HAPPY FRIDAY

I know everyone is different and I perfectly OK with that.  I have no idea how most of you felt about the royal wedding.   My thoughts on it were I just couldn't get worked up...one way or the other.  I knew I wanted to at least SEE the dress, maybe a few of the details, and that might be about it.  So I had my hubby DVR it for me and when I get a chance this week-end I will check it out....maybe.  I may have seen enough pics to give me what I wanted.  Meanwhile of course I have seen a few pics here on the internet, and it looks like a beautiful, classy, elegant look the bride went for.  But when I came across this pic I am sorry I just burst into a laughter.  I can't imagine being dead serious with those hats, let alone wearing them to a royal wedding.  The women (Williams cousins of course)....quite beautiful.  But the hats....I honestly just can't imagine.  I am sure they are the height of fashion...but they just amuse me I guess.  Thought if you haven't seen this, you might get a smile too.  : )

And I just couldn't resist sharing this pic of my granddaughter Capri.  She is into Pippi right now and wanted to sport her braids.  How adorable is this??!  She's got her daddy's sprinkling of freckles across her nose and cheeks....love them and her!

The week-end stretches out in front of us and I am looking forward to it.  The time goes by though sooo fast it is hard to believe it is upon us once again.  Had lunch and enjoyed the day today with my DIL Leah.  We haven't had the opportunity in quite a while, and it was such a nice day.  She got her hair cut too, and so we visited with Jessie as well.  Tonight we will play cards with my parents and us girls had better step up our game...we have been getting ruthlessly beat... My heart goes out to all of those people who have suffered and lost so much in the recent tornado's.  My thoughts and prayers are with them.  Hope you all enjoy a wonderful spring week-end!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

I have been reading Nana from Empty Nest but Full Heart for a few weeks now and have soo enjoyed her.  She participates in Wednesday Hodgepodge which is a fun meme that just had ME written all over it, haha.  I have been waiting for an opportunity to join in, and decided to give it a whirl today.  You can join the others that have by clicking on the button above.  I have had a good time doing this, and will definitely be visiting more of the others later today.  Hope you all have a good day!

1. What is something that bothers you if it’s not done perfectly?

Hmmm, as a draining perfectionist it would be easier to answer what doesn’t bother me if not done perfectly. But I guess I would have to say…anything at all I happen to be sewing. I have been known to rip something out and do it over even if NO ONE else would ever notice or care about the small mistake. Or could it be wiping down the bathroom mirrors EVERY morning? If I see so much as one tiny speck of water or something on the mirror or countertop, I have to start over with the spray etc. Doesn’t take but a minute or two, but I can’t bear it any other way. If the pillows on the couch aren’t “plumped” just right…Boy, as I read this back I sound like a nit picking weirdo, and honestly I am not…haha

2. What is one of your best childhood memories?

I think it would have to be our many week-end trips to the mountains during the season in our lives that we owned a cabin in Big Bear. There was just soo many things about these “get-aways” that made them so special. I think it was maybe mainly the fact that no one had to hurry to get anywhere at all. A long hike was about as energetic as it got. There was no TV and we sat at the large kitchen table as a family (there were 6 of us kids) and played games and cards. My dad especially was soo different up there; relaxed and in a constant good mood. I remember lying on the floor in front of the fireplace with a good book as well. I also remember we had a hammock in the back where you could lay for hours and feel the soft breezes and listen to them as they rustled through the trees. I can still close my eyes and hear the soft sound. Taking our breakfast out on the deck to enjoy the early morning was another favorite. Blue jays and squirrels roamed freely and were so fun to watch. The air was chilly, even in the summertime, and we sit there until the sun was starting to really warm things up. All in all it was VERY simple pleasures that brought me the most joy as I think back on it.

3. Do you plan to watch the Royal Wedding and when was the last time you wore a hat?

Catching what there will sure to be plenty of…..re-caps…..is about all I have in mind, haha…I do want to see the dress and some of the hoop-la, but that’s about it. And a hat? After thinking about this for a while I guess I would have to say I have NO IDEA when the last time might be. I don’t wear hats pretty much ever. I love hats on others for sure, but something about one on my head looks ridiculous. WAIT….I just remembered when it was….Clear back in my late 30’s my hubby and I went through our country western dancing faze complete with total cowboy/cowgirl attire and I had a REALLY cute cowgirl hat I wore when we went dancing. I LOVED it. The dancing was soo much fun and such great exercise. We knew how to do them all too. Line dancing, the two step, the cowboy cha-cha, the waltz. I wonder if I could do them anymore?

4. Where do you fall in the birth order in your family? Do you think this has influenced your personality?

I am the second of six children, and yes, I think it had a GREAT deal to do with influencing my personality. I have read a few books on this subject and I think it is a very valid truth. But I think the biggest influence is just your basic inborn personality which I believe we are all born with. It certainly has proven to be true with all of my children. They were/are who they are. It becomes very important then of course to guide and direct and teach so that each becomes all that they can be, within their own personality strength and weaknesses. But now I off subject aren’t I?

