Three Or More Tuesday -#2

Three Or More Tuesday hosted by Tam over at The Gypsy's Corner. Just look around and find "three or more" of something and join the fun!

These are three incredible young women who have stolen our hearts! Pictured here are Jess, Lisa and Kristen- our beautiful daughters-in-law. I am so glad they married our sons, so they could be our daughters, too :-)

The beautiful thing is- they love each other like sisters, too!
I am one happy and blessed MIL!:)

The Simple Woman's Daybook- March 30

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybooks.



For Today... Monday, March 30 2009

Outside my window... Sunny and in the 40's-- they say it may be our only sunny day this week- so I am enjoying it!

I am thinking... that the month of March has flown by.


I am thankful for...oh, so many things-- that aren't "things". We were finally able to travel to Milwaukee Daniel and Jess and our grandson Sam yesterday. (This winter has hindered family get- togethers at every turn.) For the blessings of happenings in the lives of Daniel and Jess with work and at home. For seeing Jonathan yesterday and that he has a "home" at his brother Daniel's house where he can hang out. Also for Jonathan's new job that he likes.

From the kitchen..My counters need clearing - weekend menu planned- hopefully some make ahead recipes made and frozen.

I am wearing...blue jeans and a sweat shirt and black socks- it's afternoon so no jammies today:)

I am reading...grocery store ads for the sales this week.

I am hoping...that I can pace myself this week and get all the things done that I need to do;)

I am creating...hopefully- a welcoming place to relax and enjoy family for this weekend.

I am hearing...in my head - our little grandson Sam saying my name "Gammy" for the first time yesterday! Melts my heart just thinking about it:)

Around the house... Starting to decorate for Spring and Easter.

One of my favorite things...tulips blooming in the spring!

A few plans for the rest of the week...Just getting ready for the weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Here is our sweet dil Jess and PaPa and "Gammy's" precious Sam:)

Show and Tell Friday - Teacup Winner!

Kelli @ There's No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Don't miss seeing Kelli's pretty new pillow and all of the other treasures of the ladies participating this week!

Look what arrived at my door this week! My very first time being picked as a winner from a blog giveaway:) This treasure came from Jan and Tom over at Rose Haven. Make sure that you stop in and see their beautiful blog.
I just love the yellow rose design!
Imagine my delight when I found this special gal tucked in the box, as a surprise, with my teacup! A sweet angel dressed in style with her skirt made from a doily. How creative!
Well, we all know that angels have to fly- so I had to find a place for her to hover:)
So she is watching over my kitchen from the hutch! Thank you Jan and Tom for these sweet gifts.


I have four teacups and saucers now. Could that be the start of a collection?...hmmmm...:)

Thankful Thursday- So Many Blessings

Today is Thankful Thursday. Lynn from ‘Spiritually Unequally Marriage’ will be hosting Thankful Thursday during March, and Laurie from ‘Women Taking a Stand’ will be hosting in April.
Stop and visit Lynn and see what others are thankful for.




I am thankful for:

• for God's faithfulness in providing our needs. For His mercies that are new every morning--I need them every day!
• For His Word, where we can find the answers to live our lives.
  
• my husband who as a man of God, lives his faith and demonstrates that love to his family and those around him. For his gift of teaching that he uses to help others succeed at work.
  
• for our children (and our that includes our dils!) who are a blessing to me everyday! For their many talents that they use willingly in service to others.
  
• for the safe delivery of our granddaughter Sophia last week.
  
  
• for our grandson, Sam, for his good health and loving ways.
  
  
• for the changing seasons- and signs of Spring!;)
  
• and for this wonderful community of kind and talented women, who amaze me every day with their use of blogging as a ministry and encouragement to others!
  

Bless You!

Wordless Wednesday - Legacy... New Generation

I am joining in Wordless Wednesday. The subject this week is Blogger's Choice. Thanks to our hostess Dixie:) Please visit her and all of those participating today.

To see your children with their children brings a joy beyond words.

