And this was Joey's choice... SO TRUE!!!

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are innocent, sweet, and young at heart. You present a purity that many people find appealing. However, you are often tired of people treating you like a child. Underneath it all, you enjoy being babied and pampered. You have been known to feign inexperience to get out of sticky situations. You fear getting old and losing your childlike charms.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

Ouch...

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are wise, insightful, and brilliant. Your wit is sharp and occasionally hurtful... Revealing your scorn for people with less intelligence. Underneath it all, you feel burdened by the stupidity of humanity. You know what's right in the world, but it's overshadowed by everything that's wrong. People see you as arrogant. While this is partially true, you are also very sensitive.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

Good times....

We had a great date last night. Dropped the girls off at Nanny's; did some summer clothes shopping at Old Navy, which was really successful and exciting considering I'm now smaller in size than when I got pregnant with Eva; and then had a nice, conversation filled dinner at Olive Garden. I really miss Joey during the spring season. I definitely don't resent the time he has to spend at work, because I know that his job is such a blessing and he's right where he needs to be, and it has so many benefits; but I miss him none the less when he's busy. So, last night was special time together. I have such a good husband.

He's good!

I've spent most of the day sitting in my jommies, clicking away working on getting the perennial list ready for the greenhouse website, I got as far as the 'D' section. I left my kids in their jommies all day too, figuring that it's rainy and cold out, and we had no plans. Now it is 5pm and Joey calls and says, "Take a shower, we're having a date!" Apparently he had decided he could take the night off and called around and got a sitter, and we're going out! Yay! We really need some husband/wife time.... not boss/secretary; co-worker time... :o) And all the girls napped well today - even Anna laid down for 45 minutes, so they should be great for Nanny tonight! Anyhow, I'm off to get myself looking date-ready!

Saturday, April 26th

Just wanted to say that today is the birthday of one of my very favorite people in the whole wide world! My best friend, my chumford - Jessi! I didn't get to see her today, but heard that she had a nice date planned with her hubby, so I hope today was very special.

So, although today is supposed to be her day, I find it a very special day for me as well, because without her birthday, I wouldn't have her! ;o) She is one of the greatest people I have ever been blessed to know. She's honest, patient, creative, challenging, encouraging, supportive, wise, perceptive, gentle, strong, enthusiastic and fun! She has had a major role in shaping who I am. She's been there to laugh with me in the good times, push me in the scary times, drag me in the challenging times, cry with me in the painful times. She is my teacher, my cheering section, my business partner, my confidante, often my co-conspirator. There's been times that she had to say things I didn't want to hear, point out things I didn't want to see, teach me things I didn't want to learn - but that is a true friend. I've been doubly blessed to have her as not only my sister, but as my best friend. I hope that my daughters can build relationships like I have with Jess.

Back in the day, when she would push me around Weis' market, teasing me and threatening to stick me on the shelf with the Garbonzo beans - I couldn't have dreamed that our relationship would grow to this intensity. When she was bribing me to do her laundry for 10 cents..... When I bugged her and her boyfriends.... When she teased me about mine.... When I cried when she went on her honeymoon because I missed her.... When I missed her while I was on my own honeymoon..... The path we've walked together has not always been smooth, but we've always held each other's hands; sometimes one of us with a firmer grasp, but never letting go. I believe few people are blessed with a friend like this.

"Friendship," said Christopher Robin, "is a very comforting sort of thing to have."

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." Winnie the Pooh

Anna's hair

I'm very proud of Anna. She decided, on her own, to donate her hair again. Three years ago, she did it, and the short hair was a little traumatic, so I kinda didn't expect her to do it again. But recently I had mentioned to her that she needed a trim, cause she had some split ends, and she asked if she could cut it and give it to Locks of Love again. So, we made an appointment and she lopped off 10 inches for a good cause again! My only problem is that I think she looks quite grown up with her hair short!

Here's before:

And here's after:

She loves how it feels now!

Elley's a big girl now...

Well, the deal was, once Joelle stopped wearing diapers, she could get her ears pierced. So here's pics of the big event.

Here's before:

Then during:

Still dazed by the sting:

And very proud after:

Buds in Blossoms

I haven't posted in a couple weeks, because I've been a little overwhelmed by life in general and when that happens I tend to pull back and isolate myself to gain some control. As of right now, I wouldn't say that control has been gained, but I'm working on my new belief that "the busyness of my daily life, does not need to result in the chaos of my spirit" - so I'm trying to slow my brain down, and rest in my spirit, even if my body can't.

One of the big and exciting things happening right now is the unofficial "launch" of our new floral design business. This is something that my sister, Jessi and I have tossed around for quite a while. I absolutely love working with flowers, and also love to save a bride some cash! I've done a couple of showers, parties and two weddings so far, and they've been quite successful. I love the hands-on part of it, and Jess totally blows me away with her organization and people skills, besides the fact that we function as one complete person when we're together; therefore we are feeling quite certain that ours can be a very fulfilling partnership! So our business will be called Buds in Blossoms; with the double meaning of 'friends in the business of flowers'! Our wonderful and unbelievably talented friend Angie is currently working on some awesome ideas for our logo and business cards. And we are receiving so much encouragement from our family and friends, which has been a huge blessing. And, so far, we have one wedding for August and we are meeting with a potential client this weekend for a wedding next May! I'm very excited at how this is all happening, though feeling a little inadequate as well. I really think it's so cool though to see how God is really stretching me in so many areas, using things that I really enjoy and that I believe are God-given talents, and leading me into areas that I previously would never had opportunity or guts for! Here's some pictures of some flowers that we've done; in order - Michelle's shower centerpieces, Cammi's wedding piano arrangment, Laura's wedding bouquet (my personal fave!).