It's been a long time since............

Wow...I look at the date of my last blog and wonder where the time went?  Well, actually, that's a strange thing to say because I know exactly where it has gone.  Time has been passing quickly, slowly, happily, and miserably.  So much has happened...birth and death of grandchildren and other loved ones. 

I have grown older, but I have also grown wiser.  So many changes is what is actually a short time.  I do have new outlooks on many things...good and bad.  I am not an authority on anything.  I do not have freebies to share.  I just have life experiences that I want to share.  It's like when I was teaching school...if I help one, then I succeed.

I do know I want to share learning experiences with any who wish to read.  I am just me...a wife, mother, Gigi, friend, daughter, SIDS statistic...and so much more...I am a loving person. 

The ADD monster

Sometimes I think that if they had resource classes when I was in elementary school I would have been there for ADD. I am, let's say over 39, and still need coping skills to focus. I have good intentions, but I never finish what I start....guess that why the house is in disarray.

I really can't imagine being inside a child's mind that is truly ADD or ADHD and having to sit in a classroom all day. It must be like a jail. Imprisoned in a body with a mind that notices everything around you, but not being able to focus on any one thing. It's sad because so many of these children are the brighter kids. I have a great niece who is obviously ADD, and I watch her begin a project with all of the energy she has, but not long into it she is pulling at her hair, playing with her fingers, and has lost focus, not necessarily interest. It's not her fault.

I have friends with adult ADD, and it is hard for them to cope with it. If it were a matter of just not paying attention it would be a lot easier to handle. There is so much more to it than that. Just think, how many children are punished for that "not paying attention' when they are actually doing all they can in that department.

These kids need all the support at home that they can possibly receive to make learning important to them. Having parents that forget to sign reportcards, other papers that need returning to school, or show little or no interest in homework do not help matters. Unfortunately, this occurs with her, and I wonder if it doesn't worsen the effects of the ADD in general. I understand busy schedules, yes, I worked the whole time my daughter was in school, but I did return the necessary information back to school on time. I made sure I showed an interest in anything from school...large or small...so she would know that it was important.

I have mixed emotions and opinions about medicine for ADD, but with testing that includes a test booklet and a separate answer sheet that has to be bubbled beginning as early as third grade, well, sometimes it makes sense that one has to focus. I really don't know, I do know I wish I had a magic cure. There is nothing sadder than being in a classroom and watching some struggling just to focus on a task, especially when you know the intelligence and knowledge is there. Also, one has to consider what the constant avalanche of stimuli does to a child's view of him or herself. I know I don't like myself on days when I get nothing accomplished because I hopped from one thing to another because I thought I was getting lots done...just to end the day in worse shape than I started. I'm grown and it's still hard to see that happen. A child's frustration must be enormous.

Parents, please, focus on the importance of your child's education. If you don't, the teachers can't alone. Children look to parents for guidance and direction, so when papers or reports or an art project comes home, take an interest. It is in your child's best interest that they have a belief that learning is important, and that it is expected of them to learn...or do all they can to learn.

Share stories and opinions...this is a common problem among children.

They get, we lose

If you ever have time to kill, money to waste, and want to speak with some very interesting people then call Country Wide Home Loans.....no this is not a pay per post or anything of the sort. They aren't giving us a thing...that's for sure...except the end of the stick nobody needs.

Over a year ago I did request a modification so our interest could be lowered from double digits, and that our ARM be locked in. We had already experienced the multiple layoffs, and it wasn't due to the election, so let's not go there.

Over two years, my husband had been laid off twice, and this hurts the budget. We are one of the millions that live on a budget, and when the main source it cut off, well, you come up short. Single digit interest rates sounded good and would surely help ends meet.

Well, a year passed, and guess what? We got out modification or whatever it is. Now, I bet you are probably feeling what I have felt about all the bailouts people get to compensate for overspending on housing..........wrong!!! We still have double digit interest, a higher monthly payment, and owe more than we did on the house. Now, I am not a rocket scientist, but something sounds strange to me.
I was in regular contact with CW, and I never talked to the same person twice. They always told me that I would get back to the same department, but was not assured of speaking to them. Well, they knew their business there, I never got back to the same department. Phone numbers were disconnected that I had used only a week ago.

