Don't Blink

So you blink...  

and suddenly...

Big sister is nine and newborn baby sister is five....  

And there's a party with family and friends....

And you take a snapshot of this moment.  

And you savor the smiles.  The giggles.  The laughter...

Careful not to blink again...  

Because you want to hold on to this moment for a very long time.

Gracie, what say you?

If I blink, maybe New Bunny will be gone from on top of me.  This would be a good thing.  Gracie.  PS Happy Birthday Summer, thanks for the cookies memories.

Thirty-Eight means I'm Old

Today I share with you this post from six years ago...

click here >  WET OATMEAL KISSES  < click here

A lot has changed since then.  

 The following badge I found on Facebook and it brought a tear to my eye, it looks like my boy Jack at that age.  (Where have the years gone!)  When he was that age the simple fix for a hurt was to cover it with a band aid or kiss it and make it better.  The quote could not be more appropriate to describe my feelings these days... 

The boy has grown to be a man.  He excels in honesty and integrity and has a strong work ethic.  He loves God and he loves his family.  I am truly undeserving but surely blessed to call him son.  

Happy 38th Birthday Jack!  

It's a Happy Birthday

 

Dear Diary,

Today is Mom's birthday.  She is older than dirt at sixty-one.  Lindsey is taking her out for dinner today and she said I could go  she didn't ask me I hope she brings home a doggie bag for yours truly.   I mean, come on.  Her heart belongs to the dog...   Disregard any gift from Dad of personalized propaganda that you may have witnessed at the beginning of this blog post.   Gracie.

Important

Some things in life are just.  Important.

Like visiting my sis and taking her some big candy for her up-and-coming birthday this week.

And celebrating my own up-and-coming birthday at Rocky Gap with the love of my life, 

my husband.

Thanks Rocky Gap for the free birthday buffet/dinner!!

And then, going upstairs at the Gap and putting fifty bucks in my favorite Wizard of Oz slot machine and almost doubling my money....

And then.  Spending time with the grands.

Jungle Book.  

 

Yep.  Some things in life are just.  Important.  

Dear Diary,

I'd like to take this time to bring it to your attention, dear diary, that my needs and wants and desires are absolutely last on the list of things for Mommie dearest and daddy darling to be doing at this point.  No.  No dog projects.  Only things like building a deck for the swimming pool.  A screened in porch.  Flowers in the yard, a new golden ear in the front yard, and vacation plans which do not include the dog. See what I mean?  I see nothing that screams out let's see what we can do for our loving, beautiful cockapoo.  Whatever.  Gracie.

Happy Birthday

Four years ago today, I waited outside of labor and delivery for the best birthday present I'd ever get.  And I'd be a Grammy for the first time.

My birthday: I spent the day in the hospital doing
 what Grammy's do best :)

If you would have waited just 1 1/2 hours, we could have celebrated our birthday's together.  

But you were anxious to make an appearance.  You must have felt the love that was waiting...

 

I didn't get a cake that year for my birthday. 
 Instead, I got a CuppyCake.  
(my nickname for you).

Where did the years go?

Happy Birthday my little Cupcake....

XOXOXO  from Pop-Pop

and Grammy

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

About my brother. 

 Jimmy was a Marine who served in Vietnam and received a purple heart.  

He doesn't do well with life in general...  he's had addictions, several marriages that ended in divorce, and health problems.  

He's lived in shacks, hotels, houses and cars.  He's always been a hard worker but has never known quite how to 'have a life'.  He has a beat up old car that barely runs and lives a few hours away from me.

  He is now disabled.  

His medal might be purple...  but his true heart is made of gold.  If Jimmy had ten dollars to his name and you asked him for it... he'd give it to you.  His generosity is probably why he has absolutely nothing to this day. 

I love my brother Jimmy, and I missed his birthday last week.

That is why I'm baking his favorite cupcakes and sending them out to him tomorrow.

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Muffins

Action shot

Another action shot

Shhhh...  don't tell Jimmy I'm sending him cupcakes.  It's a surprise.

Ready for the oven

Golden and Delicious.  

Happy Birthday Brother!!!