Titus

Well, it is his birthday. I have been thinking about this for days. I always do when a birthday is rolling around and especially one of my kids. I always think of all the things I wish I could do for them. It's just that now it is a bit more difficult- with all the distances between us all.

Being a new mom is never an easy profession to embark upon but honestly, after having 2 beautiful girls in Sweden and being on the move most of those years, most of the time Iwas wondering just how to take care of kids. They had the upper hand (foot, leg, head etc) When the next pregnancy came along (Titus), I just couldn't figure out how I could ever take on one more. Tears flowed freely in those beginning days.
Titus was born in Rouen, France. It is one of my favorite cities of all time although it is one of the coldest. It has a claim to fame as it is where Joan of Ark finished her earthly mission and...... Titus began his! He was a chubby, strawberry blonde, curly -haired joy. He was quite colorful for the first week. He was so yellow that he spent quite a bit of time under special lamps to correct his problem. I kept trying to get him back and we gave the nurses a bit of the run-around.

Well, he was a wonderful baby and the Nadia and Maya finally grew out of their "crazy stages" . I began to love motherhood all the more. I always did enjoy motherhood but finally I was just able to stop running in circles and branch out. Actually, it just became a lot of fun- always hard work -but fun.
Well, after that little history lesson, I want to ad that there are so many good things about Titus that I would seem a bit corny if I tried to name them all and I am sure he would be embarassed. He would never gripe at me but he might entertain those thoughts in his heart. I will just keep it simple. He's everything. any mom could hope for in a son. He is a wonderful dad to Deren and Kaelyn and a great husband to Mia ( and I am very proud of him for those things). He is steadily dedicated to what the Lord calls him to and quite an example in that.

He's quite a commediene. I can't forget to mention how he keeps me laughing (and sometimes scratching my head) with his unique perspective on life. All in all, life wouldn't be the same with out him and I thank God every day for him.

Titus, if you have dared to read this and gotten this far, Happy Birthday.....and many more. 29 is good but after 30 is a lot of fun too.
I love you.....Mom

Tim's beautiful daughter

Here are some of my "new favorite people". I haven't had a chance to meet Arwen's other grandparents yet but I have talked to them by phone and they sure are great folks to know. I have been so thankful for them. Thanks Tim for bringing them into our lives! Arwen looks as if she is on the fast track to being tall. Beautiful girl! Since I am the shortest person in my family now (I hope Teresa doesn't read this), I can see that happening.

See any simialities?

Just had to ad a picture and just happened upon this photo of Sam. He's a Schipperche. Really he's half fox, part kitten and a tiny bit of dog. He has no tail and jumps around like a lizard.

It's been chilly here. I have always loved to slide on ice, Since there is a shortage in Houston, it isn't something I do ever but yesterday I came close. We were in a nearby city in the wee hours of the morning and the fields were white with frost. At least I enjoyed the thrill of slipping and slidding in my heart and watching the kids play in the ice.

We are heading out to Center, near Louisiana. It's just for a few days to meet some old friends and hopefully new ones too, do a bit of fishing (if our red worms that we collect in a bucket, survived the winter frosts and the fish feel like biting) and probably change a few diapers. Kyle and Sara just had #4 and need a helping hand.

Much love to everyone and keep on keeping on and enjoy every minute of every day!

South of the Border

We just got in 5am yesterday. Mexico is, as always, a beautiful place and we enjoyed our visit as well as having a chance to meet some interesting Mexican people that have a heart for helping their people. A little added inspiration for me was that there were flowers everywhere. We just had a big freeze in Houston and it took a toll on a lot of the greenery as well as my papaya and banana trees. It's amazing how flowers there seem to burst from the most unlikely nooks and crannies, cheering up the ambiance.

I had forgotten about the ever present speed bumps that are everywhere there and rattle the bones and any loose fillings. As it was, one of our objectives there was to see the dentist. That made driving around a bit more endurable. Driving there runs a close second to Napoli! In Napoli, people spend so much time looking and talking to each other while driving, as well as living in a constant Expresso state of mind, that I think the best idea is automatic autos that run themselves. Robomobiles. Not to mention, I think a lot of people keep one eye fixed on Mount Vesuvius. I know I did. The road ahead is not usually an object of interest to busy drivers.

Yesterday I was busy catching up on work at home when I got a call from my brother Mike. Somehow I felt he was in town and lo and behold he was here with 3000 of his Carpet One buddies. They conquered the Hilton, Doubletree and every restaurant in the locale of the Toyota Center.

They are a high powered bunch but we had a beautiful evening out with Mike and his daughter Angela. It's always so wonderful to spend time with family. Hint.....Hint.....

Happy New Year

Just a few pics for the kids. Tuff Stuff weighs in at 1.7 lbs at 2 months. He is my only little pup left at the moment and I can't let him go! He feels obligated to stay with his winning team here- the beannie bunch! He travels with me in shops and is quite a conversation piece and heart warmer- fits right in the pocket.