Thank you!

Thanks to each of you who left a comment to help me see if I got this bloggy change correct - I am actually shocked that I did since I am so technically-disinclined.  ;-)   I have been on Blogger long enough that I don't even REMEMBER if I wanted word verification or not - had not given any thought to it all.  lol... 

@ Sandie... your post is what prompted me to check my settings!  Thank you!   Isn't it wonderful how we help each other out in Blogland? 

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday... we are on the mend - I hope - and looking forward to some nicer weather this week here in NW AL...

Have a great week!  :-)

Word verification...

I have read several posts in the past few days about the "word verification" that blogger uses.  I had no idea if mine was "on"or not, but apparently it was.  I have never had any trouble with the verification process when commenting on someone's blog - usually takes less than 10 seconds IF I remember to click the "publish" button :-) - but do not want to cause any one else to be unhappy, so I removed the "Please prove you aren't a robot" feature from my blog...  At least I *think* I did.  Could someone please post a comment and tell me if it worked??  Thank you so much!

I am, however, keeping the comment approval process intact... It is my blog and I have the right to post only the comments which I feel are appropriate!  ;o)

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a safe and pleasant New Year's Eve, and that you all have a wonderful New Year!  Katie easily stayed up until midnight - she is a night owl like I *used* to be! - after we watched one of our favorite movies - "Last Holiday" - and ate all sorts of yummy party foods.  It was a great evening and I was so glad that everyone I love was at home, safe and sound.

I am hoping and praying that 2012 will be the year that we hit the road.  Still trying to find that elusive rig that is affordable and adaptable for us!  Wish me luck...  :-)

Missing my Daddy...

Fifteen years ago tonight, my Daddy passed away at the age of 58.  My life was changed forever that night and I have often wondered if he knew what an effect his passing would have on us, and on so many other people.  My son was just a little boy and my daughter was not yet born when Daddy died.   He would be so proud of the things his oldest grandson has accomplished and the man he has become, and he would have spoiled his only granddaughter more than she already is... she would be his little princess!

Take time to tell the people that you love exactly how you feel.  You never know when you may lose them.   Daddy knew that he was my hero and how very much I loved him, but I'm not certain he realized what a void he would leave behind after he was gone.  I miss him every single day, and so often I wish that I could lean on him or ask for his wisdom and guidance.  He was the most intelligent, most kind, most gentle person I've ever known.   

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Just want to take a moment to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  I hope that you get to spend the holidays doing exactly what you want to do, exactly where you want to be, with wonderful people who make you laugh, staying safe and warm, and with lots of good food to eat!   Stay safe and remember to smile at others.  It is amazing what a genuine smile can do!!

Merry Christmas!

Kerri  :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving filled with lots of laughter, delicious food, and wonderful people, no matter where you are choosing to celebrate!   I also hope that each of us takes a few minutes to truly consider the blessings we have and to thank our family, friends, and especially our local 1st responders and our military personnel for making our lives happy, comfortable, and safe.  THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Birthday Katie!!!

Eleven years ago today, my beautiful little girl came into this world at 9:16 am.  She was 5 weeks early and I had a very difficult delivery,  which you can read about here http://homeschoolingsolo.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-birthday-little-one.html

Today, I cannot believe that my little girl is eleven - standing on the brink of so many changes and adventures.  Not a little girl any more, but not quite a big girl either (although I am certain she would totally disagree!)  As I look back over the last eleven years, I remember so many wonderful times we've shared and so many things I would gladly change if I had the chance for a "do-over".   But through all the changes and ups and downs, we have been together, and we are as close as any mother and daughter can be.  I longed for such a relationship as a child, and vowed that I would make sure my future daughter would  have the chance to experience it if she chose to do so -  at least I've kept one promise that I made to my childish self.

As we begin our RVing journey soon (I hope), I look forward to discovering America with this bright, vivacious, active, questioning, beautiful little soul.  Every day brings new discoveries here in our sticks and bricks, so I have no doubt that we will have some grand adventures (and more than our share of spats and misunderstandings) while on our journeys.  Since I am an "older Mom" and she is headed toward teenagehood, we may decide to dub our rolling home "The Hormone Express" with all the changes that will occur while on the road!   ;-)  But I pray that we are able to appreciate and enjoy our time together wherever we are and whatever we are doing, and that we take advantage of the opportunities as they come along.

Today we plan to spend the day having breakfast at our special place, shopping at all of our favorite stores, having lunch (haven't decided where yet but I know it will be delicious), maybe taking in a movie... whatever her little heart desires.  Tonight we will feast on Chocolate Cheesecake - YUM!  I hope that her day is as special as she deserves, and that we build another wonderful memory for her to put into her "bank"...  My goal is for that bank to be overflowing with amazing, funny, and treasured memories by the time she becomes an adult. 

Sweetie, you are one of the two most precious people in my world and I love you more than I can express.  I am so very happy that God chose me to be your Mom, and that I have the privilege of knowing and  loving you.    "As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be..."