5. Where do you think you spend most of your money?

I guess that would depend on rather or not we are talking about “right now” today, or as a general rule over the course of my life? Most of our money was spent on my kids as a general rule. Education, training etc. was VERY important to both my hubby and I and are kids went to private schools, college, trade schools, and had private karate lessons and various different sports/athletic lessons etc. Looking back it left little to nothing for extended family vacations or travel or for much of a wardrobe or entertainment, but I do feel it was all worth it. Today our money is spent on keeping afloat in the present time economy, and yet still managing to set enough aside to hopefully retire…someday, haha.

6. When you need to confront someone would you rather communicate in person, by phone, by email or by letter? Why?

Oh I hate a confrontation and avoid them at all costs. Just not in that inborn personality I was talking about it. But when I have found myself in this position, I have been known to write a letter or email. That way I can write and/or rewrite what I want to say in a very deliberate and careful way. My kids tease me and say, “Be careful, or you will get a “scathing” email from mom, haha.

7. Dodgeball, freeze tag, kickball or jump rope? You have to pick one.

I am wondering here if this means that I have to play or what I like to watch?? And if it means today at my age, or when I was young? Haha I guess I will go with kickball. I LOVED it as a young girl and played whenever I could. Jumping rope though was another favorite, but truthfully, there is NO WAY I could do any of them today. BUT…IF I had the ability and COULD play any of them right now, I could go for a good game of kickball.

8. Insert your own random thought here


I have been thinking AGAIN recently how we all go through the various seasons in our lives and yet mix and combine them all at the same time. For example I watch my adult kids as they raise their young families and remember well how those times in your life seem to be all consuming and important. I watch my grandkids and smile and remember the innocence of kids and the joy of childhood, and wish maybe I hadn’t been soo consumed with getting MINE to adulthood. I watch my hubby and I as we have settled into a smaller home as it is no longer necessary to house 4 children, and dream of the day he retires and we begin yet another road on our journey through life. I watch my parents as they go through old age and the unique set of challenges and trials that brings. I wait in joyful anticipation as my youngest (24) awaits the birth of her first child and know it is all just beginning for this young couple. Yes, it is all as it says in the Bible….there is a season for everything.

Mel's baby bump at 14 and half weeks!  I can see if for sure now!  Soo exciting.  She is 16 weeks tomorrow so I am sure it is even bigger.  If I had MY WAY she sould take one EVERY week so I don't miss a thing, but then she doesn't listen much to me anymore.  ; )

EASTER FESTIVITIES

I have been really anxious to download my pictures and tell you all about our day yesterday as it was SUCH  a good one, so I decided to start first thing this morning before I have done much of anything else. (I am breaking one of my own rules that I am to have "things" done before I begin blogging, haha)  The day started really early as we needed to be on the road EARLY to San Diego so that we could drop off the ham at my son's house before joining them for church.  The door was opened by these 3 little darling grands bursting with excitement.  Their mama had a VERY busy morning indeed getting them all dressed in their Easter clothes (by herself as my son had to be at the church REALLY early), and having everything prepared for our Easter dinner later too,  but she had done a great job.  Look at these faces!!

SISTERS CAPRI & DONATELLA IN THEIR MATCHING DRESSES...They looked soo pretty and it was a toss up which one enjoy "twirling" in them better, lol

JD joined in between the girls...look at that pose! haha

Our arms are full....soo sweet, but let me tell you when I look at this unflattering angle of my double chin and squinty eyes it lets me know that even with the 25 pounds I have lost off,  it is just a drop in the bucket to what must be done! 

Loved this! They are really soo sweet together

Larissa took some pics for me of JD...He has grown up soo much and has become SUCH a handsome boy...He reminds me soo much of his daddy when he was growing up!

Look at those big blue eyes!  A future heart breaker for sure!

How I love his little personality!

Enjoying a donut before service while waiting for daddy.  He taught the high school service during first service and then joined us for second service.  I thought this was "quite brave" of their mama as I thought they might mess up their clothes....but they did GREAT!

James, Larissa and their little family....

The service itself was sooo good it would truly be hard to describe.  I have not been anywhere different for Easter Sunday services in over 25 years, so I really didn't know how this might be.  I miss our old church and our Pastor since we have moved and often catch him (Dave Rosales) on both the radio and the internet.  He is truly soo blessed of God.  But since we do not have a new church home yet since moving, we decided to attend with my son and his family at theirs.  My son will probably not start as the senior pastor of his own church (The Lord willing) until the first of June so he is still teaching the high school group at his old one.  But I am off track as usual...haha.  Phil Wickham lead the worship.  For those of you who don't know who he is, he is a TRULY gifted musician in today's music world with a few CD's of his own.  He was sooo wonderful.  There is just something about over 3000 people with their voices and hands lifted in worship of our mighty God that is sooo overwhelmingly inspiring.  It moved both Larissa and I to tears more than once.  The message was also wonderful, and I would guess that at least 300 or more went forward to be saved.  It was moving to say the very least.

After service James had to stay and help pray and council with the hundreds that went forward, but the rest of us hurried back to their house to get dinner together.  It was soo good.  James is also dieting, so the dinner was VERY diet friendly which worked for me quite wonderfully.  The food was soo good.  I did eat a little more than I should have probably, but I tried to make up for it by it being both my lunch and my dinner, haha.  We enjoyed the kids sooo much.  Tella took a little nap, but afterwards they got to find their Easter baskets from their parents, and enjoyed an Easter egg hunt. 

