~~Brennen's Special Day~~

April was a time of celebration...Brennen, our oldest grandson turned 8. In addition to the celebration of his birth, he also was able to be baptised. In addition to us, his local family, his grandparents from out of state came for his special weekend. His baptism day was just for him. He received both talks on baptism and the holy ghost...then he was baptised. He has such a sweet spirit...he got tears in his eyes and gave us all his testimony of Jesus Christ in his life.

Picture afterwards of him and his Dad.

Part of our "local" family including his Mom & Dad and sisters, with my husband & I (in black) and Great Grandma and Great Aunt Charlotte on the left.

It was a fabulous day Brennen had been looking forward to. We are so proud of him and love him very much.

~~Happy Easter~~

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE!!...I'm happy to report things are starting to get a little better for us. My hubby is starting to get stronger. Will try and post a little outting we took to look at our countryside's "wildflowers" this coming week.
We all have our "ups and downs" and I sure know that...it's the emotional drain that sometimes "does me in". We will be spending a wonderful day with our daughters and their families on Easter Sunday. Many blessings to each of you and time spent with your loved ones as our hearts draw toward the atoning sacrifice Jesus made for us.

~~Happy Valentine's Day~~

I want to wish you all a wonderful Valentine's weekend, spending time with the one's you love.

Planning a wonderful evening with dinner out for us tonight to celebrate our love for each other. Tomorrow evening, caring for our little cherubs while our daughter and husband have a quiet evening shared celebrating their love for each other. Church on the 14th proclaiming our love for the Saviour! Our weekend will be "full of love"!! Hoping and praying for a wonderful weekend spent for each of you with your loved ones!

~~Happy February!!!~~

I love this most dreamy, romantic, happy time of year!!

I have missed you!!! Like most of you, I get side tracked and started on other things...mostly family these days. My beloved and I just returned from a trip to visit and celebrate my Great Auntie's Birthday in New Mexico.

She turned 100!!! Not the best time to travel, but we couldn't disappoint her.

Have enjoyed many of your blog postings during the absence of mine. You all inspire me so much. The end of the year and beginning of a new year has been very busy...I am thankful for what God always provides for me, but I have to admit I was ready to let go of 2009 and promptly move into a new year and decade...Happy 2010!! Health, happiness and tidyness (lol) in this New Year!!

Love to all...what a blessing to know all of you. You bless me daily!

~~My Mary Christmas Card~~

Isn't this the sweetest Clapsaddle card for the Christmas time? I just had to post it as my first name is Mary and the card uses the name in the Christmas rhyme. Thought it was so cute and just wanted to share....hope your week is going well. Try to enjoy each day and remember what we are celebrating...I know I have been. Blessings to each of you as you anticipate gathering with your family later on this week.

~~Christmas week - 2009~~

Christmas week is fast approaching and as many of you are doing, I am bustling about getting things ready for my family so I can take time to enjoy Christmas and it's true meaning with them. Happiness to each of you as you prepare for your loved ones.

~~Enjoying Christmas festivities with my family~~

Recently our little town enjoyed "Vine Street Walk, A Victorian Showcase of Christmas"...
This beautiful Ellen Clapsaddle card reminded me of that time, but long ago, when families dressed up and went strolling down the streets and admiring beautiful Christmas lights. Here in our small town of Paso Robles, we have a street strictly devoted to the beauty of arranging Christmas lights and decorating beautiful yards. Some are a sight to behold!
Some of the businesses offer warm cookies or hot cider to warm up with and visit with folks a little.
Blessings to all as you enjoy this Christmas season with your families.

~~A Pink Experience~~

Recently my Mother-in-Law and I snuck off for a wonderful day together...first we visited my daughter and new granddaughter at the hospital. She was thrilled to see for the first time her 29th great grandchild.



Then we decided to have lunch nearby at one of our local resorts that has been in the county for over 45 years...in honor of our granddaughter we thought it fitting to visit this "pink confection" of a building...it also has great food too. Thought you might enjoy going on a tour of some of the areas of this fabulous place.

The formal dinner area with ballroom area for dancing...quite fancy!!

The building houses a dinner house and coffee shop...this little beauty swings back and forth at the entrance to the coffee shop...quite the wonderland.

One of the staircases inside...carpet is all pink roses....

The wallpaper is also a flashy pink swirl of goodness!!

