What’s Colorado got?

What’s in the news this week. . . this month? 

James has left us for bigger bluer skies. He has moved to Colorado. Colorado Y’all! Colorado? What’s in Colorado that we don’t have? Sure they have all of James friends, mountains, blue skies and snow. Boy! do they have snow. . . and now Colorado has our James. 

So you know what happened?  

The Best Nana Ever threw a party.  We lived it up! We had a great time. We showered James with presents and sent him on his way.  I took loads of great pictures. I even up loaded them to my computer. 

Then something really terrible happened. It was even worse then James moving to Colorado. 

My computer crashed and I lost everything. I couldn’t play with my blogging friends, check email, edit pictures or do anything computerish. I know! How sad. . RIGHT?! I miss all those beautiful pictures I took at the party. . . 

Oh! Yeah. . . and I miss that kid James – that kid I watched grow up. 

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Friday Fragment,  Favorite Photo Friday,

a Dad, a Son and a shared birthday

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad.  ~ Author Unknown

This quote says it all to us when we are talking about this pair.  

Little did  my brother in law  know that first dinner date with my sister would lead to so many birthdays shared with this son he was lucky enough to inherit.  

  

Happy Birthday Guys!!! 

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Fresh Mommy Blog

Simple as that

Unknown Mami

 Ni Hao Y’all

I Wonder…Did I Blow It?

Can you get behind on blogging?

Blogging is something I do for fun; to look back and see what has really happened through the year….To see if my memories match what truly was, to see who was loved, to see how the children have grown and all the other “stuff” in between.

Now with our seasons changing I wonder, Did I blow the post I should have done about the snow and the fort Stephen built.

One February night, almost a month ago now, we had the prettiest snow fall. It was so soft, fluffy and light. The perfect snow to play in, to build forts in, have snow ball fights in and to just really enjoy the night.

It wasn’t even that cold. The best part of the snow, to me, was, IT was gone the very next day.

Those are the snows I like.

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Did I blow not posting about the “Little Flowers” volunteering at the Soup Kitchen?

They got up very early a cold February morning excited about “doing good” for their fellow man.

It really was a warming site.

The girls were a little nervous a first……

But, they jumped right in and did everything they were asked to do with warm and loving hearts.

Did you know, at the Soup Kitchen they not only give one well prepared feast, they offer; a bag that contains some food for the rest of the day, clothing, and just a few personal items, if they can.

You can only take one deodorant, tooth paste or soap …….NOT one of each…..ONE!

You must choose …”Which one do you need the most???”

AND THAT was REALLY tough to have to say.

This was my job…..and mostly, the people ,down on their luck at soup kitchen, understood; Most would just take one, and say “thank you” with a smile and then walked away.

After it was all said and done.….The six girls that came with me, giggled all the way home in the back of my van sharing doughnuts, talking about school issues, books they have read, foods they like and how they should wear their hair.

When I asked them what they thought about the Soup Kitchen they didn’t say much….Thinking about it now, I don’t know if they really knew what to think. They understood, for the most part, these are people that are down on their luck. They understood some of these people made bad choices but some where stuck in a very bad economy. They understood anyone of us could be standing on the other side of that soup kitchen line easy enough.

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So now here we are……The middle of March.

In the height of our birthday season. And, with every passing birthday the memories DO NOT fad…….The presence of our dad grows stronger and the tears still flow freely and easily when we realize…It IS true. All “that” really happened.

But somehow the “Time goes on” as I can hear my father say….and we celebrate each and every birthday and all the “mile stones” of our lives.

There are seven birthdays in our family this month.

AND the BIG surprise this year…

James in now 21!

For the Love of Graceland

I am simply amazed at the kindness of James, Matthew and Stephen. Over the past couple of years……….and mostly this summer……..these three young ‘men’ have kept the grounds beautiful at my parents house.

~ Graceland~

Lovingly named after our mother by our father

Every weekend these three guys meet at their grandparents house. They ask what needs to be done around the area and then………they simply do it.

They have kept the yard beautiful.

They mow the grass, keep the pool going, till the gardens and try very hard to make things grow.

~ Wonderful Willy ~

They know their grandfather is sick this summer and some days doing the simple things he loves to do like; cutting the grass, weeding the flower beds, keeping the fountain running and cleaning out the pool maybe to much of a chore for him.

I am amazed and delighted at the love and dedication they show for both my parents.

We all know they just want to show how much they love both of their Grandparents and they just want to make these……….sick days…….. as easy as possible for them both.

~ My dad often says ~

“I don’t go out much these days but I love to look out and see all the work being done.”

Although, I admire and love the loyalty, dedication and perseverance James, Matthew and Stephen have shown through out this summer: I admire and simply love the fact they have become teachers to the other children.

I find it all so heart warming to know “THEY” understand the difference between saying I love you Nana and Grandpa and Showing the love they have for their Nana, Grandpa…….. and Graceland.