Fave Photos Friday

Just a couple photos of my little sweetie on a nicer/warmer/no snow on the ground day this week -- which is no longer what it looks like now -- yep -- more snow here! :(

Have a wonderful weekend!

Randomness

(Cb00, Maddy and Mr. Tennis)

While I wait (and wait and wait) to feel back in the blogging groove, here is a bit of randomness to start the week along with a couple pics of my fam.

• Temps of 50 degrees in February feel so much warmer than 50 degrees in October.


• In February, people are wearing flip-flops when we get to 50; in October - winter coats! :)


• The fall leaves that I hoped would blow away to someone else's yard over the course of the winter have simply piled up next to the house and gotten really, really yucky.


• Nobody is jumping in those leaves.


• Love the sunshine, but not fair that I can now see better just how dirty my windows have gotten.


• Dog toys are ignored by doggie while kid's toys are chewed up!


• Toothless grins are some of my favorites!


• Telephone conversations with your Mom - priceless.

• 

(Philip, Ms. Janie and Catherine)

Back to the Museum!

On a very, very cold day recently when we were experiencing a bit of cabin fever, we ventured out to our local Children's Museum. We have a family membership and often partake in special activities there, but sometimes I tend to forget that we can go any time!

Play grocery-shopping is always more fun than the real thing!

So on the bitterly cold Sunday afternoon, Maddy and I met my blog and real life friend and coworker, Jodee, at the museum for a little afternoon fun! It was great -- the kids played and Jodee and I got to chat.

Sweet girls!

The only downside was leaving and heading back to the cold -- which seems very strange to even say, because today it will be 70 degrees here! Yep, 70 on February 17 -- loving the spring preview we've been having this week!

Behind the wheels of a boat in the water area!

Remembering

"The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her."

Author Unknown

Photo by Donna Boucher Photography

This has been a tough week. Actually, the last few months have been difficult as my Mother's health declined. My sweet Mom died on February 5 and her funeral was on February 9. Thank you to all of you lovely readers and friends who sent me notes and kept our family in your prayers. That meant so much to me!

The day of Mom's funeral dawned bright and sunny though it was bitterly cold. She hated dreary and cloudy days in winter.

She really was quite an amazing woman. She grew up during the depression on a farm in Eastern Iowa with 6 sisters and 1 brother. After high school, she left the farm and worked in DC at the Pentagon. Can you imagine -- how brave was that? A young girl from the farm in Washington, D.C.!

I could ramble on and on about the amazing and incredible things she did and accomplished. I have no doubt that her proudest accomplishment was raising us six kids with my Dad a/k/a Al -- not always an easy task, though I'm sure you all know that I was a perfect child! :)

I know she was my biggest fan and have no doubt that my brothers and sisters feel the same way. She made each of us feel special and, like mothers do, worried about each of us. I talked to her on the phone almost every single day. When she went to hospice a month ago and was no longer able to chat with me, I went into withdrawal and felt so very lost. My stress levels and chocolate consumption went way up. Luckily, I have sisters to chat with. Even so, every day I think, wait til I tell Mom about this . . . and then realize I can't.

She loved flowers and peonies were her favorites. I can hardly wait until spring when I can put some beautiful fragrant peonies on her grave. I will miss her always.

"Death is nothing else but going home to God,

the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity."

Mother Teresa

My Mom

Thank you to all for the prayers, support and good wishes over the last few months.

I feel the power of prayer and am so grateful for it.

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, my dear sweet Mother passed away.

I am heartbroken and will miss her always.

Here she was with my Dad, me and my twin when we were sweet babies.


And this photo is from Mother's Day, 2009 -- and her second battle with cancer had just begun.

She was a brave and incredible Mother.