be happy...

 I don't know what makes me cry the most...

(happy cry)

Baby G is a ....GIRL!

(our grandbaby boy to girl ratio is a bit lopsided 8:1)

 or

seeing this pin on pinterest by mrs g

with the caption

"mom, I want a chandlier in the nursery"

(that's my girl!)

 or 

these pins by big sister

of projects to make 

(that's my girl, too)

for the  spring arrival 

of  baby  G

We are beyond excited!

And so very thankful...

(all photos pinterest except ultrasound)

friday fun...

I.am.stepping.away.

Stepping away from the computer;

specifically, from pinterest.

pinterest, we love you.

but

you are a huge distraction.

 I have already pinned more ideas

 than I could possibly ever do in my lifetime.

But if  you are in need of a tiny break

you can check it out here:)

while I'm cleaning...

(can you guess which room I am supposed to cleaning?)

...here is a bit of good news.

Yes,  baby G is on the way...

and 

we are  a bit nervous scared excited

but  

and 

choosing 

to rejoice 

in life 

today.

nine is fine...

as promised

here is

my grandma-bragging post

(most of these were taken last fall at the barn shoot)

I call these little ones

the B boys

they are full of fun and sparkle

always three times the fun here

such a great bunch

it is so fun  to watch them interact with each other

and yet see them be such individuals

the triplet boys

and

 my lone grand-daughter

I do hope she will like tea...parties

and these are the

big boys

those eyes 

they melt me everytime

our newest little one

so sweet

Grandpa is thrilled

He has  his football team

They all live within 20 minutes

of

Grandma's House.

I am blessed

and

I 

know 

it.

oh, happy day

Today, 

we celebrate.

30 years ago 

I

became a

mother.

my dreams came true

my daughter, 

katie,

 has been is 

my joy.

She is helper~sweet~ hard-working~ frugal~has the prettiest blue eyes you'll ever see~ creative, i mean like out of nothing creative, without a pattern creative~she  reminds me of her daddy with her generous heart~she loves the Lord~ she loves and serves her Mr. Wonderful and her busy boys~she is a homeschooling mama just like her mama~she loves to garden~

she is one of my best friends~
she is beautiful inside and out~

and I am so proud of her.

And the best news of all:

she had her 26 wk checkup/ultrasound

all is well

and our little guy is up

to 2 pounds 5 oz.

Thank You, 

Lord!

Happy Birthday, dear girl.

These are her family's portion of the photo shoot.

I know yesterday's post was a bit *heavy*...

but don't you think we need days like that?  

To reflect and to remember. 

when life gives you sunflowers...

cherish them!

I don't think  I've  ever had a bouquet of sunflowers before...

I've  always been a pink rose kind of girl.

This morning my grandson

 brought me these 

from the weed patch out back behind the barn.

So like any self-respectin' grandma would do

I put them into my bestest ironstone pitcher 

and gave them the place of honor they deserved:

   the kitchen windowsill.

After he left...I was a-gazin and a-thinkin'...this is kind-of my life right now...it's a new season...different (oh, so different) than what I am used to...but pretty in its own way???? 

Hmmm...maybe...just maybe.

That is my prayer today

to see the beauty in today.

even if it's not what I'm used to.

Rene'

PS. that is the dasher from an ice cream maker that my girl is licking . We do love our paint here but not that much:)...more than a few of you asked about that:)

PSS.the haircuts...
hers: is darling...

I'm smiling...

again.

my pity party is  over :)

it's time for me to walk my talk

~
~
~
I have been so encouraged these last weeks by 
your amazing words.
words that offer comfort
words of understanding
and 
words from the word of words.

Your compassion is amazing;
even as some of you fight for your life
you took the time to comfort me.
How humbling.
How sweet.
How Christ-like.

As for  me,
I am doing better.
I can handle the 25K hospital bill.
I can handle my (paid-for) van
 blowing  the radiator and head gasket.
I can handle the microwave breaking...
It all just money
but
when the relationships in my life are not right
you might as well cut off my legs. and hands. and blindfold me.
I become useless.
~
~
~

There have been 

hurt feelings

misunderstandings

poor communication.

It all came  spilling out  a few weeks back.

I did not see it coming

and

it  rocked my very being.

It went to the center of all that I am

a wife, a mother, a daughter, a homemaker, 

a creator,

 a business-woman, a blogger...
and left me re-evaluating it all;
Examining my heart.
what is real
and
what is emotion?
where does change need to occur?
this mommy business of love
is hard work
but 
oh, so worth it.


my family is my passion

I have been  thankful for grace.

grace for  forgiveness for me, 

for all of my shortcomings; 

grace that I could forgive

when I was so misunderstood, angry and hurt.

And I am  so very thankful

 for my amazing Grace.

May she always know ...

She has my heart always.

Here are some  my pictures

of 
my darling grandbabies.


Aren't they sweet?!


The triplets
 burst into tears 
when we lined them up.

I have such a great effect on them!

   Because of the LORD's great love

   we are not consumed, 

   for his compassions never fail.
    
   They are new every morning;
       
   great is your faithfulness.

   Lamentations 3:22-23