The Muppet Christmas Carol

Today we did something really fun and I hope we made memories that the grandkids will remember for years to come. We rented out a theater at Harkins for just our family. We wore masks for the most part except when snacking, which included sealed popcorn bags and m&m's. The Muppet Christmas Carol was a great choice and made me feel all warm and happy inside. The girls all wore their matching dresses and even the two older boys got to match. We took a photo to commemorate the day and my personal photoshop expert appeased me by adding in our sweet Sylvie who was missing from the grandkid pic. Someday we will get a real one but for now, I love it. AND I love all my family so much! 💗

Ambrose Xavier

It's Ambrose Xavier's turn to have Grammy gush over him! 💙 The best thing about being the baby of the family is having the most people to love you! And that certainly is true of Brosey. He is so loved and adored! This little guy came into the world fairly calmly (his mommy might differ in opinion) and has remained a very sweet and good natured little guy. We have been fortunate to have our special one on one time with Ambrose on Sunday mornings and it has really been wonderful to get to shower him with attention. I always seem to turn part of our time into a photo session (sometimes with clothes his daddy wore) and Ambrose is a great little subject. Just a couple weeks ago we visited at his home and he wasn't feeling up to par. Brosey was sitting in his stroller and when I pulled out my camera, his demeaner changed and he got a big smile on his face. I seriously couldn't believe it! I was shocked, but really think he was getting photo ready. HeeHee! Ambrose is definitely trying to play "catch up" with his big siblings. He took his first steps around 9 1/2 months and several weeks later was pretty much only walking! Slow down buddy. 😀

When Ambrose was baptized on May 29th (his mommy's birthday), he wore the gown that his paternal great grandmother had knitted. His daddy was the first to wear it for baptism and of course his siblings before him were baptized in it. It holds such treasured memories. I pray Ambrose will always follow the Lord and his older siblings will be great examples for him. Grammy and Bapa love you so much our precious and adorable grandson! God Bless you ALWAYS! 🙏🙏

Sylvie Wren

As promised, Sylvie Wren gets her own post! 💛 Today our precious baby granddaughter is 11 months old AND coming in to her first Christmas season. What a blessing and perfect gift she is! This little firecracker arrived 3 weeks early! "Ready or not, here I come!" (SW) Fortunately her Grammy and Bapa were lickity split and flew all night to be there for the big arrival. She came with a bit of drama, but what special girl doesn't deserve a BIG entrance? 😀 We loved witnessing those first days watching her Mama and Papa become parents. The newborn stage is so magical. I wanted to stare at Sylvie for hours. And I probably did. I just beamed at this new life and couldn't imagine how she was only 3 hours old, 1 day old, 4 days old, etc. I remember doing this with my own children and all my grandchildren. I'm not sure if everyone does this, but it is such an overwhelming emotion for me. I am so grateful we were able to witness this precious miracle joining our family. 

We are so appreciative for technology and the ability to keep connected with our PA people. I think Sylvie really knows us fortunately because of Duo and Zoom. This crazy pandemic hasn't made it easy but we are making it work. Our trip to WA in September was a fabulous visit even though we weren't able to hug or touch. Hanging out on the deck and watching Sylvie play while visiting with Katie and Tyler was really really great! (We loved being with you too, Zora.) Being nose to nose through the glass with our sweet girls (S and K) totally melted my heart. Of course I missed touching that soft baby skin, but I will get to soon I pray. May God Bless you always sweet Sylvie Wren. Have a MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄 Grammy and Bapa love you so very much! 💗

Hello again!

Well, I almost forgot about this blog and was happy to see it was still around. I've had it for 12 years. There are a lot of memories and sentiments shared on these pages. Lately it seems I find it more difficult to take the time to document the daily life. I always used to write events in my calendar and it's been important to have evidence of when things occurred. And even just fun to reread. But over the last few years the pages go unwritten. Why? I'm not sure. Too busy? Or just too busy on my phone? Technology is great for sure. But sometimes it becomes a crutch and a real consumer of time. 

Recently with the election I was finding myself too caught up with the drama of Facebook. So I am taking a break for the time being. The change in my attitude has been amazing. I am so much happier. Life is happier. My husband can attest to the fact that I am much less crabby. HAHA! I do want to get back on before Christmas. I miss seeing the faces of my sweet preschool families. I enjoy that connection. To be honest, I also think I was adjusting to retiring and losing the connection with co worker friends. It's a strange feeling to no longer belong to a group of people who were such an important part of my life for 21 years. My ending wasn't as I would have hoped because of the pandemic. But that's okay. It's a minor tinge of disappointment compared to the loss others have had to endure. Really it's nothing. But being aware has helped me to acknowledge when I feel a sense of loss and put things into perspective.

One thing I have committed to that has really been a joy has been praying a daily rosary. I began the day after my birthday this year and I haven't missed a day yet! Today is day 115! Jeff was an inspiration of course. He's been going strong for about 4 years now. I would pray a rosary once or maybe twice a week but it took me awhile to commit to daily. After retirement, I thought, "What am I waiting for?" I feel the presence of Mother Mary in my life when praying the rosary and asking for her intercession. I also love the time spent thanking God for my blessings and asking Him to help and guide me in this life. I also find comfort when asking God to watch over and bless my family and friends. I always pray for our nation and its people as well as people around the world. God is in control. And I will honor Him. Fiat Voluntas Tua (Thy Will Be Done). 

I plan to come back soon to give due credit to the important milestones that occurred during my break! Many important events have happened since I stalled on this blog but the TWO MAIN EVENTS deserve their own post. I have heard people say they wish we could have skipped 2020. Well, I cannot say that at all!!! 2020 gave us two beautiful and adored grandchildren. Sylvie Wren and Ambrose Xavier! To Be Continued...