Happy Birthday, Michael!

With a world of love, son
This greeting comes today,
To wish you a Happy Birthday, Michael
In a very special way,
To wish you lots of happiness
And good luck all year too,
And finally to say son
I  really do love you!

Happy birthday, Michael…I wish you a day full of happiness and a lifetime of joy!

Love you!
Mom

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

Babies from my family...can you guess who they are?

This little tiny baby
Was sent from God above
To fill our hearts with happiness
And touch our lives with love
He must have known
We’d give our all
And always do our best
To give our precious baby love
And be grateful and so blessed – Author Unknown.

There are definitely “babies in the air.”  LOL!!  No, not literally – just meaning that there’s been some wonderful news lately with friends and family finding out that there is soon going to be, or have recently just added a new little bundle of joy to their family unit.

A baby is such a blessing!  When you look down into the eyes of your newborn child…there’s no describing the instant and unconditional love you instantly feel for that little person.

I’m so excited to see my friends and family welcome their new little bundles of joy into the world, and bring happiness into their lives!

Congratulations!!

My mom & sisters

You keep your past by having sisters.  As you get older, they’re the only ones who don’t get bored if you talk about your memories.  ~Deborah Moggach.

The past two weekends I was able to spend some good, quality time with my family…especially my mom and sisters.  Laughing, and just reminiscing about past memories.  Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs, our laughs and cries, over the years, but it’s so comforting to know that the bond between us will always be there.

Thank you my sisters (and of course my mama) for always being there for me.

I love you all very much!

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

Hangin' out with my boys

When I ask myself that question, I would have to say overall, yes…I am.  I offer my boys encouragement, support, love, and advice  (which of course they don’t always want or take).

Of course, I wouldn’t say I’m anywhere near being their best friend.  After all, I know how to say no, when they always hope for the answer to be yes.  Oh, and of course they think I’m nosey…  But hey, isn’t that what moms do best?  LOL!

Well then…I read an article at Inspire Me Today, and I just realized I FAILED as a mother!!  OMG!

The article was titled Top 10 Mistakes Even Smart Moms Make.  I’ll give you a little sneak peak of what the top five mistakes are according to this article…but if you want the final five, then I suggest you go over and see where you fit in.

Just a little word of advice for you young mothers, or even better yet, you mother’s-to-be out there, it’s not too late for you!  Don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made…you still have time to be a good mother!

1. Sharing a bed with baby
2. Putting your child to bed with milk or juice
3. Buying second-hand toys or baby furniture
4. Showing your child “smart baby” DVDs
5. Putting kids in the basket of a shopping cart

Well, there you go…even though I didn’t do EVERYTHING on the top 10 list, I still didn’t pass the test.  How about you?  Where do you rate?

Oh well…yeah, right, I still think I’m a good mom.

Technorati Tags: Parenting

We're going to miss you...

On July 7, 2010, this world lost a very special person, our friend, and a member of our family – Vonnie (Yvonne) Flores.  Vonnie was such a ray of sunshine.  Wherever she went, whatever she did, she always lit up a room.  She loved everyone and everyone just loved her.  It’s like there was no generation gap for the people she associated herself with – from the small infants and kids she took care of and worked with at the schools, to the elderly…  She always opened her heart up to everyone.

It wasn’t only her warm heart, but her bubbly and crazy personality that attracted so many people to her.  I actually had the opportunity of getting to know Vonnie when I was just a teenager in high school.  My friend, Jennifer Cochran and I worked for her at Copper Mountain – and she was such an AWESOME and CRAZY boss.  It’s funny, Vonnie and I were just talking about this a few months ago – she was telling me, “Oh yeah, I remember having to crack the whip with you girls.”

Then as an adult, we became family…and that’s when the real fun began!  We had the opportunity to spend some great times with her.  Celebrating New Year’s Eve, and spending Labor Day weekends in Salida, going on some pretty scary ATV rides, swimming at the hot springs, and playing shuffle board with the gang!  Those are memories that I will forever cherish.

Mike’s going to miss his shuffle board partner…but most importantly, we’re all going to miss a special friend.  We love you, Vonnie…and we’re going to miss you so much!  But it’s like they say, it’s not good-bye…it’s just see ya later.

[View with PicLens]

Share this:

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

My "little" boys...

Often times as parents we want to give our children “a better life,” then what we had growing up, but how do we define “better?”

Last night I was listening to Heshie Segal’s interview of Dr. Dennis Waitley, and he made this comment, ” Give your children roots and wings and less loot and things.”  It made really made me think…

In today’s society, we often allow material things to play a huge role in our lives.  We want our kids to have the latest and greatest game consoles, the most expensive name brands, we GIVE them nicer cars then we ourselves drive, and the list goes on and on…

Perhaps sometimes maybe we’re “buying” their love and affection, or they’ll think we’re “cool parents” if we buy them this or that.  However, if you think about it – are we really doing them a disservice?

