JM's 21st Birthday!

I am SO behind in my blogging. JM celebrated his 21st birthday on November 13th! I cannot believe this guy is 21 and only has one more year of college to go.

JM, I am so happy you were born! 

NYC

Hubs and I took JM and J to NYC for a few days in July.  C and G had to work and couldn't join us.  We had a lot of fun in the big apple! Spiderman was on the agenda, which was chock full of stunts and flying.  We ate way too much good food! One of my favorite spots is Sarabeth's for breakfast.  Dinner one night was at Quality Meats on 58th Street, so delicious!

Traveling with these three is always an adventure!

Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.  We went to our church's Christmas service on Sunday.  Then, we attended our traditional Christmas Eve breakfast for my husband's extended family that has been held for over fifty years.   And, last night we had my family over for our Christmas Eve dinner.  This morning, we had the pleasure of having had our very soon to be son-in-law stay overnight and experience "Santa" with us for the first time.   

My three sons!

Christmases Past - Part One

I have quite a few handmade ornaments from my children's school days.  They are my favorite things to look at on one of our trees.  Each one has a story, and that is what I LOVE!  So, let's begin:

This first one is a preschool picture of our boys embellished with whatever supplies their teachers had on hand at the time.  Oh, how these make me smile every time I pass the tree. 

 

This JOY ornament used to be on my parents' tree.  But, our daughter loved it so much when she was little that they just let her bring it home.  It was the sparkle that she adored!

One more preschool picture just because they were so cute!

This Santa ornament always hangs at the bottom of the tree because it is interactive.  Little ones can pull the string and his arms move up and down.

Truly Thankful

All of my children are in the house this morning.  As I sit here and hear the three of them in another room, it warms my heart.   Their laughter is music to this mama's ears.  Oh, how very thankful I am to our gracious God who allows me to be their mom.  It is such a blessing; thank you, God!

Happy Birthday, JM!

Today is JM's 20th birthday.  I absolutely cannot believe  he is that old, and that makes me even older!  He has a night class on Tuesdays, so we met him for dinner last night.  We celebrated his place in our family and thanked God for the privilege of sharing our lives with him.   He and his siblings have made me a better person!  We love you, JM.   That last fella was not too happy about everyone leaving him to go to dinner!  ;-)

Off to College

Today we took our sons to college.  JM is a returning sophomore, and J is a freshman, both at the same great school in our state, not very far down the road from us.  May I just tell you that I am very thankful for that! We got an early start this morning and it was a gorgeous day.  It took us about half a day to get everything in and them settled. JM's roommate moved in today also and joined us for lunch after the moving party. J's roommate doesn't move in until Friday. C even got to help her brothers move today.  She was excited since they have helped her move, ahem, 13 times!  I am not sure exactly what came over me today, but I held it together VERY well and didn't even cry.  And, for me, that is HUGE! You might say I am a tad on the sentimental side (if any of my children are reading, they are laughing hysterically.)  I cry at the drop of a hat, even sappy commercials!  So, the only explanation I can come up with is that the good Lord is preparing my heart for this season that our family is getting ready to experience.  And, I am grateful and my heart is full.

Friday, the 13th

Friday, the 13th is a special day in our family.  My dad was born on a Friday, the 13th in 1937.  The hubs and I had our first date on Friday, October 13th, 1978. Wow, sounds like such a long time ago!   JM was born on a Friday, the 13th.  What a blessed day that was for us!  So, I thought I would post on this Friday, the 13th and share a picture of something in our house that ALWAYS makes me smile when I walk by it.  JM loved a "bouncy ball" when he was a little tyke.  Everywhere we went, that is what he wanted for his souvenir.  It was such a small gesture that meant so much to a little boy!   And, this is what happened over the years... I love looking at this colorful jar; it brings back lots of happy memories of a curly haired, precious little guy who loved a "bouncy ball."

JM

This is our older son, JM, who is a freshman in college. I sure have missed him being home this year! I love you, JM.  Next year will be a REAL adjustment for this mom when we experience an empty nest. JM is pictured with our family pet, Henry. Henry will get a post of his own someday; I feel sure -ha!