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Derek and I made a decision a long time ago not to watch tv in Sundays. We sure don't criticize those who do because believe me we sure have wanted to many times. Just a personal choice that has worked for us. But last night was Super Bowl Sunday…and instead of watching, Derek and I put the kids to bed and worked on trek (I think Jacob wore his new Austin Collie jersey to bed, poor kid!).

Derek made me pinky swear that I wouldn't tell him who won (I saw it on the Internet). I didn't tell the boys for fear they would snitch. So hear we are on Monday morning at 8:05 a.m. watching the Colts and the Saints go at it. I had to cue it up for Derek so there would be no chance of him hearing the outcome on live tv. He's serious about this!

Tiffany and Callie hosted a delicious and beautiful "Mid-Winter's Eve" in January.  It was quite a feast (yummy!) and so exquisitely decorated with silver and sparkle and even candle holders made of ice!

Vanilla Bean Frappacino
Chestnut Ravioli with Sage
Asparagus and Prosciutto Crostini with Fonduta
Balsamic Onion & Goat Cheese Tartlet
Pear Salad with Raspberry Creme
Scarlet Carrot Soup (so pretty – red because of a little bit of beets)
Spiced Orange and Honey Sorbet
Roasted Winter Vegetables with Maple Glaze & Marcona Almonds
Virginia Ham Stuffed Beef Tenderloin
Panna Cotta with Berries (wow!)
Spiced Hot Chocolate

Well done, girls!!  I loved it!

Me and Caleb are making our after dinner Sabbath-day treat. “pretzel hugs” They have to cool for a few hours, which will be perfect timing for after our taco salad dinner.

Had uplifting meetings today at church. Am looking forward to a very busy, but productive week.

We’re here for the boys to take their music state theory tests. This is Caleb’s first time and Jacob’s fourth (I think). They’ve worked hard this year to get ready, especially Caleb who took a little while to ‘get it’. He got it though!! Hope they do well.

Keeping Samuel entertained for the next 2 hours will be interesting!

Derek’s out at the trek trail – this is his 3rd Saturday in a row out there. I’m thrilled with how well he’s going to know the trail.

B’day party and baby shower later.

It’s our first time here and I think I’m in love. At least now I know where the local Seniors hang out, so I can come hang out with my all-time favorite crowd. Fried catfish and a Seniors menu, my kind of place.

I cannot tell a lie – I am no longer at Olive Garden! I just left. Had lunch with my peeps! Talked about a myriad of things – solved only a few of the world’s problems, but whose counting. I’m always sad when these lunches are over.

Raced home to try to beat the boys home from school (which I did but just barely).

Me and Sam attended a neighborhood playgroup this morning and had a delightful time – lots of moms and kids his age. He was so happy – maybe I should try to make playgroup a more regular occurrence (the last one we attended was the Halloween party- yikes!).

And now the sun has made an appearance. Hello sun – good to see you back!! I think he was hibernating!

What fun we had planning sweet Shelley's surprise 40th b'day party this week!  Scott gave us the idea and the go ahead and Dana and I went to town dividing things up and making it happen.  Dana made these wonderful scrapbook boards with pics from Shelley's life – they were beautiful (as always) and fun to look at.  And she ordered yummy food from Maggiano's.  I sewed a celebration banner with fabrics that reminded me of Shelley (I've always wanted to make these for a party and this was the perfect excuse).  And made some cupcakes (chocolate ganache) and sugar cookies for dessert.  Marilyn Lloyd brought yummy syrups for mocktails that added such a fun touch (syrup+ice+club soda+whipped cream if desired+a straw = yumminess!).

The best part – Shelley was genuinely surprised!  And it was so fun meeting some of her friends from "that" side of town plus her charismatic and delightful neighbors. 

This friend of ours is so caring and good to the core.  She is thoughtful and conscientous.  She is deliberate and thorough.  She is creative.  She is organized.  She is wonderful with children!  She is magical behind the camera!  She is a true and wonderful friend, and I'm so glad our paths crossed thanks to Dana and Matt.  Our lives wouldn't be the same without her.  She makes us reach higher and try harder.  And I love her.

Happy Birthday, Shel!

The dining room table has turned into a conference table today. I'm about to start my fourth meeting here. Two with pool companies going over bids, two with PTA ladies hashing out the budget, bylaws, and standing rules. Very productive, I must say.

But in the meantime, Maggie peed on a rug, so I put her outside in the rain. Now she's muddy and soaked. And two little girls came with their mom for the PTA stuff and before I could even blink they had the playdough out and smushed in the carpet, all the puzzles dumped out, and they were stepping on the plastic play food. It's a good thing they're cute and I love children!!

Gotta go – my 4:00 is here!

Samuel is here. He climbed out if his own bed half a dozen times tonight and wandered the house hiding from us. Each time we would find him and take him straight back to bed. Finally we put him in our bed with the command “go to sleep”. It worked that time. That was at 10 pm. Sleeping babies help you forget all the woes of the day.

Derek is running on the treadmill upstairs. “How does he do that so late at night?” you might ask. I have no idea!

I just heard Scotty walk thru the front door. Scotty is our house guest who works in Dallas but lives in Idaho. He and Derek went to MBA school together.

Time for me to read and retire.

Samuel and I are having ham and cheese quesadillas. We just got back from Kindermusik class with Ms. Jeanie. We’ve gone to her for music classes for 6 years -all 3 boys…she’s one of a kind and we love her.

Off to make RS visits in an hour with Kim…it’s probably my favorite part of the new calling – getting to know the ladies better and visiting with them in their homes.

Shelley’s surprise party was a hit – more on that later!