I'm Back!

Ok, I have succumbed to peer pressure!!  Miss "A Friend On The Farm"  posted a new entry today and I had given up on ever being able to log back in to my blog, but voila!!  Google logged me in all by itself.  I had tried repeatedly to log in way back and was locked out.  Go figure???

Well here we are well into 2015 and I can't easily pick up where I left off so maybe just start anew.  We have another precious grandchild to add to the herd.  Hard to believe that Grant will be 2 on April 19.  Such a handsome fella and what a whirlwind of activity when he is around.  There is nothing safe, he can climb on anything and everything so it is a full time job to keep him safe and out of trouble.  He is one busy boy!

Chchchchanges

I would like to discipline myself to be more attentive to my blog .... just not sure how to do that. I guess you just make the time!!! I wanted to share these pictures of how much the grandkids are growing and changing. They are so precious and I can't believe Maggy has already celebrated her first birthday :) We are once again experiencing a very busy month of June with graduations (4 nephews) and birthdays galore, throw in a couple of weddings, showers and several reunions and well you get the picture. Hubby who isn't a social nut is trying to hang in there until we get through all of these obligations.

Spring Has Sprung

Although I mention this way too often, time just seems to fly by ....... cannot believe this is the first day of spring - I am looking forward to nice weather that is for sure. Enjoyed the "supermoon" last night. Tried to take a picture but my camera isn't an after dark picture taker. But we are up to some fun stuff for sure at our house. I decided to plant an indoor herb garden so that we can enjoy the taste of fresh herbs year round. They have all sprouted (except the dill which takes longer and isn't known to be very successful indoors) and the next step is to pick up a piece of cut glass for the shelf from the local building supply store. I am going to mount the shelf in the window above my kitchen sink. They will get good sun and be an interesting conversation piece to add to the kitchen. Looking forward to being able to share them with friends and family :) Quick update on the family; little Maggy is starting to walk now. Max is a handful, but still the funniest 3 year old around and Raymond spent the afternoon shooting .22 with his Dad - wow is he growing up. Approximately 100 days until Adam & Salena will be moving home - yea!! Katie is preparing to do her internship this summer. Tyson is loving his new job and just bought himself a dirt bike (Momma doesn't like those things.) And Ray & Sara are SUPER busy caring for those 3 precious grandkids of mine ♥

Max is 3

Remember when you were amazed at how fast time flew and your kids grew up almost overnight? Well time goes even faster with your grandchildren. It is unbelievable to me that my little buddy Max is 3 already. How can I possibly bottle up all the sweet innocence and special "silent" connection that we have when our eyes meet. How much longer will he snuggle and say, "You like me Mimi? - I like you" and how sweet when with all of his 3 year bravado he looks out for me and growls at anyone he thinks isn't being nice to Mimi, or might make the mistake of sitting in my chair lol. Watching his brother growing up I know that time is so precious and short where we will be special and of extreme importance in their lives - the time before friends. hobbies and even girls take our place. So I will treasure this time and use whatever influence I have to train them to be strong, God-fearing young men who are gentle and merciful and kind to others. Who know how to stand up for their beliefs and make a difference in the lives of those around them.

My Blog Anniversary

Wow!!! It came to my attention today (because I took a trip down memory lane and read my posts) that I have officially been blogging for one year. After reading the posts from the last year I believe I am re energized and will devote more time and attention to this blog. What an amazing way to share our life memories. I think I will someday publish this for the kids and grandkids - to help them understand me better and hopefully feel my love for them through it. To my friends who are considering blogging or those of you who have recently started - don't be discouraged just write what you feel and about what you like, your hopes and dreams and plans for the future :) The photo I am sharing with this post, of me and my kids and grandkids (pre-Maggy) fits my theme perfect "Humor Me I'm Your Mother". And that is what they do, humor me and fill my life with joy unspeakable.

