Have You Ever Looked At Life Like A Five-Year-Old?

 

How Do Five-Year-Olds Think? Priceless.

Since they were very young, whenever my grandkids visited us, they would take two hands full of loose coins from the change bucket. They could keep what did not fall out of their hands. Their hands are getting bigger now and they love counting the coins to see how much they get. 

Gramma: "Brie, what are you going to do with all that money," I asked.

Brie: "Give it to my daddy, in case he needs it."

 

Here's Another One...

Brie: "Gramma, how come you don't paint your nails anymore?"

Gramma: "Because I work from my home office, now."

Brie: "So, Gramma, you really need to get out more."

I was stumped for an answer to this five-year-old.

And Another...

With the time change during spring break, it was not dark at dinner time.

Brie: "Gramma, why are we eating dinner in the morning?"

Gramma: "It's not morning; it's evening."

Brie: "Oh, Gramma. You are so silly. It is never light outside at dinner time." 

 

This One Touched My Heart In A New Way

William is nine years old but reads at an eleventh-grade level. He loves books and I teared up when he said, "Gramma, you're an author, right?"

"Sure am!"

"Do you think I could read your books?"

"Of course! But I will expect a review, okay?" That really excited him.

It's these moments -- these are the moments we never forget. you can't put a price on them - PRICELESS

And watching them bowl......another priceless moment...last month.

 Until You Have Bowled with Pumpkins....You Haven't Bowled

What Does it Take to Have a Perfect Marriage?

This month we celebrate our wedding anniversary and this is the toast I will give to my husband of 49 years --

THE PERFECT DAY

We met early in the morning, you and I. Even before breakfast, we knew we were going to be together the rest of the day. 

Throughout the morning, there were many moments of turmoil, doubt, and uncertainty. But we knew we belonged together and.... together we would overcome. 

By mid-afternoon, we received two priceless gifts; our children, a son and a daughter. They came into our lives as the blessing we always had hoped for and believed we would have. The afternoon also proved to be tumultuous but our love for each other and God kept us strong, focused, and … together. 

We have lost much but gained more. We have cried often but laughed more. We were victims of total financial loss, cancer, loss of our son, brain injury, and almost 40 years of trauma – often piled on top of another. But we are stronger now and better - as a result. 

We are now entering the evening of that day and we have received more incredible gifts – our grandchildren. No matter how many mountains we had to climb, or hurdles to jump, the blessings of the perfect day are many and I raise my glass to you, my love, and our 49 years together. 

Today we celebrate and I thank God for you and for the perfect day.

 

How to Maintain a Great Attitude in the Middle of Sadness

Mother's Day is an emotional day for many moms. My mom died when I was 18 years old. Not only do I miss her every day but I realize how fortunate my friends are who have shared their lives with their moms all those years. 

Mom died 3 months after my wedding

I love orchids and hubby keeps me well supplied! On Mother's day, he made it his mission to find the darkest purple one available. We were both shocked to see that it had NINETEEN buds in addition to the ones already open. Considering that these blooms last at least six months - I wonder if it will topple over when all the buds open.

19 buds on this orchid

This is also a day I reflect on the years of joy we shared with our son and his family. I hide away for a few minutes each Mother's day to thank God that one day, someday, I will hug my son again. We are now in the tenth year since he walked away from our family, without explanation. He lives in our small town, minutes away from us. But, we have not seen him. When he left, he had two babies and now he has four. Although the last ten years could feel like wasted ones, I refuse to buy that lie. I focus on how wonderful it will be when we are together again and will maintain that attitude of expectation!

The more you give...the more you receive

Hubby and I have close friends in Uganda who run an orphanage. They have sacrificed everything to parent over 100 children at a time. They ask for nothing in return. When Covid hit, they lost any small source of income they had and nothing has pleased us more than to be in a position to support them. They are humble and never asked for help which made it even more exciting to be able to bless them when they did not expect it. I keep a journal of our daily conversations - the good and the awful things they have had to endure. 

On Mother's Day, our friend posted a Happy Mother's Day message on Facebook. His kindness touches many people and there were a lot of comments in that regard. I wondered if anyone recognized that he has a wife who has given so much, works tirelessly, and never asks for anything.

So......I posted a beautiful tribute to her and sent her two dresses. It is something she will remember forever and I cried when I received this picture of her.

Not the best way to hear such news

When I opened Facebook on Easter Monday I was shocked to see this pic of Brie. Her mom didn't want me to worry.....crazy kid....so she didn't tell me what happened until she knew Brie was fine.

On their Easter egg hunt, Brie was challenged by one of her boy cousins to put a chocolate egg up her nose. Daddy to the rescue and a trip to Emergency scared her enough I don't think she will do that again. She had to have minor surgery to remove it. 

