dear August 2012 ...

you were such an 'exhausting' month.   

Sunday - your 19th day it was my privilege to be baby coach for my little sister's delivery of baby Zariyah: 

   

That was a glorious yet STRESSFUL day.   Quite a blur of events but that sweet baby arrived safely on your 19th day ---  Zariyah Danae    7lbs 8oz.  19inches long...        Sooo adorable.   
The next day was her big sister's birthday:  NaKysha  turned 5 years old -- she's excited to have a baby to call her "own"...  

Big brother was totally not impressed by having a little sister:  Damien will be 2 years old next month.

---

But THAT's not all 
Earlier this week I walked-through the halls of high school again.  My oldest is officially a card-carrying freshman in high school... 

only 30 years after I graduated.  

Then the youngest says he doesn't need me to take him to the school... 


he says:  "I'll walk to the school to get my [7th grade] schedule.   Then can I walk to the mall with my friends?"

Oh, did I forget to mention his girlfriend? 

... this has been new and fun to watch -- her favorite color is purple (which is mine also, but my son now wears "my" favorite more often) LOL!!
  

Your month also includes his many walks to the mall and then to the park with friends... and "Tiffany" -- thanks for such great weather in which he could get good exercise!!

---

Speaking of your wonderful weather, August, thanks for being so warm (hot even) and allowing lots of weekends to enjoy time with friends ...  my BFF and I got to spend a weekend at her house in Bend ~ it was a great time to relax and enjoy our friendship.  

---

August, not only does your month end bring inevitable thoughts of school beginning and summer break ending, but this year it brings a heavy-heart as I heard my uncle Archie died on your 28th day.  I will miss him.

I have such mixed feelings that you are gone.  Your month was full of busy activities, work, baby showers, bridal showers, school shopping and so much more.  There were many opportunities where I learned more about patience, love, peace, and self-control.  You openly welcomed my expressions of frustration, joy, understanding, sorrow, comfort, and gratitude.

Goodbye... until next year August.  

     H o n u  g i r l                         

thanks a million...

to my son ~ who quickly offers me something great to post …  while I am STILL thinking of "a-million-and-one" things I could post about! 

A million things to write,

A million things to say,

A million things to do in this world,

that take our breath away,

the things we see,

the things we say,

the things we do;

A million times a day.

Author:    Jason Lyon

     H o n u  g i r l                         

Sweet addictions...

Some things are best explained by visiting our parents' home as adults.

I'm fully convinced that my sweet-addictions stemmed from a well-stocked pantry.   These shelves are credited to my Dad!!

For years now my boys have fondly referred to my Dad's (Papa's) pantry as "the candy room."   At first glance into Papa's pantry --could this be the reason?

hmmm ... fortunately, now they can reach ALL the jars without exposing me to any most temptations ~ well, there are those gold wrapped almond Kisses Dad tries to hide from me {"hey ... while you're in there can you reach one for me?}  

What?   Like I'm going to actually choose the Craisins strategically placed to provide a healthy option.   hah!

Such SWEET memories!

     H o n u  g i r l