Winter Blues And The Hope of Spring

Here it is almost the end of January - will 2011 speed by as quickly as 2010? Seems to me like everyone I know has the "winter blues". Tired of the snow and the cold, still shell-shocked by the extra spending at Christmas and fighting the depressing things we hear on the news daily. I think everyone should take a breather and shut off the TV, internet and radio so we can refresh our minds with quiet. Take a snowcation, ask for an extra day off of work to relax and enjoy :)

Now the hope of spring - it will come as it always does. And with it the promise of new life and color and beauty!! I am ready to garden and camp and just be outdoors. We are already making plans with the grandkids for camping and adventure at Starberg. The picture is our cabin that we will be getting moved out there as soon as the weather permits. So between now and then we will continue to persevere and give thanks for our blessings - tomorrow we will celebrate Max's 3rd birthday (maybe the reason he was born in the middle of winter was to brighten it up) and Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I have just started a new bible study by Joanna Weaver and it is as amazing as the last one - puts my thinking into perspective and keeps me on track. Looking forward ..............

December - Where did you go?

How can it possibly be that December is gone? All of the preparations and planning and parties are over and we have swung into a new year. It is mind boggling! We had an amazing time over the holidays with family and friends. Of course, our beautiful grand kids bring so much magic to the season. Having Adam and Salena home is great, we may not see them much until they are ready to move home. Four years since Adam joined the Marines and it seems like only yesterday (not to him I'm sure) It is hard for me to believe that I didn't find the time to blog once in December :( But I have some pics to share from Christmas of those adorable grandchildren of mine.

Happy Anniversary

Sunday, November 14 was our 29th wedding anniversary and we celebrated the way we love to - had about 35 friends and family over for a rib cook-off and Steeler game. My parents got us this amazingly beautiful plaque (photo attached) here is what it says;

To be a family .... is to love together, to cry together, to share the course of our lives

with those who care about us, it is to never face heartache alone, to freely rejoice at

our blessings, and to share in the joy of the blessings of others. It is to learn to relate

to each other, work out our differences, help each other grow and nurture each other's

talents and giftings, it is to hold a hand, share a hug, blow a kiss and know that we are

a part of something larger than ourselves, eternal, and a very special gift of God called

*The Shreckengost Family*

My Favorite Time Of The Year

I just love it, love it, love it! We have had some beautiful weather over the last few days. Let's see if I can get caught up on the last month, I am starting to believe that winter will be the only time when I have the spare minutes to blog my heart out. Spending lots of time with the grandkids the last few weekends (all 3 spent the night at once - whew!!!) Went to a couple games to see my nephews, Caleb and Keaton play high school football. They are such handsome young men and amazing football players. They will most likely finish the season as the 2 high scorers. The Ladies Bible Study has resumed and I am knee-deep into developing my Mary spirit in this Martha body lol. And of course fall is harvest time - we have canned and frozen to our hearts content, this weekend we put up Vegetable Soup and it is the best (sorry to brag) that I have ever tasted. We have also canned Beef Barley and Chicken Noodle Soup. Would like to make some French Onion, Chili and who knows what else in the near future. I am still in the energetic fall cleaning mode (I hope it lasts a long time) so I have been sticking close to home when possible, I put up these new kitchen curtains yesterday and I would surely love to get the kitchen cupboards organized, not my favorite chore :( Our little Maggy was dedicated at church this morning - what a precious little girl and sweet family they are, I consider it the "best blessing" ever to be a part of their growing up years, as our Amish friends say.

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Hm, that is what I strive to do - "Bloom". I so love this time of year, I become re-energized and excited. Plenty of sunshine, but not the blistering heat of summer and winter is still far enough in the distance to push it to the back of my mind. This picture is of my small flower garden outside the kitchen window, it seems to take most of the summer for the flowers to grow and mature, deciding which ones are going to take over and which ones will struggle to survive. I have no rhyme or reason to the design - whatever I had at the moment was planted. If I had only known how everything was going to look maybe I would have rearranged a little. I guess I am so amazed that I can actually keep these beautiful flowers alive I don't care where they are :) Maybe the Guardian Angel in the middle helped. Perhaps that is how we should all view our lives, we are where God planted us and whatever the circumstances, or whomever we were planted with - we should just all "BLOOM"

Labor Day Weekend

And what a weekend it has been. Adam & Salena made it home Friday night, we always stay up and visit until the wee hours then we took them out for breakfast. Salena, Katie, Mom and I went shopping on Saturday. Sunday was a very busy day, church in the morning then Raymond's 7th birthday party at our house. He had friends in the afternoon and they were a wild group of kids - so much fun to watch. Then the family came for supper and we had a houseful. The major excitement of the day was when he rode his brand new bike down the hill and realized he didn't know how to stop and bam right into the gas grill! Thankfully no serious injuries other than the small heart failures that the grandparents suffered. A wonderful time with good food and fun for all. Now we are enjoying a quiet Monday morning and then a fire later on, everyone can come and go as they please and appreciate the extra day of rest ☺

End of Summer .......

