Happy Friday

Hi All~ There has been so much going on in the world this week that simply makes me stop and ponder.  Firstly, the devastating tornadoes that have destroyed much of the midwest and south and of course David Wilkerson's sudden death.  For those who aren't familiar with his name, he wrote The Cross and the Switchblade and was pastor of the Times Square Church.  He worked with gang members and the Lord used him mightily.  May the peace and grace of the Lord be upon his family and church.  Many prayers continue to be lifted heavenly for those who have suffered loss from the tornadoes.
Today, as usual, I am heading out with my friend to check out local garage sales.  My daughters and I had one planned for tomorrow but due to snow in the forecast we have postponed it.  Later on this morning the girls & theirs will come over and we will head to a local farm in a neighboring town to see all the baby animals.
Whatever you do this day, do it heartily; we never know when our days will be up.
Weekend blessings, Noreen

Wordless Wednesday

 He does look intellectual, don't you think?

Such an incredible dog to allow Daddy to put glasses on him. 
It's windy here but no snow-yippee!  Stay warm and dry and if you are in the midwest, stay within range of a basement.
Hugs, Noreen

My thoughts have definitely been on those in the Midwest and on the East Coast with all the tornado activity that has destroyed many home and towns.  In fact, just yesterday we had some hail and I had to go check out our clouds and see how the sky looked.  This morning, very early, we got a reverse 911 call alerting residents to the fact that a person the police were searching for was no longer in the area.  It would have been reassuring if we had gotten the initial call but that left us wondering why we weren't notified. 
I am so thankful that we have One who never sleeps or slumbers and Who watches over us continually.
We who know the Giver of Life never need to fret or worry; how about you-are you at peace?
Praising Him for His faithfulness.
Noreen

The last several years we have been unable to host Easter at our home and this year was such fun.  We started with a brunch that included scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, fried potatos, muffins-regular and gluten free, strawberries, juice and coffee.  Afterwards the men hid all the eggs and candy outside for the grands. 

It was such fun although a bit cold yet.  Our lawn is starting to green up but you can still see some of the brown dormant areas.  Trying to get photos of the boys is difficult because they are so fast.

 Daughter Kim found some wonderful Sack Race bags on special and although the kiddos didn't understand the concept at first, they got the hang of it.  Our oldest J is a very fast runner and looks so happy being in the lead.

Everyone had a wonderful morning and then had some down time before evening services.  I've had a slight cold and other than being low on energy felt fine. 
I pray you each had a blessed Easter and that your heart smiled throughout the day.
Hugs, Noreen

Happy Easter

"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spice which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb,And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus
And it came to pass as they were much perplexed about this, behold two men stood by them in shining garments,And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them 'Why seek ye the Living amoung the dead?

He is not here but is risen, remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying 'The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified and the third day rise again'

And they remembered His words." Luke 24:1-8

May you know the power and love of a living Savior this Easter and every day of your life. On this the most holy season in the life of a believer, may you come into a more profound and deeper relationship with Him than ever before.

Because of His great Love, Noreen

Holy Thursday

This holy week is special for Christians all around the world as we focus on what great love the Father has for us that He sent His only begotten Son as an atonement for our sins.  I am so thankful for this.  Today is the last day of my Jonah study and then we break for the summer.  It is a fitting time to stop and focus on my Jesus.  May you experience His great love this day.
Blessings, Noreen

Outdoor Wednesday

Rock Climbing was one of my favorite activities when I was in college.  It was fun to see the guys decide to try this; if I had stayed stronger over the years I might have gone too.

 What a handsome group!

Of course it didn't hurt that they had an experienced teacher; I always climbed with friends but never got true lessons.  This may be an activity they all do again.

Enjoy your day!  Blessings, Noreen

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

My heart has always been drawn to the native peoples here; seeing these cliff dwellings was so incredible and being able to walk through them was even better. 

I have seen several areas with ruins; two  in Arizona but these were the most preserved I've seen. 
I haven't been to Mesa Verde yet and hope to make that trip sometime in the future. 
We had a wonderful weekend with our family; this was a birthday gift to both hubby and I and also Mother's Day and Father's Day-our kids really spoil us and we so appreciate their generosity.
Have a wonderful afternoon!  Noreen

Good Morning Friends,  I have a warning for you-prepare yourself for lots of photos in the next couple of days. We had a wonderful, fun filled weekend get away with our entire gang down to Colorado Springs and I will share about that trip tomorrow and Wednesday but as promised here are the photos from our Peanut's birthday party. 



