our weekend so far...

We've had a busy weekend so far. Friday night we went to a memorial ceremony for veterans... it was very emotional for me. I've only had a few family members in the service... my grandpa was in WWII and my uncle's were in Vietnam and I think a cousin or two... but other than that no one. But there was just something about these families... they each sponsored a flag in honor or in memory of a loved one who had served time. Each flag was then carried out to the field and placed in a holder... a man/woman in uniform carried the flag out to the posts and the family members followed. The flag was placed in the holder and then was saluted. The names of the sponsor and the honoree was being said over a loud speaker as each flag was carried out. There were so many people of all ages there. Elderly wives were being pushed out to the field in their wheel chairs, middle aged parents were walking out in honor of their sons/daughters who were currently serving, young mothers with little ones following behind were walking out in honor of their husbands/daddy's who were serving... it was just very emotional for me. It just makes me think about what some people go thru everyday... and how very lucky I am.

Even though I do not support this war or the current administration for that matter... I do support our soldiers and their families back home. We always think of the soldiers serving as the hero's... but their families back home also deserve that title.

Here are a few pics...

We ran into Ann, one of the helpers at Ellie's daycare, this was the first time we've seen one of them outside of daycare... it was interesting to see Ellie's reaction when she saw her... she kept yelling her name and telling me "hi" which meant she wanted to go say hi... it was so cute. These ladies are all SO nice at daycare.

This is our beautiful park along the river where the ceremony was held...
Ellie was enjoying all the activity...
running around everywhere... she slept GREAT that night :)

We got up early yesterday morning to head into town to buy flowers for planting. We went to one nursery and bought a wisteria plant and a hook to attach to the house to hang a flower basket from. Then we went to a 2nd nursery (one my dad delivers flowers for) and picked out a bunch of perennials... and thanks to dad's "in" there we got it all at half price!!

My parents have a large garden on the side of their home... for years they've shared a driveway and an attached garage with our neighbor Fran. Fran is getting up there in years and my parents finally decided it was time to get their own separate garage and driveway... since they just don't know kind of neighbor they are going to get after Fran moves out. Their new driveway will have to go right through their flower garden... much to my delight they had to get rid of tons of perennials... so Greg and I scooped them all up. My parents came out to the house yesterday and helped us plant them all. It was a tiring job and my am I sore today!

We have a space like this on each side of the front steps... we planted a variety of flowers... it doesn't look like much yet... we'll be getting mulch and edging this week so after that I'll post more pics of the finished product :) The kitty trellis has the wisteria plant in front of it... it should just wrap around it and grow up it...

The boys cleaning up... doesn't my dad look happy to have his pic taken! :)
And a new first this weekend... Ellie's very first ponytail!!!
Ellie and I are on our own today and tomorrow. Today Greg picked up an OT shift and tomorrow is his regularly scheduled shift. Not sure what we are going to do. It looks like it is going to rain any moment here... not so fun when you have an antsy 2 year old. Plus with the gas at the price it is right now ($3.85 a gallon) here... we won't be going anywhere unless it is absolutely necessary. We live 20 miles from where we work/shop/daycare/my families house, etc... so we drive enough during the work week, the weekends are now not much of an option for driving too much... at these prices I almost think I should quit my job... we are spending about $618 a month for gas (for my car only) and daycare... what a waste of money... I would love to eliminate some bills and just stay home with Ellie and have more kiddos... hmmmmm... ya think Greg will go for it? :) Not likely. I'm still holding out for the store to work out... we are still in the process... waiting to hear from the bank at this point... then the next step will be to contact a lawyer to write up a purchase agreement... I'm hoping this all goes through... as it will give me great flexibility in shifts. It just takes SO LONG! I am a very impatient person!! My boss lady at my current job said she likely wouldn't approve me to take any unpaid time off in August for our family (family meaning Kt and St and my parents) vacation. I have pretty much run out of vacation/sick time since being home SO much this winter between Ellie and myself. So WTF, huh? I guess this family vacation we take every year, the vacation we've already paid $400 for, won't be happening at my current job... even more of a reason I'm so impatient for the store to go through... I WANT TO GO ON MY VACATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please pray that this process goes smoothly and we're in by July 1!!