TUESDAY'S TIDBITS

Good Morning!

I decided to write a quick post as George and his cleaning crew are due here any minute and I can't leave until they get here, and I can't start any sewing projects either. Hope you all had a wonderful week-end. Ours was busy and full. I did get the girls dresses made on Friday but not without a little frustration. I had forgotten how hard it is to sew for little ones who are not right there available to try things on as you go. I made almost all of Melody's clothes until she reached the age of about 9 or 10. What fun I used to have with it. I think that's why to this day if I mention the word "fabric" store, part of her cringes, haha. We spent many an hour in them for sure. But anyway she was always right there to adjust or change things as I went along. I used to make things for my nieces as well and it was hard as it does seem that rarely a pattern fits just perfectly. Well, Capri's dress seemed too little, while Tella's seemed a little big...sigh. I decided to just finish them up and take them along with us on Sunday and hope for the best as I wanted them to have them for next week. It was unfornately like I thought. Capri's was a little bit short, and Tella's was just a tad bit big. But we decided they were close enough so I did leave them for the girls. They really did turn out pretty cute, but I forgot to take pictures of them. Sooo, hopefully the weather will permit them to wear them next Sunday and I can get some pics of them wearing them.

Sunday was a special day. One of those moments in time you want to remember and linger on for a moment or two. We went down to San Diego so that we could be part of the special prayer and dedication that went on for my son James and his wife as they begin the new ministry at Calvary Chapel Hidden Valley. The old Pastor gave his final farewell and then called James & Larissa up so that he and the assistant Pastor and the elders could lay hands on them and pray. It was an emotional moment which I wasn't really really prepared for. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was tangible, and the worship service quite moving. I am looking forward to what the Lord has in mind for this church. The Lord has been soo faithful and loving through this whole process. I think back to the day (and I remember it like it was yesterday) when Jimmy was about 6 weeks old. His beginning had been a little rough as he was almost 3 weeks early (though he still weighed 10 pounds!) and was jaundice. We took him home from the hospital but then had to take him back to Choc where he was 4 days to go under the lights. While he was in children's hospital he got pneumonia. It was a scary time to have a newborn baby with pneumonia. I had a first grader at that time and had all the work of getting him back and forth to school, homework etc., and also a VERY busy 3 year old. I had my hands VERY full, and I was a mere 25 years old myself. But we had come through all of this and I was sitting there one afternoon just rocking and enjoying my new baby. I began to pray for him and for his future. I told the Lord that day that I was giving this baby to Him for His use; to hopefully go into the ministry someday so that the use might be full time. Little did I know at that time how God would honor that young mother's prayer. And believe me, for many years it did seem like it was LONG forgotten. But I know that the Lord has heard this prayer now, and I truly am excited to see what happens next. I took a few pics of the day

This chuch is about 5 minutes from their home, an added blessing!

They have a wonderful worship team including a man who ""signs" all of the songs for the hearing impaired!

The worship time is REALLY good, and the people really get into it..

This picture came out a little dark, but you get the idea

We went over to their house for a while to visit and enjoy the grandkids before we left.  On our way home we stopped at our oldest son's house so we could visit for a while with them and see that set of grandkids.  It was a good time too.  We didn't get home until late, so it was a LONG day, but one we will remember for a while.  Next week Jim will begin the ministry there (though he has already been very busy with it all) officially.  I covet your prayers that the Lord might bless them as they begin this journey, and protect them for attacks from the enemy that I am certain will come.

Yesterday Jeff & I spent the whole day at home.  Something that we rarely seem to do on the week-ends.  We tried to catch up on all the little projects and things that need to be done around here that there never seems to be enough time for.  We did pretty good, though we took more "breaks" than we probably should have, haha.  This week I will begin all the sewing for the nursery for Mel & Mike.  I am very excited to get started.  The fabric arrived late Friday afternoon.  I will have to be diligent to stick to my schedule so that I can get it all done before the shower.  Here a couple pics of the fabric.   (have I mentioned that I LOVE fabric, lol, I have such a weakness for it).

