Blizzard!

I took this picture this morning at about 6:30 AM. It had been snowing most of the night, but the wind was blowing like crazy too, and blew most of the snow somewhere else.

Ian came and plowed at about 6:30 PM. The picture doesn't really capture the amount of snow that was deposited in our driveway. There was a lot of drifting through out the day, and the snow was about 3 feet deep in places. Same view as this morning, 12 hours later. I think we will be doing lots of shoveling tomorrow. Oh well, today was a restful day, watching the snow fall, and listening to the wind howl. Betty and Herb, see what you are missing?

Merry Christmas

They say you can really find the holiday spirit through the eyes of children. I think they may be right.These four kids have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. I didn't think my heart had much room left, but each day they prove me wrong. I love the little babies that they once were, holding them in my arms, rocking and caring for. Even more, I love the people they are becoming, children with a eye for awe, a spirit to find the fun in anything, and the unconditional love they have. I still hold them in my arms, and try to cherish every moment that I can. Their eyes and smiles complete me.
Merry Christmas to all!

Thankful

He is my best friend. He is my wonderful, loving, devoted husband. After this week, I know in my heart that he is all I will ever need in this lifetime. I have to be the most fortunate woman in the world to have him for a partner, a best friend, a true love. Sometimes it just takes a moment of suspense, of not knowing what lies ahead, to realize all you need, everything that makes you happy and complete, is right beside you, holding your hand through your days. I love you, Kenny.

Our two sons are the best. They were there, and that helped get me through. They have wonderful partners, too, that help them make life the best. I want for them what I have, and I think they may be on their way.

I also have the best friends. They listen, and offer help, but mostly they are there. There to call upon when life hands you those proverbial lemons. You can feel their hug when they say hello. It seems like I have called upon my friends a lot lately, and they have never let me down. I hope I am as a good a friend to them.

Life is what you make it. The way you handle situations will either make you or break you. I felt so weak and vulnerable, yet after we made it through, I felt strong and filled with a warmth. I don't know if it is the season that is around us, or just because I live life right, but life is good, better than good, and I hope we have many more days to prove that.

A Birthday party

Doesn't she look like a party girl? I took all four grandchildren to my nephew's daughter's 1st birthday party. They were the best kids, very well behaved. They enjoyed all the festivities.

Even the big girls wore their party hats.

It's always hard for other children to watch as the guest opens the gifts, but they were very patient and sat and watched.

Dawson didn't quite know what to think of his very active cousin. She doesn't sit still for very long, so it was hard to get a good picture of her.

Lexy and Kloe are trying to explain something to Sarah. We all had a great time. It was good for the kids to see everyone.

A visit...

Dawson called last night and asked us to come out and see their tree. Of course that was all it took for us to put on our coats and head out the door. Mammie got some great cuddle time with these 3.

Kloe gave her cuddles to Bear!

Dawson took a great picture of Papa.

And Brandy even got Corey to smile!

Tis the season

Some if the sights of the season at our home. A very special friend made this cute snowman.

Some great lights........

...and add a few balls of Christmas colors....

...right up close. Really looks festive!

And our tree is up, with lights. Maybe tomorrow the ornaments and decorations will go on. Oh, and of course, the angel on the top. Tis the season!

Special Award

Lexy won, for the third year in a row, first place in a coloring contest at her school. The prize was she got to ride to school in a fire truck. Quite a treat, not just for her, but for her siblings, and me, too!The truck makes her look so small, but she climbed right up in, and buckled up.

"Are you done yet?" I guess she thought her grandmother might be taking too many pictures! That will never be, Alexys, never.

A sign of the season. Not so much the beautiful glass ornament, but also the snow covered ground in the back.

A four year old and a camera....

On a recent visit to Mammie and Papa's house, Brooklynn was allowed to use the camera and take some pictures. She usually does a pretty good job, but we found out her new talent. Scroll on.......

Not a bad picture of Lexy having her chicken noodle soup to help make her feel better. She told her father later that afternoon, that she wasn't feeling well again, and thought the chicken soup had worn off!

Brooklynn has learned how to take a self portrait, extending her short little arms as far as she could, and still pressing the button. Bright flash! But cute smile.

Not sure, but I think she was up to something.

Yes, by that twinkle in her eye, and that cherub smile, she is definitely up to something!

