A Rose for Grandma

What a week. We all shed tears of sorrow but there were also tears of joy. This rose is from Grandma's funeral. The stem broke off so I just put it in a teacup at mom's. A beautiful reminder of a precious woman.....

I've been up since 4:30 this morning so I am very tired. Hate to complain, though, because my uncles who also got up at 4:30 are still traveling. Anyway, I don't have much to say. I just wanted to "check in." Thanks for your prayers and kind words these past few days.

{"For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers, and as a garden cascades with blossoms, So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom and puts praise on display before the nations." Isaiah 61:11}

Blessings

Greetings from Colorado! I don't have any pictures to share, but I did want to share some blessings of the week so far.

• The airline attendant who, after hearing why my uncles were traveling, bumped them up to first class so they could sit together on the plane.
• The young couple I sat next to on the plane who told me they would be praying for our family.
• The rental car employee who helped us get a rental car from another company because we couldn't afford hers.
• My crazy uncles who make us laugh in any circumstance.
• My hubby who took off work to stay home with the kids so I could be here.
• Sitting around singing hymns.
• Going through boxes and boxes of old pictures.
• All the food that friends have brought so we don't have to cook.
• The wonderful memories and stories we have shared about Grandpa and Grandma.
• Our family's Christian heritage.
• Knowing that it is okay to laugh and rejoice because Grandpa and Grandma are now together in heaven.

Well, I am going to go back and join the family. This unexpected family reunion really is fun. We miss Grandma but it is good to be together. Thanks for all your continued prayers.

Crafty Grandma

My boys have always made up names for their grandparents - Fishin' Grandpa, Mustache Grandpa, Crafty Grandma - according to hobbies, looks, etc. My maternal Grandma is Crafty Grandma because she was always doing crafts. Knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting - she could do it all. I have wonderful treasures throughout my home that were created by her.

Crafty Grandma turned 82 on Monday. This morning she passed away peacefully as my brother read her the Psalms. Oh how we will miss her. She had such a sweet spirit. However, I am thankful that she is know with Grandpa in Heaven and that she did not suffer long on this earth.

Last year I made her a mini album that included all 38 of her great grandchildren. Yes, 38! She always loved showing off pictures of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The doily was actually made by Grandma years ago.
I created the album using mini envelopes. There are tags and extra pictures tucked inside some of them.

It was such a fun album to make and all my cousins did a super job of getting me the pictures of all the kiddos. My sweet kids are in the two pictures above.

This is my niece and the youngest great grandchild. I hope that is correct. My mind is a bit fuzzy tonight but I am pretty sure there haven't been any births since then.

So tomorrow I will fly to Colorado. Her funeral is on Wednesday. I am missing the majority of my kids end of year school activities, but I really feel like I need to be in CO. We can't control the timing of these things. Please pray for safe travel for all of my family who will be flying and driving in.

{She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:25-30}

Cards & Finds

I am feeling very uninspired and uncreative (is that a word) this week. I need to get inspired to make some gifts for my kids' teachers. I've never been very good at doing teacher gifts, but this year I want to do something. We've been blessed with incredible teachers and a super aide this year. It is going to be hard to say goodbye next week. Since we are moving it makes it more difficult - not like we will run into them in the school hallway next year. Anway, I want to make something personal and yet practical. Does that make sense? Let me know if you have any ideas.

I think these Mother's Day cards were the last creative thing I have done. I have to admit, it was sort of hard to part with my button cards. I love them! But I guess they don't do me much good stashed in a box somewhere. Underneath the "Happy Mother's Day" is some scraps from a pattern. Just thought it added a little extra.

I bought a ziploc bag full of tiny vintage fabric squares. I just sewed them together and added them to the cards. There were some wonderful old prints. I can't imagine making an entire quilt out of those little squares.
This card for my Grandma I did just a little different. I also tucked some pictures of the kids into the little "pocket."

I honestly don't remember if I have shared any of these finds. Should go back and look, but that would take too long. Sorry if you have already seen them.