Tella finding her basket and her little Hello Kitty toy

Capri got a Tangled purse and fun girly gear with hers

JD finally found his in the closet, haha

Checking out their loads!

Tella loved her chocolate egg, haha...Grandma's girl for sure!

Her little checks full, lol, how darling is this??

Now the hunt for eggs was on!

She was sooo darling on this!

JD is such a sweet big brother....he "found" a few and then pointed them out to Tella.

Showing their finds!

Loved this pic of Tella with her daddy

At the end of the day Capri brought out her Resurection Egss that she made at the Christian school she attends, and told us all the story of that first Easter.  Grandpa made a tape of it and her daddy put together this little video.  I am soo glad to have this moment captured on tape.  She was soo darling on it.  How much this little KG girl has learned this year!  She did such a good job.  ENJOY...

Hope I copied this html right and this works.  It is a first for me, haha





I did miss our other kids and grandkids on the day...my other two sons were celebrating with their in-laws this year.  I have mentioned before that it is hard to share, but I do understand.  I did hear that Mel made a big roast with all the fixings for her husband and FIL and had a nice day too.  She actually felt like eating it too, so guess she is FINALLY getting a little bit past the MS, thank goodness...

HE IS RISEN!

Matthew 28:5-8 But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. And go quickly and tell the disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him. Behold I have told you. So they went out quickly with great fear and joy, and ran to bring His disciples word....

Our Christianity is based on this fact....HE IS RISEN! Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is proof that His death was an actual propitiation for sin, and that the Father accepted it as such. The cross was the payment; the resurrection was the receipt, proving that the payment was fully accepted. These women were blessed to be the very first who would bring this news to others. How exciting for them. This is the most important day in the life of a Christian to celebrate. It is day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. He had been crucified and was buried for three days. All His disciples had believed that He was gone for good. None had understood that his sacrifice was the primary purpose of His short life, and the only way for us to obtain righteousness and restore our fellowship with God. There was no sin in Him and no way for Satan to take His life. It was freely given for us all.

That first Easter morning proved beyond any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. He had told the religious leaders and His disciples that He would give His life and on the third day rise from the grave. The religious authorities had remembered His words and tried to prevent it with a large stone in front of the tomb, a Roman seal and guards. But none of that prevented God's plan for that first Easter. For 40 days after Easter morning, many people were eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Satan and the religious leaders were powerless to stop the truth. And they are still powerless to stop the spread of the wonderful message of Easter!

For the secular world, Easter is often about new clothes, hidden eggs, and bunnies. To others it is simply a celebration of the beginning of spring, and the renewing of life.  And  while there is certainly nothing wrong with these celebrations, and plan to enjoy a few of them myself, to those of us who belong to Him and that really understand all that was accomplished on that first Easter morning, it is the greatest day in all of history. HE IS RISEN! Happy Resurrection Day to you all!

IT IS FINISHED

John 19:28-30  After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit...



Today being Good Friday, I decided to read over the scriptures covering the crucifixion...Jesus' death on the cross was the fulfillment of all that was necessary for our salvation. He did so willing as an ultimate act of love for us. He had accomplished what He had come here to do. I have heard it taught that Jesus took the wetting of His lips with the wine so that He could say clearly for all to hear...."It is finished." Meaning just that, EVERYTHING He needed to do for our salvation was finished.  He bowed His head, which suggests He did so peacefully, and "gave up" His spirit...meaning no one took it from Him, He willing did it for us...It is hard for me sometimes to really get my head around what He really did for me personally. And that if I had been the only one who needed Him to do so, He would have done it anyway...it is just downright overwhelming...He BECAME sin itself during that period on the cross, and separated Himself from the God the Father, so that I might be saved from what I truly deserve ~ love just doesn't get any greater than that.

GUESS WHERE WE WENT

GUESS WHERE WE WENT SATURDAY??

 

DISNEYLAND!!

On Sat. morning we decided VERY SPUR OF THE MOMENT to go to Disneyland.  Our youngest son James and his family joined us for the day, and we brought along little Jeffie as well.  It was his very first trip to Disneyland which made it very special indeed.  What a good day we had!.  The only real appeal Disneyland has for me anymore is to see it through the eyes of my grandkids.  We rented a little scooter for me to get around in, and it traveled along at a very fast pace.  I LOVE it, haha...

I won't tell you ALL the adorable things they said and did, lol, but I will share this one as it was just sooo cute.  We were sitting outside of the Enchanted Tiki Room, which for those of you who have never been to Disneyland, it is a hut where all different kinds of birds, and the flowers etc. sing.  It is darling.  Anyway there is a little holding area outside of the room where you wait between shows.  Jeffie and Capri and JD were sitting on a bench with Grandma waiting for Grandpa and their mommy to buy us all some pineapple whips (soo good btw).  James was out walking little Donatella around in her stroller who was napping.   I was talking with the kids when  Jeffie said, "Grandma, if I lived at Disneyland I would want this to be my house.  It is like a jungle and a forest all at the same time."  And then Capri said, "Well, if you live at the Tiki House then I will live in Cinderella's castle.  You can be the king of the Tiki House, and I will be the Queen of the castle."  I laughed at their imaginations and fun and said, "Well, WHERE is Grandma going to live?"  And Jeffie said, "Well, you can live right there....(he was pointing to a restaurant next door).....that way you will live sooo close to both of us."  How darling was that? 

