memory verse 11: Isaiah 40:28-31

Jeff & I were talking about the following verses earlier this week and I figured they would be perfect for my next set of scriptures.

Isaiah 40:28-31

New International Version (NIV)

Comfort for God's People

²⁸ Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

building systems

"...chloro-fluoro-carbons...somewhat problematic..."

"...compression expansion process.  How is that making sense?"

"...spraying water in the form of mist, tiny droplets..."

"...swamp cooler..."

Picture this:

25 of my colleagues and I, all
laden with
notebooks, iPads, pens, Red Bull, & the like
crammed around
8 rectangular tables
listening to
1 Italian man and
soaking in
as much of the information that we could while
going over
his powerpoint presentations that seemed to go on for days,
covering any & all
aspects of building systems.

For 15 hours.
On Friday & Saturday.
For a very pretty penny that we each had to pay.

I know you're wondering why you yourself did not receive an invitation to such a wonderful and exhilerating event such as this.  Please except my deepest apologies if you are feeling left out.

"...transformers are one of the toughest topics on the test...it's just how they're connected..."

"...the same device for multiple uses..."

"...the most difficult in this section..."

The road to becoming a licensed Architect is no cake walk.  Not that I think that any other degree plan or professional path is just a walk in the park; it's just that architecture & interiors is all that I know.  In a nutshell I have to complete the equivalent of about 3 years worth of specified hours [program regulated] and pass 7 exams [state administered] in order for my Master's degree to count for anything.  All three of these entities have to be paid at regular intervals in order to talk to one another and to hold/store electronic records required by each of them.  It often feels like one of those claw machines where you keep trying to rescue a stuffed animal or iPhone with 'The Claw'.  'Quick!  I need more money!  I'm almost there!!!'  It gives me something work toward, though.

Anyways, I took and passed my first exam back in May [#1 reason for my prolonged absence] and have recently started studying for the next two.  The seminar that I took this past weekend was a prep/study class that is supposed to have an excellent pass rate.  We'll see about that.  So far, though, I think it was well worth it.

"...we will represent with diagrams that physically will not have anything to do with the way they are actually configured..."

"...voltage...""...names do not physically follow the physical characteristics of the object..."

At many points during the most exciting 15 hours of my life I reminded myself that I have three special men in my life that should be able to help me to grasp most of the concepts and material covered on this next exam.  Allow me to introduce them to you:

Daddy...
Biography:  B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Great University of Alabama
Experience:  30+ years as an Oil & Gas Production Engineer and various other roles; ask Daddy :)
Qualifications:  Having known me since the day I was born it is safe to say that he knows me pretty well.  It proves very beneficial that he can differentiate between the many faces of me: the 'I get it' face, the 'I'm nodding yes because I don't want to say no' face, the 'What?!?!?!' face, and the 'Brain overload' face
@ Stake:  Due to the nature of our relationship, absolutely no bribing will be necessary as Daddy does not want me to be a financial burden to him for the rest of my life...especially when he can no longer claim me on his tax return :)

Jeff...
Biography:  B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University
Experience:  Designs things and works with valves.  I probably know even less about what Jeff does/has done than Daddy.
Qualifications:  While we have only known each other for a little under 2 years now, we have dated for 1+ and let's just say he's had a crash course in learning The Faces.  :)
@ Stake:  Due to the nature of our relationship, a tiny bit of bribing in the form of homemade ice cream sandwiches and back scratches may be required.  But ultimately, my success will eventually pay off for him when he no longer has to give me money to buy his birthday and Christmas presents :)

Andrew...
Biography:  currently pursuing his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University
Experience:  Responsible for the care and testing of rats one summer.
Qualifications:  Material and equations should be the freshest in his young brain and he has the most current text books.  As far as The Faces go, well, he is my brother and faces don't seem to phase him.
@ Stake:  Due to the nature of our relationship, bribing would normally be necessary.  But in this one case here he will get to one-up his older sister :)

"...logic is sometimes hard to find..."

There is constant debate and struggle within the courts as to whether an Architect is actually needed; many engineers think they can do it all themselves.  And, according to the list above, it would seem that they definitely do have the knowledge and education needed to pass these exams.  And maybe they do.  But I would like to point out the fact that I [that is, one person] will have to draw from three [more in some cases] different sources and backgrounds to learn all that needs to be learned and understood in preparation for my exam.  And this is only the second of seven :)  hehe  I only kid, mostly ;)

memory verse 10: John 10:7-10

Wow!  More than a month has gone by without even a peep from me :/  Trust me, though, I have plenty to say just little time to say it!  Still trying to get back into the routine but until then read and cherish the following verses.