That green thing is an old chair back. The lady I bought it from at a garage sale figured no one else would appreciate it. I snatched it right up! I liked the looks of the tin candlestick and I actually bought a couple of those receipt holders. I guess that is what you call them. Not sure what I will do with them.
I guess Mr. and Mrs. separated. I searched the thrift store but couldn't find Mr. I still thought Mrs. was pretty and couldn't pass her up for 50 cents. She is in my antique booth right now.
Isn't the image on this plate sweet? Sorry for the glare.
These two little plates didn't last long in my booth. Tomorrow I need to go organize my booth. I will only have it for two more weeks. I'm going to take some things out that I'm not quite ready to part with yet and then mark some other things way down so I don't have to move them. This booth has been fun. I think I will try to find a place to set up in the new town. I don't make a lot of money, but I love doing it.

I better get busy. Always lots to do. I think I'm coming up on my 100th post. Maybe I can get organized enough to do a give away soon. We'll see.

Have a great day!

She's a Trooper

Whew! What a week! First, we went to Magnolia, AR (our new town) where I got to see our new home for the first time. Hubby did a great job picking it out! It is beautiful! Love the porch even more now that I have seen it! And the land....let's just say our boys can have a football field, soccer field and a baseball diamond all in their backyard. We are truly blessed!

From there we headed to Houston for Sweet Girl's medical appointments. She really is a trooper. She had to have a video EEG done. She had 26 electrodes glued to her head for about 18 hours. Took it all in stride. The good news is that the EEG did not show any seizure activity. We are so thankful for that.

She also had three other doctor appointments. Over all, things went really well. Her GI doc still wants her to gain more weight. She keeps getting tall (like her daddy) but not putting on enough weight to balance it all out. Like I said, the tall & skinny gene didn't come from me. She has her daddy to thank for that. The Physical Med & Rehab doctor and PT we saw really believe that Sweet Girl has the potential to walk someday. Just gotta build up those muscles. So, until her December appointments we will be working on weight gain and muscle strength.

Hubby's parents came to watch the boys while we are gone. They are still here. Today we had them watch Sweet Girl and we took the boys on a hike. In case you don't know, Arkansas is a beautiful state. We went to Petit Jean State Park and hiked the Cedar Falls Trail. We hadn't done this hike in a long time and wanted to see it again before we move. The weather was perfect and we had a great time.

We have had tons of rain this spring, so the falls are going pretty good. It was wonderful to stand at the base and feel the cool mist. The boys did a bit more than feel the mist!
There are so many beautiful sights to photograph. I was just snapping away quickly as we hiked.
Here are my guys. They are standing up underneath the falls.

Some beautiful vegetation. I loved the coloring in this huge leaf. I took pictures of many different plants. Maybe I will show you more in a future post.

This post has been a bit random. I am still quite tired from the trip so my thoughts are a bit jumbled. I hope you all have a worship-filled Sunday!

{"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me." Psalm 42:7}

We then that are strong....

This is the old Bible story book I told you about earlier. The copyright is 1907. It's really not in very good shape, but it is still a beautiful book. I wanted to do a Mother's Day post and decided this would fit right in. I hope you can read the following introduction from the book.
"....For the Instruction of THE LITTLE CHILD AT THE MOTHER'S KNEE..." Isn't that sweet? What a job we have been given as mothers - to instruct our children in the ways of the Lord. I often feel like I fail; that I take it for granted that they will know these things. I need to spend more time with them at my knee. I also need to spend more time on my knees praying for my three incredible children. What a gift they are!
Just look at this beautiful illustration! Again, it reminds me of motherhood. As moms we must be strong to take care of our children. As a mother of a child with special needs, the verse above really hits home. Without physical, emotional and spiritual strength I could not "bear the infirmities" of my Sweet Girl. Being a mom is tough, but I cannot imagine life outside of this.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

On another note - I probably will not post again for a week. Sweet Girl has doctor appointments in Houston this week. We will see a neurologist, GI doc and physical med and rehab doc. We might also squeeze in a video EEG. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and see the doctors. Also, if you would like to know more about Rett Syndrome, please visit www.rettsyndrome.org .

One more thing - Arkansas was hit with tornadoes AGAIN tonight. Our sirens went off twice. Again, we are okay here but it is a different story elsewhere. Still don't know how bad the destruction is. Keep praying for Arkansas!

{Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" Romans 15:1-2}

Love and Home

The other day I came across a wonderful, very old Bible story book. I will try to share it with you soon because there are some great illustrations in it. Tucked inside the book was this little piece.

Love and Home

Within the home that you shall found

May Peace and Sweet Content abound;

May Gladness there make its abode

And Joy make light the daily load

And ne'er may Harmony be marred

As evenings come or days begin

And may Love's Sheltering Angel guard

Your going out and coming in.

J.B. Downie

Such sweet words, aren't they? And the roses? Can they get any more beautiful? They are from my friend Molly's yard. She cut them for me after our walk on Monday. I love them!
{"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." I Peter 3:8-9}

Little of This, Little of That

Couldn't think of a good title today. Just several random things to share. First, my ice cream cone dispenser sold today for $51. Not bad for my $1 investment! I need to come across more things like that to ebay.

Also, I told you I would share the wonderful gift I got at Bible study last week. My sweet friends gave me these dishes. There are four dinner plates and four salad plates. Each has a different scripture on them (click on the picture to see them better) and each set is a different color (red, blue, yellow and green). I just love them! There are also bowls and mugs that match. I may have to invest in them over time.

I am blessed to have such great friends. I will remember them each time I use these plates.

At a garage sale on Friday I found this teapot for $5. I was very pleased because it matches my set of white ironstone dishes. This is one of the very few pieces I did not have. If you are a teapot collector, you would have loved this garage sale. The woman was selling many from her collection because her husband told her, "Either they go or you go." I'm sure he wasn't serious.

Before moving to Arkansas I had never heard of biscuits and chocolate gravy. When I did hear of it I wasn't sure it sounded good. I like biscuits and I LOVE chocolate. But together? Eventually I tried it and it is YUMMY! My 7 year old son and I got some from the donut shop on Saturday morning. You should try it. Let me know if you need a recipe.
Last, but certainly not least.....WE HAVE A HOUSE! Well, it is not final yet, but the sellers have accepted our offer. I am still sad about moving, but it helps to know that we will have a home of our own. Get this - I haven't actually seen this house. I've only seen pictures. Crazy, I know. I am totally trusting hubby and the realtor on this one. It's just one of those things where if we didn't make an offer right away it probably would have sold to someone else. There wasn't a good time to make the 3 1/2 hour drive down there. I thought, "Hey, the house has a porch. A big porch. It will work." What more did I need to see?
The house also has a yard. A big yard. My boys will have 12 acres to explore. That is truly what we have been holding out for - a house in the country. God is good!

{"God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. This way, love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us..." I John 4:17}

Goslings

Remember the snakes from my walk the other day? Well, we haven't been back to that part of the trail. My friend Molly and I prefer not to have any more snake encounters. On Tuesday we walked at Lake Dardanelle State Park. It was a beautiful day and we were quite delighted to see these sweet goslings and their mama.

They are just so adorable! But I was disappointed because I didn't have my camera with me. I tried to use my cell phone - my 10 year old wasn't there to show me how to use the camera feature. I had a disposable camera in the van - no zoom. Bummer.
That evening I decided the kids and I should have a picnic. We made some PB&J's and headed to the lake - with my camera. I was so happy to see the little goslings again. We followed them around for quite awhile. Oh my goodness! They are so cute and fluffy.
Lake Dardanelle is very beautiful. They have a fabulous visitor's center. If you are ever passing through you should stop and look around.

A couple more things. We may have found a house. I'm excited and nervous. It is really more $ than we wanted to spend, but it has 12 acres for my boys to roam. It also has a wrap-around porch. Have I ever told you how much I like porches? I may have to do a whole blog post on porches someday. Anyway, back to the house. We are praying about it and hope to make a decision about an offer by tomorrow. Please pray that we make the right decision. I will keep you posted.

I can't wait to show you what my sweet friends at Bible study gave me today. This was our final day to meet and my final day ever. They honored me with some sweet words and a very fun gift. I haven't had time to take pictures. I'll try to show you next time.

{"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24}