Happy Birthday, My Baby

To my son...my baby,

You are a gift sent straight from heaven, we are so lucky to have you.  The past five years with you has been such a blessing to our family.

You are so very smart.  You amaze me all the time with your BIG words and how you use them.  You ask so many questions that I sometimes think you are maybe writing a book, lol! 

What a curious little boy you are and I love answering you...no matter how many times you ask.  That is how we learn.

You have such an awesome imagination.  I love how you can get lost in play, that is one of the most beautiful things about being a child.  You are in full gear now, pretending to be anything, anytime and anywhere! 

You are so helpful and kind to others and you use good manners....even when I'm not there, as your teacher told me at back to school night!  I am so proud of you! 

You are the silliest five year old I know!  We can always crack up together, and can have fun almost anywhere!  You have the best sense of humor!  I love to giggle with you, yes, hands down a favorite thing to do with you.

  You are the best hugger-snuggler...EVER~!  You are such a SWEET boy.....stay that way.

You were given the name "Bass Master" because of the great fishing that you do with your daddy....boy, you can catch fish with the best of them! 

There are so many wonderful things about you that make me so lucky to be your mommy but I will finish up by saying Happy Birthday Baby......and many, many, more.

I love you forever and always, to the moon and back child.....

~Mommy~

XOXOXOXXOXOXOXOXOXO

Alive and Kicking...catching up.

I am still here.

Alive and kicking.

It has been a very long time since my last post....

All that talk about posting more now that summer is here?

Bologna, I know.

This past summer went by in a blaze of glory.

Gone as fast as it came.

As I sit here on the eve before the new school year starts, I am trying to recount the days.

While I can't quite sum it all up into a really exciting and entertaining post, I have been able to gather a list.

A list that may explain my lack of posting....even justify it.

Here it is....
a list...with a few random thoughts thrown in.

--I completed a very satisfying year of work for the first time in a long time.  I'm so grateful for my job and the wonderful people I work with.

--I am recovering from illness and thankfully on the mend....

I am now however finding out that I am arthritic before even hitting 40....

seriously, really.

--We had a wonderful camping trip in the begining of summer vacation.

--A few visits to the beach...not as often as I would have liked but we were there

none-the-less.

--Even after I was on the mend, I continued to neglect my blog and made a point to stay off the computer entirely and focus on the most important things in my life, taking care of my health, devoting time to my family and making precious memories with them.

--My father has continued to recover by the Grace of God.  He is sprouting hair like weeds.

--My daughters best friend was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Lukemia on the day my father was cleared of his cancer.  Yes the lord does work in mysterious ways.

This has been eye opening for my family...we love our childrens friends like family.   My daughter has had a lot of emotion to work through this summer. 

--A fundraiser was held for her and her family, it was amazing to see people come together in our community.

--We redecorated my daughters rooms, because they are growing up too fast, and it was quite hard for me to pack away some of their childhood memorabilia.

--A few college visits for my oldest.

--Celebrated July Fourth and my fathers recovery with a LARGE family party.

--We have torn apart our bathroom and are in the slow moving process of renovating it....

not fun, not fun at all.

--Experienced tremours from our first earthquake.

--We gathered family inside our home and waited out hurricane Irene, that decided to show up along with a few tornadoes....and thank god we were mostly untouched by it.

--Add in a few days in between of floating in our pool, swimming in the creek, chasing fireflies, planting a few garden beds...and that pretty much sums it all up. 

It went by too fast.  I wish we had more time.

Now it all has come to an abrupt end and we're moving into a new season. 

It just so happens to be my most favorite season of all.

A new school year begins tomorrow and I will be back at work.

I am a little melancholy this year.

This school year

My oldest will be starting the first day of her last year of school....a senior.

and

My son will be starting his first day of his first year of school......kindergarten.

Our middle child will be moving into 8th grade.

 

It is all a little bittersweet.

But we are all alive and kicking afterall!

If you've stuck with me then thank you!

I should have a post to share soon.....
I won't say when, but soon.

I hope you all are well!

Take care,
Dee

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

To all the Great Dads out there!

