Graduation

Well, she did it. It's official. Elora graduated from high school.

She looks pretty happy about it!

And she should be happy - because she worked really hard.

And was very involved. And had lots of friends. And was kind to everyone.

And was very genuine and caring.

Her teachers tell her she was their favorite student. Her classmates tell her she is the best person they know.

Her family is blessed beyond measure because they have an angel living with them.

Elora wants to be a surgeon. I will be there for you all the way.

Dream big, Elora. We love you!

But there's more.

Guess who else was there?!

Recognize him?

How cool is that?!

Glorious food

About a month ago, I joined weight watchers. I saw immediate success the first 2 weeks. Then moderate success last week. Fat likes to cling to my body and hang on for dear life - so I was pleased that I had lost 5.8 pounds in three weeks.

My weekly weigh-in (wow, it sounds like I'm a pig that has been entered into a fair) is today. Because of the hibernation that I blogged about yesterday, I have serious concerns about seeing any weight loss. I've been stressed!

I'm sure I'm the only person that does this - but I stress eat. I'm certain this doesn't happen to any of you...does it?

When I'm stressed - I eat. When I have a deadline - I eat. When I'm feeling a happy type of stress - I eat.

When life is good and happy and no stress is in the forecast - when my pulse barely registers a blip - I am able to stick to the plan and monitor every morsel that enters my mouth.

Why?!

Is it because when I'm stressed I have only one thought on my mind - the stress itself? Or is it that I feel deserving of a yummy treat because I'm being tortured by some kind of anxiety?

I don't exactly know - but I think I'll pay more attention to it this week. Because, inevitably, stress will rear its ugly head and I will try to stuff it back down with pizza and twinkies.

This will be my goal this week - to monitor myself and my binging tendencies - and find out why I allow the unhealthy, calorie-saturated foods into my body.

A beautiful thing!

CHECK OUT MY HUSBAND'S MAD FENCE BUILDING SKILLS!

As if he wasn't amazing before - he goes and does something like this!

Jodi = Happy camper!

Darren update

Darren has made it to Russia and is in a little town named Marks. He sent us a nice long letter last week to tell us he made it safely.

This week, his letter contained only 6 words ("Ok, here goes...Me and Marks) followed by two photos. He never was particularly wordy.



Egads. Looks humid.

I thought I taught him how to clean mirrors.



















Marks, Russia












One little old man saw Darren and his companion and said. "Look at these huge American spies. Give 5 of them weapons and they'll take over the whole town of Marks."

Comforting.

Coming up for air

Wow. I've been busy with a project that has sapped me emotionally and mentally and has taken me away from my blogging duties.







My bad. Forgive me for being a flake.

But, I think I now understand how the prairie dog feels.

The prairie dog burrows into underground tunnels and hybernates for a season (in my case, a little over a week). They stick their head out and realize that the world has successfully gone on without them while they were otherwise occupied.

<-----This is me today, dazed look, chubby cheeks and all.








After I peeked my head out of my own little burrow today, I have learned that the world has indeed gone on without me.

For instance, my kids have been wearing clothes because I now have a pile of the dirty things in my laundry room. I was hoping they would have magically morphed into clean little stacks in their dressers. Alas, they did not.

They have also been eating - probably I have been too - because my cupboards are bare. I suppose a trip to my beloved Harmons is in order.

But the most vicious and horrendous piece of information I have encountered upon exiting my tunnel is that Elora graduates on Friday.

That was not a typo.

What?! How did THAT happen?! She's supposed to stay young forever - not go and grow up on me.

Then, another assault.

Larissa will be spending the month of June at her mom's in Idaho. Connor will be traipsing around Europe with his dad in July. Elora will be going on a senior trip and then getting a job for the Summer before she starts school in the Fall.

Oh, the injustice of it all. I remember when they were younger I couldn't wait for a break. Older kids are so much fun. It will be a lonely house indeed.

But, 'tis life I suppose. Sigh.

Did I mention that Elora graduates on Friday?

Pfft.

Let's do this!

Oh, I sooooo want to do this!



Who's in?!

=)

Shoot 'em up!

My husband had a birthday last Friday and turned old.

My husband likes guns.

Guess where he wanted to go to celebrate his birthday?







Yes. The shooting range.







WHY ME?!

Ahem.




We took the whole family.











And realized that Elora has her dad's genes and likes to shoot, too.











Even gramps went.








But really, as much fun as we all had - the most important aspect of this event is that Todd had a birthday - which means that I get to brag about my cute husband.

There are so many things I could say about my incredible Todd - it would take pages and pages of this blog.

I won't bore you with extended sappiness and will just say that he is absolutely amazing. He works hard for his family and is completely devoted to us. He is patient and caring and funny and intelligent and EVERYONE adores him. He can also fix anything and saves us a boatload of money because we don't have to hire a contractor.

And even though he likes guns - he would NEVER hurt a furry critter with one.

After 10 years of marriage - he still brings a smile to my face when he comes home. I am the luckiest woman in the world.

Happy Birthday!