Have you joined???

Hey--one more plug for the mission 24 photo challenge--

We have a blog up and running. Officially!

www.missiontwentyfour.blogspot.com

If you haven't gotten an invite to be able to post and you would like to, leave a comment or email me at hollowayfam(at)yahoo.com

We are having so much fun doing 2 challenges a week--all based on YOUR interpretation of a word. Head over, check it out, and sign up to play along. ALL levels of photography welcome! It really is for everyone.

This past challenge was a self-portrait,so it's a great chance to go "meet" everyone so far!

See you over there!!

The Ugly Duckling and return of the DVR

So much news today! Why not have a news awards ceremony??

Best news of the week award goes to test week being over. HOORAY!

Best Supporting Spouse award goes to BRANDON. Thank you for holding it together this week and doing great at school!

Most exciting up and coming news award goes to my mom coming to visit NEXT WEEK! YEAH!

Most shocking news of the day award goes to us buying a definitely not new car. Yes, we did. A 1990 Toyota Tercel--totally ugly little duckling. But for $500, you can't complain. The insides are DEFINITELY more beautiful than the outside.

Most JAWDROPPING news award goes to the little Tercel that has a WHOPPIN' 43,000 ORIGINAL miles on it! HELLO! That is less miles than our 3 year old van! :)

BEST DEAL news of the day award goes to Dish Network--our former (and now future) Satellite company. I decided we were paying too much for TV and cut the cords on it a few months back. I have been going through major DVR withdrawl--but we have managed. Well, I got a bill today and apparently they have been charging me every month without my knowing (or even having the service). When I called, they tried to get me to stay with their service, but I told them it was way too expensive and just couldn't justify that kind of cost. SO, after talking for a little bit, the guy offered me a lotta, lotta stuff...

We ended up getting a really good channel package (we don't need all the "fixin's" but a few channels are nice--it includes history, food network, Hallmark channel, TLC, HGTV, etc.) Total cost with our local channels each month? $16 with tax. This includes a brand new FREE DVR with free service for a year, and 3 months of FREE HBO/cinemax/Starz (we did this last time we signed up and just recorded tons of movies to watch over the next several months instead of renting movies.)

PLUS...PLUS....PLUS...The guy refunded all my charges from the past few month we hadn't used the service, AND OFFERED ME A $120 CREDIT on my future bills--that is basically like 10 months of service FREE! I was SOOO excited. I think I repeated everything about 19 times and clarified everything JUST to make sure it was real and there weren't any catches.

.....the short of all this is that I am so excited to have DVR again. I know a lot of you were saying we would watch less TV without it, but I have to say that for us it s totally opposite!! I think we watch a lot LESS tv with DVR because we only record the same shows we usually watch but we can cut out all the commercials and watch them on our own time. MUCH more effective...

And it's WAAAAAYY less than the $50 it was previously...$16, I can handle...

Back to the awards...

Most FUN news of the day award was that the kids (and I) watched Polar Express for the first time this morning. It was pretty cute...they were completely captivated!

Runner up for most fun news of the day award goes to our family pizza party where we attempted to watch Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (which the kids lost interest in really quickly and I was left straining to hear and catching only bits and pieces of the show) (and yes, that was our second movie of the day!!)

Most anticipated outing of the day award goes to me being able to browse the fabric store tomorrow and finish my chair covers so I can post pictures!!!

Most OBVIOUS news of the day award goes to Me being exhausted. Shocking, right?

Good night...

Rachel is...

If you are familiar with facebook, you will know that there is a space at the top of the page for you to share thoughts, status updates, etc. It says (your name) is...

For some reason I have thought about this a lot today--thought about all the things I could put, but didn't because I would have changed it a million times. :) So, this post is dedicated to my thoughts from the day as if I were posting them on facebook...

Rachel is disgusted that Spencer pooped in the tub while she was taking a shower this morning.

Rachel thinks Brandon is a nice guy for taking Jenna to school this morning--even though he did it grumpily. :)

Rachel is getting wrinkles...

Rachel doesn't know why there are dishes piled on the counter...and the table

Rachel thinks a clean kitchen is totally overrated...

Rachel wonders why her kids feel the need to eat constantly. Do we really need to eat 5 bags of fruit snacks a day?

