Daddy's Girl

Tonight is the annual "Date with Dad" held at the Doyle Community Center. Olivia and Andy had so much fun last year that they had to attend again this year. Above is a cute picture of Olivia smelling her bouquet of flowers her daddy brought her.

All dressed up and ready to go. They were headed to eat at DaVinci's for dinner first.

Mia wanted in on the photo opportunity too. Maybe next year she will get to go also. For this year she gets to hang out with her mommy, and hopefully we can have a fun evening to ourselves.

Mia was sick this past week. Fever, ear infection, and enlarged spotted tonsils have not made for the sweetest daughter, but she's on the mend. The doctor is treating her for Strep, although they didn't test for it. He said that's what the majority of cases have been lately. She was negative for the flu.

My dad and Patty are currently bobbing like a buoy in the middle of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Hawaii somewhere. They are on a cruise, but due to the awful earthquake in Japan and also one in Hawaii the tsunami hit. He called this morning to update us and ask us to pray. They were in port, but the Coast Guard advised the ship to go out to sea as far as it could before the tsunami hit. He has emailed to let us know they are all okay, but that it was scary. All ports are closed until the seas die down, so they have to stay out a bit longer. Keep them and everyone involved in the horrific effects of mother nature's latest tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.

I've also attempted to start up one of my passions that I haven't done in years. My mother always encouraged my love of art and begged me to continue and share it with the world, but life gets busy and time slips away. Well, I have been dabbling a bit with it again. I attempted to paint a picture of some red poppies for my sister-in-law, Jennifer for Christmas and had another canvas that has been laying around since then.

A wonderful co-worker of mine, Vickie, sadly lost her son, Daniel in a tragic motorcycle accident last spring. The United Way just hosted a fund raiser in his memory last weekend at the Sturges-Young Auditorium with a silent local art auction. Since Vickie had told me they were going to do this I thought what a great reason to get my paints out and use that last canvas. It was a fun "Hoe Down" themed evening and a good turn out to raise funds for a great cause. If it weren't for my vivid memory of my mother insisting I share my art with the world, it would probably remain hidden away. I am by no means an artist, but it's a fun outlet for me, and now I remember how much I truly loved creating art. Hopefully I can find time to do some now and then.