100 POSTS!

Meghan hit the lucky number! Her post on our get together with the William's was the official 100th post since we started in December, 2008. Wow, we really write on this, don't we? Originally, we weren't going to have any blogs until we graduate from high school, so we'd have more time to write on it. Meghan and I still plan on having our own blogs when we graduate, but Mum created a family blog!

Since then, the subjects have ranged from movies to babysitting, scripture or cooking. All you readers have read them and commented on them and generally enjoyed reading about the happenings of our blessed life. I would like to thank you all for your reading, your comments, and to all our eight followers (I can't believe we have eight all ready!):

THANK YOU!

You make coming on to see our posts even better when you post encouraging comments on them.

In honor of the 100th post (no, not another giveaway, that's next month) I am holding a poll: go back on our archive and pick your favorite post. Then post a comment on this post telling us which one was your favorite. If you don't want to scroll all the way back, just pick a favorite from 2009. Thanks to all our readers and here's hoping we can get another hundred more!

More time spent with wonderful friends

Since Sara blogged about our wonderfully fun time with our friend Dani yesterday evening, I will blog about our time spent yesterday afternoon with our friends Michaela and Morgan.

Morgan and Michaela

It was so much fun! We took lots of pictures, laughed and teased a bunch and overall, had a swell time! As you can see by our laughing faces in the picture below. :)

Me, Michaela, Arianna and Morgs

Sara took the picture. :)

Tess taking a picture. :) She's so sweet!

Michaela and Morgan thinking and talking. "Awkwa-turtle!" :) (Inside joke) :)

Arianna and Tess (Michaela and Morgan's younger sisters) played so nicely with Anna!

Left to right: Tess, Anna and Arianna

We all hung out together and played Balderdash near the end of our visit. That was interesting and hilarious! :)

Michaela and Tess playing Balderdash-they were a team!

Our visits with all our friends never, ever seem long enough. :) Michaela and Morgan's younger brothers, Seth, Colton and Titus, played Legos with Ronnie-which he loved! Poor Ronnie usually plays Legos with one of his sisters. :( Playing with boys was a refreshing change. :)

Michaela and I spent some time by ourselves looking through her beautiful hopechest! I read her VERY FIRST short story that she wrote when she was ten. Apparently (humph!) she'd never shared it with me! :) We talked about how weird it seems to be thinking of when we're married living with our husbands. Randomness is a blessed quality in our friendship! :) I then pointed out how weird it'll be that for the majority of our lives we'd be married-and not with our moms and dads and siblings. She showed me her beautiful placemats she sewed, her (ahem, matching) crocheted pot holders, and some old pictures, among other things. She had some antique photos of her grandparents in there and I verbally pounced on them with a squeal saying, "OOhh! Old pictures! Is there any wedding ones?" :) It was really neat to see all her childhood mementos, treasures and gifts. When we were looking through some of her old letters to me that I had saved, I found some adorable 'doll letters.' When we (sniff sniff!) still played with our dolls, we had them write letters to one another. So, Michaela's (doll) daughter Jess would write letters to my (doll) daughter Samantha, and so on and so forth with the rest of our dolls. :) On more than a few envelopes it said, "Meghan, Maggie and Samantha Gorecki." Those were the days! :) Just a random thought, does getting older mean you get more reminiscent? Like I've seem to be doing. :)

We all had such a wonderful time! Mothers included! :)

I am so, so grateful for our friendship-it feels just like we're family. :) Love you guys!

MP3 Players and Movie Night

First things first:
We got our MP3 players! Since both Meghan and I have laptops with our music on them, it was a constant conversation as to who's going to play her music when we were in the same room. Since I like more upbeat christian and Meghan likes hymns, slower music. Well, we decided (with our mother's blessing of course) to use our babysitting money and buy them while they were on sale. We went to Kmart yesterday and picked them up and they are the best! Now, instead of Meghan and I fighting over music, we put on our ear buds and we each have the music we want. We, despite the popularity, do not crank up the volume, so we can still hear if our parents or anyone needs us. Conditions for them are: my mom will do routine checks on our music, we cannot use them at the meal table (obviously), and we need to take very good care of them. I gotta go, my friend is here.

Later...
Tonight, instead of going to Farmhouse Coffee (a christian coffee house nearby) we instead had a Girl's Night In with our dear friend Danielle. When she arrived, we pulled on our PJ's (fuzzy slippers included) and headed towards the kitchen. After we brewed coffee, we made homemade Lattes with chocolate syrup and whipped topping. Then we went downstairs to our gameroom and put in our movie: Phantom of the Opera. Oh my goodness, I love that movie! Since all three of us are movie talkers, we provided ourselves with running commentary on it. For example: "Why is she doing that? She is being hypnotized by the phantom, who has major anger issues, and she is oblivious to the man who truly loves her!" or "The phantom is crying! He is actually feeling emotion! Told ya he had feelings!" This went on through the entire movie. With a slight pause to run up and get popcorn: butter, salt, and parmesan cheese for Meghan and Dani, chocolate syrup for me (I know, gross, but it is sooooo good!) and back on the movie went. We watched, engrossed with the film, until my dad yelled down the steps, "Dani, you need to leave like now if you want to get home by eleven." She still has her 'Cinderella License' and has to be home by eleven or else... so we stopped the movie reluctantly and said goodbye. Here's hopin I don't have nightmares :o) So here's to a great girly night with a great friend.

