Blast from the Past

I received a wonderful surprise from a great friend of mine, Danielle, the other day. She sent me a Valentine card with a note of love and some plans to get together soon, and at the end of the note she wrote: "Look what I found!"

Danielle and her hubby, Rod, are living in Beuna Vista, VA, where he is the President of Southern Virginia University. But, once upon a time, they were raising their eight children while we were raising our six, and we were both living in Dublin, Ohio, right outside of Columbus. It was a grand time. And our Drew and Michelle and their Hyrum and Mary were the best of friends. It was super, and I truly love their family, which, by the way, consists now of 32 with their kids' spouses and the grandchildren. (which makes our 19 look like a quaint, tiny little family)
Danielle and I laughed and cried together, and always had time to shop for a bargain. We solved all kinds of world and family problems sitting in her big "van-bus" or roaming an auction, and I miss her like crazy.
I am looking forward to a fun time with her soon.

ANYWAY....back to these pics. She slipped these into the Valentine card, and what smiles they brought to my face. These were taken the day Drew gave his farewell talk before leaving on a two-year mission. This would be in 1996.

Above, Michelle and Drew~~~ what a team. It was tough for both of them to say goodbye for two years. Drew is 19 and Michelle is 18 in this picture.

We loved our little boy so much~~~ and even though it was tough to send him off, we were so happy for him. (Check out Kelly's glasses - maybe we should get those out again!)

Father - Mother - Son - and lots of love

The love continues......Drew is "tolerating" this love fest very well, don't you think???
Michelle and her friend, Mary, kissing their buddy Drew. (I love his face in this)

More Surprise Pictures

The "ties" that bind.
(ok...so that is really corny.But it's been a long day and now it's late, I'm in a goofy mood, and I'm stupid. Take whichever excuse makes more sense.)

I love that she sent this one, too!! This was taken at Danielle's house ~ Michelle and Drew just hanging out. 16 and 15. LOVE IT!!!

And, I think this one is timeless. Could be in any era.
Elder Drew Hebdon
..... my little boy.

Is it just ME??

Is it just me, or are other people's grandkids just not quite as cute (or smart, or talented or amazing) as mine?

I am missing my treasures tonight... (by age order)...

Kimberlee Diane,
Allison Rose,
Tobin Kelly,
Noah Emerson,
Tate Steven,
Griffin James
and
David Andrew

(you all are my FAVORITE!!)

Time's A-Wastin'!!

Thanks to Jess and Ammon for this great idea! Don't know what I will make, but I am already coming up with some crazy ideas!!!!

The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!Let the games begin!!

morning gifts

Tuesday morning we woke to a beautiful fresh blanket of snow....clinging to each and every tree limb and fencepost around. There was a sparkle to every day things, thanks to the snow and sunlight. I drove slowly to work, marveling in the wonder of it all. Peaceful, quiet and lovely beyond words.
Above is a picture of our dogwood tree off the back deck. Delightful in any season.

His masterpiece of white.

Above, my buddy Sloopy stands ready to say goodbye to me as I leave for work that morning. Such a fun, sweet dog. Oh..and my car is getting warmed up....nice and toasty.
(I miss our dog, Shammie, so much when it snows. She acted like it was a big gift...just for her...and even as an old dog, became a puppy in the snow.)

Meg doesn't even know anyone is watching as she leaves for work. She is even more beautiful than the snow.

Oh...the Cars

This a close-up of the Pinewood Derby cars in the story below.
OSU Buckeyes and Spiderman.
That's my boy.

Pinewood Derby Revisited

Last Friday night was the Annual Chili-Cookoff at Church. This brings a lot of people together, just enjoying each other, eating chili, and voting for the very yummiest. This is also the time of year for the Cub Scout's Pinewood Derby. Our ward's Cub Scout troop consists of two boys...which doesn't amount to much of a race, especially for a number of various prizes. So....it was decided to combine the two events. An added plus....anyone who was coming to the Chili Cookoff was invited to dust off a Pinewood Derby car and bring it along for the fun.

I made a pot of chili the night before, and let it cook in the crock pot most the day on Friday. I got home from work Friday a little late, hurried and changed, Kelly grabbed my "winning" pot of chili, and we hopped in the car. Zach (Josh' best friend, and my "adopted" son) was over and was spending the night, so he came with us. I mentioned to them as we were pulling out of the driveway about being able to bring cars, and that we should have thought of that. Well, within two minutes they had run inside, grabbed a couple of Josh' old Pinewood Derby cars and were back in the car.

We got to church and found that most had already eaten their first round of chili. :(
I put mine on the table anyway. #17. Megan and her friend Andrew showed up, too. I was really glad they came. People sampled the various chili dishes and then voted for their favorite. Josh and Zach voted for #22 numerous times. (by the way, there was no #22...they are just weird) And yes, they each voted for #17, too. And...guess what?????? My "winning" chili did not win. It didn't come in second or third either. Oh well.

The Derby was about ready to begin. Josh and Zach were working at the prep table, adding some graphite..and making sure the old wheels would turn around. (see picture above)
I enjoyed watching my 15-year old, doing the things he did as an 8 year old. And...with his old Scoutmaster, Seth Stratford, by his side. Zach was having fun, too. Josh had his silver and scarlet OSU Buckeye car, and Zach was using Josh' very unique Spiderman car.

I am so glad Zach and Josh are buddies. They are simply fun together. They make me laugh. Both totally crazy, by the way. They seem to love the same things. Especially music. I love Zach's mom, Michelle, too, which is a big bonus. Some friendships seem to just click. And these guys definitely do. So..I usually claim another son...my "son" Zach.

They raced against other cars, eliminated some, and kept racing. Finally it was down to Josh' OSU car and one other. The fastest car of the evening???? It was Will Halling's....who was so excited. But Josh was pleased. He came in second place overall for speed and also won "Best Paint Job".

After we moved here from Ohio, Josh got to know Josh Stratford. "Little" Josh really loved being around Josh, started calling him "Big Josh". So..."Big Josh" and "Little Josh" were buds. Especially swimming buddies in "Little Josh's" backyard swimming pool.
Now "Big Josh" is even bigger, and "Little Josh" isn't so little anymore. I thought how cool that they had a Pinewood Derby together. This is the only way it could have happened. Here they are with their cars and their "trophies".
Winners......"Little Josh" and "Big Josh"

Oh...and by the way, I still have some chili. Come on by and share some "Loser Chili #17".