Scrapbooking my life...one page at a time

Happy 142nd Birthday Canada!!!!!

I am proud to be a
 CANADIAN!
 
Look who else  is ... eh?
This is too funny not to watch!

Happy Dad's Day ...

Saturday was the day Jessica moved her remaining stuff from storage to her new house.  Dad, Mike, Dale (J's Dad), Wayne and Jay were all on hand to help with the moving and furniture building.  It went very smoothly ...

Jessica's new backyard BTA (before toys arrive) ...

It was a whirlwind of a weekend ... Mike & I drove up to Canada on Friday night and got to J's house about 10pm.  Saturday was Jessica's final moving day (she moved in stages) and so we were all up early and work began about 8am. 

Jessica & her Dad, Dale, went to pick-up the truck and Mike went over and picked up Dad then met them at the storage unit.  Sandy, Brad, Wayne & a mover she had hired to assist all met them there and once they were all assembled and the truck arrived they began loading.  They had the storage unit loaded up by about 10:30 and were back over at the new place by 11am! 

WOW - this was the fastest move I have ever participated in (not that I did much - Aidan & I just waited at the new house for them to return).  It went like clockwork and they had the truck unloaded by lunchtime.  We had pizza for lunch and then Jenny, Jay and the kids joined us for a 'putting furniture together' party!  We got her new futon, bookcase, kitchen table, 4 chairs and Aidan's bed all put together. 

Backyard ATA (After Toys Arrive) ...
Home Sweet Home Aidan

Bella found a piece of bubble wrap ...

and fashioned herself a very elegant cape out of it ...

Jenny's Mom always told her, 'if you make that ugly face too often  - it will stay that way.'
humm, it appears Cathy was right!

Once all the boxes were moved in & the furniture was put together  ...

everyone sat down on it and enjoyed a good laugh (not sure at what though) ...
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Then we all wandered over to Sandra's new place for a
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY BBQ ...

Sandra & Brent hosted the BBQ at their new house.  It got a little chilly out later in the day but that didn't seem to put a damper on the fun.  The kids ran around and had a great time, the food was great, the company even better and all the Dad's who were able to be there had a great Day!
.

Here is a glimpse into our Dad's Day Celebration ...

The Cheezies were a hit with the younger crowd ...

As evidenced by the all the orange fingers & faces ...

As were the juice boxes ....




Oops - that's Mike & Jay's juice bottle  ...

Everyone had a nice time visiting, relaxing & eating some great BBQ ...




Sandra & Brent's new backyard is so nice and it is the perfect spot for a family gathering and despite the cold wind that blew around for a while - everyone had a great time ...




Yum ...

Back to play time ...

In the front yard there is a fairly large Japanese maple tree and all of the kids just seemed to gravitate towards it.  It was very weepy and so they could hide under it and climb into it, and, as always, age holds certain privilege - only the 3 older kids (John, Aidan & Livy) were allowed to go outside of the fenced backyard and play in the tree out front - unattended.  This created a certain amount of 'tension' among the kids and the smaller ones were constantly looking for someone out to the front yard.

everyone loves a secret hidy hole ... 

right Max ....

- Here we see Jimmy has sweet talked Mike into taking him outside the back-fence into the forbidden zone

Oh no! It looks like Mike is getting ambushed  ....

by a band of marauding kids (each with a twinkle in their eye) ...

Poor Mike - he doesn't stand a chance - he is out numbered & possibly outwitted  ...

Yet,  he is still smiling - he is such a great guy!
Oh oh, Check out that devilish grin on Jimmy's face ...
I think he's up to something ...

Oh my!
What are they all looking at in the garden -  the lush, dense garden  ....

Tee Hee Hee ...

Humm, it seems Jimmy may have tossed Mike's wallet into the garden ....

 Yup, he sure did.  Looks like we'll need a search party ....

Very quickly the younger part of the search party  is retired  ...

And another Dad is recruited & after a 10 minute search the wallet was at last found ...

 And play resumed ... 
 


but, as with all good things, it was soon time to say good-bye  ....  





Some had to be picked up ...
 
and carried to the car ...

I didn't really get any good shots of Sandra, Brent, Jay or Sarah (or me) so in lieu of ugly old us - here are some of the gorgeous photos of some of the flowers from Sandra's garden (click on the photo's to blow them up) ...

