ok ok...so here's a few of the kids' latest funnies

I've been teaching the kids to pray...yes I know it's a long time coming. When I asked Shaun to ask God to "bless us to have a good night's sleep"...Shaun said, "mum what does 'bless' mean?"
I told him "bless means when God gives us a gift". "Oh" Shaun said, "I'm gonna ask God for lots of gifts". I went on to explain that it wasn't quite like that. If we asked God to give us a good night sleep, and we have a good night sleep, then that was the gift God gave us. I told Shaun I asked God to give me a baby, and God gave me Shaun and Zoe, so they were gifts God gave me. "Oh, did I come in a box Mum?", "No, you came in my tummy". Shaun went on, "Mum, how did God put me in your tummy?" Oh boy, 5 years old and I'm having to tell him about the birds and the bees..lol Sooooo I told him "a mummy has an egg, and a daddy has sperm and when a mummy and daddy love each other VERY much the egg and the sperm come together and a baby grows in mummy's tummy...and God helps all that happen"....phew that seemed to satisfy his curiousity! I was beginning to think I'd NEVER get out of that one!

Luckily Zoe's easier...she just asks for "Makeup syrup" on her pancakes!

Smile everyone...lots of love,
Sandy

YO YO YO Where's the younger generation?

Hey, where are all the cousins, grandkids? Us old folks need a break!!!! Anyway, how about a little uplifting humor for a change? So here I go with out of the mouth of babes:
Aaron, 5, wanted a second ice cream sandwich. Instead of asking for one as he headed to the freezer he said to me: " I'm getting another ice cream. I'm old enough to make these decisions for myself!"
Aaron and Kyle were waiting for Mom and Dad, (Lisa and Mike), to come pick them up. Kyle,3, wasn't happy with me because I had cut them off from playing Mario Kart. I asked Kyle for a kiss and he said to me "Grammy, you're wasting my time!" He meant "your" time. Grammy definitely got the message. By the way, Grammy DID get her kiss!!

Okay, it's your turn! Come on Sandy, Mike, Treena, Johnny, Bethany - my kids - I KNOW your kids have lots to say and do!!!

Love,
Aunt Debbie

Happy Birthday ya'll

Since I missed a couple so let me say Happy Birthday to Madelyn, Hanna and Steve!!! And a shout out to Rick and Donna. Donna isn't being a Laverty a real Treat? Happy Anniversary!

Bionic Babe

Okay, so here's the deal...for those who know and those who don't, I had my clock reworked this past Monday. I had a dual chamber pacemaker implanted. I guess I'd really been kind of sick for a while and just didn't realize it, or didn't want to recognize it. At any rate, I've been pretty sore this last week. I just about freaked when I saw what my chest looks like and finally shed a few tears over it all. I'm sure it will get better and I'm doing better this evening. Steve insisted I go see a comedy with him and being the wise sage that he is, it worked. I laughed so hard I think I embarrassed him! I've checked by blood pressure and pulse a couple of times this weekend and wouldn't you know it? I'm beating a steady 60 BPM. I think when I go back to see the doc I'm going to ask him to kick it up a notch to 65 or 70. The heart palpitations have decreased dramatically. I do feel light headed occasionally, but the doc says my heart and pacemaker need to get used to each other. I guess it's a teamwork kind of thing. For future reference when you're asked about family history, I have Sick Sinus Syndrome and SA Exit Block. Rick has SSS as well. My doctor said my sinus node just aged faster than the rest of me. Is that supposed to make me feel better? I keep saying I'm not an old lady, I'm a Bionic Babe!

I can see clearly now...

Joe is the latest in the family to get contacts. Here's his new look.

crab feast

The crabs and clams have been ordered. Now all we need are some steaks, sweet corn and some fresh watermelon and cantalope and we're good to go!

Update on today's activities

I had the EP Study on my heart today, and I'm happy to report that the doctor found all the circuitry in my heart is fine. He said "you will not die." Did I tell you about this doc's bedside manner? The problem is in the sinus node and the pacemaker will take care of that. I will say this test has left me feeling pretty washed out. I was in twilight sleep during the procedure, so I don't remember most of it. Maybe making your heart race makes you as tired as a real race! Afterward, it was kind of interesting. First, my heart was beating normally and at a good pace. After a while, my heart started to speed up and my blood pressure went way down. They got that under control, but I think that coupled with the drugs are why I feel kind of crappy. The good news is that when my heart was beating normally, I felt pretty good. Another sign and another reason why I am hopeful the the pacemaker will make me a new woman! I don't have a date yet, but it looks like sometime during the week of the 20th. I should have no problem at the reunion and will probably leave you all in the dust when we hike the mountains!

diagnosis

O.K. I saw the Dr. tonight. I have something called "sick sinus syndrome". My heart rate is pumping around 30 to 50 beats per minute. So after the reunion I will be having a pacemaker put in. I'll fill in all the finer details when I'm in Branson. Good night and Good luck.