Rachel thinks it is funny that Kaden has refused to wear anything besides a Buzz Lightyear pajama top the past 3 days. I mean, REFUSED.

Rachel chooses her battles wisely.

Rachel cleaned her kitchen...and decided it isn't as overrated as she thought. :)

Rachel really loves Macaroni and Cheese for lunch.

Rachel is tired

Rachel thinks her keyboard is shorting out. It keeps forgetting letters.

Rachel can't decide what she should do for a table cloth. So many choices!

Rachel is serving hot dogs for dinner. No ambition left.

Rachel is wondering why she also served chocolate pudding.

Rachel isn't sure white is the best choice for a table cloth.

Rachel is wondering why Kaden will only stay in the tub if the water is running.

Rachel wants to know which child jumped out of the bathtub and pooped on the kitchen floor while she was getting laundry out of the dryer.

Rachel wants to know why POOP is the story of her life.

Rachel is laughing because she updated Brandon's status on facebook to say
"Brandon thinks his wife is AMAZING for staying home and dealing with cranky kids all week while he studies for tests...and he thinks she deserves a weekend away now." Funny, huh??

Rachel is anxious for the kids to be in bed.

Rachel is shocked that the boys are fast asleep and it's only 7:20.

Rachel is waiting for Jenna to fall asleep so she can start sewing!

Rachel is going to blog and then sew...

Rachel is going to sign off...
night.

snow day!

We were officially dumped on last night and this morning...and pretty much all day. SNOW, SNOW, SNOW.

It was the perfect day to lounge...but after yesterday I really, REALLY needed to get out of the house. We started the morning with crazy cakes...just wild shapes made with pancake batter. The kids love these...
I realized I wasn't going ANYWHERE when I saw more than a foot of snow filling our driveway, but Brandon took a study break and shoveled for us. THANKS!!!

After an incredibly long time getting everyone ready, coats on (2 or 3 times) and in the car we made our way to the toy library. Slowly. The roads were SO bad...

I LOVE the library. The books, the feeling...everything about it awakens in me a sense of learning and adventure and discovery. And I LOVE it.

...and they always have really cool architecture and fixtures...

Unfortunately, when we got there the librarian told us she was happy we had come, but that they were closing in half an hour due to bad weather. It still gave us plenty of time to raid the shelves...

And play with toys...

And read a few books.

And we also got to check out a toy from the toy library--one of those parachutes you use in elementary school (that you all hold the sides and run under or bounce balls on it, etc)... we played with it this afternoon in the basement and it was really fun!

After the library we drove over to Cici's pizza for their lunch buffet. I was pretty excited because boys boys ate free and they gave me a coupon for Jenna's meal to be free with the purchase of mine, so we all ate all we wanted for $6.00. The kids were great--happy and really good eaters!

Finished the day with a childless trip to the fabric store to get stuff to start my kitchen redo...and have been ANXIOUS to start sewing tonight, but got too darn distracted with blogs and emails and now I think it's too late to start anything...FOCUS RACHEL, FOCUS.

Oh well, tomorrow...tomorrow....

but today was good. really good, in fact. Sigh. And I feel content.

On days like this...

It's days like this that test and try me beyond what I feel capable of handling.

And days like these usually occur during a test week, a.k.a. an already incredibly stressful 5 days that occur way too often! :)

And it is on those incredibly stressful days that all the members of our household seem to be more emotional, easier to anger, and way more frustrated with things. And it is also on these kinds of days that more messes occur, more baths are taken and more tears are shed than any other days of the month.

I have been thinking about this a lot this afternoon. We know that Satan is constantly attacking the family unit. But today as I fought feelings of failure and self-doubt, and wondered how I was ever chosen to be a mother to my kids, I realized something. (that I am sure is quite obvious--just had my AH-HA moment tonight...and again, this is my own opinion)

I don't think Satan works on families when they are together, working as a team, doing what is right and having optimistic attitudes. I think Satan works on families when there are times of weakness...times when we feel alone and are struggling with life. And especially when you are SLEEP-DEPRIVED. Kind of like kicking you when you're down.

I was so grateful when Brandon came home for a few minutes to grab some dinner and help calm the kids before heading back to study. Just having him, my best friend and teammate, walk in the door and embrace me while I cried, I felt that spirit of hope and optimism fill me.

