The Thurber Gang

We wish you a Merry Christmas season. We are so grateful for the blessings in our lives and especially for our FAMILY and FRIENDS .

I'm not sure about this blogging thing anymore. . . I love it for a lot of reasons - and I love following those of my friends & family - but lately something is holding me back from letting loose online. . . maybe because if I'm sick of talking about my trials then I'm sure you're sick of hearing about them - and the last couple of months they've been a little more on the forefront . . . and this isn't the forum to complain, anyway - so bad news is kind of no news, isn't it? But then what about the fun, the funny and the great? Because, of course, there's so much of that! Well, I've been hesitant about that as well. . .partly because I'm thinking it's time to go private, and partly because I hate going out of chronological order, and if there's something I want to post that happened BEFORE something I'm ready to post - it's just easier to skip the posting all together! Anyway - so that's the explanation as to why there

Well, what can I say, except that I have a great family & wonderful friends!!! My birthday was fantastic. It started early - last night - when my friend, Melissa took me out to a movie. . . we saw "500 Days of Summer" which I'd never even heard of - and it was really funny! Very quirky and random, but I like that kind of thing -most of the time! The ending really had me thinking about life & love and Melissa and I had a good chat about it. Here we are in the dark theatre - had to get a quick pic with my cell phone!! Then, this morning things were just really fun. The girls were all so happy to give me the cards that they'd made, sing Happy Birthday, etc. After they got off to school, Milo mentioned that we were going somewhere and to be ready to go by 10:40. I got showered and dressed, thinking we'd head to Costco (we'd been brainstorming our list just before) and then out for lunch. I asked if Vivien was coming with us, and he said, 'not wi

This is one of my favorite EVER poems/stories. . . keeps me going when the going gets tough. . . I can't remember the first time that I read it - before college sometime. . . I just found it while I was going through some things and wanted to share. Maybe it will provide inspiration to you as it has for me. . . THE RACE "Quit! Give up! You're Beaten!" They shout at me and plead. "There's just too much against you now; this time you can't succeed!" And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face, my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race. And hope refulls my weakened will as I recall that scene; For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being. A children's race, young boys, young men; how I remember well, Excitement, sure, but also fear, it wasn't hard to tell. They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. And fathers watched f

  The Problem:   Tight financial situation. . . too many places our money needs to go! The Challenge:   To not spend any money on school clothes for the girls. . . Use fabric that I already have, clothes I already have, etc. The Result:  A *LOT* of fun!  The girls loved being able to be a part of the designing and making process.  I had fun knowing that I've hardly spent anything, yet the girls have a few fun new outfits for school!   Total Spent:  Less than $15.  This includes the new t-shirts with a couple of the skirts I made, a cute piece of fabric I have yet to use, and some elastic!  Everything else came from our own house! Vivien's First Outfit:   Her skirt is made from an old pair of blue cords that ALL four girls wore.  Vivs wore them last winter, and they were going in the goodwill box until I saw an idea online to make old jeans into skirts. . . this is what I came up with.  The material I bought when I was pregnant with Lillian!!  It was planned to be a nighty. . .

Well, we've been asked and asked over the last couple of years if and when we were getting pregnant again. . . the last several months, however, the inquiring minds have been a LOT more inquisitive. It's understandable, with most of our friends, sisters, sister-in-laws expecting babies this year. It seems there's something in the water, So - here's our official announcement . . . *I'm drinking FILTERED water*. No chance of 'catching' that way!! But, a heartfelt congratulations on all of my beloved sisters & friends who are (or just did!). But, I did lead you on just a little, didn't I??? ;-)

Madison is loving absolutely everything about being here in North Dakota for Zones Everything.  She loves hanging out on deck, she loves meeting the other swimmers, she loves having new coaches for different warm ups and drills, she loves that she placed yesterday with her relay team, and loves that she was put on another relay today.   She loves that she wore her friend's fast suit that goes to her knees yesterday, and loves that she's wearing her own, regular style fast suit today.  She's had such a great attitude when she thought she missed placing in her 100 back by one spot.  She has been great about staying with the (fantastic) friend of her auntie when her friends are staying at hotels.  She loved going to church with me this morning, admitting how much she misses her sisters, but how calm church is without them (ha!). She has had a permanent grin this whole weekend, and I have absolutely loved hanging with my daughter one on one like this.  She's in the pool for

My goal for this week was to get caught up on a lot of things - laundry , cleaning , blogging , * sleep *, etc. . . however, things flew out of control when Madison swam *amazingly* last weekend at the Long Course State Championships , achieving some " Zone " times. Accepting 3rd place medal - 100 back What are Zones? The country is divided into four zones for USA swimming purposes. We reside in the Central Zone. Only the top swimmers in each state are qualified to go, and it is up to the swimmer & family whether or not to take part. Madison found out about Zones last year when she kept hearing someone that she was swimming against celebrate after almost every event she swam that she got a 'zone cut'. Madison took it upon herself to figure out what that was. When she realized it's quite a bit faster than a State cut, she made her goal to get all state cuts this year, and try to get zone cuts next year. She did get almost all of the Michigan State cuts t

Vivien is all about Fancy Nancy right now and today we had her *Fancy Nancy* birthday party. She was in heaven the whole time! I caught her a couple of times just soaking in the moment - watching the activity around her and just being HAPPY. We are so grateful for our Fancy Vivers. She brings a lot to our home - and we love her SO much. Happy Birthday, VIVIEN!! If you've read the Fancy Nancy books, then you know that they're really all about my Vivien (and if you haven't - read them and you'll understand this Vivie better!!) I'm keeping my goal to catch up on this blogging business. . . I've got a back-log of blogs to write. . .ha. . . Don't give up on me just yet!!

I was happy to read at the beginning of the week that today is considered " National Doughnut Day ". Somehow I have been unaware of this this amazing tradition! It lands on the first Friday of June each year since 1938. It began as a fundraiser for Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds during the Great Depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers who prepared doughnuts and other foods for thousands of soldiers. When I heard about this national holiday, I knew that I needed to show my patriotism and support the cause. (I must note, shamefully, that I did not participate in this year's National Running Day , which occurred this past Wednesday. . . hmmmm . . . doughnuts are just a little more appealing, sadly. . . but I *DID* run this week - does that count???) After school, the girls, my * fantastic * Sister-in-law, Diamond, and my cutie niece, Aveh headed to our local Bakery to partake. Sadly, they hadn'