Boob Squeeze

Got your attention, huh?

I've been getting a yearly mammogram since I was 30. I have some breast cancer in my family history and so I really am happy to go each year for the mammo just to be proactive and keep on top of things.

I have to admit I went longer than a year between my last one and the one I got today. Just busy and putting it off, that's my excuse. Of course when my husband does that I give him grief and I certainly don't allow my children's appointments to be missed so why do I allow it for myself? It's important for us to take care of OURSELVES too, ladies. So if you've been putting off a doctor's appointment schedule it NOW!

Oh and by the way you are definitely better off NOT to get the boob squeeze when you are about to get your period or have your period. It is killer. Ask me how I know......... wink, wink.

Memories

Yesterday I was looking at some other old pictures and this one caught my eye.


We had just moved down here and it was just the four of us. We didn't know anyone and we were in a brand new place. It was really a great time for me because there were no other distractions. The kids weren't caught up with their friends, I wasn't busy with church stuff and Jeff had just started a new job. We could and did focus on spending time together and exploring our new area.

This day we decided to try out one of the many walking trails that our county offers. This particular park had a couple of trails to choose from with lots of streams and a big pond. It was a crisp, sunny fall day and the four of us and Nemo set out on an adventure. The girls were enjoying looking at the "stuff" that could be found in the stream and I snapped this shot of them crossing over a bridge.

This picture is a reflection of what I hope will be the girls relationship for many years to come. Quietly content, comfortable with each other and enjoying the exploration of all the great things this life has for them!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Growing up we always had a fake Christmas tree. Jeff, I think, always had a real tree. So when we got married we started our tradition of getting a real tree. Once with had kids we started the tradition of going and cutting down our tree. I was thinking about it when we went this past Saturday how many years we've shared this tradition now. It's got to be at least ten years. So I went looking on my hard drive for any pictures of us cutting down our tree......

2005 - me and the girls checking out the trees.....


The big, strong dad cutting down the tree


Me and the girls dragging the tree out of the woods (that didn't last long - we were laughing too hard to move it)



2006 - Picking out a tree, so many to choose from......


Nemo came along for a romp on the farm

Here is another one overlooking the beautiful horse farm next to the tree farm.


These were the pictures from this Christmas. Last year we got our three from Home Depot (yeah, cheesy) and the year before we had a $50 FAKE tree because we were living in the "cottage" so this year we were back to our tradition and went back to the same farm as we did in the picture above.



And we had to do another shot like the one the first year we lived here. Wow, the girls have grown up.


I am so happy that they still like to participate in our family tradition of picking and cutting down our own tree. It makes this Mommy very, very happy.

Unbelievable

And these kinds of things are why it will never get better and why I don't trust a single politician

Those Tweens....

And if they're not taking pictures of themselves they're making videos. Here's a cute one....one of oh, I'd say atleast 50 on my memory card. The other girl is my "third daughter," Erica's best friend.

Tweens

What is about 11, 12 year old girls? They become OBSESSED with taking their picture. And what is it with that sideways looking, cheek squeezing, lip puckering pose they do....oh and let's not forget about the peace sign.

From Blogger Pictures

Erica went through this when she was 12 but Megan is an "early bloomer" and has been stealing my camera and taking pictures at breakneck speed ever since she turned 11.

A sampling for you....

From Blogger Pictures

From Blogger Pictures

From Blogger Pictures

But I can't really complain because she is quite a beauty! My Meggie is growing up. She is very independent, yet hates when Mommy isn't home. She doesn't like to give hugs, but wants me to take the deer with the broken leg that we see by our house to the vet because she can't stand that it may be in pain. She's smart, beautiful, funny as anything, very private and very strong. I can't wait to see where this tween goes in life! It's gonna be great.

From Blogger Pictures

And when she gets there I'll have these pictures to remind her of where she came from!

A cousin bonanza

Last week my sister, my parents and I traveled out to Pennsylvania for my aunt's memorial service. (I wrote about Aunt Bea in a previous post)

Well, let me just say my father's driving is atrocious.....yikes.....scaaaaary. Besides tailgating 18 wheelers and driving 40 miles an hour on dark country roads with hills the size of Mt. Kilamanjaro, he is not the most patient driver and likes to talk to the GPS. So anyway that was quite the experience, fun was had by all as long as we kept our eyes closed. (LOVE YOU DAD)

So we got to the memorial service on Thursday and were so happy to see so many of our cousins there. You see we are a BIG family. I don't know the total of how many cousins, second cousins and such...well let me add up the cousins right now. I have 29 first cousins (including me) on my mom's side so add an average of 2 kids per cousin and you have another about 60 or so second cousins. We are a close family even though we don't see each other as often as we would like because we are spread out. We are loud and emotional, prone to quick tears and we love the Lord! What a legacy our Oma and Opa left us.

I really love my family. As I get older I understand so much more how important family is and how blessed I am to be part of the Flemming Clan!