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.

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 ☺

Easter Sunday

Is there a better way to celebrate Easter and the sacrifice of our Savior, than to share it with the ones we love? Although there is a gap in our family circle again this year because the military does not consider Easter a "major" holiday - we missed you Adam & Salena. Youth Group made breakfast before church mm mm good. We had perfect weather and lots of good food and an amazing Easter egg hunt. Max is so much fun this year at 2 yrs old and Raymond is growing up way too fast and loves making goofy faces for the camera. From the photo of Sara's tummy you can tell we aren't far away from meeting Miss Maggie ♥ We had some family come for lunch and company in the afternoon - all in all just a perfect day:)

Easter Mums

While doing some grocery shopping today I happened to spy these Easter mums in the flower department. I didn't realize there were spring mums - but here they are in all their splendor. As pretty as they are they didn't completely sell themselves it was the glass jar they are sitting in that had me hooked. Hubby was impressed - he said I would have paid more on eBay for it and wouldn't have gotten the flowers. They really brighten up the back porch and I dubbed myself "smart shopper of the day" ;)

Pencil Tree - Chapter 3

Easter - What an important holiday, really the most important holiday of all and it isn't even recognized as a national holiday. One good thing is that is hasn't been totally ruined by commercialization. I do like to decorate some and make a fuss so here is the Easter Chapter of the pencil tree saga. I sure hope the weather holds up for an egg hunt for the grand kids. It is so nice to share holidays with loved ones and when we need to be reminded of the solemnity of this holiday watching "The Passion" is a sure way to make us aware of our Lords sacrifice.

Happy St. Patty's Day

"May the road rise up to meet you,

may the wind be ever at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face

and the rain fall softly on your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the hollow of his hand."

Give Me A Reason ...

to give a present that is. One of my favorite activities is to give gifts. For anyone and for any occasion - it makes me happy to see someones face light up and watch their reaction to receiving a present. So birthdays and any legal holiday are fair game. My husband thinks I'm crazy because I look for any excuse to buy someone a gift. My brothers once told me that I never have to be concerned with being wealthy because I give everything away - and I took that as a compliment. Sometimes I think it causes the hubby to worry (especially times like now when he is on lay-off from work) and money is tight, but gifts don't have to be expensive - just a little something to show that you care and appreciate others. So here is my work table with the goodies I plan on delivering tomorrow. I hope you all get a special gift this Valentines Day ♥

Pencil Tree

This year I am back into decorating my pencil tree. The crocheted hearts are from a gift shop in Cook Forest but the rest is dollar store items. My family thinks I get a little crazy about this stuff but I tell them - humor me, I'm your mother. (So now you know where my blog title comes from.) Next comes St. Patty's Day - Good thing I am Irish!