The Joker and Cat Girl and Dinosaur - Oh my!

Today Poppy and I took Lawson and Britain, aka The Joker and Cat Girl to the Bella Vista POA's annual Spooktacular! Our little dinosaur, Taylor, got sick at the last minute and couldn't join us. We hope you are feeling better precious Taylor - we missed you.
We had a GREAT time! Lots of games, a craft, story-telling, face-painting, cookies and CANDY - lots of candy!
Lawson even won the LIMBO game!!!
Grandchildren give old parents, aka Nene, a chance for "do-overs."
When my boys were little I thought that Halloween was a horrible event! I believed - and still do - that satan is real and that there is evil in our world today because 'our enemy, satan, is roaming to and fro across the earth looking for whom he can, to devour." If you don't recognize these words - well - you will find them in the Bible. HOWEVER, I took this to an extreme and in an effort to protect my babies from anything even pertaining to evil - I didn't let them celebrate halloween.
I know - I know - really silly! But at the time I thought I was doing the right thing. Sorry boys! It wasn't all bad - I did let them dress up in non-scarey costumes and attend the annual "Thank You Jesus Costume Party." This was a HUGE event at our church for all of the children as an alternative to halloween. It was a big carnival with lots of games, crafts, story-telling, cookies and candy - lots of candy! Somehow in my little "pea-sized" brain - I thought it was ok to let them do all of the things that all of the other children were doing - on the same night as Halloween - but believe that we weren't celebrating evil old halloween. duh!
Thank goodness - I grew out of that! Otherwise, we would have missed out having so much fun today with 2 of our grandchildren!

The "ah-ha" moment!

I have spent some quality time with a dear friend of mine today - comforting her and encouraging her - trying to console her. She had her "ah-ha" moment last evening.
That moment is when a mother realizes that her grown children have REALLY moved on and started their own life - totally separate from her. This moment is when a mother must let go - I mean totally let-go of a child - and all control and her position as head nuturer, and let go of all hope that she will ever get to "mommy" that child again.
It is a devastating - heart wrenching experience. Even though it is the natural normal progression of life - it is none the less, one of the most difficult things a mother must do and go through. But - we all have to do it - we all have to let our children fly away.
Nothing can prepare you for your "ah-ha" moment. Even though little-by-little, over the years, you have let parts of your role go as you watched them become more and more independant.
I remember my "ah-ha" moment like it was yesterday. It happened in the parking lot of Cracker Barrel in Springdale. I know - crazy place for it - but that is when "it" became completely real.
It had been a crazy, busy, fun emotional week-end. Ryan and Laura were married that Saturday. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. I was surrounded by family and friends. I was so happy. My first born son had married the girl of his dreams - heck - she was the girl of my dreams! I loved Laura - still do - I knew that she was the perfect partner for Ryan and that they were going to have a wonderful life together.
The day after - I had put my youngest son, Aaron, on an airplane again. Aaron joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and was in his 3rd year of active duty. I was accustomed to saying good-bye to him - but I knew this time when he left - that he would soon be deployed to Iraq to possibly fight for our country. I couldn't stop it and I couldn't change it. It was his life and he loved being a Marine.
The following day - a Monday - all of our out-of-town family gathered at Cracker Barrel to have breakfast and say good-bye as all prepared to go back to their homes. Sean Michael - my little boy tucked in the middle between Ryan and Aaron, was leaving with my brother and sister-in-law to move to Arizona to finish college. I could barely eat my breakfast - my heart felt like it was broken in 3 equal pieces. It was true - no mistaking it - each of my 3 sons, my little boys, were grown and had launched their very own life without me.
As we all stood in the parking lot after breakfast - I fell apart. I couldn't help it - the tears came and I couldn't stop them. Sean was trying to console me - that big boy was doing cartwheels and trying to make me laugh. Finally he just grabbed me and hugged me and let me cry in his arms for awhile.
Everyone loaded up in their cars and drove away. Sean hung out of the window and waved and yelled "I love you Mama."
I just stood there in the middle of the parking lot - unconsolable - having my "ah-ha" moment. It had finally hit me - really hit me - my boys were grown and they weren't coming back to their mommy again. Oh - I knew that I would always be their Mother - and they would always love me - but I also knew that it would never be the same again - they didn't need me to be their MOMMY anymore.
That day for me was over 6 years ago and I survived!
God has a way of showing us (ok - pushing us) to get on with our life and causes us to understand that being a Mommy was just part of who we are as women and that He has other wonderful and fulfilling roles for us to take on. And - forever in my mind and heart, I have my memories of being a mommy. I can still feel them and savor them whenever I want to.
So my friend, although no one can console you right now - you will just have to trust me when I say, "this too, shall pass." It will pass just like poopy diapers, the terrible two's, dirty blue jeans, the smart mouth and the teenage years. You will make it through this and come out stronger and better and much wiser, on the other side. Your heart will mend and God will fill it with other unimaginable joys. I pray that God will bless you with grandchildren. I have already discovered that grandparents NEVER have to let go of their grandbabies. You get to keep the same AWESOME role for as long as you live!
Until then - be strong and enjoy your memories.
Because even now, when I see my grown-up sons, sometimes if I want to, I can close my eyes and choose to see a little boy running toward me with open arms, jumping up into mine and exclaiming, "I LOVE YOU MOMMY!" It's my right - I earned it! And so did you!

