30 is the new 20 right?

That is what Eric is hoping!  Today is his birthday!  Happy Birthday deary.  I made him his cake but it was a crazy hectic day and so I never made the frosting (German chocolate for his German chocolate cake which is what he wants every year) and cake without frosting is like not wearing clothes - Don't do it!  We'll be singing and blowing out candles tomorrow.  Sorry!  The kids were excited to give Daddy his presents and Mommy's present was a stay at a bed and breakfast.  AWESOME!  I've never stayed in one before and man am I hooked now.  Who wants to sponsor us to check out all the ones in our area?  Here is their website.  Super cute place and such nice owners!  http://mckenziehousebnb.com/  Anyway, Eric I'm so glad I get to be around as you get older 'cuz I think you are pretty great and pretty much my bestest friend.  Sure love ya!  Happy 30th!

Bye Bye Marley

I am sadly lacking a picture of Marley, our 1992 Ford Aerostar.  She is black and cost us $800 2 years ago.  I really am proud of that van, it never needed any major repairs either, a patched tire here and an oil change there and by golly she got us where we needed to go.  Granted she had some problems and more than once I had people give me looks when I fired her up wondering if I'd make it home.  She had one duct tape window, a front passenger door only opened from the outside, not much in the way of AC, some trouble purring (vaahvoom, vaahvoom, vaahvoom, die, start her again, much better) and she didn't like to shift into gear all the time.  (Did I miss anything?)  It usually happened when I was backing out of the driveway putting it into drive and nothin' doin'.  Well despite all these little set backs I was admittedly prideful of my ugly van.  My dad (of all people) also told Eric once he was impressed I put up with the van for so long.  Well when we bought it the goal was for it to last a mission, or 2 years, and it has done just that.  I'm sure there was help from heaven to keep her going.
Her name is Marley and that came from Jodi.  Jodi pulls names out of her hat for anything and everything (hence 2 previous cats were Snugly and Boofer).  One day we were driving down the road and the girls yell out "Go Marley!"  "Mom Marley is a super van, she can beat all the other cars.  Go Marley!"  Well the girls were right, she is a super van who has been donated to the local homeless shelter.  She went away today and we only shed a partial tear.  She is being replaced (hurray!) but not forgotten.  So long and thanks a bundle Marley.