 



 

 

This was our first family celebration without Mom and I cried for many days before driving up to Canada.  I knew it would be a fractured gathering but also, in a very big way, a healing one.  Mom, we are still a family and I believe with all of my heart & soul that you were watching us and felt a great peace at knowing we were all together and doing okay!  We are strong & still bonded together and that is what mattered the very most to you ...

Also missing from the festivities were Cathy, Hannah & Todd.  Cathy is away this week enjoying some peace & quiet and recharging her batteries.  Hannah was busy at a baseball tournament and Todd was putting out fires and saving families. 

Sandra & Brent gave us a wonderful Father's Day celebration and I thank them both from the bottom of my heart.  It was a lovely day ...

- N -

A Grateful Nation ...

Every Memorial Day since 1948, soldiers from the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), as well as ceremonial units from each branch of the military, gather at Arlington National Cemetery to place a flag in front of each one of the cemetery's more than 300,000 graves.

It's known as "Flags In," and this tradition kicks off the Memorial Day weekend for service members and visitors to ANC. "Flags In" is the beginning of several days of reflecting on the sacrifices of the men and women who have laid down their lives for our country.

To all of the men and women of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country; a grateful nation gives our thanks.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow;
I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain;
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush;
I am in the graceful rush.

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.

I am the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

- Mary Frye (1932) -

- God Bless -

Mom's the Word ...

Seems somebody knows me well - very, very well!

 Ummm, chocolate!! 

Look at the wonderful Mother's Day gift that showed up unannounced at my front door yesterday afternoon! 

You gotta love guests that come wearing chocolate!!!

 
It is an Edible Arrangement Bouquet made from strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, chocolate dipped, banana, apple & oranges.

Almost, almost - but not quite, too Beautiful to eat ...



Thanks Jess & Aidan for the yummy treat ...
You know the way to this Mommy's heart is through Chocolate covered banana's  ......


I want to share an excerpt from the beautiful Mother's Day card Katy sent me:

"... I am proud to call such a loving, giving, compassionate woman my mother.  I know this weekend will be hard for you, hard for all of us, but just remember that Grandma helped make you the wonderful mother that you are to me & Jess, just like you have helped make me who I am.  There is a little bit of her in all of us that way.  Even though we miss her terribly it comforts me to remember all the joy she brought to our lives and to know that is what she wanted most out of life ..."

- Thank-you Kate -
*******************************

It is amazing how much your heart can contract & expand in a single breath - At times, a simple act will bring forth a flurry of memories of my Mom and I begin to miss her so deeply the pain it cuts me to the bone but then ... in the very same moment I will turn my head and see something beautiful and the tears will often turn to a smile.

 It is amazing how the single act of sharing someone's pain with them can lift out of the darkness and into the light ...

Thank you to the many people who have sent or written me something beautiful to help replace the pain ...

Thank-you Uncle Jim & Aunt Wilda
I will plant it in my garden to remember Mom & your kindness

Thank-you Mike for being so understanding during this immeasurably painful period in my life.  I {heart} you forever.


I am not sure who send these beautiful flowers because the card didn't say ...
But thank-you ... did you know my Mom loved yellow flowers the best?



I am blessed to known such a great woman who allowed me to call her - Mom!
&
To have 2 amazing daughters who honor me by calling me their MOM!!
&
To have a wonderful Grandson who lights up my world by calling me - Nana!!!


***************
I miss you Mom - Today, tomorrow & everywhere!
****************

Happy Mother's Day
- N -

Today ....

Today I met Sorrow ...

Today I found Beautiful  ...

Today I found Beautiful in my Sorrow ...

 

Today we buried my Mom ...

Good-Bye Dear Heart, I will miss you never-ending ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   About the Sheltered Garden Ground

ABOUT the sheltered garden ground The trees stand strangely still. The vale ne'er seemed so deep before, Nor yet so high the hill. An awful sense of quietness, A fulness of repose, Breathes from the dewy garden-lawns, The silent garden rows. As the hoof-beats of a troop of horse Heard far across a plain, A nearer knowledge of great thoughts Thrills vaguely through my brain. I lean my head upon my arm, My heart's too full to think; Like the roar of seas, upon my heart Doth the morning stillness sink. Robert Louis Stevenson

Happy Washington's Birthday & A Cautionary Fire Story ...

