Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Happy 25th Tara

Not every one is lucky enough to live next door to their best friend of twenty-five years! I wish I had a scanner and could show you some of the classic pictures of us growing up. Poor Tara! She is mad at me in most of our pictures because I always forced her pose with me. (I also tried once to make her hold my hand like all the other best friend couple did- but that didn't go over that well either.) For those of you who don't know Tara, she is they type of friend that you will strive your whole life to be like her but will never catch. She is THE nicest person on the whole planet. She is genuinely kind to EVERYBODY. She will do ANYTHING for you at ANYTIME...
I think you are getting the picture.
Here is the top 10 list of memories after 25 years: (Not in order because that would be just way too hard.)
1. Prom night- she waited in the back of her Dad's truck to spy on me. She ran right over and we talked about our nights.
2. When I told her I was switching junior highs. It wasn't an option, if I was moving, so was she.
3. Eating nachos at her house or Spaghettio's or party pizza's at my house for lunch everyday.
4. Our garden we planted in about the 3rd grade. A dumb bird devoured our 1 watermelon that grew.
5. The night of the "Southern Cross" in Mozambique. Singing "How Great Thou Art" under a pitch black sky filled with trillions of stars in some tiny village.
6. Playing "mailbox." Every Sunday we would pass each other notes and tea party invitations for the upcoming week by putting them in each others mailboxes and then calling the person and saying "Mailbox" and then quickly hanging up.
7. Every SINGLE Christmas morning! As soon as I was done opening my presents I ran over to Tara's. (They have 10 kids in their family and it took them all day to get through their presents.) With out fail, we always got something the same. My favorite year was when we both got American Girl Dolls (I got Samantha and she got Molly), trunks for their clothes, and tables and chairs.
8. Whenever one of us went out of town, the other had the large responsibility of babysitting that persons dolls. (I recently found Pearltay packed away and feelings of childhood love came pouring back.)
9. Both of us winning the 6th grade Student Council election (She was the secretary, I was the treasure.) Side note- we were in every single same grade school class.
10. This year! I love being neighbors again, our daily communication, our dinner group, our joint calling in Nursery, having our husbands get to be such good friends, etc.

Happy Birthday Tara! How I love you!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Flower Power

Congrats to the coolest male nurse in town! This is my brother Zach (yes, the one wearing a flower in his hair) at his pinning graduation ceremony last week. Way to go!

Hop-y Easter

Here are some photos from the Lewis and Packard family Easter celebrations. Aunt Jennie
Cousin Isaac in his Easter best.
Yummy homemade cinnamon rolls by Sheri!

Cousin Jack-jack and Cal.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Calling all Runners

As most of you know, I really really LOVE Mozambique! Care for Life is hosting its 3rd annual 5k run/1 mile walk. It is in exactly 1 month- April 12, 7:30 am @ Kiwanis Park. That gives everyone the time to get in shape for at least a 1 mile walk. Put it on your calendar today! You can sign up here or at 6:30am on the race day! It is for a WONDERFUL cause and we would have such a fun time! Let me know if you are in!

Here are some photos from our July 2005 trip:


Teaching English at Macarungo. (I taught most of these same boys several years earier when they lived at Asem. It was soo fun to see them again!) I am holding my little sister Lindy.

The fixing huts project. (A new roof)

Sweet Village Children- with stickers on their foreheads!

I just had to add this funny video! It is of Doug and his twin brother Ben doing a dance in the middle of some tiny village. They did it over and over because the kids LOVED it!

I am happy to announce that this week we got tickets for next December for Doug, Cal and I to go visit my parents. It will be my 7th trip, Doug's 2nd and Cal's 1st of many hopefully!

The Rearranger

Callin is obsessed with walking. He has recently taken 2 and 3 steps on his own, but as you can see he is majorly in the pushing phase. My chairs are constantly scattered throughout the kitchen.

8:24 am
8:26 am

8:28 am

8:32 am

Lucky for me I actually can get quite a bit done! (That is when I am not capturing every 2 minutes on the camera!)

Sunday, March 9, 2008

The Packard Posterity

Now that the surprise is over...happy 57th birthday to my dad and mom (March 7th and April 14th)...I can post pictures of their darling birthday present.
This wall in our basement features all 17 of the cousins with plenty of room for more!
For all your vinyl needs Chocolates for Breakfast is the best!