Daniel with his son Sam

Ben with his daughter Sophia

~"Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers."~ Proverbs 17:6

Three Or More Tuesday -#1

This is my first Three Or More Tuesday hosted by Tam over at The Gypsy's Corner. Just look around and find "three or more" of something and join the fun!



If you have stopped by for a visit since last Friday, you know about the wonderful addition to our family- our second grandchild and first granddaughter, Sophia- who was born last Thursday, March 19th.
I had a different post in mind as I went into my picture files this morning. But the first pictures I saw was a group of three photos that first announced that this beautiful blessing was a girl. So, I thought I'd share them with you:)

Ben and Lisa are very creative in many things they do, and this was no exception.

We received these three pictures in the mail several months ago --after they had the results of the ultrasound:

#1

#2

#3!

And now here she is:)

Little Sophia

Welcome little one...Love, Grammy

I mentioned Ben and Lisa's creativity. Here is their account of how they made a special occasion of this event and how they revealed the surprise to themselves.

Lisa wrote:

"We had asked the technician not to tell us the gender, but rather to seal it on a card that we took with us after the appointment. Our next stop was to baby Gap. We picked out a cute baby boy outfit and a cute little girl outfit. We told the sales associate that she was the first to see what we are having and then to wrap up the outfit that matched. It was so exciting--and we still didn't know. After that, we went on a date to Olive Garden and opened the gift to ourselves. Ben video taped me open the bag and pull out the pink baby girl's outfit! I was shocked and so very happy! I didn't think it was possible for Colliers to have girls until at least the fifth time around!"

(We have six children- Ben is one of our five sons- our only daughter was #6:)

The Simple Woman's Daybook- March 23

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybooks.



For Today... Monday, March 23 2009

Outside my window... Rainy and cloudy, but temps are going up into the 50's, so I'm not complaining. Hey, we all know it could just as easily be snow:)

I am thinking... how blessed our family is with the birth of our new little granddaughter, Sophia, last Thursday. And what a blessing it is that Jess was able to fly to Pittsburgh to help Lisa and Ben through the first week of having their baby home.


I am thankful for...getting to spend an hour or so talking to our son, Jonathan, last night who is in college in Milwaukee and all the good things that are going on in his life:) Also, hearing him tell about his little buddy nephew,Sam, and how much fun they have together.

From the kitchen...I am wanting to rearrange a wall of shelves (kind of an open pantry) for a different look-still have to be functional- yet decorative. hmmm...I think I will ask the advise of my lovely and creative daughter-in-law, Kristen:)

I am wearing... pajamas- yep, same answer every week:)

I am reading...my newest issue of "Birds and Blooms" magazine.

I am hoping...that my mom decides to come along when my sister and her family to visit us the week before Easter.-- and for warm spring weather that week:)

I am creating...still planning to get some cards made ahead.

I am hearing...tires hitting water on the road. Rain coming down. Good Morning America on tv.

Around the house... Starting to decorate for Spring and Easter.

One of my favorite things...a steaming bowl of oatmeal on a chilly morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...It's going to be mostly rainy, so inside-the-house work--- still purging and organizing rooms.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Here is our new little granddaughter, Sophia Genevieve Grace, born last Thursday, March 19th.

And here is our "big boy" grandson Sam, now 17 months old:)
I am one happy-(and blessed) Grammy!

I hope you have a wonderful week:)

Show and Tell Friday- A Special Gift and Treasure

Kelli @ There's No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Don't miss seeing Kelli's garden decorations and all of the other treasures of the ladies participating this week!

This has certainly been a memorable day in our family's lives. Thursday was our daughter, Amanda's eighteenth birthday. That is a milestone most worthy of celebration. Her five older brothers have expressed to me their disbelief that she can possibly be this old. That is probably because they remember when she was born:)

Amanda blesses our lives with her love of music,

...her love for her family

her sense of humor...

and her smiles...

Amanda received a sweet gift today on her birthday- the sweetest of all... And our entire family gets to share the joy too!... Amanda's little niece was born today on her birthday!