We're having a new addition to our family!!!

No....we're not having another baby ( although that would be great!), my brother-in-law, Tom is getting married! He recently became engaged and brought his beautiful bride-to-be, Kelli, over for dinner. It's nice to see Tom so happy....and Kelli is as sweet as she is beautiful! My little ones really took to her.Tom and Kelli
Kelli and my mother-in-law, Ro.

I love this one! I said to Ro " Your young daughter-in-law and the old daughter-in-law!"....or the new one and the old one....either way....I'm the old one! LOL

I was telling Kelli something and told her what someone had said to me and called me "Mrs. Gorecki"....then I looked at her and said " And...you'll be Mrs. Gorecki soon, too!"....she had the most startled look on her face and said " wow...I guess I will be....Mrs. Gorecki....that sounds funny!" I remember the first year we were married....it took that long for me to realize that whenever someone called me Mrs Gorecki that they weren't speaking of my mother-in-law! The wedding will be over Labor Day.....we can't wait! Tom turns 30 soon, so we can't wait to have them over again soon for a birthday celebration dinner! Congratulations, Tom and Kelli! ~Sue~

Tag from Unworthy Maiden

We were tagged by Unworthy Maiden!

She's one of my dearest friends and I am happy to do this. :) She and I have A LOT of the same answers. :)

1. Were you named after anyone? My middle name was for my great-grandmother. :) We all miss her.
2. When was the last time you cried? This past Sunday
3. Do you like your handwriting? Nope. My typing is great though! :-P
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Bologna
5. Do you have kids? Nope. I hope to when I am married someday, though. :)
6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you? Probably
7. Do you use sarcasm? Unfortunetly yes.
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes I do
9. Would you Bungee Jump? NO! I'm afraid of heights!
10. What is your favorite cereal? Millet with apples and raisens. :) It's a hot cereal. :)
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? Nope
12. What is your favorite Ice Cream? Cookies and Cream or Butter Pecan. YUM!
13. What is the first thing you notice about people? Their smile and height. :-P
14. Red or Pink? PINK!!
15. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My prideful tongue
16. Who do you miss the most? Pap and my great-grandmother
17. Do you want everyone to complete this list? Sure.
18. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? I'm wearing a denim skirt and a yellow top
19. What are you listening to right now? Sara and I typing. :)
20. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Pink :)
21. Favorite smell? Babies, almond extract, anise, bread baking, gingerbread candle. :)
22. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? I'm not sure. :) Probably Mum
23. Favorite sports to watch? Hockey
24. Hair color? Light brown/dark blond
25. Eye color? Blue. Both my grandmothers' eyes. :)
26. Do you wear contacts? Nope! My eyesight's good!
27. Favorite food? Anything Mum makes.......for the most part. :)
28. Scary movies or happy endings? HAPPY ENDINGS!!!!!!! Even if it's sad for awhile, it has GOT to be happy by the end!
29. Last movie you watched? It Happened in Brooklyn (LOVE it! Especially Peter Lawford!)
30. What color shirt are you wearing? Yellow
31. Summer or winter? Summer-it's my birthday season. :)
32. Hugs or kisses? Hugs
33. Most likely to respond? Mmmm.....Dani. :)
34. Least likely to respond? I don't know!
35. What book are you reading now? Heartbroken Melody by Kathleen Norris (GOOD book! A tad melodramatic, but overall, so far so good!)
36. What's on your mousepad? Nothing-I have a laptop. :)
37. What did you watch on TV last night? The tail end of the movie A Season For Miracles
38. Favorite Sound? Popcorn popping and laughter
39. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles....I don't listen to either of them. At all. But Dad likes the Beatles and I have music for one of their songs.
40. What is the farthest you have been from home? North Carolina when I was younger. :)
41. Do you have a special talent? Ummm.......I really love to play piano and mess around with key changes. :) And writing stories is fun. But they're not very good until I edit them at least 3 times. :)
42. Where were you born? Pittsburgh
43. Whose answers are you looking forward to getting back? Ella's or Dani's. :)

**DING!** All done. :)
I tag.....Ella, Laina and Dani. :) Just do it at your leisure. :)
Have fun my friends! :)

Encouragment and friendships....

God really reminded me today how important friendships can be! He brings people into our lives for a reason...today it was for laughter, support and encouragment!

I had the opportunity to volunteer for a short time today putting labels onto brochures for our annual homeschooling workshop/curriculum fair. I was able to help get the job done (many hands make light work), and laugh and fellowship and encourage my fellow homeschooling moms....what a blessing it was!

