By Invitation

For those of you who have tried to link to my mom's blog http://www.strengthofmysoul.blogspot.com/ you may have noticed that it is now available to readers by invitation only.

When I changed the status of her blog several weeks ago I did not have time to invite the many of you who follow her blog.

If you would like to be added as a reader for Sharon's blog please send me a request with your e-mail and I will send you an invitation.

Thank you.

A Man Pedi

I would say that I'm a girly girl. And I highly enjoy treating myself to an occasional pedicure. If you saw my feet right now you'd gasp - seriously, my feet are rough and scruff and my toes are suffering from a paint job that I got in Arizona last September. Yes it's time for me to get some foot lovin' but...this past Saturday I wasn't the privileged one, Jeff was. He got his very own surprise: a 'Man Pedi' from his truly, Caleb and Carissa. Caleb worked hard at cutting dad's toe nails and then 'carefully' used the filing tool.

Carissa used her meticulous skills to file the other foot.

And they filed and filed daddy's toes to perfection. What a treat!

Reason for Concern

Please link to my mom's blog to read the latest on her condition.

Thank you for your prayers.

Thankful Thursday

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord…”

Psalm 92:1

New Year, New Me.

That's what I want.

I want a new me...a me who appreciates the littlest of life's blessings. A me who is thankful for not only the big things, but the small things that many of us are too busy to appreciate. A me who chooses to experience life more gratefully. A me who doesn't just 'stop and smell the roses', but grows the roses and enjoys them to the fullest.

a New Year, a New Me.

Today I am thankful:

• For a new year, new beginnings and second chances
• For a beautiful winter day with 60+ degree weather
• That my friend Beth and I are okay after the car accident that we were in on Sunday. To read her rendition of the accident link to Beth's blog.
• For the invention of seat belts and car safety air bags
• That I only did one load of laundry today and I have no piles of clothes waiting to be washed - huge accomplishment, huge.
• That my mom is a fighter

10 Years and Counting

Jeff and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary yesterday, January 2nd, 2009.
Jeff's parents were gracious to us and took care of the twins overnight.

We enjoyed 26 hours, just the two of us.

It was fun, flirty and fabulous!

Since the kids were staying at Papa, Grandma's house we spent our time in downtown Denver. Our hotel was in a prime location and we walked the 16th Street Mall perusing stores and drinking coffee while enjoying one another's company. It was relaxing and rejuvenating to have the freedom to do what we desired without consideration of our little one's needs.

While shopping we both scored on the clearance outerwear at the Gap. I bought this belted coat for only $27.29, originally priced $128.00 and a matching hat for $6.29. Jeff bought a wool zip jacket for only $29.40, originally priced $98.00.

Over dinner Jeff and I reflected on the past ten years. We laughed about the many good things and lamented the hard things that come with time. Our biggest surprise (by far) has been parenting twins. We both imagined our lives with multiple children just not at the same time!

We also pondered the next ten years - our dreams, desires for our marriage, our family and the excitement of the unknown.

I feel blessed to spend my life with Jeff. I cherish the memories we have experienced together and look forward to many more to come.

Thank you Jeff for being my lover, my partner, my confidant, my friend and the most amazing daddy to our children.

Here's to the next 10 years and counting.