The day was a LONG one, and a little warmer than I would have liked, but perfect in every other way.  At 10:15 that night we were sitting on the curb (or everyone but Tella and I that is) watching the firework show, when Larissa nudged me and pointed to little Jeff.  I looked over and he was literally asleep sitting straight up, his little head swaying around on his neck.  I honesty couldn't believe it.  The only one I have ever seen do such a thing?  His daddy.  They just keep going until they can't go anymore, lol.  Hope you all had a wonderful week-end.

Sorry, I have just one more little story I have to tell....the kids were all talking about what they like the best, etc., when the conversation somehow eventually got around to if you could have whatever you wanted in the whole world what would it be. When it was Capri's turn she said, "Well, I would want Jeffie to be my very best friend." And little Jeff said, "Pick again Capri, because I already am." Both mine and Larissa's hearts just melted...OK, now I'll stop.

I am posting a little slide show of the day.  ENJOY

Make a photo slideshow

JUST WHAT I NEEDED!!

Well it is Friday again already. Time does just continue to scream by....I thought I might escape the post Mel blues this time but didn't quite make it. I think I had the "high" of finding out the gender of the baby to keep me going for a couple of days anyway, haha. But yesterday I began to feel the familiar let down and decided that rather than sit around on the day nursing my sad feelings, I would spend a day with my little grandson Jeffie. I have not had a day alone with him since I can honestly remember. I used to live of course only 5 to 10 minutes from their house and popped over for a little "grandkid fix" whenever I felt the need (which was often). Now they are more like 35 minutes away (IF there is no traffic) and it's not as convenient for those quick visits. Plus, his birthday was last week and I usually spend a day like this with whatever grandchild who’s celebrating. It is hard when you have as many grandkids as I do to spend one on one time with them. Some of them of course are still a little young for this, but how I love it. Anyway...Jeff gets out of school early on Thursdays so (with his parents permission of course) I took him out around 11:30 and we headed out. He only missed lunch, recess and art so I didn't feel too bad. The look on his face when he saw me sitting in the office waiting for him made my whole day. He was just soo excited and glad to see me. He began chattering a mile a minute and we left on our adventure. We started at our favorite restaurant for lunch. And yes, we have a favorite, haha. It has a GIANT aquarium full of GORGEOUS fish for Jeff and plenty of good healthy food for me. When we got in the car, in between things he was excitedly telling me, he said, "Grandma, are we going to go to "our" place for lunch?" How darling was that? "Of course we are," I told him. We chatted through our lunch with Jeffie telling me about his happenings at school. At 7 suddenly he seems to be really growing up....sigh...it always happens so fast. After lunch we went and saw the new kid movie, Hop. I wasn't expecting much, but Jeff was excited to see it. It was surprisingly pretty entertaining. We were the ONLY people in the theater which he found just wonderful for some reason, haha. He said, "Grandma we can talk as loud as we want to...there's no one to hear us." We laughed and enjoyed ourselves through the movie and came out singing the song, "We need candy, candy..." over and over. We found ourselves most amusing.  We got his hair cut, though he didn't really think he needed one Grandma, haha, and after that we went to do a little shopping at Kohl's. Jeff needed some spring and summer clothes and they were having a sale I knew. We had given him money for his birthday to combine with all the other money he received so his parents could buy him an X box...He was soo excited by this. Oh the stories I heard about those games, haha. But I wanted to get him some of the things he NEEDED as well. Anyway, we got him 3 pairs of shorts and 4 t-shirts and a couple pair of flip flops. All Tony Hawk designs who is the "cool skater guy Grandma" I guess, haha. All I know is everything was 40 to 50 percent off and seemed like really good prices to me. We finished off our afternoon with a frozen yogurt from Golden Spoon. Jeff LOVES LOVES LOVES fresh fruit and couldn't decided between strawberries or blackberries so I told him he could just get both, haha. Only with Grandma. Such a good day. When I was hugging him goodbye I asked him (like I AWAYS do) "Who loves you Jeffie?" and he answered, "You...up to the sky....and forever." Truer words were never spoken. That day was just what I needed!


I wanted to let you know that Melody's new cousin in law does NOT have Cystic Fibrosis and is home from the hospital, and has already gained a pound! Praise God... We have a birthday party for my nephew this week-end, cards tonight with my parents, and the rest of the week-end stretching out in front of us without a lot we have to do. The weather is beautiful in California and I am looking forward to getting out in it and soaking it up. Hope you all have a wonderful week-end.

 

EXCITING NEWS!!

You can kind of see the feather Jess put in her hair...so cute

Well, it is Monday afternoon and it is almost over.  She leaves tomorrow morning....EARLY!!  Got to be AT the airport by 8!!  She has gone tonight to have dinner with Mike's sister, and to see her new place.  What a wonderful, wonderful time we have had!  I decided to write my post today BEFORE I sink into my usual post Mel slump, and because I have got SUCH big news to share.  I won't be posting this  until tomorrow though as Mel wants to tell Mike the news first.  She is nearly bursting at the seams.  I don't really know how she plans on keeping it to herself tonight when they talk.  I know I couldn't. It is all I can to do to sit on this news myself.  It is nearly burning a hole in my tongue, haha!!  But before I tell you rather I am having another grandson, or another granddaughter, I will back up a day or so and tell you what else we have been doing.

