Spring is Here

The months are going by and life goes on. 

I miss writing here....

I guess it's a good thing though, because it means I'm living my life. 

God has been so good to our family. 

Two brothers-in-law who were touched by God's healing hand

and led to doctors that helped them get well. 

I could never list all the blessings that God showers on us every day. 

He is such a great God!

Do you know Him?

It's Snowing (But Not Here)

It's a cold weekend, even here in Florida

but not quite cold enough for snow. 

It IS snowing in parts of Georgia though and I asked my husband 

if we could travel north to see snow

but he had other commitments this weekend which prevented us from leaving. 

That makes me sad ☹

I was born in Chicago, but when I was just about six weeks old

my family packed up and moved to Florida.

Forty years ago, right after my husband and I got married

it actually snowed here in Central Florida

but we didn't realize it until the following morning

when we woke up and saw snow all over the ground and even on our car.

It was a BEAUTIFUL sight!

We didn't have any film in the camera to take some pictures

and it was before the age of digital cameras and smart phones,

so I missed the opportunity to capture the moment

but I never forgot that beautiful snow. 

It was gone by about 10:30 that morning, but it was a beautiful sight while it lasted.

About 20 years ago, my husband, our two boys and myself

visited some dear friends in Utah. 

We went up to the mountains, and we did see snow on the ground, 

but we never got to see it falling...

that happened the day we left. 

We recently took a trip to New York City.

It was our first time there...we were celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary.

It was pretty cold, but it didn't snow, not until a day or two after we left. 

One of these days, I'm going to see it actually snowing! 

I want so badly to build a snowman

and he's going to look just like this:

Happy New Year

Well, a new year has begun.
I'm never very fond of the beginning of a new year

I think because none of us knows what lies ahead, 

but I am a Christian, and I need to show my faith in my Creator

by trusting Him completely with whatever lies ahead. 

No doubt, last year was a rough year, and not just for me, 

but for so many other friends and loved ones. 

Through it all He is making us strong and refining us

like Jars of Clay:

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
Treasures in Jars of Clay
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay,
to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to dispair; 9 persecuted but not forsaken;
struck down, buy not destroyed;

So - let us move forward in this brand new year trusting our Heavenly Father
and expecting great things as He covers us with His wings and surrounds us with His love.

I wish each of you a beautiful year ahead! 

Hello November

Well, I didn't post very much last month...I'm sorry.
Not sure why really, some times it is hard to write when the heart is too heavy or tender. 

Last post was on the day of my parents' anniversary,

but there were other wonderful things to celebrate in October, that didn't make me sad.

October was the birthdays of my son, Manuel, his wife Darla, 

and my other daughter-in-"love" Meagan!

We usually pick one Friday night to celebrate all three and that's just what we did! 

It was a fun night, except for my stressing over the meal.
Usually we grill steaks, but this year my hubby wanted to try out some Sliders recipes.

The video he happened to see on FaceBook, looked way too easy.

I should have known better!

We didn't plan well enough and didn't allow ourselves enough time to make them.

We ended up eating like an HOUR later than planned.

Thank the LORD I had bought a tray of organic veggies and a try of fruit and cheese

to munch on while we waited. 

The sliders were delicious once they were done, 

but I'm not planning on making them again any time soon.

Here are some pictures from that night.

Meagan (on the left) turned "30"

Manuel turned 37 and his wife Darla turned 35. 

We had a lot of fun that night. 

Then of course - there was Halloween.

Here are the grandkids all dressed up:

Here are Woody and Jessie

 Here are Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn
(I believe they are villains from the Batman movies, hahaha)

and my older son decided to wear one of his costumes from the 80's hahaha
as he took the girls around

Love my family! So very blessed! 
Thank you Lord!

A Truly Happy Anniversary

Today would have been my parents' 71st Wedding Anniversary. 

Today they get to celebrate together again.

They were only together on this earth for 31 years as husband and wife. 

My mom waited 39 years to be reunited with my father. 

This is how I picture them again. 

Young and so much in love. 

Almost like the ending scene in the movie "Titanic" 

after the old woman dies and is made young again when she sees her love. 

Do you remember that scene? 

Or the ending in "Somewhere in Time" 

with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour

I am so happy that they are together again.
My mom talked about their reunion so very much. 

