May 14, 2015 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Unexpected

3 Gifts Unexpected

1. I received this “unexpected gift” for Mother’s Day, it’s a San Diego Padres flag, and I love it! I’m so thankful for my daughter and her thoughtfulness when it comes to gift giving. It fits perfectly in my garden, and she knew that it would!

2. My one and only granddaughter…her birthday was not unexpected, nor was it a surprise, but being invited to celebrate her special day with her was very unexpected, and for this, I am so very thankful.

3. What makes a game winning baseball game even better? The gift of an unexpected fireworks show after the win! It was spectacular, and fun, and yes, even something as silly as fireworks can be something to be thankful for!

That’s it for this Thankful Thursday!

I hope that you will take a moment to contemplate all the “unexpected gifts” that are out there for you to be thankful for, and maybe even write down two or three of them!

“When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Image May 6, 2015 by Becky

Wordless Wednesday: Teamwork

March 19, 2015 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts that made me laugh

3 Gifts that made me laugh:

1. These two little kids certainly know how to make their Grandma smile and laugh with delight! I am so thankful that they are in my life, and for now…they really enjoy just hanging out with me! I hope it stays like this for a very, long time.

2. I can’t imagine life without my beautiful daughter and this amazing little guy! Just like his mama, he is pure joy! This special moment was brought to you by “frog” and a little belly laugh too!

3. And then there’s this guy! After all these years…he still makes me laugh and smile! He definitely has captured my heart!

I am oh so very thankful for him and I love living life with him!

These are just a few of the things that I am counting my blessings for today. I am so thankful for my family and the joy and laughter that they bring to my life.

I am truly blessed.

“It is impossible for you to be angry and laugh at the same time. Anger and laughter are mutually exclusive and you have the power to choose either.” ~ Wayne Dyer

February 19, 2015 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: A gift in sky, water, memory

A gift in sky, water, memory:

1. The little moon in the big sky. The little plane in the big sky.

2. The amazing colors of the water.

3. The memory of her reading for hours and hours, a favorite past-time of hers still to this day.

I am thankful.

I am thankful for eyes to see the beauty of the water. I’m thankful for clarity of mind to remember the special moments of my daughter’s childhood days. And I am thankful for the opportunity to experience new things and fly to places I have never been before.

A simple list of “thanks” today, but the value of these gifts goes beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

This is my Thankful Thursday.

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
― William Arthur Ward

December 4, 2014 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts Sweet

3 Gifts Sweet

1. I’m so thankful for this beautiful young lady that God gave to me. My sweet girl. I’m continually impressed by her wisdom and grace. Her love for her family, her love for me.

She is a precious treasure, and I’m so proud to call her mine.

2. This sweet moment between Grandpa and his little Grandson. I’m so thankful that I got to share in this moment, and that I was able to “capture” a little bit of the joy that was being shared between these two.

He truly is the best Grandpa ever.

2. And these. Tasty little sweet and salty treats. I’m thankful that they are so simple and easy to make.

And these are just a few of the things that I am forever thankful for. Join me by taking a few moments today to look around you and consider a few things “sweet” that you are thankful for!

“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.”

~ Harriet Beecher Stowe

June 2, 2014 by Becky

Weekly Photo Challenge: Split Second Story

This week’s challenge was to capture a moment, person, place or thing, that tells a story….

It only took a “split second” for this to happen…

And when it did, not only did the cup break, but my heart broke just a little too.

A special gift, from a special person. My daughter.

Gone, in just a split second.

For more images that tell a story in just a second, take a look by clicking on this link.

January 7, 2014 by Becky

They told me not to blink

When my kids were little, I would hear it all the time. “Don’t blink, they’ll be gone before you know it!”

Well, I have to admit, there were probably some days when my kids were little that I did a few “extra blinks” in hopes to speed the growing up process just a wee bit. It didn’t happen very often, but the diaper years, and the teen years were probably some of the most challenging for me.

And now…my kids are grown, married and have kids of their own.

My grandkids.

Ahh, what a delight they are to my life. Two boys and one girl.

Three beautiful little lives!

But apparently some one keeps blinking, because these little ones are growing up way too fast!

It seems as though it was just a couple of months ago the littlest one was born, and yesterday he started pre-school. Really? I was just there, helping my daughter try to figure this whole “new mom” thing out, and now…well, she’s taking him on like a pro!

photo credit: my daughter

The oldest one is 8 years old now. He delights in the fact that he can teach me how to play video games with him! He’s still a whole lot better at it than I am. Guess I need to practice more.