I am grateful for my kids and all they teach me, but tonight I am especially grateful for Brandon...who is pushing through and working so hard to be the best for not only him, but his family, and God. And I am so proud of him for all he is taking on and how strong he is through it all.

...and I am also grateful bedtime.

...A Strawberry Cheesequake Blizzards from Dairy Queen...cause it made the day end a lot better than it was going. :)

You made me think twice...

I really thought it was all said and done when I decided to paint the PLASTIC tile in my kitchen. Forgot what it looks like?? Click here to see it.

BUT, So many of you loved it. I was shocked...it is really not a color I have been drawn to, especially not in large doses. But so many of you saw potential where I didn't.

WELL, my friend Jessica showed me a link to a bathroom that had a similar color and showed what had been done. It really sparked my interest...

No, yes it's a bathroom--and not exactly the same color as mine. But close. Regardless, I suddenly saw all sorts of ideas flash before me! My mind has been spinning a million miles a minute since then as I have started to piece all sorts of things together that I think would make this room POP. I have some awesome inexpensive ideas that I think could make this all work, without all the work of painting the tiles. Some of these ideas involve my table--which I had issues with that clashing with the floor and tiles. It just wasn't working for me. BUT, I figured out some nifty tricks that I think would look awesome. I can't WAIT to get to a fabric store to check stuff out to see if my vision will work...

This could be a total step outside my regular decorating comfort zone--and that thought is so exciting.

I know my sister-in-law Cassie is probably dying if she is reading this-- :)

So--we shall see what is to come...

But a big thanks to all you for your input and ideas. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Completely carefree. And loving it.

Because this post just NEEDS a picture....this is what I woke up to this morning...

I experienced yet another fiasco today--and I say this not to complain, but because I think it's quite humorous myself.

ALL morning we tried to call the ghetto Urgent care to get the prescription dosage so I could take the right antibiotic. All morning, nobody answered. I finally called my insurance at noon and they said to go back to someone else and get a new prescription since according to their records the urgent care I had gone to was closed on Sundays.

Off I went to a MUCH NICER urgent care. Was in and out--got the prescription. Off to the pharmacy. When I got to the pharmacy, I was told that (see if you can follow me on this one) the brother of the owner of the ghetto Urgent Care happened to be there when the pharmacist called about 20 minutes previous and was able to give the right dosage. But, I had been in a hurry and forgotten my cell phone, which meant missing the call to tell me all this.

SO, There was really no need to go back in to the new urgent care, my prescription was ready for pickup, and in the end I guess I know WHERE to go and where to AVOID. :)

Rested today...got the house in some sort of order since my last few days of complete and utter abandonment is really showing. But I also got in a NAP. The kind of nap it's hard to open your eyes from...sigh...a good one. And I feel so much better.

And like every time I nap, I am kicking myself that I took it...kind of. It was nice, yes. But I have the hardest time getting to sleep if I nap AT ALL during the day.

AS a result, I am up late and feeling completely carefree. Like, giddy carefree...Like, "I sure hope I am not supposed to be doing something important because I probably won't do it right now" carefree...

And it feels WONDERFUL!

I don't even really know what to write about...just feeling pretty darn good about life right about now.

Just me and my computer...and some Jim Brickman on Pandora sounding from the speakers while I try to dabble in facebook a little tonight.

Speaking of facebook...I have just discovered a whole little pocket of people in the past few days who are regular blogging friends, and I somehow didn't think about connecting on facebook too. So, drop me a line or add me as a friend if you are a Facebook fan...I like to keep track of where everyone is through it...

I added myself to Twitter too...but I honestly can't figure out what is so different about that and facebook. Can anyone explain that to me??? I would love to know.

Well, I am signing off in a happy go lucky mode tonight. Hoping I eventually fall asleep before some ridiculously early morning hour... :)

Night friends...night.

Moments like this...

Moments like this MAKE ME SMILE!

This morning when Jenna woke up she came awkwardly stumbling into the kitchen clearly a little groggy from getting up. She looked at me and laughed and then said, "Mom, I slept so long that it made me walk like Spencer!"

A little later I was making some eggs for breakfast and she asked if she could help. When I agreed, she moved a chair to come assist. She proudly announced,

"MOM, I am an EXPERT at helping! A real expert!"

Oh my sweet Jenna. You make me smile.

