Sunday Truism

God’s angels couldn’t be everywhere, so He sent granddaughters to fill our hearts with happiness and love. 

~ Unknown

Within a month of each other, 2 of Baba's three granddaughters are married.

She would be so very proud of each her girls.

The Sisterhood Continues

I have a bad habit of procrastinating.

Especially with this blog.   

There are moments that I think I am overcoming it, but then discover something that reminds me that I am not.

Case in point.  

One of the most kind and thoughtful gestures shown to us after Mom passed away.

My intentions are usually good. 

 I want to take the time to properly convey my thoughts through words in a manner fitting to the moment, but then time creeps away from me.

But today is the day.

The day I share with you the loving hearts of two women.

Two of the women who love us because they loved Mom.

And she, them.

I have shared several posts about Mom's weaving.

And the sisterhood that ensued.

In the months after Mom's death, these women checked in on us. 

They cared for us by their mere availability to listen.

In one such conversation, an offer was made.

Mom had had a plan in the works to weave a cape/shawl for each of her three granddaughters.  

One was already on the loom and in the process of being created.

The other two had notes taped to her computer.

Notes with colors and details of her vision.

One day, two ladies arrived at Dad's house for a visit with us. 

They left with a loom, the notes and appropriate colors of yarn from Mom's never-ending supply.

They had decided they would complete Mom's visions for our girls in her memory.

What these dear friends did in addition to simply bringing Mom's visions to life, was to weave their love alongside Mom's in each piece.

And these three feel that.

August 2020

I Wonder

My father in law passed away 22 years ago and would have celebrated his 95th birthday today.

I wonder what he would think of these two brides-to-be.

My guess is that his smile would be just as filled with joy, love and pride as it was in this photo.

Finding Proper Homes

Sorting through things at Dad's home often unearths treasures.

All the treasures have a story.

Some of which we know.

Others, we don't.  

Sometimes there are clues.

Like this silver baby rattle with a name engraved on the handle.

 Since Mom was an only child, I  went to my Genealogy closet for help.  

I remembered my Grandad having a brother with the same first name and it seems to have belonged to HIS son.

Then my stalker talents came into play through FB where I located the son of the baby.

My stalker hat had to come off while I convinced this stranger that I was not some crazy lady.

Success!  

The rattle will belong to the proper branch of the family tree soon.

Other treasures offer tiny clues and a lot of speculation.

This delicate bracelet has hearts with the names and birthdates of 

5 of  Grandma B's 8 granddaughters. 

 

Dad doesn't remember the story so we decided to make up our own...until proven otherwise.

It has gone to live with my eldest cousin. 

She will decide how and when best to pass on this part of our family story.

Our stories all need homes to be passed on.

Holding On To The Joy

Three years ago, I shared a happy moment in time about my hubby's Godchild.

Sam's wedding.

Where I felt her Dad's presence.

The larger than life man who was at our side when we married.

A man whose life was tragically and unnecessarily cut short.

In the 20 years since, much happened.

Some joyous and some difficult.

One of the joyous times was a trip we took together to the Azores in 2003.

Judy's father and Hubby's Mom (Baba) were siblings and born here.

And lived until adulthood.

Evan, Sam and Judy sitting in front of the village's water gathering fountain

Judy, Sam, Evan and Baba in front of Baba's (and Judy's Dad) home.

The most difficult occurred last week when Judy lost her battle with cancer.

But even in that, we must look for the joy.

 Sam felt her Dad's presence in the room that last day.

That larger than life man was there to greet and welcome his bride home.

We can hold onto that.

Twenty. Already.

Sweet, strong. fascinating. fun and funny, quick witted and  bright.
This girl.
I love her.
I am proud of her.
I am just denying the fact that she is no longer my sweet, little niece,
She is now my OLD niece,

Happy Birthday,  Miss R.

We love you!

Friday Fun

Back when our youngest was a drum major.

 Her band...all college graduates this year.

And none majored in music.

Go figure.

It's Time

This week has 3 of my favorite children leaving their childhood nests...two of them again, and one for the first time.

Our girl leaves in mere hours to begin her third year of college.

This girl sets her mind on what she wants and goes for it.

She pushes past any reservations or fears and works hard to make things happen.

She always has been a no hands, let's get it done kind of girl..

This nephew of mine moved into his first non-college apartment over the weekend and today turns the page to begin a new chapter.

As  a media coordinator for the LA Laker's franchise team.

He has grown into a man who is confident, well poised, talented and still loves his Mama but doesn't hold on for dear life anymore.

And this one.

My youngest niece.

She has possessed a quiet strength of purpose and confidence since day one.

