It's A Boy!!

I'm not sure, but I really think that this is the "Best" picture that I have posted so far! If some of you haven't heard (and I'm sorry if I haven't had a chance to tell you) I am going to be the proud Grandmother of a beautiful baby boy! Yea! Shelby is due August 20th. How great is that? I can't believe it has taken me so long to get this on my blog. Momma and baby are doing great.
Sadie is doing really good in school and at her clinical. She seems to be enjoying Radiology. We keep getting Great remarks from the staff at the hospital and school. She will finish up in May of 2011. I am sure she is asready as her Father and Mother! Terry has been busy helping Shelby paint and redecorate the house. She wants to get things in order while she still feels good.I have been staying busy, taxes are done! I have also been tinkering with making gift bags with tags. "Bags & Tags" on Facebook if you would like to check it out. My Fibromyalgia has been a challenge to say the least. I have a hard time telling myself that I can't do as much as I once could. I have also started a Bible Study with Beth Moore, "Breaking Free". So far it has been a real insight for me. I hope I am up for the challenge of completing the 10 week series. My scrap booking is getting the best of me! I am having a tough time keeping my quota each week.As for Izzy, I have been talking to her daily about the arrival of "Baby Bates". I am afraid this event will be a tremendous "shock" to her life as we all know it! She still amazes me with her IQ! She had been being lazy about ringing her bells on the back door to let me know that she needed to go out. I took a moment on the way out the door to remind her that she needed to use her bells to get my attention. As I have said before (probably several times), she is way too smart for me. Later that day, I was in the bedroom when I hear the clang of the bells. I waited and listened, giving Terry an opportunity to respond. To my surprise! He didn't! At this time Izzy repeated her request on the bells again! As you can imagine, I was really surprised when I came out of the bedroom to find Terry STILL sitting down, watching TV. I then took the time, as Izzy and I were going out the back door, to "refresh" Terry on the "Rules of Engagement" also. If only our spouses and children could be taught as easy as our companions.

Beautiful!

That is so Beautiful!

Those were the words that I kept saying over and over again, two weeks ago, when we received a heavy frost from Mother Nature. The outdoors looked as if Mother Nature opened her mouth and "Sighed" a breath of air that instantly turned to crystal and blanketed everything it touched. I couldn't take enough pictures to capture the beautiful sight. I was able to get a few really nice pictures to show off some of the beauty. Enjoy. If possible, let me know what you think?

Joy.

I have been receiving an email called "Amanda Gore's Monthly Endorphin Injection" for over a year now. Most of the time I move them to file without taking the time to read them. For once, I read her newsletter which topic was "JOY" and all I can say is Wow! Once in a while things do actually hit home and this one did. She talked about the difference between Happiness and Joy. Happiness is about wanting. Joy is about giving. Imagine an iceberg, the teeny bit at the top which is visible would be called Happiness. The huge part that is below the water would be called Joy. Joy is giving, connecting and serving. It consists of gratitude, compassion, hope, generosity, reverence, laughter, love, listening, cheerful enthusiasm, equanimity, energy and vitality and forgiveness. She went on to say that when we practice any or all of these qualities in everyday living, we will find that Joy emerges from within us. I am challenging each one of you to live each day in a state of "JOY".

Mind Over Matter!

Two words, Fibro Myalgia. I never knew two words could control a body and mind to such a degree. For the past few months I have been learning about and dealing with Fibro Myalgia. I have decided to call it my "Mind over Matter"situation. Time will definitely tell whether the mind or the matter wins! I have however, with the help of Shelby, managed to start scrapbooking again. For some reason unknown to myself, I have prolonged doing any of the girls' pictures for the past few years. With some "pushing" I mean encouragement, Shelby and I finished five pages. I am challenging myself to do at least 3 pages a week. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it would be a huge accomplishment for me. Izzy tries to be as much help as possible. No matter where I put things to work on, she manages to lay right on top of it all! It's fun seeing how much things have changed since those pictures were taken.

Happy New Year!

