webcam fun

We recently got a webcam set up at home so that we could correspond live with Richard in Illinois. It took us (3 adults) about a day to get all the workings on boths ends up and running so that we could actually use it. Within minutes of me walking away from the computer, having already shut it down, Ellie got on, brought it up, and took these pictures of herself. She was having a great time. There is absolutely no learning curve for children on computers these days. It all comes so naturally to them. It amazes me. I can't wait until I can just rely on my kids for all of my technological needs. I think it will be soon.

I take my chances

I just got off the phone with Richard and one of my favorite songs was on--Mary Chapin Carpenter (love her) I Take My Chances and it struck me that I've kinda lived my life this way. And furthermore, I still enjoy this approach to life. I know there is sense to playing everything safe, but for some reason there wasn't enough sense in it to make me listen. True, I've paid the price, but I've also lived the life and plan to continue to do so. Just a couple of my thoughts today as I contemplate the big move ahead.


I took a walk in the rain one day on the wrong side of the tracks
I stood on the rails till I saw that train
Just to see how my heart would react
Now some people say that you shouldn't tempt fate
And for them I would not disagree
But I never learned nothing from playing it safe
I say fate should not tempt me

I take my chances, I don't mind working without a net
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get

I sat alone in the dark one night, tuning in by remote
I found a preacher who spoke of the light but there was brimstone in his throat
He'd show me the way according to him in return for my personal check
I flipped my channel back to CNN and I lit another cigarette

I take my chances, forgiveness doesn't come with a debt
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get

I've crossed lines of words and wire and both have cut me deep
I've been frozen out and I've been on fire and the tears are mine to weep
Now I can cry until I laugh and laugh until I cry
So cut the deck right in half, I'll play from either side

I take my chances, I pay my dollar and I place my bet
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances, I don't cling to remorse or regret
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances

I take my chances

Maddie's Song

Maddie's Band Concert

Maddie is in band this year and is quite enjoying it. She plays the vibraphone--a percussion instrument that she doesn't have to practice at all thanks to her years on the piano. I think that's why she enjoys it so much. It takes no effort on her part. Despite that fact, she is really pretty good. Her band teacher, Mr. Roberts, whom the students sometimes call Mr. Bobs, is really amazing. He teaches a band class before school and one after school and still teaches during the day too. He is somehow able to put about 80 kids in one room and get them to play many different instruments to the point that they are actually making music. Most of these kids have little to no musical training prior to this year. It truly amazes me. So, without further adieu, Maddie's favorite song of the concert. (She was really embarrassed and begged me not to post this, but I had to because I love her so much.) She's hard to see behind the trombones, but her mallets are really moving and she has a lot of fun with her instrument.

That was the original post, but I could not get the video to work on the blog for a couple of reasons, therefore I decided not to post it at all, but since she has sent the message to look for it I will post the still shot I took of her and her friend. They really work well together and make beautiful music.

My Little Princess

I'm seriously concerned that we (I am referring to all members of my household) have gone a little too far with the fantasy that my youngest child is a princess. It starts out so innocently. They are born so sweet and beautiful that you can't help but begin to refer to them as little princesses. I've done it with all of my girls. But there comes a time when they begin to realize they are just about like everyone else in the world and no matter how hard you try, you can't convince them that they really are special and truly as wonderful as a princess.

I've met the exception. My Ellie really thinks she is a princess. . . and so far we haven't told her otherwise. But she really does have a certain aire about her. It's the way she walks--arms down to the sides with wrists holding "pretty" hands out in an unmistakable princess fashion. It's the attitude--a certain bossyness that only a real princess could get away with. And ever since Christmas, it's the way she sleeps. She had been asking for a sleeping mask (is that what you call them?) for a while because Maddie has one and she really thought it was great. So she got one in her stocking this year. I just laugh every time I go to check on her and there she is, a four year old wearing a sleeping mask. Would anyone but a real princess do that?

2008 Naperville Inaugural Gala

We've had quite a weekend of travel and excitment. Richard has been in Naperville for a couple of weeks now and they were having their annual gala this weekend. So, we flew Robyn in on Thursday to take care of the kids. I flew out on Friday night to attend the gala, Richard and I flew home on Saturday and Richard and Robyn flew home on Sunday. Phew!--glad that's over.


The Gala was quite an event. It was all formal (which I don't do very often, but it's fun), so I was able to pull out some of my fanciest stuff. The only thing I bought were these killer shoes--killer in the way they looked AND felt. Uhg! (Yes, I was dying by the end of the night.) They matched my dress perfectly though. "Beauty is painful sometimes. Be tough."--Moriah Carey. I really did hear her say that once. So, this is what we looked like. Can you believe we didn't get one full length shot? Another Uuuhg!





When they announced Richard they played the theme to the Johnny Carson Tonight Show and everyone gave him a standing ovation. It was like he was a celebrity or something. It was pretty cool. He gave a great little speech about what he's already learned about Naperville and what his plans are for the Chamber and the community. We met tons of people and they all made us feel very welcome and excited to be a part of the area. We will have a great time there. It was a great evening including a magic show, great dinner, dancing and Richard juggling



The next morning, on the flight home I had a head full of bobby pins and didn't make it through security without a full body check. It was my first time. Richard thought it was pretty funny and had to get this shot.

Best Show I've Seen (in a while)

On the day I flew home from Omaha I had a ticket to go see Riverdance with my Broadway Series girls. I had been anticipating this for months and was so excited to go. The show was incredible. The music ranged from lively to lulling, but always entertaining. The Lord of the Dance guy was amazing. It left me wondering how long it would take Richard to learn to dance like that. :) Okay, just kidding about that, but maybe me? Okay, I'm kidding about that too. . . maybe. There was this Flamenco girl that was incredible. I liked that she was a full figured woman and was every bit as good as any of the little irish dancers. She had moves and she knew what to do with them. Okay, sorry. . .I'm getting a little punchy. It's late and you can tell. If you ever get the chance to go, it will be so worth it.

Winner of the Best New Game Award goes to. . .

Ticket to Ride. Daren and Joni got this for Christmas and we played it 6 times in 2 days. It is so much fun. We played the Europe version. There is an America version, but I guess it's a little simpler--maybe better for younger players. I love that it requires a little bit of strategy, but still has an element of chance, it doesn't take too long to play, and once you start playing it's not complicated with too many rules to remember. It's really fun. Thank you Daren and Joni for staying up late and playing with me.

Our Christmas trip to the midwest

Merry Christmas from us!

Here are a few shots from our Christmas this year. I know this is a bit late, but this is the first chance I've had to post in quite a while. I hope you all had a great Christmas.