April showers of blessings

We have had an abundance of blessings showered upon our family this month. First and most importantly, Darius came through his big surgery and is on the road to recovery. He is becoming more and more his old self daily. Physical therapy will begin in May. We hold out big hopes that he will walk more normally.
Jeremy is on the Weddington golf team and doing quite well. His coach reports he improved alot this season. He keeps us busy with practice and matches. The season concludes in May. Shaylee has written her first book entitle "Snowy Day". She wrote and illustrated the tale of a day off from school and the fun had building a snowman.
Quentin also wrote and illustrated a book. His is entitled "I went to the Lake" which is the authors account of a trip to our fishing hole. He is very detailed about the water life (his passion) and his illustrations are very colorful.
Darcie had a trip to Texas over Easter, visiting family and her friends. She had a great time and Jeremy and I were so excited when she brought us back Shipleys Donuts. We don't have that here in NC. I am going back to Texas in May for a long weekend. And Greg is busy at work with the opening of a new development he started when he began there last year.
As you can see the family has been busy and our blessings abundant.

Becoming a North Carolinian. Well, after 4 trips to the License Division of Motor Vehicles and every document from my birth certifcate to my marriage license I am now a licensed driver in the state. I can not believe the amount of identity I had to provide in addition to my Texas license.
I have also completed half of my required courses for my physical therapy aide certification. It feels good using my brain for education after a long vacation.
Greg is off to Houston on Sunday for an additonal round of training. I know he will enjoy his time there, but he will be missed here in North Carolina.
Darius begins his baseball season in a few short weeks, Jeremy is hoping to tryout for the golf team although we missed the original sign up due to his fractured pelvis. Darcie has her sights set on CATA for her high school years and is working on a dance with Miss Abbie after her normal dance class. As for Quentin and Shaylee they are now BOTH two wheel bike riders with no training wheels.
So goes life with us in the Carolinas.

Happy Birthday Dario

I can not believe that Darius turned 11 on Saturday. We started out the day with a "panacake " breakfast, he had several chocolate chip and a huge glass of orange juice. He reminded us all day that it was his birthday. He had a balloon on the porch and lots of calls from family in Texas.
We let him pick the restaurant for his birthday dinner and he picked Chili's where he can get macaroni and cheese. We got a great Blessing while there. A couple told our waiter they were paying our total bill. He told us after they left. What a nice surprise. Darius sang with the staff at Chili's when they sang to him even cheering them on while they sang. They all sang in the car all the way home=them Greg and I gathered all the little kids and went upstairs, because Darius wanted to watch a movie on the big couch up there. They all feel asleep up there. What a great end to the day.
Darius has come so far in his lifetime. And thru it all his personalty continues to shine. His sense of humor is great and his timing is spot on too.
What would our lives be like without Darius ? I shudder to think.
Happy Birthday Darius.

My darling Daughters birthday

I was lucky enough to be able to go back to Houston last weekend to help my oldest daughter celebrate her 27th birthday. I can not believe she is 27 already, time seems to be flying by. We had a nice dinner at Papasitos on Friday night with Kevin, Joy, my mom and Katie. Then on Saturday us girls got to eat more mexican food and visit with Shanna and baby Avery Kate. We had a nice visit with my brother John and his family. I had not visited with them since moving to North Carolina. And on Satruday night we ventured down to Manvel to see Roger Creager band. What a good show. Then, on Sunday us girls shopped until it was time to head to the airport. And back to my loving husband on our eighth wedding anniversary.
Happy Birthday to my Darling Daughter.

The boy LOVES SANTA ! ! !

Darius has always loved Christmas- he proves it this year by putting on a Santa suit-he then came over to our couch and said it was a sleigh on the way to pick up baby Jesus. He is loving the whole lights-and everything associated with it. He helped put up the tree and all the nativity figures.
We are so excited that he is getting so smart.

What I am thankful for. ... .

Their faces are as familiar as my own, their personalities as varied as the patterns of a snowflake. They came into my life as babies some of them now grown, but all remain my babies. Yes, I am speaking of my children all seven of them and one whom we acquired through marriage, my precious Joy. After the last three days, all the endless nights spent feeding and changing and the trips to the doctor for all those childhood illnesses seem to disappear into memories of what once was a long long time ago.
The faces of my children remind me of the promise I made to myself, to be the best mother I could be and love them all unconditionally. I am so proud of my son Kevin and his beautiful wife Joy. They are remarkable people in their own rite and have made me proud to be their parent. My daughter, Katie, who gets more beautiful every time I see her, is a caring and patient sole, she posses all the makings of a great mother. I am thrilled she has found happiness. And as for my babies still at home I am proud to be their mother and am having a marvelous time watching them all grow into wonderful teens and young adults.
I am also thankful to my wonderful husband Greg who gives unselfishly to allow all of them to come and share Thanksgiving with us. I am so thankful to be Blessed so many times over.

Just a week away... and a few days

WOW. I can not believe that I would be excited that time is going fast. I am so excited that Kevin, Joy and Katie will be here on Wednesday next week. We spent two days last week completeing some home improvement projects, and planning the week when our oldest children will be here and of course our lovely daighter in law Joy.
We will be celebrating Thanksgiving as well as Christmas while they are here.
In family news, Darcie is preparing her application for Central Academy- a magnet high school for technology and the arts. You also can complete college credit courses equalling two years of formal courses upon your graduation. We are so proud of her for wanting to study hard. Jeremy has completed the winning football season and is setting his sights on the golf team. Quentin is making great strides in his reading and is growing taller every day. Darius has a new obsession a 7 foot inflatable penguin he named Opus (with Daddy's help). And of course Princess Shaylee is proud of her birthday and mommy gets to fashion lots of washcloths into diapers for her Baby Alive. Mommy is doing well in school and trying to fit it all in. Hope to finish up mid spring and do my internship before school gets out. And then apply my knowledge in the fall with a part time position. Daddy is off to Texas again this week for more training and will of course be missed by everyone here in North Carolina.