Now, there were some who wanted to help....they need a halo. I think they knew what little they were told, and wanted to have their client know they weren't in this alone. Bless, them...the meek shall inherit and I hope they do.

How can people working for the same company have so many different answers to the same question? It's totally awesome how a big company can bounce you around for so long, and then end up screwing up everything. Then, you get a young man who has the gaul, after a year of this mess, that asks you how you ended up in this situation with your payments???????????? What mess, and what business is it of his. All we wanted was to keep the ARM from adjusting...too much to ask for? At this point I don't have faith in too much of anything. I have two weeks to decide what to do.....but remember they had a year to piddle and fiddle with our home.

I love the department names....Hope, Heart, etc. Why don't they tell you about the we don't give a crap department or the shaft department. I do believe there is an evil spirit running around in all the departments playing with the paperwork and computers. Oh, and one department cannot see the carefully guarded "loan folder" from the other. How, why, when, where......what do ya do?

Bad boy, what ya gonna do when they come for you??? Take the additional millions and play with other peoples' minds, hearts, and homes? We started this thing last July, and we never wanted anything free. I don't want to honk when I see the bumper stickers about the honking if I am helping to make your house payment or whatever they are.

It concerns me and should everyone who pays taxes...the fact that they are getting this money, but evidently still do not know how to run a company. I can only speak of CW home loans, but it seems the government needs to send a person with the money to help them learn why they got the money. Remember, I don't want the money to help us...but, our situation taught me very quickly that they simply don't give a damn about their clients. So why should they worry about where our tax money they were given goes. Lord knows, the heart department doesn't have a heart, the hope department gives no hope, and let's just pray as a nation that there is no brain department....well, I really don't think we have to worry about that one.

Factor 5 blood disease

In my last blog, I mentioned I had family living with us now. It's different, but I love having young children in the house again.
My niece's husband has Factor 5 blood disorder. I have researched it, but I would love to hear from people who have the disorder also.
Please let me know. Thanks!!!

Blogging blahs or boring life?

Well, I certainly have not been faithful to my blog. I enjoy it, but I can decide if I have the blogging blahs or just a boring life. Maybe it's too many senior moments that is creating writer's block, or could it be laziness? I really don't know, but I feel boring life is about to change.

Some family is living with us for a while and there are two children with them. One is six, and one is four months. Our house is not small nor huge, just average. I feel like the old woman who lived in a shoe tonight. My husband does work out of town and is home this weekend, so there are six of us plus cat and dog.

This will continue for several more months, and I am curious as to what the future brings...each day will be a new adventure.

I do, however, love my family members present in the spare bedrooms dearly, so that does make things better. Tonight I got supper cooked and dishes washed, and all was done with no help from me. Well, I do declare, I felt really special...and the food was free, too. I do have to admit that my kitchen counters are shining and things in their place, and I really do feel special as I sit here...and in the background I can tell that it is time for the young mother in the house to feed the four month old....my dog thinks breastfeeding is amazing! She turns her head to the side trying to figure out the sounds of that tiny creature that is chowing down. Princess got the steak bones, so she also feels the love of extra family.

I know there will be many good times and many bad times, but we are the type of family that makes it through anything. Remember the graduation blog when my brother and his ex loaded up in the van with all of us? I told ya', we're something else.

I will definitely keep you posted on who walks in on who and where. Wow, I think the writer's block has lifted. Do you think we'll survive? Let me know.

Campground Venting.........HELP

In the beginning of my blogging, I talked about my husband and I building a campground. We have gone around the world and back with banks, county officials, etc. There is a large power plant project going on in the small town where we want to build. Construction workers are known for having campers and taking them to their work. This is their lodging for the six or seven years they are on a project.

Common sense tells me that if there is no place to them to camp, or even rent motel rooms or apartments, that something needs to be done to accomodate them...duh?

We own 20 acres, and were planning to create 200 campsites to offer the workers. It's obvious they are coming, someone has to build the plant. But we have been asked to produce names and phone numbers for "reservations." Maybe I am dumb, but I haven't figured out how to reserve something that isn't there yet.

