DAD, a short word for such an Incredible Man...

Baby Chris... Ahhhhhh!

Although we are not together today...

Daddy, we love you!!!

You are so much more than just a Dad.

Our children are so blessed to have been chosen to be raised by you.

This is Chris and the girls and his Father's day gift, an ancient pasta machine from Grandpa Patrizi's Restaurants... No telling how old this monster is... All I know is it makes great pasta and wonderful family memories...

For those of us that do not have our Fathers here on earth, take the time today to reflect on the wonderful things they brought to our lives, and continue to spread the good stuff to our kids...

Mothers and Daughters

The girls and I have been on a Mother daughter bonding moment. I am so excited to have them all together, even if it is in Doha.

Our two weeks here all together has been heart warming. Lots of laughing, cooking, reminiscing about home videos, shopping, blaring techno music in the kitchen, trying on each others clothes, shoes, purses... You know girly stuff only sisters do...

The last day of school we picked Ashlynn up and Amanda had this funny look on her face... The first thing Ash said was " I had to look cute on the last day of school Amanda!" She was wearing her dress. Just like old times... Amanda was carrying Ashlynn's purse Josh bought her. It's all GOOD!!!

I am so proud of all of them. They are all so beautiful inside and out... and different in a good way... Amanda and Alexandra in college and Ashlynn is officially now a Senior in High School. Yesterday they were selling Lemonade on the corner of Summer Oaks Drive, today we discussed GPA's, jobs and future spouses...

(Although, they did try to fry an egg on the sidewalk yesterday.)

My stomach is already hurting and I am sick to think that this time next year I will be packing Ashlynn up to move away from home, go to college and leave me KIDLESS! UGH! OUCH! GROSS!

But for today, I am going to dance in the kitchen to MC Hammer, cook homemade pasta with Chris, change clothes so I can look like a cool Mom, and gossip about the parties last night, boyfriends, fashion, and going home to Texas...

In three days we will be stateside, going our own directions, eating Mexican food and seeing My Mother for the first time in a year. I understand more and more now how every single moment together is so special ~ so important...
photos by Charlene White
This life we live here, it's weird. But we have to make the best of it.

"Can't touch this" HAMMER TIME....