Well here we are at the end of summer, a new school year begins. We have so many nieces and nephews, friends kids and the oldest grandson starting school. What this means to me is the start of fall - my absolute FAVORITE time of year. Now if the weather starts cooperating and cools down just a smidgen I will be happy. I want to enjoy my flowers for a couple more weeks then I will be dragging out the fall decorations - I can't wait!! Busy week coming up and I am so looking forward to the Labor Day weekend. Adam and Salena will be here (unless the Marines pull something stupid) Hopefully we can spend most of it at camp. Then Sunday we are having Raymond's 7th birthday here. (How can I possibly have a grandchild this old??) The pics are from our weekend of work, we canned tomatoes, marinara sauce and froze corn. When I came home from work Friday night my hubby and oldest son had been shopping and there were 7 bushels of tomatoes and 4 bushels of corn on the porch - no such thing as a relaxing weekend around here. Tonight we are making home-made chili sauce.

Summer Blogging

I cannot believe that it has been so long since I posted here - I didn't know if I would be banned from blogging lol. I can't remember a summer quite like this one, so super busy at work and so much going on at home. Thank heavens we have our camp set up and can get away from it all once in a while! The highlight of summer so far would be my vacation with Ray, Sara and the grand kids - what a wonderful experience!! We went to Jacksonville, NC to spend a couple days with Adam and Salena then up to Kitty Hawk for a week at the Outer Banks. I have to tell you the trip started out very rocky, I even wondered if I was meant to go or not. To be away from work that long (ten days) I needed to have my computer to keep up with work and not fall too far behind, well the day we were to leave I went to turn my computer on to work while I was finishing packing and it would not turn on - unbelievable - that laptop had worked perfectly for 5 years and nothing, absolutely nothing!! So I make a phone call and head to Reynoldsville to get a company replacement. Well this set me back several hours and had me stressed out before we started. But I had a computer and off to Jacksonville we go. We arrived Thursday morning just as Adam is leaving for the base and the next 2 days between his job on base and school afterwards I hardly spent any time with him. I wasn't worried because him and Salena were coming to Kitty Hawk for the weekend and we would have some quality time together. Saturday when we left I rode with him and Lena and we get over halfway there and the Marines call him back to the base; they do not care that he has family from out of state to visit, he gets to go back while they do a drug check of the single soldiers barracks - how nice of them! So we pull over and they turn around (lots of frustration and tears) then we continue on to Kitty Hawk with heavy hearts :( After we arrive and get settled we all try and cheer up and enjoy and we are there less than 24 hours and Raymond slips at the pool and ends up with 6 stitches in his chin! Really wondering whether this vacation is a good thing or not - but after the stitches things calmed down and we were in vacation mode without any additional catastrophes. I loved up my little munchkins and had a fun time.

Ready to Camp

Well after an extremely busy start to summer, where we couldn't find 2 extra minutes for anything, we finally managed to get the camper to Starberg. The guys pulled it out there this morning and then hubby and I went out and did some cleaning and started getting it set up the way we want. It is not new and needs a few minor repairs and some TLC but we are really excited to have somewhere to get away from it all :) I look forward to spending time out there -it is so secluded and peaceful. I am getting ready for Creationfest this week so it may have to wait - but I will be home Saturday morning and may find time over the holiday weekend to spruce it up. I can't wait!!

