Happy Birthday Mark

It has been a struggle today

Deciding if I should post or not

Many think that it's been long enough

And I should let go of the past

Yet, when you spend 30+ years loving someone

You just don't let go so easily

Today would have been Mark's birthday

We always had a huge birthday party

 On New Year's Eve

Because my brother and brother-in-law

Both had birthday's on the 29th

It became a family tradition to celebrate together

Now

Well, it's more difficult to spend 

New Year's Eve alone

I just miss my Mark so much

Below are just a few of my favorite photo's

And they help remind me of the 

30 wonderful years I was blessed

To spend with the love of my life

Happy Birthday in Heaven Mark

And

Happy New Year To You All

Jesus, It's YOUR Birthday

Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice
But the real gift is You
Happy birthday, Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about You
Happy birthday, Jesus
Jesus I love You
I love You Jesus

I Hope You're Dancing

Three years ago today

You left your earthly body behind

Filled with it's pain and disease

You met Jesus face to face

And began your true eternity

I miss you every moment

But would not ask you to return

For you are free and at peace

And in the presence of our King

Happy Jesus Day, Mark

Merry Christmas

In Heaven

I Hope You're Dancing

Three years ago today

You left your earthly body behind

Filled with it's pain and disease

You met Jesus face to face

And began your true eternity

I miss you every moment

But would not ask you to return

For you are free and at peace

And in the presence of our King

Happy Jesus Day, Mark

Merry Christmas

In Heaven

December Daily - Catch Up Style

Well,

December has gotten away from me

That is For Sure

Here are just a few shot from the past week

I bought myself my very first apron

I've never been an apron wearer

But thought it was a good time to start

 

Took a walk with my two littlest K's

Oh, it was such a beautiful day in AZ

 

I had the privilege of helping out

At the Neighborhood Christian Clinic last week

 It isn't in the greatest location in town

But it certainly was a blessing to go and help out a friend

I was playing with my camera the other night

During the full moon

Took some fun shots

 

These two have been my constant companions for the past week

 

A friend stopped by the other night

She just dropped off some flowers

What a Wonderful treat

Kind of felt like God stopped by to bless my heart

Sure did need that (N) Thanks

 

Picked up this antique Santa the other day

At Tillies Attic for $1.00  - Oh Yeah!!!

 

And Now

These are my constant companions for the next few days

Was diagnosed with pneumonia (AGAIN!!!)

Yep, gonna be hanging around the house tonight and tomorrow

My mom should be here in a few minutes

She's going to spend a few days with me

Maybe she will take care of her sick girl :)

See you all tomorrow 

Can you believe it will be

Christmas Eve?????

December Daily 14 & 15

Within the Big picture of Life

There is nothing greater than spending

Time with People

And developing a personal relationship with God

Lists, Plans, Ideas and Hopes

Pale in comparison to Relationships

Did I accomplish everything on my

To Do list this weekend ~ NO

Do I have peace in knowing 

This was a weekend well spent ~ YES

Why

Because I spent it with my mom 

We talked, laughed, ate too much

Watched some TV, went shopping, took a nap and ate some more

A weekend well spent!!!

And in the midst...

 

I cleaned my refrigerator

 

Made sure mo had the freshest 

And best coffee in town

 

Went to church with my son and his wife

To watch and listen to this precious angel sing

 

And dance a little bit 

 

Prepared my wrapping station

 

With ribbon and bows

 

Boxes and Tins

 

Loads of Christmas Bags

 

And many tags and embellishments

But mostly

Continued to Build Relationships

With People and My Lord

How was your weekend

December Dailys

What happens to the days

I've taken photos

But have not taken the time

To post them to my blog

My hope is to document

Each of the days leading up to 

Christmas

I put together a photo book

All I have to do is add the photos

It will be 1 project I may actually 

Accomplish before year's end

Below are a few of the photos

I've taken in the past several days

 

A friend has been inviting me to her dinner club

It is so much fun

There is always a theme

And the history of....

This month it was High Heels and Tennis shoes

I wore the high heels

My friend wore the ??? dusting slippers :)

It has been fun this year to 

Do much of my shopping on-line

So happy that my packages have begun to arrive

And I don't need to ship anything :)

 

Have you ever been to a Christmas Party Gift Exchange

Steal the gift from a friend party

Yep, it was a Blast

 

This year our office decided to have our 

Christmas Party

In Our Jammie's

Talk about a super fun and comfy night 

Nope, Mr S didn't wear his jammies

But all had a fabulous time anyway

Tonight I hope to:

Prepare my Wrapping Station

This weekend I plan on:

Spending time with my mom

Taking her shopping

Write out all my Christmas Cards

(this will be a first since Mark passed)

Wrap most of my gifts

Clean my home office

And...

Possibly stay caught up with my December Daily

Wish me luck

What are you plans for the weekend???

 

December Daily 5

These are just a few of the shots

From today

December 5

This is what happens when you have

3 granddaughters who have played

At Nana's house

At least once a week

Every week

for over 9 years

Yep, nana has a few dollies :)

 

I rearranged the garland on my little tree

I tucked it into the branches

I like it a Lot better now

 

My Boy 

Always makes my heart happy

 

Just a little bit of Christmas 

Around the house

 

Again

I LOVE December

And Christmas

Each day I focus on Celebration

Of the Risen Lord

Of Hope

Of Joy

Of Peace

Of Life

God Bless You All

December Daily 3 & 4

December Daily

#3

Secret Elves

 

That appear with gifts

Out of nowhere

 

And Secret Santa's

This week I have been blessed 

Beyond measure

With Gifts that have come like Hugs From Above

Oh, what a joy to be Loved

Thank you to ????

December Daily

#4

 

I finally decorated my 'little' tree

Not sure I love the garland

But I'll live with it a day or two

Even if it comes off

I Love my Little Tree

In fact,

There is Nothing about Christmas

That I do not Love

I LOVE Christmas

I LOVE December

Happy Day 4

December Daily #2

I am so excited to have actually gotten my little 

Christmas Tree out of it's 

Hibernation sight and into my living room

Yes, it is a small tree

But at least it is up

My youngest son attempted 

To talk me in to putting our BIG tree up

It has been in hibernation 

Since I put it away after my hubby passed

However,

Since I am not hosting a dinner this year

I decided our little tree would be just dandy

 

I do hope to decorate it tonight

So the finished product

Can be my 

December Daily #3

Wish me luck :)

Happy December

December Daily 1

Somehow I didn't quite finish

My November JOY Series

And

Here it is already December

So

For my December Daily 1

I will post a few of my Thanksgiving Photos

My K-Bug

 

My K-Bel

 

My K-Baby

 

My Boy

 

The youngest Thom praying for our meal

 

Yep, These are the Cain's

And yes, That IS my K-Bel

 

Some of our girlies

 

And that 1 cousin boy

It was a full day of family

21 of us at my brothers home

Way too much food, fun and laughter

Welcome December

JOY #24 Son #1

August 1983

This little guy came into our lives

As a 21 month old foster child

Who would not have fallen head 

over heels in love

With this red headed, freckle faced

Chunky little kiddo

 

Today 

Married and raising My 3 K's

He is still the joy of my life

And even with a face full of hair

Tattoos around his neck

And sunglasses 24/7

 

I'm still head over heels 

In love with my oldest son

Happy 32nd Birthday

JOY #24

MY ANDREW