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

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!

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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.

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My family's faces of Halloween

Clothes make a statement.  Costumes tell a story.  ~ Mason Cooley

Halloween…ah yes, the one day a year we can be whomever or whatever we wanna be!  Not to mention, you can eat all the candy you want (or as least as much as mom will let you).

Everyone from Cinderella and Harry Potter, to the Devil with the Blue Dress on, to Dr. Evil…pick your passion or poison.  Everything goes!

It’s funny…when we’re young, we want to be cute and precious (or is that the parents’ idea), but as we get older, we look more towards the guts, gore and rock-star status!  I guess that’s just the way life evolves, huh?

Well whomever you want to be on this day of fun, go all out and be creative with your costume…after all, you deserve to be all that you want to be!  Let your costume tell YOUR story!

Have fun and be safe!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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This past weekend was yet another time cherished with family and friends.  Saturday was my birthday, and I was lucky enough to have my family come up from Pueblo to spend “my day” with me.

We went out and did what I LOVE to do – we went out dancing…we had so much fun!  Chocolate cake with strawberries, spending time with family and friends and DANCING…what more could a girl ask for?!

I share with you pictures from that evening,  and a poem that expresses my feelings to a “T.”

I hope you had a great weekend!

Family & Friends

© Jill Wolf

We all have a cherished garden we tend -
It is planted with love of family and friends.
The memories and dreams we treasure and share
Are like beautiful roses found blooming there.
The comfort and care on which we depend
Is given with love between family and friends.
The sunshine of laughter and rain of a tear
Only make our love grow with each passing year.
We may all be ourselves with no need to pretend
Because of the love of family and friends;
They notice the rainbows and weather the showers.
They overlook weeds and praise all our flowers.
The most valuable thing is the time that we spend
Tending this garden with family and friends.
When counting our blessings, we know from the start
That family and friends come first in our heart.

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a Godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. ~ Author Unknown

I have read this passage many times, and for some reason this really came to mind for me this morning.  Another Godwink (right Robyn?).

We run into many people every day and they may stay in our lives for just a little while, or they might make their mark on our hearts for a lifetime.  Whatever it may be, EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  So take the relationships you have, and the friendships you make, and except them with open arms.  For whatever reason, season or lifetime…they are meant to be with you!

Have a wonderful day!

Technorati Tags: Friends and Family, Random Thoughts