Grands are, well, GRAND!!!

Last month we welcomed our 4th Grand...

And she is so beautiful! Just like all the rest!

Then the playing began...

I miss them already!!! I am so blessed!

Missing the Beard!

When Luke was unable to work and needed to cut back on daily energy use (think shaving every day), he talked to me about growing a beard... my first thought was, "uhmmm..."- I was imagining long beard and bushy- not my idea of a good thing.

Then he grew it, and kept it trimmed short (3-4 week trim). Love it!!!

Now in an attempt to spend even less energy, he tried the shave it off and let it grow approach... :(

I miss the beard! Never thought I would back when, but I miss the beard!

Glad it will be back!

I Have THE BEST sister!

I really do! Just look at her!

Not only is she BEAUTIFUL on theoutside- she is absolutely STUNNING on the inside!

She is always doing something for others. Whenever I stop by her home, she is either out doing something great for neighbors and friends or she is busy baking something delicious for friends and family.

I am so blessed to have such a sister!

Remembering the Christmas Rush...

I made A LOT of gifts this Christmas! But it was so fun!!!

Here is a small sample:

The recipes on this apron are some of the ones my Grandma Opal made way back when she ran a small cafe in Iowa!

Here is one section with a pic my my grandma in her cafe! I LOVE how the glorified rice recipe still has the spatters from my grandma's cooking!

I also made some with Luke's parents recipes (not sure how to turn it for the post, though.) Luke certainly LOVES the stuffed zucchini!

I also made a hooded bath towel for Parker, and crocheted blankets for Ash and Claire (with matching blankets for their dolls, of course!)

But then I got a last minute idea and just had to make capes!

These have minky on the inside... I hope they like them!

That's OUR boy!

Happy Adoption Day to this amazing young man!

So blessed to call him OURS!!!

2016: A Challenging Year Full of Blessings!

3 of my greatest blessings! And one more coming in March!!!

Life is great in large part to Luke!

January:

We were all so blessed when Luke was able to legally adopt Jon! He finally has a truly wonderful father!

February:

Life got better than good because my Luke showed me that true love = a clean toilet!

March:

Found the world's BEST EVER hashtag on my patio!

and enjoyed a front row seat to the best-grandpa-ever show!

April:

Life was and IS breathtakingly beautiful!

May:

Blessed with a flower garden in my house!

June:

Learned a great lesson at graduation and WELCOME to Parker!!!

July:

Claire is such a blessing- and now she is two!

August:

Surrounded by greatness when I remember to look!

September:

I am so blessed to be able to do!

October:

Because of our savior, everything really is going to be okay! I am truly blessed to have such a great example in my friend and cousin!

November:

Blessed to go 'black shopping' with my other two (year old, Ash) and her mom!

December:

Blessed to be with family who love me!!

This picture says it all!!!