God's signature

"The sunrise is Gods greeting - the sunset, His signature"
~unknown

bryan and i have started sitting out on the patio in the evenings

sharing our day and having some quiet time together......

this was our entertainment last night!

good day sunshine

three little grandchildren

were here yesterday

and

it was 81 degrees !

what else do you do, but play in the water?

(although the pool is still too cold)

just a taste of what lies ahead:

spring

beautiful weather

fun in the sun

flowers

living outside

swimming, swimming swimming

open doors

longer days

i know it also means the hot summer is closer

but for now....

i will enjoy this in-between time and appreciate how beautiful it is!

wellness wednesday

did you know that

Slow Down Week was January 13-19, 2008?

i was in a rush and missed it!

yesterday, i was reading nestled in the singing woods blog, and found a reference to a magazine "Small Town Living, a simpler life in small town america"

that sounds so wonderful to me.....

we have lived is several small towns throughout our marriage

and i miss it.

i miss the community spirit, knowing neighbors,

being aware of what was happening in our town

and having

space and time to enjoy the day

we were raising five children at the time, and life did not seem so complicated

days weren't filled with the need to rush everywhere and do everything

fight so much traffic and be surrounded by so many people

we had time to ...just be......

yes, there were hectic days, but it was hectic at a slower pace and in a different way.

i realize that since we live in a very fast paced, crowded city

and its pace is just getting faster with every day,

my desire for slowing down and enjoying the treasures around me

starts with me....

i want to try and simplify

do one thing at a time

take a walk

be creative

sit quietly and listen

take little trips that show God's creation where we live

breathe

dig in the dirt

listen to music

take a day at a time

get up earlier

appreciate the beauty around me

sit and have a conversation

"There is more to life

than increasing its speed"

Ghandi

tuesday's treasures

i am a plate collector

i don't remember the actual year i started my collection

but it was in the late 70's

and

i DO remember my very first plate

we were at a mall here in phoenix, and they were having a plate show

i was just browsing

and

when i saw this plate....i just fell in love with it.

my sweet husband bought it for me..

and that was the beginning

i don't buy many anymore, but my dad continues to add to my collection

our home is filled with these plates, and sometimes i need to remind myself to stop and really look at them and appreciate all the beautiful detail and design of each one....and to enjoy all the memories

i AM a pink artist!

i signed up to be a pink artist january 29

after seeing it on deena's blog.

to know more about it, please visit monica @ girl gone thread wild

this community project will donate 100% of its proceeds to

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

i spent some time looking at the parade of squares and was

absolutely amazed at the talent and effort that all these women were pouring into this endeavor......and i was a little intimidated.

this is not exactly my forte, but i wanted to follow through with my comittment, and so it began.

it was suggested that we make our 2x2 square to represent ourselves

after raising funds for and walking the

susan g. komen 60 mile breast cancer 3-day

for the past two years with my brother,

i knew i wanted it to reflect that experience.

so here is my 2x2 pink artist square

my inspiration is from the closing ceremonies:

as we all walk in on the third day, we are in a holding area

we then march in for the final farewell

the survivors follow, walking into the middle of 2,ooo of us who walked

it is hushed, and one by one we raise our shoes,

the shoes that we used to walk 3 days, 20 miles a day

in honor of these courageous people before us and those who have left us

who strive to help secure a world without breast cancer.

Everyone Deserves A Lifetime!

inside is my prayer for jill and deena

thank you, monica, for this wonderful opportunity!

thoughtful

this was left outside my front door yesterday....

a sweet gift

from a thoughtful friend

who knew my heart was aching for a daughter

thank you for this kindness

and for understanding

infertility's common thread

some of you may have noticed this symbol below on my blog

this is a post that jamie shared last year.....i just wanted to share it now with you

Many of us know people or are people who have struggled with conceiving or maintaining pregnancies. Over the last six and a half years when I see pregnant women, I often wonder "was it easy for them or did they struggle through their process just as I have".

I've often wished for some secret nod or look or something that would indicate the connection that we may have. Well, obviously many other women who are a part of this community have felt the same way.

There is a subtle movement in place that will help open communication within the fertility challenged community and awareness to those outside of it. This movement is to purchase Pomegranite Thread #814 DMC (embroidery thread), braid it and tie it around your right wrist.

Through this, women can better support each other through this emotional journey. and others, inquiring as to it's meaning, will become more aware of the struggle that affects 1 in 8 couples. Just wanted to share this with you.

For anyone who has ever had a miscarriage, struggled with pregnancy, and all things infertile...there is a movement upon us that you might want to join. It's rather simple actually: a discreet ribbon on your right wrist to signal to others that they are not alone in their struggles.

The pomegranate-colored thread holds a two-fold purpose: to identify and create community between those experiencing infertility as well as create a starting point for a conversation.

Women pregnant through any means, natural or A.R.T., families created through adoption or surrogacy, or couples trying to conceive during infertility or secondary infertility can wear the thread, identifying themselves to others in this silent community.

