TIME TOGETHER

Some of my favorite things to do are to just take a walk with my hubby!  It doesn't really matter where so much but it just means a lot to walk and/or take a long drive.  This was one of those days.

Overlooking the Mississippi River

I have to wonder how many more walks we will get to enjoy.  Sidney was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and his walking has really slowed.  It was on this walk that I noticed him dragging one of his feet.  I used to not be able to keep up with him on a walk but now I have to wait for him to catch up to me.  Life can be sad, but as the old Gaither song says, "We have this moment to hold in our hands", and that is good enough.  I will treasure each moment.

Carnival "NO"/Crafting "YES"!

Oli and Andrew came to spend the night last night and I was trying to think of something new and fun for them to do.  There was a small carnival in Pevely that I thought might be fun.  While I couldn't spend a lot of money I offered them a set amount each and would let them spend it however they wanted at the carnival.  Grandpa or me would not be able to ride the rides with them but I still knew there would be games, cotton candy, and more.

I told them both if we went to the carnival we would have to come home and have a grilled cheese or something light for supper.  If they didn't want the carnival we would do our usual, go out to eat, go the the Dollar Tree, and come home to craft.

Actually I was surprised that they hardly had to think about the first choice.  Both said, "Go home to craft"!

Burger King seems to have become their favorite place to eat, with both having chicken fingers.  We followed this with our normal trip to the Dollar Tree.  They get to choose one thing and of course they both opted for candy.  With their years of wisdom they have found the toys at the Dollar Tree are "junk" but the candy is always good.

Once we reached home the craft table was set up, the construction paper, scissors, glue, and glitter came out of their special drawer, and the creating began!  We added a little spice this time by cutting from magazines and a wallpaper sample book.

We then made granola bars, melted chocolate and peanut butter to dip pretzles in, and then popped our nightly popcorn.  Olivia discovered that drizzling the peanut butter/chocolate mix over the popcorn was pretty tasty.  She was right!  You should try this.

We sorted through our favorite books, stories were read and then off to bed.  I heard the last sounds at 11:30pm.   A little later than planned but what can I say;  they were at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  These are precious years.   I am so blessed!

Cleaning Out

Saturday Sidney and I spent our day at an auction hoping to get a sleep number bed.  We won the auction bid, but not only did we get the bed but it came with a large dresser and two side tables.  I immediately started to think about how I could fit all of this into one bedroom.  The only way this can be done is if I move some of the other furniture out and clean out some things that are not used anymore.

One thing has led to another and almost every drawer or storage area in all three bedrooms has been cleaned out and rearranged.  In the process of doing this I had to sort through 3 drawers full of pictures.  Baby pictures, school pictures, wedding pictures, grandkid's pictures, and the list goes on.  Going through all of these pictures was bittersweet.  I just loved looking at my three little boys, Dale, Jason, and Scott.  There were a few posed pictures but most of ours family snapshots were full of wrestling, making faces, playing outside or just silly pics.  It brought back so many memories.

Later the pictures of my daughter-in-laws were added, and then the grandbabies!  How I love my family.  They can always bring a smile to my face as I look through the stages of their lives.  Treasure the moments.  They vanish quickly!  I've been blessed!

Family Pictures

  

A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY






Dale, Elisha, Breanna, Jill, and Hannah



Michelle, Andrew, Olivia, and Scott



I'm so proud of this great family!  You are looking at two sets of wonderful parents with absolutly fantastic kids!  I'm still praying that someday I can fill in this space in the middle with Jason, Karen, Savannah and JJ, but until then I will continue to be thankful for those I have around me.  God is in Control!