John 10:7-10

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

The Shepherd and the Flock

⁷ So Jesus said again, “What I’m about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep. ⁸ All those who ever came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I’m like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out. And he will find plenty of food. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way. 

2016 Olympic bound!

I LOVE the Olympics!  I look forward to the opening ceremonies from the moment of the finale of the closing ceremonies.  I just wish it came more than once every leap year.

My world pretty much stops from the moment that the Olympic torch is lit.  And thank goodness for DVR, right?!  I mean what did we do before we could watch, pause, replay, & store each amazing feat for later's enjoyment?!

Our apartment also gets pretty intense during the Olyimpic games--much like yours I would imagine--and not because of the crazy conversations that is our usual norm.  In fact, it's quite the opposite as breathing even becomes scarce.  From anywhere within a 10 minute radius of our apartment exlamations of every emotion can be heard:

What?! Wha-huh?!!??!

DID you just SEE that?!

Hold up, You have to SEE THAT.

REwind that...     

I don't even understand...

...is that even POSS-ABLE?!

That. IS.  NOT.  NORMAL.

Awww...I LOVE her...she is too cute and SOOO  sweet...

...he had to OVERCOME so much to be here at the games with us...

...YES, US...we are a team.

Team USA

...and they need me...they said so...it's like I'm standing there beside them saying 'Trust Your Training' as they go on to compete...

....awwwww....Missy Franklin and I would SO be BFFs!

And so forth...and don't act like you have no idea what I'm talking about.  You know good and well that 50% of those exclamations came out of your mouth while watching Gabby fly around the uneven bars or Oscar running around the track while balancing on two hockey sticks.

I got so inspired by the Olympics this year that I went out yesterday and walked/ran 5.42 miles.  I thought for sure I would see one of my new Olympic buddies at the park.  They had come to cheer me on, of course, just as I have done for the past two weeks.  I found out though that Olympians are also talented in the sport of hiding.  They hid so well that I never even saw them in any of my 5.42 miles!  But I could feel their encouragement :)

So I guess that's what I will be doing now in my spare time since the Olympics are no longer on TV.  Regular TV bores me.  Case in point: Emily had to wake me up last night after I had fallen asleep SITTING UP on the sofa while watching 'regular' TV.  No way that would have happened if Missy had been leading her lane to the gold medal!  I'm sure it had nothing to do with the shock my body expereienced on the dusty 5.42 trail just hours before ;)

I've been trying to figure out what sport I want to compete in in the Brazil Games.

Gymnastics?  I've always been too tall.  Although I can do a mean LEFT-Handed kartwheel.

Swimming?  I've always said if I could come back in another life I would definitely be a swimmer.  But do you know how early those swim kids get up for practice BEFORE school?!  No thank you.

Basketball?  I DID play basketball for a few years but have you SEEN how big those girls are?!

Diving?  I jumped off of the middle platform [6ish meters?!?!] ONE time and that hurt.  And that was jumping 'pencil' style.

Speed Walking?  While I AM blessed in the hip category these hips DO lie as they DO NOT work that way.

Volleyball?  That seems somewhat feasable.  I would have to take a 4 hour course to understand the rules and scoring, though.

Runner?  I can barely move today after my stint at the park yesterday.  I'm sure it would get easier...

Or I could be like my uber-cool sister.  Everytime we watched the runners line up she would say, 'UGH; I want a runner's body.'  But when I would remind her that there is literally a track across the street she would say, 'Well I want the body of a runner without the training of a runner.'  Every time.  Don't worry, I let her down easy.

Well...it's looking like the only ticket I'm going to get to the 2016 Olympics is the one that I buy myself. But I'll keep working on it.  A girl can dream!

that can't be you, July, can it?!

Seriously?!  Seriously?!?!?!  Who turned the calendar to July?  I recommend that whoever did so stay in hiding at least until August when I will be on the lookout for whomever is responsible for rolling us over to August.

Wow.

