I had to post this picture because it cracks me up. B's parents visited us shortly after Christmas, and we took the opportunity to take this picture of 3 Generations of Braces. B. is recovering quite nicely from an extensive back surgery in mid-December. His mother had very, very extensive neck surgery in November, and, of course, K. has her braces. What makes this even sadder is that if we could have taken this picture a few days later, we could have added A. in with his cast (for a broken thumb)! Everyone is on the mend, and K. is set to get her braces off in just a few months--just in time for her Senior year of school. * Things are going pretty well around here. We are still having the most ridiculous car woes anyone could ever have. We are about to throw in the towel and finance a new (used) car. We were really trying to save and pay cash, but we are spending all our savings on car repairs. That really stinks. * I have been taking my running a little more seriously since the new year. I've always been pretty happy just jogging a mile once or twice a week (plus walking). I was inspired, though, by a friend who runs for 40 minutes and 6.5 mph. I am thinking I could never do that, but I am working up to 2 miles instead of 1. At this point I can do 1 1/2 miles pretty easily at 5 mph-- three times a week is enough for me. I'm not even sure my knees can handle that much. I really do love the "buzz" from running--I need it just to keep my mood at what would be normal for others. * The weather is a beautiful 70 degrees here today. I am so glad that winter is nearly over in the South--Spring will be here before we know it. The daffodils are already blooming, and the pear trees are budding out--I just love it. It makes me feel like singing. * We are planning a big vacation this year to DC. B. has been there, but the rest of us haven't. We've been planning it for a couple years, and finally get to go. It is such an awesome field trip--I just can't even imagine all the wonderful, fun, educational things there are to do there. We have two sets of friends living there right now that we will get to visit, and one family is keeping track of all the "must-sees" for us. I can hardly wait for May/June so we can go. * We are having some work done on our house right now--all the siding needs to be replaced and painted. Thankfully, we only have siding on our second story, but it's still a huge expense. I am so happy to be able to get it done--actually we only are doing 2 sides this year, and will finish next year. We just couldn't do it all at once. It will look OK though--I know it sounds like it would look trashy, but it matches up well enough and when it's all painted, it won't be noticeable at all. I am so excited to get some work done in the yard too. I am hoping for a new crepe myrtle and some deck furniture this year! Keeping my fingers crossed.

Labels: Family