Oh Happy Day

Hi Sweet Friends

Oh, It IS A Happy Day

When we have the Privilege of Celebrating our Country

My Grandmother used to call this

'Declaration Day'

Most call it Independence Day

Some call it 4th of July

However you refer to July 4th

Please remember what we are really celebrating

The Freedoms of our Country

The Values on which on Country was founded

And the Sacrifices so many have made

For the Freedom's we Enjoy

Speaking of Privilege

I had the JOY of My 3 K's

And a Sleep Over last night

We swam and played

Can't believe how much they have grown in the past 2 years

We ate and watched too much TV

Otter~Pops and Cartoons ....

We even slept (a little)

And then ate pop-tarts in bed

While watching more cartoons

(yep, need to wash the sheets)

By the time mommy picked them up

This nana was wiped out

But, I wouldn't trade the hours for the world

JOY, JOY, JOY

As I was standing at the kitchen sink

Washing the weekend dishes

This was my view at 6:15 pm

A created Paradise

Oh, how Happy and Peaceful

Even though it is still 110 degrees

No picnics, parades or fireworks for me this year

Settling in for a quiet night

And some blogging

Hoping to stop by YOUR place soon

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

This IS the Day the Lord has Made

Rejoice and Be Glad in IT!!

Weekend Warrior

Hi Sweet Friends

I didn't exactly mean to take a blog break

But I've been sick and

Just didn't have the energy to blog at night

I'm hopefully on the mend

But now my little man cub is sick - Yuck!!

It seemed that on Thursday

When I had the pleasure

Of hanging out with all three of my K's

They didn't really enjoy their swimming adventure

Ummm...Yeah

The pool has been empty for a month or two

It wasn't really my plan

But getting sick wasn't really my plan either

So...

What bit of energy I have had

Has gone to cleaning and maintenance work

On all of the pool equipment

Which included replacing a few of the

In ground cleaning jets

Sweeping and Vacuuming the bottom of the pool

Dodging water jets

While making sure every bit of dirt

Sand, rocks and leaves were OUT

Then, before I could fill the pool

I needed to replace the hose nozzle

It was so very old and worn

That I ended up soaked when I just

Wanted to water a few plants

It was fairly simple

And I'm glad it is done

No more spraying myself in the face

One more thing I needed to get done

I'll spare you all of the ugly details

It took longer than I had hoped

I guess I was more than tired

But it is done as well

And for that

I am Grateful

Because

I Truly wanted to enjoy THIS today

It was great to have the kids and grands

Over for a few hours to

PLAY

Hard Word definitely

Deserves PLAY

I do pray you have enjoyed your Memorial Day Weekend

Even in the midst of work and play

It has been my honor to take time

To stop and pray

To thank and remember

Those who have selflessly

Risked and Given their lives

For our freedom

May we Never Forget the Sacrifices so many have given

Blessings

{20} December Daily ~ Linens

 

 

Hi Sweet Friends

 

Thank you for taking the time to stop by

 

I happen to Love linens

Mostly table cloths and quilts

But linens in general

Usually catch my eye

 

 

Although I cannot recall where or when

I purchased this piece

It's a four foot square table cloth

In my favorite colors

 

 

I don't know how old it is

Or what type of design it is

But I absolutely love it

And it's in the center of my Christmas table

 

 

This piece is a lap size quilted piece

It has all of the seams turned out

Which adds a fun texture to the piece

 

 

I found this a week ago at an antique mall

For only $15

I'm using it this Christmas season

On the back of my big black chair

 

 

I haven't been to Stein Mart in years

As they closed the one near my home

But I happened to see one the other day

So I decided to stop by

 

 

They had what was left of their Christmas items on sale

I spied this queen size Christmas quilt

Since it was the only one left in the store

And had to be removed from the bed display

I snatched it up for only $25

Yay

 

 

I also picked up the only sham they had left

I love that it is reversible with a red/white stripe

So I can use it any time

Not only at Christmas

 

I've been really under the weather the past few days

I guess it's the Christmas time yuck

I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow

Have a busy schedule

 

One good thing is that since I didn't really

Go any place this weekend except to work

I was able to get most of my wrapping done

And feel like I'm more ahead of the game (for me)

Rather that behind

 

I am going to attempt to get by your blog this week

My lap time crashed so I have to do

Everything in my office with my PC

 

Christmas Eve is nearing

The most difficult day of the year for me

I'm working so hard at focusing on others

Yet, my heart is tugging

 

May you enjoy all that is Christmas

This year and in the new year to come

 