At the same time, the string serves as a gateway to conversations about infertility when people inquire about its purpose. These conversations are imperative if we are ever to remove the social stigma attached to infertility.

Tie on the thread because you’re not alone. Wear to make aware. Join us in starting this conversation about infertility by purchasing this pomegranate-coloured thread #814 by DMC . Tie it on your right wrist. Notice it on others.

Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person.

Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.

I had a request for some information as to where this started. Here is the website: http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.htmlThanks! :)

my sweet souls

please continue to send jamie and matt your love, thoughts and prayers.

she went in to the dr's this morning and they confirmed what she felt she knew....that she had miscarried.

we are so thankful to all of you who kept and are keeping them with you during this time

thoughts and prayers

please keep jamie and mattie in your

hearts and prayers as you go through your day.....

their journey has had a few rough patches lately...

we will know more when she has another ultrasound on thursday.

we appreciate everyone's heartfelt care!

"let's pay it forward"

i'm participating in something fun! here's a chance to get a surprise from me, on a surprise date, in the next 365 days. (i'm responding to this via deena from "can i be pretty in pink?"

here are the rules:

1.~leave a comment on my blog that says you want to play. first three folks to comment will get a gift! (if i don't know it already, let me know how i can contact you, an e-mail is fine.)

2.~do the same thing on your blog! the first three folks who leave a comment and commit to doing this on their blog, too, will get a surprise from YOU at a surprise time in the next 365 days!
this should prove to be fun.....and interesting.

.....let's see what happens.

if you want to play, mollye still needs a few more!

happy valentine's day

happy valentine's day

i hope it is a wonderful day for all of you

and brings you love from those around you!

we have been sick in this family since monday

so i don't think any of us is "physically" ready for this day

but my heart is always ready

i just want to let my family know how much they are loved

and that my heart is so full because of each and every one of you!

every day is a blessing

and

i thank you for your love

and to those of you who visit me here in blogland....thank you for your

friendship, thoughts and the genuine care you all express so beautifully

i wish you all a very happy day

filled with love!

heartfelt thanks

wanted to share with you

the sweet valentine's treasure

that joni gifted me with....

for friendship and fun!

thank you again, joni.....i love it!

tuesday's treasures

this is my mother's engagement ring

and beautiful box it came in

i have had this ring since before i was married

but have never worn it, as my mom's hands were so small

that it would only fit on my pinky finger.

at the girl's weddings,

this ring was carefully enclosed in the little crocheted doily with ribbon

and then pinned to the inside of their dress.....

something borrowed, something old.....but most importantly, something from their dearly loved grandma g

she is permanently "pinned" to our hearts

joy in this day

we have another day to joy in......

the numbers are still rising and heading in the right direction

please continue to hold jamie and mattie in your hearts and prayers

new day

"let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, and sing him psalms of triumph. for the Lord is a great God, a great king over all gods;

the farthest places of the earth are in his hands,

and the folds of the hills are his;"

psalms 94: 2-5

good day

i am so thankful today that my friend deena was finally able to start her chemotherapy....and that she had a good day

friday's funnies

a new volleyball move,..maybe?

thankful thursday

happy. happy birthday my dear husband!

i hope you have a wonderful day!

blessings

more wonderful news today.

thank you again for your thoughts and prayers

"this is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"

tuesday's treasures

this is the one book that i have from my very early childhood

i loved reading these poems

and i remember memorizing many of them on my own.

(my shadow, was one)

but i also remember having to recite one in front of the class in 3rd or 4th grade......

and this was the one i chose

i really enjoy the memories saved from time spent with this book

joyful day

we were given more news today

that again made our hearts so grateful and full of joy!

jamie will probably post when time allows.

but wanted to let all of you know that stop by and visit me here

and thank you for your heartfelt prayers and thoughts

we know we still need to be "cautiously optimistic"

and we ask you to continue holding them in your thoughts, hearts and prayers....

today we are so thankful for this blessing

tribute to my heart

i was reminded by joni that this month is

heart awareness month

i am very aware of my heart in february,

that is my dear husband's birthday month

and he has had control of my heart for some 35 years!

he is:

a loving and kind husband

a sensitive and caring father to five daughters

a welcoming father-in-law to four young men (plus one boyfriend)

a loving papa to 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

his first passion is his family.....

and

second
working with wood

and sailing!

(oh, and can't forget sudoku)

this is my dear husband doing what he loves to do

i'd love to show you some of his work:

jamie's wooden horse made when she was very small

a medicine cabinet made when we were first married

and his beautiful canoe...

made every bit by hand

from the form

to the very last detail

12 years in the making

moving it with us to two other states

our first grandbabies cradle
made from the same wood
used to create his canoe

picture frames


our second grandbabies cradle


asher's toybox

journey's stroller

brody's toybox


asher and journey's little store


and at the moment

he is out in the garage, working on baby wyatt's crib.

he is a kind, gentle, quiet, patient, caring, amazing man.

my heart has been well taken care of

and overflows.....

friday's funnies

there's just something about this family?

(two just for you vonda jean)