It's been a long, long time....

I really need to make more frequent entries to this blog but I have to admit - time just gets away from me. It's been so long that I had trouble remembering my password! Well, Christmas is just around the corner. Shopping this year was primarily done via the internet. It sure makes shopping easy - I wish I had started earlier as now it is too late to finish and I will have to hit the stores.

I recently made a trip to NY for Tami's 40th birthday - wow! Her party was so much fun. Loved visiting with my baby sister and catching up with family news. Got to see Cheryl and Gregg at the party and then on Sunday was Jake's baptism so got to see Matthew and Ashleigh. Did some Christmas shopping for the northern grandchildren and some on-line shopping also. Hope everything gets delivered before Christmas. It was freezing up there but no warmer when I returned to the south.

To catch up, we had an awesome summer, enjoyed the pool every possible minute that we could. Ryan, Kasi and Brandi all learned to swim. Carson did real well, lost all fear of the water. Lylah also enjoyed her time in the pool. Family time was abundant - lots of dinners cooked and served around the pool.

Jr. and Ryan worked real hard on my kitchen renovation. Basically it is done, just a few minor finishing touches. It came out great - very "country" looking which is what I wanted. Spent much more money than I had originally anticipated but well worth it.

Hopefully I will update at least monthly from now on. Got to get Jenn to add more pictures of the newest grandchildren - may wait until Cheryl delivers the next one before she does.

Till next time.....

Wow - what a family!!!

I recently celebrated my 60th birthday - (can that be????). Jenn and Colleen picked me up on Thursday evening (along with Brandi and Lylah) and off we headed to who knows where. Had some thoughts, maybe Savannah or Myrtle Beach - when we headed north I thought maybe we were meeting Tami and Cheryl half way to NY. We turned off onto I-40 in Asheville and it's then I figured GATLINBURG!!! - I was correct but little did I know all the surprises that were in store for me. We got off the interstate in unfamiliar territory - drove through back country roads that wound around and around. We pulled into the driveway of a beautiful, huge, two story house with pink shutters and a porch. When we entered, Tami, Cheryl, Jake, Matthew and Ashleigh were sitting in the den. What a surprise! And then, my younger sister, Cindi, came out of another room. I still can't believe they all were there for me! My daughters had been planning this since January and kept it a secret all that time. Friday we went to Dollywood, Saturday we went to Gatlinburg and also the scrapbooking outlet (my most favorite place!). We all had a ball. I even talked them into getting our pictures done at one of the old timey photography places. What fun!!! Sadly, Sunday came wayyy too fast. The northerners arose very early to leave. We left later in the morning and went to Cade's Cove which I love also. We did not see many deer which totally surpised me but we did get to see a bear. We even stopped along the highway and saw another bear foraging in the berries! Many more surprises during the getaway, lots of wonderful gifts. I am sooo blessed. This memory will always be one of my favorites. Love my family sooo much!

Just Another Monday...

What a sleepy kind of day. Yesterday we celebrated Jenn's birthday at my house. Colleen and family and Jenn's friend Missy and her family joined us for baked ziti dinner and yummy homemade crumb cake. The recipe was given to me years ago by someone that Jenn's dad knew from the post office. I wasn't sure I still had the recipe but I did. I think her name was Mary. It turned out great! The crumbs have a whole pound of melted butter in them! Sorry that TJ and family could not join us. They have been sick for a while now - just can't seem to shake the respiratory infections. Poor little Teagan now has pneumonia.

Tami and the boys will be making a visit next week. I am flying up there and then driving down with her. Should be a fun filled week. Wish Cheryl were able to make the trip also but with Matt's allergies, she can't stay with any of us and a hotel for a week gets expensive. Maybe this summer when we are not cooped up in the home with the cat they will be able to visit.

Not much else new except that I am enjoying my new home so much. Love decorating and painting and everything else. Just need to be a millionaire to do all the things I want!

Till next time.....

So Much Has Happened...