On Sunday we got up and just sort of sat around leisurely enjoying our coffee and tea and then got ourselves ready and headed over to my oldest son Joe's house to have lunch and spend the afternoon.  Mel was glad to see them all and happy she got a chance to see their new house already.  My other son John came by to spend the afternoon too.  Leah made a delicious stew (haven't had any in oh so long) and it was soo good.  I had only a small bowl and let me tell you it was quite difficult as it was sooo tasty and is a particular favorite of mine.  Anyway, after lunch the guys headed out to play some basketball, and us ladies stayed in the house to decorate Leah's kitchen.  She had everything in the kitchen put away, so that left us with the fun job of setting out her "things".  It was looking really good by the time we got done.  Should of taken a pic or two, but honestly I didn't think of it.  After we finished that the guys were back and we sat around and chatted the rest of the afternoon away.  Joe played some of the new things he has learned on the guitar.  He really is pretty good.  But then if Joe sets his mind to something, he works at it until he has got it down.  Guitar playing is no different.  I have a feeling he will be playing really well soon.  We left Joe's around 4:30 and headed down to San Diego to hear James teach the Sunday night service.  Mel has not heard Jim deliver a message for at least a year now.  She was just amazed at how much he has progressed.  It was REALLY good and blessed us all soo much.  After church we all went out to get some dinner before we headed home.  I stuck to fish, but did feel like after the day was over that maybe I had eaten more on the day than I should have.  It has been really difficult to NOT go back to my old eating patterns for this whole week that Mel has been here.  I did as well as I could, which at the end of the day is all you can do I guess.  We didn't get home until almost 11 and we were all beat.  It was DEFINITELY a very long day.   This morning both Mel and I woke up with such a sense of excitement.  We got ready and left for Costa Mesa where we were to have the ultra sound done.  Mike's mom and my mother met us there and we all headed into the spacious room with a HUGE screen on the wall so that we could all see the whole thing.  Oh my goodness let me just start by saying I wouldn't have missed this experience for the world.  I just honestly couldn't believe how these things have progressed over the years....The baby was soo much bigger than we all thought it might be at only 13 and half weeks.  It was sooo active and moved around soo much.  You could VERY plainly see the arms and legs and fingers and head complete with eyes and a nose.  AND....

very definite MALE parts!!!  Yes, it is a boy!! 

I thought Mel was going to jump right off the table when she saw this.  Suddenly all she wanted to do was RUN home to tell Mike, (might not have even needed a plane!) haha.  He will just be soo excited.  She wanted to give him a son soo badly.   He of course said he really didn't care on this first baby, but we ALL knew how much he wanted a son.  On a dairy farm sons often work along side their daddys from the time they are able to toddle around.   Mike sure has that is for sure.  Hope this little guy ends up sharing his daddy's love of this way of life  We were all in tears of joy and excitement.  They gave us all a couple of pics (soo much harder to see things clear on these little pictures versus the big screen on the wall) and we left.  We all went out to lunch and celebrated our joy.  After lunch Mel and I headed out to do a little shopping.  She plans on giving Mike a book by James Dobson titled, "How to raise sons", as her way of telling him the news.   If all goes according to her plan she will give him the book in a gift to open when he picks her up at the airport tomorrow.  She plans on videotaping (on her little camera) his reaction so that we ALL can see his face at the news.  She just couldn't bear to tell him over the phone as she wants soo badly to SEE his reaction.  I don't blame her.  If it turns out well she will put it on facebook tomorrow as their formal announcement.  Sooo fun.  I bought the new little guy a darling little outfit with a cow (of course) on it.  I also got some of those little socks that look like little boy sneakers....sooo cute!  What a FUN day this has been.  Mel is really pretty tired, but she has done pretty well.  Only a couple of queasy periods the whole time (and  no more vomiting since we picked her up that first night ~ though she is DREADING the flight home) She has had a couple of spells where she felt soo light headed and actually saw lights like she might faint, but has remained on her feet.  It made me kind of nervous to tell you the truth.  I have a couple of pics of her so called baby bump though trust me you have to REALLY look to see it, haha.  You can tell better with her bare tummy but she wasn't comfortable with doing that so guess this is as good as it gets.  How happy and blessed I am.  I know I will add "sad that she is gone again" to my emotions tomorrow, but that's OK.  I will post this as soon as she gives me the OK.  Thank you Lord for this most special and precious of gifts!!

Can't really tell from the front at all...

This might be kind of the way she is standing, haha

Because as you can see this one doesn't really show much of anything....but he is there, haha  I saw him!

How darling is this?  On one of the sleeves it says "here a moo" and the other sleeve says, "there a moo" and around the neck it says, "Everywhere a moo moo"

And there is the little tail....soo cute!!

I love these little shoe socks....

And they came in this little box in all these colors!!  Perfect!

By the way Kristi and Genn, there is a Destination Maternity right by us here in downtown Brea which is where we got her maternity clothes on Sat.  Such a fun place.  Really cute things and they were having a sale so we got some good prices too. 

