Another Top Ten

Yet again, I have let the blog slip. We have been so busy between work, school and the holidays that I have failed to post in a LONG time! So in good old David Letterman fashion (not that I like him, but I DO like his top 10 segment), here is what we have been doing, in no particular order:

1. Been to a wedding and most of us were in the wedding -- Dennis's sister, Diana's wedding to Taylor. Beautiful wedding, gorgeous bride! Jack handed out programs (he said he had the most customers!), Rachael and Avery were flower girls and Dennis lectored. There's Jack putting on the "hard sell."



Poor baby Sam was sick the whole time with what we later learned was strep throat. I held him for a big part of the weekend just trying to keep him comfortable.


2. Turned 45! There's Dennis with his cake made by yours truly just before Christmas.

3. Had lots of fun in all of the snow! We have gotten ALOT of snow this year and the kids are now actually tired of it. We are ready for spring. But our yard should look great!

4. Gotten 2 new puppies! Our first (see above) joined our family in January. "Lucky" (as in "lucky to be alive") is a Border Collie that my sister Judith and her husband gave us. We have had lots of fun with him. "Sparkle," another Border Collie, joined us over spring break. Jack is in charge of Lucky and Rachael is in charge of Sparkle.

5. Had a really great Christmas! We enjoyed Christmas with all of our families. This year I made a conscious effort not to get too stressed out and sleep deprived. This meant less baking, using gift bags instead of wrapping, etc. It also meant that I was in a much better mood and we all had a happier holiday time. Unfortunately, my Christmas cards ended up at the bottom of the list, too. I ordered them and had them the week before Christmas, but somehow, never got them sent out. I hoped to have them out by Valentine's Day. That didn't happen, so I'm shooting for Easter. When is it too late?

6. Been working, working, working. There's Sam. He thinks he's doing me a service by helping me file (read: unfile).

7. Crawling, crawling, crawling. Sam is all over the place! He crawls throughout the house, and his favorite spot is in the bathroom. He really likes the toilet, so all lids are down now!

8. Been to Market (to Market, to buy a fat pig!). Dennis has been to Dallas flooring market, I went to Dallas accessories market (Sam came along for the ride!) and Dennis spent a few days at Vegas market. We are watching our stocking with the economy, but it was great to get out and look and get a game plan for when consumer spending really picks up. Dennis also went to Indiana for a VIP tour of one of our favorite vendors, Best Chairs. He was really impressed with their craftsmanship and quality when he saw it first hand.

9. Participated in the Science Fair. This was our third year and the kids did great. We learn a little bit more each year, and next year it's for a grade for Jack. Jack's project was on the corrosiveness of soft drinks -- and how hard they are on your teeth. He placed 2nd in his category. Rachael did a taste panel on regular fat foods versus low fat and fat free foods. She placed 3rd with her project.

10. Once again, we've been blessed beyond measure. There are times, in our business, that we get so discouraged for one reason or another. It worries us, because it is our livelihood and also supports the families of our employees. Small miracles and the kind words of our customers validate what we do, and we know God is totally in control. I used to consider myself lucky; now I know it's not luck, it's the grace of God that provides the many blessings afforded me and my family.