I love how all the colors blend!

These pieces will be used for the sheets..

And these for the bedskirt, and bumper pads...the brown with dots will make the ties on the bumper pads. The plaid will be for the bed skirt, and the other two for the pads themselves.   

And finally I just had to show you Mel's latest "baby bump" pic.  I can't believe how fast she is growing.  She is a little over 20 weeks in these so half way there.  Mike felt the baby kick for the first time yesterday, and it was a toss up who was more excited, Mike or Mel.

Well, the crew has come and gone.  The house smells wonderful, but it is time to get busy!  Hope you all have a wonderful week!

SEWING PROJECTS

WOW! I can't believe we are already to Friday!  And Memorial Day week-end as well.  I know I say it all the time, BUT time really does race by.  I have been really busy this week as I have made myself up a schedule to "TRY" and keep in order to have all my sewing done by the 9th of July, and I am going to be one busy gal.  I haven't done this much sewing in A LONG TIME, and the old body ain't what it used to be, haha.  Actually, it is going really well, and I am sooo enjoying it.  I think I figured out a LONG time ago that I am somewhat of a compulsive person ("ya think?" say my kids..  haha) and I do tend to get carried away.  And when I am in the mood to sew, I run with it, because it doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to.  I have finished 7 nightgowns with matching receiving blankets and I am forcing myself to quit.  How many nighties can a little guy use after all?  haha  But I just keep finding darling fabric that I can't resist.  I am sure the answer to that???  QUIT looking!!  This particuliar nightgown has somewhat of a history in our family.  It is the pattern  (though you couldn't even really call it a pattern) that my GREAT grandmother used to make nightgowns for her children, and then my grandmother made them for her children, and then my Aunt Carolyn made for her children, my mom's kids and ALL of my children as well.  After my Aunt Carolyn passed away we thought it might be the end of the nightgowns as no one could seem to find the "pattern".  But!  a few months ago my mom discovered the pattern, so the nightie is back in business.  Now my Aunt when she made these crocheted all the edges of the nightie's and the blanket with BEAUTIFUL lacy edgings, but since I don't know how to crochet, mine will be a little different.  My sister Diane does beautiful work however, so she can keep the crocheting alive.  For some reason I LOVE the idea of these nighties now being used by my daughter's children.  Here are some pics of the finished sets.

They look like little shirts, but they are a wonderful size for a newborn, and up to a 3 or 4 month old baby.  They swim on them at first of course, but they are cuddly, warm, and cozy.  I personally love a nightgown on little babies as you spend soo much of your time changing them, and this makes it quick and easy.  A little undershirt, some booties, and you are all set.

I think this one is my favorite.  There was no pattern peice for the neck so I just used bias tape, but I didn't think of adding the piping uptil I was almost finished making them all so only the last two got it.  Too bad because I think it finished them off nicely, plus it boys them up a little as well I think. 

This guy is a little plain, but I think it looks soft and sweet.

I LOVED this John Deere fabric

.  Sooo cute.  Had to have one with cows now didn't I?

Love the polka dots, but hope this isn't a tad "girly"??

I LOVE this....there is a fabric that says I love Grandma and it is taking everything in me not to go get it!

More John Deere....there is A LOT of really cute John Deere fabric

I LOVE this one too....it might be my very favorite I can't make up my mind, haha

There is a really pretty blue fabric with tiny little trains all over it that I want REALLY badly too, but I am going to resist for now.  I need to make Capri & Donatella their sundresses today so that I will be ready to start all the babies bedding next week.  There were NO instructions to make this nighgown, and no markings for the button holes etc., which was a little tricky for this by the instructions kind of gal, but I am pleased how they turned out.  I did want to thank God, and all of you for your prayers for this new little life.  Melody has reached the half way mark as she is 20 weeks already.  She saw her doc yesterday and had the big ultra sound where they measure and check everything.  I am happy to report that all is good.  He is doing just great, and the doc is still saying he really doesn't anticipate any problems.  Once she reaches 24 weeks (which is around the corner now) he will begin watching her much closer as this is when some issues could develop.  Your continued prayers are sooo appreciated.  Melody & Mike watched yesterday as their little baby yawned, and swam around soo sweetly.  How wonderful is it that they have this way of checking and seeing things now.  She got some 3-D pictures of the little guy which this grandma is hoping she figures out some way of posting as she does not have a scanner.  I soo want to see them!