Blame it on the bladder

I am sure this is probably a taboo topic in the blogosphere...but here goes.

I broke down and went to the urgent care today.

Diagnosis? A bladder infection.

Now, part of living in the greater Cleveland area brings me numerous opportunities to experience ghetto living. Unfortunately, the urgent care I went to happened to be one of those places. Seriously, what kind of place substitutes the word YOU with the letter U on a medical release form?? And what kind of female Dr. wears a fancy decorative sweater from the 80's with gray sweatpants and men's tennis shoes? It was bizarre. REALLY bizarre.

What was even more insane is that when I went to pick up the prescription, the pharmacist couldn't give it to me because the Dr. hadn't written the dose on one medicine and prescribed a dose that didn't exist on the other. So I ended up having to buy an over the counter on one medicine and the pharmacist took enough pity to at least give me one of the antibiotic pills tonight. Have to go back tomorrow to get the rest figured out.

I would seriously doubt the the validity of this Urgent Care if my insurance didn't have them as an actual provider in their book. Seriously the first, AND LAST time I will go there.

Am so tired tonight. Being sick takes so much out of me--Brandon can be sick and keep on ticking. I feel like I fall apart. :)

Gonna get some rest now. Night.

My mystery illness

I was so sick last night. Terrible chills, the aches and pains that only a flu can bring. The droopy eyes and icky cough.

I remember the kids waking up early this morning--6:30 a.m. or so. I stumbled down to help them and I felt so drained. All I remember is that Spencer had a poopy diaper and Kaden had NO diaper. The lights were all on, the kids were wired...and I remember saying loudly "THIS IS LIKE A BAD DREAM!" Brandon came down shortly after that and got the kids breakfast while I laid on the couch fading in and out of consciousness. I remember him leaving for school, and then somehow mustering the strength to peel myself off the couch at about 9:15. And then, somehow, my illness was gone. I felt tired and a little icky, but nothing like my previous symptoms.

The kids, of course, were "angels" today...which made the day a "breeze"! (can you feel the sarcasm dripping down your screen??)

I managed to clean up the messes and get some dinner on in time to feed the missionaries. I was SO relieved when Brandon came home at dinnertime. Weirdest thing though...during dinner, back came the chills...and as the night has progressed, my eyes are tired, my body aches, and I feel like I could drop into a pool of Nyquil.

I definitely have to say that the Lord somehow gave me strength today. There is seriously no way i could have dealt with the kids all day if I had felt like this...may this mystery illness disappear! And not just for the day next time. :)

And to end this post...a project I worked on while the kids were napping today. I bought this thingamajig at a consignment store for a whoppin' $1.40. My plan? Get some really neat looking decorative balls to put in here and put it on my dresser.

You didn't seriously think I would keep that color, did you???? No...not with my love affair with spray paint...

Brand new...$14.99 (which I never ever would have paid!)

And after!

I sprayed it brown and then brushed bronze paint, and then did a light spray of brown over that to give it a deep, rich, natural wood look. I love how it turned out.

Anyway, enough for today. For everyone who is lacking from me in the comments department, please know I haven't forgotten you! I have been so busy with all sorts of stuff. I want to get to responding to each post! I love reading what everyone is up to...I just haven't had time to get to everyone's yet...soon...soon.

Good night.

I don't

A furniture redo and a lotta butter.

I have been anxious to get my hands on a certain piece of furniture I have. It has a lot of sentimental value, but I wasn't so crazy about the dated look. My parents gave this to me when I was young and I keep all my sentimental keepsakes in it.
A coat of primer, bit of spray paint, and some fabric I bought for 50% off and VOILA!

Cedar Chest redo!

I absolutely LOVE the fabric I chose. It has such a good feel--great texture and really nice colors for my bedroom. I am really pleased with how this turned out.

And so I don't post a THIRD post tonight, I will throw this in here too. :) I was paying some bills online today while the kids were watching a show. I turned around at one point and saw Jenna eating a red pepper, Kaden eating an apple, and Spencer eating off a cube of butter. :)

Guess I have some real food robbers on my hands...

Brandon happened to call at this same time and I was on the phone laughing about it-and then I realized I was simple sitting there laughing at taking pictures...probably should take it away.

BOY was he ticked off!! :)

Anyway, what a funny little guy...