I am in awe of seeing God's hand so clearly in our lives lately! Not that He isn't always here....but it has just been so evident. Especially in the area of friendships. Over the past few years...He has strengthened some friendships, brought others to deeper levels, but what really blows my mind ( excuse the expression...I'm tired!) is how many "kindred spirits" He has brought into our lives recently! Oh, my goodness! Not just for the girls....but for me as well! I'm so grateful!

You know a "kindred spirit" when you both have so much in common that there never seems to be enough time to talk! When you share so many interests, and share the same values as well.

Some friendships are only meant for a season....and then they end or drift away. Some are only meant to be on a "lighter" level....some are meant to be a mentor/ Titus 2 friendship....and still others are deeper. All are so important. The girls and I were talking about friendships recently, about putting effort into a friendship, accepting people the way they are...not expecting more from them than they are capable to giving...remembering that we are ALL sinners...and letting God deal with their sins....not dwelling on them ourselves. Simply enjoying each others company, encouraging each other, supporting each other and sometimes exhorting each other...pointing each other to Christ and His word.

I am so very, very grateful for the wonderful friendships the Lord has blessed me with! I pray that He helps me be a better, true friend as well!!! God bless! ~Sue~

Super fun before the Super Bowl

This sunday was very fun. After going to church with my cousin, Tina and my family, Meghan and I went out to lunch with our dear friends fir Dani's birthday: Dani, Lane, and Sarah C. Our purchases of food were examples of how differen from eachother we are:

Dani: Oriental chicken plate (two different types of chicken with rice)

Meghan: Subway lunch wrap

Sarah: soft Taco Bell burrito

Lane: Taco Bell Wacko Taco (Not really, but I like calling it that!)

Me: New Orleans Chicken with fried rice and a egg roll. Yummmm!

(Here we are at the food court!)

After chowing down on un-healthy goodness, we were off on our girly mall crawl. Dani's brother, Dillon, came with us (he had to go home with Dani) and we all had a good time. First stop (A little weird) was the American Greetings store to look at Valentine's Day stuff. Then we walked down to Macys and headed upstairs to try on dresses. Poor Dillon walked around and finally went down to Aeropostale to look around. After we tried on tons of dresses, we made out way down to Aeropostale to meet Dillon. That is one of my favorite stores! My favorite style of jacket is a hoodie, and I have four of them so Aeropostale is a great place to get hoodies on clearance! Then we made our way down to American Eagle, where everything was so expensive! I much prefer the clearance rack at Aero. Anyway, back to AE, after contemplating many purchases (and ending up buying nothing) we decided to make one last stop at Claires. By the way, my other love is hats so when I saw a purple rainbow fedora, I almost died! I tried one on, fit perfectly. However, it was $16, so I immedietly put it back. There were also purses and fingerless gloves (which I also love, don't ask why), earrings and notebooks galore. Before we could get any tempting offers, we walked back up to the food court where our final stop was Dairy Queen to get Ice Cream. Oh my goodness gracious, whenever you find yourself at a Dairy Queen, try a Chocolate Xtreme blizzard, it's to die for.

So all in all, it was super fun before the super bowl. I can't tell you how many Steeler jersies I saw people wearing! It was a bunch of fun and I hope we do it again soon. Happy Birthday Dani!

Our first Cubscout Pinewood Derby!!!

Our first Cubscout Pinewood Derby was on Saturday, and I must admit...it was a lot more fun than I anticipated! It started when Ron, Ronnie and one of Ronnie's grandfathers, Buppy, measured and cut out the car. Then Ron and Ronnie painted it, and 'detailed ' the car...I mean, this car even had a real pinstripe on it! It was definitely a "guy" activity, but my guys will have great memories from this, I'm sure!Here is Ronnie holding his car the night before at practice.

Each car is weighed, and fine tuned to meet the derby standards. It was fun watching Ron and Ronnie doing it together! Here they weighed the car...exactly 5oz!

Look how proud my guys look!

This is the morning of the derby. Ronnie had a lot of fun with his friends (pictured here, Jacob and Steven)...although, he had a blast just watching the races.

The blue car in the third lane is Ronnie's. He said it was "Petty Blue" and named his car

"Cargo"

Look at that smile! He had such a great time! This was extremely well organized and thought out...I was very impressed with the leadership.

This is when they called all the boys up by their Den ( we're Den #1) and EVERY boy got a trophy just for participating. They awarded slightly larger trophies for the fastest 4 cars. Out of 9 cars in our den entered, Ronnie's came in 4th...not too bad for our first time!

It was fun to do with friends, as well. Our friends, the Webber's participated as well and the boys all had a good time. (the parents did, too!)

Do I look proud of my boy, or what?! It really was a memory maker!

One happy boy! His first trophy....and a lot of fun working with his grandfather and especially, with his Dad! Can't wait until next years, Pinewood Derby!