 She choose Red Flowers for her theme so Papa and I decided to give her a red rose.  She loved it and couldn't believe it was real.  One of the incredible things about Peanut's personality is her thankful spirit; mind you all our grands have grateful hearts but Peanut continually thanks us for things we've done last year.  It is so precious. 

 Isn't she just so beautiful!

 Left to right: Peanut, Miss O, Miss S and Miss F. Cousins but the best of friends.  The boys were there but somehow the photos are mainly of the girls.

 I had to include this photo because it shows the big red flower in Peanut's hair-it was so cute.

 When she reached in the bag, she felt the quilt and immediately ran over to me to hug me.  Here she is looking at the little girls and the dogs on the fabric.

 Another photo of that flower-I just love it.  Reminds me of something a southern belle would wear.

 Wonderful cupcakes.

Four years old-wow; I'd love to say the time has flown by but truly with all her previous health issues, each day has been a blessing.  It is true to say our God is a miracle working, mountain movin God who still delights in blessing His children.

Have a delightful Monday dear ones.
Noreen

Happy Friday

Well try as I might I am struggling with uploading photos this morning and I don't have time to sit and wait.
We had a wonderful birthday party last night for Peanut, she was thrilled with all her presents.  Papa and I brought her a red rose because her theme was red flowers.  So, you all will just have to wait on the party pics. I can say I am thankful that we have a break from birthdays til mid-summer-I'm done with cake etc.
SIL made beautiful cupcakes for Peanut and of course they had a red rose on them.  I'm ready to get walking and get these legs in better shape. 
Today we head south for a couple of days of fun-the guys will rock climb tomorrow while us girls do what girls love most-shop.  Focus on the Family has an incredible bookstore, so I've been told, and I can't wait to browse.  I also want to make sure they are carrying Lynn and Dineen's book and will request it if they don't have it on the shelves. There are several antique stores that hubby and I hope to hit and also some fabric stores.  I'm looking forward to exploring Cliff Dwellings and of course Garden of the Gods and maybe even see Glen Eyrie Castle.
Whatever you do this weekend search for those things to be thankful for.
Until next time, sending love your way.
Noreen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEANUT

This morning I was in a rush so quickly hurried to get my TT post done but left off the most important reason for my thankful heart this day-you see my sweet little girl, our Peanut is four today.  I was having a difficult time with finding a recent photo and our weather was pretty yucky so I decided to wait until later to post this.  I'm hoping her mama checks back so she might see this.
Our peanut is one tough cookie, so to speak.  At ten months of age she began showing signs of severe(I mean severe)GERD and was put on adult strength meds.  These meds had a very sedative effect on her and by the time she was one and a half other problems had begun to surface as well.  She was in and out of childrens hospital in Denver and basically the doctors could not find anything to help this wee little one.  There were developmental delays as well and therapy was started.  Fast forward to today~through in depth testing and supplements and most importantly prayer our little girl is healthy and happy, on par for her age-except her size(but that's o.k. because I'm pretty short)and has made remarkable strides.  What can I say but like all our grands, this girl has her nana and papas hearts.  It is lucky she doesn't live with us full time cause she'd be one spoiled girl but I am so thankful that we live close and I can see her daily if need be.
It is great joy that we are living so close to our daughters and their children.  It is with abundant gratitude to our Lord for His Hand on this child.  I can't wait to see what He has planned for her future.
May our Lord richly bless you Miss M and make His face to shine upon you, today and always.
With all our love,
Nana and Papa

Your Life Matters

Hi girlies! Happy Thursday to you!  It is that time of week again to stop and take inventory, if you don't do it daily, on all that you are thankful for.  When I visited my dear friend Lynn, at http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/, her message is similar to what is floating around this old brain today.
But first I have to tell you that last night we got quite a bit of rain, which actually was o.k. cause my sweet man had just fertilized the lawn and I had fed the plants.  However, this morning dear hubby got up and we have that white stuff falling from the sky.  Yep, snow; you all know how I love the snow but in April, really! I wasn't too pleased at this because I am ready for sunshine, flowers and sunny days but I'm thankful I have eyes to see.
Last night I went to an incredible ladies fellowship and was so blessed; the topic was worship and you know how much I love worship.  It was also about replacing all those lies we tell ourselves as women, you know the ones-I'm not good enough, not talented enough, ________________( fill in the blanks).  We actually traded silk flowers for the real ones and asked the Lord to pour out His Spirit on those areas we gave to Him.  Any area of our life can be given in love to Him~hobbies, relationships, dreams etc.  I don't know about you, but this girl has bought into lies for so long that they just become a normal thought process.  As of last night, I will be speaking truth to myself about those things I gave over.  Lynn also talked about how our lives, our blogs, our love can impact others for Jesus.  Even if it is only one person, I want others to know how cherished they are, how loved they are and how valuable they are to the Lord. 
Today, if you have a recorded message of lies in your brain, won't you take it to the cross and let Jesus replace it with His love and truth.