I think this will now officially be my third attempt at coming back from my hiatus.  This relationship is startimg to resemble a breakup that just won't happen and stay 'happened'; time after time trying to come back together and force some sort of peaceful happiness out of obvious misery.  I DON'T WANT TO END UP LIKE ONE OF 'THOSE COUPLES' (Bloggettes & their PDTLS--Public Display of Their Life's Story).  Nope, I won't let that happen.  I do not want that to happen.  I LOVE blogging and by golly it's the only way I can remember all of my life's comings & goings, struggles & victories, dark days & streams of sunshine, much less how many pairs of scissors I own (9: 1-orange handled, 2- black handled, 1-hair cutters, 1-pink bedazzled handled, 1-blue handled, 1-magenta handled, 1-black & red handled, 1-athletic tape cutters.  Plus a handful of scallopped scrapbook ones but we will stick with the original nine.).  I do not normally sit around and count my scissors; although this past week's findings might give me reason to reconsider.

You see, I have been really very busy.  Really.  Truly.  Very.  Busy.  Like most of you if I had to guess.  In my pastor's sermon yesterday, he pointed our need to stop, rest, & relax for one-third of every day.  Wow!  Don't know that I ever have done that consistently.  Maybe when I was six; but then again,  I did, after all, have a new baby brother to be getting prepared for at the ripe ole age of six.  That's it!  It's all Andrew's fault!!!  Well, probably not so but, hey, it did start somewhere.

Anyhow...will leave with a picture from this weekend.  We went to visit J's family.  Both brothers, SIL, and nephew were all at his parents' this weekend.  It was great getting to see everyone and to celebrate Tom's birthday.  Happy Birthday!

Baby Cowboy Cam

Birthday Grandpa....who looks like they're having the most fun?!

memory verse 8: Colossians 1:9-12

I officially fell off the bandwagon :(  But today is a new day; Praise the Lord!  Here are the verses that I am committed to memorizing for the next 2 weeks:

Colossians 1:9-12

New International Version (NIV)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,^[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthyof the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you^[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

playing catch-up

What does one do when the absence from her blog—with the exception of Bible memory verses—is greater than that of 2 months?!  Many things, I suppose: gather all scribbles & journal blurbs found in, around, and under any and all purses, beds, boxes, car seats, and magazines, organize them in some type of logical manner, and start writing from the beginning.  While this is the most comprehensive and informative method it also yields the greatest frustration and inevitably the most inaccurate.  Just think if the scribbled notes got out of order?!

An overall summary of the past 10 weeks could potentially suffice but I'm not sure if blog posts can be that long.  Plus, I run the risk of losing both your interests and mine.

A well thought out and visual timeline could also be nice.  But this leaves me to determine what events are significant and interesting to you as I'm pretty certain you don't care one bit when & for how long I studied every day of my absence.  And yes, I did keep track of that.

I could just go ahead and omit the past 10 weeks of my life, start with today and move on with life as a blogger.  This could cause some confusion; I can only imagine the number of emails I would receive when I start talking about studying for Test #2: What happened to Test #1?  Did you pass?  What was the test even for?!  Do you know that studying and taking tests takes years off your life?!  So you see, this route will simply not work.

There are several other ways I could tackle this task but I think for me personally, my best bet is to do a little mash-up, if you will.  Collect my calendar, iPhone pictures, emails, thoughts, washclothes (oops, that's the laundry list), and the many pink sticky notes that cover most of my surrounding surfaces and do what I can to organize it all.  A whole lot has happened since my last entry; we have lots to talk about.  So, if squirrels start studying for the A.R.E., Zac Brown's Band is uncovered in the depths of my storage unit, or I lasso an apartment, please understand and hold your comments until the end.

And with that, I will leave you until tomorrow...think of this as the Prologue to a really good novel or at least a mediocre one :)

Ciao!

memory verse 7: Romans 1:18-20

Time is flying by!  Can you believe that it's already time for the seventh verse of the year?!

Romans 1:18-20

New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

memory verse 6: Matthew 6:25-34

I was either feeling a little ambitious or needed the reminder when I chose this weeks' memory verse!  Verse 26 is one of my favorite verses and wanted to learn those around it...and then had trouble picking a stopping place.  Why not the end of the chapter?!  It's a big challenge but I'm up for it!

Matthew 6:25-34

New International Version (NIV) 

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

oh where, oh where has our friend, Ellen gone?

...oh where, oh where could she be?!


I have no idea!?!? 