The dinner Gang!

Did I mention that I have GREAT friends!

One of my groups of friends is a crazy whacky gang! Definitely a conglomeration of personalities and uniqueness. Is that even a word???

Anyway - we try to get together on Saturday evenings for dinner. It's always a good time - lots of laughing and smiles abound!

Included in this group are:

Josilyn and Don (Josilyn gave birth to and raised the beautiful young lady that married my youngest son - Aaron and Audrey) - Don is the lucky guy that won Josilyn's heart.

Lisa and Bob - Lisa is part of GNO (girls night out) - probably the most up-beat person I know - and Bob is again - the lucky guy that won her heart.

Marie and Tim - Marie is my beautiful red-haired friend - and once again, Tim is the lucky guy that caught her and then was able to convince her to marry him.

And of course - John and me.

This is a group picture of us last night - taken with my new camera so that I will have pictures for my blog.

I realize that it won't be all that exciting for the masses - BUT - watch for blogs to come. This group is about to take up the Tango, Swing dancing and maybe a couple of other wild dance moves.

It's going to be FUN and I am sure very entertaining!!!

PS - Marie and Tim - we missed you last night.

My new Friend!

I am blessed with many friends. I am thankful for each and everyone of them.
I love all of my friends - and enjoy spending time with them.

I have a variety of friends - lots of different personalities and characters - one might think it strange that I would be friends with a few of them.

I have groups of friends and individual friends.

I think that is normal for everyone - in their "realm" and scope of friends.


All of my friends are very special to me in many varied ways - all are unique individuals. All of my friends have a "story" - things that have formed who they are. I know the story of most of my friends - or at least part of their story.


John is of course, my very best friend - he is my soulmate - that is a connection that one only has with the person they have committed to spend the rest of their life with.

Then - there are GIRLFRIENDS! Oh my goodness - they are the BEST kind of friends! Only females can understand the importance of girlfriends in their life. Girlfriends are essential - they are "must haves" in our life.

Girlfriends will laugh with you, cry with you, tell you the truth when you don't want to hear it, let you know if an outfit makes your butt look TOO big to even consider wearing it out in public and are your biggest cheerleaders and your biggest critics. Girlfriends are the best sounding boards - they will listen to everything you have to say and never judge you for your thoughts. Girlfriends know that if they listen long enough - you will eventually figure it out for yourself. Girlfriends make your life more interesting, fun, exciting, peaceful, joyous and real.
Girlfriends are loyal - they always believe the best of you. Girlfriends know your heart - and see and share your dreams.

Women that claim to not have any girlfriends have just never found a good one.

God has blessed me with a new girlfriend! I first met Melissa at Hampton's graduation party. (Hampton is Carolyn's son). We talked and laughed for a couple of hours that day. The next time I saw Melissa was at her birthday party. Again - we just connected.

Yesterday, I spent the day with Melissa going to the area craft fairs. I learned part of Melissa's "story" and I have to tell you - she is an AMAZING person! I can't wait for everyone to meet her. You are going to love her - she is very fun and incredibly REAL -

ARGGGHHHHH... My new Camera!

