Kindness begins with . . .

So, Eddie was going to be nice to me today & take me to one of my favorite restaurants in the area. I don't know if I have mentioned this very much, but since there are no good spanish food places around here I love going to Koto's Japanese Steak House. They have wonderful Hibachi meals & they are all YUMMY! Koto's is a little on the expensive side, that's why Eddie does not like to go there very often. Today they sat us at the same table with 3 adults & 3 children. They were somehow all related & of course I have no trouble starting conversations with people we sit with at this restaurant. As we got talking, I mentioned that we were from Arizona. Two of the older kids (I'm guessing around 8 & 10 years old) had some questions about Arizona & Eddie talked to them about the Grand Canyon. We found out they were living in Tennessee, but had a vacation home in Quechee, VT (wouldn't that be nice). They come here for the summers. Well, the kids got finished eating & were starting to get restless, so they said goodbye & went to leave. Eddie & I were sitting there waiting for the waiter to bring us our check, but he came up to us & told us that "that lady has taken care of your dinner". WOW! This has never happen to us before from complete strangers. We didn't even exchange names (which now I wish we would have). We met up with her leaving the restaurant & of course thanked her for the meal, but telling her that she shouldn't have done that. She thanked us for letting them sit with us for dinner. We went outside & the kids got to see our Arizona license plate & their mom told them they could now go write in their book that they had seen an Arizona plate. This little experience made me realize that there are still people living in this world that are generous, kind & thankful people. Maybe there is hope after all. Eddie & I plan to spread this kindness as we are able to. It may not be at an expensive restaurant, but there are many ways to spread kindness. I think we just need to be reminded every now & then. P.S. I wish I could cook like this! I'd be in heaven.

Happy Father's Day!

Thanks Kids for making your Dad very happy this Father's Day!!!

Some of Eddie's children wanted to take him fishing for this Father's Day, so they bought him a fishing pole, paid for a one-day fishing license & off to the lake we went. We went to Sunset Lake in Brookfield, VT. It is better know for the floating bridge (picture is at the end) that crosses it. Eddie & I crossed this bridge in our car back in 1997 when we lived here very briefly - yes, I did get very homesick & we decided to return to Arizona.

Here's Eddie with his new fishing pole.

Brittany also joined in on the fun with her new fishing pole.


Here's Kobie & Cassie. Kobie really loves to go fishing, but his patience needs a little help.

Amber also got a new fishing pole. She's actually the only one who caught anything & it was only the bottom of the lake - but we told her it was a big fish that just got away!

Although I can't take credit for the picture (I took it off the Internet), this is the Floating Bridge. You can't drive over it anymore, but it's still fun to walk across & fish from.

Once again, thanks kids for making your Dad very happy this Father's Day!!!

He loves spending time with each one of you.

Our New Granddaughter

Amelia Rocker Smith was welcomed into our family on May 31, 2009. She was born at 4:31 AM, weighed in at 8 lbs & 12 ozs, & was 21.5 inches long.

Alissa went into labor during Brittany & Ben's wedding ceremony. She was a real trooper!!! She tried to stay for the dinner/reception, but just before dinner was served she decided that it was time to go home. They spent a few hours at home & arrived at the hospital around 1:00 am.

It didn't take long before Amelia was born.

Don't we make a cute little family!!!

Here I am with my grandma & grandpa.

I"ll have them wrapped around my little finger in no time at all.