Three Weeks Old

Miss Maggy was 3 weeks old on Thursday. Here is Aunt Katie holding her at Vacation Bible School. We had the privilege of watching her while Mommy went with Max to his class. Working in the kitchen all week gives me a new appreciation for cafeteria workers. But it also allowed us the freedom to keep our little baby doll. She is such a sweet baby. Doesn't cry unless she is hungry or has a tummy ache. She is more alert everyday; watching everyone and following voices. Her hair is getting lighter and she has the palest blue eyes. I have been trying to figure out who she looks like - actually I see both of her brothers and features from many family members so I believe she is going to look just like Maggy ♥

Back to Nature

Spending lots of time on the porch these days - we really are outdoors more than in. Which may be the biggest reason for my blog being neglected. I have been trying to catch some good pictures of nature in action, if there is one thing I am not, is a good photographer - but I am not hanging up my camera yet. The day I catch the hummingbirds, now that will be something. Anyways - I did manage to chase a butterfly around for this picture and when I loaded it on the computer, voila there was a bee too. I guess the answer is to keep shooting pics and surprise yourself :)

Early Harvest

We are well in to the garden season and exciting it has been so far. This photo shows some of our early harvest; first pick of peas (hubby is shucking them while I blog), turnips that grew very fast this spring, and some samples from the first batch of strawberry freezer jam. I was busy all week with Vacation Bible School so my Mom made the freezer jam for us :) I missed getting a picture of the early spinach before it was done - hopefully I am on the ball the rest of the summer. Looking forward to a banner crop this year !

Porch House

This was one of my special birthday gifts - actually the one that made me cry. I am so thankful for my good friends Scott and Lori. They are so kind and generous with their time and talents. Scott made this lighted house for my porch and it fits in so well :) I have had so many compliments, everyone wants to know where I bought it (too bad for them). Glad to be back on my blog .... can anyone tell me where May went? And the first week of June? I have so much catching up to do - I hope to be able to get re-organized and return to normal this week. Right now our lives are so full of blessings we hardly have time to sleep. In the last 2 weeks we have experienced the following; 3 of our children and one daughter-in-law had birthdays, the birth of our new granddaughter, Memorial weekend guests, 2 weddings, a family reunion and the list goes on and on ........... one word that never comes out of my mouth - "bored" !!!!!!!!!

She's Here !!!!

Maggy Lyn. May 26, 2010 8:03 am. 7 lb. 14 oz. 21 inches. Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No words are fit to describe how I am feeling. Am a Grandma (Mimi actually) for the 3rd time and it just gets better with each new birth ♥ She definitley showed us who is boss - with the 3 long days it took her to arrive. Mommy's labor started very early Sunday morning and was off and on until she made her appearance Wednesday morning. She came home last night and the new family is getting settled. She already has Daddy wrapped around her little finger :) Big brother Raymond, is pleased as can be and wants to be her protector. And Max, poor little Max is trying to figure out what is going on. There is this little person who needs Mommy all the time - and that was his Mommy first lol. He likes her and actually he thinks she is big - he apparently thought she would be as big as the ultrasound pictures. He tells everyone he sees that she is "my baby". We are all exhausted (not as much as Sara obviously) from the long week and lack of sleep - but she is worth every second of it. She is absolutely perfect - what a blessing to our family.

Flowers and The Back Porch

Love the sign?

Birthday present from Mom & Dad

Love my porch !

Container Garden planted by hubby (fake eggs in the nest)

All the way from Adam & Salena in NC

I am going to pretend that it is not rainy and dreary again this week .... and share my summer "retreat" with you all. That would be my back porch, I waited 25 years for this porch and it is my own special sanctuary. We live at the end on a lane so it is fairly private and weather permitting this is where I am all summer. We spend very little time indoors between the garden and the porch. I relax in a rocker to read, sit on the swing to watch the humming birds, or tinker at the table - I just love the fresh air and beauty of God's creation all around me. Everyone thinks I am crazy because I start my flowers so early, but I just can't get enough of them. We have an amazing emerald green hummingbird that we are trying very hard to get a picture of, it looks like something from the rain forest - the only problem is that he has been too fast for us so far. Watching the sun rise and set - waiting out storms and just enjoying the peace and quiet are so soothing and peaceful. Quiet time, that is what everyone needs, when you clear your head of the busyness and feel your heart quicken to the world around you and find an appreciation in your soul for the life you have been given. I hope you have your own "retreat" to enjoy this summer.

Mother's Day

Wow!! Can't believe another Mother's Day has come and gone. 2010 is moving quickly. I feel like I have been neglecting my blog, been busy working in the yard and garden (pics will follow soon), hubby is traveling for work so that leaves me with MUCH responsibility around the house, and have been a little out of sorts the last few days - trying to understand why there is so much meanness in the world, life is hard and so very precious and yet some people seem to find satisfaction bringing others down?!?!? Enough said!

