Happy Birthday, Emma ~

Today, we celebrated our granddaughter, Emma's, twelfth birthday . . . we made spareribs, Oma's homemade BBQ sauce, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries . . . a feast fit for a princess!

Happy Birthday, Emmabeans! 

Happy Birthday, Lacie ~

Thirty-two years ago today, a sweet baby girl came into my life . . . she has been a blessing ever since . . . Happy Birthday, Lacie!
We love you . . . .

Night bird ~

This little guy (name of species unknown) was sitting on this hedge, right in front of where the car was parked. We were attending a birthday dinner . . . as I approached our car, the bird didn't move an inch and let me take as many photos as I liked . . . at first I thought it was hurt but after I was done taking photos, it flew away.  This photo was the least fuzzy of all the shots I took.

Family ~

FAMILY

Our refuge from the storm, our link 

to the past, our bridge to the future. 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I love the words on this sign  . . . sings to the love of family and the family historian in me! We attended our friends birthday get together last evening . . . the sign was a wonderful gift from her daughter . . . thank you my friends for letting me share your gift!

Spider Man ~

We took our grandson to a Halloween/Birthday costume party yesterday to a friends ranch yesterday. The kids really had a wonderful time . . . Spider Man . . . pony rides . . . Bounce houses . . . and lots of great food!  Spider Man was busy making balloon shapes for the kids as you see in the photo above . . . he was a hit.

Happy Birthday, Koda ~

Today is Koda's 4th birthday ~ He's being treated like a King! 

Happy Birthday, Ethan ~

Instead of cake, we had chocolate and vanilla cupcakes . . . Of course, I had to have one of the chocolate ones! Ethan's seventh birthday party turned out great and the kid made out like a bandit in the Lego department! 

Happy Birthday, Ethan . . . we love you! 

Birthday's remembered ~

This is the last birthday card I had received from my mom before she passed. I love the message and for my last two birthday's, I make sure I re-read the message that mom wanted me to get . . . .

How to make

A Beautiful Life 

Reflections For a Daughter On Her Birthday

Dear Gini

Love yourself.

MAKE PEACE with who you are

and where you are

at this moment in time. 

Listen to your heart. 

If you can't hear what it's saying

in this noisy world, 

MAKE TIME for yourself. 

Enjoy  your own company. 

Let your mind wander among the stars. 

Try.

Take chances.

MAKE MISTAKES. 

Life can be messy 

and confusing at times,

but it's also full of surprises. 

The next rock in your path

might be a stepping-stone. 

Be happy.

When you don't have what you want, 

want what you have. 

MAKE DO.

That's a well-kept secret of contentment. 

There aren't any shortcuts to tomorrow.

You have to MAKE YOUR OWN WAY. 

To know where you're going

is only part of it. 

You need to know where you've been, too.

And if you ever get lost, don't worry. 

The people who love you will find you. 

Count on it. 

Life isn't days and years.

It's what you do with time

and with all the goodness and grace

that's inside you. 

MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE . . . 

The kind of life you deserve. 

What more can I wish you, but peace and happiness, I love you, Mom

2009

Mom always gave me beautiful cards, this one just really stands out for me. It's a tri-fold card and you are only seeing the very front of the card.  I missed mom sharing my birthday with me, but I know she would have wanted me to enjoy it . . . I am enjoying it and honoring her too, after all, if it were not for her, I would not be here . . . I love you, Mom, and thank you for a beautiful life. 

Birthday's and the Petting Zoo ~

~ More petting zoo photos ~

We had a double birthday party for two of our grandchildren at our home. Their birthday's are only a week apart, one turning two and the other turning four.  Long time friends of the family has a petting zoo and two ponies that visits little children's birthday parties on request. They are so cute. All the kids were able to sit, hold, feed and interact with chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, and baby chicks. Others were enjoying pony rides. We also had a blow-up jumpy, a trampoline, and a play structure . . . it was quite a day but I think the children enjoyed themselves. Click on the link under the photo to see more of the petting zoo if you like.

Endeavour Launches ~

I watched the Endeavour launch for it's final mission this morning. It was exciting but more exciting because I had submitted a photo of mom for NASA's Face in Space program for her birthday in March.  I am so glad lift-off went well and as scheduled today.