Unexpected Kindness

So this is how my day started out...

My niece posted this on FaceBook this morning. 

She misses her mom / I miss my sister (her mom)

and I miss my mom! 

But then when the day was almost over - these arrived at my door

What a thoughtful gift from Pete and April

(my daughter-in-law's sister and her husband).

I thanked them and they explained that they understood how I was feeling

and that they knew this would be a difficult Mother's Day for me.

You see April (and Darla) lost their mother in November of 2014

so they truly understand the pain of losing a mother.

Denise is the one I wrote about just yesterday.

This act of unexpected kindness was such a sweet blessing. 

Thank You Lord for the way you minister to us. 

Missing Mom

I missed writing here yesterday, but I know that's ok.

Yesterday was not as productive a day as I would have liked.

Thought a lot about my mom.

There are so many things I didn't say or do and wish I had. 

It doesn't matter, she knows and understands. 

Today I spent the day with Manny. 

He had a job out of town, about an hour away

and there were some errands we wanted to do nearby. 

It was nice to be together, we spend so much of our day apart. 

It was also nice to get away from the temptation of eating. 

It's hard working from home with a pantry within reach of the computer area

but I've been doing pretty good - staying within my points for each day. 

Shortly after we got home tonight, we were paid a visit 

by our granddaughters Hannah and Sarah, 

so that mommy and daddy could go out to dinner. 

Today would have been our daughter-in-law's mother's birthday

so it was good for her to get a quiet dinner out 

to reflect and celebrate the life of her mother.

Denise was one of the sweetest women I've ever known. 

She loved her LORD and she loved her Family. 

After dinner (we had pizza) I gave the girls each a popsicle. 

When they finished, they asked for a second. 

My normal response would have been "No" 

because mommy and daddy don't like them to have too much sugar

but I know if they were at Denise's - she would have said "YES"

so in honor of her, the girls each got a second popsicle.

They laughed and smiled real big! 

Sarah asked about Heaven and why Mamoo and Grandma Helen are there, 

and Hannah began to tell her sister what an amazing place Heaven is, 

almost as though she had seen it with her own eyes. 

I joined in and we told Sarah what a WONDERFUL, MAGICAL place Heaven is

where we don't have to sleep, there are no boo boos or tears. 

"It is WAY better than the Magic Kingdom" we told her. 

Then Hannah began to tell Sarah about the KEY that gets us into Heaven

having Jesus in our heart and living our life for HIM. 

It made me so happy, so much joy came over us all

for those moments - I don't think any of us feared leaving this earth.

What are you thoughts about Heaven? 

Weight Watchers

So, about 14 years ago I lost 25+ lbs. I did it by using Slim Fast shakes and meals for at least one of my daily meals, and I paid attention to what I was eating. I also started doing Pilates and weights for my upper body. The excess weight came off pretty quick. I was so happy and LOVED the new me. Actually, it was the same me, but less of me. I had more energy and felt better than I had in a while.

Unfortunately, some of those excess pounds have come back to pay me a visit,
partly because I have gone through menopause and that seems to wreak havoc on our metabolism,
and secondly because I had slipped back into some bad eating habits again.
I have tried various things to help me get those extra pounds off
but they keep coming back. I need some accountability.

So last week I joined Weight Watchers.
Today was my 1st week weigh-in and I'm down 2.8 lbs.
HURRAY!
Let's hope I'm strong enough to keep this going.
It's not so much about the weight or the extra pounds,
it is about the way I feel.
Know what I'm talking about?

My goal is to lose about 12 more pounds.
How about you?
What are some of your goals?
Write them down and post them around. It will help keep you motivated.

I'm Still Here!

I can't believe I'm back here again. It seems like FOREVER! I missed writing so very much!  

Not sure I even remember how. I mean - I know how to type, but I've forgotten the format I was using - the font and the style....

