My Longest Year

So Appropriate

J.'s mom made a scrapbook for his birthday, collecting stories, letters and pictures from friends and family who knew J. as a child.  His pastor recounted this story:

"I remember your words when you were a little boy in nursery school.  You had crawled under Gramma's house to get a kitten and I asked, 'But weren't you afraid under there?'  You said, "The Lord is under there, too.'  J., remember the Lord is everywhere."

Happy 30th Bday, J! (click to watch J's bday video)

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Click to Watch J's Bday Video

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To J.'s Parents:  March 30 will mark the 30th anniversary of  the day you became parents.  I'm sure you couldn't have imagined the heartbreak and joy that comes with loving someone so much; we couldn't have fathomed it until we had our precious E.  A thousand thank-you's for the job you've done.  You've raised the person all of us know as a courageous soldier and unwavering friend, an amazing husband, and even more remarkable parent.  You've raised the man of my dreams and the kind of person I'm confident our daughter will dream she marries one day.

To Friends & Family:  This video is a "virtual birthday celebration" for all of us who care about J. so much.  I chose the music with J.'s parents in mind.  Please post comments to wish him a Happy Birthday (click the "Comments" link below; your email is only visible to me). HAPPY 30TH, J.!!!

Click to Watch J's Bday Video

Note: Watching this video shouldn't require anything fancy-schmancy.  Just plain ol' Windows Media Player.

My New Diet

In a recent discussion with several friends I mentioned I've been eating terribly lately.  My running/diet-guru friend told me to start eating complex carbohydrates.  I hope by "complex" she meant "hard to get the bag/bottle open" because today I ate Eggos, pretzels, a handful of Ruffles (okay, and Cheetos), Diet Coke, and a beer (gasp!).  Must do an extra 10 minutes on the elliptical machine tomorrow.

Finally! J. Called 24Mar06

I hadn't heard from him in two weeks.  He has been involved in Operation Swarmer.  Since this was an Iraqi-led mission, they went along with the Kurdish Iraqi batallion they are training to search the area for weapons caches.  The area was remote and dangerous and had become a known hotbed of insurgent activity. 

J. said the interesting thing was that the Kurdish soldiers were so instrumental in finding the weapons.  They had tried technology and every known tactic to find them, but the Kurds were the ones who knew the terrain and how they are hidden.  He said it was pretty amazing.  I think its hugely important that the Iraqis themselves are successful in defending their country.

Unfortunately, we were cut off in the middle of our conversation.  But it sounds like missions like these are making the time fly.  I'm so proud of them.

Speaking of Tight-Rolled Jeans

  Someone commented on tight-rolled jeans in the previous post and I couldn't help but share.

This is just a preview of what's to come within the next week (my husband, J., is on the right) .  He turns 30 next week and I've conspired to find childhood pictures to celebrate.  I know, I know...he's going to kill me.  Possibly the only good thing about him being a hemisphere away right now.

You so ugly...

"You so ugly, that ain't a fade on your head; it's your hair running away from your face."

~ Girlfriend-to-be in a "snaps" contest with Will, Fresh Prince of Bel Air

I love this because you have to know what a "fade" is to get this joke, and if you do, then you also remember Blossom hats,  multi-colored silk shirts, Reality Bites, Tag Team's "Whoop! (there it is)", and "psyche!"  Feel free to add to my I-love-the-90's list... 

First Kiss

Good friends flew across the country to visit me for a few days just to cheer me up (yes, I have awesome friends).  Their "shy" toddler, J., was obviously smitten by E. - and who can blame him? 

Strangely, this kind of looks like the first kiss with my husband. (I miss you and your sweet kisses, babe!) 

Operation Swarmer: Pray for Our Troops

I first saw this on the Internet when I woke up this morning.  There has been more hub-bub in the news about it since.

Click to Read: US Launches Massive Air Attack in Iraq

This is expected to last for several days.

More Craftiness!

  I made this dress for E.  It took longer than the others because the fabric is "wispy" and a little difficult to work with, and I lined it.  But I'm happy with the result.  I can see this dress on Easter Sunday or barefoot on the beach. I would have embroidered it but it already had a lot of detail on the bottom.

Before & After Purses

As promised, some of the purses I made while working through anxiety this past week.   Before, they were a flour sack & bed sheet, capri pants, and a jean skirt & pillowcase, respectively.  More pics in Finished Projects Album (on right).