Well, I do have some idea, albeit a bit hazy and uncertain. Nevertheless, I thought I would check in with those of you who anxiously wait to hear what’s going on in Ellen’s World and put your minds at ease. I also need to record my whereabouts for my own sake. 10 years from now, I predict that I will have little-to-no short-term memory and am taking all of the necessary precautions. I wish I were joking.

But I am still here, alive and very rarely am I not kicking. Between working, apartment/house shopping with a realtor, and studying for my first of seven exams I have had little time for anything else much less the desire to do anything else.

So, I thought I would take an eight-minute break and share some thoughts…please note that these have not been predetermined nor do I have an outline for this post [not that I ever do!]. I’m just going to share the next 8 minutes of my mental ticker board. Proceed with caution.

• The weather has been absolutely amazing for the past three days. It has been the kind of weather that would make any Saturday jealous.

• On the other hand, allergens must go away. NOW!?!? Please, thank you. According to the National Allergen Board that updates me daily, there is a HIGH CONCENTRATION of TREES, WEEDS, & GRASSES as well as a LOW CONCENTRATION of MOLD. I temporarily entertained the idea of seasonally relocating to Phoenix or Portland [at my coworker’s suggestion] but after weighing the job/paycheck/benefits that took me 2.5 years to get against the annoying 3.5+ months/year of sleepless nights due to stuffy nose, itchy eyes, burning & itchy throat, & overall tiredness I decided it best I stay. I just need to get my BENEFITS to cover my ALLERGY MEDICINE and then I’ll be set.

• I’m still loving my job! Even though I spent the greater part of the day today wrapped up in a fleece blanket, pashmina scarf, and our HR Manager’s jacket I am happy to go to work [most days]. 

• Like I said, I’ve been studying for the first of seven exams that I have to take in order to become a licensed architect. I’m here to tell you that it’s no fun, no fun at all. But, it has to be done. If I had known what I was getting myself into 5 years ago I might have reconsidered. But then again, what would I be doing?! Nothing else really sounds like fun. I’ve been studying like crazy and have reached the point of being so-ho over it that I cannot wait to take the thing. My plans are to do so this Saturday. Prayers and caffeine are welcomed and appreciated. 

And with that, my eight minutes is up! And, to be honest, that string of thoughts wasn’t as exciting as is normal. Maybe next time.  Next time might not happen tomorrow, but it will real soon.  And when real soon does come, get ready.  That's all I can say.  I have a lot to catch up on...

I do want to add the lyrics to two of the praise and worship songs that are hot on the radio and in church right now. We sang them both at church this weekend and it has kept me going all week. Read and enjoy ☺

Waiting Here For You CHRISTY NOCKELS

Writers: Chris Tomlin , Jesse Reeves , Martin Smith

Verse 1
If faith can move the mountains
Let the mountains move
We come with expectation
Waiting here for You, waiting here for You

Verse 2
You're the Lord of all creation
And still You know my heart
The Author of Salvation
You've loved us from the start

Chorus
Waiting here for You 
With our hands lifted high in praise
And it's You we adore
Singing Alleluia

Verse 3
You are everything You've promised
Your faithfulness is true
And we're desperate for Your presence
All we need is You

Bridge
Singing Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Our God Chris tomlin

Writers: Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, Jesse Reeves, Chris Tomlin

Verse 1

Water, You turned into wine
Opened the eyes of the blind
There's no one like You
None like You

Verse 2

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Chorus

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

Verse

Into the darkness, You shine
Out of the ashes, we rise
There's no one like You
None like You

Bridge

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against

And if our God is for us
Then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us
Then what could stand against
Then what could stand against

Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God, You are higher than any other
Our God is healer
Awesome in power
Our God, our God

memory verse 5. James 1:2-6

I have been so busy lately; not in the running-around-like-a-chicken-with-her-head-cut-off kind of busy but in a study-for-exams-while-looking-for-housing-and-continuing-on-with-daily-life kind of busy.  I reach a point of information-overload everyday around 7:00 p.m. but with the boost of energy that only food-both physical and spiritual-can bring to a person I am usually able to push through for a few more hours of Super Study Power Hour.  That being said, I couldn't think of a better passage than James 1:2-6 to dwell on and memorize this week:

James 1:2-6

New International Version (NIV)

Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

memory verse 4. Matthew 28:2-6

In honor of the season I decided to take a break from the Roman Road and complete some memory work from the story of Jesus' resurrection.  If you are unfamiliar with the life of Christ and how He was crucified, buried, and raised again for your sins and mine, please, please take time in reading these verses and click on the link below for further reading & teachings.  You'll be so glad you did; this I know.