- Happy Washington's Birthday -

President's Day which is officially known as 'Washington's Birthday was originally enacted in 1880 as the first holiday to celebrate an 'American citizen'.  From 1880 until 1971 it was celebrated on February 22nd - Washington's actual Birthday but in 71' it was switched to the 3rd Monday in February to comply with the 'Uniform Monday Holiday Act'.  Attempts have been made over the years to officially change it to President's Day to honor all former US Presidents but to date it remains 'Washington's Birthday'.

Happy B-Day George ... Washington that is!
^*_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^***_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^***_**^**_***^***_**^**_**^**

Yesterday, just before noon, the doorbell rang and I was busy in the laundry room so Mike answered the door.  He opened it and Claudia, our next door neighbor was standing there with Alex in her arms. 

She threw Alex into Mike's arms and said,      'I think our house is on fire - watch Alex for me.'
As she was running down the walkway Mike yelled, 'should I call 911?'
and she yelled back, 'I already have.'

I had heard the commotion from the laundry room but by the time I got to the front door Claudia had left and Mike was holding Alex whom he immediately passed over to me and ran out the door after Claudia.  Alex & I were just stared at each other for a moment and then went over to the window to have a look ...

We could not see any smoke or flames-so I put Alex down and turned on the Baby Einstein DVD which was still loaded in the player from the when I had babysat the day before and gave him a bowl of dry cheerio's and then went back to the window to look around. 

 Just then I heard the sirens but still couldn't see any flames or smoke!  I must say ... it  pays to live close to the firehouse (even though we live in Redmond - there is a Bellevue Firehouse only about a mile from our house).  It took the Bellevue Fire department less than 5 minutes to get to the house ... 4 firetrucks!  Impressive!

Thank GOD it turned out to be a False Alarm ... of sorts!  As it turns out, Saturday I had babysat for the neighbors (hence the Baby Einstein DVD) because they had to go into Seattle to pick-up a teak outdoor furniture set they had bought off Craig's list - it was used and a little worn - so Claudia decided to spruce it up by resealing it in Linseed Oil. 

She applied the Oil, washed the rags she had used in the washer and then dried them in the dryer and put them away in the cabinet in her laundry room.  BAD IDEA ... but who knew!  Apparently, even though the rags had been washed and dried, they were still emitting flumes which collected in the cabinet and spontaneously self -combusted into flames. 

The firemen quickly found the pile of rags, put out the flames, and disposed of them.  They told Claudia that she should open the dryer door to let it air out and that she should have laid the rags outside to air dry and then stored them in an open air container.

Well, Claudia was very embarrassed ... as she told the fireman - 4 firetrucks for such a stupid mistake and they just laughed and said ... it's just your tax dollars at work & never be embarrassed to call us!   She told me ... 'That's what you get for trying to be Suzie Homemaker!'

Lessons learned:

1. The Bellevue Fire Department is GREAT ...
2. Living close to the Fire Hall is a GOOD THING ...
3. Linseed Oil can be deadly if not properly handled ...
4. It's always Good to know you neighbors - but especially in an emergency ...
5. You can find GREAT deals on Craig's list ...

Have a great Monday
- N -

Happy {heart} Day ...

After a good night's sleep and awaking at a decent hour [today is the first time in a long time that I didn't beat the sun up] I feel really good this morning.

It's amazing how much a good night's sleep can change the world ...

I would rate last night's sleep a perfect 14 and speaking of 14 - here are my current TOP 14's right now and since its Valentines Day I'll begin with ...

The Top 14 Reasons I Love Mike:

1. I love his sense of humor ...
2. He is the most honest person I know ... 
3. He is completely nonjudgmental & logical  ...
4. He never gossips ...
5. He allows knows exactly the right thing to say to me at exactly the right time ...
6. He can fix anything - from my computer,  yard lights, fountain to any messes I have going in my life at any given time ...
7. He makes my coffee almost every morning ...
8. He has great taste in movies, TV shows & cartoons ...
9. He always takes great care of me ...
10. He will read me stories at night when I am having trouble sleeping ...
11. He has a BIG brain and I love that ...
12. He almost never says the word .. "NO'
13. I can wake him up at any time for a hug or snuggle and he NEVER  E.V.E.R. gets mad, grumpy or irritated.
14. He is the best DAD ever ... 

