Spontaneity

One night we were traveling home from my Mom and Dad's house.  Yes, it will always be "Grandma's house".  We were driving along and saw this little fair in a small town.  The rides were all lit up.  My kids said, "Can we stop and just ride one ride Mom?"  I didn't hesitate to say yes.  I love to see my kids having fun.  They got to ride the bumper cars.  If I had to do it over again, I would let them ride another ride.  :o)  My Mom was fun, and I am inspired more than ever to do fun things with my kids.  I don't have fond memories of my childhood because we had an immaculate house.  My Mom wasn't a stickler about the house.  My fond memories are of the fun holidays and family outings we had.  And so........I will not stress out about the numerous boxes of family pictures that are stacked up in my office or the fact that Clayton's room needs painting really badly.  Right now we are having a crazy, busy, stressful time but I am going to try to be positive and make the best of it for my children.  My circumstances are rather out of my control right now, but I will keep trying to find little things to make the days fun for my sweet kiddos.  My Mom would like that.  :o)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Our family has made so many fun memories in this pool over the last 24 years.

My Dad buys Mandavillas every year to put by his pool.

My Dad and I.

Grandma's house.

The best Grandma in the world.

Today would have been my Mom's 68th birthday.  I went to Hobby Lobby to return something, and I wanted so badly to buy something for her.  I miss her terribly.  We all miss her terribly.  I am so happy for my Mom.  Really I am.  I know that today was the best birthday she has ever had.  She is in heaven and couldn't be happier.  It's just so hard not to be able to talk to her. 

In honor of her birthday, I thought I would list some things I love about my Mom.

1.  She loved her family more than anyone I know.

2.  She was so proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments.

3.  She was always interested in whatever was going on in our lives.

4.  She loved holidays and made them fun and special.

5.  She did things for other people, even when she didn't feel good.

6.  She was an excellent Southern cook.

7. She was sentimental.

8. She was passionately pro-life, and saved many babies through her work at a crisis pregnancy center.

9. She was a Christ follower and spent her life working for the Lord.

10.She made many wonderful things for the people she loved, including quilts, dresses, raggedy-ann dolls, costumes, etc.

11. She took the time to write in journals for all of her grandchildren

12.  She taught her 3 daughters to love faith and family, home and motherhood.

14.  She genuinely cared about people.

15.  She gave us a love of family history.

16.  She was fun to be around.

17.  She taught us that you should never take store bought food to a potluck.

18.  She gave us a really fun childhood.

19.  She welcomed my prodigal brother back with open arms.

20.  She made many wonderful traditions for our family that we will always cherish.

We miss you so much Mom!  I can't wait to see you again some day.  I know that you will be there to greet each one of us when we reach those pearly gates. 

Pictures

My husband bought a new camera for me.  I was supposed to get it for Christmas last year, but we kept putting it off.  I'm having so much fun with it!  On the way to my Dad's house last week, we stopped at my favorite town and took a few pictures of the beautiful houses.  Aren't they gorgeous???  My favorite house is the one on the bottom.  I LOVE the porch!