November 21, 2013 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: This little guy

Today is his special day…he’s celebrating his 8th birthday!

Our grandson!

I am so thankful for him and the joy he has brought to our lives. Can’t imagine a world without him in it!

In honor of his birthday, a list of eight reasons why I am so thankful for this amazing little guy!

1. I am so thankful for his great big smile! Always ready for the camera!

2. The way he loves to look for treasures…always looking for treasures. When you’re 8 years old, the world is a virtual gold mine!

3. I’m thankful for the changes in his life, like the milestone of loosing his first tooth!

4. I love his thrill of adventure, and how proud he is of himself when he accomplishes something he didn’t think he could do!

5. I’m thankful for the opportunities I have to share special moments with him, and that he likes to be with me! (at least for now)

6. I’m thankful for his ability to learn new things and sometimes he’s even willing to teach me how to play those crazy games!

7. I love the creative side of him, and I’m thankful for the fun times we can have together just being silly!

8. But most of all…I’m just thankful for him! Every little detail that makes him who he is. He is so very special to me. He’s captured my heart, and I love him so very much!

Happy Birthday little man…hope it’s a very special day for you!

I love you!

Boys Are Found Everywhere

on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from,

running around or jumping to…A boy is Truth with dirt on its face,

Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair,

and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.

~Alan Marshall Beck

October 17, 2013 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Overjoyed!

3 gifts Overjoyed!….

1. Celebration of life – Oh the joy that it brings…especially when you add great-grandkids, a birthday cake and candles to blow out too!

2. Moments together – moments to treasure, and hold safe in my heart. A moment that can only be described as pure joy!

3. Beauty in nature – the peace, the calm, and the joy that is found when I’m surrounded by it!

These are just a few of the many things that I am thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Will you join me in looking for these gifts and sharing them with others?

“The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”

~ Henry Ward Beecher

October 11, 2013 by Becky

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Today is her day! Her special day for celebrating her life!

A life that hasn’t always been easy. A life that’s knocked her down a few times, but somehow, she has always managed to get back up….with a smile!

Thank you for teaching me how to keep smiling through the hard times, and thank you for your unconditional love!

You are amazing, and I love you! Happy Birthday to YOU!

December 25, 2012 by Becky

Merry Christmas 2012

Christmas in the Manger

by: Nola Buck and Felicia Bond

I am the star that shines in the east,

I light the stable for man and beast.

I am the donkey, soft and gray,

I carried his mother from far away.

I am the ram, with my curly horn

I guard the stall where the child is born.

I am the ox, strong as steel,

before the only son I kneel.

We are the shepherds who watch the sheep,

tonight a holy watch we keep.

We are the wise men, gifts we bring

for baby Jesus, our newborn King.

I am Mary, the mother mild,

how I love my tiny child.

I am the baby asleep in the hay,

and I am the reason for Christmas Day.

December 10, 2012 by Becky

on this day in 1983

December 10, 1983…I was holding my newborn baby daughter in my arms The waiting was finally over, and she was here, all wrinkled and new, just as a newborn should be!

We didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl. Back then it cost extra to find out, and we didn’t have the “extra funds”, so we just waited.

But, I knew deep in my heart that I was having a girl. So much so, that when I acknowledged the doctor after he told me she was a girl, he said, “oh, you already knew, didn’t you?”

No, not officially, just in my heart.

A heart that has been touched over and over again as I have watched my little baby grow and mature into a beautiful young lady. I’ve heard it said before, but it really is true, not only is she my daughter, she really is my friend.

Today, my little girl holds her own little baby in her arms. A sweet little boy. At times it’s just too surreal, and words just seem to escape me when I see him in her arms. My heart fills up, and overflows, usually resulting with a happy tear in my eye.

As I watch her learn and adapt to her new role in life, I must confess, she makes me very proud. She is not afraid to take on life challenges, and she is finding that the simple, little moments in life can often be the best.

When she was little, she was every bit girl. All giggles and smiles, ribbons and bows, dolls and dresses. Her love for life was infectious, and she made people smile wherever she went.

