Rich Legacy...

Today marks the 4th anniversary of my mother's death and as I think back to the few moments I spent with her alone at the funeral home, I am reminded of how much I want to learn from our experiences as mother and daughter...I desire with all of my heart to leave a richer legacy!

What legacy do I want to leave?  I think that I want to leave a legacy of purpose and love...life is about so much that is bigger and more valuable than any one of us alone...I very much want to live my life in such a way that those who know me realize that I believe that life is about making as much of a positive impact that I can in this world.  I know no greater way to impact this world than to devote my time, memories, love and resources to children that God created for His kingdom growth!  Please, Lord, help me to make a positive impact in this GREAT world that YOU have created!  Help me to share the most important resource of all, my faith...help me to recognize the many opportunities!

As I reflect upon my mother today, I am thankful for the impact that she had upon my life...it saddens me to acknowledge that we did not share a very close relationship and she was not a very affectionate person...but, she did demonstrate her love by making sacrifices many times by working overtime so that she might provide me with things that she felt would make my life better.  If only, we had reached a place where we could each be real with one another.  I realize more and more that there have been even greater lessens learned by all that Mother and I never were able to attain!  It is my prayer that the Lord would continue to guide me and open my eyes to new ways that I might create a richer legacy for those that I love even after I am no longer here on earth! Always remember that LOVE IS POWERFUL...NEVER UNDERESTIMATE ITS VALUE!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy 7th Birthday!

Today I am wishing our grandson, Weston, a very happy birthday!  It is so hard to believe that it has been 7 years since I first held you in my arms...where have the years gone?  It seems like no time ago that you were my "little sweetheart" but those days are gone far to quickly.  Now, you are my "TALL SWEETHEART" and I want you to know that I love you very much and hope that your day has been as special as you are!

A month of celebrations

This has been quite a month of celebrations...we have had several birthdays this month already and are looking forward to celebrating tomorrow evening with Little Miss Emerson.  Earlier this week, we celebrated my birthday...pics to come in a post soon.  And also this week, I underwent my last in a very long series of surgeries to repair a severe burn that I received during surgery a couple of years ago...Believe me, this is the biggest celebration of all for me!  I am so glad to be at this point in this process!  Today is yet another special day...today is my older sister's birthday!  Yes, we are still estranged ... but my thoughts are with her today...wishing her much joy and happiness and even more importantly, wishing her peace on this her 63rd birthday!  Happy, happy birthday Pauline!

Emerson Rebecca,

Oh, how I love you...I loved you from the moment that I knew you were going to be a part of our family!  I loved you even more the moment I got the first glance at you and heard your first cry!  And, now every day for 1 whole year I have learned to love you even more....you are pure joy!  You have the sweetest personality, always happy and pleasant...so full of life and getting into every thing!  It is so hard to believe that today you are 1 Year Old!  Happy, Happy Birthday, Sweet Emerson!  Gram loves you to the moon and back!

So much fun...Double the blessing....double the celebration!

We had lots of fun this weekend celebrating the birthdays of both Addison and Weston!  Everyone enjoyed bowling, pizza, and cupcakes....happy 4th birthday, Little Miss Addison and happy 7th birthday, Weston!  You both bring so much fun and joy to our family...we love you and love celebrating with you!

Perfect October morning...

Woke up this morning to temperatures in the 30's and yes, it was TIME.....Time for the first fire of the season.  The kids are out of school and so the house was brrrr cold and we lit the fireplace and enjoyed breakfast by the warmth of our first fire of the season....a perfect October morning....just what this mama ordered!

Happy 4th Birthday, Sweet Addison!

Happy, happy 4th birthday, Addison Alyse!  You are such a special little girl and we are so very thankful that God chose you to be a part of our family!  You are so spunky, so full of life...At 4 you often already know what you want and you go after it will such tenacity!  You bring so much joy and adventure to our family...always know, that even before you were born, I was your "Gram" and I loved you...and even more importantly, I will always love you, sweet, sweet granddaughter!  Wishing you the best birthday and may all your dreams come true!

Thankful Thursday!

Happy Thankful Thursday!  Hope today finds you good, happy and thankful for the many blessings in your life!

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. " Colossian 4:2 New Living Translation


This week I find myself especially thankful for:

   *all the love and support I get from my family and friends.  It means so much to know that I am loved and cared for....I am so blessed!
   *falls' arrival!  Love the changing of the leaves and the cooler temps!
   *gentle rain that we have been getting this week...my flowers are loving it!  And, I do not feel like watering the lawn...so thank you, Lord for doing it for me!
   *the beautiful rainbow that God sent as a gentle reminder of his promises to us!
   *health insurance.  Chase had an injury recently and Emili had her heart check up and visit to the endocrinologist this month and her upcoming annual eye check up...even with insurance, all of this is so expensive...cannot imagine life without it!
   *modern technology...really missed internet during the time that we were changing providers!
   *that my husband has a job with benefits that allows our family to be provided our needs and that he works hard...in these days of unemployment, I never want to take this blessing for granted!
   *my marriage...thankful for God's leading way back when I fell in love with my husband...thankful that we have remained committed even when it has not been easy!
   *for a break from football this week...our son plays for his school and it will be nice to have a leisurely dinner together tonight!
  
