Garrett's Brother

What?  You were expecting an announcement?  Sorry.

The 'brother' I'm referring to is none other than our beloved Border Terrier, Solo.



Layin' in the sun...

Solo became a member of the Hanna family in March, 2008.  We knew we wanted to try to have a baby some day, so we researched several different breeds and learned that Border Terriers have a reputation for being good around kids.  Solo has not let us down.  He and Garrett are best buddies!

Solo's favorite things, in no particular order, are sleeping between Nathan and me in our bed, laying on the back of the couch like a cat, sitting in the window seat in our dining room, playing fetch with his assortment of toys, all of which are made of durable plastic since he'll rip any stuffed toy to shreds in a matter of seconds, going to Donna's every 2 or 3 months to get his hair cut, greeting Nathan when he comes in the door like he's been gone for years, visits from Kara, and going for walks.  (His least favorite thing is thunderstorms.  He will not rest until the thunder can no longer be heard.  It's heartbreaking, really.)

We can't imagine life without our Solo!

Fruit Dip VI

I am lucky enough to have two mothers-in-law.  (Yes, that says "lucky".)  One of them, Sandy, called me today to ask how much brown sugar to use in "that fruit dip" I make.  Thinking about that this evening has prompted me to share this, one of my absolute favorite recipes, with you: Fruit Dip VI, or FRUIT DIPPER SIXERRR, as we Hannas like to call it.  It is especially good with strawberries and apples that are a little on the tart side, like my favorite, the Gala variety.

Who am I kidding?  It's good without fruit.  Not that I would know.  Not that I've purposefully put way more dip than fruit on my plate before.  I know you'll enjoy FRUIT DIPPER SIXERR just as much as we do, perhaps even more if you say it that way.

Oh, and since I've promised a little bit o' Garrett in every post, here ya go.



I LOVE that little pacifier face!



Too Good To Be True?

Last night, just a few minutes after I got into bed, I got up, walked into Garrett's room, and stood by his crib just to watch him sleep.  After climbing back into my own bed, I stared at the piece of my great grandma's "Crazy Quilt" that was framed and given to Nathan and me as a wedding gift from her daughter, my Grandma Horton, and Grandpa Horton.  Then, I prayed.

God, I can't ignore the thought I've had lately that my life is too good to be true.

That the shoe will drop any minute now.

I know it's not good to worry, but is there any wisdom in bracing myself for such things?

As I stare at the random pieces of fabric that form Grandma Handell's quilt, I think about the components of my life that have made me who I am today - the experiences, both good and bad, the unconditional love of my family and friends, and the miracle that is asleep down the hall - and I am grateful.

Please bless us with Your peace that surpasses our understanding.

Watch over us.

Amen.

Father's Day

"Fatherhood isn't for weaklings, but it's not for macho nuts either." -Geoff, age 10, from Fathers Are Like Elephants Because They're the Biggest Ones Around (But They Still Are Pretty Gentle Underneath) by David Heller

What a great Father's Day weekend we had!  Garrett and I spent most of our Saturday in Bismarck while Nathan stayed home to strip paint off the bricks that form our fireplace.  That's right, Nathan spent half of the weekend working, but getting to do so without having to divide his attention was probably his best Father's Day gift.  Just ask him!  My dad lives in Bismarck, so I got to spend some time with him, and Bismarck's community-wide rummage sales were that day.  We came home with a detail sander for Nathan, an outfit, a pair of shoes, and a toy for Garrett, a DVD version of the game, Family Feud, a pretty basket, and a few other things.  A $20 bill goes a long way when you spend ten cents here, seventy-five cents there, etc.!

On Sunday, the three of us met Nathan's parents at Cracker Barrel for a wonderful Father's Day brunch.  Sandy had decided to keep it a secret, so Nathan's dad, Howard, was surprised to see us there.  We had a great time!  The proof is in the pictures.



Nonnie & Garrett on Cracker Barrel's porch

 

Nathan, Garrett & Papa



Two of my best reasons for living...





Garrett "made" Nathan a gift at Ducky Day Care...

 

That's a shark made of Garrett's footprint.  Can't you tell?

...and I got him and Garrett new Cardinals hats.





I am so very thankful to have Nathan as my husband and Garrett's daddy.  I am also grateful to our dads, Rick and Howard, for their examples of what great fathers are.

Thanks for visiting!