Our Favorite Four-letter Word

PASS

This is the result of Derrell's comprehensive exam.

PASS


PASS


PASS


This word could also be read as
RELIEF
GRATITUDE
SUCCESS
or HAPPINESS!!

Had he failed, his education would have been put back a year. Comprehensive exams are given only once a year, and you have to pass them before submitting the dissertation and completing the residency.

So...
All is well!
All is going according to plan.
This is somewhat of a surprise. Not that Derrell passed, because he worked too hard to fail, but that life is following a plan we made!

Tea Party for the Five Year Old

With her two older siblings, I was able to put off a "friends" party until age seven. Now that we aren't around cousins, though, I decided to give in to LL's pleas for a party. She chose the theme, and helped plan the whole thing. It was actually a great success!

Her checklist:

Wear dress-up dresses.

Eat tiny sandwiches and fruit.


Use tea cups.






Make parasols and top hats. (By this time, LL was partied out. I've now discovered that parties should be held in the morning.)









Open presents.

The "servers". AM invited a friend over to serve the guests. They dressed up, too, and had lots of fun!







A mother of one of the party-goers offered to stay and help. I couldn't have done it without her. In fact, I would have convinced LL to have her party away from the home if it wasn't for my friend "walking" me through the planning and carrying-out. Having a group of kids over for a couple hours shouldn't be that stressful, but it always is for me. I have other strengths, right? Thank you, Marcia!



And, then we had a family party after her requested meal of macaroni and cheese. Gourmet tastes, I know! If you'd like to click on the picture to enlarge it and admire the cake, I wouldn't mind. hee hee

Three Year Old Pictures

I have a hard time saying "no" to such cute pictures! Portrait Innovations is my new favorite place to spend more than I should...

Tropical Storm Hanna

When the storm was heading our way, we were planning for 60 mph winds and power outages for at least 24 hours. Gratefully it stayed east of us, so all we got was a bunch of really warm rain. Not much wind to speak of and no lightning. So, we let the kids play in the downpour. They had a blast!! I hope they made some lasting childhood memories.

Splashing in the "stream". There is only water there when it rains.

Woops! I forgot to flip these last two. Tilt your head. Interestingly, after messing around with his hair in the rain, ED thinks he looks pretty good with a Mohawk. So, he did it on purpose for school yesterday and today. At least it's not a mile high and shaved on the sides. Actually, we think he looks pretty cool, too!

So, I've been tagged

Well, I've seen similar things on other people's blogs, but have always secretly been glad to have escaped being "tagged". My luck ran out. And because I can't think of a good reason to ignore it, I'll participate. Thanks, Janet...

Really, I'm not upset. :-)

Rules: list 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 current goals, 3 current obsessions, and 3 random facts about yourself. Then tag at least 5 people at the end.

**Three Joys**
Being a mother.
Loving my husband.
Attending the temple.

**Three Fears**
Losing a child.
Not being "ready" when I die.
Forgetting something important.

**Three Current Goals**
Study the scriptures daily.
Get up 30 minutes before my children.
Eat healthily & exercise regularly.

**Three Current Obsessions**
Caressing my husband's ears. (not a surprise to some of you)
Rearranging the house.
Keeping the kitchen sink empty.

**Three Random Facts**
I do not like mushrooms.
We moved 18 times in 9 1/2 years.

I will tag Cara, Euroca, Marissa, Kelly and Kelly.
I climbed Mt. Sinai through the night to watch the sunrise from the top.