For Brie's birthday, she received a Shetland pony from her daddy who did not know the pony was pregnant. Last week this tiny horse gave birth. And now there are two precious babies. I can't wait to see them.

Although William is in second grade he is reading at a high school level. Here is a note from his teacher:

I just wanted to write to let you know that I reassessed William’s reading level today. WOW. He’s reading at a level “X” on the A-Z alphabet scale. His fluency is amazing. I can’t overstate this: I’m really impressed. He says that he learned to do this by listening to music and reading the lyrics. Suffice to say, you have an amazing kid. I was thinking about talking with our Learning Support teacher, about taking a closer look at William’s abilities. And, of course, I’ll explain to his classroom teacher next year that he is a truly unique student. In the meantime, plenty of praise and confidence boosting is in order! Way to go William!

Kind big brother ALWAYS looking out for his baby sister

The hydrangea bushes were so high that we could no longer use the sidewalk around the front yard. When I watched the gardener trim them back the entire yard was a pile of trimmings. This pic is only the beginning. I have no idea how this little bit of a woman did all that and carried it down the driveway into her truck. 

When we chatted later she said she was in the movie industry in France and is trying to break into it here. After her first year, Covid hit and she needed a job so she started her own business as a landscaper. What an amazing woman!

When I was sweeping the sidewalk the next day, I found my diamond hoop earring on the EDGE of the garden gate. Don't ask...I have no idea how it got there but how wonderful to have found it.

Whatever is happening in your world I hope you can find good memories and hope for a brighter future in your thoughts every day. 

 

Welcome to a Fly on the Wall group post. Today four bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

 

Baking In A Tornado      

        

Menopausal Mother      

             

Wandering Web Designer      

You Can Find Joy and Contentment No Matter What

Most of us plan our holidays to share with family and/or friends. Especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Yet, this year our plans may be altered or shattered for many of us.

This must be especially difficult for children to understand. I am thrilled that I have not had to make any changes to how we spend our holidays (dinners, travel, etc.) and look forward with enthusiasm and excitement to the impending celebrations. I trust you will be able to enjoy your holidays as well.

When Rochelle took the kids trick-or-treating, they passed a father walking with his kids. The father was dressed up as Jesus. 

In a loud scream of delight Brie shouted, "Mom, I see Jesus!" 

The man must have heard someone say Brie's name because he said, "Hello, Brie."

"Mommy. Jesus knows my name!" She was absolutely thrilled and I think the man felt pretty good about making that little girl's day.

During Stressful Times, We Can Be Thankful We Have A Home

Every other year my Christmas shopping would be done by now. Usually, I shop in August and September and wrap gifts in October. By the time Christmas comes around I have forgotten what I purchased for everybody so it is a big surprise for me as well. I get my thrills where I can!

Not sure what happened this year except that it has been incredibly busy. Although I have not been on the road for any speaking tours during this pandemic, every other part of our businesses has soared. 

Angels Took on a New Form

For Better, For Worse -- A Language a Dog Understands

 

When we think of the words "For better, for worse," we usually think of marriage. We say our vows on our wedding day proclaiming that we will never leave our spouse, no matter what happens.

But sometimes we don't follow through with those vows.  Sometimes, our spouse is abusive or falls out of love with us or...vice versa. Those words ring in our ears -- for better, for worse -- but......it may be out of our control.

If Only You Had Not Made That Mistake, Then What?

Has there ever been a time in your life where, in the heat of the moment, you would have literally sold your soul for a different outcome if it was an actual possibility and not just a phrase?

Like the time my doctor told me I had cancer and without a hysterectomy, I would die?  Instead of accepting his diagnosis, I chose to challenge him and refuse treatment.  I wish I did not have to go through all those years of pain but I cured myself and 40 years later am healthier than ever.

 



Like the time my husband decided to throw himself on the mercy of the court and plead guilty to a crime he was innocent in hopes that the judge would realize the only witness we had to prove our case committed suicide before we went to trial?  If only, we had known hubby would go to prison resulting in that bad decision.

10 Reasons Why You Should NOT Have a Dog as a Pet

Do you wonder if you should get a dog? Have you weighed the pros and cons and stress over the extra work and time it will take? 

Hubby and I rescued over 30 dogs and each one of them became a family member quickly. Each one knew they were loved, wanted, and they would no longer be abused. In our current climate of unrest and stress, NOTHING is more calming than the love of a four-legged fur baby. 

Yes, there is deep hurt when you lose your precious furry family member and may not want to ever adopt another. But, there are hundreds of them waiting for a good home. I am convinced that they are completely aware they were rescued and will do anything to protect you and love you with every ounce of their being. 

Here is my list of why we need a dog in our life:

1. You will no longer need an alarm clock. Dogs have internal clocks with alarms that go off right on time. They know when it is time to get up, to eat, to exercise, and a host of other activities.