Fourth Of July 2012

I will not be with my children today.
I will not be with my precious granddarlings.
I may not be going to see any fireworks.
It may just be the hubs and I chillin in the guest house.
BUT on the eight hour drive here last Saturday night,
I drove by a firework show that took my breath away.
As I got closer,
I saw SO many cars parked on the side of the road,
adults pulled over to watch the celebration.
Grown-ups.
Stopped for fireworks.
I love it when we 'adults' remember who we are.



We are awesome.


Maybe we should act like it:).


If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.  
(2 Chronicles 7:14)



~God Bless~

Cuteness Runamuck: July 4th, 2011

This year, for the fourth, we had a two family gatherings.

One was at my paternal aunt's, one at my mom's. 
There was much food, much fellowship, and much love to go around...

Kale, Kat, David, LauraJune, Miah

Since our county is in a serious drought, we had no fireworks (except at special protected places), so we just had to make do with these sparklers!
Have I mentioned how I love my grands? 
All were present except grandgirl Audrey in WI. 

I am thankful for all who made these days possible.
I am very thankful for my freedom.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Independence Day.

Son-Day: "I Believe In You"

I Believe In You
-Don Williams

I don't believe in superstars,
Organic food and foreign cars.
I don't believe the price of gold;
The certainty of growing old.
That right is right and left is wrong,
That north and south can't get along.
That east is east and west is west.
And being first is always best.

But I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

Well, I don't believe that heaven waits,
For only those who congregate.
I like to think of God as love:
He's down below, He's up above.
He's watching people everywhere.
He knows who does and doesn't care.
And I'm an ordinary man,
Sometimes I wonder who I am.

But I believe in love.
I believe in music.
I believe in magic.
And I believe in you.

I know with all my certainty,
What's going on with you and me,
Is a good thing.
It's true, I believe in you.

I don't believe virginity,
Is as common as it used to be.
In working days and sleeping nights,
That black is black and white is white.
That Superman and Robin Hood,
Are still alive in Hollywood.
That gasoline's in short supply,
The rising cost of getting by.

But I believe in love.
I believe in old folks.
I believe in children.
I believe in you.

I believe in love.
I believe in babies.
I believe in Mom and Dad.
And I believe in you.

For my sweetie on Father's Day.  Love ya baby!!!

~God Bless~

Easter (pt 1) 2011

The Saturday before Easter Sunday, we do Easter at my mom's.
Mom has decided we need to celebrate birthdays twice a year, so the first half of the year-rs had cake.

Best part of this was the 'team' it took to like those candles!!
Look at the cake all 'ablaze.'
Happy Birthday Mom, Uncle Gary, Aunt Rena, Son-in-law Ralph, and Uncle Fred:).
(Missing is SS Aaron, DIL Angel:)

Grandkids LauraJune (4), David (3) and Jeremiah (1.5) had a blast doing eggs.
This always proves entertaining.

Grandboy Kale (4 mos) made a surprise visit.

This was Miah's first Easter egg hunt and he was precious!!
The weather was great, and the grandkids had so much fun!!

Spending the day with these granddarlings is the best!!!

Best Wishes from my 'Grandbunnies' to you!!

Stack-A-Pots

Happy Mother's Day to me.

I spluged on myself and bought one of these Stack-A-Pots that I have drooled over for years.
(three separate, stackable pots)
I also bought some sweet new succulents to go in my new pots.

Monanthes polyphylla

(Sorry for fuzzy pic) This is SO cute!!

Crassula 'Caput Minima'

 Love this purple-ish action!!

Kalanchoe tomentosa cv. 'Chocolate Soldier'

A fuzzy kalanchoe. too cool!

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Hybrid

These new brilliant Kalanchoe blooms are amazing! 
I may move this one down to a lower level side pocket, I'm afraid it will take over the smaller succulent babies on the top level. 
(someday they will make a BRILLIANT purple kalanchoe and it WILL be mine;)

Separate pots - add dirt- and plants!



Plectranthus Vicks Plant (top left), various succulent leaves and Burro Tail (bottom left)

Top dressed with some clay pellets I have...

Wa-la!! Don't know what I'm planting in the other stackable pots, the box says I can get another set and go six high...

hmmm, six pots with three plant pockets each equals 18 planting spots!!!
Hmmmmmmmmmm...
{this will be an inside planting at the camper, I want easy, low water knock-outs, I think I'm off to a great start!!}

Happy Fertlizer Friday!!!

