Deck the halls!

Here she is now! Almost three and ready to help decorate the tree. Abby was a big help this year, she was happy to see each ornament come out of it's wrapping paper and she exclaimed"How pretty" to every single one!! If Josh, Sophia and Emily could have been here with us it would have been a perfect day indeed!! Merry Christmas time.

Where did the time go? Abby and I went to see Santa today and she would not have a thing to do with him. Here she is a couple of years ago and she looks pretty darn happy...and pretty! I loved the dress she is wearing. What a great gift pictures are! I love to look back and of course make new ones as well. Tonight Sophia and Josh are off with their sweet mother to see a Christmas show. I hope they are making fabuous memories. I cherish my memories, they are so special, better than pictures! Happy Christmas season.

Ta Da!

Here they are, my babies! Ok not all of them the big boys were not available for the picture but this is a pretty good percent. We had the best time and the little kids are so good together. It did make me sad to think of all the time that they will not share in the next three years but they seem to have a firm foundation so I hope they will pick up where they left off. They are are all smart and funny and without a doubt beautiful!! I am a lucky Meme and proud to share their lives.

I love my mommy!

She sure does love her mommy. Abby and her mom are getting ready to hit the park and gather up the goodies. This little Tinkerbell as very happy to be with her mom, her uncle, her Meme and her daddy as she progressed around the park. Her Nana joined us and made it perfect for her. She laughed and fluttered around the park and had joyful time!!

Boo!

Tinkerbell! Here she is a little bit of magic on a beautiful fall day. I am not sure she had a wonderful time but she certainly found it to be rather amazing. She was fasinated by the creatures and the ones that seemed to catch her attention the most were the scary ones!! There were lots of fairies and raggity Anns this year and even one or two or ten Dorothy's from the Wizard of Oz! So my little Tinkerbell had a time today. Her mom and dad were with her and that made it perfect for her! I hope that Josh, Sophia and Emily had great time as well. Abby plans to tickle them all when they come see her next week!

In the Moment

Children are in the moment. They really know how to squeeze every delightful minute out of a day. Can't you just feel the warm breeze sliding over your body and the wind pushing you right into the surf? I can...of course I was there!!! Life is good.

In a Garden

This is the beginning of a beautiful flower garden. Matt and Jackie are digging in the dirt and having fun doing it! This lovely yellow hibiscus is just the beginning for them and I know that as time goes by they will have many exquisite blooms to gaze at! I am happy that they let me share in the sweat so I can glow in the beauty! Happy gardening to you both!

I think she sees God

Look at that smile, she knows where God is! Sometimes I wonder where He is hiding, but then I realize it is me hiding from Him! I have been giving God a lot of thought lately. We have been on pretty good terms in the last couple of years, I stopped asking for little useless things and He seemed to be able to work with me on the bigger ones. I have always believed that God was next to me. I still do. I have never found any comfort from His book. This is probably going to sound strange to some but...look at that baby's face, she is looking at God and there is not a bible to be found! To me it seems that when people are worshiping a book they are not paying attention to the hero. I am not saying to get rid of the bible as it does provide us with rich history told in various ways. I just would like for people to not rely so much on those words but look for ways to live the word.

October Beach

Yes, it was just as much fun as it looks like in these pictures. The water was not too cold and not too warm. Good for splashing around and collecting shells. Abby would live there if she could. She does love the water! We saw fish and crab and lots of shells! What a great way to spend fall break!

Let's Go Fly a Kite

What a perfect day to fly a kite! The wind was blowing just right for a little girl to fly her Spider Man kite!! Abby had the best time with that kite and the day was altogether wonderful. Most days are wonderful when you are 2 and a half and it was pretty great for this old Meme too!! Hi Josh, Emily and Sophia!!

My Bucket List

I think it is time to set some goals and re-evaluate old goals. The bucket list is a perfect name for a list of things I would like to do or accomplish before I go.So I am formulating my list. I am sure it will change but you know the old saying...if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! Here goes.
1. I want to see all of my children being successful and productive. It can be their definition, I just want to see it.
2. I would like to live with my sister Judy for awhile and spend time with her doing things together. I would like Kim to join us in this adventure.
3. I want to go to Costa Rica and stay for a summer.
4. If I could produce some art that would remain after I am gone I would be well pleased.
5. I want to stop being afraid about not having enough money!
6. I want to work at a job that I really love and enjoy.
7. I want to regain my love of reading.
8. I want to learn how to speak Spanish.
9. I want to learn sign language and be able to use it fluently.
10. I want to take a dance class.
11. I want to take Josh, Sophia, Emily and Abby to the beach and stay for at least two weeks.
12. I want to become an organized person.
13. I want to own a really cool car before I AM too old to enjoy it.
14. I want to learn how to be grateful for what I have and mean it.
15. I want to learn how to fix my own computer when it gets sick!
More as the come to me!!

