The one to come...

Today was refreshing.

Spring has decided to sprung, even if it was only for a taste. It was up to 76 degrees today, and it seemed as if all the houses in the neighborhood opened up spilling out with children, and toys and life.

The sun shone and my little crocus and hyacinth and tulips pushed their way up through the dirt towards the light. It was almost as if you could watch it happening.

My mom is home from her travels tonight, and all can be right again:)

Summer had her post op appt. at the hospital today, and her ears couldn't look better. Not a single sign of infection or any drainage at all.

Mike finalizes his deal on Monday and will be the proud owner of our 3rd store.

The time change takes effect today, and now our days will be filled with one more hour of daylight.

Today we got to grill out for the first time this year, and just to smell charcoal and smoke, hamburgers and onions and mushrooms, while the kids played in the yard felt so good!

I use to debate over what was my favorite season. It use to be winter. The serene still beauty of it. Then I got too cold. So it was Summer. Then I got too hot. Fall and it's smells.....oh fall was my favorite! But that brought Winter. Spring is so promising....

I think my decision had finally been made. It is crucial that we have the changing of the 4 seasons, for if we did not take the good with the bad and suffer through, we could not appreciate the next one to come near enough.

The one I like best is the one to come....

One Unique Baby!

I did a post not too long ago about the Hemingway Cats, and how taken I was with them. Have you heard in the news about the little boy in San Francisco that was born with 12 fingers and 12 toes? .
They named their baby Kamani Hubbard and he has six-fully formed and functional fingers and toes on his hands and feet. It's called polydactyly.
He was born so normal looking, that they did not even notice at first!


His father's family does have some history of it, but never this well formed before. His dad even had nubs removed as a child from non functioning 6th fingers.

These are some quotes I found online from the Dr. and the father about the situation...
"It's merely an interesting and beautiful variation rather than a worrisome thing," said Dr. Michael Treece and St. Luke's Hospital Pediatrician. "I would be tempted to leave those fingers in place. I realize children would tease each other over the slightest things, and having extra digits on each hand is more than slight. But imagine what sort of a pianist a 12-fingered person would be. Imagine what sort of a flamenco guitarist. If nothing else, think of their typing skills."

"I just want him to see what greatness will be in store for him," said the baby's proud father.
The Florida Marlins' pitcher Antonio Alfonseca, blues guitarist Hound Dog Taylor and several remarkable figures in history have had polydactyly.

I love it! I think they have the right perspective and this child has been blessed with a unique gift. I can't wait to see what he does with it!

What a Day!

Well I had a great birthday! My family and friends worked real hard to make me feel loved and special. Thanks to all of you! On Thursday morning, after I got the bigger kids off to school, Summer and I headed off to Toddler Time at the YMCA. She is really loving this class, and every time coming more and more out of her shell. We did a ringaround the rosie parachute that made her eyes light up, and she got a stamp on her hand afterwards that made her feel so proud.

We came home to meet Mike for a nice breakfast out. He is knee deep in the middle of buying our third store, and we had woken up this morning to the seller signing the paperwork. He has so much to do! So because of all that is going on in our business life, right now he will be working alot. I knew that today he would be gone, but he had made sure to carve out time for just me this morning for my birthday. The three of us went to a little breakfast nook we know and I had banana walnut pancakes. Oh Yum! Before he left for the day he gave me my gift.....

a bike! With baby seat! ( and notice it is my favorite color! My guy is too sweet) Now we can go places as a family. Before, Summer and I just couldn't be a part of it. Now our whole family can get good exercise and do fun trips as a group! We have a little frozen custard place downtown that I think we will be making summertime trips too. Yes, we will!

After Mike went to work, Summer and I took the longest, most glorious nap. We slept actually until Tatum got home!

She wanted to bake my cake this year (her idea) all herself and had bought the stuff, so she set to work on that. I ran out to do some errands, and before you know it the boys we home from school, Danielle (one of Tatum's best friend's/our occasional honorary child) walked home from Track, and it was 65 degrees out! The kids and I decided to try out my new bike before dinner.

It rides like a dream!

We came in and had chicken breasts, broccoli, and crispy fries....and Tatum's cake!