And then there is my granddaughter. Oh my, this little girl is like sugar and spice! At 5 years old she is wise beyond her years, loves life, and is eager to share it with the ones she loves. She simply melts my heart on a routine basis.

Pure joy, that’s what they are. I could write until I have no more words, but you will never fully understand the joy of grandchildren, until you have experienced it yourself.

I hope if you haven’t already, someday you will get to experience this special kind of joy.

Now if I can just find that person who keeps blinking, and maybe get them to blink at half-speed.

I love watching them grow up, but maybe they could slow down just a little bit 🙂

December 10, 2013 by Becky

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl!

Today is my daughter’s birthday. Happy Birthday Baby! It seems like it was only a few years a go when I was holding her in my arms and welcoming her to this crazy mixed-up world of ours.

Oh, how quickly the time has gone by…but the memories, they really are very precious.

(I realize this would have been better if I had pictures from her childhood mixed in here, but I’m thousands of miles from home today, so the memories will have to do.)

I remember the days when we would cuddle and read books for hours.
Now…it’s her turn to snuggle with her little guy, and share her love for reading.

I remember when I would squeeze her tight, and absolutely delight in the feel of that little body in my arms.

Today…she’s experiencing this joy and wonder of holding her precious child, and the feeling of pure delight that comes with it!

I remember those moments when something as simple as a balloon would bring joy to her heart…and mine.

And now it’s her turn to experience the little things in life and just how amazingly special those little things and moments can be!

And I remember those times when she would run into my arms, squeeze my neck, and want nothing more than just to be held in my arms.

This moment…I know is one that she thoroughly enjoys. I’m so thankful that she is getting to experience this joy and wonder of being a mom.

I am so proud of her and the beautiful young lady she has become! Her gentle spirit, kind heart, and loving soul, touches my heart in ways that are quite difficult to express.

She is a wonderful person, a loyal friend, a fantastic little momma, and a loving daughter.

I am so very thankful God blessed my life by giving her to me on this day….30 years a go!

August 23, 2013 by Becky

Keep looking up!

It’s orientation week at the college where my daughter works. It’s also the same college that she attended and graduated from. (4 yrs in 3!)

Oh my, how I remember that first year of college so very well.

It was a tough one for her.

I think it just might have been even harder for me. Her school was several hours away from home, so I was extremely limited in what I could do to help her.

I hurt for her. I wanted to fix her problems. Make all the bad things go away. Because really, that’s what a good mom is supposed to do, right?

Or so I thought.

But things don’t always work like we think they should. Something we both learned only too well that first year.

I listened to her troubles on almost a daily basis on the phone. My heart ached for her broken heart.

I prayed for her. A lot.

She was just too far away for me to give her a hug when she needed it the most. Wipe the tears from her cheeks and let her know, everything is going to be okay.

It was probably one of the most painful experiences of my life, and it was during this time that my encouragement skills got stretched to the max.

I was constantly telling her to keep looking up, among many, many other things.

He never fails. Not this time. Not ever!

Yep, we survived that first year of college, and of course she learned a lot of valuable life lessons in the process.

Well…we both did! I knew we would, but the process is oh so painful and just downright uncomfortable at times.

Oh…we also learned a lot about living with an extremely high maintenance personality! 🙂 Whew…her first roommate was a bit of a challenge!

Thankfully, the next year was much better. I’m convinced her roommate was an angel in disguise. Oh how I love that girl!

Today, I am happy to say, my daughter is a well-adjusted, happily married young lady and momma of one delightful little boy!

I am so proud of her!

I often find myself looking at her and wondering “just who is this girl and where did she come from?”

The scared, sad little girl from that first year of college is long gone, and in her place is a very strong, confident young lady!

My beautiful daughter.

Always my baby.

March 7, 2013 by Becky

Thankful Thursday: 3 Gifts in the kitchen

3 gifts in the kitchen…

1. A gift from a friend – a pretty little teapot made for one!

2. A gift from my daughter – a colorful set of teaspoons to brighten up my kitchen!

3. A gift from my brother – a monogrammed cutting board, graces the counter with elegance.

What about you?

There are a lot of bad things in this world, but there are a lot of good things too. I would love to hear more about the good things.

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

This weeks theme is “3 gifts in the kitchen“.

Write a new post about the 3 things you are thankful for to go with this weeks theme, (with or without pictures) – and make sure to include the link to your blog.

“There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance.” ~Joseph Addison

I hope you have a wonderful “Thankful Thursday!”