Valentine's Day at home

Valentine's Day at our house was great this year. The kids didn't have school (parent-teacher conferences) and even though I had to work- we made the late afternoon/evening enjoyable. I got cards from John and the girls (and his folks). John's card made me cry- (he doesn't know that though- he was upstairs when I read it.) Sometimes the little one liners he puts in cards just get to me. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a great husband. Anyway- he did such a nice thing for me- I've been without a watch for several months now- and he went and got batteries for a few of my twenty or so watches that I have collected over the years. It was something I kept meaning to do, but never got around to doing. So, he did it for me. He knows me well. He knows I would not have wanted roses (they die), or chocolate (trying to be good). He usually does great with the card (like this year). Yeah, he's a keeper all right. The girls gave me great cards too. I got some handmade gifts from them too. I love those- they're the best!

"Old" friends and good times

I went to a suprise 40th birthday party for a dear friend of mine, who I've known for many many years now. It was so great to see her and her family. We even got to do a webcam session with her son Alex, who is in the Army down in Texas right now. In about a month, he will be deployed to Iraq. I think about him all the time and pray for him every day. There is just nothing better than time catching up with good friends you don't see very often. Sure, they are always there if you need them, but when life just keeps going on, time gets away from you.

Valentine's Day dance at school

The girls had their Valentine's Day dance at school this past Thursday night. They both looked so cute (and grown up) in their dresses. Here are a few pics of them clowning around and getting ready before the dance. Of course, when the dance was over, I asked them if they danced with any boys. Kierstin said yes, that she danced with a boy named Steve (I think). I asked her who he was- she said - Mom, all the girls dance with Steve. Laura said she didn't dance with any guys- but had fun with all her girlfriends that were there. That's all that matters to me, that they had a good time...

Here are the shoes they wore (not the ones we had picked out originally, mind you, but the ones they ended up wearing to the dance. I was totally okay with this because she said they just kick their shoes off when they walk in the door anyway...

and the band played on...

Laura had a band concert at the high school tonight. It was the 6-9 grades at 2 elementary schools and 2 junior highs. It was a good concert. She was playing the flute tonight. She also plays the piccolo (sp?) and my sister Joanie's old saxophone. Here are some pics of her- I was too busy camcording and didn't get any video on the digital camera.