It's about time I update this blog, don't ya think?

Well, I have been a little caught up in my new blog, the weightloss blog, that I have been utterly neglecting this one. Sorry, faithful readers (if you exist). We are on our third week of sickness at the Paine household....We did have a one week sabbatical from the yuckies in which Blake, RaeElise, Riley and I went to the Happiest Place on Earth. Of course I do mean, Disneyland, if you are not familiar with the 1955 advertising slogan that still describes the Magic Kingdom today.

It was a dreamy trip. It was delightful. Blake and I had never been there together, it had been a full 21 years since he visited Disneyland and I think he was moved beyond words at our whole experience. I think we will be going back sooner than later.

Reuben went with my mom and dad and sister and I in 2001. Becca went this past Sept. With her Grandmother Jodie and Papa Dick. It was time to dazzle the #3 and #4 Paine kids. Like all the other trips, we managed to keep it completely a secret until the day of departure. This was fun! Riley was originally more jazzed about the airplane ride than D.L. itself. He was not disappointed. We had a fabulous flight, and Riley listened through headphones to the cockpit conversation the whole trip. On the way home, we had the most awesome views of Mt. St. Helens and Rainier. Just breathtaking!

The trip was a birthday gift to me. Originally, Blake and I were just going to go on a little romantic getaway, but I really wanted to include the kids. I wore a happy birthday badge at D.L. on Friday(the day before my bday and our last day at the park). It was so much fun, having all the Disney staff people wish me happy bday. Even Cinderella, herself, gave me a kiss and it was enough to choke me up...Me, at 36, getting choked up! I guess my "inner child" still lives.

Thank you, Blake, for such a magical trip. Thank you to Sundee for keeping Reese while we were gone. Thank you to the Gwaltneys and the Woodwards for watching Becca and Reuben. Thank you to Jodie for overseeing the house, the kids, the dog, and for cleaning my home for me! What a beautiful gift. I know that was no small task. Thanks to Ryan and Sarah for dog sitting, too.

37 Reasons I love Elicia!

1) It's her Birthday! Happy Birthday, Babe!
2) She shares a birthday month with me...we are so connected!
3) She is a year older and wiser than I am.
4) Her Eyebrows
5) Her Brain...She is the smarts, people!
6) Her tiny waist...like Elizabeth Taylor in Gone with the Wind.
7) Her ability to bounce back after severe disappointment.
8) Her love for Julia
9) For Julia...she is so special and Elicia has made her that way!
10) Her love of Poco Loco Burritos (now transferred to Taco del Mar)
11) For taking a chance on a sugar sweet Christian girl from Maple Valley.
12) Pre-wedding night advice...what would have done without that?
13) Her glorious voice that sang me down the Aisle!
14) Her sweet rendition of "Baby's Request"
15) Her drum set
16) She allowed Reese to play her drum set.
17) Faithfully writing to me while she was in France.
18) Forever encouraging me and praising me for beauty I can't seem to see in myself.
19) Asking me to be her matron of Honor at her wedding.
20) Creating fun acronyms that only we know about: GBYPF
21) Talking with me until 4 AM everynight we roomed together...we had to separate due to medical reasons.
22) She bought her daughter the "Thinking Chair".
23) She is studying Phi
24) She has been to real castles
25) She has expensive taste
26) Her love of horses.
27) Her devotion to Ernie.
28) She befriends anyone...she embraces many without judgment.
29) She writes poetry daily, or as close as daily as possible.
30) She writes spy novels.
31) She chases after her dreams.
32) She understands the definition of "hot air", or just "blowing air".
33) She can tolerate cockroaches.
34) She can decorate with scarves and fancy fabric.
35) She can be proud of an accomplishment without feeling egotistical.
36) She gave me my first taste of wine and my first "real" Champaign.
37) She speaks French to my daughter.

The Mattress was delivered to the Chavez Family!

It is finished! Thanks to about 10 different families, the Chavez's have a new Sealy Posturepedic pillowtop mattress, plus all the bedding. Woody and Blake drove down to Fife yesterday to pick up a mattress at a discount warehouse...They saved a bundle and they were so sweet, delivering the mattress and even helping us put the dust ruffle, the sheets and arrange pillows. Ruthie was speechless. She was overwhelmed. Alex wasn't home to see it all, yet, but I am sure he appreciated getting rid of the other "Sealy" they were sleeping on. A 2 1/2 inch thick Sealy that was manufactured in the 1950's...It belonged to Ruthie's Grandmother! Yikes. Anyway, thanks for all the help. I wish you all could have been there to see it arrive. I absentmindedly forgot my camera. Maybe I will stop by later and take some photos for you all.