BUT on a much lighter note - I had an amazing Mother's Day weekend. If Adam and Salena could have been home it would have been perfect. On Friday evening I went to Scott and Lori's to see Amber off to the Prom. On Saturday Katie and I went to a Mother's Tea at our church and it was great. Good food, friends, an amazing speaker (thanks Carol), perfect music (awesome Lori) it was so inspiring and uplifting. Then on Sunday my whole family went out to eat after church (the photo collage) there were 25 of us. Adam and Salena were in North Carolina and Kyle was in Hawaii (darn the Marine Corps) but they serve our great country and thus we sacrifice. After lunch we went to see Grandma Minnie and my mother-in-law to share cards and gifts. In the evening Scott and Lori and Erin came to visit and deliver an early birthday present (another pic to follow soon). I am so humbled by their friendship and how giving they are. The perfect weekend continued right into Monday (my birthday) and I must say I am absolutely overwhelmed by the love and kindnesses from my family and friends - way too many to mention them all.

And that really says it all - so many blessings and good people in my life - how great is our God;

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Baseball, Sunsets and Sad Eyes

The weeks continue to fly by - 2010 is going so fast. Our sweet girl will be here soon, three weeks from tomorrow is the day, but we really expect her a little early. Life has been tremendously busy as always. We went to Raymond's first T-ball game on Friday night there were lots of laughs and fun for all. Raymond smiled so big when he went up to bat the first time and the Coach says "hard hitter" to warn the kids in the outfield. Then on Saturday night we took our good friends, Scott and Lori to Starberg and showed them around - we were hoping to see a bear but ran out of time. I did catch this picture of the beautiful sky at sunset. And today the kids came up after church and this picture captures Max's sad eyes (aren't they beautiful) he wanted everyone to know that he has a boo boo from falling down the porch steps yesterday. What another blessed weekend ♥

Sunshine Heavenly Sunshine

I know we really need the rain (especially for our garden) but I am soooooo happy to see the sunshine back this morning. It is a bit chilly but look at beautiful blossoms on our crab apple tree - this is the tree that the bee hive settled in last spring. It does attract the biggest bumble bees you will ever see. And then I got up close and personal with my lilacs, I wish they could last year round. Hubby told me last night that our pear trees we planted last summer have blossoms too. I am really excited about that! Looking forward to our own home grown fruit. How life affirming spring is.

What A Weekend

Finally found time to get on the blog and share what we have been up to. Friday night started off with an 18Th birthday party for our nephew Vinny. He has grown so big and strong and actually has broken 2 school records at Brookville High School this spring in track. The high jump of 6'5" he made broke a 37 year old record. Everyone was able to attend and we had a wonderful evening. Saturday was the "Surprise Baby Girl Shower" for Sara and what a joyful time we had - more baby girl clothes than I have ever seen at once. We are down to 4 weeks until the blessed event and very excited. And today after church we ate a quick lunch then packed everyone up and headed to "the Berg" as the kids call it. Made some plans on where to put the camp and shed we will be starting soon. Momma doesn't care as long as there is a massive front porch for rocking my babies. Papa and I took Raymond on a hike down to the beaver dam - industrious little critters they are - they have pretty much abandoned this one and spend most of their time at some other ponds on the property which are now massive, thanks to the beavers handiwork. Now here it is Sunday evening and we sat on the porch enjoying the thunderstorm and watching the lightning. Hope everyone has a great week!!

Site For New Camp

Well I guess you can say we are going to blog our progress for the campsite at Starberg. Adam is home on leave so he and hubby spent some time out there getting the campsite ready. We chose the spot more than a year ago, now I would like to think of an appropriate name for it. The location is probably two miles or so from the main highway, hidden beyond a rock quarry and around a bend in the hill is a perfect cove - hidden and protected on three sides by hills and trees. There is a beautiful view and the grand kids can explore forever. So far they pulled all the bushes and small trees and and have mowed it a couple of times to soften the grass up. Adam built the fire ring and weather permitting we are planning a picnic soon. Our plans are for a very old-fashioned wood cabin. We want this to be a restful retreat for the whole family to enjoy. Ray even mowed a couple of extra spots in case any friends want to come out and camp with us.