This week-end will be busy.  We have a graduation party on Sat., and a couple of other small things to do as well, so I imagine this time off will fly by.  My husband has had a long, busy week himself, and I know he is looking forward to just kicking back. 

I do want to take this time as well to thank all of our men and women who soo selflessly serve this wonderful country.  We can NEVER thank you enough for all you have done and are doing that enable all of us to live enjoying the freedoms that we do.  I pray that the Lord blessed the United States, and all of you as well!.

Hope you have a wonderful, and safe week-end!

Just couldn't resist showing you this darling little pic of these grandkids enjoying a butterfly exibit at the Wild

Animal park in San Diego with their parents.  Apparently they provide the kids with butterfly costumes to wear while they are seeing the butterflys.  Soo fun!

FRIDAY MUSINGS

Simple Woman's Daybook Entry


Outside my window...Is a beautiful spring day. Gentle breeze, blue sky with a few puffy white clouds, birds chirping. I am soo enjoying this right now as we have had some gloomy, raining days this week.

I am thinking....about all the sewing projects I am working on. I just finished another set of a receiving blanket and nightie. Yesterday, I found a fabric store that carried the bumper pad inserts I was looking for and 40% off as well! But I found ANOTHER piece of flannel fabric I couldn’t resist as well, so looks like little Sam will have yet another receiving blanket and nightie, haha…Soo cute. I will show pics soon I promise.

I am thankful for….soo many things. I am thankful Mel came for a couple of days, though I am missing her right now. I am thankful I didn’t gain a single pound with my road trip last week-end…I tried REALLY hard, lol. I am thankful for my husband who is truly my best friend and spoils me rotten. ; )

From the kitchen....not much going on out there but the whir of the dish washer

I am wearing….. old jeans (that are getting kind of baggy!) and a purple knit top.

I am creating....lots of baby items….see above. : )

I am going....to my parents tonight for our weekly card game. We are still behind a game mom!

I am reading….not much other than my Bible recently. I need something new. Plus I have been spending a lot of time reading up on different ideas and ways of making baby nursery items online.

I am hoping.....to have a relaxing week-end. Seems like we have been soo busy recently.

I am hearing...the whir of the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. Oh, and the birds singing outside my window. I wish I knew the kinds of birds around here, or really any for that matter. I also have some elevator music (as my kids call it, haha) playing in the background. And now, I am hearing a lawn mower from a nearby neighbor. I love that sound!

Around the house....nothing going on out of the ordinary for a Friday.

One of my favorite things….is time spent with grandkids…I am needing a visit with some this week-end.

A few plans for the rest of the week....just a quiet weekend at home.

Here are some pictures for thought....Are they the cutest things you ever saw or what???

JD & Donatella...love them so!

Hope you all have a wonderful week-end! 

THE WEDDING

Well, I can't believe it is already Wed.!!  What a busy last 5 days it has been.  I have tried to get around and visit some, but I have not done as well as I hoped.  I am coming soon I promise!  Melody is sleeping in a little this morning, so I am trying to get this done before she gets up.  I will catch you up (quickly I hope) on the happenings over here....

Sat. morning my parents arrived at our house at around 7 AM and we loaded our car quickly and headed off to Phoenix Arizona (actually it was Gilbert as my husband kept pointing out, haha, which is about 50 miles further east) to attend the wedding of my nephew Danny who is 15 months older than Melody.   I haven't seen my brother or his family in over a year and a half, and we were all really looking forward to it.  The drive went MUCH quicker than I thought and less than 6 hours later we were walking into a brand new REALLY nice hotel.  We rested a bit, caught up with Mike and Mel who had come in the day before (they had soo much further to drive) and we got ourselves ready and headed over to the wedding.  What a lovely wedding it was in every way.  The ceremony was great and everyone looked soo good.  Here are a few pics of the event.  How I wished I had that new camera I've been wanting as mine does NOT do justice to how pretty some of these things were....