Don't forget to visit Lynn and read more TT posts.
With much love and blessings,  Noreen

Bits and Pieces

 This is our Peanut's birthday quilt.  In case you are wondering why we call her Peanut-well, it has been her nickname since birth because of how small she is.  Actually, several of the girls are very tiny so we should call them all this but truly it is Miss M's name.  Her quilt from her birth is so well loved it is wearing in places and looking all of 4 yrs old.  Her sweet mama made her an adorable quilt recently, but my sweet little girl loves her nana's quilts the best.  You can tell how that bothers me-NOT! What is a nana to do but whip one together for her birthday.  I found this fabric in California in Feb. when we were there so had to get it-it looks so much like Peanut.  This quilt isn't the best piecing I've done but I think my stitches are becoming more precise and consistent so for that alone I am happy.  If you click on the photos-you can see the cute fabric up close.

Peanut's birthday is on Thursday and I also got a book for her to go with this.  It is not a twin size but one that will be manageable to drag around the house all the time.  I do have another project I am needing to start very soon; a baby quilt for a friend but I have to wait and see what the sex is of their grandchild.
Have a wonderful day dear ones. 
Noreen

Birthday Fun

Who wouldn't love this beautiful cake? Isn't this every little girls dream cake? When my girls were little, I always struggled with creative birthday parties.  Now as I watch our grown daughters and their hubbies throw birthday parties, it boggles my mind at their creativity. 

Most of the girls waiting for our 6 yr old to open her presents.  Aren't they just adorable!

 The other part of the gang.

Little Miss D thinks she gets to blow out the candle.  Sorry but you have to wait until September. 
We had a wonderful breakfast with everyone and loads of fun.  Afterwards, I ran and got  a free bone density screening and it showed improvement since I've been doing strength training.  I also got some more garage-sales in after class-so much fun.

I have to give a shout out to all my South African friends-yippee on Charles Schwartzel winning the Masters golf tournament.  If Phil couldn't win or Rory from Ireland I'm so glad that Charles did.

It is sunny here so I'll probably be spending the day outside.
Hugs, Noreen

A Wonderful Day

Happy Friday Friends.  What a busy and fun day I had today; it started out with garage-saling first thing this morning~I didn't find much but it was still fun.  I came home to spend a bit of time with your two grandsons who were busy with Grandpa.  Then I was off to meet my two blogging friends for lunch at Mimi's Cafe and afterward we did some window shopping; o.k. I confess we hit Sees candy store and I bought two boxes-one for hubby and I and then also some Mint Crisps for Easter.  Later on I ran out to our oldest girls house to spend time with her girls that I had missed earlier.  Now I'm going to fold laundry and finish the hand quilting for the birthday present for Peanut next week. 
This weekend will be busy as well-tomorrow we are celebrating our Miss S's 6th birthday and I'm hoping to do more gardening in the afternoon.
So how about you?  What are you looking forward to doing this weekend?
Have fun!
Noreen

Thankful Thursday

Once again it is time to pause and give thanks.  Lynn, my good friend, is hosting it today; be sure you drop by and visit some other blogs today.  You can find her here http://unequalmarriage.typepad.com/ Today I am singing " All of creation, in heaven and earth, bow down before You and cry Holy, Holy, Holy, they cry Holy.Holy is the Lord". This photo of the pheasant was taken in our oldest daughter's front yard on Saturday.  Isn't it beautiful!
I am so thankful for the Lord's mercy and grace.  I am thankful that my hubby's uncle Joe went home to Glory yesterday and will see Jesus face to face.  His sweet wife preceeded him about 5 years ago and now he will be able to see her again.  "Precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His godly ones." Ps. 116:15
Uncle Joe was a wonderful loving man, husband, father,grandfather,brother and uncle; our family spent time with him years ago at his farm in Tennessee and I will always cherish those memories.
Today I get join the ladies to study the Word and then after we are going to a gals house for lunch. 
I am thankful that tomorrow I am meeting two of my blogging buddies for lunch and shopping.  We try to get together every three months and always have a wonderful visit.  Just wish I could get together with each of you for a visit.
May your day be blessed with His Glory.
Noreen