If my marriage were defined by your marriage:

Then, I'd worry about whether you were well suited to each other. 

Do you fight a lot? 

Is one of you more attractive than the other? 

Does one of you have a much larger earning potential than the other? 

Will one of you be a much more nurturing parent than the other? 

Is it your first marriage, or your second, third or fourth? How likely is this marriage to succeed? 

How long did you know each other before you decided to marry? 

Do your parents approve? 

How committed are you to making your marriage succeed? 

But, you see, the sanctity of MY MARRIAGE does not depend upon the details of YOUR MARRIAGE. 

Whether you stay married for 78 years, or divorce in a few months, my marriage does not depend upon yours. 

Whether you are black, or white, or purple with pink polka dots, my marriage does not depend upon yours. 

Whether you are republican, or democrat, or libertarian, or green, American Independent et al, 

MY MARRIAGE DOES NOT DEPEND UPON YOURS. It's mine. 

Whether you love a person of the opposite gender, or of your same gender, it does not affect my marriage. 

My Marriage is strong. It is built on LOVE. No matter who ANYONE ELSE MARRIES, it does not make my marriage less than it was before. 

(posted originally on a message board I frequent - in response to California's Supreme Court upholding Prop. 8 - my feelings exactly.)

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

This is my first time participating in the monthly blog hop, very exciting!  The challenge this month was to create a card using the color yellow.  Very challenging, it's not my go-to color, but I'm very pleased with what I created: (click 2nd photo to see yellow more closely)

I used Pebbles Linnie Bell patterned paper, a Prima lollipop flower and background stamp, PTI white and melon berry cardstock, PTI "Life" stamp set (my fave right now!)  Also: PTI Lemon Tart ink (for soft background on white), and PTI Summer Sunrise ink for the vertical flower stamp. 

Thanks for looking!

Sunday at the Chalet

The "J" Family invited us up for the day to their chalet (about an hour away in the mountains). I work with Tim, the Dad, - and I just adore him. He's very wise, loves to argue with me about politics, and tease me about my love of opening packages before their time. His family is lovely, they have been over twice for annual Christmas parties, and although the age spread is vast between Emma and the kids - she loves hanging out with all of them - and yesterday was no exception. It was an absolutely gorgeous day - high 60's up there, although still snow on the ground - sunny and.. well.. gorgeous. Tim barbecued a porkloin smothered in onions, sauteed garlic cloves and fresh cilantro - who knew?!? DEEE-lish! I made a buttermilk cake with fresh raspberries and blueberries, total hit with coffee after dinner. We were home by 9:30, such a great getaway with great people.


First there were the hummingbirds just feet away from me on the deck....
And then Kara (14 almost 15) carefully watching Carl with a card trick - and betting him she'd get it (she lost).
And Tim's lovely wife Diane who challenged Carl to some cribbage - I love to watch people play. It can go so quickly and I get so far behind, but they were ribbing each other the entire time.

The kids were outside ALL DAY - from 12:00 to 8:00pm - with neighbor kids, 6 in all, playing cops and robbers; tag; playing in the forest; and then Carl had to instigate a snowball fight. Once he came down from the deck the kids pummeled him - and he took our daughter hostage as a human shield.
Here's Tim giving a funny mini-lecture to Gina (17) - she and I were giggling the whole time he was so serious... I don't even remember what he was talking about :)
And here's Kara again with Emma, and Jackson their son (9)
And don't forget Bella... what a lovey. Carl and I instantly fell in love with this Goldendoodle (golden retriever/standard poodle). She's big but oh so cuddly. I'm asking for another dog...

Let's catch up, shall we?

So things have been quite busy here in Coleland... soccer, softball, soccer, soccer, Carl working late all week, soccer.  You get the picture :)  Here are some random shots of the past week or two:

I took Emma and Kennedy for girls' day out at the nail salon, we got pedicures and manicures and then they promptly came home and played on scooters and went swimming:

Bowling night with co-workers (citywide sponsored event, it was fun) - here we are:  The Court Queenpins in all of our glory - and we didn't do badly at all!  (Thank goodness for Shannon's high scores each game :)

Selected for Soccer

Emma participated in organized try-outs for a local soccer club, called "select" soccer - you can't just pay to play, like a recreational league (which she has done the past 3 years).  It was pouring down rain the last two nights, she stayed out and pushed through for 2 hours each night being evaluated - and they called tonight to offer her a spot.  She is so proud of herself.  It is a Player Development League, there will be weekend tournaments and some traveling, and then the normal Fall league from September-November.  She has to sign up this Friday and be fitted for uniforms - fingers crossed she gets her number that she's worn up until now... #4.  It's a big financial commitment too, but if she sticks with it, there's a good chance of college scholarships.  In fact the U18 girls team with the same club all got college soccer scholarships this year.  That's impressive.  Here's who she will be playing with:

http://www.washingtonpremierfc.com/

Awesome job Emma... we're so proud of you!!

Weekend activities

We watched an 11yo neighbor, Jordyn, this weekend while her parents were away.  She is a great girl and she and Emma had a wonderful weekend.  Last night we all went bowling (Kennedy came along too) and then to an early Cinco de Mayo dinner at the local Mexican restaurant.  Yummmmmy.  Carl is out shopping at Cabela's today with Raph (I should have deactivated the debit card... :) and I've been pumping out these baby shower invites for a friend I used to work with.  I'm co-hosting the shower and of course I jumped all over making the invites :)