It was a Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for my family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving spending time together, just the four of us, and also spending time with our Simper family. I am so grateful my girls have cousins to play with and become close to. It is one of my fondest memories of my own childhood (and into adulthood) spending quality time with cousins. I'm glad my children have the same opportunity. When we told Bedelia it was Thanksgiving, the first word (with an exclamation-mark) was "COUSINS!"

The Pie Bakery

The Feast

The Fun!



Mmmm...

Who's who? This picture made me laugh. The three Simper men looked so funny all huddled next to the computer. Our nephew Zach is only 14 and is as tall as Dallan, looks like Dallan and has similar mannerisms as Dallan. There were moments I took a double take as to who was who.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hide-n-Seek

This was so cute to me, I just had to share. I found Lucy hiding with the kitty under her crib the other night. Now when I can't find my children, I can usually find one, two or three of them hiding under there. I don't think the kitty appreciates their discovery.

Beautiful Arizona Fall

I love fall in Arizona. It is the most pleasant weather anywhere on earth. The breeze is cool, the sun is warm, and it is just perfect for playing outside. I never thought I could love having a backyard as much as I do right now. We bought this house because of its great big backyard (well, one of the reasons) but it was completely unlandscaped, and even just a year ago it looked like this (that's Bedelia by the fence. She looks so tiny!) :
It was full of weeds and thorns and hard dirt, nothing kids could play in. Almost exactly a year ago I had a dream of what I wanted the backyard to become and I was yearning for someplace safe I could shoo the kids to where they could be kids and I could be me. So thanks to our family friends the Gallaghers, my parents and our friends the Dyes, we created this:


The shadowy place in the corner is where the kids can dig and make a mess... Dallan went outside after they were taking naps today and they are going to get a stern talking to about what places are appropriate for their dirt to go.
It has been a lot of fun (and hard work) to get our yard to the point it's at. And I still have more I want to do to it, LOTS more. But I am so extremely grateful we were able to do what we did last winter/spring so that the girls have had someplace they can go each day where I am not worried about their safety and they can enjoy the beautiful outdoors and a beautiful Arizona fall! (Not to mention all the cleaning and reed making I'm getting done while they happily play.)

A Day of Gratitude

Today I'm thankful, for many things really.

1. I'm thankful for every time I get into my car I don't even think about it, it starts and gets me where I need to go.

2. I'm also thankful for neighbors who keep battery chargers on hand and for people who are willing to jump start your car battery when you are stranded in a driveway or parking lot.

3. I'm thankful for city government jobs that take care of dirty work for us -- like animal control, when they come and pick up the 5 stranded chihuahuas that have invaded your street like an annoying and stupid gang, barking at all hours of the night, standing like deer in the headlights as cars slam on their brakes to spare their little lives, and causing your children to run up and down the street yelling "MICKEY! MICKEY!" at the top of their lungs (because that's what you call all small and annoying chihuahuas.)... I could go on, but I think I'll stop.

4. I'm thankful today because there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm thankful that I have a diligent husband who will hopefully soon be a diligent and and employed husband. (Not to mention he looks incredibly hot when he dresses up for interviews.)

5. I'm thankful that prayer works.

One Year of Blogging... Time for a Facelift!

It's funny how your mind remembers certain things. As I was cleaning up this evening I thought to myself, "you know, I think I started blogging last November." and sure enough my first blog post was November 2, 2007. So HAPPY BLOG-AVERSARY 'Lulu and Bedelia'! And by happy coincidence I discovered the beauty of "cutest blog on the block" today and redid my blog. Concider it an anniversay facelift. I have seen other blogs and wondered how they got them to look so dog-gone cute, so we'll try this look for a while.

I also learned about "photo widgets" today and added a little slideshow of photos. Now what I'd REALLY like to learn how to do on my blog is create my own things using photoshop. I know it is possible, and I actually got photoshop on my computer so I could learn to digital scrapbook with it. But so far what I can do with photoshop seems very primative. So if anyone knows of any great tutorials that can help me in my digital blogging and scrapbooking layouts I'd sure appreciate the input.

Blogging is such an interesting sociatal tool now days. It seems like everyone has a blog, and they are all so unique. I'm greatful for the ability to keep in touch with family and friends, I'm greatful for the moments of escape it provides to journal and gain strength from others journaling, and also for the fun you can have creating your own web space! I just wish I knew how to use it fully. I have to say, I married a computer genius but I am far from being one. *sigh*

Happy Halloween: The Big Kahuna

We decided to go Trick-or-Treating with cousins this year. We had so much fun. Lulu was really excited to have Max the puppy going with us Trick-or-Treating, so much so that the dog was far more interesting than the candy. Eventually we ended up slowing the big kids down, so we split up and went our own route. I was very pleased with my daughters. They were very polite, even Lulu would say, "treat?" and "yo'welcome" (that's how she expresses thanks now a days.) and they just loved it. There were a couple houses which let the girls pick out their own candy. Lulu thought this was a great idea, and she raided one guys bucket taking all the suckers she could grab. He laughed, we laughed, it was a good time. Coming home from the festivities I realized, Halloween is a holiday in which neighbors open their doors for others, give "gifts" and show true neighborly kindness. Just for that, I love Halloween... okay, that and the candy!