Turning Sweet.

Oh where in the world does the time go?

I've probably already said that in several other posts, right?  Milestones come up so much quicker than we ever think they will, days flow gently into one another and sooner or later our children begin to grow up. 

My oldest child has hit one of those important milestones this year, once twirling around as only little girl's can, full of boundless energy, she has turned one full turn into a young woman right before our very eyes.  What an amazing and beautiful blessing. 

Throughout the years a mother's heart rejoices in the fact that her child has graciously become a lady and at the very same time her heart grieves that child that no longer is.  (just a little melancholy about it all I guess, lol.) 

Sweet sixteen is such an important birthday for a young girl.  Her future lay before her, the possiblities endless and she has the world in her hands.  We will celebrate her coming of age with joy and admiration.  It truly is something special.   

My daughter is growing up quickly now and in only a couple more years she'll be off to college and starting to plan the rest of her life.  As hard as the teen years can sometimes be, perhaps I am now realizing that nothing truly good ever comes easy. 

Every relationship has a bump of sorts every now and again, lol.  We've undoubtedly hit a few bumps in the road during these teen years, as most parents do.  Little bumps, you know, the average eye rolling, mumbling, and dragging of the feet variety, but even so, she really is a great kid....Loving, Loyal, Joyful, Fun, Honest, Dedicated, and Considerate.  I couldn't ask for better qualities to be truthful.   I am proud of her and the young lady she is. 

~~"If"~~

If you can value truth

above approval,

and friendship over beauty,

wealth or fame,

If you can share your gifts

and talents wisely,

leaving someone better off

than when you came....

If you find happiness

in simple pleasures

and see the rainbow, not the falling rain,

If you have faith to keep right on believing

in miracles that no one else can explain,

If you look until you see the good in others

and keep your spirit honest, true, and free,

then you'll be, not just happy and successful,

but the woman only you

were meant to be.

If you could see

all the flowers in the world,

If you could hear

all the laughter in the universe,
If you could make all the dreams

that ever were wished come true,

Then you would know

a little part of the joy

of having and loving

a daughter like you.

Emily Matthews

Our family memories of my daughter through the years......

Her unfolding into the rose she has bloomed into....

A stroll down life's Memory Lane with us...

come along if you like.

16 Candles...

For you my girl......

Happy Birthday!

My pregnancy with you was an interesting one, especially since you were my first.  You wanted the world to know you were on your way for sure.  You were the most active baby, and did somersaults in my belly, you never stopped moving.  You still haven't, lol. 

Looking back it was no surprise that you came three weeks early.  The pregnancy was taxing, but you were such a joy as a baby.  Your dimpled smile could light me up like no other. It is no secret that you had your daddy wrapped around your chubby little finger the moment he laid eyes upon you...

As a toddler your energy was boundless. I couldn't wait for you to walk.  Talking came first, very early as a matter of fact.  Once you started walking we couldn't get you to sit still (consequentially neither did I, lol).  Once you began to talk, well everyone knew who you were!

I couldn't keep clothes on you for the life of me.  You were my nature baby and wanted to be free!  Thank god our neighbors were like a bunch of grandparents to you and they got such a kick out of you regardless of what you were (or weren't) wearing.  Chubby baby legs and all.

You didn't have the patience for dance.....and wanted to teach the class instead!   You sure did look cute in those tu-tu's though! 

When we signed you up to play sports, it was because we needed an outlet for ALL THAT ENERGY!  It turned out that you loved it, and still do.  You really are as good as everyone says girlie, remember that and keep a level head.

You were always Gabby Gertie in class but somehow your teachers couldn't help but love you.  You have a wonderful sense of humor still. 

I love that you are still not afraid to be silly, and you really crack me up with some of the crazy things you do!  You have always been a clown!

YOU were a tom boy through and through.  There wasn't a fishing trip you would forgo, a tree you wouldn't climb, a frog you wouldn't find or a boy you wouldn't race. 

But then there were times I could turn you back into a little lady and we would enjoy a tea party or two....

When you became a big sister, you thought that she was only yours, a little doll.  I loved to watch the two of you playing together when you were little.  You will one day become best friends,

I am sure.

You embraced growing up and couldn't wait to become one of the big kids. 
Braces came and went, glasses turned into contacts! 

 What a pretty smile!  Jr. high was a breeze and high school is a blast for you.  I'm so happy you are making some wonderful memories and have been blessed with some great friends to make them with!

You once again became a big sister to your baby brother and I adore the way you are with him.  I see the patience you have with him and the way you protect him. 

I think you will make an excellent teacher someday, if you stick to your dreams because you know you are capable of anything you set you mind to. 

Soon you will be in a car driving around with my  heart inside.  It is hard to explain but it is true that when you have children your heart is walking outside of your body for the rest of your days. I know that you find it silly when I tell you this, you will understand one day.  Please take care of that heart because it is so hard to let go sometimes. 

I know you have big plans my girl and I hope and pray all your dreams come true.  But most of all I wish you happiness in finding those dreams and all your days.  You will fly someday and I will always be here.

