A Look at Little Lulu

Bathing

Chapstick

Donut

Kicking

Practice

Romper

Shoes

Sisters

All photos taken by Katie...and 

borrowed from her Instagram!

Thanks Katie!!

Mother's Day

Forty years ago today I became a mother.

This is Ronny...born May 10, 1975.

Ronny passed away, from SIDS, on September 15, 1975.

The next two photos were taken on September 10th. I took him to Federals Department Store to have his four month photos taken.  I wasn't planning on being in any of the photos...but the photographer was very persistent.  Five days later Ronny was gone.  About two weeks after that my mother, my sister, and I went to pick up the photo package.  I am forever grateful for that persistent photographer!

I'm also forever grateful for my mom....several years ago she put together photo albums for my brothers, my sister, and me.  These three photos of Ronny are on one of the pages in the album. I'm pretty sure it was difficult for her to put this page together, but probably not as difficult as it was to pick up the photo package with me all those years ago.  Forever grateful Mom.....for lots of things!

Here's my mom. With my fifth child...my "baby".

I moved away from Michigan (where my mom lives) before Mandy was born.  

But, even though they're miles apart, they're close. They pick up right where they left off.  

(often over a mess of stuffed cabbage or a game of Scrabble!)

My mom has never let distance interfere with knowing her grandchildren (she has fourteen!), and I know she desires the same with her great-grandchildren (she has fourteen of those as well!)

It's a little harder now...since family is in four different states, but we'll make it work!!

I love you Mom! 

Thank you for being everything I've needed a mom to be.

Thank you for loving me.  

Thank you for loving my children and their children.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

You are in my thoughts and my prayers always.

My grandchildren have mommys to be grateful for too!

Happy Mother's Day to Katie, Johanna, and Jacqi!!

Look what else I have to be grateful for...
A group photo of all fifteen of us!!
I'll have to share more photos from this photo shoot. 
Not only was Jacqi in the photos...she was the photographer too!
We captured it all!!

All the Littles

My daughter-in-law took the photos of Penelope's recent birthday celebration....I already shared several of them HERE.  Here are some photos she took of all the littles.

Elijah is very serious about this mustache!

Penelope and Charlotte are not being serious at all.

Caleb wasn't happy about something...very unusual for him.

Sweet Lulu.

Love those pearly whites Fletcher!

Two of these cuties are going to be moving to another state soon.
I'm one sad Gramma.
(and that's no April Fools' joke!)

Thanks for the photos Jacqi!

Nationwide is on Their Side!

I work for Nationwide Insurance...well, technically I work for an agent who works with Nationwide.
But bottom line is, I have an connection to the company.  
So I also have a connection (however remote) to THAT commercial.  
You know the one I'm talking about!!
(if you don't, you might want to visit THAT link before continuing)

 

Last week, we were able to preview the Nationwide commercials that aired during the Super Bowl.  We also saw a longer, slightly less "in your face" version of the "The Boy Who Couldn't Grow Up" commercial.  I'm not sure when that will be aired.

 

When I saw the commercial with the little boy my initial thought was "I really don't like that...it's so sad and depressing".   I also thought that it was a commercial that people would react to...and that, more than likely, the reaction would be pretty negative.  That certainly proved accurate!
 

I watched the ad during the Super Bowl, and several more times since then.  My initial impression is changing.  It IS sad and depressing.  But, it's also thought provoking...and informative...and true.  It has definitely started a conversation.  
Was it the best venue for it?  I don't know.  I'm not sure.
 

 

Lots of folks seem to think it wasn't.  According to things I've read...it was "too sad" for the Super Bowl..."such a downer"..."morbid and depressing"...etc, etc, etc!  

 

But the audience was HUGE!  Lots of people were reached by this ad.  Could it have been a little less depressing?  Maybe. But childhood accidents, whether resulting in death or injury, happen. They happen a lot...and yes, that's depressing...and sad...and painful.
If we can do anything to prevent even one of them from happening we should.  
 

 

I'm still not a huge fan of it, but I do like that the Nationwide commercial started a conversation.  I think once we get past talking about the commercial itself,  we can steer the conversation to talking about preventing childhood accidents.  

I visited the MAKE SAFE HAPPEN website.  

There's a lot of good information on it. A lot.

About safety...not about insurance.
Children and safety....the more you know, the better!
 

 I care about my precious grandbabies!!
I think Nationwide does too!