My mom & I & Jeff

Aren't they cute?

My nephew Danny....is he handsome or what???  Though you can't see his pretty blue eyes with his glasses on...BUT it was REALLY sunny!  lol

Such a handsome couple

Her dress was just GORGEOUS and her mother made the whole thing!

Mike & Mel ~ cute pic

Dancing

My brother David & Jeff worked together for years and sooo enjoy each others company. 

Mel came back with us from the wedding to spend just a couple of days.  On Monday Mel & I drove down to San Diego so that Larissa could help Melody register for her baby shower which will be in July.  She was sooo much help that we just couldn't thank her enough.  In fact, I really was just along for the fun of it as I am no longer up on all the "gear" a baby needs, haha.  There are soo many wonderful things now that sure would have been nice to have when I was the young mom.   We had a wonderful dinner that Larissa had prepared before we ever left for the store, and visited for a while and got back home around 9.  Yesterday Mel & I hit a couple of fabric stores and made some decisions on the bedding for the baby's room.   I think we have settled on the fabric that matches the quilt that wonderful Noreen from Life's Blessings is making for me.  I am soo excited about it all, but I don't think it matches Mel's excitement.  Soo fun.  I am anxious to get the fabric ordered so I can get busy on it all.  I am going to make the bumper pads, the crib sheets, the bed skirt, the valance for the window, a pillow for the rocker and some liners for the wicker baskets.  I am also going to make 4 little stuff animals out of the fabric as well.  Think I am going to get this all done by the 9th of July?  I best get busy is what I am thinking.   I have finished 2 sets of nighties with matching receiving blankets, and have cut the next set out.  I have fabric for one more set as well.  I am already behind my planned schedule as I was wanted to have this done before the wedding.  Oh well, they really go pretty quick.  Mel has seen them since she was here and I didn't want to put it all up,  (not many places to do that here, haha) so I will post pics as I get each item done.  Nothing is stressing me too much but the bumper pads as I have a few options on how to go.  If any of you have any suggestions about this, I would LOVE to have them.   Mel is up now and in the shower so we have the rest of the morning to enjoy together.  She has to be at the airport by 2.   : (  Hope you all are having a wonderful week.  I will visit some more this afternoon after I get back from the airport. 

HAPPY WEEK-END!

There is DEFINITELY something wrong with blogger, haha...Hope they get it fixed soon.  This is my last effort to get this on.  It is posting some of my stuff, but leaving the rest off.  Anyway, here is a pic (I hope) of Melody's most recent "baby bump" pic.  She is 18 weeks and I cannot believe how big she has gotten in just the 5 short weeks since I have seen her.  I am soo glad that we can get pics like we do over the internet now so that I can see these pics of my girl even though she is soo far away.  Hope you all have a wonderful week-end!

I wanted to share this video of Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill singing How Great Thou Art.....It is sooo beautiful.  I hope you have the time to listen.  It is well worth it.  I LOVE Carrie and Vince.  Two of my favorite singers.  I love that they performed this at the CMA's at a totally secular surrounding and had it soo well received.  Notice that the audience is on it's feet clapping before she is even done.  And Carrie could hardly contain herself as she was soo into worshipping our Lord!

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

These posts are really quick and fun to do.  Join the others that are joining in by clicking on the pic above...ENJOY




1. How many times in your life have you moved house?

Well, I am going to take this to mean since I’ve been married or on my own, since I had little to nothing to do with the moves I made as a child. So….let’s see, in the last 36 years I have moved 8 times. And most of those were in the first ten.

2. What subject would you study if you had a year to devote to it?

Oh definitely the Bible. If it wouldn’t be weird, I could afford it, and I thought I had a prayer of keeping up, I would DEFINITELY love to go to the Calvary Chapel Bible College and take every different course there I could until the year was up. I feel like I have been studying the Word for years and years and yet still have only scratched the surface of what is there for us.



