Thinking of Mom

I miss my Mom and think of her every single day.
Today marks the the 4th anniversary of her death.
A mass was said for her today at Cathedral.
I like to think she is smiling
and sending hugs.
 She was a great little hugger.

Her family meant the world to her, and
I know she would be so proud of us kids,
 the grandkids and
great grandkids!
Wow -- she would love seeing and knowing all the little ones!

One of my favorite things of hers to look at is her
recipes -- not that I am great cook -- we all know that!
She made it all look so easy!
But, I just love to see her handwriting on those scraps of paper
and recipe cards.

She really was the best Mom!

Mr. Tennis and Me!

Yesterday was our wedding anniversary!
I shared this photo on FB -- wow --
we sure looked young, didn't we!

We were married in 1977 -- yep -- 37 years ago!

I loved my dress -- if I remember correctly, it was all of $115! :)

We moved to Philadelphia immediately after
our wedding so Mr. Tennis could
attend law school at Villanova!
Villanova has one of the most
beautiful campuses ever!
So, while he took a high-speed train out
to lovely Villanova, I took a graffiti-marked up el-train
through some rather rough parts of Philadelphia
to work!

What an experience!
We had a fun time out there and big cities like that make
it possible to get around
without a vehicle!
The stories I could tell!!! 

We've been very lucky to have such
a wonderful life together and
three terrific children and now
get to enjoy having a daughter-in-law and
three beautiful grandchildren!
We've been blessed beyond measure.

And here we are with a more current photo
of me and Mr. Tennis from last fall!

Mish Mosh & Scattered!

This post is all over the place and I couldn't come up with a title . . . hence -- "Mish Mosh" a/k/a "A Little of This and A Little of That". And, I don't think I've done a bullet list before, so here goes.

• Maddy and I went to our Farmers Market last Saturday. It was a beautiful day and so crowded! Can't imagine how packed it will be when the sweet corn is ready. We bought some new door art -- one for us and one for Philip and Catherine. Such a sunny day, she was sporting her new shades! It's hard to find sunglasses for such a little face and nose, but I love these. Unfortunately, I think we misplaced them already, Wishing I had some just like hers!
  
  
• Congrats to my son Philip and his wife Catherine on their first wedding anniversary last Sunday, May 31! Wow -- that year went by so fast! They are one of the sweetest couples I know (and I'm not just saying that because we're related and he reads my blog)!
  
  
• Mr. Tennis and Cboo made it to Peoria with the uhaul trailer without any trouble, though it did take quite a bit longer than the usual drive.


• Cboo had his first day yesterday and said it was "interesting." Interesting good that is!

At the Farmer's Market -- I just like the lines in this photo, so included it,

and since it's my blog, I can do that! :)

A daughter is . . .

"A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present, and the hope and promise of the future." -- Author Unknown

Six years ago today, we met our daughter in a warm room at the adoption registry center in Guangzhou, China. All of the little girls in our group were dressed alike in little sweatsuits, except for the twins. They wore a different outfit but matched each other, of course. We were the second or third parents called and presented with our daughter. She was sucking furiously on her finger, but otherwise was very quiet, just taking it all in.

I had been thinking about her for years and what she might be like. She would be petite and dainty with beautiful straight (unlike me) black hair. She would be bright and sweet and have an amazing sense of humor. She would have a killer smile… one that could charm anyone and everyone who met her. She would be the soul of kindness and generosity. She would be a true friend and would approach life with enthusiasm and optimism. She would be loving and affectionate – it would never bother her to kiss and hug her family in public! She is all of these things and so much more!

For the last six years, she has brought the greatest joy into my life and that of our family every single day. She has gone from a quiet bewildered 14-month-old baby to a sweet, confident first-grader. I can't wait to watch her unfold yet further and to see her become the beautiful young woman she is destined to be.