You've Had a Birthday, Shout Hooray!

Bethany celebrated her 14th birthday early when Grandpa Bud and Grandma Jan came to visit. Of course, birthday dinner was at Macayos.

We even let Beth open a few gifts early - and blow out a candle on a cupcake.
Bethany's real birthday fell on Rodeo weekend. We picked up Aunt Lori at the airport and headed to eat at 'On the Border' - Beth's other favorite place to eat.

After an afternoon of shopping, it was time for her ice cream cake:

and more presents - bedroom decor (and vampire oranges from her dad). The best gift came two days before her birthday - a complete surprise. After many disappointments and delays, Beth went in for a routine checkup and left WITHOUT braces!
Happy 14th Birthday Beffy Kay!

Lucky Us

St. Patrick's Day was a huge success - not because of any festivities or creative 'green' meals, but because we celebrated with this wee leprechaun!
Grandpa Raz wasn't so lucky - Seth was sound asleep before he got home from workBut guess who got up this morning at 4:45am so he could see his grandpa? That would be east-coast Seth (8am his time)... Megan wasn't feeling very lucky!

No More Slackers

March has been a busy month for Bubba Jo. She loved being an Oompa Loompa in her school musical "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".Her faith project sprouted - despite Bruce's investigative pawprints in the soil.Her bedroom - not quite finished, but immensely improved since I took this picture two weeks ago (with her birthday gifts also piled on her bed...) The littlest 'eth' was coming for a visit! When Seth visits, Beth's room doubles as a nursery.There's even room now for Seth's port-a-crib!!!
No time to be a slacker during spring break either! Seth is keeping Auntie Beth busy. Anyone else but me notice that the only resolution that I'm having success with is the one where Bethany does all the work?

Those Darn Resolutions...

To be honest, I couldn't even remember the last 'S' resolution - Simplify. Technically I simplified my 'S' resolutions by deleting simplify... Scrapbooks, I have unearthed them from where they have been buried and reburied in closets to make room for Coby, guests, family, and visiting college daughters. Have I added a single page to any scrapbook - nope!

We have been much better at slackerness - much to Bethany's dismay at first. Her personal progress is progressing. She's finished knowledge, good works and today we sign off the finale for choice and accountability! Now it's faith and integrity. Her 'faith' is growing like a little seed - okay, she's growing peas!

Back to simplifying. Having a cell phone break into two pieces and the computer's hard drive erased did change my life for a few weeks. No cell and no computer - it was very freeing but frustrating. At least I had a home phone. Kenna is NOT finding it freeing - her cell phone was stolen (as well as her wallet) from the gym locker on Friday the 13th...

Farewell Black

We have another redhead in the family:
Bethany has the most stubborn hair our friend Paula had worked with in her 20 years of experience!

After two treatments, black gave way to auburn.Worried that another treatment might lead to baldness, auburn it must stay until her hair recovers.

Will Beth stay auburn or try again to return to her natural color? Only her bank account knows!