3. What in this world breaks your heart?

Unfornately, there are a few. But I think right near the top of the list is watching young children and/or babies suffering with some horrible disease.   But definitely another one for sure would be when people just don't get the importance of knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  I just couldn't get along without Him.  Life is just too hard sometimes.  And He is the one thing we can ALWAYS count on.



4. What is one item that symbolizes the times in which we live? Why?

Oh definitely the cell phone; with internet access, texting, Facebook, and non-stop communication possibilities. Now don’t get me wrong, some of it is wonderful and has its definite place, but most of it shows an impatient society that can no longer wait until someone is actually REALLY available. It makes it possible to carry on several conversations at the same time, and “to me” at times takes from the “one on one” you might be having.


I know I have shared this story recently somewhere and I am hoping it was not here on my blog, BUT….my hubby and I were recently sitting outside of our local frozen yogurt restaurant enjoying our treats and each other and doing one of my favorite pastimes as well….people watching. This was later in the evening and there was also a Starbucks right next door and a little Japanese restaurant as well, so there were LOTS of young people hanging around and sitting outside on chairs etc. I noticed and then pointed out to my hubby how EVERY one of those young people were not only holding, but full on using their cell phones as they were talking to those with them. Two couples were actually hugging each other ALL 4 of them with their cell phones IN their hands at the same time. It just seems not only rude, but somewhat ridiculous. My husband and I got a good laugh. There is something to be said for the good old busy single, or waiting for someone to get home. In an emergency you are never going to find a better invention, but as a general rule, don’t think so.

I will get off my soap box now!  lol

5. Share a favorite bumper sticker or t-shirt slogan.

Some of my fav’s might be:


Happiness is being a grandparent!
My grandkids are cuter than yours!
Christians are NOT perfect, just forgiven!

6. How do you like your spaghetti?

I think it would be easier to describe how I don’t like it, as I love it almost anyway at all. I think my favorite might be really soft, unsticky, and covered in a delicious meat sauce with real Parmesan Cheese smothering it. I love bbq’d Italian sausage to the side as well. YUM

7. What is one piece of advice you would give a recent, or soon to be recent, graduate?

Remember to ALWAYS keep the Lord close and in all of your future decisions!  When in doubt, SAVE your money.  Work your job with all of your heart, but don't work your life away.  Guess that is more than 1 piece huh?

8. Insert your own random thought here

Looking forward to my nephews wedding this week-end. I am taping and gluing this old gal up so I look presentable. Got my nails done (toes too) yesterday and got myself a new pretty top to wear! YAY…Getting my hair done tomorrow (these gray roots are soo fast growing!) And I am really praying that this kind of scratchy throat doesn’t turn into a full blown cold before we ever leave! I have had my thoughts quite a bit this week on where I was just one short year ago at this time.  I was awaiting the biopsy which would begin the journey of my breast cancer, and had just purchased our new home.  How far the Lord has brought us, and how VERY GRATEFUL I am for His mercies and His touch upon our lives!  Hope you all have a wonderful week!

MOTHER'S DAY BLESSINGS

Good Morning! I hope you all had as nice of a week-end as I did! It certainly was packed with activity, and I was sooo sleepy when I hit my bed last night, but I was NOT too sleepy to thank God for all of my blessings.


It all started on Friday afternoon when Melody & Mike’s GORGEOUS bouquet of spring flowers were delivered. They were sooo pretty, and are making the whole living room area RICH with their sweet aroma! And then on Friday night we headed over to my mom’s with another huge bouquet of some of her favorite flowers and took her and my step dad out for a WONDERFUL dinner at our favorite fish restaurant. We came back to their house then and played a COMPETIVE game of cards called Hand & Foot. As most of you know, we play with them pretty much every Friday night mostly because we all enjoy it so much, but also because the doc told us that such a game is wonderful therapy for my mom as there is MUCH to keep track of and remember. Despite our best efforts the guys beat us, (we were sooo close mom) and we are AGAIN two games down. I think they should have let the MOMS win, don’t you?

