a little mo...

 little miss mo (monique)  at 9 weeks

When little miss mo came to grandma's house

 wearing pink zebra stripes and a pink tutu,
what was a grandmother to do?
What would  you do?



Of course, you find a pink bow

and

a pink suitcase.

Have you ever seen any mo sweetness?

Having a litttle mo fun?

I will be missing for the next week or so.

We are having house guests...that's pretty rare for us.

I am cleaning like mad...I do love me a deadline.

And while I am cleaning, I am contemplating.

Contemplating the

deep

deep 

things of life

things like:

 Is it necessary to paint (read re-decorate) the bathroom

just because I am cleaning the bathroom?

These are the deep things of my life.

I'm just kidding (sort of) of course

but I am enjoying taking care of my nest.

What are you up to during these last days of summer?

Have a great week, talk to you soon.

the maiden voyage...

We are back from 2 glorious days of camping.

What's the sudden interest in camping, you ask?

We used  to camp...

long, long ago

but

then there were babies 

and 

moving into houses without plumbing.

Restoration was camping

and

 then

this happened:

Our 3 oldest married children all have campers 

and 

love to go  camping together.

We used to drive up for the day, eat lunch, and then drive home.

 We took the plunge and bought a  trailer.

Mr and Mrs G even joined us in the adventure

with their new-to-them camper.

 I did what every proper grandmother would do;

I  took advantage of the situation

baby mo

She was such a happy camper.

The big boys played

and 

the little boys played.

The girls had fun, too.

I took pictures,

and read my Mary Jane magazines, 

and slept in until 9:30

which is practically unheard of for me.

Even with all of the children 

it  was blissfully quiet.

I can't wait to go again.

Here's a teaser of the inside of the trailer...

baby bump...

Last week, I took an evening to take maternity photos

for mr and mrs g

I need to hurry and post ...her due date is tomorrow!

Before you were born I carried you

under my heart.

From the moment you arrived in this world until the moment

I leave it,

I will always carry you

in my heart.

-- Mandy Harrison 

A great Joy is coming.

author unknown

Is her name A_________ or is it M______ ?

I think they're leaning towards M______.

 Life is always a rich and steady time

 when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch.
-- E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

"The instant of birth is exquisite.

Pain and joy are one at this moment.

Ever after, the dim recollection is so sweet

that we speak to our children

with a gratitude they never understand."

Madline Tiger

We are in the final days, 

when I go to bed with the telephone close by,

wondering at each ring if it "is time?"

I am remembering my moments of giving birth.

I am terrified for my girl, knowing what she will endure.

I am confident that she can do it...as women for all time have done it.

I am excited beyond measure to see my girl with her girl in her arms;

knowing that she  will never be the same.

knowing that she will now experience a love that I have only been able to tell her about,

with words that were completely inadequate.

(I tear up just thinking about it)

I am thankful for the One who created motherhood,

and who has my girl and her girl in HIS hand.

on how i spent mother's day...

We are back home

from watching my girl

play

golf 

in the Idaho State Championships.

She struggled  with nerves on Day 1

but came back on Day 2

ready to have some fun

She cut her score from the previous day by 10 strokes

and finished 11th overall

Definitely, the most unique Mother's Day 

I've ever had.

(Preston, Idaho)

I was tempted to stay home and work.

I am so glad I didn't.

It turned out to be a great  time

away from computers, deadlines, and responsibilities.

I was able to really watch my girl.

to see  her smile...even when  she hit the ball into the water

or missed a short putt.

It was an awesome gift of  beauty.

I wouldn't have missed it for anything.

my children...

completely

hold

my heart.

I am so thankful

to get to wear the name of Mother.

I don't think I have ever 

properly introduced 

my family

so since this is Mother's Day

you will have to indulge me this one time (right)

while I brag about my children.

Meet my oldest daughter Katie 

with her Mr. Wonderful

and 

3  (busy) boys. 

She is kind, compassionate, and creative 

and such  a delight to  me.

We have shared some hard times together;

I consider  her one of my very best friends.

She can sew and garden like no other...

 traits that remind me so much of my grandmother

and 

definitely not from me.

since this photo shoot

Baby James has been added to Katie's brood

(I think it is almost time for another shoot)

 Next in line is my oldest son, Jason

loyal, patient, hard-working

I miss having Jason at home;

he was my debater 

and

my fix-it man.

I love watching him parent  his batch of triplets

and being a husband to his sweet wife, Tasha.

My son, Brian

 conservative and hard-working

I miss his teasing...he kept us laughing.

He is married to Sheila...

and Dad to these 2 (tractor-loving)  boys, 

with another one (it's a boy, too)  on the way.

  If you've been a long-time reader,

you know my 4th, Mrs G with her Mr. G,

otherwise known as Grace.

She is my delight.

She is creative in the kitchen and on the computer.

She is kind, determined, organized and a hard-worker.

(I'm noticing a pattern-they are all hard-working-must be because I love to work:)

I am so looking forward to meeting Baby (GIRL) G soon.

due May 25

Grace is going to be a great mother!

 the.baby.of.the.family.

Abigail

This girl keeps me young, makes me laugh
and plays the most beautiful music. 

She is a threat on the basketball court,

volleyball court

and 

on the golf course.

She is the reason, I  am still teaching algebra

and still answering the infamous question

"Will I ever use this in real life?"

She keeps me on my toes

and challenges me to live by grace.

And just because

this is my most favorite pictures of my

grandbabies.

Not pictured:

Baby James

and the two in the oven.

Thank you for bearing with me...

as I celebrate these perfectly wonderful blessings.
I have to say this is one of the most unique
Mother's Day, yet.
Celebrating is in the heart
and celebrating, I am.

six on sunday...

 

Here's a peek into my week.

1. Temperatures were in the 70's over the weekend.

Crazy, huh?

The snow melted :)

and

the sunshine called me outside

to work in my flowerbeds.

I found a few of these

(my favorite spring flower)

Now faith

is being sure of what we hope (expect) for

and

certain of what we do not see.

Heb. 11:1

~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. My entry is progressing.

Step 1: complete

yep, that is My Mr.  hanging wallpaper 

on.the.ceiling.

yep, we are crazy.

yep, it  is  was really hard to do.

and 

yep, I love it.

(soon, I will be back to show you more, I'm still trying to put it all back together)

~~~~~~~~~~~~

3.  I've been helping Mrs G with her nursery.

I can't show you, yet.

It's gonna  be cute!

here's some of  what we are working with

It is fun to watch my girls find their own style 

and create their own homes.

Not their mama's. 

I 'm the painter

...and am trying to keep my mouth shut...

I wonder how I 'm doing at that:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4.  We been watching a bit a lot of college basketball.

We are a March Madness family.

March Madness means 

family get-togethers and good food.

 What's not to love?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. TAXES...again.  didn't I just finish 2010?  

Remember what I said about this last year?

Start earlier and get help...

That did not happen.  

The clock is ticking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6.  Today's teaching was on mercy.

 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 5:7

mercy- NOT getting what we DO deserve.

 For that I am thankful.