It Was Twenty Years Ago Today (Part II)

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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Twenty years ago today, a spirited whirlwind of a girl blew into our lives:

Watch out, world – this one is loaded for bear…..

….and we have never been the same.  Where has all that time gone?

God has a wicked sense of humor – ask any family that has more than two kids, and they will tell you that the third kid threw them for a loop.  Just when you think you have the whole “parenting” thing figured out – you’re thinking you know everything there is to know about raising kids – the third one comes along, and you realize that you don’t have the first CLUE…..

By the time Sarah came along, we had been parents for 6 years.  Poor Sarah got the “leftovers” – we were a lot calmer about things, but we were also just plain tired.  Rachel was starting kindergarten and Michelle was only a year old, so Sarah got whatever energy we could muster up at the end of the day.

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Saying Goodbye

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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…..She had drawn her first breath; she quietly drew her last, with no farewell but one loving look, one little sigh.

With tears and prayers and tender hands, Mother and sisters made her ready for the long sleep that pain would never mar again, seeing with grateful eyes the beautiful serenity that soon replaced the pathetic patience that had wrung their hearts so long, and feeling with reverent joy that to their darlings death was a benignant angel, not a phantom full of dread.

When morning came, for the first time in many months the fire was out, [her] place was empty, and the room was very still. But a bird sang blithely on a budding bough, close by, the snowdrops blossomed freshly at the window, and the spring sunshine streamed in like a benediction over the placid face ….. a face so full of painless peace that those who loved it best smiled through their tears, and thanked God that [she] was well at last……

– from Little Women, Louisa May Alcott

 

Patient and long-suffering, Lady put up with a lot….

The time finally came to let our beloved family pet, Lady, go. She had been with us for so long that it is hard to remember a time when she wasn’t here. She “grew up” with all of the girls – she was already part of our family when Rebecca was born.

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“If I Needed You”

Posted on August 25, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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Something pretty for a Saturday afternoon:
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This beautiful arrangement of Towles van Zandt’s original is from Lyle Lovett’s “Step Inside This House” album (available in CD or MP3 format).
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Classic Movie Night – “Casablanca”

Posted on August 23, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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One of the great things about living in a larger town is that there is so much to do.  One of our favorite movie theaters shows classic movies on the big screen.  It’s a great way to see these films as original audiences saw them – how they really SHOULD be seen.

It’s also a great way to introduce these classics to a whole new generation of movie-goers.

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Still Crazy (In Love) After All These Years

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

Thirty-two years ago today, two starry-eyed kids said “I do”….

To my wonderful husband, Paul – thank you for all of the special memories, and for making me so incredibly happy.

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“Remember When It Rained”

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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Fall is coming – you can feel it in the air. Amazingly enough, this August has been quite “rainy” for our part of Texas – it’s really been nice.

Today I’m just going to stay inside and enjoy the gentle music of the rain:
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Have a great day!
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(The song “Remember When It Rained” is sung by the incomparable Josh Groban, from his multi-platinum album “Closer” – it’s available in CD or MP3 format)
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Posted in Contemporary, Just Because, Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Romantic Weekend After-Action Report

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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We’re back home after a relaxing, fun-filled weekend.

We started off the weekend with a matinee showing of “The Expendables 2” at the Movie Tavern. It was lots of fun: testosterone dripping off the screen, tons of stuff blowing up, a “barely there” plot line to tie all of the action scenes together – we had a great time.

Then it was time to check into the hotel – we splurged a bit on a corner room at the Ashton Hotel, but it was worth it. Paul had ordered flowers as part of the package, and a beautiful arrangement was waiting in the room when we arrived.

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Romantic Weekend for Two

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

Over the years, Paul and I have never really done anything “special” for our anniversary – we’d eat dinner out, maybe catch a movie, and we would usually exchange gifts. It’s hard to take time out as a couple when you are raising kids and money is tight.

A couple of years ago, we decided to take time for ourselves – the kids were practically grown, and we had a little more disposable income.  We spent a weekend at a local hotel and saw some sights like we were tourists – it was a lot of fun!

We enjoyed that so much that we decided to do the same thing this year. Sarah kindly agreed to watch Rebecca for the weekend so that we can spend some time together as a couple.  They plan on having a “Sisters Weekend” – they’re going to watch movies, eat lots of food, and keep the dogs from eating the cats.

(Michelle called on Thursday to let us know that she and Rheah will be in town for a few days, so I guess “Sisters Weekend” will have one more sister!)

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Watch Out, World – She’s Officially “Legal” Everywhere Today….

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

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It’s so hard to believe that it’s been 21 years since we welcomed our second daughter into the world. Where has the time gone? Our little girl has grown into a beautiful young woman, but it seems like just yesterday we were welcoming her into the world.

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Posted in Family, Just Because, Messin' with my kids, Special Occasions | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Teresa in Fort Worth, TX

Not my real parents – they don’t want their faces shown, so I got to pick a random picture of any old couple (That’ll teach ’em…..)

On this day 53 years ago, my Mom and Dad tied the knot.
I’m glad they did, ‘cuz otherwise, I wouldn’t be here….

In honor of this occasion, I’d like to dedicate one of my favorite songs to these two crazy kids – “After All These Years” by Journey:
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Happy Anniversary, you two – I’m so glad you are my parents ♥♥♥
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Posted in Contemporary, Family, Music, Special Occasions | Tagged , , | 2 Comments