On Sat. Jeff & I sat around all morning having coffee and catching up all our stories, and then headed out to lunch and to run several errands. After we were through with that we went over to my oldest son’s house, where my middle son and his finance met us as well, and had a WONDERFUL dinner and evening. The girls combined their efforts to make dinner, and it was sooo yummy. I appreciated so much the effort that they put into it to make sure it was a “diet friendly” one for me. Joe’s new house is soo pretty and the views around it are soo gorgeous, that quite a bit of the time was spent sitting in the beautiful backyard drinking it all in and visiting. We did play several games of ping pong as well. And this Grandma had her game on, haha. I actually beat a few of them….or maybe they were letting me…lol….but either way we had SUCH a good time with it. We got home kind of late, but it was really a fun time.

Sunday morning we got up REALLY early and headed down to San Diego to go to church and spend the day with my youngest son and his family. It was a VERY special day in more ways than one as my son was FINALLY announced yesterday during the service that he is to be their new senior pastor. What a long, complicated journey this has been, but I am soo grateful that there were soo many confirmations that he is indeed the Lord’s will for this church, and that It is FINALLY a reality. He will begin teaching there next week, and will be the official pastor on June first when their old pastor leaves for France where he has been called by God to begin his new ministry. It was one of the moments in time for sure that you know you will ALWAYS remember, and fills a mother’s heart with pride and joy. I think it was extra special that the Lord worked it out that it happened on Mother’s Day don’t you? After service we all went out to lunch at another really good fish restaurant, and then spent the rest of the day enjoying each other.

The Lord has blessed me so much through my children that my cup truly runneth over! This will be a busy week for me as I have much to do to get ready for a small trip we are making to Arizona next week-end for my nephews wedding. My mom and dad are driving out with us and I am soo glad that they are able to make the trip. John & his finance are coming as well, AND Mike & Melody are coming too! Melody will drive home with us for just a couple of days, and then fly home from here. She wants to get registered for her baby shower that will be in July and needs some help. Can’t believe we are already preparing for all of that. Hope you all have a WONDERFUL week. I will get around visiting every morning at least for a while I am very sure. ; )

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother's womb

I praise you because I am fearfully

and wonderfully made; your works are

wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the

depths of the earth, your eyes saw my

unformed body.

All the days ordained for me

were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

How precious to me are your

thoughts, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

Psalm 139:13-17

I could go back over the course of my life and tell soo many memories of my mother that it would fill a book. And like most daughters I am sure, MOST of them are good, but we have had our “hard moments” as well, haha. But as I sat dwelling this morning on what to write about today, I decided OK, I will just share the first special moment I have had with my mom that comes to my mind. So here it is…

It was the morning my first son Joe was born. For those of you who follow my blog you know that I was a young, just turned 18 year old, unmarried girl. It had been a REALLY REALLY rough 9 months needless to say, and I had been through a lot. I had spent the last 3 months of my pregnancy trying to make sure that keeping my baby was the right thing to do. My parents were careful about it being MY decision and so had said very little to influence me one way or another. I felt guilty in more ways than one. My family was a LARGE one and my parents more than had their hands full already. 6 children with the youngest only 4 meant our house was already VERY full, and bringing yet another baby into the mix just didn’t seem quite right. I agonized over the decision. It is one that most young girls should NEVER have to make. But finally, after much prayer and deliberation, I settled into my choice to raise my baby even if it meant I had to do it all by myself, for the rest of my life. How I praise God that wasn’t to be the case. But I have to say I was really worried that my mother wasn’t exactly thrilled about this decision; not that she didn’t want me to keep the baby of course, but just that she knew if anyone did how hard a job that would be for a very young girl with no husband. She didn’t say anything negative to me, it was just she didn’t say anything at all. She helped me prepare, and I determined in my mind that the work and responsibility would never fall on her shoulders. My doctor had scheduled to induce me as Joe was already a little over due, and so the night before I washed and curled my hair (back in the day when you had to wear curlers to bed to achieve such a look, haha) and shaved my legs and even painted my finger and toe nails. I jumped into bed around 11 pm and within 5 minutes labor began on its own. I will never forget the moment of panic that came over me. My mom and I left together for the hospital, and the long, hard night began. I remember my mom doing her very best to talk and keep me diverted. Making silly jokes and trying to make me laugh. Encouraging me and holding my hand when I had finally resorted to tears near the end. I can still see the look on her face which clearly said I would jump in that bed and do this for you if I could. When I was wheeled out of the delivery room with my new son in my arms both my mom and dad stood in the hall waiting for me grinning from ear to ear. My mom had tears streaming down her cheeks and her joy was apparent for all to see. She began making calls to all her family and friends rejoicing in the birth of her first grandson. My mom was an UNMEASURABLE help to me in those early days and weeks and I will never forget it. I know that Joe holds a special place in her heart, and their bond is unbelievably strong to this very day. The road of motherhood is a long, sometimes complicated journey. There are moments of joy unexplainable, and times of frustration and hardship along the way. Times spent on your knees in prayer as there is nothing else that can be done, times when your heart simply bursts with pride and times when you wonder if you will ever make it through. But one thing I know for sure, motherhood is one of life’s very best blessings.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my wonderful Mother, who has blessed me more than I could ever explain!

And HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all you mom’s out there!! May the Lord bless each and every one of you.  ENJOY this special day with your mother's and families, and for all of you who have lost your dear mom's, I pray your hearts are flooded with the memories that make your hearts glad. 

HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY

Well today is Wednesday ALREADY, and it is time for HODGEPODGE WEDNESDAY...I really enjoyed this last week, so decided to join in again.  You can join the others who have as well by clicking here.


1.  Have you ever been served breakfast in bed? Do you enjoy that? If someone were serving you breakfast in bed this coming weekend what would you hope to see on the tray?

I have had breakfast in bed MANY times, but not in the last several years. Truthfully, I’d much rather sit up in my comfy chair by the window and eat, then prop up in my bed. My hubby has indulged me with this more times than I should probably admit. Don’t think a week goes by it doesn’t happen. ; ) And let’s see, IF I could eat whatever I could for breakfast (I can dream can’t I, haha) I’d have Trader Joe’s Pumpkin pancakes with REAL butter and maple syrup, crispy bacon, and a cup of coffee with REAL cream…this probably shouldn’t happen again in my lifetime, but just sayin….

2. What is one piece of advice you would give a new mother?

Oh I could give her MANY pieces of advice, but probably at the very top of the list would be to TRULY cherish every moment…they go by soo fast. But a VERY practical one would be...don’t ALWAYS rock that baby to sleep. Start from the very beginning to lie the baby down when it’s TIME to sleep so that the baby learns from the very beginning how to soothe themselves and fall to sleep on their own.  I made that mistake with my first and at 2 years of age nighttime was still a huge fight and hassle, and a VERY long procedure.  The others? Very few problems in this area.

3. When was the last time you wanted to scream? Explain.

When I got on the scale this morning and saw such a TINY amount off after a whole week of work…ENOUGH said about that.

4. Can you hula hoop?

I am not sure….used to be able to REALLY well, haha….Probably throw something out if I tried now.

5. What is something people do in traffic that really bothers you?

Sooo many. But I think at the top of my list would be when you are on the freeway and have allowed the proper distance between you and the car in front of you to stop should you need to suddenly, and someone cuts in which of course makes you slam on your brakes and come close to running into them. And all so they can be 1 lousy car length ahead….Most frustrating!!

6. What do you do when people don't admit they're wrong?

Truthfully? Do we have to be truthful? Haha I hate this!  Sooo, I kind of nag and push and fume until they do just to shut me up probably. I don’t like this about myself I will admit, and so Jesus and I are working on it.

7. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word 'fun'?

Grandkids!!

