Random Thoughts

This fall was so glorious. The weather, the colors, the light! It made my heart hurt. Does that make any sense to you?

Take a picture of these leaves, Grandma! said my Ray of Sunshine. They reminded us of Indian feathers and we put one in Jumpin' J's hair, 2 on Finchy's collar and 1 in Ray's hair.

This is what I got to gaze at for a week or so between 6pm and 6:10pm...(any later and the light would change) just lovely...takes your breath away! Oh and the "Moo" as my Jumpin' J says, was full and bright.

This boy is doing his best to fill Chili's spot. He is awfully boney, bonier than usual, but his tail is wagging now and he is eating a bit. He snuggled up so close to me one night on the couch. He melted into me and I could feel his heart sigh and ease up a bit and mine too.

This face! Need I say more?

She's trying to let her heart heal. But its not the same :( No luxurious coat to run her fingers through.

Who would have thought? Look at her go...and she listens when you tell her to turn around!

She can pull that heavy wagon over my foot quite easily! She is a feisty one. She also gave me a black eye. Her head is definitely made out of black box material.

Enjoying cookies he and #1 made.

Mom came to visit last weekend. The weather was heavenly and we got to sit outside on the swing a lot and enjoy the colors, the sky and the fresh air. Her favorite thing though is doing work. She washed some of my windows for me! 87 and still going strong, WOW. Thanks MOM.

Two our Biggest Little Baby

What a lovely day at the farm...the animals were captivated by you and you by them.

Happy Birthday to you!

I can't believe what a big boy you have become!

You still don't have many words, but you certainly can get your point across.
You are very smart, very wirey, you will climb anything, you can throw, kick or dribble a ball really well and you love your mama and papa.
Happy Birthday to our Biggest, Little Boy...
We love you so much.

Happy Birthday #2

And so another year has passed...
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday #2 ooooooooooo
Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuu

Have a screamin birthday!

The Happiest Place on Earth

 So I am trying to get excited about this extra special trip we are taking. I always feel that we are r*aped by Disney because they hold you hostage at their park and can charge lots of money for food and what nots and make you stand in line forever and there is no shade or places to sit for weary old people and the water costs a small fortune (I know nobody is holding a g*un to my head to make us go). But then I remember these faces...

and I grin and bear it and ready myself

and as

I whistle while I work 

 I think I can feel the love tonight

and see the colors of the wind

 and I will wait for my prince to come home

and I will ask him if this is love!

To the happiest place on earth...

Where dreams come true!

Hakuna Matata to you...

Nostalgia

I am having a weepy day. Handsome asked me to go through the girls old school papers. I thought that sounded like fun. I had a big box full of papers and as I sorted through it I felt so proud of our oldest's grades and awards.

Her awards were many and her stories were full of bicycles, cycling gloves, times with her Daddy and her bike ride with him...the Udder Century. Her drawings were wonderful and neat and precise. Comments from the teachers were complimentary.

And there she is up above with her most favorite teacher, Mrs. Schert. She was my favorite too.

Here is an example of her artwork.

This story made my stomach hurt and I felt sad. Never cared for Ms. Parks for my oldest dear girl who would tighten her pony tail when she was nervous. I finished going through the grade school stuff and started on the high school papers. Woven throughout the papers was her love of SCIENCE...a test she had taken to see what her interests were...SCIENCE...and her declaration of independence telling about our family dynamics which made the buttons burst off of my shrt. Headaches played a major role in her high school years and still they plague her. Wish I could take them away.
My heart was full thinking how blessed we were with this daughter (you too fall fairy, I haven't done yours yet, will have to wait to do that on a nice cheery day, I can't cry anymore today). I started to weep. Handsome came down and told me to stop sorting papers.
I felt sad for many things...that the time went so fast, that I didn't spend enough individual time with each girl, that I didn't appreciate all they did and how they behaved.

Then I found 4 thick, blue folders. What in the world? It was such a treasure, email from college! Email had just started and Wenna Woo is not so good on the phone, but oh she can write. I had a wonderful time reading certain ones...seeing how well she managed what little money we sent her and how she met her wonderful husband and some back and forth with her sister. They love each other...I was so hoping that my girls would have a special bond. There is nothing more precious than a sister.

And this is how I looked after 2-3 hours of sorting and remembering. Good memories yes, but bittersweet because of the speed of time.

I love you so much my oldest, special girl!

Together at Rainbow Bridge

Our girls have so eloquently written about the Chili Dawg which you can read here and here. I would like to share some memories with you.

Together at Rainbow Bridge.

Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat your dog.

To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge...
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
But the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

My Handsome

I love that you're an excellent business man yet you listen to my insignificant conversation so willingly.

I love that you are generous and kind and don't think the worst of people.

I love that you showed me the beauty of Irises and our Mock Orange Bush.

I love that you always say we can, when I am thinking we can't.

I love that little granddaughters (and sons) can make my big man melt like a Lindt chocolate.

 I love that you love your mother.

I love that no matter how many times I ask "Do you love me?" you never get angry. And you say "Yes, I love you."

Happy Birthday to the man I love.