AS THEY GROW AND SAY GOODBYE........

As a mother of 3 grown children and now a grandmother of 1 granddaughter I am often taken back to the days of remembrance.....

Our family was what I consider a close knit family. We just did things together; had a business and worked it together; served the Lord together and cared for each other....


When my children were young I devoted myself ( the best I knew how) to teaching and training them to become mature; caring; hard working; respectful; and to love God with all their hearts ; souls and minds. I am very proud of our children and would always be.
But.......to tell the truth when you LOVE someone strong enough it is hard to let them go and let me grow.......When two of them married I knew it meant to leave and cleave to their mates. I love their chosen mates like they were are own.
But........leaving and distance can be hard. It can tear your heart in two unless you STOP and step into His light and SEE what He has for each of the children. They were not my own but belonged to God who gave them to me for a short while to love and train and enjoy. I STOP and see in His ways and the ways He wants to use them to care for others; to bring others to Himself; to be used in many ways along their life's path.

When I get a bit lonely for them I think of them; remember and THEN get busy doing what God has for me to do in my life and days......

Here are a few things I have learned from others to help when we say good by to our children; a friend or whatever it may be:

. Pray for them . Learn to love what they love and pray for their ministry or families they are helping . Send them packages when you can full of fun . Invest in a child or ministry at your church that may need your help ( cookies are fun) . Ask God to use you in His ways....... . Be thankful God is using them wherever they may go. . Dont give unwanted advice . You trained them. Let them grow. . Be there with an open home if they need you.

SUMMER CABINS...............

I REMEMBER GOING TO "SUMMER CAMP"
THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH OUR CHILDREN
AND THE OTHER TEENS............ I LOVED THE LODGE
AND THE SMELL OF "MORNING BREAKFAST
COOKING" OF SAUSAGE'S AND PANCAKES..
I ALSO LOVED THE CABINS AND THE BEAUTIFUL
SUNSETS AS THEY WOULD "SET" UPON
THE LAKE.....
EARLY MORNINGS BROUGHT A "BRISK
HELLO" AND TIME FOR "BIBLE DEVOTIONS"
AND "BREAKFAST"......

My camera download is on the "blink" for now so I thought I would reach into my "memory"and bring some thoughts to light...........

My husband and I loved going to Teen Camp each year with our church. We loved being with our children as well as under our leader to serve wherever needed.

We visited a couple of camps during those years and I loved it! As a child I really never went camping until I meant my husband. After we were married we joined a church and went to camp with the teens there. It was so beautiful being in the woods and enjoying Gods beauty.

Years later, as our children grew we were asked to go to their Bible Teen camp. We loved being near our children and serving at camp.

Each morning; the coolness of the morning would sift into the windows and the "smell of breakfast of sausage and eggs or pancakes would fill the air".................The sun would brightly
shine through the tall timbers streaking into my soul........

A walk to the lodge would bring the sounds of singing birds and the quiet sounds of the puttering of boats beginning their journey on the nearby lake......

Even if the skies grew gray ( which they always did at camp) the rains would seem to pour straight down in sheets and afterwards the quiet dripping on each leaf would seem to appear!
Then the clouds would once again open up and the hot sun would begin to dry the earth and all the activity would begin again.

In the evening there was a "chapel service" with teens who had been assigned with teams to sing. The music pierced deep into your soul as you would watch a once struggling teen now become part of a "team" and sing their heart out.......A message preached and an old fashion alter call and the service would end.

Ice cream; treats all became the agenda and the sounds of crickets and the wind whisking through the trees swaying back and forth would quietly lull you to rest...........

I loved sitting on a bench outside of the cabin in the late evening just hearing the sounds of quietness......an evening bird; a frog out in a nearby pond; music being sung ........

A RETREAT of the soul..........as it may.............

This summer spend a "moment" in the arms of His goodness.........LISTEN to Gods quietness
and ......DELIGHT in His beauty.................

Oh how He loves you and me..............Oh how He loves you and me..........

TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME........

TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME........


It seems I have been saying that statement to many a discouraged one
lately............

Sometimes we have so much going on around us whether it be good things to do or things that have brought conflict into our days.......

As I was getting ready to leave to go on my "walk for exercise" the other day I felt my knees saying " you dont want to do that" " It hurts!"; I heard my feet say " I am so tired I have been going all day!" and I heard my mind say " Its so far to go for 30 minutes........Maybe just 10 ok?"

But........as I began to walk "ONE STEP AT A TIME" it wasn't so bad..........Then other "STEP" and "ANOTHER STEP"..........I could hear the birds singing; I felt the gentle warm breezes blowing across my face; I gazed out at the beautiful porches and their decorations and flowers.
My heart began to sing........My body felt tired but good...........My feet just took me along the path.................

God promises to be with me. He takes our hand if we will let him. He doesn't ask us to take on the world .....But to take "A STEP AT A TIME"..............

I am thankful that "He holds my hand and helps me stand".............each step of the way..........

PLANTING TIME...AND WEEKEND THIS AND THAT...

These past few weeks my husband; son-in-law
and his dad have been tilling the ground for our
garden. I LOVE getting the little plants all ready
to grow.............
They all worked so hard getting our garden going...
I appreciate all the time and hard work and sacrifice
that went into this garden .It should bring a good
harvest this summer with bowls of salsa ect.....
My granddaughter got all sorts of "beautiful Little
purses" from her Grandma Cathy. Oh how she loved
playing with these and making her "pretend meal"
My daughter has been making her "cute" bows for
her hair..........
I got to ride with my husband; son-in-law and daughter
to the Memorial Service from our church.......
Here my granddaughter stirs and stirs her
"pretend meal" in her cute Vera Bradley Apron
from her Grandma Cathy.......
The Memorial Service was so honoring for all
who have served and died for our country. They
emphasized "The Korean War" and handed out
"special gifts" to those who served.....

