Tues night on our way home........



And, a thought for today.
A good reminder. On a spiritual level too:

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember this story: A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.' The professor then produced a container of liquid from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The Rocks are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends. If everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.Your favorite hobbies/passions. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you. 'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the rocks first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the liquid represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The liquid just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.'

Kaela is 7 today!

Mom & Dad....Jeanne

Jana, Laura, Lynisha & Derek

Dalayna, Ryan & Relyssa

Meshayla, Morgen & Kara

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Kaela,
Happy Birthday to you!!

So did you have the mistaken idea that the 12th child in the family doesn't get as much attention as some of the others?? New baby comes along, and everyone just acts like it's another day & no one pays attention... Poor thing, no one to love her, play with her, no new clothes or toys. Especially no pictures :*)

Kaela...you are so lucky! 8 sisters and 3 brothers. You definetly have not been lacking for love or attention!!
It's hard to belive you are 7 already. Some special memories to me are...Your love for "sleeping in the middle" Your special song will always be "let them be little". --All the fun I've had with you and Kara, just 2 years apart, and dressing you alike. I hope you always remain as close as you have been. Watching you grow up--way to fast! Your independence...You started combing your hair when you were three, learning to ride a bike at 4, and learning to braid your hair when you were 5, insisting you had to learn to read before you went to school...
The special memory of Dalayna giving you your first bath after you were born, with all your siblings looking on. Derek coming home and picking up his little sister and taking her out to ride on the lawn tractor to mow with him & teaching you to ride the 4 wheeler. Remembering how thrilled you were to be a flower girl for Emily, Dalayna and Amanda all 3!!
I know you'll make many more special memories thru the years. We love you Kaelie Dawn!

Out of our ordinary days

Melissa (Jana's co-worker) and Jana
In the back yard at Juli & Paul's place in Wayne--North East Nebraska


This is the area of Nebraska that my Grandparents lived and my mom was born & grew up in. Beautiful country with rolling hills.
I've been thru this area before, but it was nice to get a little closer look at the area. I'd never actually been in Wayne before, and it is a beautiful small town....

pretty houses, old houses & buildings loads of trees, hilly streets and when it comes to entertainment/celebrations...true small town enthusiasm!
This weekend was the annual "chicken festival"!! We got in on a parade....

Our group of spectators, and the kids were delighted with the generous handfulls of candy tossed! (the girl on the end chair is Melissa's twin. She came up Sat. to spend the day with her.)




As you can see, this parade included everything from toddlers in wagons.......






To Semi's and the "chickendales"....!!!!


Some of the spectators were nearly as entertaining as the parade~


downtown sidewalk sales,


a chicken auction:............


Red hat, Mosaic & "A spring chicken" were among about 1 -1/2 doz featured, bringing anywhere from $75-$200.00 (wish I could remember the name of the bikini beauty...!!)

fireworks....

I have not learned to take fireworks pictures on my camera yet, and could not see the settings at all in the dark, so just started snapping away anyway. Even tho they're total flops as "fireworks" pictures, I thought the resulting images were kind of fun...the "tornado" especially!
Also there were Arts & Crafts, fun & food vendors in the park across the street from Paul & Juli's place (How handy was that!!) For breakfast all we had to do was walk across the street to the Omelet feed, & Saturday afternoon was free ice cream bars!

We did skip some of the events that were taking place, for instance: *The worlds largest Chicken dance--*Free entertainment performance of "She thinks my cluckin's sexy"--* Live Chicken flying--*Rubber chicken chuck--*Best chicken legs..(strut those bird legs!)--*Hard boiled egg eating contest--Among others :*>

I also enjoyed some impromptu shopping--an antique organ stool for me and Juli found a really awesome antique cupboard that is going to be just perfect for a place in her dining room under a set of unique windows! Unfortunately it was to heavy & large for us to just pick up and carry home like I did the stool!


We had a very nice time with Jana even if it was short. Thank you very much Juli, Paul & girls! We enjoyed our stay at your "new" place very much!
I loved their house, had a great time taking more flower pictures in her beautiful flower gardens, & was envious of the "garden shed" that Juli is turning into a darling little guest house!!