It's Tues. afternoon now and Melody just called me from the airport and told me I could FINALLY tell!!  I've made a couple of calls and so I am posting this now.  Poor Mel got sick in a little barf bag on the flight home just as they were landing.  She did immediately tell everyone not to worry, she wasn't contagious, just pregnant.  She said everyone was very sympathetic, but she was sooo embarassed.  A male flight attendant had to come by and collect the bag when she was done.   He told her, "Don't worry about a thing.  My wife is pregnant with number 6, and I've got this part down well."  haha  She said she doesn't think she will ever fly again until morning sickness is COMPLETELY over with.  I guess Mike was thrilled and she did manage to video his reaction which she said she will post on facebook when she gets home if she isn't too sick...Poor Mel.

WEEK-END FUN

I have a few minutes between activities so I decided to write another quick post. We have moved quickly from thing to thing, but we are having such a good time. Friday morning I popped over to Jenny Craig for a quick weigh in (I have now lost a total of 23 pounds, but that's another post haha) and when I got back we found my son James and his family at the house. We visited and chatted and enjoyed the day away. My parents joined us for a couple of hours in the afternoon as well. Then we all headed out to this wonderful Italian restaurant that we discovered shortly after we moved here (and BEFORE I was doing Jenny) to celebrate James's 31st birthday. Our other son John joined us for dinner. I had NO idea what I was going to eat when I spied a veggie sandwich on the menu. I ordered that and it was REALLY good. I won't lie though, the rest of the group had pizza, spaghetti, and wonderful looking bread and it was definitely not easy to pass up. But the weight loss is slow enough as it is and I decided it wasn't worth it to go wild...sigh....We came back to the house and the boys and Mel competed on the Wii. We finished off the evening watching the movie Tangled which Mel had never seen, and the grandkids love. This morning we all slept in a little bit and then got dressed and Mel & I headed out to do a little shopping. We went to this little maternity specialty shop by us and had such a good time. They had some REALLY cute things and I wanted to buy her something to wear. She doesn't really NEED maternity clothes yet but I don't think it will be very long. They have little pillows in the dressing rooms that you can strap on so that you can get idea of how something will look when you get bigger. It was soo cute to see her with a tummy. We got her a cute little pair of jeans, some tank tops, and a white pair of Capri pants and all for a very reasonable price. How I wish they had these type of maternity pants when I was sporting them. How much cuter they are today, and stylish I guess. After our shopping we got some lunch and then went and saw the new movie Soul Surfer. It was sooo good. I HIGHLY recommend it. It did have both Mel & I in tears through a lot of it though, just so you know; so very inspirational. It just made you think of how we all need to decide what is really important in this life, and what just isn't. What we can accomplish in this life through the strength of God. They He really does have a purpose for us all. And that He can and DOES use all of the trials in our life to mold us into something that can truly be used for Him. It made the verse in Romans seem so clear...

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

And in the movie they used the following scriptures as well

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It was so refreshing to see a film that actually used scripture and put a positive light on Christianity. Carrie Underwood was cute in it and I LOVE her, but I think it is a good thing she makes her living singing not acting, haha.

Mel is getting ready to go and spend the evening with her very best friends from high school. One of the girls has been through soo much in the last year it is just incredible. She had her baby last Nov. when she wasn't even due until the middle of Jan. The baby was just released from the hospital 4 weeks ago. She has endured surgeries, 2 bouts of pneumonia, numerous tests and procedures and is still hooked up to a couple of machines at home but it looks like she is FINALLY going to be alright in another 5 months or so hopefully. She really is a miracle. There are 6 of them altogether. Two of the girls have moved further up north but are driving down tonight so they can all be together. I am glad they are all going to be able to see each other. Jeff & I are going to go and play cards with my parents and even though the couch is calling to me right now, haha. I am really kind of tired.

I want to thank all of you who took the time to comment on my last post. I ended up feeling soo bad and wishing I had said nothing at all. All of you bless me so much with your comments and emails and friendships, and that is where my head is going to be focused from now on. Not with those who have chosen not to for one reason or another. Can't tell you how God has used you all in my life. Hope you are all having a wonderful week-end. I am know I am!

AN UPDATE AND A QUESTION

I have a few minutes so I thought I would write just a quick post. Mel arrived last night around 5:30 looking mighty pale…I felt soo bad for her as I guess the flight from Vegas (they ALWAYS have a layover in Vegas) was REALLY bumpy and she was feeling sooo queasy by the time the plane landed she had to get up and rush to the restroom. The flight attendant was concerned, but Mel assured her she was OK, just pregnant. We picked her up out front and she quickly got into the car as my hubby got her suitcase into the trunk. We hadn’t left the airport for 5 minutes when she told her daddy to pull over quickly. We did manage to pull over before she got sick, but just barely. POOR Mel…though I felt bad for the people whose house we were in front of too…But what are you going to do? Haha…After that, she was feeling much better and we headed out to eat believe it or not. That’s what nice sometimes about morning sickness, it’s gone as quickly as it comes. After dinner we headed home to watch American Idol. We enjoyed watching the show with her. Today we headed down to Newport Beach to have lunch with Jessie before getting her done. She had not had it done since September, so she was in pretty bad shape, haha…Jessie got her the cutest little maternity outfit (not that she is even close to needing it yet) and a book about mom’s. Soo sweet and just soo Jessie. Her hair looking beautiful again, feeling wonderful, she has headed out tonight to have dinner with another close friend of hers. I am just enjoying being with her. The average person would NEVER know she is pregnant, but this mama can tell. A teeny, tiny baby bump is definitely there. She has only gained a pound, but I am sure that is all about to change as she heads into her second trimester. I will definitely get a pic of her bump before she goes I am sure.