HER idea!!

Yes my little wanna be puppy! She crawled in and seemed pretty happy there!! Kids you have got to LOVE them!! Abby was not all that eager to get out but I was afraid there might be creatures in there that would nibble on her toes! She is a bright spot even looking out of the cage! There is a certain amount of securtiy when you are safely locked IN. Just wanted to share a cute picture!! She is NOT in there at the moment but safely in the arms of her Mom. Slept tight baby!

Hi Daddy

Today my Daddy is starting a great adventure! I will miss him but I cannot wait to hear the great news that he has a job and his is excited about it! I love my daddy and I will miss him but I know he is doing this for me and mommy. I say prayers for Daddy every night and I love him very much. Abby.

Oh the places we will go!

20 things about me

This is an abbreviated idea I stole from Jennifer's blog! I do not think I have 75 things that I want to share but I thought I could dig up 20!
1. I love my computer!
2. I love scary movies and books!
3. When I was a child I played the accordian! Whoopeee!!
4. Once I wrote a children's story about Cody and Jennifer. My friend illustrated it and I have it somewhere.
5. I believe most things are possible.
6. I believe that God wants us to help ourselves!
7. My children are very dear to me and their children are too.
8. I do not understand why peace in the world is so difficult.
9. Conversations with God are sometimes not that satisfying... but I am glad He listens to me.
10. I spend a lot of time wondering if I was/am a good parent. Actually I am still working on that definition, it changes with the day.
11. If I could do anything I would want to be an artist! A good one...who gets paid!
12. My friends are a joy beyond belief!! They keep me grounded and steady every day.
13. My definition of a good friend is someone who is there, when you need them and when you don't!
14. I grew up in Europe and it remains a fabulous memory for me.
15. My mother is 93 years old. She is one of the most fantastic humans I know! She scares me, inspires me and motivates me and she loves me!!
16. I would drive a sports car if I could afford it!! (and the tickets!)
17. San Francisco remains an all time favorite of mine, it is totally cool!!
18. Carpe Diem....I believe that, now counts!
19. I am not as patient as I use to be.....I teach!
20. I will miss Jennifer and her family while they are busy learning French in France!

Today!

Today I went with Cody to see a Navy Recruiter. He and Erin seem ready to make a drastic change in their lives and I was happy to tag along for the first leg of this journey. He has some work to do,he has some studying he will have to work on and he needs to push himself if he wants to get in. I want this for them. I believe that they need to move on and start a new phase of their life, they have been stuck in this one too long now. For Abby and for them they need to move forward. So today was the first step on the journey. Spare prayers are gratefully accepted and needed! Jennifer's babies are starting their educational adventure and here Cody is starting one of his own. I wish them all much success, many life lessons and happy beginnings!

Rainy Days

It is pouring down right now. Fay is being generous in her gift of water to the south. It is all good, time to reflect and be lazy! Like I need an excuse to be that! Next weekend there will be no rest as I plan an adventure up to see my babies and their sweet mom. They will be leaving soon for a trip to France that will last a long time. It is a great adventure for them and I am happy that they all get this chance, not all of us do. It just seems that I have not really had the opportunity to get to know Josh, Sophia and Emily as well as I would have liked. I am pretty sure that Josh will remember me and even Sophia but Emily will not have a clue who I am. Now, who's fault is this I ask? Mine! Just never did take the time to go and see them when I could have. Not enough that is for sure. Now I feel like whining about them leaving me and I know it is not fair. It is unfortunate that most of us just do not take the time to be with our families. I could have gone to see them more and I plan to see them as much as I can before they leave. I just want them to know that they have a family here, a grandmother that loves them, uncles that care about them and would like to know them better. Sometimes I get a little envious of their other grands. It seems that geography is on their side!!! Mostly I am just glad that Josh, Emily and Sophia are blessed with many people who really care about them. So on this rainy night while I am missing them I know that they are safe, and snug, loved and cared for which is a great gift. So good night sweet babies, I love you dearly!