 

We are celebrating Father's Day this year with a full heart.  After months of chemotherapy and prolonged hospital stays we have my Dad home once again.  This last bout was a hard and long road for my father, taxing, scary and hard.  But he fought it.  We fought it.  With many, many, prayers.  All answered.  Because now, as of last week, we received word that his first scan since his last treatment showed that he is now clear of cancer, thank God.

I am so very, very, grateful.....To have him here.....

To have him healthy.



To be able to celebrate how blessed I have been having him as my father another year means the world to me.  Thank you for all the prayers, concern, and support you have shown us.

Now, I want to wish my wonderful husband a Happy Father's Day!  You are a GREAT father.

We've said it before and will say it again.....you are supportive, loving, guiding, funny, a great cook, a patient teacher, kind, an excellent fisherman, wrestler, and you know lots of things (according to your son),  a great study partner, and overall a great example.

Thank you for being a wonderful Father to our children.

We love you very much and we are your biggest  

's!!!!

(corny I know...but we are, lol.)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

On another note, I'm sorry I've been so far behind in my blogging...along with everything else!  I am wrapping up things at work for the summer and will have more time now that school has let out.  Thank you for being so patient with me and understanding.  It has been a long year full of adjustments. 

I haven't forgotten the giveaway and I will be announcing the winner in a few days! 

Thank you all for entering!

Take care!

 Dee 

Thankful Be

We are most thankful.

RoAsT TuRKeY, sTUfFinG, SwEEt pOTatoes, gREen BeANs, mAShed PoTatOeS, pUMpKiN PiE, aPPle pIE

Cornucopia of Gratitude.....

There is so much in my life  to be THANKFUL for....the love of my family, our health, support when I need it, a roof over our heads, a husband who works hard at his job, loves and supports his FAMILY; a wonderful job with great coworkers, customers who purchase my work, living in a country where people are free and many choose to protect us, THANKFUL for all of those families out there that make sacrafices to make that possible.  Food on the table.  Blessed with a family of my own and Watching my children grow.  THANKFUL for the many friendships I have been blessed with. 

Our home has been dressed up in it's Fall Finery for sometime now....but after this weekend it will all be coming down to make way for Christmas!  One last peek?

I remind my FAMILY that with each HARVEST we will reap what we have sown.  In order to harvest a bounty of love and peacefulness we must first plant that all the year through.

A little pumpkin and apple pie candle.  Who knew something so very small and cute could tickle me? 

I love little things and decorating my childs stove is always fun for me!

Pumpkin or apple?  What's your favorite?

This time of the year I would choose pumpkin but all the rest of the year through it's apple all the way!

The hoosier sideboard.....once a dark green is now a distressed country white....I love reinventing my pieces, keeps me from getting too bored!  This is all ready to serve some seasonal goodies from.

I call this piece....."Dishes in waiting".....he,he....

Over the River and Through The Woods.......to Grandmother's House we Go......

It is the first time in 20 years that I will be spending Thanksgiving with my parents and brothers at my childhood home. My father requested that we all come home this year and we all happily abided.  Since I've met my husband we have celebrated the holiday with my inlaws. Because both of our familes are so extensive we divide up the holidays and spend it with each side. For the past 13 of those years we've held it at our house and we've cooked.

I am excited to go home and spend time with my family this year, seeing everyone together at the same time will be a real treat.  My father will be starting his chemo soon and this will be one last hoorah for all of us before he is too sick....I'm especially thankful we are all able to gather together around him.

 

On Friday or Saturday after a little holiday shopping, we will have another turkey dinner at home since that is what my children are used to.  We will have all the dishes they are used to but on a much smaller scale than I usually cook.

So how many of you are black Friday Shoppers out there?  I will be doing a little less of it this year but may venture out for a little while here and there.  I will also be offering a discount on a special sign in my etsy shop on Saturday so be sure to check back in if you are a customer. 

There is a giveaway going on....a mystery holiday giveaway.

I'm doing it a little differently this time around.

Be sure to check back in every now and again....you just might be the winner of the mystery sign without even knowing it!

That's right...you don't know the rules, don't know the date, don't know the giveaway!

But I think you might be pleaseed when you see just what it is.

 

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Friends.

Take Good Care,

xo

Dee

And so.....

The past two months have flown by so quickly I have rarely had time to peek on blogs much less make a post on my own.  I have to tell you that I'm sorry I've been gone and want to thank so many of you who have left messages and emails of concern, you all are so sweet.  I have missed blogging and intend to get back to it when possible even if it is not as frequently as I would like. 