Oh, and we are supposed to fund the cost of extending a sewage line to our property, no not connecting on to, but bring it a mile from the treatment facility! Now, it has to come across a state owned bridge...citizens can't get approval for that...only government. The total cost is staggering.

Are we the only ones that know a new business will create jobs and bring more money into the rural town? We must be.

You should see my email folders. I think I have talked with most everyone in the county and state. You know the oh, that is......'s territory, let me give you their email, blah, blah, blah. It's amazing the lack of knowledge that people can pretend to have about the situation.

Hey, we are not trying to be the next Donald Trumph, just a nice, family owned business that will allow my husband to retire before he gets to be 100 years old.

If we were wanting to open a nudist campground or one created for "ladies of the evening", we'd probably be over-run with offers to get the project done.

I have been chasing my tail for over a year......any suggestions greatly appreciated!!!! Leave one, please?

Thoughts on new school year

After my last blog on preparing for school, I was listening to a program on the tele as I was working on a class website for a friend. They had a doctor discussing the anxiety factor that comes with the beginning of a new school year.

The doctor stated that parents were more prone to the anxiety than the children, but that this anxiety could easily affect the children and make them anxious, also. I think it was the Today Show.

It made extremely good sense. The doctor suggested that parents contain their stressing, since it is not good for adult or child. It's a part of life that is necessary. I was glad to hear that the majority of parents do enjoy the summer bonding with their children, and the percentage of parents that can't wait for their children to return to school was small. I know I always dreaded when my daughter had to return to school. The daily grind took away family time, and the dreaded school schedule was put into place once again. I do know that, if I had it to do over, I would have home schooled her at least until middle school.

They did discuss the fact, that for the first month or two, the schedule should be fairly rigid. If it becomes a burden, taking away from quality time, parents should ease up. I have to agree with that.

New school years are a part of life. Not all can or want to home school, and that is fine. But just don't stress over it and create stress for the children. For those that are glad to see their children away at school for six plus hours a day, I have my own opinion, just as I do for working parents that have no choice but still hate losing that family time. But I'm am sure the family time left is quality time.

For the children that are sent to school as soon as the doors open each morning, and then remain after for any and all after school programs that can last until 5 or 6 o'clock, I say that I am sorry your life is this way. That is a long time away from home and family.

I have digressed as usual, but parents don't let another new school year stress you, and talk with your child about anxiety he or she may be feeling.

My daughter is now twenty, so I don't go through that anymore. I do have a great niece starting first grade, and the schedule is so hard on my niece and her husband, as they both work full-time and hard hours. They also have a three month old son that adds to the daily scheduling confusion.

Love to all of the children and parents that are getting ready to tackle another school year. Leave me some thoughts!

School thoughts

For the first time in 28 years, I am not busy fixing a classroom or thinking about the first day of school or what the year will be like. I must admit that I have mixed emotions. I will miss the children, but I do look forward to not having a strict routine and doing schoolwork each night. Now, I was at the same school all of those years, so there are friends I am leaving, too. The school itself is important to me. It's an inner city school, high poverty, and in an area where the people just seem to stay, have kids, and send them to school there.

It was a hard school to work in because of the indifference of the parents. Many were who they were when they were in elementary school...not much self-growth, still with elementary attitudes of get even, I don't have to follow rules...school or society...it was a school community that you embraced and kept in your heart or had to get away from. I stayed because I thought that is where God wanted me. Yes, I taught kids, but I loved them, too. I cared about what they went through when not in school, and some had really hard lives. The teachers that I have seen retire from my old school, were caring, understanding, loving, and wanted to be there.

So with mixed emotions, I move on into another phase of my life. Getting my first State Retirement check today, was a happy time, and it made me feel more retired than I did. But my heart is still with the children.

Fat Cat quarterback

The portly stray weighs in at 40 pounds. A little wide in the side, but look at those eyes. I thought my cat was large at 21 pounds! This cat, wow, I'd hate to meet in a dark alley. Or would I like him as my friend if I was in a dark alley?????Even though he may scare the neighborhood dogs, the stray now has a home.

There is some good stuff out there.