Sing a Little Song

Sometimes

Sometimes the ahha moments in life are not about joy and goodness. Sometimes they are sad and depressing. If children are the great joy in my world they have also brought me hours of worry and despair. Right now my youngest child is causing me much worry. He is lost. I can see it, his brother and sister can see it but there is nothing for us to do. Prayer...while helpful does not satisfy the human nature. I do pray for him, for discernment and wisdom to come to him. I pray that the people who are near him are good and decent but I am not sure of that so I continue to worry. He has good qualities, I know that in his heart...his soul I know he is a good person but he is lost. I will be here waiting for him to return and I pray that he comes back to the light before he is lost for good. It sounds dramatic but there you have it. A mother's worry is often dramatic and sometimes is for nought. When he was little I use to love to go in and check on him before I went to bed. There he would be fast asleep and SAFE. I could go to bed content that all was well with his world and of course now I cannot. I know that while some of this is growing up problems there are some things that kids do that lead to a dark alley and they never see it until it is too late. If he were to remain lost to me it would be a burden to bear. Not a happy thought but there you have it. Letting go and letting them find their own way is not easy. AHHHHH

Where is God?

Now there is a topic for you. Where is God? I happen to believe He is everywhere and in everyone. I have to believe that. To believe that God is everywhere only works for me if he works through people. He uses us to be there for each other, to help when help is needed, to see when something needs to be seen. So many times in my life I have needed God, as we all have. I have prayed and the pray has been answered and so many times it has been through a friend, or a child or a parent or a stranger. God is. We over think it and than we screw it up but mostly God just is. I am so thankful that He is here for me. I speak to him night and day. The best conversations are in bed but I actually speak to him through out the day and without a doubt He is with me. I see so clearly every time I see my grandbabies. I see Him in their eyes and their hopefulness. There are so many people in the world that want to define Him but there is no way to really define belief. I am thankful that for me I know that He is with me. Day and night, right or wrong He is with me. Sending me the people I need to perform the mircles that make life good. He gave me my children, my friends, my sisters, my mother and my father and ability to choose to believe in Him, and I do.

189 to go

I teach! This was day one of 190 days of working and it was a good start to the new year. This is the last year that I will be teaching at this high school as we will be moving to a new facility in 2009. All of my children went to high school here and I have worked here for 17 years so it is a sadness to this start as it is also an ending.
Special Education is my field and it really gets more special every year. This year is no different as I am going to be teaching math to students with cognitive issues. I have done this for years but now it is harder as the state and federal government are pushing for the impossible. I will give it my best shot but the kids will be the ones to suffer if we cannot help them learn what they need. My ahha moment today was realizing that even after 22 years of teaching a person can be scared of failure. We are never to old to have a moment that reminds us we are human. I hope that I can do a good job this year and help as many students as I can achieve the most they are able. I also hope it is something that will actually have an impact on their lives in a positive way. Hmmmm we shall see.

Never say never!

There was a time when I was sure that the only way to be a good mother was to say what I mean and mean what I say. Well, I am older now and while that really does sound good it is not always the way life works. I use to say nobody should lay down with their kids to put them to sleep. Boy have I learned a lesson!
This is not a current picture of my grandaughter ( one of 3!! ) but the sentiment is the same. I just put her to bed and that means I layed down with her while she dozed off. ( I love that word doze.) When she stays here she sleeps next to me and I usually put her to bed. We say prayers...God bless Mommy, Daddy, Eli, Jodi, Judy, Sophia, Josh, Jennifer, Freddie, Emily, Matt and sooooo on. She likes to repeat some names and that seem perfectly fine to me! Then a quick Jesus Loves me and maybe I'v been working on the railroad, just depends on how sleepy she is. Tonight we got through the song and still had some time left to discuss the day. She enjoyed visiting a nursery with a little friend and she had a great time "riding" on the cement animals. I think she will have pleasant dreams tonight. She fell asleep in my arms with her fingers twisted in my hair. LIFE is good! Ahha!

In the beginning...

I read my daughters blog today and she is really good at it. She is a young mother and it is fasinating to read her insights into being a mother. I wonder if I was anything like her when I was her age we seem so different now! I digress... but she is the reason I decided to start a blog of ahha moments. Life is one continuous ahha moment for me so I thought I would journal mine.
I live in a small town in Georgia and today it is HOT and gnatty. If you live anywhere but here you may not know what the heck that means. Gnats are annoying creatures sent here by an evil spirit...or mother nature on a bad day. They cause much unhappiness on hot muggy days when the yard still has to be cut. Today was just such a day for me. The ahha moment for me was realizing that after 3 weeks up north the gnats had NO trouble locating me immediately! Life is good...even the gnats were glad to have me home!