i call home, robin, idaho...
in that little place, tucked up against the gap,
is a great valley with some of the greatest people i know. 
they are the people that have been the great influence in my life,
they are the people that protected me growing up,
they are the hero's i knew as a child,
they are the people i call family.
this weekend, the little valley lost one of their own.

the hatleys are like family.  they have a door that is always open.
they always, always welcomed us into their home in our growing up years. 
if we were wanting a treat on a sunday night, needed a snack,
or just needed good friends to visit with, the invitation was always open. 
there was always a chocolate cake in the oven and a cold pop on the table. 
in my heart, i know that jack and rhonda are the type of people
that would absolutely do anything for someone else.
their hearts are just that BIG!

time and age has put us on different paths, but i love this family
and am so appreciative of the memories that i have reflected upon today. 
i pray for peace and comfort to be with them in the lonely days ahead and especially with rhonda.  she is a true giant...they just don't get any better!

"unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...

nothing is going to get better...it's not"

this afternoon we had some family time and went to the movie. 

what a VERY CUTE movie with such a meaningful message. 

dr suess...you gotta love these books!

 

they have long been a favorite in our home. 

we will continue to read and continue to enjoy

the simple messages that were created and inspired

by such a great writer and poet.

let it grow... let it grow...

we say let it grow.

oh my goodness...i am hooked on CNN and these primary elections. 

november sure seems like a long ways away

and also a lot of politics cutting into my reality scheduled programs.  

a future brighter and better...

a tomorrow full of possibility and prosperity...

a land of opportunity where if you work hard

you can build a better life...

teach values and right choices

for a prosperous and secure future...

a deep confidence of a better tomorrow

is the basic promise of America!!!

"we didn't win by alot, but we won by enough,
and that's all that matters"

tonight we were able to get our family vacation on the calender...

we are going to have a great time this fall as we head to
lopez island and make a stop in seattle to visit with dans family. it has been awhile and it is time to go again.  

this will give our family time
to plan and prepare for a great get away. 

an extra set of hands in the kitchen is always a positive thing!!!

it was a double bonus...everyone loved andee's homemade pizza.

she loved it and couldn't wipe the smile off her face.