3rd Birthday

Dylan's birthday is today - he's 3 now. Caught him in a quiet moment before leaving for work this morning.

Precious little boy.

My 50th Birthday

Most people would celebrate their birthday in a diferent fashion, but I had to take advantage of the warm weather even though the wind was obnoxious. The yard needed some TLC.








Watch out, she's got scissors!

Bill and Shawna went shopping so I got the kids for the morning while working in the yard. Our backdoor neighbors were out also building a new shed so Raegan and Dylan went to play with them and had a ball. But look what the two shoppers ended up bringing home! And just how long did it take them to put all those candles on it? I have to tell you tho that I had talked to Season the day before and she had two orders for cakes this weekend and said she wouldn't be making mine this year for lack of time. I was incredibly sad, as hers are the best cakes ever, AND the most beautiful! (Check out my 'Paper Trail' blog to get a small glimpse of what she has done in the past. I need to catch up putting her portfolio together for her. They are astounding cakes.) So Bill and Shawna felt sorry for me and bought a monster cake! It meant a lot. Silly me.


So back out shopping Bill and Shawna go, kids and I decide a little rest was in order. All of the sudden we heard a thud upstairs and I just knew it was Jack jumping down off of something. And yep, the kids and I found that he'd gotten on the table, impatient to get at the cake himself. Here he is with a black beard and the hunk of cake that should have made him sick. But thankfully it didn't. His name fits him. :)

When they were done shopping again, it was time to blow out some candles, and I was tired of working outside anyway. Raegan helped me try to blow out the Great Chicago fire on my cake!

Of course, Dylan had his cake after dinner and being the very neat child that he is, here's the aftermath of his experience! Looks rather scary, but he must have liked it a lot.





And here is Bill and Raegan enjoying the birthday present they got me for the back patio - a much needed bistro set since our other one was falling apart from use. Simply beautiful guys!





Season's day was busy with cakes, but she found the time to call and leave me a singing message and my friends Jeff & Sue stopped over to offer chocolate brownies and 'goop' (it's the best). It was a wonderful day and could NOT have asked for better!

This one's for YOU, Carole!

This one is for YOU, Sister Sister!

Old Dog

This is the toy I got for my 4th birthday. The grandkids have dutifully dubbed him "Old Dog" and they know where he must sit at all times! He is the commander of the guest bedroom. He likes it there. He's old like me, and doesn't squeak anymore, but he's a keeper.

For my sibs.........

This was very difficult to do, it sat on my work table for over a week and this definitely was not the original design I intended. But my sis down south said it's okay, so I'll share. I trust her word. :)

This is just a scan of the photo mom had hanging in her room at the Villa and the broach is a photo of the real deal, which I look at and enjoy more often than you'd realize.

This is a beginning to a heritage album that I hope my own family will someday enjoy. Think I'll get it done in my lifetime? Boy, not at this rate! But I will try my best. Keep watching, there may be a photo of you all popping up on a page that you'd forgotten all about.

For mom and dad.......... I miss you.

Hunter's 4th Birthday Bash

Can you believe Hunter is 4 years old now? He had an exciting party with tons of people to help him celebrate his big day. I found Hunter in his room sad because he wanted to open presents "like I do at Christmas".

But once all the guests were fed some burgers and brats, it was time for Hunter to dig in and enjoy his gifts...................

Here he is getting his hermit crabs from grandma and grandpa. Well, what do you get a young man who has everything?

Here's the biggie of the night - Hunter's first 2-wheeler bicycle from his folks. Talk about a sweet bike, this guy is going to be riding in style.

And of course, no party is complete without the AWESOME cake! Of course, Season did this one up for him and it's spectacular!

Happy #4 Birthday, Hunter!

we love you

My Beauties

Raegan, Dylan and Shawna posing for an Easter photo shoot quick before church. Talk about a beautiful family. It was a cherished moment for me, too, that they came along to Easter service with me this morning. May God bless them all.

Scrappin' the Scrapkids

I just couldn't resist putting up a couple pages I did for my own scrapbook. (I have to keep up with my sister, you know, and she's the QUEEN of scrapping.) This is a spread done of two of the grandkids working on their own scrapbook pages. Kids and stickers, they go together way too naturally. We all had a ton of fun, and boy, were they proud!

Happy Birthday, Billy!

