Then we were 4

Today is my daughter Kristan's birthday. We really have so much fun together and I love traveling with her. Here we are in Houston a couple years ago. She is such a joy and I am so proud of the woman she has become and what a wonderful wife and mother and grandmother she is. She is truly an inspiration to me as well as those around her.

February 22, 1968 was a cold rainy night in Seattle, Washington. I had been in what I thought was labor all day not quite sure, so I was cleaning house and getting ready for "maybe" going to have my baby "soon".. I called my Dr. around 9 p.m. and told him about my day and he suggested I go to the hospital. So I took a shower and really didn't rush, because I thought they would surely send me home.. So Kent, Steve & I headed for Northwest Hospital.. I got checked in and Kent took Steve over to some friends house for the evening. He was gone less than an hour and when he walked back into the hospital my Dr. said OK lets go have this baby.. It was 11:30 and it was George Washington's birthday..Everyone kept teasing me that I would have to call this new baby George or Martha.. I really was opposed to that idea.
Since it was a holiday all the Dr.'s and nurses were talking about what they

had done over the holiday.. Then all of a sudden here she came..

Wow that was easy I thought.. no pain and 2 pushes and I had a beautiful baby girl.

Kristan was born & she was 22" long and weighed 8lb. 11 oz. The most beautiful baby I had ever seen, of course everyone in the delivery room agreed. Kristan meeting her big brother Steve

2 months old

6 months old

Easter 1968

Christmas 1968

Me. Kristan, Steve & my Mom



One of my favorite pictures
Happy Birthday Kristan

My goal is a healthy me. . . . .

It seems like it has been forever since I posted anything on my blog.. since I got home from my trip to Idaho. I have been keeping busy with classes and projects. I have re-discovered a love for stamping and really enjoy how relaxing it is to color with my Copic markers and turn out fun images to add to cards or pages. I am teaching 4 classes each month in my home and taking a couple classes myself from other teachers..

I got to spend an evening watching my sweet great-grandaughter Malorie last week and it was so fun. She has the greatest personality and is always happy.. I can't believe she is 9 months old already. She and her mom and dad have all had a terrible bout with the flu, in fact she ended up in the ER 3 times, but all is good now..

I joined Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and am finding it pretty easy to follow. I get to fix my own meals and eat pretty much anything I want as long as I count the points associated with each thing I eat. Fruit and veggies are zero points and we can eat as much as we want of these.. As you know I am a chocolate and crunchy junkie, so this has been a challenge in the afternoon when the munchies hit about 3:00. I used to get chips or cookies or candy to satisfy this urge..now I get carrots, or stuffed celery or even a WW bar.. I know it will go slow, but I am determined to do it, for my health. I am walking on my treadmill and watching the golfers out my window.. I lost "2" pounds the first week and I am anxious to see what happens this week. The group I go to class with is so up-lifting and supportive that it really makes it fun to go.

In my Cricut class this week, we are learning to cut on vinyl and going to make a wooden plaque to hang in our homes. They will paint the plaque, sand and antique it and then cut out the words on their Cricuts and then I will show them how to weed, mask and apply their words to their plaque. Should be a fun class.

Home Again

I returned from my winter trip to the northwest last Friday. I was able to spend 9 great days with my sister Judy and her family. Plus added time with friends. We attended several U of I Vandal basketball games and I have the fight song chant down.. I love college games, they are exciting and I loved being able to go to so many. We spent 2 fun days at Paper Pals scrapbook store with friends. I was working on my Valentine card class samples and working on my Copic skills, Judy, Ellen & Tricia were working on albums. A great two days. It did snow one day, not much but at least I got to see some snow, however it was COLD a couple morning down to 4 degrees with the wind chill.. thank goodness Judy has heated seats in her car.. We met our group at Starbucks most days and chatted and visited. I go to the Orange Julius shop a couple doors down to get a soda, & the guy there doesn't even have to ask what I want he just starts fixing my drink even on the first day. Moscow is a cute town and so friendly. We ate lunch one day at my favorite Bagel deli and how I wish they would open one here. They are the best sandwiches ever.
I found this quote in a cute little book and it fits how I feel

* * * *

We are never at a loss for words

We can talk for hours about

nothing at all .

With you speech is effortless

and laughter is contagious.

You bring love and light

kindness and caring

cheer and support into

my life.

All in all it was a wonderful trip.. Thanks Judy for such a great visit..