Rozy's Birthday Party

This past weekend we went to Wisconsin Dells. This was one of our presents to Roz. We stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge. If you have small children I highly recommend this resort. But it's also great for all ages. They had a great life guard staff. Most of the pools are kid friendly, and the water slides are so much fun. The depth of most of the pools are 4ft. or less. With the exception of the wave pool. The kids had a blast, and so did Rick and I. Roz invited 3 friends Hanna, Ryott, and Isis. They were so much fun and pleasant to have. The girls were so well behaved, and got along with each other, it was great. It's something we look forward to doing again.


from left to right: Isis, Roz, Hanna, and Ryott

This is the cool clock in the lobby area of the hotel.

At 8pm the charactors become alive telling a story and singing.

The girls sitting and listening to the story.
Present time!

July!!!

July is a great month. Summer at its peak. The smell a flowers, the sight of lighting bugs at night, and sweet watermelon to eat. Swimming, tanning/burning (ouch!), going for walks, and just enjoying the kids playing outside. July for us is another special month with special occasions.

Well I have been back to work since last week. So much for my plans for the summer. Well the beginning of July has been a little hot, but not to bad. I hope everyone has had a great 4th of July. Rick, Roz, and I went and watch the city fireworks. They were loud and beautiful. Keanul ditched us for his friends. Which I know there will more of that in the near future; seeing how he is a teenager!

This time about 8 years ago I was waiting with anticipation. On July 10th of 2000 my beautiful baby girl was born. It's hard to believe that she is going to be 8. The years are just going by. It feels like yesterday I was waiting for Rick to come back home from work. So he could drive me to the hospital. I remember my friend Molly and my lovely mother in law, Jeani, sitting with me until Rick got home. We all just sat, laughed, and had fun. Rick was such a trooper while I was in labor. I think he went got the nurse like 50 times for me. Thanks Rick for being there with me. Love you more.

July 28th another great day! This is my awesome sister Rhonda's birthday. She is the best! Thanks so much Rhonda for being there for us. You are the greatest person I know.

Which leaves me to one of the most happiest days of my life. July 31st! This is Rick and I wedding anniversary. We got married at Rotary Gardens in Janesville in the evening. It was beautiful and magical day for me. I truly married my sole mate and best friend.

I can't believe how lucky I am to be so blessed with a great family! Thank you, Jesus.

Summer Fun

Well not much going on. On Saturday I took Rozalynn and one of her friends swimming. Rozy's friends spent the night, and we had a fun day. I can't believe how much little girls talk. It's like a never ending conversation. The giggling is infectious. They do such silly stuff. Oh to be young again!

The Lay-Off

Well this is the first week of being off of work. I'm think it's going to be awhile before going back to work. Seeing how we got to wait for the water to reseed before the big clean. Not only that we got to wait for the sewer line too. There's so much water that the sewer is also backed up. The city of Jefferson said it will be a good three weeks before that happens.

Well on a better note; I'll enjoy my time off and spend it with the family. Keanul is involved with alot so far this summer. He has weight training, speed camp, baseball, and he's working on the weekends. I can't believe he's going to be a freshman in high school this fall. Rozalynn is taking it a bit easy this summer. She went on vacation with Rick's parents. She left on Friday and will be back tomorrow. I miss her. Rick and I drove up to Lodi on Sunday to visit for the afternoon. That is where they rented a house for the week. It's a beautiful house on Lake Wisconsin. With a great view of the lake.

Well I think I'm going to close for tonight. It's bedtime.

Water, Water, Water!!

Almost two weeks ago we had record rain falls in Southern Wisconsin causing the rivers to flood.
Unforturnatly the company I work for is located by Rock River in Jefferson Wisconsin. Which is flooded! It's been a crazy two weeks. Here's a few pictures of the Tyson Plant in Jefferson.


This is the front entrance to the plant.




I'll post more tomorrow!

End of the Dance Season

At the end of each year for dance we go to a near by nursing home. It's a practice run for all the little ones before the big recital. Rozalynn enjoys going. I can tell on the resident's faces they enjoy it as well. The first picture is Roz in her jazz outfit and the second is her tap. The songs this year is Disney Afternoon and ScoobyDoo. What fun! Rozy's dance recital is tonight. Don't have much time to blog right now. Need to feed Roz and do hair and make-up.

Keep Your Fork!

My husband got this email from a friend at work, and I thought I would share. I found it very good and inspiring.


There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.
'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.
'This is very important,' the young woman continued.
'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!
'So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?'
Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork the best is yet to come!"
The Pastor's eyes we filled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to 'Keep your fork.' Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share . being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
"And keep your fork"!