PLAAAYYY BAALLLLLL

Luke at his first T-ball game.

What fun it is to watch our grandchildren. Luke is in T-ball. His Mom and Dad are so proud of him, as I am sure all the other parents were of their children on the team. They are such small and tiny little people on the ball field (Malia said he was playing in a cornfield-that is another story). We didn't have a single player run the wrong direction. Of course there was the usual small person playing in the dirt, twirling around, and looking at the birds. Luke had a very good first game. He had no injuries, he was able to get on base,  run the bases and touch home plate ! Love watching our grand kids...did I already say that?

Getting ready to bat

A little instruction from the coach

Good follow through ! ! ! Now run to first base !

Move me over to second base -  will ya buddy?

Dad with some knowledgeable instructions?

Hey buddy, who do you think will get the next ball?

I think I've got it !

Luke came with a large crowd of people to support him.

. . . his cousin came to relax and enjoy the game. Way to go Malia

Congratulations Luke on a well played first T-ball game. We look forward to supporting you in what ever you choose to participate in.
Love you
Gma and Gpa

P-School Gwaduasion

Yes. . . P-School.

Luke is in the second row on the left in the plaid shirt.

Luke graduated from Pre School May 12th. It was a very enjoyable program provided for the parents and other relatives. Luke was well represented in the crowd of people. He smiled at us all, and waved. He is starting to come out of his shy shell. The children entertained us with several songs. One song was about little Duckies. Of course there were lots of arm motions to the songs. One such movement, the kids appeared to be looking far far away.

Teachers and assistants presented the class to receive their diploma's. Mom and Dad were so proud of their little fellow.

Malia was very excited to attend Luke's graduation. As you can see, she was overjoyed !

Proud Mom and Dad with Luke

Congratulations Luke....now it is on to Kindergarten.

Sunday May 9th

What a privilege to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mother, our daughters & daughter-in-law (who are mothers) on Sunday May 9th. There is nothing more rewarding than being a mother. I loved being a mother, from the moment Amanda was born. I know we are not all perfect in our attempt to be the best mother's we can be. (Children do not come with instruction booklets!) I do so appreciate the stay at home mommies. It is not an easy undertaking.

Motherhood:  the qualities or spirit of a mother

I am so in awe with the course of life my mother has journeyed on. She was born 2 years before the Great Depression. She lived in an area of Illinois, even today, is like stepping back in time. Her mother never lived long enough to see her grow and mature, because she passed away when my mother was 4 years old. She spent several years in different homes, eventually being able to stay with her Dad and 3 brothers in her grandparents home. Her Grandmother taught her lots of things that she is able to pass along to our family. Mother's thirst for knowledge lead her to be well educated in various areas of life. How fortunate I am to have my Mother to share life with. She is an inspiration to so many, none more so than myself. Most importantly Mother has instilled in our family. . . love.

Front: Luke, Amanda, Mom, Stephanie

Back: Lauren, Cassidy, Me, Alex, Jennifer w/ Malia, Spencer

~ ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  ~  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As I Look Back

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me?

For all the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work

good judgement, courage and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you

for the simple things . . .

The laughter, smiles and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

for any of these things,

I am thanking you now. . .

and I am hoping that you have known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated

Author Unknown

 

Unfinished

     Four months ago my Dad passed away. He left behind a family that loved him so very much. He also left some of his projects unfinished. He was able to work in his shop until he got sick in November of 2008. At that time he was helping my sister Jane build a dollhouse for her granddaughter Mallory. The last item he created was a chair for the table in Mallory's house. I was in Dad's shop this morning and found this. I don't know what it is. Mother didn't know what it was going to be. He was always puttering around creating things from wood. I am sure he knew what it could be, but we sure don't. I would love to be able to pick his mind to know what he was planning for this small piece of wood.

Mom and Dad grew up in the era of the Great Depression. You used and reused everything possible. If you could, you would create some way of fixing a broken item. Dad was not any different. I was cleaning my fans and needed a screwdriver. Into Dad's shop I go. Again ... I was amazed. Did I notice his tools that much when Dad was alive? Nope. I notice things now. Here is a broken screwdriver Dad made new again. It didn't go to waste. I am so proud of the creative mind he had.

The reason for our time at Mom's this morning was so Tom could paint her garage door. Dad had bought the paint. It just needed someone to apply it. As you can see, Mother is in her usual position.....supervisor ! ! !

                 

Be sure as life goes by each day, you don't leave things unfinished. The piece of wood Dad was working on, didn't change the importance of his life. It is the small things you should not leave undone. A smile, a simple thank you and most importantly . . .  an I love you. Dad made sure we knew we were loved.

They knew better !

The Greeks believed that the Goddess Iris searched for a woman's gravestone that had a purple Iris above it to signify that the person wanted escorted to Heaven.  In ancient Egypt the Iris symbolizes rebirth.  The greek word for Iris is rainbow.  The flower is used by the U. S. Military to represent strength and power, standing for courage, admiration, wisdom, hope and faith. Iris's date back to the 1600 in Virginia, probably coming over from Europe.

My Iris's - - however, knew they should bloom this year or they were going to be eradicated. They came from my daughters home. She does not have much of a green thumb. (artifical plants die in her care) She was giving away her multitude of flowers, so I decided to move some to my house. The Iris's bloomed fine until last spring. !!Nothing!!. I gave them until this year to show their fancies or they would be removed. As you can see, they kept their promise of blooming.

Sweet sense of Iris

Softly blankets

the senses.

Erect and noble

She slowly nods

at the wind.

Purple velvet robes

Soothes, beckons

and addresses

Butterfly questions.

Author Unknown