As promised - I got a new digital camera - a small one so that I could carry it everywhere in my purse and have great pictures for my blog. It is everything I hoped for in a camera. Everything I hoped for was:
small, easy to use, inexpensive and to take good pictures. A pretty simple list.

I had a big Saturday planned and wanted to capture everything on my new camera.

First - I took Britain for a pedicure - her first professional pedicure at the salon. I took really cute pictures.

Next - Lawson and Britain (Taylor was sick - poor baby, and Emma still too little) and I created beautiful art on the deck with washable paint. We had paint EVERYWHERE!

Then - Sean's 30th birthday celebration. As per tradition, I prepared his requested dinner and baked his favorite cake.

Also - As always, I baked lots of extra cupcakes so the kids could decorate them. And as always, they were decorated to the max!

Last - Lawson, Britain, Abby, Audrey and I (still missing Taylor and Emma and Laura) decorated pumpkins with glitter glue, colored poms, eyeballs, yarn hair and more paint! What beautiful pumpkins!

Now - you must be wondering where all of my wonderful pictures are that I took with my perfect new camera?????

That is where the AAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH..... comes in. I didn't format the memory card - who knew you had to do that????? None of my pictures were saved on my wonderful new camera! ;-(
AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH.....

The memory card is now formatted so this will never happen again.

Nene is soooooooooo technically challenged!

Lawson Riley's Spoil Me Rotten Weekend!

We have a tradition started with our grandchildren that is very fun and hopefully it is making wonderful memories for the children - it certainly is for this Nene and Poppy.

Each year on their birthday - our grandchildren are treated to a "Spoil Me Rotten" weekend with Nene and Poppy! This weekend is ALL about the child - and packed full of FUN.

Lawson turned 6 in August - so a couple of weeks back, we went to Branson and shared a weekend.

Lawson is all boy! He is a bundle of energy and always in motion. From the moment he opens his eyes in the morning, until he reluctantly closes them at night - Lawson goes full BLAST! He doesn't miss anything - even when one thinks he isn't paying attention - well - trust me - he is fully aware!

Lawson's big smile is contagious! He has a face like a cherub.

He looks at you with those big green eyes and then flashes his big smile and finishes it off with an "I love you Nene." I immediately melt like butter. He is lots of fun and loves to tease and play jokes.

Lawson is going to be brilliant. How do I know? I know because he asks 100's of QUESTIONS - all day long. He is a chatterbox. He makes me smile and brings great joy into my life. I love spending time with him.

While we were in Branson, we went swimming, saw the Dinosaur movie on the big IMAX screen, visited a very scary haunted house, went to Bass Pro Shop (climbed on every single boat on display and watched them feed the fish in the big tank), we walked along the river and threw rocks, did a little bit of shopping (only fun stores though) and managed to eat a lifetime's worth of candy, ice cream, pizza and McDonalds!

Unfortunately, Nene did not have her new camera yet - Lawson, Poppy and I managed to squeeze into a photo booth and have our picture taken.
Look at these rebels!!!




















Here are some of my very favorite "Lawson 6 year old pictures" - Look at that precious face!

Lawson Riley - I am so glad that God chose me to be your Nene! I am the luckiest Nene in the World! I love you - you make my heart happy.........

Emma's Baptism and a surprise!

Good Morning!


Laura has graciously instructed me on how to "borrow/steal" photo's from other blog spots. Hopefully I won't have to do that for long - I see a new digital camera on the horizon for this Nene.

I have wondered how to get all of my "backlog" of information on my blog without injuring feelings, etc. But alas - I have determined that no one really cares. So, my blog will be a hodge-podge of information in no particular order.

Now - Emma Grace - you were absolutely BEAUTIFUL on Sunday in your fantastic baptismal gown! OMG - the bonnet was the very best. And those shoes - too cute for words. I love the way your Mommy dresses you - so very precious.

It was a perfect ceremony. I was so blessed to see my first born son, aka, your Daddy, and your Mommy publicly and opening giving you to God and dedicating themselves to raise you under the guidance of the Father and to teach you about Jesus and His love and Glory! Emma Grace - you are destined to be a Godly Woman!

