New bike!!!!

Craig took me to Assenmacher's to get a new bike!
It was SO exciting!
After riding several different bikes,
I chose this one! I LOVE it!!!
He bought my old bike 26 years ago . . .
time for new technology!
Love it! :)
It looks like it has a headlight,
but it's just the reflector!!
It does have a very cool horn (bing-bing) on it!!
Love it! :)
I can't wait to join the "Shifting Gears" for a bike hike! :)

Graduation - ChiTown

Adam, Julia, Sarah, and Jonathan in front of

beautiful tulips - downtown Chicago

After graduation, we hopped the Metra train and headed into Chicago to celebrate Julia's graduation. We strolled along the Magnificent Mile, shopped, ate, and enjoyed our time together as a family! Bella went along and stayed in her 'bag' all day, very contented!

Sarah and Julia in the train station

Julia and Adam in the Hershey store . . . yummy
Craig and me at the 'Bean'.

Bella enjoying Millennium Park

It was a great day of celebration and family time! What a precious time to draw closer together~ pulling our hearts close! I so enjoyed being together!! How blessed am I!

Graduation from Olivet Nazarene

This weekend was Julia's graduation from ONU! It was a beautiful, outdoor ceremony - - very moving and touching! We feel so blessed that Julia could be immersed in that faithful environment, and a part of the Olivet family for the past three years! She as grown into a beautiful, confident, and self-assured young woman!

Doesn't' she look happy - - it's been three intense years of study! Phew!

BELLA joined our trip to Chicago - - her first road trip!

My Grandpuppy!!

~~ BELLA ~~

Yesterday we opened our hearts to a new puppy! Julia is graduates Saturday from Olivet Nazarene and REALLY wanted a puppy as her 'graduation gift'. She researched and searched the internet until she found just the 'right' one. Bella is a 7 week old, adorable, shih tzu puppy. She is totally lovable! I really think she is probably the cutest puppy in the whole entire universe!!

Isn't she just the sweetest little puppy??
She almost looked 'ticked' she has to go outside to potty!!
She's pretty comfortable just using the kitchen floor instead of going outside!
Hmmm...

SPRING

Don't these sweet flowers just scream "SPRING"?!!!

I love to see the flowers pop open as the rain washes them clean. This afternoon, the sun was brightly shining on the flowers as I drove in our driveway. It seemed their little stems were proudly holding up the beautiful buds to the sun ~ thanking God for the fresh drinks of water. I love spring anywhere, but If I could choose, I would always greet spring in my garden!

Happy Spring!

Nashville

Last Saturday, Craig and I headed to Nashville to meet up with family! Kay and Dean were coming from Kansas City - - an eight hour drive for all of us! We stayed in a beautiful condo right across the street from the Grand 'Ole Opry!

Craig driving to Nashville! Doesn't he look happy?!! NOT!

Me, after several hours in the car! Ughhh...
Kay and I went to see the beautiful Opryland Hotel!
It was amazing!
We even toured the Country Music Hall of Fame! Loved it!
John and Katie - love 'em!!
The highlight of our trip was to see Katie and John again! We met at their house, and went to dinner at a very quaint and sweet restaurant in Columbia. It was great to see them and catch up on their lives!
They are special and dear friends!

We all had a 'big' time in Nashville - we're rested and ready for the final 8 weeks of school!! Yahoo!!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

Check out this delectable piece!

This week I celebrated my birthday! It was a wonderful week filled with beautiful cards and well wishes! My VERY favorite part of my birthday was the scrumptious, triple chocolate cake Craig made from scratch! It was perfect in every way!!! The cake was moist and chocolaty with little bits of melted chocolate throughout, and the icing was creamy mocha chocolate! Yummmy! (I've eaten a rather large piece each day this week!)

To think that just weeks ago, before Craig went on 'disability', he was an expert on cooking Minute rice and oatmeal! Beyond that, he was a paraplegic in the kitchen! This time off work is panning out quite nicely! (no pun intended!) I think his new name shall be Craig Crocker!! Deeelish!!