 

Happy 16th Birthday Sweetheart and many, many, many more. 

You have always been a gift to us and I love you child, to the moon and back....

yes,

forever and ever--always.

~Mom~

Take care,

Dee

Easter Blessings

Eastertime Greetings
to all you
"Peeps".

Eastertime at our Farmhouse......
(a long and picture heavy post!)

Is your Easter Bonnet ready?

Did you dress it all up in fresh spring flowers?

Will you be dressed in your best Easter dress, all ready for church?  I love the Easter service at our church, the sermon is so fresh and renewing with all the children dressed up in their pastel bonnets and gloves. 

 

 When I was a little girl a pair of white gloves was always a part of the outfit with a frilly pair of socks and a little white patent leather purse to match your shoes.  My first Easter below with my Nannie and above in 76' in a handmade Easter dress my Great Aunt Anna lovingly made for me...

She even made a mathching houndstooth overcoat to go with it.  I loved that dress!

 Have you colored your eggs?

 

Easter joy...

rejoicing in all that is fresh and new.

A time of birth and renewal.

Birds are nesting, babies are born....

How appropriate for this time of year, considering all that Easter truly means.

The way that the earth resurrects itself
from the death of winter.

The fresh pastel colors harken the begining of this beautiful Season. 

Farmhouse shelves covered in Bunnies....

simply because they are cute!

Vintage easter cards make great decorations....

I cut up reproduction cards and attached them to painted paper mache boxes for display....they are used to store the decorations when the holiday is over too so they serve a double purpose.

I have always loved Beatrix Potter's stories, we pull them out this time of the year and decorate with them, her sweet illustrations of cute little rabbits, fluffy kittens, and ducklings, it seems apropo for the season.

Peter Rabbit

&

Mrs. Tiggy Winkle.....

I used to put her little books into my children's easter baskets each year, when the girls were little. 

They have grown beyond her books and movies but I still love them.  We still fill their baskets with books, but older versions.  We have also filled their Easter baskets with vintage hankies for our girls, a pretty keepsake mirror and brush set, perfume, books, stationary, pretty pens, jewelry, gardening supplies with vintage seed packets.  My son has received things like little cars and trucks, a new baseball, books, bubbles, crayon and coloring books.  We have a tradition of making cinnamon rolls for breakfast Easter morn after we open baskets, then church, and then we hunt for eggs with cousins before heading off to a wonderful meal at my sister in love and brother's house each year with the extended family. 

As you can see I have a little collection.....

Bunnies all throughout the Farmhouse!

My kitchen bunny...hmmmm, she seems to be missing a few whiskers!

A basketful of sawdust stitched eggs made with some country calico.

My baby's visit with the Easter Bunny at his school Easter party.....

He sure was questioning the size of that bunny!  LOL!

I wish you all a BLESSED EASTER!

May your days be renewed and your spirit resurrected this Easter in all the spring beauty that surrounds us! 

Take Care,

Dee

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

No chicken dinner here, just a cute lil ol' Cupcake sign and a few surprise goodies going out to a Farmhouse Follower.  I told you I would post the winner today, and I wasn't April Foolin' ya'll either!  It's a little late but I always say better late than never (since I'm often late lately, giggle)!

Again, thank you to all of you who have followed my blog throughout the year and those of you who signed up for this giveaway...I read each of your comments and bounced around to your blogs here and there to check in on you, of course I ended up reading blogs for a whole day, because you all just make it so easy to want to stay a while, lol! 

I wish I could give you each your very own cupcake sign, but until I become independently wealthy I will have to pick only one lil itty bitty winner......keep trying though, there will be more giveaways to come!  It can be purchased in the Farmhouse Mercantile though if you are still interested. 

Now onto random number generator at random.org.....they make it so much easier than cutting up all those comments and drawing the old name out of a hat trick!

So the winner is......

cough,  cough....

Goosegirl Sews

Congratulations!

Goosegirl said...

"Happy Blogiversary!! I just had my 1 year last month and still have not done my anniversary giveaway yet! I love your blog! I am a follower now!"

Happy Blogiversary to you too Goosegirl, I got the chance to head on over to your ADORABLE blog and I have to tell everyone to check it out, you make some of the most beautiful things!  She made the cutest spring dress with a cameo.....you can view it here...... Oh my Goodness darlin'! 

 

I also, have to say that I love the original Alice in Wonderland Movie from Disney (haven't seen the new one yet), and I know a few little gals who would love to wear these dresses she made.  Oh and as far as aprons go, this gal knows what she's doing...(I'll take the green M.E. pattern and the vintagey red one).  Well congrats on your win Goosegirl, send me an email (found in my Mercantile link) with an address to send your gifts to. 

 

Well, I don't have much more for this post, but check back tomorrow for an EASTER Blessings post......I still have lots of pictures to upload amidst redecorating two bathrooms (this Farmhouse has to be whipped into shape in two days! Hmmm, can she do it?). 
Have a great evening friends!

Take Care,

Dee