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!!

He is Still the Light.

 

I was emailed the following poem twice yesterday.  I can't say I liked reading it...I wish there'd been nothing to write about.  But it certainly touched my heart...it blessed me in a mighty way.  Maybe you'll be blessed by it too.

 

 

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

My New Mug

My daughters are very kind and considerate young women. 

Every now and then they do something for me.....just because! 

They other day they went to Starbucks for their favorite iced tea drinks.  Not only did they get a Gingerbread Latte for me, Mandy also bought this really cute mug and gave it to me.....just because!

She knew I'd love it because there's a cute little squirrel on it.  Inside the mug it says: “One day a squirrel went out looking for acorns and found a friend.”  Who's the friend?  A cute little mouse named Huxley!  I love the tiny mouse on the handle.  Now I just need to decide where this mug will be living......on my desk at work OR on the nightstand in my bedroom.  Hmmmmmmmm.

Well, at least I know what I'll be drinking from it.
This is one of my favorite cold weather drinks.  I found it on the Country Living website.
1/2 gallon(s) apple cider
1/3 cup(s) dark brown sugar
2 stick(s) cinnamon
5 whole allspice berries
1 (1/2 inch by 1/2 inch) chunk fresh ginger, peeled
3 whole cloves
8 slice(s) orange
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a 3-quart saucepan, combine cider, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice berries, ginger, and cloves. Heat to a simmer and allow to cook 20 minutes. Strain into a punch bowl and garnish with orange slices. Serve warm.

What A Weekend!

It was a little crazy at my house this weekend.  Katie & family are 90% moved in, the baby gates are being put in place, my glass front bookcase has been turned backwards and a little kitchen stands up against it now.  (pictures soon, I promise)  I've totally baby-proofed the living and dining rooms....I can decorate again next year!  There are a bazillion tub toys in the bathroom ~ a bathroom that five adults will be sharing most mornings. Fortunately we do have a half bath for shaving and hair drying and Miss Charlotte will be bathing at night!  The pantry has been organized to accomodate toddler treats and the menu for the first week has been planned.  There's still alot to do ~ but for now we all need a bit of a break!

Charlotte and I were outside raking leaves for a little while today.  I couldn't help but notice how normal, quiet and calm my house looked from the outside.  Makes me wonder what's going on inside this place!!

  "50 Strange Buildings of the World"

Happy Birthday to You!

Today is my daughter Katie's birthday.

I hope she's having an extra special day.

I'm pretty sure she is...'cause she's been hanging out with these guys today!  Woo Hoo!!

Family Fun!!

Last Saturday we headed to Weber's Farm for some family fun ~ everyone was able to go except for Kevin. (we missed you Kevin!)  Love it when the family is (almost) all together.  Here's Elijah, Charlotte and Penelope all buckled up and ready to go! 


The mini hay-bale maze was a hit with all three of them.



Pictures of our pumpkins with the pumpkins was a must of course.



We missed getting Charlotte's "pumpkin" picture because she got side-tracked by some ducks.



She was soon joined by her cousins ~ and a curly headed little stranger. 

But he fit right in ~ don't you think!!?

Then it was time for a ride in one of the wagons...pulled by a tractor.  But the best part was Momma/Aunt Katie rode with them!

Super Grandpa and Grandpa enjoyed watching all the fun.

 The "slide" was a bunch of fun!

Then it was time for the tractor/hay-ride.  Everyone enjoyed this bit of relaxation!  It was nice to have a little down time.  I know the "older" folks enjoyed sitting for a spell.

Well, maybe everyone didn't enjoy it.

I guess Charlotte was a little bored.

Next stop was the market. 

There was a lot of interest in the cauliflower.

A lot!  We bought three!

The pumpkins and the Halloween decorations were a big hit too.

Here's Joe checking out the "cute witch"!  : )

We headed to Red Robin for a late lunch. 

Everyone was hungry by this time!

Balloons for everyone marked the end of our fun family outing.

It was a VERY good day!!

Playing Catch

Joe & Elijah

"My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys."
- Harmon Killebrew

Remember you can "click" on the photo (taken by Johanna) to get a better look.

Babies In My Life

 I was going through some "baby" pictures on my laptop last night and I found a few I'd like to share.

This is picture of a gift that Katie made for me. She gave it to me on Mother's Day 2009.   Three little grandbabies ~ Elijah  at 16 months, Charlotte at 12 months and Penelope at 6 weeks.  What perfect little profiles!

This is my baby Amanda.  She had curly hair for a little while.  Her mother (that would be me) was not very good about taking pictures back then.  Youngest of four = least amount of childhood photos.  Sad, but true!  I don't have many pictures of her with curly hair and this is one of the better ones.  What a cutey! 
Yes, Charlotte has curls just like Aunt Mandy!

I found this little framed picture when I was organizing my craft room so now it has a home in there. 
It's me!

Have a happy Wednesday!!

Size 2T

I wish I wore a size 2 toddler. Because if I did I would borrow this dress from Charlotte!

Isn't it the cutest thing! 
Katie made it for Charlotte to wear (over a white tee) to the pumpkin patch!

52 Looks

I have another blog called 52 Looks.  I post a photo a week that's representative of something going on in my life. This week's photo is a peek at the baby shower my daughters hosted last Sunday for their good friend Christine.  The Flickr Picture above is a little clue to what you'll see. 

Please click below to see the post.

Giraffes & Zebras

Want to see something else?  It's very fun and full of inspiration!
One of the blogs I read is called Inspire Co. and she just posted a wonderful ezine on her blog.  It's full of inspiring stuff!!   One of my favorites? Ruffled, rick-rack flowers!!  Take a peek.

My Baby Girl

Happy Birthday to you......

Today is Mandy's birthday!

Her gift ~ from her Dad and I ~ is something in this bedroom. 

She's been wanting one of these for over a year. 

Can you guess what we got her?

(click the photo for a better look)

I hope she likes it!

(this is not Mandy's bedroom ~ although I'm sure she wishes it was)west elm

I hope one is enough.

She has A LOT of books!

Happy Birthday Mandy!!

I love you!!

I hope she doesn't read my blog until tomorrow! 

But if she does......SURPRISE!!