Condom Face??? I think not

Sometimes I like wacky news items although they can, at times, be offensive or rude. Other times they are just plain strange. I was on AIM entertainment section today and spotted "Condom Makers Offer One Million Dolllars." Being curious, I checked it out and read that they had offered it to Miley Cyrus to put her name on their condom wrappers. She'd be a sort of spokeswoman/teenage promoting safe sex.

Sometimes, things just leave me speechless, and this was one. I don't know about some things. I am not prudish, but my mouth did drop. Following is the link. What do you think? http://news.aol.com/entertainment/music/article/condom-maker-offers-a-million-for-miley/104145

Earth-mover for hire!!!

Well, today I guess I am full of it. Another idea just flashed before my eyes....my dog, the escape artist. As I was passing the front door, I caught a glimpse of white streaking across the front yard. Yes, it was my dear dog. She escaped from the fence again. Actually, as I stood and watched it was really amusing. She was running and leaping like a deer. She is so muscular that is allows her to jump high, and she must love doing it. We've tried to get her to catch a frisby, but she hasn't quite gotten it. Tree limbs are her thing. She loves to drag them onto the deck. I sometimes wonder if they are presents or if she was a lumberjack in another life.

We need to hire her out as an earth mover because she is excellent at it. If the ground was harder, maybe it would take her longer to dig the escape tunnels. My husband buried cement blocks under the other side of the yard along the in her last escape area. He said that if she dug and moved the blocks that we would hire her out to a construction crew. At the rate she's going, with a full-time job, we could buy a fifth wheel camper. Yeah!

As I cleaned the red dirt off her for the tenth or so time this week, she looked at me with those endearing eyes and lapped me on the cheek several times as if to say sorry. As soon as I was finished, she jumped out of the chair and ran right back to tunnel #5 with me in hot persuit. Again I plugged the hole, again she'll get out, and again I'll clean the dirt off of her. I hope the hubby knows what he is doing next Saturday!

Right now, she's laying by my side, resting up for her next construction project. Can't help but love her!

Venting...deadbeats!

Were some people behind the door when good sense and good morale values were handed out? I do have to wonder. Always I have had little tolerance for deadbeats who whine about how their lives were so bad it made them the beings they are as adults. I don't want to sound mean or uncaring, but some situations (and people) just plain stink. I know people can be scarred from their childhood, I was. My birth-father left when I was two, and I never saw him. It was only six years ago that I found out he had recently died. Yes, I have wondered what I did to make him leave, but I had to accept the fact that I was only two and did nothing, he was just a deadbeat dad. Also, I know people go through much worse situations than I did. My husband was raised in a physical and emotional abusive family. He wanted to be different, and he is one of the best people you will ever meet!
I think the idea of deadbeats stayed on my mind since the incident at the gas pump (two blogs down). It made me think of a 25 year old guy, I can't call him a man, who is married and living with his girlfriend. Yes, I typed it correctly. He has a 6 year old daughter by the wife, and a 1 1/2 year old daughter by another girlfriend...and he lives with another??? Confusing, to say the least. This is where I get real confused about the morales, or lack of morales, that people have or don't have.
It simply leaves me in awe of how anyone could do be this way. It makes me mad that children are neglected because parents use any reason to excuse the fact that they are not living up to their moral obligations as parents and human beings. Poor, pitiful me, when I was young....does not release human beings from being human beings. I can rant for days, but I think I have explained this topic on my gripe list sufficiently and don't want to over do it.
Really friends, I simply do not understand some people. I have a strong need to understand situations...always have. I read and study to understand many things, but there is no literature to explain this one.
Now, I am having doubts. Do I just delete this or publish? Having a soft heart, I don't want to insult anyone, but then again, I don't think the kind of people I am talking about would understand that it's them I'm venting about!
Do I over analyze? Am I too harsh? I have had a hard time not hitting the delete button on this one. I would really love to know what you think!

Venting 101 Averted

Well, I got the lemon, fixed my tea, fed the dog the food she likes, and have on my bedroom shoes. Now, I vent. Funny how a 3 item trip can take so long. Then, I found the dog had escaped from the fence again. She met me in the driveway leaping for joy that I was home. She's always happy to come in. I think it must be the thrill of the escape for her. Never does she get in trash cans or bother people...she's friendly but shy.