2010 is going to be a great year! It is always a good feeling (sometimes scary) to get a "Do Over". I am trying hard not make any resolutions that I won't be able to accomplish. I can't handle failure or defeat! The first goal of the new year was to figure out how I could keep from taking down the Christmas tree and putting it back up in December again. I know, about now your thinking what's the big deal? It's nothing to fret about until December! The problem is that I have never enjoyed putting up the tree and ALWAYS enjoyed my girls doing it for me. This year I decided maybe if I bought a smaller tree that it wouldn't be such a "big" project. So I did, only to leave it in the box, in the living room, until the week of Christmas. How sad is that? Well, this year I have decided to not take the tree down! Instead, I talked Terry into helping me carry the tree (with everything still on it) to the basement storage room. Some of the ornaments will have to be adjusted but I am going to leave the tree standing (covered) in full decoration until the day after Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Again, I have put some of my favorite pictures at the bottom of my blog to share.

Brrrr....

Oh, how Izzy loves to go riding in the car! We have to spell out "Bye-Bye" for fear you will get knocked down getting to the door first. If Izzy thinks there might be a shred of hope that she gets to go, she will run over to where her leash hangs by the back door. I think this was the last time we went out with the windows down. She isn't quite sure why we leave the windows half up. If she spots a rabbit or cat she would leap out without hesitating. It has been too cold to drive with even a crack in the windows. She still likes to go, it's just not as much fun.

Happy Everything

Happy Everything,

It has been a while and I actually miss blogging. I love the Fall season. The colors are so beautiful and the weather has been great. I had the pleasure of taking some pictures for the Ream families. Trig and Tyson are sooooo cute! I do think I might be just a little prejudice but, they are really cute! The day was so perfect, the sun was warm the trees were in full color and there was very little breeze. It was a blast getting the boys to smile, look at the camera, and play in the leaves. We were able to get some really nice pictures of everyone.

I have been able to take pictures for both families for a few years now, it's fun seeing the changes in the photographs. I truly believe you can NEVER have too many pictures! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

There are more of my favorite photos at the bottom of this blog - please scroll down to view them all. HAPPY LOOKING!

May 20, 1981

Remember those Days...

I have been scanning and saving pictures to a disc. I thought this one would give someone a chuckle! Who are those hippies and where did all that hair go? I can still recall how hot it was in the church! I can also remember Loved Ones that are no longer with us. It is so much fun to look at photos and think back to times long gone. Where did all that time go? You can never have too many pictures! Terry and I are blessed to have both our parents still living. We are also lucky to have our girls living so close to home. I can't imagine not seeing them as often as we do. I love the saying "Live each day as if it were your last".

OKC Memorial

Things have been quiet here lately. I love the weather, especially the mornings! I have been working on a Heritage book for a friend. It started a little slow but is coming along nicely. It will be the first digital book I have completed. I hope to show parts of it when I am done. Sadie has been busy with school and getting her knee healed. Shelby works her shifts on the floor, helps with surgeries and takes her turn in the ER. Jared has been working long days planting wheat. Terry has been on the road quite a bit the last few weeks. Oh yes, Izzy has been making sure the squirrels aren't spending too much time in the backyard. It's a tough job but someone has to do it! Took a couple of days last week and went to OKC with Terry. The weather was so nice we walked down to the Memorial Site again. It was so pretty and peaceful. It is still hard to believe that someone could justify doing such a horrible thing.

QUIET WEEKEND...

Well it's Labor Day Weekend and the weather couldn't be better. Sadie had her third scope procedure on her knee Friday. Hopefully, it will be her last. School is going good for her and she seems to be excited about her progress. Izzy is sure happy to see Bailey. Finally, someone to chase through the house. Her afternoons get long with only the two of us everyday. Terry has been cooking ribs on the smoker and golfing today. I have been playing "Florence" the nurse
and housekeeper!

I am working on a 12x12 Digital Heritage Book for a friend. I am excited about how it is looking and anxious to see the finished product. I have also started a couple of projects for the holidays. The year is quickly passing by! I hate the fact that the older and SLOWER I get, the faster time goes. Enjoy.