In memorium

As I was looking for a blog post that a friend of mine requested, I realized something.


         I stink at writing lately.


It's true.  Sometimes life gets me to a point where I don't want to share my sadness or frustration.  But today, thanks to a friend and reading the post she was looking for, that I started this blog to find the good in my life daily.  Mr. Finn bought me a camera years ago so I could find something to capture the good in that day.  The camera is dusty and my typing skills are atrocious.  My muscles have atrophied.

         Sad....

Let's see if I can start finding the golden nuggets of my day to share with you and with my children.  They are there...sometimes they are covered in yucky stuff we need to clean 'em off so they shine.

Or as my grandmother would say... "spit shine it up, it'll be good as new".

Speaking of my Grandmother, I went to her memorial in Canada a couple of months ago.  I didn't feel the impact of her death until she wasn't there when I came out of the airport doors.  She has always been the one waiting, along with my Aunt Lois.  This time it was my Uncle David and Aunt Capryce.  I'm not begrudging them picking me up. I adore my Uncle and it gave us several hours to talk in the middle of the night as Capryce slept in the back seat. I really enjoy him.

It just felt like something grand was missing.  She was missed...by everyone.  What a beautiful memorial with my family.  It's hard to believe it has been 10-15 years since we have all been together, but it felt like yesterday.  So much laughter and love.

Grandma would have loved that. And she would have loved this moment as much as I do.

I am blessed to have these two knuckleheads as cousins.  Sure do love them.

Never grow up...

I am losing the battle.  How did ten years go by so quickly?  This year was especially tough on me for some reason.  I was so emotional all day and wanted to spend every second soaking up what is left of the little boy he is.

Mr. Finn and I ate lunch with him at school and even though I didn't tell Mr. Finn, I snuck him out of school and went for ice cream so he could have his favorite flavor of Cotton Candy.  And, mainly because I needed to be with him.

I love being his Mom.  He is the most charming, sweet boy in the world.  I am prejudiced because he is mine and I love him.  I am grateful for this gift that brings such joy and laughter to our home.

Happy 10th Birthday Buckwheat Jones, Rye Bread, Rhyner, Bug, my Little Man--our Dude!

A Piece of Me...

Boo Hoo

This girl turned 11 this year.  I can't even believe that she can be this old.  I am a little sad.

She is so smart... smarter than she needs to be at times.   Seriously though, she is so much smarter than I could ever dream of being.  She is also extremely artsy.  She creates things constantly, you can see how her mind works.  Always writing at least two books at once and reading 3 or more at a time.  She is a sight reader on the piano and wants to take flute this year in school.

 She designed her birthday.  Every detail is from her imagination.

 Her favorite thing this year is Pokemon.  And it was the pokemon party to be at this year. They played Pokemon Jeopardy blown up on the wall like on the tv show.  They had a blast.

 She created Pokemon trading cards for each guest with their own photo and their favorite color.

 These kids are amazingly fun!  She is finding her nitch finally.  She has so much to offer.

 And that piñata...her idea.  We couldn't find one so she gave me the task of making it.  Thank heavens for a friend, balloons, newspaper and plastic easter eggs.  That's one for the books for sure.

We love this girl.  She is truly amazing.  I am excited to see who she becomes in life.

The Dude turned NINE!

This sweet, funny, adorable, kind, energetic, loving little boy is 9.  I can't believe he is so grown up.

He brings so much joy into our home.  He is always so sweet, especially if you he thinks you are sad.  The hugs are amazing.

His favorite cake this year is yellow butter cake with chocolate frosting.  He can love something for a long time and then one day he wakes up and, Bam!, doesn't like it anymore.  Make me laugh.  I tend to be the same way.

I mean really!  Look at that face...

He believes in the power of prayer.  I am so amazed at how he will put his trust in the Lord for bad dreams or whatever.  Not even a second thought.  Ironically, he was praying for a specific gift in the above picture.  Ha Ha!

He had a fun day with his two friends.  He was only missing his friend Brodyn that moved away and it would have been perfect.

I thought his sister's card was pretty sweet.  She is quite ornery with him most of the time, so it is good to know that she cares for him.

So proud of this sweet little boy and the choices he makes.  So happy to be his Mom.