Tuesday, July 29, 2014

A Day In The Country

This week has been a very special week for my niece, Valeria, as she made her first trip to Minnesota without her Mom and Dad. She is the most special 11 year old in the entire world! She is smart, kind, and helpful. She has been so courageous and outgoing this week! She had her first bon fire, her first time tubing, her first time driving the four-wheeler by herself, and as you see, her first time horseback riding. I am such a proud auntie!

I have loved having my niece in Minnesota so much that I don't want to return her ;-)!  Nothing has made me want to be a stronger woman than spending time with her. I want to set an example and show her that being caring, brave, and independent is powerful! I want her to know that she can do anything she sets her mind to, and that she is stronger than she thinks she is! (As she learned the hard way, falling off the tube is easy, getting back on is more difficult.) I want her to know that as a girl it is okay to be tough, to play hard, to get dirty and full of hay sometimes, but that she can also be tender and loving, she can spend the day baking, and play with dolls regardless of her age. She is such a special blessing in my life and I am very thankful for our time together this week.








 



Saturday, July 26, 2014

A Grandma's Love

I am convinced that nobody on earth could ever love me as much as my Grandma. I am not sure if all Grandma's feel this way about their grandchildren, but my Grandma really really loves me. She actually believes that I am an angel on earth!

I am not sure if I blogged about this but I had a special conversation with my Grandma last year on her 80th birthday. A conversation that I never want to forget. During a difficult time in my life, she reminded me that I have taught others love. That I have loved others so well, that they now know how to love better because of me. It was such a special gift my Grandma shared with me on her birthday- to see me through her eyes, and feel like I had this unique gift.

This week as my Grandma approaches 81 years of age I had lunch with her in town. We laughed, she told me it was okay to cry. I did. She told the waitress that she liked to acknowledge great service and that she had delivered exceptional service and that we appreciated it. The waitress said it was rare to receive a compliment and that she appreciated it very much.

We spoke about God, and heaven. And repenting for our sins. She knows that someday we will be together forever. We hoped that the rest of the people we love would also come to find the Lord so that we can be with them forever too.

It is comforting to know such love!

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Anneka Turns Two!

This weekend I hosted my God-daughters 2nd birthday party. Anneka is such a blessing in my life and I love her with all my heart! It was a wonderful day spent with amazing friends and family. Thank you to everyone for coming and sharing Anneka's birthday with her! She has been blessed with so many loving and kind people in her life.







 


 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Cameron's Preschool Graduation

Yesterday I was able to attend Cameron's Preschool Graduation in place of Brendan who wasn't able to take off of work. I was so blessed to be there and support him. He loved showing off his school, playground, and his friends. We are all so proud of him! He has grown so much over the past few months and continues to amaze us with his many talents and inquisitive personality. Children are truly a gift to everyone they encounter. Today we count our many blessings and begin to look forward to the next phase in the little mans life- Kindergarten!



Cammie's teacher giving him his diploma!


Little man was one of the last students called up to receive his diploma and he was waiting so patiently! He later told me that he just wanted it to be over! Haha.

Cameron and Mommy after Graduation
 
Cameron and his best friend, John.


It's not a graduation ceremony unless there is cake! Mmmm

Cameron received a gift of chocolates from his Nana.

And a special hug from Grandpa!
 
Daddy and Cameron after his Preschool Graduation!

Daddy wanted to do something special for Cameron's Preschool Graduation, so after dinner we went to the bakery and Cam picked out a special treat! He picked a giant, double chocolate cookie!

One of the paintings in Cameron's preschool portfolio was painted of him and his Dad on Brendan's birthday. So sweet!