To my Mom~

Mom~

So many times on Mother's Day children tend to focus on the good times and

all the things their mothers did well.

I certainly could write about only our good times, since there were many.

Or only comment on what you did well, for you did SO many things wonderfully.~

You guided each of your children to Christ.

You have always given of yourself not only to us but to so many others.

You make the best taco salad in the world

(something I look forward to eating in 2 weeks).

You always made sure that Eric, Shannon and I had MANY wonderful childhood memories and now you insure that we, our children and spouses continue making

beautiful family memories.

People have always loved you and wanted to be around you because of your

personality, wit, and character.

I could go on and on about all of our good times as I celebrate and honor you today.

However I want to reflect on a time that wasn't great. It was during this

period of our life that you did the most teaching and guiding.

It changed me, and changed how I saw you.

At the time of your greatest pain I saw unblievable strength.

There was a time where your life was broken into a million tiny pieces and I saw

you allow God to put it all back together again.

Once your spirit was broken, yet now it soar beautifully, once again.

There were moments that you could not see a future,

now you and I both see that future and it is bright and full of love.

As a child I saw you as my loving mommy.

Today I see you as a lady that I love, respect and cherish as my mother.

Seen, perfect and without blemish~

This is exactly how Jesus sees us... unblemished and perfect.

How does He do that? Why does He do that?

In the past couple of years I've really tried to wrap my mind around this mystery.

How does He love like that?

Even with the enormous amount of love and compassion I feel as your mom,

even with that, I struggle.

I still have that silly preference for a clean face...brushed hair... cute outfit...

This shows that even with one of the strongest loves in the world, it does not compare to His love for us... to His love for you.

This world will desperately try to leave its mark on us, whether its good or bad.

However in its end it will hold no comparison to what will be our new beginning.

We will come to Him as dirty as this world can make us. He will forgive, mead, clean us up, and He will still see us totally unblemished and perfect... as only He can.

We are love by Him~ today this beautiful Sunday and ALWAYS

Superhero~

I don’t have any super powers that allow me to run faster than a locomotive but I have the power to love fully and immensely

I don’t have the skill to read minds but I know how to make one little girls favorite foods by heart

I can’t prevent pain from coming but I have magic kisses that make boo-boos feel better

I don’t have the ability to see through walls but the courage to face the obstacle of daily life

I don’t posses the strength to bend steal with my bare hands but I have the strength to face all the emotions, wonderful and exhausting, that it takes to be a mom

To the world I am not a superhero but to my daughter I am.

At school today, Isabella was able to dress like her favorite superhero ~ she chose me.

I was honored beyond what words can express by the very one that shows me daily that I have talents and strengths that I never knew I possessed.

11 days~

11 days to spend unwinding

11 days doing anything I want

11 days to read, boat, ski, hike

11 days to veg out

11 to learn all I can about my camera

11 days to wake up whenever I want

11 days to. just. be.

11 days to spend with the ones I love the most

To quote a hair band from my past

I'm on my way

I'm on my way

Home sweet Home

Tonight, Tonight

I'm on my way

on my way

Home sweet Home

Hope that the next 11 days are wonderful for each of you~

I finally have one~

I don't mean to brag

but something happened

not sure when

and I have no idea how

but recently I got

something I always wanted

tried desperately to obtain

much to the loss of many good "lives"

finally I have one

A green thumb!

Year after year I tried to grow an herb garden

the only thing I couldnt' kill was my rosemary

Hoping these little ones will survive where so many others could not

A face that makes me smile~

This little guy wakes us up every morning with paws pouncing on our bed

Just seeing his precious face makes me smile

His name is Max~

just a few months ago he belonged to someone else

just a few months ago he was left alone

starved

neglected

finally rescued

Now home, he is so loved and loves greatly in return!

Have you ever considered opening your home to a pet from a shelter or rescue league?

Take it from our family~ do it! You will not regret it!

Here is a glimpse of the other doggie face that makes me smile~ our Gio

How I wish everyday could be like this~

Wake up late

Savor a perfect cup of coffee

Read for a bit

Snuggle with Bella once she wakes up

Take the dogs for a walk with Vito

Create a yummy breakfast with buttermilk biscuits

and homemade strawberry jam and apple butter