Blessings

 

 

 

 



{17} December Daily ~ Selfless

 

 

Hi Sweet Friends

Selfless
Not me
But my oldest son

The man who sits with his precious family
 

Gave
Twelve years ago today
A kidney
To his adopted father

I've shared the story previously
How he had left home
Never wanting to see us again
So we began to pray

"God whatever it takes"
To help him realize that our family
Is exactly where you planned for him to be 
 

 

Three short weeks later

Mark was diagnosed with complete kidney failure

His only hope of survival

A transplant from a perfect match

 

God had a plan

For 9 months later

Our sons perfectly matched kidney

Was transplanted to Mark

Which gave him

7 years and 7 days of new life

 

And our son

Well, he heard directly from the Lord

This IS the family I've chosen for you

 

Yes

God heard our prayers

Through trial

He brought our family back together

Never Give Up

 

And Now

 



 

K~Baby

 



 

K~Bel

 



 

K~Bug

 



 

Have a Hero for a Father

Who selflessly saved a life

And gives of himself daily

For his precious girls

 

Mr. A

Your momma will Always love You

And will Never forget your Gift of Life

 

And so it is with God

Who selflessly Gave Jesus

His precious Son

For us to have

Life Eternal

 

If you don't know this Jesus

Please allow me to pray with you

I'd love for you to meet Him

 

Blessings

 

 

 



{16} December Daily ~ Personality Counts

Hi Sweet Friends

A Special Night for my Nieces' Children
They each had solo's in their church's 
Children's Christmas Program

I'm thankful that I was able to attend

First though
I found this vintage {1967}
Piano music book that I purchased for my sister
I gave it to her tonight
And told her she needed to have all the songs
Prepared for Christmas day singing
 

Then

My Niece in Love

Volunteered to 'play' one of the ice breaker games tonight

She's a brave and fun soul

And now

It's the personality that counts

Here are my nieces three children

Each with their own personality

And their own solo in tonight's performance

Little Miss 'E'

The sweetest donkey ever

Mr 'Z'

The happiest kings attendant

The outfit he is wearing

Was made by my sister 

When her now 38 year old twins

Were very young

They worn them as did my boys

When they were young and in 

Church programs

Now our grandchildren are wearing

These same costumes.

Lot's of shepherds and kingsmen

In our family over the years

Miss 'G'

Better known as 'Mary'

 

During the most difficult of seasons
I'm so very grateful for these precious 
Memory Making Moments

May you see Jesus 
In the Moments God Allows

Blessings


{14} {15} December Daily ~ Volunteer

Hello Sweet Friends

Another busy week has kept me

Away from my daily post

I have purposed in this season

To stay very busy focusing on others

And keeping my mind from wondering where it doesn't belong

Last night I went to 

The Neighborhood Christian Clinic

With my employer

She has been volunteering there for several years

A few months ago she invited me to go with her

And now I am going to become a full fledged volunteer

I have my application packet

And am ready to be official

 

It is a wonderful clinic

That sees low income families

For medical and dental needs

We will be going once a month

My employer volunteers her pediatric expertise

I will volunteer with the 

Non clinical aspect of the exam (computer documentation)

I am actually quite excited 

This is my first 'official' volunteer position

And I'm looking forward to it

You can read more about this great place

HERE

The days ahead are filled with activity
They are also filled with
Emotional anniversaries and challenging moments

Yet,
God is faithful, loving 
And very gentle with my fragile heart

Believing He is Revealing
His Presence in These Days

Blessings


 

Estate Sale Treasures

Hi Sweet Friends

Tonight I thought I'd share a few treasures
That I found recently at an estate sale in my neighborhood

I totally fell in love with these two bunnies

They are about 20" tall

And, I think, are just adorable

They will be the centerpiece of my Easter/Spring vignettes

Almost everything else I chose had a red/white theme

Or Christmas

I picked up this sweet little step stool

I will probably keep it red for the holidays

But then it will most likely get a fresh coat of 

Annie Sloan White for spring

I got 7 or 8 brand new dish towels for $3

And a really cute metal architectural piece

Among the treasures I brought home

Were two 6-7 inch long JOY signs

(I can Never have too much JOY)

And a jar of buttons along with a baggie of buttons

I also picked up two fun spindles from an old chair

And some really sweet holiday mini clothes pins

As you can see
I was definitely in a red/white mood
Fortunately they had plenty for me to choose from

Have you found any fun treasures lately
Do share

Be watching in the days ahead for my first post on my new blog
"Loving Madi"

Blessings to All