13 Years Later...

I almost seems unreal that 13 years have passed since the terrorist attacks on our country.  I have been reading posts where people where sharing 'where they were' and the common thread seems to be that everyday, ordinary and normal were suddenly things of the past.  I was out of state on business and ultimately took a bus home as the planes were still grounded and or catching up from being grounded.  With all the initial horror and what unfolded over the next few days and weeks, I tried to keep my focus on the fact that my family and I were safe and that we had our faith in God to see us through whatever was thrown our way.  Since then, our family has been blessed by weddings and grandchildren and too many blessings to count.  We have also encountered many trials which have helped to keep us focused on what is most important - Faith, Family and Friends...

Seriously?

So there I am, enjoying some time with my 4 favorite girls on a Sunday afternoon at the mall.  I strolled into a gift shop to see what might catch my eye.  I found a couple of cute little round boxes with jewels on top.  I picked one up to examine it a little closer and found two tags attached to it.  One was from the company who distributes it.  The second one, much smaller, had a statement that said (I am paraphrasing) 'this item contains materials that have been known to cause cancer in California and may be associated with fertility issues'.  I admit that I reread it because I could not believe that it said that.  Sure enough, I had read it correctly.  I promptly put it back on the shelf and took some hand sanitizer out of my purse to clean my hands.  I then headed to the nearest restroom to wash my hands with warm water and soap.  I could not believe that a company would agree to distribute that contained such a warning.  What do you think?

Just how BIG is a HEART?

Last night, at 6:11 p.m. to be precise, we welcomed our newest granddaughter into our family!  Our daughter and son in law became parents to their third precious little girl.  Her name is Charlotte Ruth and she has a lot of dark hair just like her two big sisters.  I had the honor of being in the room as Charlotte came into this world, the same honor that I have had on the occasions of her two sisters' births.  It is difficult to put into words how much it means to me to be there when she was first seen,  to hear her first cries, to watch her mommy and daddy hold her in their arms.  As I was reviewing the day's events, I realized how full my heart was feeling.  When I became a mother for the first time, with Charlotte's mommy, I simply could not imagine that I could love any child as much as loved her.  My heart just opened up and she moved right in!  Next came the birth of our son, and like magic, the heart made more room.  Moving forward many years, I became a grandmother (or Mimi as I am called) for the first time and felt all of those wonderful, caring and loving feelings all over again.  I was certain that my heart was filled upto the brim.  I was wrong!  A few years later came another precious little granddaughter, then 9 months after that, a grandson and finally our Charlotte!  I now realize that my heart will always have room for more love...  Isn't that great?

Time Flies!

I seem to still be amazed at how time passes so quickly.  This year has been so busy with some of our children and grandchildren traveling out of state, and the others starting busy with jobs and family life in general.  We have celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries and even some just ordinary days.  We are so blessed to have our family so close and to be able to be a part of their lives.  We have had the extra priviledge of spending extra time with our grandson which has been such a wonderful treat.  All three of our grandchildren are so delightful and full of life and always ready to play and hug and just hang out with Mimi and Pop.  Speaking of grandchildren, we are looking forward to meeting the newest addition to our daughter and son in law's family.  If she is born according to her due date, we will meet her in mid October.  We have already made space in our hearts for this precious little girl and pray for her daily, as we pray for all of our family, friends and loved ones.  We thank God each day for the lessons and for the blessings that he bestows on us and our family.  Happy end of summer (and hopefully SOON 'end of HOT temps') and bring on fall!

Girl's Night Out

Last night my precious daughter took me out!  We picked up cheese dip and chips from Cactus Jack's and headed to the River Market.  We then found great seats in the outdoor amphitheater and spent the next couple of hours enjoying the outside, people watching and eating the cheese dip and chips.  She was well prepared with a jug of ice water to replinish our Tervis glasses that we brought from home already filled with lots of ice and water.  She also brought freshly popped popcorn and delicious candies to enjoy.  After the sun finally set (almost 8:45 p.m.) we sat back to enjoy the movie Steel Magnolias.  The movie was fun, the weather was perfect and the company divine.  This would not have been possible without the assistance of my wonderful husband who stayed home to take care of our two precious granddaughters.  I am so very blessed. 

Mother's Day

Sunday is Mother's Day.  Each year I find myself looking back on the lives of our wonderful children and in the last 6 years, our delightful grandchildren.  To say that I am blessed to be a Mother would be an understatement to say the least.  Somehow, in spite of my many inperfections, my husband and I have managed to raise two bright, loving, kind and wonderful children.  As we watch them with their children we are constantly amazed at their patience and seemingly endless supply of kindness and love.  It should go without saying that having grandchildren has made our lives so much fuller.  All it takes is a look from one of them or hearing them call our names, Mimi and Pop, and we are clay ready to be molded into whatever they need.  I thank God everyday for our children and grandchildren. 

Mother's Day also brings with it a bit of sadness and melancholy as I find myself missing my mother and grandmother.  They were such fine examples of what a mother should be and how I wish they could be here to see their grandchildren and great grandchildren.  I feel that they are looking down from heaven and they are smiling.

From one very blessed mother I would like to wish all of you mother's a very happy day!

Snake in the car?

I will begin this with the statement that 'I am not a fan of snakes'!  Some of you who read this might actually be fans and or are interested in them.  It bears repeating that I am not a fan of snakes!  We seem to have various ones 'visit' our back yard each year even though we have large dogs.  I have to shake my head when I tell someone that we had seen a snake and they inevitably ask 'What kind was it?'  My consistent answer is 'I don't know, I refuse to get down on their level, look into it's eyes and introduce myself and ask what kind it is!"  I share all of this as a preface to today's story.  I had to run an errand during my lunch time today and as I was turning my car onto a very busy road I happened to glance at the floor board in front of the front passenger seat.  Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted what I thought was a snake and it moved!  I did what any person in their right, albeit terrified mind, would do, I looked the other way and almost wrecked my car.  Thankfully I did not have nor cause a car accident.  I did think that I needed to confirm my suspicions because I would need to stop the car and abandon it at the very least.  When I looked again I found that what I saw was the charger cord to my cell phone and the reason that it had moved was because I was turning the car!  Duh!  When I shared with my husband what had happened he reminded me that my car was set pretty high off of the ground so it would have to be a pretty big snake to have gotten into my car.  I agreed which is why I almost wrecked my car!