Paulinawesballet2010.MPG

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Paulinawestap2010

Paulina's solo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WxEKdtrc3w

Today is a special day in our family.

17 years ago today, after a long labor, I gave birth to my first Child. Shiloh has been a joy (mostly, LOL, Love you kid) ever since.
16 years ago today we celebrated Shiloh's birthday and he wore a sweater over his t-shirt. When my sister in law unzipped the sweatshirt, he was wearing a shirt that said "Big Brother". This was our way of announcing Wesley, who would be born some seven months later to be an incredible blessing to our family.
10 Years ago today, I missed Shiloh's seventh birthday, because I was in Vladimir Russia. That day I met the most amazing nine month old little girl and chose her to become my daughter. What a wonderful decision that turned out to be!
Also on that day, un beknownst to me at the time, not too far from Russia in the town of Lodz Poland a little boy was being born who would change my life when he became our youngest son. What an amazing little guy he is.

So today I thank God for my children.
Happy 17th Birthday Shiloh, where has the time gone? You are almost a man and I am so proud of the person you have become.
Happy Anniversary Paulina, I am so glad I met you and took you home. There is nothing like having a daughter.
Happy 10th birthday my Marvolous Marceli. You are an amazing person. I am so very proud of you and I am so very Glad God allowed me to be your mother. I love you very much.

Thank you God for giving me my wonderful children.

Prom

Prom was last night and since we can't find our good camera, my brother in law MJ was good enough to step in and take some pictures.

Park 2

Here are a few more pics from the park.

Day at the park

Today was such a lovely day that I decided to surprise the kids with an after school trip to the park.

Sad houses

I saw this house today while running errends. I call houses like this sad houses. My husband laughs at me. This particular sad house, has obviuosly seen better days. Any hint of paint it had s long gone. The wood gray with age and weather. It once had a big wrap around porch, but now it's collapsed. In fact one whole corner of the house has collapsed and it's only a matter of time before the rest comes down too. The roof has holes so I am sure the weather has damaged the inside too.

The thing is when I look at that house, I don't see the weatherbeaten, collapsing house that sits in that spot now. I see it as it once was.

You see, my imagination is active. It provides me with pictures and sometimes even little videos in my head. (Yes, this probably means I am crazy!)
In front of this house, I saw a couple standing with thier arms around each other looking at the house when it was brand new, pride and excitement beaming in thier faces.
I see the man painting the house and making repairs and the woman sweeping the porch and keeping the house clean.

Then I saw a family gathering, the porch filled with people sitting and drinking lemonade while children chased each other around the house.

I saw the front door bang open and a young boy come running out, fishing pole in hand. The boy in such a hurry that his feet never even touched the steps, he just flew over them on his way to seek adventure.

I saw an old pick up truck pull up, and a young man in an army uniform climb out of the back, carrying a duffle bag. He gives a wave to the old man in the truck and begins to walk towards the house. Once again I see the door bang open and a figure come flying off the porch, but this time it's a middle age woman. Only the dishtowel dropped un-noticed from her hands touches the steps as she runs to her son and wraps him in her arms.

I wonder things about this house. Surely it was once some families pride and joy. Where are they? Who were they? Somewhere I imagine is a woman who learned to bake cookies at her grandmothers side in that house. Does she know it's falling down? Does she care?

I think about my own house. I love my house. We have put a new roof on it and recently put new siding on it. However, someday it will still probably fall apart. Will my children care? It occured to me that the house is temporary. It's not going to last. That woman may not know or care what has happened to her grandmothers house, but that's because the house was not what was important. I am sure she does remember the smell of cookies, the feel of her grandmothers arms around her, the love she felt. I imagine that the love she got from her grandmother in that house, she passed on to her own children and grandchildren and they will pass it on to thiers. I beleive that she will see her grandmother again one day. She won't be living in that wood house though, but a mansion. I doubt she will remember or care about the house her grandmother spent polishing the floors. All that time spent dusting seems a waste now that house is turning to dust. However, those minutes spent rocking a child, loving on a child. . . those are still paying dividends.
I pray that someday when this house of mine is dust, the legacy I leave behind is more than just a falling down house that was once beautiful, but a love that was beautiful. The people who come in this house, family and guests alike are much more important than the house itself. If they are not then this house is no better than the house I saw today. I wish the pictures were better, they were taking from my car with my phone. One day I will have to find my way back there to take a better picture for you guys.
Lorraine

Catching up

OK so a friend e-mailed me and pointed out that my blog is seriously out of date.
So first off, Shiloh on his first day driving got a ticket. He lost his truck for a few days and has been very careful ever since.
Summer was good, the little ones went to Lions camp and Out on a Limb camp at Peaceable Kingdom. Bob and the boys and a few of thier friends took a short trip to have some guy fun.
Fall was all about band. Shiloh was drum major. Our band came in first at area and region and went all the way to State where we came in second. It was exciting and we were very proud of them for all thier hard work. Wesley played bass Clarinet.
Christmas was quiet and nice. Now we are back in spring. Paulina started pointe with special legs, so hopefully soon we will have videos of that. Marceli is doing very well. Anyway, that's our update!
Oh wait, Angie and her girls moved back to Clifton and Angie is engaged to a very nice man.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxUKUETKjMw
Our band