Tomorrow is Nicholas' birthday.  He will be 29!  I have always called him "my darling angel".  His friends have given me a lot of grief through the years about that, but "What can I say?"  :D

Nicholas has been a source of joy.  I vividly remember the day Penny Payne took the watermelon picture.  It was at our first Kusch Cousin Reunion.  The picture pretty much sums up little Nicholas.  I  particularly like the gun, holster, and flip-flops!  We have picture after picture of Nicholas as The Lone Ranger, Zorro, or his major hero, Roy Rogers!


Now he has grown into an admirable man.  I love the way he handles things in his life.  Nothing seems to rattle him.  He still maintains a lot of his bratty ways, I'm sure Brooke would agree, but they are actually what delight us about him. You never know what he will come up with.  Just check Facebook for his trivia facts if you want proof.  :D

I wish my "darling angel" son a very happy birthday.  He means the world to me!  I can't imagine my life without him.

SPRING!!!

Well, I've had a lousy week.  I try to maintain a positive attitude, but once in a while I just can't seem to do it.  The time change always throws me for a loop.  I do like having daylight last longer in the evening, but it is still an adjustment.  Another reason for my lousy week was my EGD.  I have been feeling great so I went innocently into the scope expecting a good report.  When I came out I discovered that I had 2 varices banded.  My throat hurt.  It wasn't killing me, but it was pretty uncomfortable.  The doctor told Dennis that I will have to have 3-8 more of them, depending on how I do.  They already scheduled me for my next one on June 14.  Whatever they gave me to put me out has made me sleepy for three days now.  And, you know what, a yogurt and ice cream diet gets old!

Enough with the whining.  Today was a warm day.  I saw a temperature of 85 degrees on my car!  What a delight.  You may remember how much I love the Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnal Equinox, and Winter Solstice.  I even love the sounds of the words.  This Sunday is the Vernal Equinox.  You know what that means ~ lovely, glorious Spring!  Just thinking about it lifts my spirits.  Oh, yes, the fact that my throat is finally feeling better helps too!  :D

38 YEARS! 1973 ~ 2011

My oh my!  Where did those years go?  It doesn't seem possible that we could be married 38 years.

When I look at this picture, I have to smile.  Those two people had no idea what was ahead for them!  It's been a wild ride.  I went from never even knowing Fairview existed to living there                                                                               for 37 years so far.  :D

Reflecting back I can see God's leading in everything.  I have loved this town.  I didn't know anything about the Mennonite Brethren Church or Fairview when I went to college.  First thing, though, I made quite a few friends from Fairview, many of whom grew up in the MB Church.  Here I was "Baptist to the bone", as they say.  Who would have guessed that I would become a Mennonite Brethren?  Of course, I always say I am doing mission work here.  :D

God has blessed us with friends.  I can't imagine our lives without them. They have been with us through thick and thin.  My mom often tells me she thinks they are wonderful.

When I look at the second picture I wonder who those old people are. They have life experience obviously!  :D  I do have to say they look happy and content.  Our biggest blessing, our precious family, is a big part of that happiness and contentment.

At this time in our lives we are praising God for all the blessings He has poured out on us.  Every good and perfect gift comes from above!

:D :D :D :D :D

March is finally here!  I feel the hope of Spring!  More later!