Happy Anniversary To Us

23 years of history...

there has been lots of these...

And this...

And this...

And, yes, even lots of this....

But, it ALWAYS comes back to this...

Today, on a Monday night, 23 years ago I married my sweetheart. 
I 'hoped' it would last. 
I 'hoped' he was the right choice. 
I hoped correctly. 
I firmly believe,
no,
I KNOW God made up the difference. 

Why are Eagle couples protected by law but Human Marriage is not?  Not cool, not cool at all.

We will be celebrating at the camper (where hubby is working out of town) with a fancy smancy meal of meatloaf, fried taters, green beans and cornbread.  It should be lovely. 

~God, bless our little marriage.  Bless us as we each TRY to keep trying.  Help us remember the sweet moments and let the not so sweet fade quickly.~




First eagle couple: http://www.cs.duke.edu/~carla/edgehouse.html
All middle pictures:  http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/get-involved/keep-the-camera-rolling
Last eagle couple:  http://www.towleroad.com/2011/04/watch-bald-eagle-hatchling-cam.html

Take A Little Time To Enjoy The View...

In church yesterday, I realized I regret not enjoying my life more.


So this year, I'm taking a lesson from the Queen.
Queen Uno is the MASTER at enjoying the moment.
At 10+ she has experienced much, yet she still enjoys life.
My leader, my example, my fine feline friend.
Happy New Year...
A remember take time to enjoy the view...

~All Hail Queen Uno~
~Long Live The Queen~

Cats On Tuesdays

O (little) Christmas Tree, O (little) Christmas Tree...

How lovely are your (little) branches...



This year I didn't get out the big tree.
I'm supposed to be packing to move.
So,
I didn't want to set up the tree when I was really going to be packing up stuff.
(turns out, I didn't pack anything either:/, but that is a different post.)

Sooooooooooooo...
I bought a little second hand tree ($1.50),
added this years (.25 cent) angel and called it good.
THEN I added a string of gaudy star lights ($1.00),
and blue beads ($1.00).
Not good enough.
THEN I added gold foil stars (.50 cents),
covered the base with tissue paper,
and attached this years 'couple' ornament Mr. & Mrs. Claus (.25 cents).
(gotta do my part for the economy and supporting my local thrift stores)



Ta Da!!! Perfectly Shiny and Gaudy!!
This little tree will go to its new home in the camper when I find the perfect box.

Merry Christmas,
Big or Small,
To One and ALL!!!

22 years of Indian Paint Brushes

Every April 11th, for our wedding anniversary, my sweetie picks me my favorite wildflower.
One bloom for each year.
Hubby teased that he is working his way toward two dozen.
They don't last long in the vase, but they are SO pretty!!
Happy 22nd Anniversary sweet heart!!

Blooming Tuesday

Son-Day: "O Holy Night"

~Merry Christmas~

O Holy Night

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,

Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of Kings lay thus
in lowly manger, In all our trials
born to be our Friend!
He knows our need, To our weakness no stranger;

Behold your King!
Before the lowly bend!
Behold your King! your King!
before Him bend.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,

Let all within us praise His holy name!

Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow'r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow'r and glory
evermore proclaim.

Today we will be spending time with some of our precious family.
Our love goes to all those we won't be seeing today.
God bless us all on this marvelous day!!

Son-Day: "A Baby Changes Everything"

A Baby Changes Everything

Teenage girl, much too young
Unprepared for what's to come
A baby changes everything

Not a ring, on her hand
All her dreams, and all her plans
A baby changes everything

The man she loves she's never touched
How will she keep his trust
A baby changes everything

And she cries, oh she cries

She has to leave
Go far away
Heaven knows she can't stay
A baby changes everything

She can feel it's coming soon
There's no place, there's no room
A baby changes everything

And she cries and she cries
O she cries

Shepherds all gather round
Up above the star shines down
A baby changes everything

Choir of angels sing
Glory to the Newborn King
A baby changes everything

Everything, everything, every day

Hallelujah

My whole life is turned around
I was lost and now I'm found
A baby changes everything...

~A baby changed everything~

Our Christmas Get Up This Year

Christmas kind of snuck up on me this year.

My neighbors were putting up outside lights,
which I thought was kind of early, then it hit me...
It is Christmas time!!
This was our first time to put up the tree without my now adult children's help.
Sadly, it was MUCH easier.
{Grandboy, David was here and help hubby with the branches.}
We only put up half of the tree-no branches on the backside.
Worked out great!!
It doesn't stick out so much now.