Why can't I seem to update this blog more frequently. I just cannot bring myself to write on a daily basis as if I were writing in my diary. Who cares about every little detail of my life anyway? What time I got up - if I did laundry, took a walk, exercised?!?!?! Get a diary and keep it to yourself. I can see writing about events that would have some meaning to your friends and family or if you are writing to earn money - otherwise, give me a break!

That said - I have an event that may be of interest to others. I finally bought a house. I love it! It has an inground pool and is in a very nice area - 1.1 miles from Colleen. If I were ambitious, I could walk it. Closer to Jenn also but now she is moving so hopefully she will not move too far from me. I am enjoying fixing the house - painting, new lighting fixtures, etc. Major renovations will be done in time.

My grandchildren are all growing in leaps and bounds. Saw Jake on SKYPE last night - so cute. Lylah is also getting so big and just so much fun to be around. I wish I could retire and babysit for her while Colleen works. She is blessed though that she has found an excellent day care and I'm sure Lylah will love it also as Carson does.

Looking forward to Taylor's birth. Hopefully, we can get together more often than in the past few years. Now that Sunday is family day, I pray that the Carney's will be able to join us frequently. The cousins all enjoy being together.

Miss the Santullis and Negrinis so much. There is some talk about a visit in February. YEAH!

Jr. is a real big help in my home repairs right now. I try to do as much as I can but some things you just need a man to do.

Well, until next time....

Another Blessing

Wow - Colleen delivered a beautiful baby girl - Lylah Caroline - on October 30. She weighed in at 6lbs 6oz and is absolutely gorgeous. Big brother Carson gives her "gentle kisses and gentle hugs"! Mom and baby are doing well - more answered prayers. Lylah is gaining weight and settling in with her new family.

Tami is doing well also - still adjusting her Coumadin dosages but that is to be expected. Baby Jake is growing every day. Love SKYPE - so glad I can see the family on the web cam. Hopefully Cheryl will get a web cam also so I can see her family also.

Can't believe Ryan is 14!! Being in the delivery room when he was born was so special - time goes by sooo fast.

Today I'm going to Tristin-Grace's princess birthday party. She is also getting so big - such a prissy little girl.

Looking at houses again. Saw one that I'm interested in but not getting my hopes up yet.

Till next time.....

Mixed feelings

Again, it's been a long time since I posted. Lots of events have occurred.

Tami gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Jake Anthony, on September 18. She developed multiple complications following the C-section. I arrived on Saturday and was able to extend my stay for a total of two weeks. She is much better but still experiencing problems. She needs continued prayers for her recovery.

While I was in NY, I received a phone call from TJ telling me that one of the twins had died. It's called the "vanishing twin syndrome" and is more common than we realize. Terra is having a difficult time accepting this loss so she needs prayers also.

Colleen is having her baby on October 30. Praying also for her and the new baby.

I'm suffering from bronchitis at the moment - feel better and then start coughing again. I need prayers also.

Till next time....

Double the Blessing

TJ called me this afternoon with wonderful news. Terra had a sonagram today - they were worried because they had not heard a heartbeat and the baby was measuring smaller than it should have. Now we know the reason - they are having TWINS!!! Wow, I am so excited. There are twins on both my mother and father's sides of the family but none in my parents nor my generation. None of my cousins have natural multiple births so this is the first. Can't wait - just pray for healthy babies. Terra has a tendency to deliver early so hopefully this will not be a problem for the little ones.

Tami is doing well. Jake is scheduled to make his debut on September 18. I will be flying up to be with her for a week. She is not nursing so I will be able to do the nighttime feedings for her so she can get her rest. She is having a repeat section.

Colleen is also doing well. Mike painted the baby's room yesterday.

On a more tragic note - Jenn and family went camping last week. Kasi fell into the camp fire - actually the edge of the fire and sustained second and third degree burns on her forearm. Thank God it wasn't her face. She is a real trouper and Jenn said she has not complained very much at all.

Hope to hear from Cheryl today - they were on a mini vacation. Hope they had a good time.

Till next time......