I am not sure if I should write about this…in fact, I am pretty sure I shouldn’t. But it has really kind of been heavy on my heart. And it is such a silly thing in soo many ways. But let me just ask some of you. How much do you consider some of the women you have met in the blogging world to be your friends?? I guess for me I really have without realizing that I had. And the truth of the matter is I have found myself “attached” in ways. Do you know what I mean? I have followed along on the lives of soo many women, as I am sure many of you have done as well. I can’t tell you how much they have blessed me. The encouragement I have felt, the things I have learned from the wisdom of you several of you, the humor, the simple joys of life shared with “kindred spirits”… just attached. I find myself when I am on here quickly scanning the side of my blog to see if any of the regulars I read have posted something new. If they have I am on it in a flash just so I don’t miss a thing. I think I comment pretty much wherever I read not because I feel it is necessary by any means, but because I guess I just always have something to say, haha. And let’s face it, it can be done pretty quickly, usually anyway. I do e-mail quite a bit with some of you as well. My point in all of this is when someone that I have been reading and exchanging comments with for MONTHS suddenly stops; it REALLY makes me wonder why. Now don’t get me wrong. I know people get busy, computer time is limited for many, and NO ONE should ever feel like they have to read, comment, or even blog at all. I too sometimes get busy (though I probably have more time than most) and don’t get around like I’d like. That’s not what I am talking about. And I am not talking about someone who is taking a break from blogging or computer time in general. I am talking about someone who has commented on everything you have posted for months and months and suddenly just stops. They are still commenting on several of the other blogs we all read, (so you KNOW that are still blogging) and yet they have stopped commenting me. It bothers me. It is like I have lost a friend and I am not sure why. There are MANY blogs where I comment on everything they post and I just get a very occasional comment from them. I am not talking about them either. I read and comment where my interest takes me as we all do I am sure, and that is totally fine of course. I am talking about someone who was one of your VERY REGULAR readers, commenter’s, and friends (in my opinion) who just suddenly and unexplainably has dropped you. I have found that it has happened a few times to me now. Maybe I am alone in this. Maybe the rest of you have never lost anyone. Am I the only one who is bothered by this? I want to ask them in the worst way if I have said something in one of my posts that has hurt them, or angered them, or bothered them in some way, because I just couldn’t bear it if I have. Maybe it is nothing more than what I write no longer interests them and there is only so much time to blog and I am out, haha…Maybe my posts are too long and drawn out…my kids have all at what point or another told me they were. I have also asked myself what real difference it makes, as I do not write this blog to get comments. I honestly don’t. I write because I love to write, and because I want it to be a journal of my life in a sense for my kids and grandkids. It bothers me I guess because like I said I feel like I have lost some wonderful people along the way without really knowing why and wondering if I am doing something. OK, there it is….pretty silly I know. I have been praying about what the Lord might have me do with this whole thing recently. I have considered maybe just writing a private blog just for my kids and grandkids and not being involved in the blogging world except to read other’s posts. I have even considered just getting out of it altogether. And then I go back to maybe I should go continue on and not worry about who reads, who comments, who stops, who doesn’t, or WHY…But that’s what brings me back to the question…Are your blog friends real to you?? And if they are, as they are and have been to me, then how can this not bother me?? Just wondering

WEEK-END HAPPENINGS AND SWEET ANTICIPATION

We had SUCH a busy week-end. I am not going to lie; I am feeling it for sure this morning. Tired, but in a good way.