She has been ready to conquer the world for a long time and today, she begins navigating that path as a Bear.

At Cal.

These three babies are as different as they can be, but they all...in addition to my oldest and youngest children, share the love and support of their family.

Whatever path they are on or the chapter they are in, they know that we will always be here for them.

No matter what.

No matter why.

Always.

No...go forth and conquer.

Already?

It am certain that is was yesterday that my son held this baby girl.

But since said son is now 21, I must be mistaken.

That baby girl is now seventeen!

Happy Birthday, my sweet niece.

ANOTHER Birthday? 21? How?

When Chris was born in October, his cousin D, was born three weeks later. 

Making friends after Chris' baptism



Baby boys with Baba

 

They have spent much of their lives together.

Halloween on the steps

 

  Watching them both grow into fine and very different young men, I could not be happier,

Happy Birthday to D.

We wish you all the greatest things.

Love, laughter, and happiness..

21 though?

Pulling out birth certificates to make sure!

More Adults? Already?

IF you happen to be a female twin celebrating your birthday today, read no further until you check your mailbox...apparently packages take 2 days longer to reach you than your brother.

 

With LPP turning 18 in April and Chris turning 21 earlier this month, I was made painfully aware that time truly does march on.

Whether or not I like it.

These two are simply the latest additions to that fact. 

They are 6 months to the day, younger than our daughter. 

They have grown up with our kidnicks.

Look...the steps.

They are no longer the cute little twins they once were. 

 They are 18 years old today.

Beautiful and handsome.

Inside and out.

They are wonderful and individual adults.

They are each in separate colleges and loving it. 

 

I am loving the fact that I get to send them birthday treats...

AND their Mom does not have to clean up the confetti mess.

 

Happy 18th Birthday to two of my favorite people!

Photo blatantly borrowed from their Dad's FB 

A Visit that Came Too Quickly

These two came to visit me yesterday. 

Aren't they adorable? 

They are two of my favorite people.

I guess I will forgive them for growing up so quickly and leaving for college this weekend.

I'm still working on forgiving the one on the left for the same thing.

15 years in the Making

 It has been fun to watch these boys grow into men.
As of today, they are ALL 20 years old.
20!

Our son, on the right with our two nephews, are all with in 8 months of age to each other.

1999 or 2000

 They have each gone different directions in their lives but are great young men. 

 

2011

 

2011

Getting them together is more difficult now that they are in three different cities, but Lollipop Pop's graduation was the common thread. 

My sister in law suggested we recreate the shot again.

The only problem was that none of us remembered which order they had been in previously.

 

So they switched...

 ..

 

...and switched.

 

 

Surely they matched the original in one of the combinations....

Nope.

Not one.

But is was fun and I still love them all!

Thankful for Life

Several months ago, I came across a blog post that stopped me in my tracks and spoke to my heart. 

 I saved it and as I lay awake a couple nights ago worrying and praying and asking questions, it spoke to me again.

We received a phone call on Sunday that our adult nephew was in an accident.
Motorcycle.
Similar to the one that took his leg 9 years ago.

That night I was questioning God. 

 "Why, again?"

"Why him?"

"Hasn't he been through enough?"

Today, I am still struggling  for answers although I am not certain there are answers to those questions.  

 The difference in this accident is that surgery was able has saved his leg.
He will have a long and probably not easy road to recovery, but he is alive.
He is strong and he is surrounded by family and friends who will help in any way possible.
For that, we are abundantly thankful.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11: 28-30

A Birthday Times Two

Two years after Hubby and I married, his sister married and settled down in the same town as us.  Three weeks after Shaggy was born, they had their first son. 

 Six months to the day after Lollipop Pop was born, these two were born. 

 The three of them are in the same grade, many of the same classes and are great friends in addition to being cousins. 

Today, these two turn SIXTEEN! 

I love you both and am so very proud of the young adults you are becoming.

Cousins in China...kinda...

The best part of our trip last month was having these kidnicks spend lots of time together and get to know each other better.

Seriously awesome!

A Graduation Speech

Last week, I shared pictures of my niece at her 8th grade graduation.

 I neglected to mention that she was the Valedictorian.  

Miss Emily has said I may share her speech with you.

9 years ago, we began a journey that brought us here today. 

We entered kindergarten. 

Most of us were scared little kids holding a loved one's hand. 

We let go and grew up so fast.         

7 years passed by in which we learned and matured. 

We developed personalities and made friends. 

Before we knew it, we were middle schoolers.

 Gone were the days of running around a playground and swinging from monkey bars. 