Dr appointment

My appointment with the heart Dr. was moved till 07/08/09.I'll let ya'll know what I find out then.

Have you ever had just one of those perfect days?

Typically on the 4th of July we have a family BBQ and enjoy the fireworks. This year there was a bit of a twist. Thursday evening, actually, Friday morning at about 12:30 AM, the hallway light came on. In my deep slumber and sort of deep aggrivation, I thought, "Come on Eric, it's the middle of the night, what are you doing?" Eric will raid the fridge in the middle of the night, but the hallway leads pretty much nowhere but our bedroom and I couldn't imagine why he would even be in the hall. All of a sudden Steve says, "Get up Eileen, I want you to see something." Normally, I would have said, " What? It's the middle of the night, leave me alone!" But, for some reason I was actually a nice wife and said "Okay" and I got up out of bed. There in the hallway stood Hannah! She had driven up from Texas to see us. Evidently, she and Bethany had conspired to surprise me. Hannah and Steve were actually texting back and forth Thursday evening while we were watching TV. I thought he was just playing with his new phone! Anyway, Bethany had arranged a big family BBQ at our house for the 4th, today. Josh grilled pork chops, steaks, chicken, and brats. All the kids brought sides. The orders were that Steve and I were to do nothing but enjoy, and enjoy we did. I can't soak in the pool for a few more days, so Grandpa Steve took up the slack and played with all the grandkids in the water. It was really heartwarming to see. I can't tell you how special it was to see our very grown children acting so grown up. The only one missing was Nalini as she had to work. We missed her, but I know she would have been here if she could have. All the kids have headed elsewhere now. Steve and I are out on the back deck with Tybee waiting for the fireworks to start. That's what I call "Just one of those perfect days."

Happy 4th of July!

Like most people, we more fully appreciate something when we don't have it, or when it becomes more difficult to get it. Obviously, the 4th is not a universally celebrated holiday. You might think celebrating in Britain might be a tad politically incorrect, but celebrate it we do - on the 27th of June. The odd date is intended to minimize the disruption of the 4th of July protests held outside the base each year, attracting (I'm told - haven't actually seen them) several hundred protesters. Realistically, this probably means less than 100, and it's a scheduled, peaceful event, they just get in the way of the folks going in and out of the base.

Which would have been a bigger problem than usual this year as we had over 2500 guests ((Brits)) in attendance at our celebration. As it turns out, everyone loves a party. There were rides, games, hot dogs and hamburgers, a soap box derby, musical entertainment and, of course, fireworks. It was fairly warm for change too - no winter coat needed this year.

For added fun, we took a trip down south today to one of our sister bases where they hold their 4th of July on the 4th of July (how odd!). We got another dose of funnel cake and hot dogs before heading back home.

Now we're sitting here listening as fireworks are going off somewhere out there - maybe it's our British neighbors celebrating "Thanksgiving".

My 2008 Raider

This is my ride. I have just added new chrome wheel, chrome sprocket, chrome brake rotors and a larger real tire. I hope you enjoy as much as I do. This was my 4th of July.

The Guys will understand!!!!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

Some days the kids really make me laugh...here's a couple of the most recent times...

Shaun-- was taking a bath and turned on the hot tap. He filled a cup with hot water then poured it down the front of him..."MUM! I burned my tennis balls!"
After making sure he wasn't scalded I burst out laughing "you mean testicles buddy?"
"Yeah, tennis balls"..

Zoe-- got a colouring in picture, one of the ones stores give away as an entry to a competition for the kids to colour so they can hang it up in the shop. Anyway this one had pictures of teddy bears all over it. Zoe coloured it in beautifully, then with a red pen she drew a penis on one of the bears. "And here's his penis Mum". ...horrified I said "Zoe, don't draw a penis on the teddy bear."........"Why not Mum? It's the boy one.".........of course it was.
Who can argue with innocent logic like that???

Hope all is well with everyone!