Terribly Terrific Two!

Rylee is 2! And she is just terrific!

She LOVES life and has so much fun! Rylee especially loves to tease her Grandma Dee! (no, she didn't eat the sand... just repeatedly lifted the shovel to her mouth to see what I would do!)

Rylee loves to wear someone else's shoes - Here she walks around saying, "I'm Grandma Dee"! So cute!

She loves "driving" the lawn mower - "beep, beep!"

And Rylee loves to climb, explore and just LOVE life!

How I LOVE this terribly terrific two!

Seven Grand Reasons I LOVE My 7 Grands!

1) The way Sophia smiles at me! Who wouldn't love someone so happy and attentive?!

2) He finds so much joy in the simple things in life!

Even when first born, Thomas was exploring- you could tell by all of his varied faces. And it just keep getting better!

3) The way Rylee 'plays' with me. 

For almost an hour... "I'm going to jump on you!" She is such an adorable tease!

4) Her sweet disposition and ultra polite tendencies!

When Grandpa and I leave her house, Olivia often says, "Thank you for coming!"

5) Parker's fashion sense and love of dance!

She is always changing outfits - ALL DAY LONG! Plus she tells me every time I visit how 'very beautiful' my outfit is that day. Makes me feel very special!

6) Her creativity!

Ashtyn LOVES drawing, writing, coloring with stickers, making things with perler beads, building with legos, and even creating video games! 

7) Great social skills and Taking Selfies!

Claire is such a social girl- and I love it that she even wants to take pictures with me!

Just a small sample of why I love my grands. I am so blessed!!!

She's Six! Where does the time go?!

Claire is such a fun loving girl who LOVES people!

I am so blessed to have this grand!

A Father for My Children & A Grandfather for My Grandchildren...

I was challenged and blessed to raise my three wonderful children on my own for 17 years. During that time, I was given a blessing promising me a father for my children and a grandfather for my grandchildren. A few years later, I met Luke.

He has been such a loving father to my children, even choosing to adopt Jon. What a wonderful day!

And it is such a joy to watch him with our littles!

They love him so!

And so do I! He is such a fun and caring father! I am so blessed!!!

The Best Mom-in-Law/ Friend/ Role Model!

I have the very best Mom Call!!!

Dee has been such a bright light for me in this crazy past couple of months. When I need someone to talk with, she is there. When I want someone to talk with, she is there. 

I am so fortunate to have such an amazing woman in my life!

And she is a wonderful example of genuine love for others. I am truly blessed.

Staying Home During Spring Break...

When I can't go visit my littles, I NEED to stay busy!

Worked on some jean quilts...

and made some dishcloths...

baked...

cooked...

Love curry!

Luke's black bean/quinoa 'meatloaf'

LOVE quinoa burgers!

and played in the dirt...

Garlic- yum!

Peas coming up!

and flowers coming...

Not quite the spring break I was planning, but grateful I can keep busy!

What do you do when you can't color eggs with the littles?

I bake! Whole grain Challah bread (even used powdered egg!)

Luke's "meatloaf" - without the meat, of course... really quinoa and black bean loaf- Yum!

Chocolate Zuc muffins with homemade salted caramel 'frosting'

And I cook...

Black bean/quinoa burgers!

And of course, lots of wheat bread!

And as I was craving ice cream, I was fortunate to discover some frozen strawberries and bananas in the freezer. This shake will do as well as any old ice cream!

So grateful to be able to bake!