Here's the birthday cake Season made for Bill. We'll take her wedding cake leftovers ANY day! YUMMY. This is how she brought them on the tray, but it just didn't look right. This was the age we all WISHED he was, but the photo on the right is the real age he is celebrating this week. Abby bought him a singing purple frog that rapped 'Happy Birthday' and she drew him a card to match. We all enjoy her cakes so much that you can tell we couldn't even wait to try it before a good picture could be taken?

Easter Egg Hunt

Here's the grandkids waiting at the top of the stairs to come hunt for Easter candy hidden all over the basement. Looks like they were ready to find HUGE loot to me!

A Story.........

A few summers ago I was able to plant my favorite tree, a willow, in the backyard. A willow tree of my own had been a dream of mine, reminding me of my childhood when I could see a row of them out my front picture window every day and of walking hand in hand with my dad alongside them on our way to church on Sundays. But at the time my own willow tree was to be planted, the main function was to eventually use it for privacy reasons. The landscaper and I talked at great length on where is should be placed. So we decided on a spot where sunshine and water would nurture it every day. There was only one drawback to the area - the whirlwinds that would come around the corner of the house and play havoc with it's pliable trunk and branches.
I quickly came to realize that just because the tree was much taller and bigger than I was, it was still so young in many ways. 'Willow' wouldn't give in to the elements that could have destroyed him. He learned to bend and not break; to sway and not crack; to hold on with his roots and not topple over. Our neighbors were worried he wouldn’t make it as they would see him bend over almost in half at times. It wasn't until the summer of ’05 that Willow became strong, thick with dark brown bark replacing the greenish-yellow of its youth. He became a steady tree, so full and lush with leaves. Willow had weathered those dark winter winds and summers of scorching heat with a strength that you could almost touch.
Willow has imitated his owner's life - me.
Soon after Willow came to live at my house, my only son, Tyler, was taken from me in a tragic accident. Ty would tease me about Willow and ask why I would want such a weak tree in my yard, warning me that the poor sapling would never make it where it was planted. So maybe Willow could feel there was a new challenge given to him, more than just his nature’s call.
So after losing Ty, I felt an overwhelming urgency to act strong and continue on no matter what, and found I was paralleling the life of young Willow. The winds of life were playing havoc with my heart and most heavily, my spirit. I merely existed, ending up bending and swaying with whatever blew in or around my life and accepting it all without as much as a thought about what was truly happening. I did not break, I did not crack….on the outside. But as time went on I felt weak in my spirit, lost my love of life, put aside my convictions, and yes just like Willow, the neighbors were afraid I would break from my personal storm.
As Willow had been placed in a new area, green and inexperienced in his new life - so had I. He had the basics of survival and so did I. But the turning point was when I saw him mature in his strength and prowess and realized he was telling me his facts of life; a life of strength, of beauty, of standing on firm ground and taking root in what is good and right. He found his way through all those difficult times to be strong. I have found my way through a sorrow that cannot be described to a strength I had not known before. He taught me to go deep, to look at Who made me and why, as he does. That there are reasons to be strong and go on with a life that will give my Master joy, as he does.
I have a true and steadfast friend in Willow. I know someday we must part, but the lessons he has taught my life and my heart will not be forgotten and I hope to teach or show others this: That there is Strength to be had, to be found, to accept and grab on to with both hands, and most importantly to live for. I am so thankful I’ve been reminded of the Living Water I need and the Son shine in my own life, in my core, in my roots.

My fave.........

This is my most favorite picture of my brother..............











.......... thought provoking and peaceful.

Just a thought.........

I have no story to go with this picture. I just found it on my computer from last summer and it just says so much all by itself. Doesn't it just tell you to take a minute, step back and enjoy what's there in front of you, no matter how long or how short of a time it is?

Thankful Thoughts

Gratefulness in my heart
That a young life was spared yesterday
Black ice on a cold Nebraska highway
Could have meant the end of a vibrant life
A young woman, a wife and mom
Off on a delivery with many miles between
Cassie's life was spared when her truck and
Trailer hit the ice and rolled - over and over
Her children still have their mom and
Her husband - a wife
It's a day of celebration and thankfulness.

Cassie was a friend of Tyler's in their high school years. She is still dear to our hearts.