I think I am getting sick...chills are coming, cough increasing, and I could fall into bed like, 3 hours ago. :) I am going to go pray myself well. There is no such thing as a sick day when you're a mom.

The playroom revisited...

For a complete before and after, see here.

As I mentioned before, our playroom has undergone a 2nd makeover. :) It started at this:


Then went to this...

And then to this...

What's missing? My awesome craft area. It was so nice to have a table out and our craft supplies all stored there. But when the markers were found, messes were made. And I decided it wasn't worth it to keep over there.

SOOOO....our craft area found a new home on the other side of the wall behind a gated off doorway. Much safer there... :) And now we have more room to run and play.

With the transition came the need to store our puzzles somewhere else than we had them before. So I ran to Lowe's and bought another vinyl rain gutter to put across the upper half of my wall. This is our puzzle shelf. I took all the pieces and put them in ziplock bags and hid them behind the puzzles. I am really excited about how it turned out!

A better view...
And, with the departure of our craft area, came a new kind of area...with a TV. I am really kind of embarrassed to post the fact that we put a TV down there, but I have loved it ever since. As much as we like to play and have fun, sometimes I want the kids OUT OF MY HAIR and in a different space. And sometimes sending them to play doesn't cut it. But a MOVIE does! :)The TV also doubles as a place to do a workout video in the morning. Am hoping the kids will join me now since we have so much space to use down there and we can get some good energy going!

Wondering about the carseats in the corner? I just couldn't throw them away after the accident. And they have now become our TV chairs. :) I am going to make cute covers for each one and take the straps out. The kids LOVE sitting there!!

And here's the new layout. Pretty similar...just a few changes. I really like how it has opened up though.

And this has nothing to do with this post, but I realized it was uploaded after the fact...I cooked a bunch of corn on the cob tonight to freeze for later. I love corn on the cob and was really excited to see it at the West Side Market the other day...yum!

plastic tile...

I am SO surprised how many of you have expressed a liking for my plastic aqua tile...Like, SHOCKED at how many of you there are! :)

I will be honest--it's not TERRIBLE, but I feel like if I keep it I need a retro kitchen table and a bunch of antiques to make it work. I also debated on painting my kitchen table and chairs...a project that I HIGHLY doubt Brandon would go for right now. Well, not highly doubt, but am POSITIVE he would put his foot down on.

Rightfully so. The kitchen itself will be a big project since we have little people to keep out of there for a big block of time.

BUT, I do plan on keeping it SOMEWHAT vintage feeling...I bought some 19 inch square frames and am going to take pictures of antique kitchen appliances/tools and blow them up to print and frame. So, I think it will have a fun vintage feel--

At least I HOPE so...

But can't you have a fun vintage feel without aqua walls??? jk!

When dinner flops.

Ever had a day when no matter how long you cook it and no matter how much to add to it, dinner still flops?

And instead of making something new, you just reach for the nearest half gallon of icecream...

yum.

Calling all interior decorators...

PAINT choices...and me making a decision. Not happening. Also what's not happening in the kitchen is the color. Every time I look at these nasty aqua walls, I shudder. BAD NEWS. BAD, BAD NEWS.

And since our landlord won't give the option to remove them, soon they will be a different color...just can't decide WHICH color. ANY color would be an improvement. :) I can't wait to do SOMETHING to this room...I have some ideas, but can't start decorating until the painting is done. Then our landlord will put a new countertop in and we will be able to make the room our own...for a few years. :)

So, for the first time on the internet, my kitchen...in all it's humiliating glory.

Kinda small...I know. But you do with what you have...

So many choices. SO many choices!!! I need some help here! Because the room is kind of small, I want it to feel as big as it can. But EVERYTHING else in there is white (upper part of the wall--which will stay that way--all the appliances, the cupboards, etc.) and we DO want some color in there. HOWEVER, whatever color we choose needs to flow with the light wood floor...which to me is quite difficult because it needs to have the yellowish undertones or something...

I went to the paint color and just picked everything that jumped out to me. I am slowly picking them off the wall as I realize they don't suit my fancy anymore, but I still have lots of options.

I would love any input on choices. to me, the left choice is a little bland. Not warm enough. The middle option, I actually like the middle color. And the 3rd option (on the far right) I like the color on the far left. Make sense??

