You Capture/ Spring

Our assignment this week was to capture Spring. I tried to capture some interesting pictures this week that remind me of Spring. I have this Welcome flag in my front yard and it makes me happy to look at the colors.
I took this beautiful picture of what I think is a cherry tree on our March for Babies Walk. I love the vibrant color and the beauty it oozes.
I stood over a beautiful tulip on our March for Babies walk. I loved how it turned out.
These are my chickens and hens in the pot that my son got me for Mother's Day last year. I love how they spread and they stayed out all winter and came back to life. The green cabbage looking plants come up every year and spread also. They are great ground cover.
These are my fake Spring flowers I have in a pot in my office at work. I love to bring Spring into the workplace.

I took these pictures with my Nikon Cool pix S230. It is all the camera I need. I love how easy it is to use and it fits right in my purse.

Now, Go Spring on over to Beth's place to check out all of the Springtime master pieces. Join in on the fun.

Walk for Babies

Yesterday I walked 6 Miles for the March of Dimes Walk for Babies. It was the most rewarding walk, in spite of the aches and hurting feet. I was on Team James & Jake, Beth's (on the right) twin boys who were still born. I walked for these precious angels as well as many other babies.

These are James & Jake's grandparents & Aunt. Beth's parents & sister. I got to know them better on the 6 mile walk and they are truly a wonderful family. Can you believe that Grandma Mary has 19 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and 1 great on the way?

Here is my walking Buddy, Nancy giving it all she's got. I feel so blessed to have met her on our blogs. She is in such great shape for a grandma of 3. Mary, behind her is stopping here and there to take pictures. Every now and then we would all stop for a second to snap a few pictures. The three of us decided to start a walking club. Mary had a good suggestion, to meet at different places to walk. I think our first place will be the Riverwalk in my home town. Mary did say it wouldn't be 6 miles...I agree!
Beth & Brian's sweet children, Anna & Noah before the walk. They are so precious and walked the whole way, except for times when Anna rode piggy back on her dad. Their baby brother, Eli, was snoozing in his stroller and I didn't want to disturb him with my flash, so I didn't get his picture.

Sweet Eden and mommy, Donya C.E. Eden was so wide eyed and ready to party. Isn't she just so precious? Eden too!

Once Upon A Child, my favorite store was even represented. I love to shop there for bargains for my grand kids. This event had everything you would wish for. It had a D.J. playing all the hit songs, treats, nutritional snacks, fried chicken, hot dogs, any kind of pop or water, and the best treat of all was the ice cream sandwiches. I walked away from this event feeling so blessed to be a part of this team and looking forward to next year when I can walk again with this great group of walker's, walking for such a great cause.

and I didn't even get a picture of myself, but I'm sure other bloggers snapped a few....

Abby baked her mommy a Birthday Cake

Abby spent the night last night since I was off work today. It is her mommy's birthday today, so we got up nice and early and baked her a Birthday cake. Abby had the most fun licking the spatula and her doggy, Sophie was almost getting a lick in too. Sophie spent the night too. Abby is an early riser and was ready to get up at 3:45 am. I told her she needed to stay in the bed and let me sleep until 5:00. Every 5 min. she is asking me a question and I keep telling her it's almost time to get up. So, finally at around 4:55 am. I asked her if she wanted to get up....I gave up...I figured I could get me a nap some time during the day, which I didn't. After downing a few cups of strong coffee, I was good to go. I made her favorite, Mickey mouse pancakes and chocolate milk. We baked the cake and she worked on coloring a picture for her mommy. We had a fun morning, then around noon her parents and brother picked her up. Her mommy was so surprised to see such a beautiful cake, made with love. Happy Birthday to a very dear daughter-in-law.....Thanks for sharing your daughter with me on your special day.

p.s. Abby insists on playing dress up in Aunt Steph's flower girl dress, which is over 30 years old.

these shoes are made for walking

I went to buy me a new pair of Comfy, walking shoes. I had NO clue what brand or style I would end up getting. I was hoping to find a pair at a good bargain price. I have to admit I was overwhelmed at the zillion styles and brands. Then an angel worker girl came to my rescue and asked if she could help me....I told her what I was needing and the area of my foot that I needed more cushion and that I am walking 6 miles this Saturday at the Walk for Babies, March of Dimes and she knew just the style and brand to show me. She had me try the "Saucony" which I had never heard of. She said a lot of joggers love these and she only wears this brand and just walked the Avon walk in Chicago recently and they were great. I tried them on and she was right. They are very comfy and have the breath ability so your feet don't sweat. I tried on a few other brands in the same style and they didn't compare to these. I was almost afraid to ask the cost, but they were on sale and were a lot cheaper than the other famous brands. SOLD! She did tell me to wear them a few days before I do the walk to break them in. So, I am set to go....

