Friends

Darcy left bright and early this morning with her daddy's Aunt Ruth, cousin Jean, and the Jean's college aged daughter, Amanda. They all headed down to Branson to spend the day at Silver Dollar City. Ronda Vincent (one of Darcy's most favorite singers in all the world)is performing down there today. Darcy has been SO looking forward to this trip! She and Jean have plans to ride the new giant swing while they are down there, too! (Jean always goes on the roller coasters with Darcy!)

Rayna wept herself to sleep last night at the thought at not being able to go along with her big sister. It is rough always being "too young" to do the really fun stuff. She was fine this morning, though, when she woke up after Darcy had already left. She and I made a "mother-daughter" day of it while Doug was in school, then we all went out to Sheridans for chocolate milkshakes after Doug got home from school. Doug is excited because his Great Aunt Ruth whispered to him that she would be bringing him and Rayna back a present. Doug is ALL about presents!

The photos here are of my kids with their good buddies, Laura's children (Caroline and Tommy)..and of me with my buddies, Lisa and Laura! (Oh, and Lisa's dog is in one of the photos, too...shouldn't forget to list Lisa's furry child, Violet!)

Lisa, Laura, and I are daily accountability partners for dieting and exercising. We meet together once a month (either up here or down there in Southern Missouri) to strategize, socialize, and try out new recipes together! In between times, we keep daily track of each other via cyberspace and the telephone. This is one accountability situation that has really worked for me...mainly because those two twins are really TOUGH!!! Friends are such a priceless treasure.