Sixty-Five

My Mom turned 65 on Saturday and my Dad and I arranged for a small surprise party.  And it worked.  She was surprised.  We were only 13 in total but we really enjoyed ourselves.

Poolside in PA

What a beautifully hot hot day we had on Monday. So I decided to head over to our PA resort - aka my parents house! My mom is like me we love to be outdoors in the nice weather so years ago she had my dad add a swimming pool to their wonderful yard. The pool is getting old and in some spots (tiles and the bottom) you can see the wear and tear. But it is 20+ years!

We had a fabulous time spending the day with my niece Jaide - my mom watches her 3 days a week during the summer time. My aunt Dee - she goes in and out of the house as she cannot be in the sun too long due to medications she is taking. And of course my Mom - who loves to play with the kids in the pool. We got sooo carried away with a game that we completely lost an hour of time. We had to scramble out of the pool for Sarah, Jaide's Mom, was coming to pick her up. And I needed to get us home and cook dinner before Bill and I headed out for a little time together.

What a fun fun day! It really brought back memories of when our extended family would come down for a visit and we would play all sorts of games and such! I think we may need to plan another one of those times. I see a family reunion here on the horizon!

Here are some photos to capture the day! I did not take many as I myself was in the pool most of the time. You had sweat pouring off your back if you were out of water for any amount of time.

The girls set up this crazy contraption.

Stephen - he really is happy. The sun is just so bright.

Abigail and her stash.

Me mum

Us driving home. They were wiped out!

Happy Mother's Day

This Mother's day is a bit different than years passed.  My hubby had to scoot out early for church.  But my kiddos are here with me and we will be heading to church later this morning.  Josh wants to me my server today and wants to get me all things.  Too cute.  I made the comment Friday that I don't want to really be "doing" anything today as I do all the time.   But I came to realize that I am a Mom and while it will be exciting and wonderful to hear all the accolades, I am called to be here for my family no matter what the day is.  So with a renewed mind and spirit I will be available for my family in their times of need.  

I was reminded about how precious my children are to me and how much I truly do love them.  I really enjoy being with my children, that is why I was very excited and ready to bring them home to school them.  I love really knowing who my kids are.  I was given a gift last night by Stephen, no it was not in a package it was in his words,  he felt he could come to me and talk to me about something.  That is a wonderful gift!!  I always want my offspring to feel comfortable enough to say anything to me.  I got that last night.   Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend with my one and only Abigail.  What a treat!!!

I remember that I went through several phases in my life about having kids.  I wanted to have more than one, I knew that.  Then I remember being scared out of my mind and not wanting to get pregnant - it was after we were married.  I think the Lord was foreshadowing for me (my pregnancies were not hard but they were not easy for me.  And my deliveries were unnatural). I remember a friend saying that I would probably only have 2 (after Abigail).  She had come over when Abs was only a month old and said that I was done having children.  I really did not give it any thought as I know all things are not up to me.  Then came my Josh and what an easssy baby he was.  The year we moved from PA to OH I miscarried.  There are still times that I wonder who God had for me to mother and also wonder why I did not get the chance to meet this little.  But my God is sovereign and I rest in that.  

(My apologies for getting a little nostalgic.)

To all you Mom's and future Mom's I do wish you a most blessed, happy, and joyful Mother's Day.  May your littles brighten your day!   

Surgery!?.... and my Mom

Bill called the doctor(and the doctor said...) yesterday about his knee.  Although it is not painful anymore he still hears the popping noise and feels it too!  So off to the Doctor this morning and I am sure you know where this is going by the title.  Yup!  surgery.  I was completely shocked when he got home and filled me in.  Meniscus - torn cartilage - is most likely floating around the knee cap and can lodge itself in all the wrong places.  He still needs to call and get it all set up.  In particular an MRI to verify what if anything is in there.   How crazy is that?!

On a separate note, my Mom came over today.  She and I had some alone time as we went out to Panera for lunch.  It was a nice hour just the two of us.  I can't tell you when that happened last.  The kids just love when she comes over as she makes sure she gets to see what each is doing.  She sits down with each of them individually and talks with them about how they are doing, what they are doing, and such!!  After our lunch we came back and played some board and card games.   Boy does the time go uber fast when you are truly having fun, fun, fun!!!

Day in PA

Today the children and I headed out early and went to visit with my Mom in PA.  Well we had an ulterior motive - haircuts.  It has been some time since I have had any scissors touch my hair, 8 months to be exact, and I realized that I was in desperate need of cleaning up the ends.  Abigail sat in the chair too.  And Josh felt the need to have some of his top trimmed.  Stephen on the other hand decided to postpone his.  He however, was the most in need.   Well even though there was snow on the ground we took the opportunity to get outside as the temps proved enjoyable.  

Joshua playing some golf!

Abigail in chair.

Stephen - note the moppy hair!!