Oh well, please forgive me while I get reacquainted here. More that two years have gone by since my last post. My family has grown, but I've also suffered one of the greatest loses of my life. My sweet mother has left this earth and joined my father, sister, nephew, and many other loved ones in Heaven. I still can't believe she's gone. Life will never be quite the same. With the passing of each loved one who was so dear to me, I've lost a part of myself, and sometimes I feel as though there is not much of me left...but I know that's not so, because of these precious lives that keep me going:

Did you notice something in that picture? We have a new addition.

 May I introduce to you, Miss Abigail Leigh, 

one of the sweetest little girls you ever will see!

Abbey was born in February of 2015

The picture below is the year you missed - when she was a growing in her mama's tummy.

(Picture was taken September 2014)

Hannah is now ten, Ethan is almost 4 1/2, 

and Princess Sarah is FOUR TODAY!

Here is one of Sarah and Ethan side by side, taken about six weeks ago

(I just love this picture and adore these grandchildren!)

I'll stop here for now. 

I hope to keep this going on a regular basis. 

I just love writing here...

Hello Dear Friends!

Hello Dear Friends!

It's been what seems like FOREVER since I've written!

I feel so badly about that.

My life just became so incredibly busy, I couldn't keep up with it all. 

Unfortunately, my blog suffered :0(

It's been an incredible year though and I am so thankful for so many things...

First and foremost, my Savior who has blessed me beyond measure

and holds me together.

Next, for my incredible family who mean the WORLD to me!

Without them, my life would not have much meaning. 

My business has really soared this year. 

It's been a lot of work, but it hasn't seemed like work because I enjoy it so much. 

My husband and I actually put a goal into place recently

and that's to retire...REALLY retire in the next 6 years. 

Of course, it's all in God's hands, but I've learned it's important to have goals to reach for.

I have already met several in the past year and for that I am very grateful!

I wish each and every one of you all the best in the coming year!

If you don't know Jesus, I pray you will come to know HIM. 

There is nothing that matters more!

 I believe with all my heart that the soul lives on when we leave this earth

but the only way to make it into the Father's Kingdom, is through HIS SON! 

One day there will be a glorious reunion up there.

In the meantime, I want to make the most of every moment

and pray that my family will ALWAYS KNOW

how much they mean to me, and how much I love them!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

My 1st Anniversary as an Owl

One year ago today I became an independent designer with Origami Owl.

This journey has been AMAZING!!!

It has helped me to grow and blossom in ways I never knew were possible. 

It has gotten me out of my comfort zone, helped me to be brave, 

and is teaching me to lead others as we all work towards our goals. 

And in case you are wondering about this business...

Goals are being reached very quickly with this company.

I was able to start making my car payments with Origami Owl $ in the second month.

My husband and I took a week long vacation in the Spring

and yesterday we paid off a credit card.

Two nights ago the 50th member was added to my team.

I am SO Blessed to know these ladies and work along side them 

and I am very grateful for all that God has brought my way

through Origami Owl! 

It is very gratifying seeing others reach their goals, as well.

Thank you for this opportunity, Lord. 

Please help me to make the most of my days and always remember 

the things that are most important in this life!

Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday.

I am 55 years old today.

VERY hard to believe, but the old clock continues to tick, tick, tick...

as the days, weeks, months and years go by.

I haven't posted in my Blog for over two weeks

my life has been that crazy busy

but I am still alive and blessed beyond measure. 

I am typing from a tiny netbook computer

from inside our bus. 

We headed to the East Coast (Ft. Pierce, actually)

to celebrate our nephew Scott's 40th birthday 

and our great niece Aria's very FIRST birthday. 

So thankful we can be here to celebrate these very special events.

Campground we stayed at

View at night

Manny & Me

Scott, opening gifts from his grandmother

SO THRILLED with what she got him, he went and put one on right away

Scott and I celebrated many birthdays together when we were younger
since our birthdays were so close together

The Birthday Cake

Let's just say DELICIOUS!!!

Cousins

Scott, Paige, Me, Manny

Aria's 1st Birthday Celebration the next day

Manny with his Mother

Our Great Niece Aria Rose, born on my birthday in 2012

Uncle David with Aria

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jen

Aria's Paternal Great-Grandparents on her Mother's Side

Bisabuela with Ethan, Papa, and Ethan's Mommy