Sweet Dreams!

After living here for awhile now (like 8 years), we have finally taken a stand against our pink curtains and ugly wall paper. I have scraped and painted the kids rooms a long time ago, so when Tyson said, "Why don't we paint our room this weekend?" I literally jumped at the chance! It felt so good to rip down those nasty, slightly indecent, use-to-be-mauve-but-now-faded-to pink curtains and throw them in the dumpster. We spent the whole weekend painting the room "warm caramel" and then added "melted chocolate" stripes to one wall. I am in love with the outcome. In fact, I may never leave my room again! :)

13?!!

Here we go. It is hard to believe (or accept) that my first born child is a teenager. Where has all the time gone? I remember when he was born (I was a teenager) and we found out we had to wait until he was 5 to find out more about his ears. It felt like an eternity! Then I blinked---and now my boy is 13! What do you say about someone who means so much to you? Gabriel is appropriately named because he was my saving angel. He continues to bless my life each and every day. He is a shining example to me in so many ways. He makes me a better person. I don't know why God entrusted me with such a special spirit. I think it was because He wants me to know how indebted I will be to Him forever. I thank God daily for this gift. I have no doubt that Gabe is meant for great things. I hope I can live up to the challenge of guiding him on his path through life. Today he got a blow gun for his birthday. His dad, Ridge, and Gabe are upstairs right now practicing---

in the house. Heavenly help us. I wonder if I should go point out to them that they are disobeying the mom or if I should just smile because I can hear them laughing. . . . :)

Happy 6th Ridge!

Happy Birthday to the baby of our family! I can't believe he is starting on the second hand already. For some reason this birthday is a hard one for his mother. I love everything about this cute little boy that I am so blessed to have. He makes me laugh on a daily basis. It is amazing to me how a little boy can make his mom overflow with feelings of warmth and also feel frustrated to the point of pure anger, all in the same day. I love his logic and the things he comes up with. When I am feeling taxed, I have to remember that one day I will miss this time in his life, just as I miss his infant self. What would I do without my Ridgey-McRidgerton to brighten my days! I love you buddy!