Look at that face!
Best parents a girl could ask for!

Proud Nene and Poppy!

And now the surprise! Taylor and Emma - this is for you!

This is a picture of Nene holding your Daddy when he was 2 weeks old. It was Mother's day and our first outing to church. I looked everywhere for the picture when your Daddy was dedicated to the Lord - couldn't put my hands on it though - hope you like this one.

May 8, 1977

The answer to Mana's question?

Yesterday Emma Grace was baptized. Such an awesome occasion.

I will have more on that later - as soon as I figure out how to "borrow" pictures from her Mommy's blog.

Anyway - Molly/Mana (One of Taylor and Emma's other Grandmothers) - said to me, "How do you do it?" "Both of these children (Taylor and Emma) look just like you!"

Well, I'm not sure that they really look like me - but it always makes me smile and swell with pride when someone says that!

My first response was - "I don't know - it's all in the genes."

However, I have pondered that question since yesterday and I think I know the answer.

I was a late-in-life baby for my parents. On top of that - I was the last of 5 children. Result - there are not any pictures of me when I was an infant.

I have always wondered what I looked like as a baby.

When Ryan was born, everyone said he looked just like me. I asked my Mom if that is how I looked when I was a baby. She told me "no - and that Ryan was a much prettier baby than I." At first that sort of hurt my feelings - but now I understand - Ryan was her GRANDBABY - thus making him zoom to the top of all the charts! ;-)

When Sean and Aaron were born - same thing - I always asked my Mom and my sister - "is that what I looked like when I was a baby?" Always - "NO!"

So - the fact that Taylor and Emma look "just like me" - and my Mom is not here to ask - I am choosing to ASSUME that they do indeed look just like me.

It's just a little kiss from God for me. I now know what I looked like when I was a baby!

I WAS ADORABLE!!!!!!!!

My Current Favorite Song.

The song is "Who Am I" by Casting Crowns - one of my favorite groups.

I have been singing this song either outloud or in my head for a couple of weeks now.

The lyrics inspire and uplift me and speak to my heart - they make me want to preach! - Don't get scared - I'm not going to. ;-)

It's just that life is going by so fast! It seems like just last week my sons were little boys and I was their best girl! In reality that was WAY longer than a week ago - my little blonde-haired boy turned 30 yesterday! YIKES! My precious 4th grandchild, Emma Grace, was baptized today. Let's face it - I'm getting old and time is flying by!

These lyrics remind me of several wonderful FACTS:

1. In the big scope of things - the REALLY big scope of things - I AM insignificant.
2. Still - this insignificant tiny spec in this HUGE world (me) belongs to God - the maker of Heaven and Earth and He LOVES ME!
3. Thank goodness - no - THANK GOD - His love for me does not hinge on what I have done or not done - or on who I am or am not - it's all because of who HE is and what HE has done!

Now that's just good - I don't care who you are!

I know I wasn't going to preach - but I just couldn't help myself.

Following are the lyrics to the song that is currently running through my brain - I hope they get stuck in your head too. You'll be blessed!

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name, Would care to feel my hurt

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way, For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow, A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling,

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love, and watch me rise again

Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading, Here today and gone tomorrow, A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours!

What made me start a blog of all things???

Such a good question? I'm glad you asked.
I have been so inspired by my daughter-in-love Laura's blog - I decided to join in. It is such a good way to keep up with 2 of my grandbabies on a daily basis - I love seeing the pictures and reading the stories.

I know my life is not all that exciting and there will probably not be all that many folks that are interested in my day-to-day life - but maybe someday when I am old and my memory fades, this blog will remind me of today and how blessed I am and have always been. I hope that it will make me smile as it helps me remember some of the wonderful times in my life.

Those of you that know me - also know that I am rarely at a loss for words. I love to talk. This blog is a great outlet for me to talk and tell what's on my mind. Again - probably won't be interesting to the masses - but it fills a need for me to be heard. Even if it is just in my own mind. ;-)

And last but not least, I started a blog so that someday when my precious grandbabies are grown and have babies of their own - perhaps my great grandchildren will be able to get a glimpse of who their Great-Grandnene was.

So come with me, as I roam the Father's land and try to live each moment of each day to the fullest!