Well, I could go on and on, but I want to know, what are you are thankful for this week?  Please share in the comment section and feel free to leave a link to your blog!

Truth...

The truth always has a way of coming out...it is just one of the fundamental rules of time.  My husband has been struggling for a couple of months about a personal experience ... trying to make sense of the abrupt, harsh words of someone in his life...he has spent hours trying to figure out what it is that he may have done to deserve the other persons' hurtful words and actions.  I have tried to remind him that most of the time when things like this happen, it is about the other person...like most men, he did not listen but instead he continued to self-evaluate and try to make sense out of something that never would make sense...well, recently the truth has been revealed...and the truth is--it was not about anything he did or said...as is often the case, when some people are hurting they have a way of hurting others!  “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

Afternoon ride...

 While out for an afternoon ride this afternoon, we had a very different and a bit strange encounter....was that what I thought it was???

Oh, YES, that was a skeleton in the passenger side....yep, somewhat strange encounter but it made for a fun afternoon ride!

Touches of fall...

 

Happy Birthday to you,

Wishing a very happy birthday to a very special and handsome grandson, Cody!  Hope that your day has been GREAT and that you are getting settled into your new home!  Gram and Grandfather miss you very much and are thinking of you as you celebrate your 7th Birthday!

It's fall...

and time for a yummy, warm bowl of chili!

Nothing says fall more than the smell of homemade chili cooking...this has been a beautiful fall weekend and we enjoyed the warmth of homemade chili...one of our family favorites!

HOMEMADE CHILI RECIPE

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• Shredded Cheddar cheese

In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the next nine ingredients. Cover and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and let cook on low for 20-30 minutes. Garnish individual servings with cheese if desired. 

Enjoy and Happy Fall, ya'll!

In spite of....

the dysfunction of our family and our relationship, I still remember....

From to time to time, I have shared with all of you about the difficulties being a part of a dysfunctional family and being estranged from my siblings.  Well, today is one of those days....one of those days when my thoughts have been on someone else...thoughts of days long ago....celebrations of the past....for you see, today is my brother's birthday and no matter how great the distance, I still remember him today...my thoughts are of him....I am wishing him happiness and more importantly, peace!  Happy Birthday, Brother!  I will always remember!

The cool fall air is on its way back...

This weekend promises to be a taste of crisp, cool air!  I am so looking forward to it.  Have I mentioned how much I love fall???  I thought so...well, I thought you might like to know that I have the fever....I am going to begin the fall decorating!  Stay tuned for a house tour!  Welcome, FAll....I am getting ready for YOU!

Feliz Cumpleaños!

Happy, happy birthday, Evie!  How can it be that you are already 14 years old?  It seems like just a short time ago that you put on your very brave face and climbed aboard that airplane for the journey to our home!  You have struggled and worked hard...overcome so very much!  Sure, we know that you have been scared beyond words many times...but we are so proud of how far you have come.  We love you very, very much and we wish you the very best year yet in the coming months! Feliz Cumpleaños, Evie!

A few pics from the celebration:

Thankful Thurday....

The skies have been gray here for a number of days.  As I am one of those people who is very much affected by the weather, I could really use some sunshine, but it looks like it may be another day or two before I get that!  So on this gloomy Thursday, I am going to try to concentrate on some of the many things that I am so thankful for....

*At the top of my list is all the rain, rain, and more rain that we have gotten these last few days...we needed it so very badly. Is there any better or more soothing sound than rain on the roof??  Ahhh, I could almost take a nap right now!
*Friends...true friends that I can share my inner most thoughts!  I love and appreciate all of my friends, but those few closest of friends that I can truly let my hair down with and share my deepest thoughts and feelings, I am especially thankful!
*Technology-I often think that technology has its fair share of negative influence in our lives, but I cannot imagine life without it and I am thankful for it!
*Being able to pick my children up from school each day...I am thankful that thus far, I have been the one person to pick up and care for my children! I am thankful that I have never had to utilize day care.
*My husband's jobs...so thankful in this economy to have a job!
*The seasons...especially that I can feel Fall in the air!  Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I am so thankful that the signs of fall are showing themselves!
*Canceled football games-because of the weather our son's game is canceled and it allows us to have some much needed time at home. 

*And last but certainly not least, Friends I've yet to make: I look forward to meeting them! Hmm, I wonder who they'll be.

Happy Birthday!

 Oh my gosh, it seems like just a few years ago you came into our lives...big brown eyes, unlimited energy, feisty personality and all!  But according to the calendar, today you celebrate 31 years!  We are wishing you a fabulous day....hoping that you enjoy celebrating your special day!  We enjoyed celebrating a little early with you...we are thankful and celebrate daily all that you mean to our family....you bring so much joy to us all and we are thankful that God chose us...we are blessed because of you...Happy Birthday, our dear, dear Becky (aka Sissy)!  WE LOVE YOU!