Yes, and we cannot forget the bathroom area...it has become a popular place to check out...this being the girls bathroom (I liked the saying above the sink!). I didn't get a picture of the boy's bathroom, but I'm told it has a waterfall inside.

Another picture of the outside...

If you are ever up toward the direction of San Luis Obispo in California, stop by for a great meal and/or dessert (red velvet cake; black forest cake and other fine confections), and check out this "pink wonderland"...right off of Hwy 101. I think it is worth seeing at least one time, right?

My MIL and I had a great day reminiscing and having quality time together...she is pretty special to me. She will be turning 90 later on in the month. I'm hoping to share with you some interesting things about her and her life. Love her and thank God as he blesses us with each day!

~Hello~

Hello ladies out there in blogland....I know I have been out on a "time out". These past few months have been such a mixture of emotion. My sweet hubby and I just returned from my family reunion in New Mexico in the "four corners" area. With the passing of my mother, it has taken it's toll on my creative side. I haven't been able to stay focused to complete what we have started out to do with our home earlier in the year. I was able to kind of rejuvenate with family and try to pull myself "somewhat" back together. I've always considered myself a pretty strong person, but this emotional roller coaster comes on without notice. I was able to spend some time ducking in a few shoppes to check out the goodies and came home with a few treasures. Shopping always helps anything, right!

I found this beautiful piece, which I believe was probably over a doorway of a cottage home. I just had to have it, but not exactly sure what I will end up doing with it. When I bought it, I thought perhaps a mirror under it in the landing area before going upstairs.

Let me know your thoughts...I'm kind of foggy after the trip and I need some new, fresh energy from all of you who do such a fantastic job decorating...more soon, promise! God has been very good to me and I feel His arms around me.

This is rather large...it looks small in this picture...about 14-16" tall by 24" long.

~My thoughts are with my family right now~

Picture of Mom and us kids at our reunion in 2004-David, Me, Danny, Darell, Tori and Mom-lined up by how we were born.

Recently, my thoughts have been with my mother and my siblings as we work through the process of my Mother trying to pass away. She is still with us, but we have been told now for a week that "she has 2 hours", "won't make it through the day", "we have only days possibly hours". It is hard watching her diminish before our eyes. She is so thin and weak. Because she lives near me and I have cared for her continously since she moved down here over 3 years ago, my brothers and sister have individually come to visit to spend time with her this past week.
Mom has been suffering from severe dementia-Alzheimer disease and has been in skilled nursing for almost 2 years. She has now lost the ability to swallow and to know she needs to eat. She also smoked for 45 years and has emphesema and COPD. She quit smoking 20 years ago, but the damage was done. She has even been on full time oxygen for the last couple of years. The day I was called with the news they were taking her to the hospital, I was reminded of God's plan and that what she and I are experiencing, is the process of life. It is wonderful to have God in my life and how He guides me to feel His promptings with His spirit. Song lyrics I hear that brings home the love He has for us that I have listened to recently. It is amazing. I wanted to share a scripture that I actually looked up and saw printed on the back window of the van parked in front of me in the parking lot. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5 KJV). This has become my new favorite scripture and is providing me strength right now. Isn't God good?? Out of the whole parking lot of Costco, this van parked in front of me...God knew I needed to see that.

A new angel for our family!!

I am so excited I just wanted to share with everyone. My youngest daughter had her ultrasound today as part of her OB activities during her pregnancy. She is still on track as her due date of October 4th. She also found out we are having a girl!!!! She has 2 sons, a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old already and was secretly inside hoping for a girl, but would take whatever God blessed her with. I decided to pull out one of my "little girl" cards and share the news with you. Isn't she a sweetie having tea party with her babies. I expect we may have a girlie, girl and will see much of this going on at her house. We have much to be thankful for and blessed about.

Now I need to get my sewing studio in order and get busy on girl stuff...I'm in heaven, ladies!!

April is OUR Month!!

Yes...I have showed alot of family posts this month and I have a couple more to go. It seems most every special happening in our family is going on in April. Kind of the way God decided it needed to happen. We are thrilled, but tired with all the activity. Hopefully after the first of the month, I can show you some things in the white romantic and lovely items I like with a touch of pink. I should be able to post some pics of how part of our home renovation went before too long.
Lovin' the spring time...very warm today!