Joe's move went SLOW but well. I had intended to bring my camera but ran out of here in a hurry and forgot it. Their new house can only be explained in one word....GORGEOUS.....Not just the fact that it is roomy, clean, and well laid out with beautiful hard wood floors, a HUGE kitchen complete with a big center island, and two fireplaces, but the view is just spectacular. I could have sat in their new backyard for hours and not grown weary of the things to see, and the weather was just perfect too. Joe lives in the foothills of San Antonio Heights so they are completely surrounded by lush green foothills and trees and flower galore. Sooo pretty. The patio is all done in brick complete with a HUGE built in barbeque. The owners will provide all the gardening services which was I glad to hear, as this would be quite the place to keep up on. I am thinking this might be the new "Class Family" gathering spot, haha. The kids were quite excited and I  enjoyed interacting with them all day. Anabelle was there and is definitely feeling much better since her surgery, but Grandma thought she still looked a little pale. Evan has a cast up to his arm pit, so he is struggling a bit too, but was doing well. Jeffie and Cody both ran around not sure what to play with first. I think for Cody it was definitely the stairs, haha. Good thing he is such a little monkey and went up and down quite well. Leah and I arranged and rearranged the family room furniture trying to get the best "feel" we could. Actually she did the moving, I just directed! We got it looking REALLY good and then moved on to the bedrooms. I am afraid there is still A LOT of work to be done, but at least all the heavy furniture got moved. My other son's John and James and my hubby got quite the workout, but they do soo enjoy getting together. They all seem to enjoy the same sense of humor which does make things more fun. It was all in all a good day. Yesterday we headed down to San Diego EARLY (soo hard getting up, lol) and got to hear James give the message in the church down there that STILL does not have everything completely settled. Sooo much more involved with all of that then I would have ever known. I guess there is a slim chance that maybe it will not end going the way we hope, but either way I am not too concerned. They have put it all in the Lord's hands where it belongs and are trusting Him for the details. Last Tues James had to do a funeral service for a 17 year old boy. I felt sooo bad for his poor parents. This boy was a high school senior who was a great student and a superior athlete. He was in the middle of a swim meet when his heart simply stopped. No explainable reason...just stopped beating. The bottom line is you just never know. None of us is promised anything, and eventually we will all draw our last breaths here on this earth. Our lives truly are nothing more than a vapor. It is just soo hard to see such a young man with his whole life still ahead of him, gone soo quickly. He did know the Lord however, so there was a rejoicing that he is even now in heaven with Him. Anyway, back to yesterday morning. The service and message were wonderful, and ministered to me soo much as always. After church we went to lunch and then back to James's house to enjoy the grandkids for a while. We all ended up hitting the mall after that as I was wanting my son to pick out a couple of new shirts for his birthday which is Thursday. 31 years old! I can hardly believe it. He ended up only finding one, so guess we will still have some shopping to do. I also got the girls some new shoes and we found a shirt for JD for Easter. She found the girls just the cutest dresses at Costco in a pretty shade of purple and wanted to find something that kind of matched their dresses for JD to wear. We got a shirt with a plaid mint green and purple (believe it or not) color that is going to work just perfectly. By the time we finished our shopping it was time to head back to church, but Jeff was starting to really feel his activity from the day before, and my knees were hurting REALLY badly too from all the shopping, so we decided to head home. It was just a good week-end full of family and good times. I laid in bed last time praying and thanking God for ALL He has chosen to bless me with.

I got my cleaning crew (HOW I lOVE them!) to come early today and give all of my windows a good cleaning. They are just sparkling....definitely the cleanest they have been since I moved here. I am really hoping that the rain is over as I wouldn't want this to be messed up, but I just couldn't resist getting them freshly done before Mel comes; two more days and DEFINITELY counting. I am soo excited to see her. She went to the docs this morning and all is well. The doc told her he will treat her second trimester (which is just starting) just like a "normal" pregnancy, as he doesn't anticipate any surprises. Come the third trimester things will have to be closely monitored, but for now we have got 3 months stretching out in front of us that look to be problem free. YAY!! I want to tell you about Melody's friend Nicole who is married to Mike's cousin. They are all the same age, and were in the same class in school. Soo now they are not only GOOD friends, they are family. They also moved out in that area right after they married. They are about 2 hours away from Mike & Mel which makes them close enough to get together often. Especially the girls as they meet in the middle to shop and do lunch, haha. Anyway, they just had their first child, a boy last Wed. evening. He only weighed 5 pounds, and looks soo tiny. The docs are afraid that he might have Cystic Fibrosis. The test they have done takes a week to get the results. He has to remain in the hospital and Nicole has been sent home. Needless to say that is all quite scary and overwhelming for this young couple, and I would appreciate any prayers you might have time for them all. I am remaining optimistic that this is not the case at all, but I guess time will tell.

This will also be a busy week as we have every moment planned from when she arrives on Wed., until she leaves next Tues. It is also my grandson Jeffie's 7th birthday on Wed., and my son James's on Thursday. Soo lots of celebrating to do as well. We should be finding out the sex of the baby next Monday which I can hardly wait for. Her doc has no objections to her getting the ultra sound done, but told her not to count on it being completely accurate on the determining of the sex as it IS early. I don't care if we don't learn rather or not it is to be a boy or a girl, I am just excited to SEE the baby for myself. And for 25 bucks I am thinking the money will be very well spent!

I will be busy these next couple of days doing the things I want and have to get done before my girl comes. I am sure I will visit all of you in the early morning as always before my days really get going. I am praying that I not only stay well for her whole visit (seems like soo many are sick), but that my knees don't slow us down....ENJOY this wonderful Spring weather....I know I am.

Our grass did go in on Sat. morning while we were gone.  Here are a couple of pics of it all even though they don't really do it justice, plus having not seen the "before" it is hard for you to know the improvement, but I am quite happy with it all...

 As you can see it is just a VERY small little planter type area in the front...such a small patch of a land really.  But for us, after the HUGE lawns we've had in the past, it is perfect.  The back little area is FULL of Impatience which hasn't filled in yet of course, but should be really pretty when it does.   The house faces North, so it never gets a whole lot of sun... : )

A closer look at the Pigmy Palms

New potted plants on the porch

A closer look at the Azaleas...

New Easter egg runner and two little bunnies

A closer look at the bunny..soo sweet

A new place for my old bunny

Love this

More bunnies...I need some new candles for these...on my list for tomorrow