Notice the piece cut out of the corner! LOL! (she got real defensive, when I brought it up:)

Someone didn't want the party to end. Don't feel sorry for this face. She had had TWO pieces of cake by this point, and was getting quite demanding for another NUM NUM!

All and all, it was a wonderful day. I got alot of sweet cards, and phone calls, and flowers from friends, and alot of wonderful wishes from you my bloggy friends!

I really should do this birthday thing more often...:)

Today is my birthday!

March 5th, 1975 I was born. I was my parents 2nd child and 1st girl. My dad wasn't allowed to be in the delievery room with my brother, but by the time I was born, they let him...so he was thrilled.

Rebecca Lyn Grundhoefer. Good German name. Eleven letters to that last name!

I had a great childhood. Thanks mom and dad. I love you both so much for all you have given me and inspired me to do.

Mom~I can't wait for you to get home from your vacation from Texas because I miss you so much already. It really is ridiculous that you try to travel on me like this:)

Dad~I can't wait to one day see you again. I hope you can see me from up above in heaven and are proud.

You have GOT to love that my parents let us have "Grizilda" in this picture. I am sure Olan Mills was thrilled:)

Bring it on "34"!! I am happy and healthy and so so blessed!

Awards Night!

Tonight the boys had their awards banquet for Upwards basketball. It is a Christian based basketball league. This was our first year trying it and they did great! They both got these super cool backpacks as keepsakes.

One of the things at the banquet was this amazing painter that did art called "splat experience" He took this black chalkboard, and in the time of a song, and just with 3 paint cans and his hands created this...

If you have the time you really should watch the video. It is amazing how he did it! I only got the last 4 minutes..I wish I had got from the beginning!

Houston~We Have A Problem...

I have done a post in the past about Summer's issue's with keeping her shoes on. In the dead of winter. Outside. In the freezing cold.



She has now taken it to a whole new level.


Why.

Why.

Why can my children not be normal?

Her new faze is to strip down to the bare bottom. She won't keep a lick of clothing on. Did I mention it is March in Ohio??

Sure she's cute. Sure your laughing. (you know she's not potty trained right??)

Cancun, Mexico~Fancy Dinner, Gifts, and Traveling with the Inebriated

As you can see...by this point in any vacation...Mike starts to take on the persona of Jack Sparrow. This is one of the many reasons I love this man so much. He works his butt off all year long, but when it comes time to relax, he gets down to it. He was not sober for probably a minute of Mexico. I think we have pictures of every single vacation that look like this one.
One night we were HIGHLY encouraged to try the French restaurant. They said it was it was the best of the best. It had a dress code. We hadn't really prepared for this, but we did have some things. We anticipated having a special night out though, and tried to make due with what we had packed.

It was fun to get all dressed up and go out. Unfortunately the restaurant had an hour and a half wait, and then an hour more for the food. Then the food didn't turn out to be very good at all. We really are more down to earth people I think. The night at the Mexican restaurant was so much more fun and tasty!

This was our self portrait..LOL!

While we killed time waiting for our table, we wandered around the resort. They had these areas in the pool where you could put your lounge chair in the water but it wasn't too deep. It was really neat.

This staircase reminded me of Titanic, and we asked someone to take our picture again.

Most of the roof's were made out of thatch. It gave such a neat feel. They probably had to replace them twice a year or so.

The place was so big, one landmark that we knew we were getting close back to our room was this birdcage with these birds. It was so windy there we felt terrible for the birds. Mike in his intoxicated way would usually yell out to people about the need to set the birds free, or planning their escape, as we would pass by. Some would laugh and think it was funny. Some, not so much.

They had these romantic beds with the flowing sheets set up all over.

We spent a little time in one..

When we came home we had to bring the goods! This was the doll we brought for Summer...

and this little mini bracelet...

We found a carved chess set made out of Malachi stone for Jake..

Maraca's, a carved turtle, and necklace for Matty...

silly things like Frosted Flakes in Spanish for Tatum to show her Spanish class.

A necklace and woven bag for Tate, and a bunch of Lime shampoo from the resort.

Our new goal is for us all to learn Spanish and then to travel there with the children in a few years. I CAN NOT WAIT! We also have a goal of going to Hawaii with the children in 10 years. New things to look forward to, and to plan! Life is such an unexpected joy and journey:)