Folly Beach, just south of Charleston, was our home away from home recently. A lovely getaway from the cold and a special time with family we don’t see often. We were all first time visitors to this South Carolina port city founded in 1670. The weather was mostly perfect for our Charleston and Folly Beach getaway family vacation.Continue Reading
Knitted Bow Tie Pattern
These little gents are looking dapper in their knitted red bow ties. Getting photos of our two youngest grandsons was much harder than actually making the bow ties!Continue Reading
A week with Shaela
We spent a long weekend visiting our daughter in upstate NY while her husband, Brad was in Massachusetts doing a two-week intense study as he works toward his school administration certificate. The five hour drive can become boring but not with a spectacular sunset.
Hawaiian Pasta Salad
Hawaiian Pasta Salad, brightly colored with an abundance of crisp veggies makes a perfect summer salad. It is a hearty one too, with the tortellini and diced ham. I served it at a graduation party as a side dish but it would be a great entrée served with crusty bread (and maybe a glass of wine) for a lovely summer supper.Continue ReadingGraduation
He did it. And, he did it well.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
With the warm glow of the setting sun, we watch and cheered as the class of 2016 filled the field with not just their caps and gowns but with their youthful excitement, hope for a bright future and relief their high school responsibilities were behind them.
This graduation class of 525 students almost filled the track with young adults that were just entering the school halls as freshman a blink ago. Parents and grandparents remembering with hearts overflowing as the procession flowed by.
Jared, with his best friend since middle school, marching right behind him, enjoyed every moment of the celebration.
“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
“So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life’s A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you’ll move mountains.”
lots of hugs and smiles
highlighting his accomplishments
Storm Robotics Alumni
AP Latin students barbecue
The following day, it was PARTY TIME!
friends
family
fun
Braden and Jethro had no trouble finding adventures together.
our pond fish are well fed 😉
ending this beautiful evening relaxing by the fire making S’mores
Dear Jared says the Lord…
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.…
… Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you
do call on him, precious grandson
♥
My Soul Finds Rest
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:26-28
We’ve faced much sadness these past weeks yet we take hold of the hope set before us and we are greatly encouraged.
Our longtime friend and the mother of our son-in-law lost her battle with cancer. A precious lady who loved the Lord with all of her heart and left a beautiful legacy not only with her family but with all that knew her.
Those who went to the cemetery were given a small envelope containing a butterfly. They were released after pastor spoke. Someone placed a butterfly on the flower headband worn by baby Joelle. Jamie posted this on fb:
This little sweetheart is the niece of our other son-in-law. This 14-month beautiful girl was recently diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer and has begun chemo to shrink the mass before surgery to remove it. Prayers for Emma and her Mommy and Daddy are greatly appreciated!
The only sibling of Abbey’s best friend lost his life in a car accident. Just 20 years old, Dan was to be Abbey’s escort at his sister Vicki’s wedding next year. I can’t imaging the difficult journey this family now must walk.
Friday night we made a hard decision. As Raider’s Sick Sinus Syndrome had progressed, he began having labored, rapid breathing and became tuckered out even with little exertion. On Thursday, he laid on me and I rocked him, silently thinking in my heart that he would just stop breathing and his heart would cease beating and he would die peacefully. We talked with the veterinarian and learned that his breathing difficulties would not be peaceful and left it that we would contact her Sunday morning. As we were getting ready for bed Friday night, it was apparent he was in distress and prolonging his life made no sense so we left for a final car ride just as we did 14 years ago with our dog, Scotty.
We returned home with an empty collar and a sweet paw print that was made for us by the veterinarian staff and a heart full of memories of my sweet boy.
Even amid all of the heartache, the Lord never leaves us and pours out his mercy and grace.
Here are some happy moments from the past few weeks.
Jill, Brad and family visited for a week. They returned home and then Jill and two of the kids came back for the funeral.
Cambrie lost her two front teeth
Silas celebrated his 10th birthday
Keri received an Excellence in Character award
Braden loved hand feeding Raider
Keri went to Take your child to work day with her PopPop
My daughter, Jill (one of the twins) took me to dinner for Mother’s Day Monday evening. It was super special to spend time just with her!
And Abbey and I enjoyed a great lunch after church on Mother’s Day.
May 15th is the 10th anniversary of my dad’s passing. I am so thankful for his sincere response to the call of the Lord to be his savior.
Finally, in my near future, I will be having a total hip replacement. Not scheduled yet because I have had too much on my plate. It takes 6-8 weeks to prepare for surgery and you can be sure I will be requesting prayer for this!
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Psalm 62:5
Potato and Ham Soup
When plans to be out for the day suddenly changed and I found I had nothing pressing to do, I knew immediately what I wanted. I called my sister and was thrilled she was able to come for a visit. We chatted, caught up on family, laughed and ate a light lunch of potato and Ham Soup while Jared, Abbey, Erin and John popped in and out.
Birthday time
It is birthday time. My sweetheart just had a birthday and I made him a cake to celebrate. A dark, chocolaty cake with peanut butter frosting, ganache drizzled on top and down the sides then sprinkled with chopped snickers bars.Continue Reading
It’s Official!
Welcoming this precious little boy into our family!
Our daughter Jill and husband, Brad are thrilled to finalize the adoption of
Braden Emery
as he officially becomes part of their family
Unable to share anything about Braden (his new name) and his first two years of life, it is with joy I can now post photos.
This little bundle entered the world at just 1-pound 10-ounces and when he finally left the hospital he went right into the hearts and home of Jill and Brad via foster care joining Ryan, Brenna and Shaela.
With their love, care and nurturing he began to grow and grow.
Loved by his PopPop (and smiling happily as he joins his siblings and cousins, the tradition of being photographed in John’s Christening outfit)
such a cutie-pie! 
Adoption Day
after the many long and difficult and ofttimes uncertain days…
~ they are family ~
A Thousand Years
Christina Perri
(Verse 1)
Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I’m afraid
To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
(Chorus)
I have died every day
waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
(Verse 2)
Time stands still
beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything
Take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this
One step closer
(Chorus)
I have died every day
Waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
One step closer
One step closer
(Chorus)
I have died every day
Waiting for you
Darlin’ don’t be afraid,
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought
Your heart to me
I have loved you for a
Thousand years
I’ll love you for a
Thousand more
We made the drive with Jill’s twin sister, Jamie (center photo) and her two youngest children, Chloe and Jethro, leaving Thursday afternoon and returning Sunday night. It was chilly and rainy and by the end of the weekend all of the kids were feverish and feeling poorly. Jamie is making settlement this morning and moving into a new (to them) home while we hope none of us get sick from the house (and car) full of germs!
Aunt Marie’s Knitted Dainty Bells
Easy vintage pattern for knitted dainty bells work up quickly and are sweet for holiday tree ornaments, baby or wedding shower favors and corsages. My husband’s Aunt Marie enjoyed all sorts of needlework and loved gifting us with special items she made.