Liz's Letters

Cycle Shoes are actually pretty awesome. I have been reluctant to spend the money on shoes that cost so much extra simply to imprison my foot to a pedal. But, I broke down and did it.... I love them! My son and I went to the local nursery and browsed through (and purchased) gardening plants. What fun! What a gift to be able to share a common interest with my son and his fiance'. Hard work that feels satisfying even when exhausted. I love being tired because I accomplished something and am so grateful to have the opportunity. Friends that I can call when I feel like I don't have a friend. haha! True. One of my biggest temptations in feeling sorry for myself is to feel like I don't REALLY have any friends. But, I know I really do, especially when I can call some of them and tell them that's how I feel and they understand (and love me anyway). Now, THAT is a true friend. Big, fat, burritos on a patio with a couple of those really good friends. A twenty plus year ...

I think it is pretty cool to be born on a holiday... especially if that holiday is Valentine's Day. Our lovely daughter turned 17 on Valentine's Day And a 2 Day celebration took place. My advice to her long ago was, "Don't accept a combo-gift for Valentine's Day on your Birthday." We (her father and I) always buy her birthday gifts AND a Valentine's Day gift. What a beautiful young lady! Happy Birthday! sweet The Girls! Brother, Adam, and future sister-in-law, Thien Spoiled rotten by Adam and Thien What a look! Brother Aaron and girlfriend, Sofi Proud and happy parents Hahahaha! awww... Gifts Birthday cake(s) I have not shared my motherly advice with Rebecca's boyfriend. She says she didn't tell him either. He must be an intelligent young man. He brought her Valentine's Day gifts before school on Monday And Birthday gifts in the evening. A Mother Daughter photo - before Rebecca's date with Jeremy And before her father and I went out to cele...

Thien and Adam on the day of their engagement - also her birthday. Something has happened that we have been waiting for for a very long time! Our oldest son and his girlfriend of the last 3 and a half years got engaged recently! They asked me to not say anything on a "public" internet site (ie., blog, facebook,...) because they wanted to make certain that all her family had been informed. Since some of her family still lives in Vietnam, and her parents live in the Washington DC area, we wanted to honor the request that everyone be informed before the big announcement. But now...I can announce it...our son, Adam, and Thien, are officially engaged! Yay! No date for the wedding is set at this time, but I know they will figure out when that will be in the proper amount of time. So, Thien's parents were able to make a trip to Texas! And her sister too! What fun we had as we celebrated that our families will be united as a result of our children. We had so much fun that...

Monday night, while we were sleeping it began. Groggy, I hear the unmistakable sound... I've heard it before "tsk", "tsk", "tsk", Rapid hits on the glass of windows, on the roof. Wind whirling trees creek and groan as ice hugs limbs and cracks as wind blows. And I know, it is here. The storm arrived as expected, sleet, ice, then snow Bitter cold, bones ache. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... ice and cold ice and cold Silent slumber under warm quilts snow falls quiet white on dark, dark night. Friday ice is covered with soft, bright, blanket Children cheer No school again! Four days now! Winter has come. Rebecca and Jeremy and snowman They walked, meeting half way, no parents would allow driving. But even 17 year olds still enjoy playing in the snow. The sun was out today! (I am grateful) More snow forecast this week. Winter has come.