In fact, I can remember one time, when I was a little girl, I overheard my dad talking to one of my aunts.  He told her that there were many things that he and my mom could buy us (my sisters and I) but they intentionally didn’t. Back then, I was hurt…I thought, “Gee, why would they do that to us?” But now, as a mother myself, I KNOW they wanted us to grow up understanding the value of money.  They knew that if we were responsible financially for some of our own pleasures, we’d take pride and better care of those things we earned ourselves.

As our children grow up, and they become the next generation of adults, can we say we really gave them the better things in life?  Did we teach them values, respect, morals, good judgment, and responsibility?  These are the products we should worry about giving our children.

Once they’re ready to “fly the coup” can we honestly look ourselves in the mirror and say we planted good seeds?  Did we help our children grow their wings, so they can mature and fly out on their own?  Or will we regret handing everything over to them on a silver platter, hindering them as adults?

Technorati Tags: Parenting

Mike, Joe & Rick - Together Again...

We had the privilege of attending the wedding of our friend, Rick Winslow, this past weekend in Las Vegas. It was a pretty emotional evening for many reasons.

It was exciting to witness not only the union Rick took with his new bride, Inika – a new beginning for them together.  However, it also sparked a lot of emotion for all of us who have been around to experience the many years of friendship held between Mike (my husband), Joe (my brother-in-law) & Rick (the groom).

Many years have passed since the days of elementary school and walking the halls together in high school.  However, some friendships are meant to last a lifetime. I know that…because my best friend, Robyn, and I have had the same kind of bond you all have shared.

Through thick and thin, the strings of friendship have been tied, and remember the promise you guys made to one another…you HAVE to get together at least once a year.  Okay, Rick…I guess that means you’ll be moving back to Colorado here shortly!

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

My youngest son with his Fifth grade teacher on the last day of school

“What appears to be the end may really be a new beginning.” ~ Author Unknown

Today is the first day of July.  Gee, I can’t believe May & June have already come and gone!  I meant to write this posting at the end of May, however, it all came and went so fast.

As we attended my youngest son’s continuation to middle school, and my nephew’s graduation from high school last month, I had to stop and think…this is just the beginning of what lies ahead for both of them.

It also made me realize that my boys are now both out of elementary school!  Now THAT was a shock.  Never again will we be walking through the halls of the elementary school for parent teacher conferences or other school activities!  Now it’s on to middle school and the remainder of high school memories for my sons.

My nephew, Randy, excepting his high school diploma

It was also a shock when I sat in the high school gym of Lake County High School to witness my nephew, Randy, receiving his high school diploma.  I walked along that same stage many years ago when I received my own diploma.  I guess it’s just weird seeing all of our nieces and nephews now taking the plunge into adulthood.

Not to mention, my own high school English teacher was giving the commencement speech that day – and even though she looked great for her age, it was evident that the years have passed.

It’s exciting to see what lies ahead for the children in my family.  There’s so many hopes and dreams that they have.  Hopes and dreams we all have.  It’s all very exciting, and we all just need to keep in mind that we can all go wherever we want to go.

Have a great day!

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family, Random Thoughts

My Dad...

A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He’s someone who listens,
suggests, and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He’s proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad’s love plays a part.
There’s always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And each year that passes,
you’re even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!

Thank you, Dad…
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but, especially, for just being you! ~ Author Unknown

Tomorrow is Father’s Day, so this post is dedicated to all fathers everywhere but especially to my dad.  A man of so much wisdom and so much Faith.   Thank you for always being there when we needed you!  You paved the way for us growing up, and taught us right from wrong. My sisters and I are forever grateful, and we think you and mom for being such wonderful parents. I love you Dad, and I thank you  just for being you! Have a wonderful Father’s Day!

With  all my love,

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

You are the one person
Who shares my
Deepest thoughts
And loves me in spite
Of them…

As my friend, you counsel me when my heart is broken, and you stand by me when I’m mistreated.  You rally behind me in my good decisions and are there to help me through the consequences of the bad ones.  Whom else can I call at any hour of the day or night?  Who else accepts and understands all of me?  Not many people are as blessed as I am with someone like you in their lives.

I don’t know why the heavens decided to give me the wonderful gift of you as my friend, but I’m grateful.  No matter what comes along, good or bad, it brings me great comfort and security to know that I can always count on you.  I hope you know in your heart that I am the same sort of friend to you.  Our secrets are safe and our hearts are protected because of the love between us…Two special friends. ~ Pamela Malone-Melton.

My best friend, Robyn, gave me these words in a card just the other day, and I have to tell you it made me cry.  Robyn and I have what you call a lifetime relationship/friendship.  She is my soul sister, my “twin pea” as we call each other.  We complete each other’s sentences and we know what the other’s thinking without even being in the same room.

From that first day we met back in the first grade until just this morning…we have kept our lines of communication open and ready for anything that comes our way.  Like Thelma & Louise – we’ve got each other’s backs…

This woman means the world to me, and I just had to share these wonderful words with you.  Thank you, Robyn!  I love you, girl!

Muwah!

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family