Happy Birthday to my sweet granddaughter, Adrianna Grace. She is a constant reminder to me of God's love! She is growing into a very special little lady!
I pray you are enjoying the fun of birhtdays! I love you!

What is a blog, really? A place to "vent" your feelings without fear of anyone taking you the wrong way? A place to get some information to family and friends?
A journal, of personal thoughts and feelings?
I used to journal a lot when my kids were younger. I found great strength from the Lord during those times of writing down my feelings. They were more of stories to each kid, briefly telling them of what I was feeling at the time.
But tonight, the words do not come so easily as my heart is mixed with so many feelings. If you're reading this, you're probably (Becky, Jennifer or Shawn.. )
I recalled the words to a song earlier today...."If thats what it takes to Praise you, Jesus bring the rain..."
I dont' want rain! I don't like rain. It's wet and cold and gloomy. But, we need the rain to water the earth. Just like we need our tears to open up our hearts so God can speak to us.
I don't want my daughter to have cancer... it should be me that has it... I'm old, she is young, it's just not right. But what is right during our trials? NOTHING!
But in the trial,through the rain, the face of our God is clear! We will NEVER walk alone!

Can life get any sweeter than a hug from Eliza? She is such a sweet girl and always makes us laugh. I pray that her life will always bring smiles to everyone around her!

Loving Cousins

I am so thankful that my kids can spend time with each other and the "cousins" can play together. When I was young, my cousins lived in Pennsylvania so we didn't get to see much of them. I always prayed that someday when I had a family of my own, that we could all share our lives with each other. God has amazing ways to give us the desire of our hearts. We raise our kids to let them go,to teach them how to be responsible adults, yet it is such an added bonus to have them spending time with us.
Letting go has always been hard for me. But it is with peace and contentment I look at each of my children and thank God for the incredible adults that they are!

Mr. Clean

Colin loves to use my dirt devil mini vac. He told his mom that he needed to "borrow" it so he could use it at their house. Jen said it was too far to drive to borrow it and he said that Grandma could mail it to him. How funny!

Mother and daughter!

Aren't they both beautiful?????

The kids bought Steve a new clock for his birhtday in Feb. He hung it up right away!

A new look!

It's taken awhile to get used to this bright new look, but it really did brighten up things around here!

Happy Spring!!!!!
I finally got rid of the Christmas tree background.. Thanks Becky and Brad!!!!!
It pays to know some college grads! ha ha
So...
Here I am after almost 4 months... with nothing much to say. But.. I'm back to blogging! Hope you're back to reading my blogs!

The time on my computer must be off, but it is 12:48 am Sunday morning. 55 years ago this day, my mom gave birth to me. I can imagine what she must have been thinking, having experienced my own 5 childrens births. My brother was only 10 months old, and I was the "surprise". When I was younger I used to feel unwanted until one day mom said to me that I was her special Christmas gift. It feels amazing to be a gift to someone!
I think about Mary, how she must have felt holding Jesus in her arms that first time. Go back to those moments and remember what that felt like to hold your own baby in your arms for the first time. Who can explain to another person what that feels like? You know what scripture means when it says "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Each of us have memories we will hold in our heart forever.
I've had a mixture of situations in giving birth to my own children. From having to let go of one, feeling so blessed by God for the girls, and then my own "surprise" with my son. But each one of my children have been my gift from God. Each one of them are unique and special! What a privildege it is to once again hold little ones in my arms. Each one of my 5 grandchildren are my blessings from God!
I am blessed this day,to be a gift. I am blessed this day to have been given so many gifts in the form of children and grandchildren. And I am blessed beyond words to have a Saviour who was born and then gave His own life for me.
May we each feel that blessing as we celebrate Christmas.
Merry Christmas, to you, all of my blessings!

For as long as I can remember,I have been baking cookies. I used to make several kinds then make up trays and take them to people from church or neighbors or the Pastor. As the kids got older, we would sing Christmas songs at the doors and then give them the cookies. When they learned to play instruments,we would take those along and play songs and sing . I loved doing this on my birthday. But I can still hear them now, saying, mom we do not want to do that this year.. or how about we stay in the car while you run up and give them the tray of cookies... I wondered if the reasoning behind my giving the cookies would ever sink into their sweet little heads, and now I can see the grandkids doing the same thing. Becky and I made about 17 kinds of cookies to pass out. I think of it now, and remember the snow getting them and their instruments wet, but in my heart, I wonder if they ever knew how it made me feel just to be able to give to some of the people who couldn't even get out. As I sit here now, I can still see the smiles and feel the hugs!

Rachel eats cereal! This is the second time she tried it.

Steve was rolling out the cut out cookies, having way too much fun with the flour.

Look at these creations!

We had a great day making cookies with Colin and his family! Rachel was watching, and notice Colins frown. When we got out the cookie supplies,I'm sure he was hoping we would not make him eat one... He loved the sprinkles, but would not try a cookie.. go figure! It was a great day. Jen made some yummy soup! What fun!