Happy 18th Birthday Jamie!

We had such a great day celebrating Jamie - we did about half the stuff she came up with in the last week - it was a full day.  We went to church all together at Salem this morning - joined by Kathryn and Christian.  Our new pastor (Glen Stevens) is preaching through the book of Mark.  We like him very much.

Birthday lunch was at HuHot Mongolian Grill.  We haven't been there in awhile and really enjoyed making up our own bowls of deliciousness for the grill.  Jamie is still a carnivore - chicken, beef AND pork!  That's my sweet girl!


Then we were off to Mexican Village (a local favorite) for Fried Ice Cream which Jamie claims is even more awesome than birthday cake.  It WAS yummy.  And Jamie's was free!  Which brings up an interesting quirk about Jamie's birthday - when does she get her free meal, dessert, coffee, whatever?  She was born February 29, 1992 so she only has a "real" birthday once every four years.


We all came home for presents - which were pretty much awesome all the way around.  Then Kathryn & Jamie went to do sister stuff for a couple hours.  Nate & Jamie took Kathryn to work and then went on to see "Valentine's Day."  I thought it was super sweet for Nate to take his sister to see a movie she wanted to see.  

Grandma Miller sent Jamie a special card and included a card that Philip sent to Uncle Brett for his eighteenth birthday.


It was neat to see the familiar handwriting and what he had to say to his brother on his 18th.

Grandma & grandpa Knick sent Jamie such a neat gift - Grandpa made Jamie a recipe box made from water maple wood cut from their property in Ohio.  It got a lot of ooooos and aahhhhhhs.  It's a beautiful box with a woodcut of Jamie's name on top and special dividers inside.  It has large 4 x 6 cards that Jamie has started to write her favorite recipes on already!


We all love the lid that has curved sides and a latch that clasps itself when you close the lid - a point Jamie made and giggled over at least 15 times in a row.

Jamie also received cards & gifts from Aunt Cindy Grandma & Grandpa Knick, Grandma & Grandpa Miller and Jeff's parents (Don & Gloria) and Barry & Cindy Klein.  She was excited to shop with generous cash gifts of course:  she bought herself a penny whistle, sketch book...she also has plans to buy a fish - she has her eye on a beta!  I'm trying to encourage her to wait until she moves to school as I take care of my fish mostly my ignoring them to make them strong.  They are hearty goldfish - not sure betas would thrive in MY fishbowl.

  Jamie and i had so much fun shopping at Hobby Lobby yesterday.  I really wanted to get her some art supplies that she could use for the rest of this year and for school next year as well.  We found a nice portfolio case for carrying both projects and supplies.  It seems very versatile.  We also found a book for displaying her art all together.  It was fun to have her with me to pick it out but didn't leave many surprises for her to open.  Jeff & I did get her favorite beef jerky Jack's Links!  (she's always been the carnivore of the family - we even had steak for supper last night!!)


After eighteen years celebrating Jamie, each gets more fun - we learn more about our dear Jamie.  She is the joy of our lives.  We're going to miss her so much when her life moves to the next phase this summer.  But she is so ready - she been practicing with her wings.  She'll soon be ready to fly!

Kid Coasters!

I edited these pictures in Picasa (google photo editor) for a set of coasters I have that are also nice wooden photo frames. I also figured out how to send them to the special photo paper tray on my printer (I hope! I haven't gone downstairs to check yet). And now I'm pretty sure I'm going to send the pics to my blog right from Picasa. I think Google might rule the world.

WeekEnd Miscellany

OK.  First of all.  WHY has no one asked me to buy GirlScout cookies this year?? Isn't it time?  Did I miss it?  If you know a Girl Scout, would you please send her to my door?  thank you.

Nate has completed his first lactose-free milk week.  Wow.  What a difference a week makes.  He drank regular milk for lunch at school one day as an experiment and felt lousy all through algebra!  (we got the note from the doc so he can get the good stuff at school now)  He feels better.  His appetite is better.  What a simple happy thing.

Alex has been enjoying the company of his teachers a little more than usual this week - he has started a schedule of staying after 4 days a week.  Though he is a "pleasure to have in class," his grades do not currently reflect his academic capabilities.  So.  A little more attention to the assignment book at school & at home and a little more (ok, a LOT more) organization through the rest of the year.  AND his mama may have found The Cello Teacher for Alex.  A student at MSUM - I enjoyed visiting with him on the phone very much.  They are getting together next Tuesday evening to "see if they like each other."  Keep your fingers crossed!!  May the stars align!

Jamie continue to enjoy her Advanced Art class.  One of her watercolor pieces is currently on display at the school.  That's kinda cool!  We're celebrating her 18th birthday this weekend.  So far IHOP after church on Sunday and cards in the afternoon.  Alex thinks we should bowl a little Sunday evening when we drop Kathryn off for work so we'll see how things develop.  Jamie also got her Official Email Notification from Tay that she is hired to work at Pine Haven this summer.  She will be working 3/4 time with the "indoor team" and 1/4 time with the "outdoor team."  She's pleased with the arrangement and really feels that this is where she needs to be this summer.  We're so excited for her - and waiting to see what will be!

Marissa has pretty much completed her move to a one-bedroom "solo" apartment.  Jeff helped her some with cleaning and painting this week to finish up - the former roommates pretty much missed out on all that fun.  ;-7  Kathryn's new roommates are moved in - they hardly saw each other the first week.  They've spent some time "hanging out" now and seem to enjoy each other.  I think Kathryn would like to get her own place this summer when the lease is up - but the apartment is SO close to campus and she's planning to go back to school in the Fall.  Hard to let it go.

Jamie & Ashlee have been txting some possibilities back and forth for summer visits.  Ashlee would really like to come from Texas for Jamie's graduation but school won't be quite over for her and she would need to re-arrange some finals.  We're also looking at visit possibilities in August.  Can't wait to get her back here for awhile.

Jeff blogged earlier this week about the Oscar nominations.  We DO like to watch movies - but he's the King when it comes to the actors and directors and plots and other such trivia.  Poor guy often has to remind me whether or not I've ever seen a movie - I must sleep through more than I realize!  One I DO remember is my favorite for this year - UP.  We got it from Netflix to watch with the kids again this weekend.  Seriously - I believe this movie has the best opening 10 minutes of any movie I've ever seen anywhere.  So, so sweet - so touching.  I don't know who else in my row was crying, but I was deeply moved and heard plenty of sniffing around the theater.  If you haven't yet, do.

I worked on a blog entry this week on the subject "to ASK or not to ASK."  You know, the question about the elephant in the room.  The question so obvious, but so hard to ask?  Should I?  Shouldn't I?  Maybe it's none of my business.  

I asked Jeff to take a look at it before posting.  He thought maybe I was starting work on a book!  :-)  Guess THAT one needs a little editing.  Here's the thumbnail.  As long as you're talking to right person:  ASK.   Then Accept (what you hear), Say (what you think), and Keep (it to yourself).   Don't know if I was born to be a teacher or have just been hanging out with preachers too long - the acronym just came to me.  And that may be the last you see of that idea! 

Have an excellent weekend.  Stay warm & be cool.

<3