I am a money saver. Hubby, is a money spender. I can stick to a budget. Hubby is good at making them.....but not so good at sticking to them. Yes, it does sometimes cause conflicts but usually we can talk it out and come to an agreement. There was one experience we had when I was pregnant with Elizabeth, that had us both close to tears it was such a gesture of kindess. We were going grocery shopping and we only had $150.00. I was determined we were going to stick to it and make our choices carefully. We even brought along a calculator. All through the store we were deciding if we really needed this item or that item or if the item could wait until the next shopping trip. Without our realizing it, there was a shopper who had seen us doing this a few times and had overheard our conversations. We were about half way through the store when she approached us. "Excuse me," she said, "but I couldn't help but notice how closely you were watching your money and I would like to give you this." In her hand she held a $20.00 bill. John and I looked at each other and I started to refuse because we did have money. "Please," she said as she put the bill in my hand, "it would make me feel better if you take it. Especially as you are pregnant and have kids to feed." Then she went on to say that she knew $20.00 didn't go far, but it would help us buy a few extra little things that were needed for the kids. John and I looked at each other then and our eyes were all misty and we thanked her profusely and told her if we ever ran into her again we would like to pay her back. She said, "Who knows, maybe someday you can, but you have made me feel better today." Then she turned and walked away. I again turned to look at John and he looked at me and we stood there for a few moments completely overwhelmed with the kindness we had just experienced. I still to this day look for that lady whenever we go to the store.

Twenty things? This could be hard but I will try......

1) My kids

2) My husband

We have been together since I was seventeen, he's a big part of who and what I am today

3) My family

Mother, Father, Sisters...etc.

4) My Uncle

I think the first death you ever have to deal with teaches you alot about yourself

5) Humor

It's how I deal with alot of things, and if I can make you laugh it puts a smile on my face

6) Peace

I really dislike conflicts

7) Nothing bold

I don't like to stand out

8) Books

I love reading

9) Romance

I'm a total romantic....hubby knows this

10) Dogs

Specifically, Daschunds. I had one while growing up. She meant alot to me, we were really close. She was bought for the whole family, but everyone knew she was really mine. When my Dad died and we were getting some of his personal things, he had a lifelike statue of one. My sisters without hesitation said it should go to me. It's now in my livingroom.

11) A turtle

Why a turtle? Everyone will tell you it's how I react in some situations. Really, I'm just withdrawing so I can think the situation over carefully before I do or say something I don't want to.

12) A Tenor Saxophone

I played it all through jr. and sr. high school. I was even in the jazz choir. I love music.

13) Garfeild

When I was five, I could draw him freehand. Having him in it would represent that I like to draw things....and that I love Lasagna.

14) My friends

I may not have many, but the ones I have are really good ones. I couldn't be who I am without them.

15) A piggy bank

Yes I like to save. Maybe never having enough money has taught me to hang on to it rather than spend it?

16) A sad face

Represents the depression I went through and was in for a very long time. Going through it and coming out of it has alot to do with the way I am today.

17) A broken Ladder

Represents my fear of heights. I think it has alot to do with a fall down a flight of stairs when I was really young. When you are young, the bottom of the stairs seems a long way away....

18) A heart shape

All the love I have in my life

19) An eye and ear

I'm the quiet observer who likes to listen

20) A unicorn

Represents alot of things....things I like, hope, dreams, imagination

I like to think that family and friends would know that I am both kind and fair. Sometimes though it would be necassary to be just one or the other, but I think that would depend highly on the situation I was facing. I think that if you are dealing with only one person you can show kindness really well, but if you are in a group situation and need to make a decision you need to be fair. Rescuing a kitten from a tree for the little girl crying at the bottom, or not losing your temper at the kids who hit their baseball through your window would show kindness in those situations. If I was mediating a situation between my kids, I have to be fair to each of them. Let's say big brother is picking on his little sister, sure I can send only big brother away, but I would prefer to occupy them both doing something else apart for awhile. Giving them both time to calm down, and it doesn't show any favortism at all. Another situation would be if I was called for jury duty. I think that's one time where you definitly need to be unbiased so you can listen fairly and kindness doesn't fit well at all here. I really think that it depends on the situation as to kindness or fairness being appropriate.

Elizabeth was standing at the coffee table yesterday just as Cameron and Victoria were getting home from school and what does she do then? She turns around and walks away from it towards them! She took about seven steps! All by herself without any guidance. Then she slowly sat down on her butt. She is doing it more and more since then too! She even attempts to stand up on her own in the middle of the living room! We did manage to get some pics of her doing it last night, however they are the first pics on a new roll of film, so it could be a while before John gets them developed. But I promise I will put them up for you as soon as I get them. So she may have gotten her teeth later than Cameron and Victoria did....but I think she will be walking on her own way before they did.

Tomorrow is Fathers day, but Victoria already gave John the things she made for him at school the minute he woke up today. She made him a notepad attached to a paper hammer that says Number One Dad on it and a card. Cameron asked John for some money the other day when they were out and had John pay for his own card from him! I laughed and asked John if he made him write it out to himself too. At least the answer to that was no! He will be spoiled tomorrow though. Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well and to all the Dads out there have a very Happy Fathers Day!!