The Top 14 Things I will do today {I hope}:

1. Babysit Alex for Claudia & Tom ...
2. Laundry ... 
3. Swifter my hardwood floors  ...
4. Journal ...
5. Work on my current Scrapbook project...
6. Read for a bit ...
7. Lunch with Dana ...
8. Make Mike Taco's for {Heart} Day Dinner [his favorite] ..
9. Clean up my Scraproom...
10. Plant the primroses I bought yesterday ...
11. Update my wall calendar
12. Catch up on my Tivo watching ...
13. Read ...
14. Learn to synchronize my blackberry ...

Here are some of the other random Lists I currently have on the go:

Here is what is on my current 'TIVO' list:

1. • Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles
   • Buy Me
   • Top Chef
   • Damages
   • Burn Notice
   • Supernatural
   • Jon & Kate Plus Eight

Here is what is on my current 'RANT & RAVE' List:

1. • Economy
   • Leftover G.W. rage
   • Cold Soggy Soil
   • 1400 job applicants showing up to test for ONE Tacoma Meter Reader position
   • All the generous people who have helped Mike look for a job.
   • My chance to visit Chicago

1. Here is what is on my current "LETS JUST GET IT DONE ALREADY' list:
   • Laundry
   • Scrap
   • Lunch with Dana
   • Babysit Alex
   • Hair Cut
   • Make Mike Taco's for Dinner
   • Pick-up Mike's dry cleaning
   • Bills
   • Attend MK Meeting
   • Vacuum
   • Mail Kate's ski glove

1. Here is what is on my current 'DIG IN THE DIRT' list:
   • Weed
   • Plant: Primroses
   • Plant: Purple Smoke Bush
   • Plant: Clematis
   • Prune as needed
   • Sweep Deck
   • Sweep front walk
   • Buy & Plant some spring blossoms

Here is what is on my current 'Oh, THE PLACES I'LL GO' this year list:

• Chicago
• Ho Rain Forest
• Washington State's Stonehenge
• One Ghost Town
• Portland
• Port Townsend
• Lake Chelan
• Parksville

1. Here is who is on my current 'Hi, How ARE YOU' list:
   • Get well card for Aidan
   • Email: Beverly
   • Call Dana
   • Email Trista about hooking up for lunch
   • Email: Susan
   • Thank-You letter & Scrapbook to Jo
   • Family Newsletter
   • Birthday Cards for March

Here is what is on my current 'LETS GO TO THE MOVIES' list:

• Slumdog Millionaire
• Shopaholic
• The International
• The Wrestler
• Angels & Demons
• The Terminator: Salvation

1. Here is what is on my current 'STORY-TIME BOOK' list:
   • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - Betty Smith
   • Silent Spring - Rachel Carson
   • HogFather - Terry Pratchett
   • Martin Dressler - Steven Millhauser
   • Second Glance - Jodi Picoult
   • Shoot the Moom - Billie Letts
   • Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
   • Cradle to Cradle - W. McDonough & M. Braungart

1. Here is what is on my current 'SPRING CLEANING' list:
   • Garage - Purge, Clean & Organize
   • Deep Clean Bathrooms
   • Detail my car
   • Windows - well hire the window washer guy
   • Baseboards
   • Window Sills
   • Linen Closet - Purge, Clean & Organize

Here is what is on my current 'IF I HAD A GENIE IN A BOTTLE WISH' list:

• 30 Sunny Days in a Row
• An Owl living in by Backyard tree
• Mike finds a full time job
• Nancy finds a part time job

   
Whatever is on your list today: 
I hope you have a Wonderful, Hug-Filled, Love Infested {Heart} Day!

- N -

A Beautiful Wedding ...

Mike & I had a wonderful trip back East to visit his family, attend his brother's wedding and celebrate the Inauguration of President Obama in the Nation's capital.  Our flight out there was very long (actual flying time was 6 hours but we had a 4.5 hour lay-over in Atlanta so it made for a long day).

The day, while uneventful,  was not without it's humor or small blessings -

US Airways floating on the Hudson

1st (Blessing) - we didn't hear about the US Airways plane's emergency crash-landing in the Hudson River until after we'd landed in Baltimore and Mike's sister Jo told us about it.  I think I'd have been a bit nervous if we'd heard about it sooner and it's just luck we didn't because our plane out to Atlanta was a big one and we each had a DVD/TV inserted in the headrest of the seat in front of us where we could watch movies or TV during the flight. and I watched CNN almost the entire flight (luckily the landing hadn't happened yet).  I didn't catch any news in the Atlanta airport and by the time it had happened we were on our flight to Baltimore which is much shorter so we flew in a much smaller, older plane that  didn't have TV's.   I was saved from knowing about it mid-flight ...