 

Christmas is a Promise

Bill and I buy the "littles" Christmas sleepwear each year...we give them the pjs and nightgowns on Thanksgiving so they have plenty of pre-Christmas time to wear them.  It's also a good day to try and get a photo of them all together...looking festive! 

It's a good thing that I'm not really attached to formal, posed photos. That seldom turns out well around here....click HERE to see what I mean!  

They were all tired, the light was all wrong, and, as usual, I had too many helpers (all over the room) saying "Here, look here!"

But I love these photos....I love the promise they hold.  My family's future. The promise of things to come!  

The three biggest "littles" are already sensing what's to come later this month.  They've thought about their Christmas wishes and wants...a lot!  Their warm, cozy, red & green outfits remind them...'tis the season!

They also understand the "real reason for the season"....I so look forward to the day 

that they really understand just how wonderful the promise of Christmas is!  

The promise...the certain Hope...of Him to come!

"Christmas Encouragement" Summary Sentence, Day 3:

"Christmas is a promise!"

Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh...Romans 1:2-3

Life is Grand!

I didn't see my grandkids on Halloween, but I did see 

photos of them looking Oh So Cute!!

Charlotte wore a Spider Girl costume to school, but then decided to be a cute black cat when it was time to head out to "trick or treat".  Lulu was a spider...she loved her costume and kept the hood on the whole time she was wearing it.

Caleb and Elijah dressed up as Linus and Charlie Brown.  Caleb happily carried around a cozy blue blanket, and Snoopy was by Elijah's side.  We were all relieved that Elijah decided it wasn't necessary to shave his head so he looked more like Charlie Brown.

Penelope chose some cozy skeleton pajamas for her costume...comfort was her highest priority.  Fletcher was the cutest dragon ever...he's just about 10 months old and working on walking.  

It won't be long now!!

On Saturday we went to see Disney On Ice.  We being, Katie, Charlotte, 

Johanna, Elijah, Jacqi, Penelope, Mandy, and me 
(as usual, I'm taking the photo)!

These three are best buddies...I love when they're all together!

They had a great time at the show!!

Snow cones, pretzels, spinny things, and my personal favorite...Olaf!  
Our afternoon was full of fun!

And that fun continued after the show...we all gathered at Gramma's and Grandpa's house for dinner and the annual "kids in the leaves" photos!

Each year this overhead shot is getting more and more difficult to take...or 
maybe I mean with each grandchild!  But we did it!

You can see more fun, Fall photos here!

Happy Birthday to You!

 

Today is Katie's birthday...I hope she has an extra special day!!

Might not be as exciting as hanging out with Jack Skellington, but I'm sure Mark

and the girls will make sure she has lots of fun!!

 

 

Lulu figures as long as there's food it'll be a great day!!

Have a happy day!!

 



Ain't Life Grand!

I borrowed some photos from the Instagram feeds of Katie, Joe, and Johanna; and from Jacqi's Facebook page.  I love visiting them...it's the best place to see some really adorable kids!

Lots of fun for the "littles" the past couple weeks!

Charlotte on her first day of 1st grade...showing off her toothy grin!

Caleb visited the State Fair on Sunday....here he is cruising in a banana!

Elijah went to the fair too!  Look at all the stuffed animals he won!

Lulu knows the importance of exercise....she loves her giraffe cycle!

Fletcher loves beets, Penelope loves the Tire park, and yes, they definitely
look like brother and sister!

I am so grateful to have these sweet children in my life!

Instagram Dump

It was a very full weekend.

Here's a look at my Instagram phone photos from the last couple days. They're a bit blurry...but it will give an idea of what my weekend was filled with.

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July weekend!

Community fireworks scheduled for July 3rd were cancelled.

I spent the 4th working on the new playroom for the "littles".

Lulu celebrated with a flag and Cheerios at Gramma's house!

The community fireworks were re-scheduled for July 5th.
I asked them where the Fireworks would be....they could be anywhere!

Sunday was a perfect day for swimming.

It was perfect for jumping in too!

Sunday was also a great day for a photo shoot.



Caleb is such a happy boy!

Getting 6 of them ready is quite a process!

We add them in one at a time....

...and then hope for the best.

Mr. Man...Fletcher.  AKA "the drool monster".

Uncle Joe bought some fireworks to entertain us with.

Waiting for the show....

...and painting toe nails!

Sunday evening ended with a blast!



 Now it's Monday....I needed to get back to work so I could rest up from my holiday weekend!!  : )