Guess Who Is Coming For a Visit???

Well, here are two VERY happy girls from the last time he made his way here. Any guesses?

Here's your first clue...

Oh look - here we are again - the year before that (and the two years before that too) - yes we are official stalkers...

Any guesses???


Still unsure???

Alright for anyone who knows me even a teeny tiny bit - you guessed it before you even finished reading the title! YES - Tim McGraw is coming to Konocti Resort in July! Has this bit of news brightened up my day - YOU BET YOUR BEHIND!!! Konocti - here I come...

True Friendship

Today, I received an email from a friend that really did make me laugh out loud! I thought all three of you might enjoy it too.

Are you tired of those wimpy ' friendship' poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You will see no cutesy little smiley faces on this card- Just the stone cold truth of our friendship.

1. When you are sad --I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. When you are blue -- I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile -- I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

4. When you're scared -- we will high tail it out of there.

5. When you are worried -- I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining!!!!

6. When you are confused -- I will use little words.

7. When you are sick --Stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall -- I'll pick you up, dust you off and then laugh.

9. This is my oath...I pledge it to the end. 'Why?' you may ask -- because you are my FRIEND!

Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth.

I guess this is just another way of finding out who your friends are!

Additional Advanced Degree

In a previous blog, I mentioned (bragged about) my Advanced Degree in Puke Removal from Carpets. What I failed to mention was the fact that I also hold the coveted certificate in Dog Poop Removal from Carpets. I have numerous hours of expertise in this activity - some of those hours actually occurring today at our grandparents' house across the street.


If my services are ever in need, please do not hesitate to call (1-800-poop-scrubber). I will offer all of my knowledge and wisdom free of charge.


***Note to reader - Shrimp pasta and the digestive system of a canine are not, I repeat, NOT compatible!

Fakin' the Funk on a Nasty Dunk!

Today was a day of basketball. It started out with basketball on tv - recorded from last night (go Warriors! - we are faithful fans even though they faithfully stink!), was filled with basketball games being played by Madison and Mark and concluded with a family game of hoops at our neighborhood basketball court. Because I am most likely going to be immobile as soon as my soreness kicks in, I figured I better get this posted quickly!

After watching the Warriors FINALLY pull off a win, Madison's game was the first on deck! With her game face on and her hair done to perfection (an issue that plagues all pre-teens), she hit the court with a level of aggressiveness that I had yet seen her display. Her confidence in her own abilities was apparent. She even made a basket! The smile on her face after she scored truly was priceless! After winning last week with a score that I believe was to 40-0, our kids generously let this team score 1 basket!


After a 2 hour break - we were back on the court for Markie's game. These 2nd and 3rd graders came to rock! Their opponents didn't stand a chance as Markie and his teammates worked the court with NBA-like skills! With a final score of a whole lot to not very many, it was a successful day on the court!

Next up, Family Hoops Night! After playing rounds of 7-up and Knock-Out (games I couldn't even begin to describe here) - it was time for the first ever Stephens Family Dunk-a-thon. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll let the photos speak for themselves!

Enough said!

You Find Out Who Your Friends Are...

You know how there are times in life that kind of sucker punch you in the gut? You go into a situation prepared and from nowhere you are hit by something that feels like a runaway truck? Today - something like that happened to me.


This morning I, along with 4/5 of my book club girls, attended a funeral for a truly amazing woman. I didn't personally know her but felt a need to show support to her surviving daughter - an incredible woman in her own right. I had no idea how this service would impact me but it did in ways I could not have imagined. As soon as Amazing Grace started being sung, I knew I was in trouble. I grabbed onto the arm of my dear friend and held on tight. When I turned and saw the casket, I found it hard to keep my emotions in check. The finality of it all just hit me like a rock.


It is times like these that you really appreciate those people who you call your closest friends. The ones who run along side you when life is moving fast, those who walk along side you when you need it and those who carry you when your strength seems to have disappeared.


At the end of the service, when the pallbearers made their way back down the center aisle, I felt this warm hand wrap around my arm. It wasn't there to point out my weakness. It was there to tell me that I wasn't alone in this. It was okay to be upset and to be emotional. It was okay to be a little frightened. It was all okay because that hand that was wrapped around my arm would be there to help me through all of it.


As I looked down the pew at the three beautiful women next to me, I knew. It was clear as day. I know who my friends are (whether you were with me today or not) and I am so thankful for each and every one of you.

Get Into The Groove...

Well, last week, after a fantastic Christmas vacation, we got back into the groove of going to school - much to my dismay! I prefer waking up to warm snuggley kids climbing into my bed at 7:00 over the cold cruel alarm clock that pierces my brain at 6:00! Getting back into the swing of things kind of got me out of the swing of blogging! Alas, I am back! With fingers at the ready, I look forward to sharing all of the happenings of the Stephens family and in particular - give you a glimpse into my world.

With the New Year also came a new season of basketball! Madison and Mark had their first games this weekend. With all players displaying their most serious game faces, they worked the court with skills that mirrored the NBA. At the final whistle, with the scoreboard tilting heavily in their favor (in both games) - the season started off on a great note!

Madison, Mark and Tanner - Pre-game

Madison and Mark - with their most frightening game faces

Madison rockin' the court!

With the New Year in full swing and our normal chaotic pace resumed, I look forward to keeping you all (my 3 faithful readers!) up to date on the Chronicles of Nini-a!

Traditions!

You know how there are some traditions that should just be buried and forgotten - like hosting New Year's Eve parties with 30 children running amok and wreaking havoc on (read - destroying) your house? Yes - that is one tradition that will NEVER repeat itself.

On the other hand - there are also some traditions that are so fantastic that they need repeating! Last year, a dear friend and I decided that we need to kick off the New Year in a way that both, brings us immense happiness and is a little calmer than the festivities of the night before! So, for two year's running now, on New Year's Day, we meet at Barnes & Noble (the second happiest place on Earth), stroll the aisles, check out the clearance racks, drink coffee and just be. I can think of no better way to start the New Year!

With a day of relaxation as my starting point - I am ready to dive into all that this next year has in store! I look forward to sharing it with all of you - my three faithful readers!!!