8. Insert your own random thought here

My mind this morning is very much on the sewing that I am doing. Made a couple of nighties and matching receiving blankets yesterday for Samuel Alan who will join this family next Oct. I am also wishing that this new mommy to be could be here this week-end to celebrate mother’s day with the rest of us. I am also thinking about how grateful I am for all of my children, and for my own precious mom.

OUR WEEK-END ADVENTURES

Jeff & I had another wonderful week-end. The weather here in California is just about perfect recently and how I have enjoyed it. As I sit typing this in my chair by the window, there is a perfectly wonderful cool breeze blowing in the window, and I can smell my jasmine blooming on the porch...I LOVE it!

On Sat. we spent the morning running a few necessary errands. Joanne's Fabric store was having a big sale and had their patterns for $1.99. I am "thinking" about making the bumper pads, quilt, window valance, crib sheets and bed skirt for Mike & Melody's new baby nursery. The things she has found that she likes have SUCH ridiculous price tags, that we decided this might be a much better alternative. Mel's taste has always run towards quality, the different, and unfornately pricey, haha. Anyway, back to my story....Jeff was really a good sport about hitting the 3 local Joanne's so I could get all the different patterns I have been wanting. I am going to make Capri & Donatella some little matching sundresses too. I also got some PERFECT snuggly baby flannel to make the new baby some matching nighties and receiving blankets. I would show a pic of the darling little fabric, but she OCCASIONALLY reads this blog, and I wouldn't want her to see, so I will resist for now. She just phoned me after seeing her doc for her 16 week check-up and all is well, praise God. He confirmed that it is indeed a boy (no shocker to this grandma, haha) so they will now announce the gender on facebook. Such a big thing these days. They have decided DEFINITELY on the name as well. He will be Samuel Alan TeVelde. They will call him Sam. Alan is a family name as both Mike & his father share it, so I am glad this little guy will have it as well. After our other (not nearly as exciting!) errands we ran by and picked up little Jeff and went and saw the new movie African Cats. I had promised him a couple of weeks ago that I would take him when we saw the previews for it while seeing the movie Hop. It was soo good. We all enjoyed it. I love these kind of movies in the first place, and this one was particularly good. Even Grandpa & Grandma learned a thing or two as well.

Then...after church on Sunday we had lunch with James, and then left him to study and prepare for the evening service and the rest of us headed out to the San Diego Zoo for the afternoon as Larissa had free passes. We had little Jeff with us as well as he is SUCH an animal lover Grandma couldn't bear to leave him behind on such a trip. What a GORGEOUS day in San Diego it was yesterday. Around 73 degree with warm sunshine and perfect, light, cool breezes. It was just a glorious day and the kids were all soo good. Not a single melt down, haha. The cousins have such a good time together. I just have to tell you what JD and Jeffie discovered yesterday for the first time. They have the very SAME last name!! HAHA I guess you just assume that they KNOW these things, but I guess they didn't. At first, it was presenting a little argument of sorts as they just didn't believe that this was possible. But when I explained WHY it was true, they were quite gleeful about it. They knew they were cousins, and yet didn't realize I guess that it is because their daddies are brothers! (which means the same last name!) Soo funny. But they decided it was pretty cool to share their name after all. We had intended to hear James at the evening service, but just didn't get out of there in time, so we headed back to their house where Larissa made us a delicious and healthy fish dinner and we started home. Little Jeff was asleep the minute the car started rolling, haha. It was a LONG day! Here are some pics of our adventure. ENJOY. I have got LOTS of sewing to do, so I will  be busy with that this week. Hope you all enjoy yours!

Tella, with her butterfly wings for the day, getting a good look with the boys at the giraffe's

I LOVE this of the boys!

It was REALLY difficult getting all 4 to stand together at one time for a picture.  This was the best one I got on the day.  Capri is demonstrating an elephant's trunk for me, haha

They all had such a good time playing around in this little area.  Jeffie looks like a mini Joe in this pic.  Soo much like his daddy at the same age.

My photogenic JD!!

Tella flying a helipcopter!

Capri enjoying the one of several play areas!

Oh I forgot to mention that "the girls" won Friday night!!  YAY mom!  Now we are only down one game.  ; )