How In The World Did I Get To This Point?

39...I can't believe that today I turned 39. The last year of my thirties. One year away from my forties. Forties?!!! People who are in their forties are old. Or so says the person who was far, far away from their forties. Now...not so much. I don't feel like I'm middle-aged. Is that what one is when they are almost 40? Can't be. Don't middle-aged people fall asleep watching the 10:00 o'clock news because they can't stay up till the 11:00 o'clock news?
I still remember lots of things about growing up, about high school, about college, about my first job etc. On the inside I really don't feel like I'm almost 40. Those times really weren't that long ago, right?
What's caused all this inward reflection? And no, I don't think middle-aged people do a lot of inward reflecting. It's Facebook. Today I got lots of Happy Birthday wishes from people that represented lots of different memories from my life. Gave me lots of smiles as I remembered how I knew them.
There were the boys that were me and my sisters first pals in the neighborhood and who I went to preschool with. The girl I went to high school with. The dear friends I worked STC on Word of Life Island for the summer with (and Schwendy and Gregorio...can you believe that was 23 years ago) the summer of my sophmore year in high school. The friends I met when we all went to the Word of Life Bible Institute after high school. The friends from my years at Cedarville University. The friends from my first job once I moved here to PA after college. The friend who taught 6th grade with me at Calvary. All the friends from our church. And of course my family who brought to mind so many good memories that are too much to list here.
Yes...I'm now 39 but that's 39 years of good memories that God has blessed me with. He has truly directed my path through the years and has placed special people in my life. Here's to 39 more years! And now that it's close to 10:00 o'clock I need to settle in and see what news there is because I don't think I'm going to stay awake for another hour.

Some of Our Own March Madness

For the second year in a row, our friend, Gregg, invited us to put together our brackets and enter the tournament frenzy. I know what you're thinking...what the heck does Sandra know about college basketball? You're right...never follow it and in fact, take pride in that I've never watched a basketball game from the start, straight through to completion whether college, high school, pro or whatever. But there's something about a tournament where it's all or nothing that draws me. Well...let's be serious, the last 2 minutes or so of the game, draws me to watch. I put some serious thought into my bracket suggestions (hmm...North Carolina State...they're from North Carolina, aren't they supposed to be good at basketball? Sure, why not?) and made my picks. I had Syracuse going all the way so my bracket busted awhile back....but I managed to place 7th overall in our group of 17. Not bad, right? (My ability at making picks simply astounds Phil...just ask me how well my fantasy football teams have done in the last two years as well.) We had some madness of our own on the driveway since Phil got a portable hoop back at Christmas and the weather has been so nice. Let's just hope that Josie inherits some of her Dad's athletic ability and not her Mom's...

Happy Birthday, Grandma!!!

Dear Grandma,

I wore this shirt especially for you. Happy Birthday, Grandma!! I miss you and can't wait to see you.

Love, Josie

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I've become one of those. One of those people who have months and months between their blog posts. Swore it would never happen, but along came Josie and my best-laid plans for the day get thrown out the window. I'm not into New Year's Resolutions, but I do resolute to blog more in the new year. That and the fact that I can't seem to upload pictures to Facebook at the moment and my parents want to see pictures of Josie on Christmas. So...mom and dad, and whoever else would like to see how we celebrated Christmas this year...here you go!

Christmas morning with Josie's big gift. She loves this little kitchen!

We seemed to love ripping the wrapping paper more than seeing what was in the wrapping paper.

Opening gifts from her stocking.

Always has to have a phone in her hand. And we love to try and grab Mommy and Daddy's cell phone if we can get our little hands on it.

With the gift that Josie gave Daddy since they read together every night before bed. And what did Josie give me for Christmas? Since watching the lottery drawing every night at 7:00 pm is the highlight of the day (because of all the bouncing balls) Josie got me some lottery tickets. And yes, I ended up winning $8.00 and a free lottery ticket.

Later in the day we traveled to Grandmom and Grandpop's house where we loved playing with Grandpop's train.

All in all, a great Christmas! Don't let the face fool you...great even when it was clothes in the box instead of toys.

The Royal Wedding

Was that a wedding or was that a wedding? Did I get up at 4:00 am, you ask? Oh, please, no....in the age of DVR who in their right mind? My friend Kristi invited me to a "Watch the Royal Wedding at a Decent Hour of the Day" party at 10:30 am today.

Honestly...I haven't been this excited for a while now. Cheesy? Maybe...but seriously, it was so hard not to turn on the tv or get on the internet. I had previously promised not to watch any of it till we were all there together. It was a little like Christmas morning...you can hardly stand it to wait, but there's a little peevish part of you that looks out the window at all the other houses that have already had their celebration and you still have yours to look forward to. Oh, is that just me, then?

Anyhoo...the party was grand. Upon entering the house, we each got a tiara to wear. Our plates were loaded up with little sandwiches, fruit, cheese & crackers, and coffee cake. Juice drunk from goblets...it was like a Girl's Superbowl.

Back and forth chatter about all the hats as people filtered into the church (and just why didn't the wearing of hats catch on in the states?!!), watching all the cars dropping the VIPs at the church, the collective sigh/squeal when we saw the dress, the ceremony, the horse-drawn carriage ride back to the palace, the kiss on the balcony. Just wouldn't have been the same if the men were in the room. This kind of thing needs to be seen with your best girl friends!!

Josie's first royal wedding. I have lots of fun memories watching Diana and Fergie's weddings with my mom and sister. Now I'm watching them with my daughter...life is good. And of course, what post wouldn't be complete without a picture or two of our little "Princess".

Grandpa, Grandma, and Me

Grandma and Grandpa,

Thanks for coming to see me at Easter! I had so much fun. I miss you already! So does Sox. :)

xoxo

Love, Josie

A Letter to Grandpa

Dear Grandpa, I'm so excited that you and Grandma are coming here next week to spend Easter with me. Look...I'm wearing the shirt that Grandma gave me from you. It goes well with the dumptruck you sent me. :)

I've learned how to sit up now! Still need to be surrounded by cushions, but I like it.

I'm pointing to the work Mom has lined up for you to do when you come out. We know you like to stay busy when you're here.

Sox and I can't wait for you to come. We're both very excited!! See you next week.

Love, Josie