For years she talked about it...

I just didn't understand, not completely, how much she longed for that day. 

I still can't believe she's gone!

I started crying in Lowes the other day, looking at all the Christmas stuff. 

She loved Christmas! 

She loved everything about it. I guess that's where I get my love for Christmas from.

She always made it so special. 

It's going to be very different this year. 

Today is also my beautiful niece's birthday.

She was born on my parent's 25th Wedding Anniversary.

That was so incredibly special!!!

Here is a picture of her as a baby with my mom and dad.

What a blessing she has been to our family!

This is the same niece who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the very beginning of this year. 

She's been through eight rounds of chemo, had several surgeries, lost all her hair 

(but it's coming back now and is so beautiful),

Through it all she trusted God, she praised Him for His goodness, 

she stayed strong, and today she was able to truly celebrate her life 

and the beginning of another year. 

Here is a recent picture of her with her beautiful daugther

Thank your for your goodness Father God, and for your many blessings!

You are so good to us, even in the rough times. 

Why do we ever doubt you? Why do we ever worry? 

Because we are human, I suppose. 

You are so patient with us. Thank you God for loving us the way you do. 

Thank you God for forgiving us of all our sins and mistakes.

Thank you for understanding our weaknesses. 

Thank you for surrounding us with your love 

and the love and comfort of our family and friends

when the journey gets tough down here on earth. 

Thank you for letting us celebrate Angela's life 

and please let my mom and dad know how much I love them and miss them. 

Hurricane Matthew

Well, it's a new week and with it brings new adventures and new challenges.

This is ours this week - it's called Hurricane Matthew.

It's already barreled through Haiti, and the eastern tip of Cuba

and is now heading towards the US, more specifically - the Florida Coastline. 

Where will it land, no one knows for sure right now. 

So everyone is preparing, stores are already running out of water and other necessary supplies. 

Some are in a panic, others are in denial, still others are upset about all the media hype 

as they see it as causing a panic, but we honestly don't know how this will unfold

and we should already be prepared. 

I'm suppose to do an outdoor event this Saturday

and the coordinator insists it's still a "go"

we shall see.

I  updated my blog (top right) photo because, after all - it is now October.

And I've put out some fall decorations, although it has still been in the 90's here

so it's a bit hard to get in the spirit of Fall.

Most Floridians are hoping for some cooler weather before too long. 

My family and I did celebrate something rather special this past Saturday

October 1st was the 45th Anniversary of Walt Disney World's opening here in Florida.

My family and I went. All ten of us. 

As soon as we approached the gate, it started to rain...oh yeah

and it continued on throughout the evening. 

We were soaked...down to our sneakers and socks, hahaha

but it was a memorable evening for sure!

I wanted so badly to get a picture of all of us, but that didn't happen. 

I did get a picture of me, though

and they gave each of us this real cool pin commemorating that special day!!! 

Happy Birthday To Me

Today was my birthday...I turned 58. 

It was a really nice day! 

I anticipated it being hard, because it was my first one without mom,

but it was ok. I made it through...

Not without some tears, but that's to be expected, I suppose.

My dear friend Theresa spent a good part of the day with me.

Everyone else had to work, but she was able to meet me for lunch

She had the little booth all set up with Princess Placemats 

and we had a lovely lunch together. 

After lunch we visited some lovely shops downtown. 

I love quaint downtown shops! 

She has become such a dear, sweet friend to me 

and I am so thankful God has brought her into my life. 

Her life has not been without adversity, but she is one of the most positive people I know. 

She is strong in her faith and full of the joy of the Lord. 

Then she left to go to her studio (she teaches dance)

and I came home to wait for Manny and then head out to a lovely dinner

with my kids and grandkids. There was a balloon waiting for me at the restaurant,

along with some beautiful yellow daisies, and we had CAKE, too! 

Here's a picture my sweet daughter-in-love captured of me and the grandkids

In a few weeks we will take our annual family pictures.

It's the only thing I ask for for my birthday.

I have had so many expressions of love sent to me, in cards, texts, FaceBook Posts and Messages. 

I am so blessed. I am so thankful for God's goodness and mercy to me.

Thank you Lord! 

Today this song came on the radio. It's a song I have always felt strongly about.

I've decided it's my motto. I hope I'm living my life this way.