Training at the Riverwalk

Come along with me and let me show you the spiritual journey I went on this morning. I awoke this morning and didn't know where I wanted to go worship, but knew I needed to go somewhere, so I decided to go take a walk on our beautiful Riverwalk about 10 min. from my house. I can't begin to tell you the great feeling I had deep down in my heart and spirit while walking this beautiful trail and looking up to the blue heavens and praying and singing along with my ipod. I was the only one walking, so the birds were my audience. I felt such a peace and renewal of my mind. It is just what I needed. I ended up walking about 3 1/2 miles, maybe a little more. I also thought this would be a great day to get ready for my 6 mile walk coming up this Saturday for the March for Babies. I am walking with Team James & Jake. If you feel the need to donate towards this wonderful cause, please click on the side bar to see my personal page. So, sit back and I will show you my walk this morning.See the Chicago Skyline in the distance? This is how far I live from that wonderful city.And this is the end to the trail. It comes up to beautiful Lake Michigan. And if this wasn't enough exercise this morning, I stopped on my way home and helped my dad out and mowed his yard for him. He was very happy. I got my workout in for today and I feel energized, aside from the throbbing feet.
I've enjoyed sharing my walk with you! I can't wait to go back. Happy Sunday!

afternoon of pampering

I had planned a day of riding the train into the city and just walking and window shopping and soaking up the surroundings of one of my favorite city's, Chicago. Since it was my day off, I really needed a ME day and thought that would be a perfect thing to do, but, while at Curves this morning, I looked out at the sky and the dark clouds and thought it might not be the perfect day to go downtown. So, I thought, why not go visit my parents and it would be a perfect time to help my mom clean her closets out that she had been wanting me to help with. So, I surprised them and my mom was happy to get this done. We made piles for the Goodwill and storage piles. My mom had clothes with tags still on them, but she insists she will wear them someday. I even got a few things I could wear out of the deal. After we finished with the closets, my dad needed help with a computer issue, so I helped him with that.

Then my mom asked me if she could treat me to a pedicure, since she had wanted to get one, and a manicure. Of course, I said yes. We had a wonderful afternoon of pampering. I think it was a great day off spent wisely and I did get some ME time in too. Oh, and I did manage to throw a load of clothes in the washer AND make a pan of chicken roll ups in between.

Another Jack is born!

A very special Bloggy Buddy has a Brand New Grandson. I am so thrilled for her and her family to welcome a baby boy. I adore Nancy and am so glad we met thru this wonderful world of blogging. We have a special bond not only because we are both grandma's but we both now have Baby Jack's. Go check out new baby Jack's adorable pictures and his big sister's who will watch out for him. But I have a feeling with his size, he will be protecting them some day. Congrats Grandma Nancy!

Jenny's baby shower

Today I attended a very special baby shower for Jenny, on the right. My daughter Steph, on the left met her best friend on the playground at Kindergarten registration and have remained friends since. I think it is so special that they are able to maintain their friendship. This is Jenny's first baby (a girl) and we are all so excited for her and her hubby, Matt. It was a very nice cozy shower and I shared a table with the girlfriends of Jenny's and Steph. The food and punch were exceptional. I love shower food! I made one of Jenny's favorite foods that I use to make when she hung out at our house, chicken roll-ups. She was blessed with so many cute little girly outfits and nice gifts. I really enjoyed spending my Sunday afternoon with this group of friends and daughter.

The picture on the right is when Steph and Jen were 7 years old at a sleepover. Aren't they cute?

an unexpected delivery

I arrived home from work last week to find a huge box with MY name on it. I opened up the box and there was a Bath & Body gift box filled with lots of goodies to pamper myself. This is just one of the items that was in the box, Cherry Blossom. I thought to myself, it's not my birthday or anything, then I read the card attached to the box. It was from my sweet wonderful bloggy friend Jen. She said she was proud of me for going to Curves and taking better care of myself. She wanted me to pamper myself. There was aromatherapy bubble bath and lots of cherry blossom products including fancy colorful striped footie's. I can't tell you how much this meant to me. It arrived at a time when I most needed a pick me up. I believe that God plants little cherry blossoms in our lives, even if we have never met them face to face. I don't have a good sense of smell since having nose surgery over 25 years ago and the true miracle of this gift was when I was pampering myself I could smell a wonderful aroma of cherry blossoms like never before. It's now become one of my favorites. Thank you Jen for this very thoughtful gift....and it's not even my birthday!

You are a blessing! And a beautiful person inside and out.

Easter 2010

I created this simple centerpiece for the dining room table. Fresh baby tulips and candies. Nerf dart guns were in Carter, Noah and Gray's Easter bag. We were dodging darts at Mimi's house.

My favorite son-in-law, Jeff always does the dishes at every holiday dinner. He's a keeper!
Hollywood starlet, Ivy LaRue....modeling her mommy's sunglasses....

It was a beautiful day outside for a picture. I love all the expressions...Ivy, Steph, Noah, Gray & Carter.

After dinner we all went to Lake George, not far from my house. It started to rain a little. Jeff is trying to keep dry with Noah's jacket. We were cracking up at him.
Carter put his bread on a branch hoping the geese would come up to him.

As we were leaving Lake George, Gray yelled "mimi, come and sit by me on this tree seat" a tree stump. He is my buddy.
After everyone left, I went over to see my Abby and Jack since they weren't able to stop by earlier. Abby is very busy watching her Cinderella movie with all her stuffed friends.
Jack is such a goof. He loves his passy and had it turned around. He makes us laugh.

So, this is the ending to a perfect Easter with my family.

Happy Easter

I came across this picture and message and it really ministered to me. On this Easter Sunday I want to be reminded of the true meaning of this day. Christ has Risen...He is Alive....The stone has been rolled away. Because He Lives, we Can face tomorrow. I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Easter, however you choose to celebrate.
I am cooking a big dinner for my family and we do have fun with some goodies for the grand kids and hiding Easter eggs with special treats and money inside. They really look forward to this tradition. I miss the days when my kids would color eggs and set their baskets out for the Easter bunny to come during the night. I miss the shopping (maybe) for that special Easter outfit to wear to church
and laying it out the night before. I can remember as a little girl putting my new patent leather shoes neatly by my bed so they would be ready for the morning with my ruffled socks placed neatly inside. My sister and I would always have a hat to match our dress and little purse and gloves. I am so glad I have those memories.