Matthew 28:2-6

New International Version (NIV) 

 ² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

 ^{5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.}

and then there were none

'Snaps & snails, & puppy-dogs' tails;

And that's what little boys are made of.'

—Mother Goose

I don't remember actually finding out that Andrew was going to be a 'boy'.  I do remember, though, not knowing—Mom & Dad would talk about 'If it's a Girl' names & 'If it's a Boy' names.  But as fas as where I was & what my reaction was to, 'Girls, you're going to have a little brother in five months!', I have nothing.

I do remember a few things around his birth.  Like the Bike-A-Thon that I was participating in on the Saturday that he was born.  I fell and skinned my knee; Dad, who had dropped me off and gone back to the hospital to be with the baby was not there to kiss it.  I'm not bitter at all.

There was also the first time that Dad changed Andrew's diaper—Dad's diaper-switch-and-cover was not executed in a boy-appropriate timely fashion.  For those of you with sons you need no further explanation. For those of you who are now thinking, 'I should have had a son', I have provided you with a nice, stick-figure diagram:

Then there was the time that Emily decided to form tackle me in the hallway while I was carrying three-month-old Andrew.  This did not end too well.  I was hurt from the fall, Emily was hurt from the spankings  she received for causing the fall, and Andrew—thanks to my wolf-mom-like instincts—made it through the fall without a scratch.

I don't think any more examples are necessary for you to clearly see that I was always the victim and/or hero growing up in my family.  But trust me, I could go on.  For days.

But even though he put me through all of that I still love him to pieces.  I really have enjoyed having a brother to learn from & disgust me.  I really have learned a lot from him through the years and I know it has helped prepare me for future relationships, marriage, & life in general.  Some things I've learned:

• Boy's really are made of puppy-dogs' tails; they can & will smell bad.

• They have good intentions but they can & will disappoint.  For my birthday last year the family met and ate at a restaurant in Houston.  This meant that Emily & Andrew—both of whom were in school—had to drive to Houston at some point.  Everyone was able to be there and it was a lovely time.  BUT, the dinner was not actually held on my birthday; it was two days before.  On my actual birthday I received phone calls, texts, & emails from all of my family except for my brother.  I didn't say anything to him but it still hurt my feelings a little a lot; Emily was none too happy either.  On Emily's birthday three weeks later Andrew approached her and wished her a Happy Birthday to which she replied, 'Thanks; but you forgot Ellen's birthday.  When were you going to wish her a happy year?  Hmm?!'  [You go, girl!]  I wasn't there to witness it but when Emily relayed the exchange to me she told me that he looked very confused and reminded her that, Yes, he too was present at my birthday dinner.  But that wasn't her actual birthday.  And would you know that he actually had to ask her when my birthday actually was?!  Bottom Line: He made the effort to be there [all while he was sick AND he really didn't have time to take off from work] and he didn't complain.  He thought he had done good.  And he did; it did mean a lot that he was there.  Honestly, I'm really glad that it all happened as I know that I learned from the situation.

• Any ball of the basket, soccer, base, hackie-sack, soft, Nerf, or wiffle variety can & will keep them entertained for hours.  Days even.  Weeks...

• They will never truly 'grow up'; they will grow in stature but they can & will be a boy at heart until the day they die.  But this is why we love them, right?

• And, if you're lucky like myself, he is a spiritual leader.  And this is simply the best; to be able to go to and talk 'real-life' in the Biblical context with your brother.  A true blessing.

I have learned much, much more [they steal your toilet paper and other bathroom supplies when they don't want to walk downstairs themselves] but I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Wearing the 'Alabama' baseball tee that I gave him!

Yesterday we all met up to celebrate Andrew's 21st Birthday!?!?!?!?!?  This does not seem right; not right at all.  But according to his birth certificate, passport, driver's license, and cross-stitched birth announcement on his wall it is true.  Trust me, I've checked.  So now, we are officially a family of adults; there are no more underage, minors, teens, or Barney reruns at our house.  It makes me sad but I know that this is just a turning point and we are all ready for the next stages—whatever that may be—in life.

Mom & Dad and their not-so-baby Baby!

Happy Birthday, REIUX!!!  

Now that you're 21, don't do anything that I wouldn't do ;)