And so it goes...

My last post was a little sad, but I know Kari is dancing and singing in Heaven.  Please continue to pray for her family!

In our happenings, this was report card week!  Both of the kids had pretty decent grades, and of course "are very bright but do not apply themselves!"  I know this, and work daily on encouraging them to succeed beyond even their wildest dreams!

Morgan will make her acting debut tonight...should be great!  If we could only rid the real world of all the unnecessary drama!!! LOL
Caleb kicks off basketball season Nov. 15th - I am ready!!! 
Wade begins his long, long days of work today - the first hunt arrives.  I know he loves it, but he is SO tired sometimes!
Meg is working, Jacob is working, and Em has adjusted somewhat to daycare.  When she gets upset, they let her go into the baby room and help feed the babies.  How sweet is that?!?

I had a horrible migraine over the weekend.  It has been unseasonably warm here, and allergies kicked up, so I'm hoping that's what triggered it, but it was awful.  I missed Caleb's basketball tryouts for youth basketball!  I didn't even leave my house Saturday or Sunday.  You know that's bad!!!

We are kicking off something new - the Paleo diet.  We will probably modify it somewhat, at least for Caleb if he objects too much!  But I really like what I've been reading, and it totally makes sense.  Morgan & I are definitely looking to be healthier, and combined with exercise I hear it makes you feel GREAT!  Hubby could stand to lower his cholesterol too!

In WILLOW HOUSE news, the new online shopping feature is awesome!!!!!  We are offering monthly specials - like October BONUS DAYS! - and weekly specials in the Outlet.  These are great savings - and you can still get the CUSTOMER SPECIAL when you spend $39.96 or more!  The October Bonus days is offering 15 HOLIDAY items at 25% off - it's a great time to stock up for gifts or decorating items!!  You can even host your own party online and get the Host Rewards!

I am really looking forward to the coming weeks - hopefully going to Georgia for the Thanksgiving holiday, enjoying Christmas with the family, a little time off to relax...I'm ready for it!

Life is precious...

and often much too short.  My dear friend Kari is now singing in Heaven.  The surgery she had seemed to be successful, and she was getting a big stronger every day, but last Friday, October 15, we received the news that Kari had passed away.

It was a horrible day - Morgan went to be with Katelynn, and everyone had gathered to make plans.  You could tell they were just all in shock.  I just cried all day, off and on, because I don't remember a time when I didn't know Kari.  She is one of those people who was just true to herself and true to God.  Even though we didn't see each other all the time, she was always genuinely happy to see us when we did.  She loved my kids - and would tell them that - and they all cried when they heard the news.  I have many many memories of Kari - from childhood to now - and I can still hear her saying "Hi, Hollywollydoodlealltheday!"  She had a nickname for everyone, and that was mine!! 

I know Kari never wanted to leave her family here on earth, but I'm sure she missed her mom, her Granny K, and her sister Nikki, and today she is reunited and celebrating with them.  I know she and my Daddy are having some good conversation!!!

The service was Monday.  Kari's dad talked about her life - how determined she was - and told funny stories.  It was definitely "her"!  And while it was in some ways a joyous occasion, because Kari knew where she would be when she passed from this earth, it was heartbreaking to watch her family, friends, and coworkers have to say goodbye to her.  It is definitely too soon, she was too young, and life isn't fair; but we weren't promised longevity or fair - just HOPE.  And one thing Kari knew with all her heart, and wanted everyone else to know, is that as long as you know Jesus and you have been saved by Him, there is HOPE. 
She would want her family to live.  She would want them to live well, and make her proud.  I hope you will all continue to pray for Kari's family, as the road ahead will be long and lonely without her.  It is a wonderful thing to know that they have the hope of seeing her again someday.

And for the rest of us, we will always miss her....For myself, it is a lesson that life is short, and you should never put off doing those things that make memories.  I learned a lot from Kari in my life, and those lessons will stay with me, inspire me, and encourage me.

Kari, you are greatly missed, my friend.

Online shopping with Willow House...

Online shopping is LIVE!!!  I am very excited to have this option to share with customers!!! No more waiting to add to a party, and now you can host a party and "virtually" invite everyone you know.  Check out my website from the link - click on SHOP, and you can view the entire catalog AND the outlet, where many discontinued items are available at GREAT discounts.

This NOLA bucket and stand is one of my favorites!

Perfect for a LSU game party!!!!

On the family front, Jacob & Meg are doing well in Georgia.  Meg just got a job, so we may not see sweet Emalyn for a while.  With hunting season starting, Wade will be super busy until after Christmas.  Then he will be having rotator cuff surgery, so travel will be postponed until later in 2011.  I may have to fly out for a quick weekend fix from my girl!  It is hard to believe she is almost 2 years old!!!!  Hopefully they can be here for one holiday or another.

I LOVE HER!

She is the most precious child ever!! I do hope she will enjoy the other kids at "school".  I really do miss her, but she calls and "talks" to Gramps and Meme now.  She says "purple" and "pink" and lots of other words.  She really is so smart!!!

Morgan is preparing for her acting debut in a play next week, and Caleb's basketball schedule kicks off in a couple of weeks.  They are both doing well in school, and I am so proud of them!  Morgan is in her Jr. year - doesn't seem possible she will be graduating next year!  Caleb is 5'11", and I don't believe he is anywhere through growing!

Wade & I had a weekend "away" last weekend - our last time of relaxation before we get so busy we can't think straight!!!  It was beautiful weather, so we headed to the beach for a couple of days.  It was nice!

The weather was perfect, and the water was almost blue (which is weird for Galveston). We had a good time. 

Last night we finally got some rain, which we needed desperately.  Even though we've enjoyed the beautiful weather we've been having the past few weeks, it was getting super dry!

Please continue to keep Kari in your prayers, she had a mitral valve replacement this week.  She is still critical, but stable, and getting stronger.  She has a long recovery ahead, but nothing is impossible when GOD is on your side!!!  She got to spend a few days at home before this surgery, so that was a HUGE blessing!

Also remember the family in our community who lost everything they own in a fire Sunday night.  Mom & Dad, two kids, all are safe, but their possessions were all destroyed.  The community will come together to help them, I know!  This is just one of the immeasurable needs out there - PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!