Today, she is every bit a lady!

She’s left behind the ribbons and bows, but she still loves a pretty dress, and some high-heeled shoes! Her outlook on life is always positive. She looks for the good in others, and is a sincere and loyal friend. She has made the choice to overlook the negatives of life, and focus on the brighter, happier, more positive aspects of life.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter! I love you so very much! You bring joy to my heart!

Keep smiling that beautiful smile!

November 21, 2012 by Becky

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to our grandson. Today is his 7th birthday!

Of course the time has gone by much too fast, and it really doesn’t seem like it was that long a go when we were welcoming him into our family.

Our first grandchild!

He holds a very special place in our heart, and we love him very much. He has his own style, and looks at life in a very unique way. He opens our eyes to a whole new world!

I am so glad that we have been able to be a part of his little life.

I know he has made my life better!

Happy, Happy Birthday….and many more!

November 20, 2012 by Becky

Long distance Grandma

Next month we will be celebrating our second grandsons 1st birthday!

I was so excited for his arrival, but I was also a little reticent at the prospect of being a “long distance Grandma.” I was afraid that I would miss out on all the special moments and changes that happen in the first few months of this little guys life.

If ever there was a time that I would want to be in two places at one time, this was it.

Since the day he was born, there have been multiple pictures, face time sessions, and frequent visits either by car or by train.

It’s the life of a “long distance Grandma”, but I’m pretty sure that as a result of these efforts, when he saw me last week-end, and his little eyes lit up, it was because he knew who I was!

And once again…my heart melted.

I’m so glad we have made the effort to be committed to the priority of connection across the miles.
I have to admit it though…I would still like to live closer to him.

October 11, 2012 by Becky

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Happy, Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Her days have not always been easy, but her smile is always there!

I hope your special day is amazing and full of wonderful moments! Thank you for your love and support. I am so grateful for your unconditional love!

I love you!

October 9, 2012 by Becky

Keeping a promise

It happened many years a go. A promise was made between two sisters.

A promise that we would always be there for each other, and for our children. It was important for us to remember their special day, and we were determined to make every attempt to send a birthday card to our children, and get to know them on a personal level.

We promised that we would support each other, and listen and learn from each other. Hold each other accountable. Our hope was that we were going to break the cycle, and make every effort to stay connected.

Build relationships that we did not have the privilege of experiencing with our own Aunts. Establish traditions, that would hopefully result in lasting memories.

We were holding true to this promise, when the life altering event of the death of my sister, took place ten years a go. This caused, among many other things, a lack of connection to her children. The distance and the grief created an invisible barrier.

However, I am still committed to the promise I made to her.

I have created some new memories, and I’m excited to carry on new traditions. More importantly, I’ve re-connected with two beautiful lives, and I’ve made another promise.

A promise to her kids, and to their kids. I will be here for you, and I’m looking forward to building memories together.

September 28, 2012 by Becky

Happy Birthday Linda!

Happy, Heavenly Birthday to my big sister!

I can only imagine how much she is enjoying her day! Her love for life was contagious, and her love for people, knew no bounds, especially, her love for her family. I know, without a doubt, that she would have done anything for me as long as it wasn’t illegal or immoral!

I miss her smile, her laugh and her hugs. It was because of her enthusiasm for the little things in life, that I am reminded of her often.

This is just a short list of memories of an amazing lady, sister and friend!

Temecula – our meeting place when the kids were small
Dolphins – we watched them play in the ocean, she was amazed
Artichokes – she found this strange thing to be fascinating, and insisted we try it
Christmas – I think it was her favorite time of the year. She loved making it special for others, not just herself
Angels – every Christmas, she would make an ornament for me, it was always an angel
Thanksgiving – she taught me how to make gravy
“Nurse Jones” – together, we pulled my brother out of the dark side of the ICU room when he had a heart attack
Sail boats – camping by the ocean, her favorite place to relax
Chicken Apple Sausage – she introduced me to this – still one of my favorites