After dragging a bag of food for a 53 lb. dog, I faithfully went out to try and block her next escape, which won't be until morning. She doesn't go out of the fence after dark...not too brave, but oh so sweet. I placed a board and anything thing heavy I could find around the escape hole. Hubby spent all last Saturday securing the opposite side of the fence. He works out of town and didn't come home this weekend, to save gas. Gas! I will not start on that again. It's hurting everyone, so everyone knows the agony.

Funny thing, I checked my mail before writing, and there was a survey waiting. It was about dogfood, Purina. That's what I bought. Too bad my ranking is too low to get paid for writing about the product. Maybe one day!!!

It's funny how a dog food run and escape hole fixing will take your mind off your worries. It did mine to a certain extent. Anyone know a good dog trainer?

Older and more opinionated...or something?

Well, I am beginning to think my senior moments aren't forgetting, but may be remembering or noticing too much. Things bother me

more than they used to. I mean they really get under my skin. I have always been a pleasant person and can get along with most anyone. But, sometimes enough is enough in the caring if you please everybody department. Actually, I consider 57 the new middle age...I don't care what others think it is. I don't feel old in my heart or mind, although the body does have more aches and it used to.

Well, anyway, I love writing about family, pets, friends, and normal daily things. As of today, I feel more strongly about right and wrong. Maybe it's the incident while gassing up last night (below) or something, I don't know, but today I feel feistier than normal.

I wish that feistiness would turn into house cleaning, but it hasn't. I do feel the need to complain, not about my life but others, the world, politics...you name it and I have an opinion...and today for some reason, I have a strange compulsion to share those complaints.

Since my dog is standing beside me with her head on my knee and looking pitiful because my husband decided to change her dog food that she won't eat....bad run-on sentence, rainbow20, do better girl. Anyway, I am going to the grocery store...another pet pieve...to buy her the right food and a lemon for my tea. Then I plan to put on my bedroom shoes, fix my tea, and begin speaking about some of the things that really gripe me. Hopefully, I won't get carried away and use more run-on sentences, because I do want to appear as having fair writing skills.

Maybe instead of Dear Abby, I can be Dear Rainbow20 for those having a bad day or just wanting to get something off their chests. I don't know, sometimes a change makes things better...or at least make you feel better. We'll see what happens. I'll start off the "speak what's bothering me" entries with a warning of some kind...maybe CAUTION..I'M VENTING. I am off to the store for real this time.

Cost of gas...wow

I hate to talk about depressing subjects, but I filled my car up today. Well, $91.21
later, I paid and left the establishment. Yes, I admit, I drive an SUV gas hog but
it's paid for, and I hate to try and trade.

Well, while pumping gas, I noticed a small child pumping gas for his mom, I
guess she was his mom. He struggled to hold the nozzle steady. He was not
but maybe six, but he was giving it his all. Thank goodness his struggle was almost over when I began.

Evidently a man noticed his struggle and walked over to help. The alleged
mom gave the man a drop dead look and proceded to yell at the child to hurry the hell up (as if he could make the pump work faster). The poor man, who was probably in his 70's, look puzzled. Can you blame him? I felt sorry for the man and boy.

Anyway, the task was complete and the man put the gas cap on and the nozzle back for the child, who skipped back to the car. As his mom stuffed him in the two door car on her side, she smacked him and screamed "you are useless, I told you last time you don't need no help, boy."
I looked at the man, who looked at the "mom," who evidently noticed our expressions. She graciously gave us both middle finger jesture....I guess as a thank you for caring???

I honestly do not understand the world today and some of the people in it. Honestly, I was writing to complain about gas prices, but that was not important after remembering that little boy. Do you understand why some act as they do? Let me know...I am puzzled.

Safety on the 4th

The 4th is a time for fun, good food, and family. Yes, and fireworks!

Common sense goes a long way to keep kids and adults safe. Unfortunately, we read and hear about accidents that happen even when people are practicing safety when putting on fireworks displays...big or small.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety gives tips and information to help make our July 4th celebrations safe and fun!

I included a link to them. Click on the fireworks icon.