I so love my Christmas tree.
Next year hubby will be instructed to put MORE lights on,
he only did the inside and its just not as pretty.
{it must be said he said he would add more, but I didn't want to wait}
This year we had to get (yet) another star.
I really love this one.
If it quits next year, we will just replace the lights (right hubby?)

My new ornaments are already on the tree,
hubby will be waiting until after Christmas for his;)
For my nativity ornament for 2009,
I found this darling plastic one on clearance
....25 cents! Oh yeah...

Also new this year are these neat clear plastic angel which fit over lights...Pretty...

For myself, a peace frog.
I was amazed how big this thing was...
Love it:)

New from last year, I found a wooden set of the 12 Days of Christmas...
On the first day of Christmas...
My true love gave to me...
A partridge in a pear tree...

Each year I get an ornament for 'us'...
This, too, is huge!

I have wanted an Nativity Advent for a long time, and found this at a good price on Ebay.
The original ornaments aren't with it,
but I have a small Nativity set somewhere that will work.
Currently its just standing, next year I plan to hang it on the wall, where my little ones can use it.
I had my 6/7 yo Sunday School class come up with 24 things that were at Christ's birth, draw it out on small pieces of paper, and next Sunday we will tell the birth story using this Advent and their drawings:)

Hubby decided to add a little flower touch to his basset...Perfect corner...

As brand new empty nester's, we are not using the Home Interiors Nativity our youngest inherited from my Mother-in-law.
Instead I put up the one I inherited from my grandma.
She used to keep this in the room I stayed in, and I was allowed to play with it all year long.
We found matching pieces at Hallmark one year, and each child picked out more pieces.
Such a tribute to my grandma, where I spent every Christmas, and whose house I will be at this Christmas to celebrate with my mom (who now lives there), and family.
{my son DJ folded and painted the star}

Lastly is my ever growing Angel collection.
They surround a Nativity, and with the lights it is heavenly.
{top two photos show the newest angels)Merry Merry Christmas!!

Happy Birthday DJ!!

~Happy Twenty-Second Birthday DJ!!~

Happy Second Birthday David!!!

Oldest Grandboy is two today!!!
Happy Birthday!!!
~Ralph David Wayne~

Son-Day: "For The Sake Of Our Brother"

For The Sake Of Our Brother

In a stable
In a manger
In the cold winter's air
In the arms of His mother
A Child's lying there.

In a city
In a village
Though the years have gone by
The Child still remains
With the dream still close by

And each year on this night that Child reawakens
And each year on this night that hope re-begins
That the dream He has offered might one day be taken

For the sake of our Brother
For the Child who's forgotten
For the dream that is still lying there

O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye
O come ye
To Bethlehem
Come and adore Him
Born the King of angels

O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord

In a stable
In a manger
In the cold winter's air
In the arms of His mother
A Child's lying there...

Our Primary children will be singing this in Church services this month. Their sweet little voices really nail it:)

~ God Bless~

Son-Day: "What Child Is This"

~God bless you
as we remember
the birth of His Son,
our brother,
our Savior,
Jesus Christ~

July 4th in August

We decided to have our family gathering on the Sunday following the fourth.
We were able to keep grands LauraJune and David.
The Saturday before, these two were ready to go shopping.

Both were big help to Grandpa with watermelon tasting, the watermelon passed inspection.

Sunday morning brought about this Pretty Princess,

and Dashing Doll all ready for church.

Then we went to my mom's.
There used to be a 'small' family reunion each Memorial Day, when everyone gathered for the day at mom's.
That had been moved to July 5th this year.
Sweet hubby was the chef.

As you know my youngest graduated high school this year.
He agreed to wait and celebrate when the family got together in July.
With each child a treasure hunt is given so they can find the chest dad and I give them for their graduation gift.
The kids create clues and hide small things for the grad.
This is powwow discussing the plan.

The hunt is on.

This always proves to be very entertaining!
We hid the chest in the livingroom, it took Taylor forever to find it!!
Good laugh shared by all!!
Congrats Tater-baby!!

Took all these shots from Miss Can'tMakeMeSmile

To get this picture

Then FIREWORKS!!!

Daughter Misty did the honors.
This year was a small display bought just for the babies.


Bestest part of the day? Family! I love my family.

Show And Tell Friday at There is no place like home.