Jet-bridge

2nd (Humor)- when we arrived in Baltimore (tired, hungry & stinky I'm sure) we were anxious to deplane and get to Jo's house (she picked us up at the airport).  So we finallllly landed (safely) and the plane coasted up to the gate and everyone jumped up  & started gathering their stuff and climbing into the aisle way ... we waited ... nothing happened! 

We waited longer ... started grumbling ... waited .... waited ... nothing.  Grumbling grew louder ... 15 minutes passed ... still waiting!  We were in the front of the plane and so we could see out the window that they were experiencing some trouble with the jet-bridge ... Oh dear!  Still waiting - then the bridge starts to move and everyone is excited and begin to regather their stuff ... then we see that the jet-bridge can't reach the plane and so the pilot has to back the plane up ... hysterical - I've never been on a plane that had such a hard time trying to 'parallel park' as it were - back up and then inch forward ... crazy but after about 20 minutes they finally got the plane in place and we were able to get off and our vacation began ...

Stained glass window of the church

I have been very blessed to attend two beautiful weddings in the past few months - Trista & Charlie's and now Ron & Yuping's.  Congratulations & Best Wishes to both couples!

 
I love Wedding, I treasure them because for me they are one of the few events in life that can even rival the birth of a new baby.  They are just as magical and fill us with the same contagious promise of hope, love, joy & innocence.  They are, in fact, the birth of a new family ... 

 

Ron & YuPing got married in Washington, DC in a magnificant old stone church. - so charming and beautiful.  It is the church they both attend regularly and is only a couple of blocks from their house. 

They day was made even more special because Ron's new wife, YuPing , is from China  (she has only been in the USA for about 3 years) and she was  fortunate enough to have  her parents come from China to attend the wedding.   

This was her parents first trip out of China (or anywhere in China  really for that matter) -  they are from a very small village  & do not speak any English so traveling here would have been almost impossible but fortunately they were escorted to the US by American friends  (Martha & Mike) whom YuPing had met while in university in China. 

YuPing's Father & Mother

YuPing met Martha & Mike when she was employed as an interpreter while attending university in China.  They are the nicest people -  who live and work in China and both she and her family over the years have become life long friends, in fact , Martha & Mike  have  unofficially adopted YuPing and it was they who encouraged & arranged for her to come to the USA to continue her education.

Ron & YuPing

The wedding was small, very intimate and it was a very happy event.  Mike & I were so happy to be able to attend and share the day with them.  YuPing's parents & friends are staying in the States until the end of January so they will be not be honeymooning until sometime in the future.

Here are some more photo's from the wedding & reception.

Bridal Bouquet

YuPing

Kevin, Jo, Bill, YuPing, Ron, Mike's Mom, Me & Mike

Mike's sister Jo & her husband Bill

Mike & I

Cutting the Cake

Congratulations Ron & YuPing!

Have a good day
- N -

Happiness, Love & A Lego Camper ...

Mike & I getting ready to leave for Trista's Wedding

On Saturday Mike & I had the honor of witnessing the marriage of my friend Trista. It was such a beautiful wedding - full of laughter, tears, hope & lots and lots of love!!  The church they were married in was quite lovely and the perfect setting for a wedding.  The whole front of the church was stained glass and it was quite amazing when the pipe organs began to play and filled the church with music ...

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT ...

Trista & her Dad walking down the aisle

Trista's loves the color Purple

Trista looked absolutely gorgeous - GORGEOUS - her gown & veil were so pretty -  but truly it was that non-stop smile on her face made her look so amazing.  Although, I must say that her veil was probably one of the prettiest I have ever seen.  It had crystals set in it & all along the edge.  Her dress was all sparkly too which was perfect because Trista is one of the friendliest, ^_**_** ^**_*sparkliest^_**_** ^**_* people I know!

