Liz's Letters

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...

Ahhh. It's Sunday night, all the boxes and wrap are back in the attic, the gifts all carried away to new homes, the feast is dwindling and able to fit nicely into plastic containers, and another Christmas celebration has come and gone in the Russell home. Our middle son's girlfriend had her first "American" Christmas. It was so much fun to give her gifts (from Santa) and from us and to watch her amazement at all the crazy chaos involved in our holiday traditions. Our oldest son and his fiance' actually spent the night (even though they only live 15 minutes away) so they could be here when we all woke in the morning. In fact, they woke first (MIRACLE!) and made us yummy Vietnamese coffee with biscotti for us to enjoy while the stockings were unpacked. And my mom was here too. It is just not the same when she is not able to be here for our holiday celebrations. Hubby, Daughter, and I, all relished in having a "full house" for Christmas. I love the s...

He looked so serious, so still as he sat there Clothed in black robe, square cap balanced just right "He looks more like you than I realized", I whispered to his father "He looks more like my dad", he whispers back Wetness gathers in the bottom of my eyelids Time has gone so fast A second college graduate in our family The children God created through our love so many years ago, I couldn't imagine this day "The Middle Child" this one loved with a great big love but always in between and sometimes feeling left out Yesterday would not have happened without his dedication, his hard work, and his perseverance. Thinking back to the little boy with the big blue eyes, the big round glasses and the hair sticking up. Thinking ahead to the young man who will carry a weapon in law enforcement, community service. My heart fills with pride, with joy, with fear and I know that he is in the hands of God. Congratulations to our wonderful son! UNT Graduate from the Col...

The Guests The food The Gifts Happy Birthday to Thien!

Last night I celebrated my birthday in Alanon . It is the tradition of my home group to have the birthday celebrants tell their own story of their experience, strength, and hope. It is not something that I look forward to, not because I don't want to share my story, but because I find it difficult to talk for a long (that means more than a 3 or 4 minutes) time without interruption . (If you have never been to a 12 step meeting - you must know you should never be interrupted .) Since I have been celebrating with this group, I have elected to only tell "parts" of my story in the past and decided to get a little more detailed this time. So, I typed up my story to keep myself on track. It was still difficult but I think it went okay. But something that I kept thinking about as the evening went on, and even after I left the meeting. I was celebrating...and others were also celebrating. But in attendance at our group last night, we had some there who were hurting. Some who wer...

July 4th was a blast! We spent the day with our family and best friends. One of the best ways to spend the day in Texas...in July... IN THE POOL! I love my friend, Tricia, and her little guy! Fred and his best friend. Me and my best friends! We were having too much fun! The food was delicious! Waiting for the fireworks display! Me and my beautiful daughter! My oldest and dearest friend. Look at the silly kids behind us! LOL! I love, love, love these ladies! I love this young lady more than anything! What a fantastic Fourth!