Happy Mother's Day

I just wanted to do a post about my

amazing Mom on Mother's Day.

(btw, isn't she beautiful!?)

She has sacrificed so much for me and my

family that there aren't enough words

to express my thankfulness.

She has been through my cancer journey and

my back surgery and recovery with such

faithfulness!

She has been a real blessing not only to me, but

also to my children!

We have many happy memories with her and look forward

to making many more!

I love my Mom!

Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

Prov. 31:28a

Christmas Tree Hunt

You know, I keep wondering how many more years we'll all shop

together for a tree...but, we were blessed with one more year.

Here are a few snapshots from the day.

We always try and go tree hunting on Black Friday.

It's the first day they are open, there's plenty of

selection, and it's not crowded and

we can take our time.

The majority of the years we have gone back

to the same place, I remember taking Bri there

when she was a baby-it had snowed and we pulled her in a

little pink sled.

Now she's a grown up beauty!

Somehow that little toddler, Brad, wound up being

the tallest in our bunch!

I had a little fun with editing ;)

Christmas blessings to you!

Unexpected Vacation

Our family had the blessing of a last minute unexpected vacation to

Ocean City Maryland last week.

During it we celebrated my birthday, and Phil and I's 27th anniversary!

Here are some pics from our lovely time away...

The view from the condo we rented

in Ocean City

My mom and Bri enjoying a treat

Awesome sand sculpture

At the Kite Festival on OC boardwalk

Out on the Bay

God blessed us with a nice time away--I

really needed it!

And, this is my FAVORITE time of year to go!

Annual Christmas Baking Day

Yep, 70 degrees and all, we had our annual

Christmas cookie/candy day!

So privileged to have my Mom here with us,

and adult kids that will still do this

with us! :)

Above, all the candy is rolled and ready for the frig

The Lemon Raspberry cookies are baked, and ready for icing

Chocolate Chips are ready

Bri dipped all the candy in chocolate herself

(the job no one else likes)

She's a whiz at it!

All finished, and put into tins.

Love our family tradition!

Thankful for the Furballs :)

I have to admit that I am very thankful for these two puppies!

They bring us a lot of joy!

Chippy is our neurotic one...he was a rescue and came

a little bit quirky--makes him so funny though!

He is 6, and gets more lively and entertaining as he gets older!

Love him!

And Bingley is just full of personality too!

He's extremely smart--and ornery.

Brad also rescue him as well...although Bingley

thinks he rescued us :)

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are absolutely the best dogs

in the world!

You can never have too many!

I'm soooo thankful for ours...

So glad God created dogs!

From Genesis 1

²⁴ And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

²⁵ And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.