The more I look at this group (in person) I am drawn to the far right sample, middle color. It is kind of a sage green--but it has a little too much yellow for me. I want to go back now and see if there is just a tint darker...

And I like these samples...I just can't decide...sage? Tan? Buttercream yellow??? How to choose??? What will make it feel the most open?

I hope to have some finished pictures of this room really soon so the horrific images aren't burned into your memories like they are mine... :)

The things memories are made of.

WHAT A DAY! Thankfully, Brandon's family had a late flight out of here, so we got to spend the whole day together.

We started out by heading to Bob Evans for breakfast--this is one of our favorite breakfast spots. Yum!

Is it just me or is Spencer getting so grown up so fast??

And below, this little guy made me laugh SO hard at breakfast. Who taught him this move?? (trying to slice his Buzz Lightyear with a butter knife!)

Tia and Grandma--tough decisions ahead...

Grandma got her goodies...I can't remember now what it was...Carmel and roasted pecan french toast...or something like that. It sure looked tasty!

REALLY TASTY, in fact...

After a DELICIOUS breakfast, we went into Cleveland for a taste of the good ol' West Side Market. Gosh I love that place! The fruit this time was excellent...as always. Strawberries are only .98 cents a pound right now...and blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are in abundance. Yum!

It was wonderful to walk around and see everything. And it felt like the perfect day to go because there really weren't very many people there (probably due to the holiday). Below is a pic of a spice and sauce stand...apparently they have something to cover whatever craving. :)

And you just can't leave the market without goodies. We always pick up a sweet baked treat. Today was tiramasu, chocolate raspberry cheesecake, GIANT cream puff and a cookie with sprinkles...of course. :)

WE LOVED BEING THERE WITH FAMILY. This is really one of our favorite places to take people when they come. It is such a neat experience...

mmm....bread....mmmm.....

Grandpa was such a great sport and helped carry someone or something or be on stroller duty. Thank you Grandpa! :) Grandpa is also a really great snuggler with some need-to-be snuggled kiddos.

mmmm...just another food picture... :) Seem to have a lot of those, huh?

After a big breakfast and making market memories, we once again headed back home. Between scattered naps, a few catch up phone calls, and tidbits of lunch, grandpa and Brandon moved our extra freezer from our garage to our basement. This is SUPER, SUPER, SUPER for us! :) I am excited to not have to run out in all kinds of weather to get stuff out anymore (okay, let's be honest...Brandon is pretty excited about that too!). It was a big job, so an extra special thanks to them!!

And what would the last day in town be without a tea party with grandma?? We got an extra piece of pink fabric and made a table cloth out of it, and set up Jenna's tea set with some iced lemon cookies.

Grandma taught them how to drink with your pinkie sticking up...because THAT is fancy. :)

Boys can tea party too..right? (yes, they can...and they will...if cookies are involved)

This pretty much wins my favorite picture of the day. Not because of the technical aspects, but because of the situation. Grandma was tuckered out from being with the kids (I UNDERSTAND!!!) and was laying down for a few minutes. I peeked in and Kaden was laying on the bed next to a book. Just waiting for his grandma to wake up. :) It was SO precious!

HOORAY!! SHE WOKE UP!!! (honestly it was probably because of Jenna. That girl was ATTACHED to her grandma...followed her wherever she went....talked and talked and talked...they were the best of friends. Days filled with stories, books, pretending, and songs were such a special treat!

We had such a wonderful time...a really, really wonderful time.

As Brandon's family was getting ready to leave, Brandon turned on a song that his brother Jason introduced us to when they came to visit back in October. (he lives in Texas) It makes us laugh and the kids love the catchy tune.

And there we were, all of us singing, dancing, and spinning around the living room. For a moment I felt like things were in slow motion as I caught a glimpse a room full of voices and laughter...full of family.

And in that very moment, life was PERFECT. Perfect because we were all together right then. Right there.

I will hold on to that moment, and those feelings as long as I can...because time came to say goodbye.

Oh Lita, Grandpa, and Tia...we LOVE YOU! And Lita, I am sorry if the kids ran you so ragged that you need an extra 3 days of sleep to recover. :) I said it before, and I will say it again--I feel like we are the luckiest people in the world because we have you guys in our lives.

Thank you for spending the weekend with us...and for filling our lives with the stuff memories are made of! :)