VERIFY

Trust,

but verify.

 

-Ronald Reagan

NEITHER ONE

"Tyson, come feel our hands." Todd said hoping to find Tyson telling me how dry mine are and how soft his are.

So he does. Then evaluates.

"Well, moms are more scaley and yours have more human oil
or sweat."

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DEARLY LOVED

This is a Valentine I received from Tyson. 

Sweet and Simple. 

It’s his choice Sentiment of signing off that made me smile.

~Your beloved son~

be·lov·ed:

(b -l v d, -l vd ). adj. Dearly loved.

And that he is… My dearly loved.

 

SEMI-SWEET

Since Todd and I celebrated Valentines over the weekend, we decided to plan a fun Valentines night for the kids on Monday.  We gave them each a Valentine Menu Invitation that morning before school, inviting them to dinner at our Allen Family Restaurant.  We provided choices of appetizers, dinner and dessert for them so they could circle what they wanted and we would have it ready for them.  I wasn’t about to cook different stuff, but wanted them to have the fun of “ordering”, so it was all foods that I would be able to microwave or pull out of a package.

The invitation also included a warm bubble bath and back and shoulder massages for each of them. 

They were really excited!  Calling us “waiter….oh waitress….do this, can you bring me that…one more of these…now this.  It was cute for about the first 2 minutes. 

Then Todd looked at me and said, “Uh, how is this different from any other night?  Them wanting us to wait on them that is.”

We put the old classic GREMLINS on for us to watch.  Which in hind sight may have been the wrong movie because with in 20 minutes everything turned sour…I will call it the GIZMO to GREMLIN effect.  Everything went sour! 

The kids were so tired, so overloaded with sugar from their school valentines and down right being spoiled that the melt downs became overwhelming.  We ended up spending the next hour talking about how love and being a family is very important and the need to treat each other kindly and not be selfish and not demand and, and, and….which was draining. NOT SO SWEET!

In the end though the kids took their nice warm baths.  Finished the movie, and even showed Todd and I their little dance they made up together. 

So, not the way we hoped the night would go…a least not bitter…just…SEMI-SWEET!

 

MATTER OF IMPORTANCE

 

Lately, Alyssa has been on the mission of reminding everyone to remember what matters most…hmmm, wonder what she’s learning in kindergarten this month.

LESSON ONE=   LOOKING AT TODD & I (As she SOBS of thirst)  ALYSSA SAYS:

“What do you think is more important, finishing your conversation, or dying?”  Cuz, if you don’t get me a drink, then I will die.  People die of thirst you know.”   still sobbing.

LESSON TWO=  LOOKING AT ME WHILE THE FAMILY IS FOLDING THEIR ARMS WAITING ALYSSA SAYS: 

“Mom.  What’s more important?  Cutting your meat, or saying the blessing?  It’s saying the blessing.  Cuz it’s important to talk to Jesus”

SUPERBOWL 45

We had a great time last Sunday celebrating the PACKERS victory!  Carson and Angie’s family have been hardcore devotee’s of Greenbay for the past 7 plus years now.  McCade’s 13 yr old life revolves around watching early morning sports center before school everyday.

It was fun to be part of such an exciting memory.  The game truly did not disappoint.  The last half was quite the nail bitter.  Victory was sweet!

They promised Tyson that if his beloved team ever see’s the likings of the Superbowl game again, they will come and root for them with us.  PATRIOT gear and all!  

 

TRUTH & TRUST

“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters

cannot be trusted with important matters.”

~ Albert Einstein

 

GIRLS TRIP

 

My funds were running low…I almost didn’t go…

But these ladies to me….are more than family… 

So… I just HAD to be part of the fun!!!

The “two Angies” and my stepmom, Jami and I headed out of town for the weekend.  We had a really great time.  We missed Sarah and Ashlee, who couldn’t make it work with their schedules.  But we loved having Angie D’s sister come join us for part of the time.

We kept it pretty low key and enjoyed some nice downtime with plenty of time for people watching  along with long yummy dinners filled with chit chat and laughter. 

I truly must say I love having women by my side who can engage in small talk and shopping mixed with conversations that also challenge our thinking, or allow for having different opinions and views weather it be regarding education, politics, religion or what not and yet who can respect and celebration those different points of view in all of us.

Thanks for a great weekend ladies!  I love you all.

 

Raise The Steak on Perfection

BALL’N

Tyson’s current sports therapy - - -

Basketball and shorty pants don’t seem to be the best combo at the moment! 

It’s definitely a stretch - - -

It’s a good change (from his football team) for him to recognize losing is also part of the game.

 

IN LIFE

It's not how bad you want something
It's how far you're willing to go to get it.

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MIAMI

Todd had a work conference in Miami back in December. 

He and his boss had a bit of time to kill one afternoon so they took a tour of the Everglades. 

He thought it was pretty cool to see these Alligators and hold a baby one. 

 

APPLEBEES WATER

A few weeks ago our family took a stroll for dinner to Applebees.

Alyssa looooved their…water.  Nice, cold water with lots of ice.  And of course a straw.  Yummy!  She even asked for seconds.  :0)

“Sure wish we had this kind of water at our house mom.”

“We do, Alyssa.  It’s just the same.”

“No, it’s not.  It’s not as good.”

“Oh, ok.  Well then, when we get home I’ll call and have the city route the same Applebees water through our pipes.”

Later that night…

“Alyssa, come try our water, it tastes JUST LIKE Applebees!” 

“Get me a straw mom.  mmmm…it does.  this is so good.  Thanks!”