered her some iris rhizomes from my yard, so Sam and I walked them down. We met a new couple in the neighborhood and their cute puppy, Lucy. Moments later, Mr. Jack joined us, then Ms. Rita drove up and another couple walked over from across the street with their 9 week old puppy. We talked about this and that and watched the dogs play together. One neighbor offered to till a flower bed for the other and we donated our irises to the cause. We all agreed that it is time for a block party and talked over preparations for that. After an hour or so, we all split up to finish our Sunday yard work, walk dogs and start supper.

This is a normal occurance. I had neighbors in my wedding, I've babysat for neighbor children, neighbors helped us with our fence, lent me heaters when mine broke, looked after our pets when we were away , we've given each other rides when the car was broken, shared meals, shared tears, shared new birthdays. I once woke up a neighbor when his house was on fire and another neighbor organized a relief drive for a family who lost everything in a fire. And we do not question this. It is all normal in our neighborhood.

Sam and I love it not only for the reasons listed above, but because of the people. God has placed us here as part of his plan. We see Him in the everyday faces of our neighbors. We see Him in their needs and their tears, but also their love and selflessness. He both reaches to us and teaches us through them, and hopefully through me and through Sam... and maybe even the other 16 furry-footed friends that live with us. Let me take that back-DEFINITELY the other 16 furry-footed friends!!!

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Ephesians 6:14-15 (emphasis mine)

Here are feet # 3-4 and 13-16!

Welcome!

Here it is! Enjoy the ride with us! I don't know if it will be anything like the last blog, but it is sure to be an adventure!!!!