Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (and looking at stars)

Today is Abby's birthday. My little girl is now officially a teenager. Don't know if I can stand it! But she is a blessing from teh Lord, a ray of sunshine and truly a gift from above. Always willing to lend a hand and quick to pray for anyone, I just don't know what I would do without her..... Thank You God, for the greatest blessing of all!

On birthday evening, we decided to go star hunting..... that was fun! Pulled out a blanket and began to search....

But I think maybe we'd better pull out the astronomy book and see what exactly we are looking at first, ya think?

Anyway.... we searched a few stars, found a few constellations, and have now decided to persue a study in astronomy. Sounds fun... have any of you studied the stars? Would you like to see a star up close?

Another family member passes away...

my father in law passed away today. He had cancer too, and it was pretty bad. We weren't close, but still, when something like this happens, what can you say? What can you do?

I was with him as he took his last breath, just as my hubby was with my Momma when she took hers.

Pop supposedly accepted Christ a couple of weeks ago. I pray he meant the sinners prayer when he repeated it after the Pastor that brought him the Word.

See you later, Dad... we will miss you!

Geez... when it rains, it pours...

Today, we found out that my father-in-law is probably going to pass away by the weekend. His hospice nurse said so. Dennis went to see him today and he was having very labored breathing, and his urine output is minimal, and he is beginning to mottle. Pretty sad.

One month to the day after my own precious Momma passed on to heaven.....

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What else do you suppose could happen? I know, I know... that's kind of like tempting God. It certainly isn't meant that way, but wow..... ya know?

I'd better scee-daddle off to bed before too much later. Have things to do.

Hullo

Here I sit, listening to Carmen and trying to figure out what to write on my log before I hit the sack!

Hubby, ds and 2 sil finished putting up our privacy fence in the back today. Looks pretty good, even though the boys were exhausted when they were finished! It was good for them, I say! LOL!

The girls and I took another load out of storage today, and intend to move the smaller storage unit to the larger one by the end of this week, to save us $45 dollars at the beginning of the month. Then, I pray to be able to clean out the larger one by the end of September, so I can be done with storage....

Sent 4 packages out today to 2 daughters who live in other states. Have 2 more ready to go tomorrow, I may send a third, haven't decided yet. I know Grandma wants her quilts handed out, but I think I am just too selfish right now to get rid of any of them! (Isn't that awful?)

I did make 2 hair coverings today, so at least that much was done... I made one to match my work uniform. I'll get to wear that one tomorrow.

For school today, we studied James 3 again. About that evil little tongue. Man is it ever hard to control! The Lord wasn't kidding about that, was He? Such a small thing, and yet so very powerful. Words can cut like a knife, and usually do, dripping with sarcasm all the way. Dangerous. We also concentrated alot on reading today. Logan is doing very well. Especially in Math. I think that's probably his best subject.

Hey~ look what I found..... here's a pic of Mom, and grandma, and I think the other lady on the right may be my Aunt, but I'm not sure!

Momma is on the left. Isn't she beautiful? And that smile..... lasted many years. How I miss that smile!

Good Morning!

Happy Monday to you all!

Today, I have to work, yet again , but then I have Tuesday off.....

I graded papers last night, the children are doing very well in their classes! Abby and Logan both received A's for their Russian (unit study) spelling test, and Amelia received a B. I made grading sheets for them, which includes participation on a daily basis. I feel this is needed right now. With this being our first year homeschooling... I want to do things well and keep track.

Been moving things around in the kitchen. So far, I have put away my appliances in the bottom of the china cabinet. I intend to keep them there, and not cluttering the counter top. I will use the countertop to put my apple canisters on, but keep the rest of the counter tops uncluttered.

I'm hoping to get all of the storage units cleaned out here soon.  I almost have the big one finished. I'll go today and get some more of the dishes and glassware from my Mom's house, and get that put away. I am going to use her dishes and give ours to a dd in need.

And on a happy note!!!!

Our youngest boy, Logan accepted the Lord two Sundays ago. He knew something was needed, and he asked questions of the Pastor, and accepted the Lord.

This Sunday, Logan was baptized!

Have a wonderful, blessed day to everyone!

Tuesday....

that's what today is.... Tuesday, August 21st.

Got a text message from the 19 y/o ds. His son is to be born today. Another grandson.... his name shall be Keegan Matthew.  I'll post pictures if and when I can....

Dh is in one of his "give away" modes.... while I am trying to sell certain things to get money to pay for Momma's headstone... he is busy giving away the very things I am wanting to sell! So what am I to do? If I say something to him, he gets angry with me, so I guess I will need to work extra and save my own for Mom. Just to have peace in this house.