It was a blessed day and day to "remember"


It was a wonderful weekend full of good things. The "Memorial Service"; our garden in;family in for a wonderful cookout with grilled chicken; hamburgers; hot dogs; and salads....

I LOVE holidays and all that go with it but I love my routine too. I am back to everyday cleaning; laundry; flowers to be watered; ballgames to attend ( in the rain ha); meals to be planned and made; and I have been trying to get in a walk as much as possible.

Summer is around the corner and it is time for me to adjust some of my schedule and to let go of some things and add others......If we dont we may end up burning our candles at both ends and causing ourselves conflict..

I have been a couple of changes in my "summer schedule" such as simplifying some meals; cleaning; work outside of my home; ballgames ( having everything ready to go including meals planned); and even rest for myself and husband.

God has been good to give me His strength and time to enjoy "summer days" . I want to use them accordingly....

GOOD MORNING HEART HEALTHY PANCAKES....REMEMBERING MEMORIAL DAY

AS THE SUN ROSE BRIGHT AND EARLY THIS
MORNING I .....REMEMBERED AND THANKED
GOD FOR THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE AND FOR
THOSE WHO THROUGH THE YEARS HAVE
GIVEN THEIR LIVES IN MANY WAYS FOR US...
MY SISTER IN LAW GAVE ME THIS IDEA FOR
A HEART HEALTHY BREAKFAST FOR MY
HUSBAND AND I............THIS MIX FROM "BISQUICK"
IS QUICK AND HEART HEALTHY....
I MADE PANCAKES; TURKEY BACON; AND
FRESH BLUEBERRIES PICKED LAST SUMMER..
FOR FUN; I ADDED SOME LIGHT WHIPPED
TOPPING...IT WAS FILLING AND GOOD....


We plan on attending our churches "Memorial Day Service" . The flags look so pretty standing
at attention near the site of the service. I am sure it will be honoring indeed.

Then back home and get things ready for a cook out.... A good burger or chicken on the grill;
green bean casserole; corn on the cob; and healthy slaw.....

We will then go with our granddaughter and kids to a nearby park where we will enjoy a walk
through "a covered bridge" and then stop for a time at the playground.........

What will you do today?

A SWEET SURPRISE AND DECORATING MY PATIO.....

MY HUSBAND SURPRISED ME THIS WEEK
WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET AND
A FAVORITE "SALAD" FROM THE DELI!
AND......FOR NO REASON BUT TO SAY " I LOVE YOU!"
I LOVE THE COLORS AND THEY SMELL
WONDERFUL........I FEEL SO LOVED!
I AM WORKING ON MY TABLE DECORATIONS
ON MY PATIO FOR MEMORIAL DAY!......
THIS WILL HELP HOLD SOME ITEMS SUCH
AS DRINKS; CUPS; AND CITRONELLA CANDLES.
MY DAUGHTER FOUND THESE NICE
WICKER CHAIRS FOR MY BACK PATIO
I AM WORKING ON. I FOUND THESE
LITTLE CHAIR PADS FOR NEXT TO NOTHING
AT THE THRIFT STORE.
TWO ARE RED ON ONE END. ITS SO NICE
TO SIT AND ENJOY THE DUCKS FLYING
INTO THE POND..........
I LOVE THE TOILE PRINTS SO THIS CREAM
AND BROWN PRINT GO WITH MY RED....
I FOUND SOME HANGING BASKETS ON SALE
FOR $5-$6 AND CUT THE HANGERS AND PUT
THEM IN POTS. .......I LOVE INPATIENTS AS
THEY SEEM TO GROW IN SHADE OR SUN....


I pray you are having a good week.......I have been busy with tilling our garden; doing yard work; working on my patio area; and going to baseball games in the evenings. Things have gotten busier but I enjoy working hard and them enjoying the rewards.

Our family will attend our church's memorial day service> It is so honoring to remember those that have sacrificed for us . Everyone dresses in beautiful red; white and blue and the music is also very special and helps us to remember........

We will then be enjoying a cook out in the afternoon with our family. Some have hot dogs; salads and such and we will be having burgers; slaw; chicken and corn on the cob......
What will you be doing for memorial day?

DONT YOU LOVE SPRING WEDDINGS?.....

Last weekend we attended my "nephews wedding"
I just LOVE Springtime Weddings!

My handsome husband and sweetest granddaughter
enjoying some time before the wedding......

A walk through the little garden.............
Husband and wife joyfully running through
"bubbles of love"....................
The centerpieces were beautiful with sparkling
little crystals and pink and white flowers.........
You can see the centerpiece vases and crystals.
This picture doesn't do it justice as it was
sparkling around the table.............
The bottom of the centerpiece and its little
bangles of glass crystal...............
Each table carried the same theme of pink and
white and browns....Here is the present table!
The brown and white box is for cards.........
I wish this picture would have come out clearer
but these small boxes sat around the room with
sweet sayings..............
I love the brightness of this cake............
It was beautifully done and cheerful!.......
The cake table was filled with pretty daises and
brown; cream; and pinks! Hope you enjoy
some of the wedding like I did!......