 
Trista's veil

Trista & Charlie met online through eHarmony.com back in about 2 years ago. Trista explained how they met through eHarmony in her Wedding Program so I'll let her tell the story:
Our sincere thanks to eHarmony.com for introducing us!  Since Trista lives in Renton and Charles lives in Oak Harbor our paths would not have crossed if it hadn't been for the internet.  eHarmony matches people up based on 29 dimensions of compatibility.  They never disclose which dimensions you specifically matched for each other so we (Trista & Charlie) have fun making up our own reasons.  Reason 5 - we both have an Aunt named Judy.  Reason 12 - we both love the Sunday comics and reason 23 - we both think the video game Guitar Hero rocks! 

Trista & Charles listening to Trista's brother sing during the wedding ceremony.

I LOVE weddings and  was very happy & excited to be able to watch Trista get married - she is one of the sweetest people I know & I know that she and Charlie will be very, very happy together. 

I love seeing the look of absolute peace, happiness & adoration on the bride & groom as they whisper their intensely intimate vows to each other in front of so many.  I love that look of knowing with complete & utter certainty that they are ready to commit for eternity - without reservation and without doubt. 

As you can probably guess from the uniform - Charlie is in the Navy and is stationed in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. He looked very handsome in his uniform.  Trista is now a Navy newlywed! 

Me, Linda (Trista's Mom) & Trista on morning 2 of the 3-Day walk

Trista & I met when we became walking partners for the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer walk in 2001 and have been friends ever since. Trista & I both have a love of all things 'SCRAPBOOK' so I was happy to find that she had incorporated several super cute & very creative 'scrapbookesque' ideas into her wedding.

For example. on each guest table she used as white sailor hats as place cards and then using stickers she had the table number on the top of them and beautiful quote on the brim.  They were a such fun touch!

Such a cute idea for her Navy wedding!

Trista also had a board set up that showed the seating arrangements and each person had a tag with their name & table number on it and in front of the seating chart she had a beautiful white Journal Jar sitting.  The jar was engraved with the words, 'Life's Moments' and the idea was that every person should take his seating card and write a note or thought on the back of it & then place it in the Journal Jar.  Trista & Charlie are going to seal it up and open it together on their 1st wedding anniversary! 

I LOVE that idea - Trista is so creative - not to mention romantic!!  They are a beautiful couple and I wish them all the very best marriage has to offer.

Life's Moments Journal Jar

Navy Wedding Cake - it was sooo elegant & yummy!  Chocolate!

Beautiful blown glass 'Navy' wedding cake topper. 

'Skansonia'

The reception was held on an old historic ferry called the 'Skansonia' which now no longer sails but is moored on Lake Union. It was soooo beautiful inside and so fitting of their Navy wedding. 

Someone certainly was smiling down on Trista for her wedding day because it was pouring down rain when we entered the church & after the ceremony we excited the church to sunny skies!

There were amazing views of the Seattle skyline from the ferry

A beautiful wedding!

'Love seems the swiftest but it is the slowest of all growths. 
No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.'
 - Mark Twain -

Wishing you guys an Eternity full of happiness & love!
**************************************************************************************

Lego Camping

Hey everyone -  Look at the AMAZING Lego City that Aidan Built!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Today I am grateful for our sunny sky & my clean kitchen
 
Have a great day
- N -

Happy Dad's Day

Happy Dad's Day to my DAD & all the other great Dad's,  Step-dads & Grandpa's out there!

There's something like a line of gold thread running through a man's words when he talks to his daughter, and gradually over the years it gets to be long enough for you to pick up in your hands and weave into a cloth that feels like love itself.  ~John Gregory Brown

I read this excerpt from a story a while back and when I did it immediately reminded me of my Dad - while I have many wonderful memories of my Dad and have learned many invaluable lessons ...  it is the lasting & enduring feeling of 'unconditional love'  that I think of first when I think about my Father.

To always know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are loved is the greatest gift & legacy my Father has given me - that knowledge, that unconditional love, has allowed me to grow up & live every day of my life with an overwhelming sense of security and freedom.

When I was pregnant with Jessica, unmarried, 17 and scared to death - my Dad said to me, "Nancy, I don't care if you have 2 more children and never get married - you are my daughter, I love you and you & your children will always have a home with your Mother & I. 

The power of those words still support, comfort & live strong in my heart today and have carried me through many rough spots in my life.   To always know that you are loved & have a home whether you are 17 or 47 is the greatest gift a Father can give.

All my love - Dad

Take a minute today & think about the greatest gift your Father gave you!
Nancy