Now, what four year old doesn't know that sticking your tongue out isn't nice, but only if you get caught.

And I think she is thinking, "There, I did it! I stuck my tongue out, took some pictures, and no one will ever know!" Beware, little one, as these may turn up at the most inconvenient time, like when the new boyfriend comes to visit, or senior video, to name a few! One thing is for sure, she is a keeper!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day, 2010.
It always amazes me, and especially this year after trying to be successful at weight loss, how people really concentrate on how much they are going to eat today. Personally, after ten months of working very hard to not only lose the weight, but keep it off, I am going to try my hardest to enjoy the food of the day. I am going to enjoy the people that will be sharing the table with me, the stories, and the laughter. I will be missing three of the grandchildren, but hopefully will spend some time with them later on in the day.
I have so much to be thankful for. At this time in my life, I feel very fortunate to have a lovely home to keep me safe, a beautiful family to bring me such joy, a job that I truly enjoy going to, and a best friend for a husband. I am not hungry. I am not cold. I am not afraid. I am healthy. I have all the comforts to make my life enjoyable. Some say I am lucky to have so much. I'm not sure how much luck has to do with it, but I certainly will agree that I have so much.
I have tried to eliminate things that are not "good" for me. If it doesn't contribute to my well being, then I distance myself from it. I don't know for sure, but I wonder if this elimination has helped me in being successful in my weight loss.
I ramble. Thank you to my husband and all you do to keep me going in the right direction. Thank you to my boys and their families. Thank you to all my dear wonderful friends, for the lifetime of memories that you are a part of. I hope all of you can experience this feeling of complete happiness like what I have in my life. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

A Birthday Celebration

Here is the birthday girl, with her requested cupcakes. She couldn't wait for us to finish singing, and waited just as long as any four year old can wait, and blew out her candle. Love that smile!

A few photos from a birthday party this past weekend. Our babies are growing up a bit faster than it seems they should. Some of them are just plain silly,

some a bit more serious as Brooklynn gets down to work opening her presents.

It was easy to see that she was really enjoying her day.

Uncle Gavin and Alexys spend some time trying to figure out how they work.And Kloe was kind enough to help me make a new bracelet with my name on it.

There is that familiar smile, from ear to ear, dimples and all.

Jen gives Brooklynn some instructions on a special gift. They spent quite some time making all sorts of things.

Dawson also joined in on the designs.

And at the end of the day, a beautiful sunset from the deck. Hard to believe that our youngest grandchild is 4. Time marches on, and days go by way too fast, but it still amazes me to no end the amount of joy that they bring to us. Happy Birthday, Brooklynn.

Our Halloween Goblins

Our goblins came to trick or treat for Halloween! What great costumes!

Brooklynn really knows how to pick her outfit!

Dawson wanted to be a cowboy, since he had the hat, so we added to that, and he made a great sheriff.

Kloe's aunt helped her with her costume. She was the cutest pirate I had ever seen.

And Lexy was Lexy. I foresee Corey having some interesting days at his home when she becomes a teenager. They all were excited and ready to go trick or treating. The snow and cold didn't slow them down at all.

October changes

I was able to grab this shot Friday morning- it was frosty, and foggy, and the sun was just coming up. It didn't last long, so I was fortunate to capture it when I did.

I am always amazed at the colors in our burning bush (aptly named) each fall. When all the trees have dropped their colors, these remain for weeks after. Like the daffodils in the spring, it's nice to have some color when most is brown and gray.

End of the month

The end of October seems to come way too soon. And it usually means colder weather is just around the corner. I know it happens every year, but I am just not ready for it. This year I hung out some Boo Buckets (old Happy Meal containers that I held on to) and some pumpkins on the front porch. The grand kids thought it was great, and wanted to take one home with them.

This is my Autumn Joy. A lovely plant that offers some rich color when most of the trees have lost theirs. This morning we awoke to snow caps on the blossoms. It just isn't right. It takes away from the "joy" part, don't you think?

And here we have the little pumpkin sporting the same cap as the Autumn Joy. There is a part of me that wonders why I live here, where it so cold, and stays for so long. But later on today, when those 4 little goblins come trick or treating, I will know my answer. I will post some pictures of them later. Happy Halloween, and Welcome Winter, too!