May I introduce you to our new little granddaughter~ Sophia Genevieve Grace...
Here she is with her loving mommy Lisa...

and her proud daddy Ben:)

...saying hello for the first time.


Sophia is our special gift today and our treasure more precious than gold. Can you feel me smiling from there?:)) I'm feeling a trip to Pittsburgh coming sometime real soon:)

My heart is full...

Happy Birthday Amanda and Sophia!

~~Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord..."~~

Wordless Wednesday - Dance

I am joining in Wordless Wednesday. The subject this week is DANCE. Thanks to our hostess Dixie:) Please visit her and all of those participating today.

Here is the cutest little dancer that I know!:)

Sam loves music!
He is very interested in the guitar that his uncle Jonathan is playing...

Starting to move with the music a little - see the little hands moving?...

Doing some twirls -(look at that sweet smile:)

The Simple Woman's Daybook- March 16

Stop in and visit Peggy over at Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybooks.



For Today... Monday, March 16 2009

Outside my window..Sunshine and blue skies- temps heading into the 60's today- that is a major heat wave for us!

I am thinking... how fast our daughter's senior year in high school is going--she's the youngest of six--how have these eighteen years gone by so quickly? Hug your babies ladies--it really is true that you turn around and they are grown.


I am thankful for...celebrating Amanda's eighteenth birthday this week! What a blessing she is to our family. Before she was born, the doctor warned us that she may not be healthy--but, praise God, she was fine!
I am also so thankful for the group of friends that Amanda has. Such great kids! They build each other up and encourage one another- allowing each to just be themselves and be real. Most of them also love the Lord- and that has made the difference.
Over 20 kids threw a surprise birthday party for Amanda Saturday night. She was delighted!:)


From the kitchen...tidying up needed since I was not feeling well most of the weekend.

I am wearing... pajamas- love my pj's in the morning:)

I am reading...starting a book titled "Pursuing Godliness"a study of I Timothy by Elizabeth George. I had forgotten that I had this book! Came across it Saturday when I was sorting. I bought it at a women's conference that Elizabeth spoke at several years ago.

I am hoping...that our family can get together soon. So many circumstances have kept us apart this winter- weather not being the least.

I am creating...hopefully some homemade cards this week.

I am hearing...a siren going down the highway. I always try to pray for whoever is having an emergency and needs that help right now.

Around the house... I have made some progress on sorting and purging. More needed...
I am also researching some new recipes.

One of my favorite things...when the grass starts greening up in the spring.

A few plans for the rest of the week...getting ready to celebrate Amanda's birthday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is our birthday girl! Happy 18th Amanda!! We love you:)

Show and Tell Friday - Hutch

Kelli @ There's No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. Don't miss seeing Kelli's Springtime centerpiece and all of the other treasures of the ladies participating this week!

In previous posts, I have shown some of our heirloom items.

This hutch also came to us from my husband's dad, and originally belonged to his grandmother.

Right next to it in our kitchen are the pitcher and bowl, and early American picture that I have shown you before.

My kitchen's decor has fruit on the wallpaper border, and displayed on the hutch are my set of dishes with a fruit design.

I read that in early America, these were called cupboards- a hutch was for rabbits:)

It's shelves and drawers offer plenty of storage space. The two outer smaller drawers are lined with felt for silverware. And the long drawer is perfect for storing table linens.

The warm wood golden oak color adds warmth to our kitchen. Our home has a large eat-in kitchen and no formal dining room, so this stands by our oak kitchen table. We treasure this because of its history in the family.

I was watching the Andy Grffith show one day and noticed that our hutch is very similar to Aunt Bea's hutch on the set. I taped some of the show and paused the tape to see it clearer. Her hutch also has a scallop design on the top and the same shelf design and number of drawers. Ours has metal hardware, while Aunt Bea's has wooden knobs.

You can go to tvland.com here and see Aunt Bea's hutch at the beginning of the episode titled, Andy's Rival.
The Andy Griffith Show is one of my favorites! So it's nice to know that you can go back and visit Mayberry, in full episodes of the show, anytime you want at this website:) Enjoy!