Christmas Decorations

I finally took some pictures of the Christmas decorations - they came out pretty dark, but you get the idea. I need to add a couple from the back of the house for you to get a true picture of our Griswald achievement. The last picture is one of our bedroom, which again is pretty dark, but gives you somewhat of an idea how it turned out at least. Madeline is totally into the outside lights, she was disappointed that I didn't put them on the roof! Maybe next year.....

Great Holiday Week-end

It's Monday again - joy, joy :-) My camera battery picked this week-end to die, and we were very busy, so there are no photos to commemorate the week-end. We had a great time with the Hites though, having Thanksgiving lunch at Johnny's with the immediate family - as usual we had great food and fun conversation. Then we visited the Greenwell family at R.K. and Ester Greenwell's old house for the last time, as it has been sold. Finally we polished off the day with more great food with the Ashers. How wonderful it is for me to not have to go to a different city to see both sets of parents!

Friday I got a lot of Christmas shopping done with my sister. I love shopping the day after Thanksgiving! Everyone is so excited, people are not just wandering around the aisles!

My room is finally finished, we got the house put back together this week-end, and it looks great! It was worth all of that whining.

The remainder of the week-end was holiday decorating. I went Griswald crazy! Photos of this will follow, along with pics of my room, as soon as I get a chance.

Now, Monday - I'm lovin that! (Yeah, right :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I was thinking of what I was most thankful for this Thanksgiving, and I must say that what I am most thankful for is Peace - I know there isn't peace in the world, but I have had peace in my life this past year, which I think is the greatest thing! Next, I am thankful for my great family. I thought of each of them, and of the quality in each that I am most thankful for, and this is what I came up with!

Steven - his steadfastness in all things - Steven is unwavering!
Madeline - her unconditional love
Dad - his strength in life
Mom - her wonderful example
Rebecca - her understanding and compassion
Mark - his loyalty
Johnny - his honesty at all times
Jeanine - her happiness
John - his positive attitude
Melissa - her patience with people and situations
John Robert - his big man attitude
Carlee - her baby smiles
Bridget - her Friendship
Neal - his reliability
Sean - his creativity
Nicole - her love for Madeline
Grandma Asher - her kindness
Mammaw Baker - her faith

This is not all of the things I love about each of these people - those things wouldn't fit on this post!

Thank you all for your love! Now, go forth and stuff yourselves!

I am looking forward to today. Finally finished with my part of the wallpaper adventure, now paint will go on this week. Bathroom was painted yesterday. The first coat is really bright! Brighter than I thought it would be, but I think I'll like it. We missed Happy Feet yesterday, and are going to try again today. The song for the day is one that is played at the end of my exercise class - after such a hard class I absolutely love this song, and love it even more after watching the video. Hope you enjoy it too.

Happy Feet

After we finish working on the bedroom walls today, Madeline and I are going to watch the movie Happy Feet! We've been looking forward to it for a long time, because Madeline always loves penguins at the Aquarium...

Click below to watch a live penguin cam from the Maryland Zoo

http://penguincam.wb.com/current.jpg

For Joyce, with Love

If you'd like to listen, scroll to the bottom of the page and turn off the song for the day.....

Castle Building Fun

Madeline and I have been building a beautiful Castle which Madeline named Beautiful Queen Castle, we had tons of fun building it!

The Wallpaper is Off!!!

Thank Goodness the wallpaper is finally off, and we have selected a new paint color, so it should be finished this week :-) I know I'll be happy when it's done, but these projects sure can be a pain!

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all have served and are serving our country today, particularly Dad, Mark and our newest family Marine Neal.

My Dad

Just wanted to remind everyone to hug their Dad today, if you still can. We had a little scare with mine, (he's fine!) and it was a good reminder to appreciate the old Daddio. Love you Dad!

Johnny's Birthday Celebration

Tonight most of the Hites (minus Bridget's kids) got together to celebrate Johnny's 63rd Birthday. We ate the traditional white cake with caramel icing, and generally teased Johnny and had fun. You can't see it really well, but Johnny and Jeanine have an absolutely beautiful new kitchen with all of the bells and whistles. Carlee said the cutest "Thank You" to Jeanine that I think I have ever heard in my life. I am bummed that I didn't get a good picture of her - I am going to have to scan one to put on here. John Robert and Madeline had a big time, they've really gotten to know each other better going to school together. I think a good time was had by all.

Johnny, the Song of the Day is in honor of you!

By the way, yesterday was JJ's Birthday too - Happy Late Birthday JJ :-)

Here are some pictures from tonight

4 Layers!!!!

This is the look I had on my face this afternoon when I figured out that my bedroom walls have FOUR (yes, I said 4!) layers of wallpaper on them, which I will have to remove before painting! I realize I am whining... sorry!

My Sister's Journey to Claire

For those of you who don't know, my sister Rebecca is expecting a baby... from China :-) The Asher/Hite/Radicchi family is anxiously awaiting our new little one, lovingly named Claire. The process is amazingly long and confusing, so the next time you hear of someone going through the process, give them some love! The expenditure of time, money, energy, faith, and love is utterly amazing, and is no more or less wonderful than a pregnancy. We are thrilled that soon our little Princess will have a long awaited cousin on my side of the family.

Explaining all of the terms would take forever, so I'll just tell you that last week Mark and Rebecca received their Log In to China (LID), so now their official wait (as far as the Chinese government goes) has begun! Last week we celebrated the beginning of that journey, and there is a photo of that below. On the bottom of this blog there is now a counter to show you how long we have been waiting!

Mark and Rebecca, our prayers are with you, your little girl and her Chinese family, and I could not possibly be prouder of the people you have become!

Halloween 2006

Madeline had a ton of fun this Halloween! Five is a great Halloween year, she loved the costumes, candy and excitement. I went to her school for her Halloween Party, and she loved showing off Mama to her class. What cuties! Here are some pictures so you can share the fun :-)