As you can tell by my post, I am a bit down today. I wake up to 3 piddle puddles on the floor, one on my Mom's chair (by the floor, but still) that weren't there 10 minutes before when all the dogs went out to go potty. Then, I discover that a Winnie the Pooh blanket that I bought for my granddaughter to use when she is here, was taken home by her parents yesterday, and more likely than not, won't be returned any time soon. But conveniently enough, my son had moved his swimming trunks from outside (where he left them for over 3 days) to the front porch (for 3 days) and then to the couch for a day, to my sewing room table. They can forget those every time they come, but the only blanket I had for my DGD is now gone?

....Children awoke late and had no interest in school today, husband anounced that he was "giving away" the things he thought he could, and I have to go to work again.  CNA's are really getting out of hand there. And I had 3 of the worst on my shift alone last night. I have the kind that like to discuss medications with family members (Knowing that is a HUGE no-no!), then when you ask for a bandaid to be put on a resident's toe, they say, "Oh, I'm allowed to do that? I don't want to overstep my boundaries! I am only a CNA!"

Just yuk... pure and simple yuk....

I just need an attitude change, and quick! Prayers will be graciously accepted.....

Sewing Machines

Know what?

I have been fussing at my wondeful hubby to go to storage and get my Momma's sewing machine, so I can put my machine in the cabinet that my Daddy had bought before I was born....

So I come home tonight, and what do I find? Not only Mom's machine, but another one too that must've belonged to my Grandma!

Where was it? I have no clue....

But the Lord has blessed a family of three ladies who want to sew together, with three machines!

THANK YOU  LORD!!!!!

Here is Grandma's little Princess.

I am so proud of her! And Great Grandma is smiling down from heaven because of this angel that the Lord sent to bless our family.

Work has been ok. Nothing major. I have re-started Weight Watchers and with drinking my water, I have already lost 5 pounds! YEHAA! I know the first week is a big loss, but still, I am excited! Excited enough to keep trying...

I have to be ok for my children and family.

But I just had to post this..... isn't she lovely?

Well, as one door closes, another is opened... case and point proven by the fact that Momma left us on July 29th, and our new grand daughter was born August 3rd.

Her name is Gabriel Jacquline Kathryn Hatfield.

She was born at 6:46pm, weighed 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20 inches long. She has a headfull of dark hair and is just beautiful!

I was present for her birth, and was very blessed to be.

Momma would have been very happy and pleased with her great-grand daughter, and I do believe that Gabby has a touch of Great Grandma in her. Her little chin tilts a touch to the right, kind of like Momma's did.

As soon as her Mom goes back to work, I will get to babysit before I go to work and Grandpa will take over in the afternoon. That is helping out our son and sweet DIL till they get a little better and back on their feet. I'm excited.

I will be sure to post a pic ASAP.

Cause she truly IS beautiful!

Back to Normal?

Is there ever a back to normal after a death in a family? Do we ever return to an ordinary way of life?

We had Momma's funeral yesterday. She didn't want one at all, but my brother and I did. So we compromised and had a memorial service at the chapel in the cemetery. Then we carried her casket to the gravesite and had a word of prayer there. It was done in moderate taste. I think she would have been pleased.

My little daughter had written a note to her Gramma the night before, and since we didn't open her casket for viewing, she came to me with tears in her eyes, and said, "Momma! Gramma's letter!". I grabbed my brother and told him, and he had the mortician (?) open Mom's casket so he could give her the letter from her youngest granddaughter.  He's good like that. Then he hugged Abby and told her that Gramma had the letter in her hand. The faith of a little child.....

Although it was good to have all of the family together, it was awful circumstances. But we had family here from Colorado, from Georgia and from Ohio. We had a full house.  Last night was the first night that Dennis and I slept in our own bed without a little foot across our neck or a little hand up our nose. 2 big people in a full size bed trying to keep from rolling over on a 9 month old or a 1.5 yr old isn't easy!  But we managed.

Den returned to work today and I probably will Monday. Paychecks will be scarce, but Momma was worth it all and more.

I'd better get busy and get laundry done around here! Have lots to do!

We are also having our annual "Homecoming" celebration at church on Sunday. Rather a blessing, one might say, since this past week, we have had 3 faithful members go home to our Lord, with one of them being Momma.

Much love to you all and thanks for the many prayers and thoughts sent our way this week.

I appreciate all of you!