A few things have recently affected the personal time I have on the computer, the first being my adjusting to the new job and balancing family life with it and more importantly the second reason is the return of my father's cancer.  And so now I have returned to ask for your prayers....for my father and for our family. 

My father has been in remission for the past three years and recently discovered a lump which has now been confirmed as the same cancer he battled the first time around.  He will be treated even more agressively this time and it will be more taxing on his body requiring hospitalization for periods of time.  During  the holidays this will not be an easy way to celebrate so we've changed our plans and will be spending as much time with my father and family as possible. 

It is so difficult to see him weakened by the treatments, he has always been a pillar of strength for our family.  He has been laid off for sometime due to the economic effects on the mom-and-pop employer he's worked many years for.  Coincidentally, my mother was also laid off from her job of 25 years this winter only to discover the cancer the week following that news.  

Although, I am terribly concerned about their job situation there couldn't be a truer testament to everything happens for a reason.  It will be easier to get him back and forth for his treatments that are a couple hours drive from their home without worrying about her job.  There is obviously a bigger plan in place.  My mother has a very positive attitude about all of it which helps.  I know that this is what life holds when your parents age, but it is not easy none-the-less.  I know must faithfully trust that they are where they are supposed to be right now even if I don't like it at all and so we could certainly use prayers, the strength of prayer in numbers would greatly be appreciated!

The front porch above seems to be a place I sit to reflect the past couple of weeks.  I retreat there in the autumn evenings when my worries overcome me.  I can sit in a rocker in the solice of the early evening after the day is done with a warm sweater and watch the sun go down.  Even if it is only a short time it helps me to clear my mind and keep things in perspective.  Reflecting on positive things.

Something that has certainly become evident to me these past few weeks is that I will focus on gratitude this season like no other.  For through all of this, we can still be grateful.  Especially for the past three years my father was in remission and pray that he will make it through this once again.  Thank you for returning....I wish I had a more upbeat post but unfortunately this is what is on our plate right now.  I'll be back soon to share some Autumnish things that have still occurred amidst the troubles....promise.

Take care,
Dee

A Fishin' We All Went!

A Fishing Birthday Party....

 for my baby....who is becoming a big boy too fast!

When I asked him what kind of party he wanted for his birthday this year he exclaimed a "Fishing Party momma!"  He loves to fish with his Daddy so I knew this would be a party that would really suit his interest and mean something for him.  It took a little planning, but it was all put together with very little effort,

and rather low cost and when all was said and done, I enjoyed putting it together!

So a Fishin' we all went!

I packed brown bag lunches for each child, with a sub, gold fish, and raisins.

Each child received a fishing hat, small tackle box, a cane fishing pole and candy "bait" for favors.

He has an old fashioned all boy theme in his big boy room so I plucked a few of his decorative items off the shelves and used them on our buffet table where the adults could assemble a sandwich for themselves.

An antique tackle box holds favor bags of "bait". 

A local park served as the beautiful backdrop for our party, so peaceful and serene.

Thats my Birthday Boy on the playground in his fishing vest.

It was great for keeping the children busy in between fishing and games like

"Pass the Bait Bucket"

The children each used a baited cane pole to fish for sunnies off the dock.

A few caught a fish....

While a few played with the worms.

I don't know who had more fun...the kids or the dads!

After washing up they sat down to eat their fishing lunches.....

And then we sang Happy Birthday and ate

Simple Homemade Chocolate Cupcakes, my sons favorite, with bass toppers my sweet SIL made for us.

and we sent them home with goodie bags of "BAIT"... make that kid bait!

Gummy worms, inside celophane sacks tied with a homemade bait fish tag that we wrote a short thank you note on the back of.

Well I hope this post finds you all well.  Things have changed here in our farmhouse and my family is still adjusting to school and their momma having a job there.  I love my new job, seriously, I do.  I am still trying to find a balance with juggling work and a family (my number one priority) which can be a challenging but we are managing just fine!
I will be working on some autumn signs and am almost finished with the fall decor so I'll be sharing in my next post.  Enjoy your week and Take Good Care of yourself!
XO
Dee