Thinking - - many topics!

Thinking, thinking. Is this a coincidence? A month ago I received an e-mail ... one of those forwards. I usually hate forwards. Please don't ever send one to me where you have to forward it to 10 friends within the hour!!! This one was different though (I will print it at the end). I decided to act on it.

I like gadgets (!!!) so I entered it in my iPhone calendar to ring every day at 9 pm to call me to prayer ... and I was pretty good in keeping to it. I have no idea how many people in the US or the world say this prayer exactly at the same time EVERY DAY but ... do we have a chance for peace now that Osama is dead? Coincidence? You decide!
 
The e-mail: Someone has said that if Christians really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Did you know that during WWII there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every day at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England , its people and peace? There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . If you would like to participate: Every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM Central) (7:00 PM Mountain) (6:00 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, and for a return to a Godly nation. If you know anyone else who would like to participate, please pass this along. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have.

Mother's Day tomorrow! I was so blessed with the most wonderful mother. She has done so much for me ... and now I can't do anything for her. She doesn't seem to have much quality of life any more. And my sister says that Mutti might leave us soon. My flight to Germany is booked. Perhaps we can laugh together one more time.

My beautiful mother with my beautiful daughters 1983.











And now the requested pictures of my new hair do:

Before!












After! I was a blond all my life until I turned gray. Brunette (or even red?) was not what I had in mind. But I will get over it.

Yes, I will get over it. Not a problem.

More fun with William and then he goes home!

Just came back from the Airport. Helen and William are on their way back home. I hope Helen considered this somewhat a vacation because she did do a lot of work. She made and mailed William's one-year birth announcements, organized a wonderful bridal shower for Sarah, made the wedding invitations, organizing the Matron-of-Honor dress etc. etc. But I have some proof of fun too.

 William is mailing 'his' cards.

We visited the Metro Richmond Zoo. A first for James and me too. For the longest I didn't even know we had one.

We have mixed feelings about it. From Singapore and St Louis we are used to state-of-the-art facilities which have enclosures for the animals as natural to them as possible, and also generously sized. We are not so sure about that here. It is a very small zoo anyway with a lot of entertainment
/amusement-park type things of which I did not take a photo.

 Loved the Giraffes though.

 See what I mean? Not so natural. The children can buy food to feed the animals. These pellets were everywhere.

 Ah, this makes me feel better about myself. Haha.

William really liked the kitty-cats.

 Fascinating!

And then we had lunch at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant. Helen told our server that her husband's family lives in Lebanon, TN (headquarter!) and we received prime service.

William is the quality controller for the wedding invitations.

And then yesterday we went to the Tuckahoe Library "Mother Goose Story Hour".











Every child got to pet the goose.

 Waiting to start.

 It was a BIG group.

Overhead projecting.

 William was fascinated ...

 ... and worn out.

 Today we went to the Glen Allen Library. It was an ugly rainy morning.

 Waiting for it to start.

 

Is the weather the reason that there are not that many participants? But it was so much fun.

This afternoon at the airport. William is ready to see his Dad again.

 He is so ready for an adventure.

Bye Helen, bye William, it was so nice to have you visit. It will be quiet in the house now.

Thanks, Ben, for lending us your family. We enjoyed it so much.

Lots going on and the real reason why Helen came!

Friday April 29th - - the Royal Wedding. Alarm clock at 5:25 am, after all I do have a British passport.

Sarah comes over in her pajamas too. William wakes up early too and wants some entertainment. Auntie is happy to oblige.

 Our William gets crowned.

 William waits for Prince William to kiss his bride Kate.

 Later in the day we HAVE to drive to Williamsburg. We tried the whole week and could never fit it in. Helen had ordered Sarah's wedding present and we had to get it. No time for a visit to Colonial Williamsburg so we drive to Yorktown to have lunch in a pub.

Williams first pub visit. Too young for beer. Mommy brought the emergency baby food in a pouch were you screw a spoon to the top to squeeze the food on. They didn't have that when I had my babies.

 Time for a very short walk. It is such a glorious day. Yorktown on the York River.

 The fishing pier.

 Aahh!

 We were already leaving in the car when Helen spotted this statue for a perfect picture with William.

 A couple wanted me to take their picture with their camera ... so they returned the favor and took a picture of all of us.

 Saturday morning ... up bright and early again. Helen's bridal shower for her sister Sarah is at 2 pm. Hustle, hustle.

What you find when you try to organize your household. Found a German gadget to make cookies like this. Had it for many year ... and never used. Sigh.

O.k. ... a hotpot with chocolate sauce to dip different fruit, pretzels and cookies in. Mimosas or soft drinks.

 Val had brought her famous cup cake creations.

 And more.












Val, the cup cake artist.

 Helen welcomed and thanked everybody for coming.

Chicken salad on croissants, spinakopias, crab cakes, several dips and the sweets. Nobody should be hungry.

 Sarah is starting her part of the 'duties', opening the presents.

Just like her sister at her wedding, Sarah receives her homemade present from her mother: night wear (white Jersey boxers and t-shirt with HANDMADE bobbinlace). Have to show picture later because I forgot to take a proper one.

 Julie agrees: the dessert is nice.

 Helen's party favors for the guests.

And afterward WE crashed for a while.

 Another early morning: alarm clock at 5:40 am. The day of the Muddy Buddy. Sarah's third, Helen's second. Two years ago they did it together in Nashville.

 Getting ready. Tying the timers to the shoe laces.

 The team manager for the Wawa's Mud Warriors.

 Hand dyed t-shirts for the team.

 Wave 6 is starting. I see her, I see her.

 Helen takes the first bike turn.

 And that is the last we see of her for a while.

 Sarah is starting with the run. I had just seen her.

 There she is. Waving.

 See you. Have fun.

 At this point William couldn't care less.

 Finally. The first sighting.

 Yeah, the team has arrived.

 Good job.

 See her whiz by.

 But it is not totally done. The last obstacle.

And entering the mud pit.

 The goal was to finish. Well done, girls.

This is sister time.

 The most difficult part of this event.

 Omi tries to keep William happy. He can't understand why his mommy doesn't want to give him a hug right now. Really?

 He smiled as soon as he sat on the bicycle.

Maybe a future Mini Muddy Buddy?
















Now the drive home and nap time all around!!!!!