Blessings galore!!!

Can you imagine twins and three years later find out you're expecting sextuplets? Personally, I cannot. I guess I begin to question my faith in myself and God in having the strength to handle the emotions of the news, much less the reality of life after the birth. I have the utmost respect for Jon and Kate. They truly are a team in every sense of the word. Their faith in God to guide them strengthens their bond as husband and wife, and teammates. I admire their outlook on life, and the fact they are real enough to let us enter their home every week and enjoy their lives with them. I just began reading Multiple Blessings, and so far I am hooked!

To be honest with you and myself, I would probably be insane with twins, and the thought of six more would put me over the edge. I hate doing laundry now, and it's just my husband and me. The house would never get cleaned (duh, nothing new), and I'd probably lose a kid or two under mess lying around that never got put away. Man, six bottoms to change and six mouths to get food ready for...wow...can we say challenging?

Then, I think about entering the door and having six plus two running to give hugs and kisses, and I get that warm, fuzzy feeling. Telling six plus two goodnight, sweet dreams, and I love you, at night, oh, I just can't imagine! Love in the home can overpower so many obstacles, and their home is filled with more than enough for all.

Homeschooling the sextuplets for preschool is one of Kate's goals, and I have much respect for her and all the mom's that home school. It keeps the family closer than having kids in school six hours each day. So many wonderful moments can happen during the course of learning at home with mom or dad. The learning trips and opportunities that just arise at home are endless. After teaching in public schools for 28 years, I am an advocate of homeschooling...that is from parents really devoted to giving their children all they need. Also, I know all parents cannot home school, I didn't. I did stay totally involved in my daughter's education, as I feel all parents should do. But, I know that I missed quality time that cannot be replaced. Honey, I'm sorry, but parents do what they have to do.

I have read the blogs of homeschooling moms, and I send those moms my respect and gratitude for their efforts in creating future adults for our world. It's a hard job!!!

Home schooling moms, a huge shout out for all of you!!!

Pay teachers $3.00 an hour!

Funny how one thing leads to another that is so opposite in concept. In my
hometown today, the newspaper published a listing of salaries for principals,
district office personnel, and other administrators. This was requested
under the Freedom of Information Act and the complete list of teachers
making over a certain amount is on the paper's website. Most districts/counties
do this in the state.
It reminded me of something I ran across several years ago about teacher salaries, which are substantially less than the published list. I just thought I'd share.

Are You Sick Of High Paid Teachers? Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do - baby sit! We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PMwith 45 min. off for lunch and plan — that equals 6 1/2 hours).

Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children.
Now how many do they teach in day…maybe 30? So that’s $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day. However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

LET’S SEE…. That’s $585 X 180= $105,300 peryear. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).
What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 childrenX 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher’s salary (nation wide) is $50,000. $50,000/180 days = $277.77/per day/30 students=$9.25/6.5 hours = $1.42 per hour per student–a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE yourkids!)
WHAT A DEAL!!!!

I do not know who wrote this, but any credit goes to that person. I hope you enjoyed reading. What do you think?

Born between 1946 and 1964...you're a Boomer!

EONS is a fun social site for boomers! I love enteracting with friends I've made on the site. There's always something fun happening, and the bloggers give great views, recipes, and friendship.

At eons.com you can:
express yourself through your Profile and share your life—with privacy settings that keep you in charge;
join Groups around your passions and interests or start your own;
share photos and videos with friends and family;
play games to build your brain and challenge others;
laugh out loud and have fun with your Eons friends every day!

So, do you think you want to try it?

First one since retirement!!!

Yes, I am counting down the days already! This will be my first holiday season since I've retired. I am so looking forward to decorating. I am already planning get-to-gathers that I normally don't have time to do. I may even have my shopping done before Christmas Eve. That's an exciting prospect for me!

I am hoping it will be the best Christmas we've had in a few years. Hopefully, my daughter will be home by then...that in itself makes any day Christmas for me.

This year we will have my great-nephew to enjoy, even though he'll only be six months old, babies just bring joy to all things.

Honestly, I have already started planning Thanksgiving, too. I just want the entire holiday season to be filled with fun, family, and love!