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Why I started this blog:  Click Here

My personal blog philosophy:  This blog is essentially read by my children, husband, Mom, siblings, a few in-laws, extended family, a few of our adult friends, and some very special young friends in our lives including nieces/nephews/kids’ friends/youth groupers.  Plain and simple, to you who read this whether I know you in real life or not:  It documents a small portion of our life and I hope it uplifts you and makes you smile.  It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.  It is meant to be personal, but not private. 

It’s all about me:  I’m a Midwesterner, 40-something (OK, so I’m 46 — shutup — SweetGuy is 47!), wife of one great husband, SweetGuy.  I’m a mom of Bud - a 22 year old newly employed college grad.  I also lay claim to Magoo, a 19 year old young woman, and my best girlfriend.  I am the slave to a dog and three cats.  I have a geek job, and am unusually fortunate in every aspect of my life.

Additional cast of main characters mentioned in this blog:

AUBS! = My sister’s oldest girl.  She is crazy, energetic, and adorable.  She is my favorite niece.

DustMeister = A great friend of Magoo, Bud, and the entire family.  He lived with us for a while while his family lived in Singapore.  He is a second son to us, and a total geek, goof, and all around fantastically fabulous guy.

EL = One of Magoo’s best friends, and Bud’s good friend & former girlfriend.  Our family is proud to have taught her the art of sarcasm.

Emmy = My sister’s youngest girl.  She’s an old soul, and a TOTAL sweet heart.  She is my favorite niece.

Da Kaff = Magoo’s friend — he has big calves, is shy around adults, is a stinking  Cardinal fan, and is only slightly better at Rock Band than I am.  We likes him.

FavoriteChild = My OLDER brother.  Some say nice things about him.  I’m holding off on going that far.

Grace = Magoo’s amazing friend.  I’m sort of her mentor, but really it’s the other way around.

Jakester = My 22 year old nephew.  He’s an adventurer.  He needs to comb his hair.  He’s going to school in England, and wants to be a screenwriter.  He’s cool like that.

Nanni = My Mom.  She is SPECIAL.

Little Couz Far Off in TX = This girl is the youngest daughter of SweetGuy’s sister.  She is quiet, but don’t let that fool ya.  She has smarts, incredible organization and perseverance, as well as a really caring heart.  She is my favorite neice.

Robin = She meant so much to my spiritual life growing up.  She’s responsible in large part for SweetGuy and my desire to positively affect young men and women’s lives.  She is also at least six, seven years older than me.  I want to look like her when I grow up.

Singing Sally = My OLDER, but not oldest, sister.  She always needs attention.  It’s all about her. 

The Gang = our special set of high school buddies that we love to hang out with:  K&A, K&M, and Pastor Dan.

TheOldest = My OLDEST sister.  She’s oldest, as well as older.

The White Rose = The 19 (almost 20!) year old daughter of SweetGuy’s sister.  She is artistic, sweet, and FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY.  She is my favorite niece.