My Precious Daughter....Happy Birthday!

My Precious Daughter

Sometime ago I jotted this down...from where I don't know.  Although I posted this last year, too, I have saved it to send to my daughter once again on her birthday, which is April 1st.  It reminded me of times when I was watching 
her grow, and of happier times later when I could just call her up and tell her these things.  I love and miss her more than this mother could ever express, so this is to Ali:


My Precious Daughter

The joy of my life was just watching you grow.
You were my little princess, all tied with a bow.
 I'd read you the same book over & over again,
and listen to "God Blesses" till you finally said "Amen".

I'd watch you through a window as you'd run and play,
and I'd say a little prayer that you'd remember one day...
That you were loved so very much, and how I loved watching you grow
Into WHO you are today...someone all the world should know.

Author Unknown

We love you so much, and wish you a very Happy Birthday doing all the things you love to do.

Love always, Your Family










"The only people who are truly free are the ones who walk in a spirit of continual forgiveness."

We're So Thankful For What We Have

 WE'RE SO THANKFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE


This Thanksgiving Day was so enjoyable, spending it with family, and having our Mom with us.  Mom at 93 years of age has moved in with us recently, and we praise God that she is in fairly good health and can get around by herself with the aid of a walker.  She occupies 2 rooms of our home and has the use of our guest bathroom, and says she is very happy living here with us.  A lot of her own furniture and personal pictures and "things" moved here with her, so she has familiar treasures around her.


When Mom came to live with us, it is because living expenses in an assisted living facility had gotten so expensive (this is the case with many of our elderly). We know of quite a few people our ages who are now inviting their parents to live with them because of this reason.  As long as my Step Dad (age 101) was living with her, they were able to afford the unit, but since he went into a nursing home last winter, it has become increasingly hard on her financially.  So, we invited her to come live with us, knowing that it would enrich all of our lives...which it has.  Mom is enjoying our pets, too, just as she knew she would.  She's finally learned all their names, and that was a real accomplishments.  Try keeping 3 black cats straight when they all sort of look alike!  Then there's the grumpy old lady cat who we've had for over 10 years, given to us by my daughter who had had her for 3 years & didn't know how old she was when SHE got her.  So she (Peaches) is just trying to lay claim to her territory that she had long before the 3 black cats came along.  Mom knows them now as Mama Mitsy, Daddy Tommy, and "baby" Owey (who tops out at about 22 lbs.).  Then there's the dog Bosco, who is over 9 years old now.  He's quite a character and understands everything we say (especially when we don't want him to).  All of this has added much to Mom's life.

Mom has also taken up the piano again, and even with her bent finger, she can play pretty well.  Right now she is practicing some Christmas carols so she can accompany me on the flute over the holidays.  We may even invite some family and friends over as time allows.  We marvel at what she remembers of the piano, and she can play so many songs and even jazzes them up a bit.  She still plays from her mother's set of music books, and song books she has collected over the years.  Here is a picture of Mom playing her old piano (which is in our house now), and her captive audience of "baby" Owey.  They love to hear her play, and at first couldn't understand what she was doing...because they rarely hear ME on the piano.  So, we are thankful that Mom can still play the piano so well, and we all enjoy hearing her improve with each passing day. 

 Yes, we have so many things to be thankful for.  Our families who are scattered from Texas all the way to Alaska and includes 4 children, 14 grandchildren + 1 in heaven, 4 GREAT grandchildren, and ONE ON THE WAY that we just found out about and is due in July sometime.  We miss those members who haven't been around much, more than we can say, and hope that they are doing well this holiday season, too.  We are so thankful for those family members who include us in their lives...ALL are precious to us & we thank God for every one.  We continue to pray for our family, & that God will heal parts of our family and our nation.  Please join us in praying for our troops, our nation and our leaders, and that in these trying times that they will make the right and Godly decisions for our country.  We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and hope you will have a wonderful holiday season.  God bless you all and keep you safe.

"The only people who are truly free are the ones who walk in a continual spirit of forgiveness."

The Worth of a Woman

The WORTH of a WOMAN... Friday, August 17, 2007 - 3:02 PM

To All The Amazing Women Out There!! THE WORTH OF A WOMAN One Flaw In Women (you will see what it is in the end) Women have strengths that amaze men. They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy. They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry. They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous. They fight for what they believe in. They stand up to injustice. They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution. They go without so their family can have. They go to the doctor with a frightened friend. They love unconditionally. They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding. Their hearts break when a friend dies. They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left. They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart. Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you. The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love. They have the compassion and ideas. They give moral support to their family and friends. Women have vital things to say and everything to give. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

"The only people who are truly free are the ones who live in a continual spirit of forgiveness."

When God Closes A Door...He Opens Another

One Door Closes...

Another Opens

Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen - either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor. If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close. Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing...

I remember when I was growing up that my Grandmother would always tell me this. And...as I reached my young adult years, and had disappointments, she would remind me. I thank God for a loving Grandmother who always prayed for me and is the reason I am where I am spiritually today. Even though I could not see her often during my growing up years, I did get to enjoy knowing her better in my young adult years. She let me stay with her for awhile during the time I worked my first real job and needed a helping hand. I thank God for a loving, listening, Grandmother, who always let me feel her love. Now, in my sunset years, I love my own grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and even though they live far away and I don't get the time I'd like with them, I hope they feel my love, as I felt my grandmother's love. I thank God that I was allowed to have a wonderful son and daughter, and that I lived long enough to enjoy having 14 grandkids & 10 greats. You ALL are GREATs in my book, and you will always be loved more than I can ever tell you in words. I want you to all remember that, when you have disappointments in life, you will always remember that "God never closes a door...but what He opens one far better." Just lean on him and ask Him, as I have many times: God, please close doors to impossible situations, and open ones you want me to walk through. He will guide you, and you will be a better man or woman...and ALL that you can be.

"The only people who are truly free are the ones who live in a continual spirit of forgiveness."