The world opened up so many new and wonderful possibilities: sports, marching band, color guard, winter season and so much more. 

After two short years, we've gotten to this point, graduation. 

As leave our position as Patriots, we step into the role of being a Tiger. 

These next four years will be filled with new friends, responsibilities, and experiences. 

In two years, many of us will start driving. In four years, we will graduate high school as responsible, independent adults, ready to take on the world. 

After thirteen years of school, we will head off in all directions. 

Some may join the military. 

Others may go to college or get a job. 

We all have bright futures ahead of us.

Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and administrators I've ever had. 

I'd like to give a special thanks to Mr. Mo and Mr. Munoz for helping me to grow both musically and as a person, and to Miss Jen and Miss Steph for pushing me so far and helping me realize just how strong I am. 

Thank you parents, siblings, friends, and family, because without your support, none of us would be where we are today. 

Finally, thank you class of 2013. 

We've made it this far together, and I am very excited for the years ahead.  

Have I mentioned that I am a very proud aunt?

My Nephew

The final graduation of our year was on Thursday evening.  

My sister's son, Alic graduated 2nd in his class and gave a speech that had his poor, old,  emotional aunt in tears.  

This young man is brilliant, quiet and has a fantastic sense of humor.  

He is also an awesome musician and my fingers are crossed that he will decide to play with the USC Trojans in the fall.  

The town in which his high school is located is home to a US Naval Base and that presence is evident...the graduating class entered the stadium under an arch of swords...I am sure there is a proper name for this, but I don't know it.

Alic has given permission for me to post his speech for your enjoyment.

High School is a Giant Box of Crayons

            High school is like a giant box of crayons and each one of us represents a different color. 

As I say this I know my English teachers are groaning and thinking, "here we go again, Alic and his odd analogies." 

But bear with me as I explain how I have interpreted high school to be a box of coloring utensils. 

None of us really knew what to expect as we started this four year chapter of our lives. Some envisioned that they would take residency in trash cans while others just thought it would be a smooth transition from middle school.

 Personally high school was a great experience that provided endless opportunities and truly opened me up as a person. The best thing I learned however is that there are no boundaries to friendship. This is where the crayon box comes into play. 

Going through high school is the equivalent to coloring a picture. 

When we start we are given a blank sheet of paper and we only have a few "crayons" to use. 

However as the years go on, we make new friends and our drawing becomes more vibrant and colorful.

 Our best friends represent the colors that take up the majority of the picture because they made the biggest impact. 

The friends that we lost contact with represent the faded colors that are in the background but they create a sense of fulfillment in the picture. Finally we cannot forget about those casual friends that make the picture special. 

They are the friends that we don't hang out with but we always say hi to in the hallway; the ones that don't know us perfectly but can always bring a smile to our face; the friends that make high school what it is.  

I was blessed enough to make great friends with so many different people so I feel that if I were to illustrate high school, I would have such a wide variety of colors on my page.

 Some would be used more than others and will continue to be used for the rest of our lives but high school would not be complete without those colors that just enhanced our four years and will never be forgotten.

 As we graduate, I encourage you to think of what your picture looks like now and to never lose sight of the friends you made but to never stop adding on to your illustration as we go our separate ways and start the adventure we call life. 

I love all of you, thank you for helping me make such a unique piece of art.

The proud parents.

(My sister and I certainly have tall sons!)

One more Graduation Post...but not MY child

This beautiful young lady is my niece.  

She is now officially (at least after her brother graduates tonight) in high school! 

 HOW can that be?  

She was JUST born!  

Miss Emily is talented, very smart, dedicated, pretty, funny and very kind.  

She was the youngest grandchild in the family until Sugar Plum Fairy came along and she stepped into the role of older cousin to a "T".  

I forgot mention that she is also very patient.

While I missed her graduation this week, I am so very proud of the young lady she is becoming and I have no doubt that she will excel in high school.

Not walking in the footsteps of her big brother, but making her own path alongside.

Our Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone and the speed in which it happened has left my head spinning.
We spent the morning and early afternoon with my Hubby's family.

 

 My eldest sister in law hosted the dinner in her home and she prepared a super yummy ham and turkey. 

 

There were fantastic sweet taters and my brother in law Mike's world famous mashed potatoes...probably not world famous, but given a bit of time, they would be.

 

My other sister in law and I took food and we spent the next several hours eating and visiting.

Wine and a pretty table...

Funny faces and cousins...

Photo albums of homeland were viewed and enjoyed.

Then the football game...

 

 

 

                                    

Strategies were discussed...

The dog was an added bonus.

 

It was a nice day filled with some of my favorite people.