JOY . . .

I truly believe that you can find JOY in every day . . . and in doing that life is a bit easier.

Still working on this - (the painting and doodles - not finding joy) . . . I do that every day!

We celebrated my mom's 90th birthday this past weekend.

Not exactly as we had planned - but it was really nice.  My brother decided to make the trip to celebrate her birthday even though we postponed the full party.  (We now have to find a date where we can use the taco truck we had arranged . . . maybe we will use that to celebrate the day we can get everyone together again.)  We were able to get most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren to participate in a "Zoom" birthday party?   We all sang Happy Birthday and she blew out her candles.  I had baked pie for her birthday, but Avery she had to have a birthday cake - so thanks to Avery - she had a cake also.  

Talk about JOY . . . it was the kind that brought tears to our eyes.

Clay being Clay - he didn't stay long, but it made the weekend so special for her.  

I asked people to send mom birthday cards.  This was really fun!

She ended up getting more than 70 cards!  It took her awhile to go through them all.

There were fancy cards, old cards, handmade cards, recycled cards, photographs, cards from family, cards from old friends, new friends, and people she didn't even know.

JOY!

I love this photo of Mom and Dad on their wedding day 70 years ago

April 15, 1950

A lot of life lived in 90 years.

The secret to living well and longer is: 

eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.

Happy Birthday Logan!

How can he be ONE already?

ONE cute boy!

Happy Birthday Logan!

How wonderful life is

now you're in the world.

"Young, Wild, & Three" photo frame . . .

Love our Avery Rose!

I'm working on this tonight . . .

Our Avery Rose will be turning three soon.  

I am working on the photo frame for her birthday party.

. . . just a small family party this year.

I can't get enough of this unique little girl!

Happy Birthday Avery Rose!

twotti fruitti birthday . . . .

 I had to redo a photo frame for Avery's Twotti Fruitii birthday party.

I wasn't completely happy with it, but it worked.  :)  

I really did like the pineapple in the corner though.  I should have gotten more pineapples. :)  

 They just make me smile!

How can she be two years old already?  

This is one sweet girl . . . with some unique attitude thrown in.

Love our Avery Rose!

the birthday girl . . .

"Joy is not in things . . . it is in us."

                                                                                            ~Richard Wagner

unicorn photo frame . . .

I haven't posted in so long . . . and I am not really sure why, other than I am busy, 

but I'm almost always busy - so that is no excuse.

So time to get back to posting . . . 

I had forgotten that I hadn't posted pictures of Avery's birthday . . . or of the photo frame that I made for her 1st birthday party.  In case it isn't obvious . . . the party had a unicorn theme.  

The frame was really fun to make . . . except for using glitter spray paint to paint he main part of the frame . . . the cans kept clogging.  I think they need to design a better nozzle for glitter paint.

Three weeks later . . . and I am still seeing glitter in my house.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Life is good . . .

 My birthday crane!  

Avery's first visit to the zoo.  

Birthday wishes . . . . 

The kind of silliness that makes you smile . . . and touches your heart. 

An eye popping zombie toy . . . because my desk needed one.

(Some people just get me.) 

Getting a whole bunch of wishes from Charlotte!

Life is Good!

flashback . . . just for fun!

Happy Birthday to this guy!  

This is what he looked like 35 years ago when I met him.  I look at this picture and can see both of our sons.  His sister shared this picture on Facebook today . . . were we really that young when we met and has it really been 35 years?  

Today he turns 60.  I think sometimes I look at him and still see this guy . . . 

 . . . maybe that's a good thing and maybe that's why we have made it 35 years. 

Love you Coach!

birthday wishes and blue jays . . .

What a wonderful surprise in my mailbox from Paper Vernissage.  Thank you Lorraine!

I love that background stamp!

Tucked inside was this little drawing of some blue jays . . . which happens to be our school mascot.  This  will definitely find a place on my desk.  

birthday card journal . . .

 Every year I take my birthday cards and make a simple little journal out of them.  

It is a fun way to keep the cards and enjoy them again . . . 

and a fun way to use washi tape.

 I used Charlotte's handwriting for the cover . . . 

 A sentimental card from my aunt and uncle.  

Love you Hess and Al . . . I miss you very much!

 . . . and funny cards from friends . . . 

. . . and a birthday warning????

banana cream pie . . .

You create your own opportunities

~ and sometimes they're really quite delicious.

This is what happened in my kitchen tonight.  I had decided not to make it because it was getting late . . . but my dear friend needs a banana cream pie on her birthday tomorrow.  So I am up late making a pie, making a mess, and making it so that I will probably be tired tomorrow. 

The pie turned out wonderful . . . I can't wait to taste it.