The 'Fat Man'

Dylan was having so much fun with the 'fat man' in front of Lincoln Station. He had a conversation with this sculpture and told the 'man' that he had a big nose! We had a big laugh about this one.

Bengals Soccer Victory!

Here is the ending of a perfect game! Abby's team, the Bengals, won their first game with a BANG! Here she is at the end of the red team's line giving 'good games' to the opposing team. She did a super job and didn't touch the ball with her hands even once during the game. I think that's a pretty good start!

"Furry" Glasses

Here's Raegan watching Abby's first soccer game through 'grandpa vision', or as she told Bill, "Grandpa, your glasses are furry!" She's a kick.

Dave's in the background trying to look like Antonio Banderas! :)

The $200 Beach Bag

I know it's hard to believe, but this darned beach bag cost me $200 to make. Odd? Well, not really. I started sewing this out of a beach towel on my 30 year old Singer sewing machine when I broke the machine! After taking it in to see how much it would cost to repair, they said it would be over $200 and not worth it. I cried. Just ask Bill. So I had to go out and purchase a new machine for that same money. After weeks of just looking at the foreign machine in my home, I finally plugged it in and gave it a whirl this morning to finish this bag. It worked like a charm and has features the old one just didn't have. So here's celebrating the most expensive bag in my world. :)

Shawna's Family

Here's Shawna with her two kids, Raegan and Dylan.

I got to take pictures of them in the Haymarket by the old train this past Sunday and we had a wonderful time. Lots to see and lots of things to jump, climb and play on, especially the jungle gym shaped like a train engine.

This was the best photo of the bunch

and we just wanted to share with the world.

"Guideposts" Knit For Kids

Here are the first three crocheted sweaters for Guideposts outreach "Knit for Kids". These little guys will get sent around the world and I'm happy to say they even get sent to the poor in the United States. Check out their website!

I have more yarn stashed for more sweaters. These I can do while watching TV with not much thinking.

Guitar Hero!

Here are a couple of nuts trying to play Guitar Hero on Playstation! They really tried and loved every minute of it. Hunter has played it before and he actually did very well for just pushing 4 years old. Dylan just liked the fact that he had a guitar in his hands - rocking out! Bill's Guitar Hero game should be coming by UPS this week, weather permitting. It could get dangerous around here again now that the Playstation is set up again after 2 years of getting dusty. :)

For Baby Merryl

Here is the blanket I finally finished for Michele's baby, Merryl, born on March 1st. It's WAY cooshy and will be sending it off to her tomorrow.

A compassionate read.........

I would highly recommend to absolutely everyone this incredible book by Dr. Wess Stafford.

Your life will be touched deeply.

More babies!

Here are two blankets to give to two more new moms. The pink one is for Mikaela who just had daughter #2 this week, and the purple starburst is for Gretchen who had baby #3 and her first GIRL! Congratulations to these new mommies.

Yikes!

I don't think this photo of Raegan even needs an explanation other than MY GRANDKIDS are ALL gorgeous!!!!!!!!

A Little Christmas Attitude

Talk about a couple of kids with a 'little' bit of attitude! Here's Raegan & Dylan putting on a show for my camera - can't help but see the attitude coming through these shots. Our goal was GOOD and clean shots that the great-grandmas would like. Might have to try again, huh?

Lily

Granddaughter Lily went home to be held by Jesus this evening. Our hearts break for her mom and dad and sister and brother who are being forced to be without her beautiful little face and special "Lily" only kind of communicating.

Please pray for Season & Dave as they go through these next few days, weeks, months and years, for each day will carry it's own challenge.

The sign-in board

Here is Bill signing in on the board for Lily - a tradition we've had for anyone who comes to visit for the first time to our house. Bill has been sick with lung congestion he can't seem to shake, so he isn't visiting Lily, doesn't want to make her sick with this on top of everything else. We don't know if she will ever make it out of her own comfy home to visit anyone, but as you can see she's impacted our lives deeply - and here's her grandpa's way of showing how much he loves her.

Lily - The Fighter

Here's Season and Lily Friday morning before they removed the oxygen. Their love for her has beaten out their initial fear of taking her home, they are being so very strong. They have brought in hospice care, which is giving them some comfort. This little girl is a fighter, coming through each episode. We are thankful for every day the Lord gives us all to enjoy her.