Birthdays- the older I get-the better they are!

Today is my birthday- the day I celebrate coming to earth and also the day I share with my oldest child- my Mary Heather- my special angel. Happy Birthday Sweetheart- I miss you and I love you tons! I am a little sad being so far away from her-I really like to spend our day together whenever possible- but I am also filled with the joy of being her mom (& all the other kids') and being a gramma and a wife.
Anyway-I celebrated today with my hubby- we went to Carino's (which I love but he doesn't) and I had a diet pop (I haven't had pop in over three months-so I treated myself) and with a "mini" chocolate cake dessert (I've also cut out most sugar for over three months)- it was blissfully divine! Now I'll have to get back to being "good"- no pop and no sugar- hee hee.

I received some really wonderful wishes and gifts this birthday. Thank you to all who remembered! One very special gift was Heather's blog post- wishing me happy birthday with a video of the kids singing to gramma! Of course I was reduced to tears! I just love all my grandkids so, so much!Then there's my wonderful, funny, sweet husband. In our nearly 8 years he has showered me with love, with friendship, and with jewelry! That's right- jewelry! For this birthday he gave me a beautiful silver necklace with aquamarine stones and an eternity ring- platinum with 8 diamonds set in the band. I am always amazed that he comes up with such gifts- he usually sells and/or trades something from his own collections if we don't have the money. However he does it- I am very grateful. I tell him all the time he doesn't have to spend money or buy me "things"- just having his love and sharing his life is enough for me- but he is stubborn and just can't let any special occasion go by without commemorating it with a gift. I do love him so!

Since being married to him I have built quite a jewelry collection as well as a collection of porcelain dolls and of course, my angels.... for many years now I have collected and received gifts of angels-not only from Jim, but from other family members and friends as well.

Ultimately though- the best and most important things in my life are family, friends and my faith. These are things that money cannot buy and nothing can replace. So, I thank Heavenly Father for all that I have been blessed with- for a bounty of love and joy- and for another birthday!

Posted with love and joy!

Surprise for Grampa!

I'm a little late in posting this, but better late than never I guess! On the weekend of May 22nd I planned a surprise for my sweetheart. He has been depressed because he can't travel much to see kids and other family. He has especially been missing his grandkids, soooooo- I planned a party. It was a "late birthday/early Father's Day" surprise party. It was a little tricky to pull off but we did it.

Jim found out some of his kids were coming to visit but he had no idea it was a special visit and that all of them would try to be here. The only ones that didn't make it were Genevieve and her family in Wyoming because they were ill. We missed them big time!

Anyway-Friday evening first Josh & Tringle arrived with their 5 kids, then Jon & Katrina with their 4 boys, then Justin & Nikki with their 2 boys, and later Jared & Katherine with their 2 kids. Then early Saturday morning Amanda & Tim got here with their 3 girls! With each arrival you could just see the joy swelling in Jim.... What a houseful!

Anyway-Saturday morning the kids all went to work on our yard (it was in sore need of maintenance). Grampa took a little nap while they were working. When they were finished, we lined the kids up with a cake and balloons and when he came out of his bedroom we all sang- "Happy birthday/Father's Day to Grampa"- it was a delightful surprise! He and I were both quite emotional - it was a wonderful moment.

We had a nice big dinner with all the kids and Barb & Jerry came out too. My poor little house was spilled on, scribbled on, full of noise and motion- and it was all absolutely fabulous! Nothing like 16 grandkids running around to fill a home full of love and joy! And worth every moment to see the happiness it brought to Jim.

To round off the weekend, we went to the park early Sunday morning to feed the ducks. We popped popcorn and crumbled up bread and each kid had their own bag of duck food. It was glorious fun!

My love and gratitude to all our kids- you fill our hearts with joy!

Can't wait til next time we all get together!

Posted with tons of love and laughter!