The book is available!

My mom is an author!!! Her first book, shown above, was released today! I already have a copy, and it is a beautiful book. Here is a snippet from the back cover:

My Mom Has Alzheimer's chronicles the inspirational and sometimes humorous adventures that Linda and her mother have shared together. One hundred readings provide Christ-centered coping strategies that will enable caregivers to find strength and hope in God. This very practical book includes:

• Daily readings that contain stories about caregiving and related Scriptures.
• Words of hope for caregivers.
• A question-and-answer section that addresses issues such as respite care, legal counsel, and choices related to long-term care.

This book has been a labor of love for my mom. I am SO proud of her! If someone in your life has Alzheimer's Disease or if you are a caregiver of any kind, I highly recommend this book. It will be a blessing to you. Check out my mom's website for more information about the book and about ordering a signed copy. The book is also available at Amazon and Christian Books (although it is cheapest at my mom's site).

Happy Birthday, Brian!

Here is a photo of Brian taken on his second birthday. What a cutie!


And here is another photo of Brian, this one taken on his thirty-second birthday with his not quite two year old son. And he is still a cutie!


We have been told many times that Daniel looks so much like me (or my brother). However, as I flipped through Brian's childhood photo albums, I realized that our little blond hair, blue eyed boy most certainly does look like his father. Compare these two photos and see what I mean!

Brian at around 19 months.

Daniel at around 13 months.

Same cheesy smile...same little nose...same adorableness. Happy birthday, Brian. You mean the world to us.

Start your engines!

Daniel loves anything with a motor. One of his favorite pastimes is sitting in Brian's truck (or any vehicle) and pretending to drive. He always wants to hold the keys, and he has become very good at putting them into the ignition. So, I guess it should be no surprise that Daniel wanted to "start" his wooden ride-on cow. Where is the ignition on a wooden cow? On the back end, of course!

Our favorite lunch

During the summer months, Brian often enjoys a big, juicy BLT for lunch. I, on the other hand, am not fond of tomatoes. I try to like them, really I do. At least once a year, I force myself to take a bite of one, hoping that this time it will taste good. As of yet, it has never happened. So, while Brian has his BLT, I usually have an ABC sandwich. ABC stands for apples, bacon, and cheese. Mmmm! Make a couple slices of toast, put some mayo on there, and layer up the apples, bacon, and cheese. You've got to try it. Yumm-o!

Loooooong week

Oh mercy, this has been one long week. Last Saturday, Daniel and I both came down with a virus. Upset stomachs, sore throats, head congestion. Ugh! You moms out there know what it is like to be sick yourself, but to have to keep going and care for a sick baby. It's not fun, especially when the baby decides not to sleep much for about five days. Anyway, we made it through, and today I woke up feeling revived. Unfortunately, I focused in on the house and realized what a wreck it had become! Imagine that! After mopping the floors and doing about ten loads of laundry, things are starting to improve.
Here are a few photos I snapped this week. In this first one, Daniel is enjoying the recent issue of The Furrow, a magazine published by John Deere. He was looking at all the tractor pictures and saying "Vroooooom...vroooooom!"


Below is our sick little boy watching Finding Nemo with his daddy.

And finally, here he is with his new favorite food...popsicles!

Garage sale success!

I love me some garage sales! After having Daniel, I realized that babies grow fast...very fast. And this means that they often need new clothes. I have found some of the most adorable outfits at garage sales for next to nothing. It is like a treasure hunt, trying to track down these fabulous bargains. I hit pay dirt last weekend and found several garage sales with little boy clothes in exactly Daniel's size. I am pretty picky...the clothes have to look virtually new...no stains, no holes, no fading. Some of the things I found on Friday looked like no one had even worn them. Yipee! Here is a peek at what I got for around $15.


And here is a tricycle we found for $10. It is a little big for Daniel now, but it won't be long until he is racing around the driveway on it.

Fruit of his labor

Brian is the gardener in our family. He has planted, watered, and tended our garden all summer long. I have a few planters and flower pots on the deck, but other than that, Brian takes care of everything that is green and growing on our premise. His big success this year has been okra. We love it fried but are hoping to pickle some too. The tomatoes have done alright, and last week we accumulated enough to can some salsa. I shouldn't say "we" because once again, Brian handled that chore from beginning to end. Daniel and I were running some errands in town, and when we got home Brian was putting the lids on 11 pints of salsa. We have already downed one jar, and I must say, it is very tasty! Thank you, hubby!