Circling the Wagons

 Things have been stressful for the last 4-5 days and by yesterday morning I was at my breaking point.  I got a phone call that just tipped the scales to overflowing and I was done.  My dear hubby, who is the kindest, most patient and caring man in the world (in my opinion) knew that I was upset and wanted to be able to be home with me but had other obligations that he needed to take care of.  Since things happened that made it impossible for us to really celebrate our Anniversary last Friday, he surprised me upon his return with flowers and I promptly burst into tears and fell into his arms.  I had been in the kitchen before he got home making homemade macaroni and cheese for us and for Bradley's mommy and daddy.  I finished that up while he took a shower and then we had a nice lunch before I headed out the door and he laid down to get some sleep before he had to head into work for the night.  I found out later that he never did get to sleep...my poor hubby was too stressed to sleep and when he gets like that, I know things are really bad. :(

   I headed out to go over to my son Chris's house and deliver an early dinner to them.  They had called earlier in the morning requesting the mac and cheese that I had promised to make for them once they were home with Bradley. :)  I was more than happy to have an excuse to go over and cuddle with my little guy and just let the stress all melt away.  There is something about holding a baby and just watching them that makes the world just seem brighter.  It is even better when it is your very own, much prayed for and loved grandchild. :D

   I am in awe watching my son Chris and my sweet Heather with Bradley.  They are such calm parents, even after being up all night with a newborn.  Chris just picks up his son, puts him next to his chest and Bradley instantly cuddles in and calms down.  Here he is after getting a bath and not being happy about that at all.  See how his daddy just got him calmed right down?  Daddy and his little man....so sweet.  I take such joy in seeing my son be such a confident, caring and gentle daddy with his son.

   Heather is one of the best moms around.  She is so amazing and calm with Bradley and loves him with all her heart.  Despite getting very little sleep, she remains very upbeat and enjoys every minute with her son.  Here she is with Bradley right after feeding him...just look at the glow on her face and how contented Bradley is with a full tummy and cuddled in with his beautiful mommy.  Spending time with these three of my loves was just what this Grammie needed to put things into perspective and make some decisions to hopefully make life less stressful.


   Our family and spending time with them is what is most important to Jeff and I.   Storms may continue to blow in life all around us but we are going to circle the wagons and try to keep our family as protected and safe as possible through them.  That is what good parents and grandparents do. :)

Walking On EggShells

Do you ever feel like you are constantly walking on eggshells in certain situations?  Why is it that just when you think that things are starting to get better something happens that causes you to question a person's motives yet again...sigh...


I am the type of person that loves wholeheartedly and believes in the importance of family and of being honest with those you love.  No family is perfect and we all have our faults but I believe that love and mutual respect goes a long ways in getting along.  I don't believe that we should hold that actions of one person against someone else.  


I'm tired of innocent people being hurt because of the selfishness of others.  I'm tired of families being torn apart.  I'm tired of hidden agendas.  I'm just tired...

I Was Honored with an Award

Thank you to Sandy at http://mysimplelifebysandy.blogspot.com/ for nominating me for this award.  I was really touched by her nomination.  Sandy and I "met" online in a frugal forum years ago and have become friends over the years.  Though we have never met in person, I have come to really love Sandy.  She is an amazing lady with a heart of Gold. :)  Please check her blog out...:)

I'm sharing the information that Sandy gave me regarding this award:


Liebster Blog Award is given by bloggers who have been Leibstered themselves to other to talented and loved bloggers who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word, meaning dearest or beloved, but it can also mean favorite. The idea behind the Liebster Blog Award is that it is given to bloggers who have less than 200 followers in order to create new connections and bring attention to these wonderful blogs!
There are a few rules that go along with accepting the award:

- Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
- Link back to the presenter who presented the award to you.
- Copy and paste the award on to your blog.
- Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs with 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed.
- Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.


Rebecca from http://zeahrenaissance.blogspot.com/ is an amazing momma and wife who takes the most incredible pictures of nature, her family.  She is a very talented lady trying to live a simpler life with her family while renovating an older home that needs lots of TLC and has been in her husband's family for years.


Annie from http://bofenkamp72608.blogspot.com/ is a wonderful young mother whom I have had the pleasure of knowing and watching grow up ever since we moved to our tiny little farming town 19 1/2 years ago.  Annie and her husband Matt have the most adorable little girl named Lily who is a miracle and blessing.  They are currently living in Japan and Annie has been sharing their adventures there.


Carol at http://a-journey-of-scraps-and-pieces.blogspot.com/ is a dear friend who I also met online.  Carol and her husband live in Canada and have adopted and are advocates for children with special needs.  Carol is also a talented quilter who makes quilts to give away to children who need them.  I have been blessed and encouraged by her friendship for many years now.  This is a woman who shows Christ's love in a very tangible way...I want to be like Carol when I grow up! :)

Celebrating Life on our 27th Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday our grandson Bradley was born and we were on an emotional high!  At about 7 p.m. we got a phone call that shook our world...my dear father in law had collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital...the same hospital that Bradley had just been born at that morning.  They suspected a heart attack.  Jeff and I quickly made some calls, got our hanai son Ben to come up and take care of the animals for us and called our employers to tell them Jeff would not be in that night or me the next morning.  Many tests and hours later, while sitting in the emergency room waiting room we learned that Papa had a cluster of blood clots in his lung and several other floating around also.  They admitted him and moved him upstairs and got him on blood thinners and oxygen.
Jeff and I came home and looked at each other, it was shortly after midnight so we wished each other a Happy Anniversary and went to sleep.


Today we spent our Anniversary celebrating LIFE!!!  We went into the hospital to spend time with some of the people that are most precious to us...our family.  Jeff and I both got to hold and cuddle with our grandson Bradley and learned that Nana, Aunt Gayle, Uncle Matt and Ella had also been in earlier to meet and cuddle with our little guy.  I think we all needed that after the scare we had last night.  We were then off to go upstairs and spend time with Papa and remind him that he needed to get well so he could meet his great grandson who was downstairs waiting for him. ;)  Papa seemed anxious to do just that and Nana was so happy that she got to have time with her great grandson a bit earlier.  What a blessing that Bradley and Papa are in the same hospital so that we can all visit them both and be reminded of just how precious life is...


I know this may sound strange but in some ways this is the best Anniversary ever for Jeff and I.  Yes, it was spent at the hospital but we were there with the people that we love.  We have so much to be thankful for...a precious new life with our grandson Bradley and the continuation of a precious life with my dear father in law.  Life is a gift and we have so much to be thankful for! 

Bradley James Is Finally Here And His Mommy Is My Hero!

Bradley James, born at 7:11 a.m. today.

Mommy, Daddy and Baby are all doing well despite a 20 hour labor followed by a c-section.

Mommy Heather is my hero!  Just look at how beautiful she is after all that hard work and surgery. I tell you, she has more strength than 10 men put together. :)

Grammie can finally cuddle her precious little man, give him kisses and promise him that she will always love him and yes, do some spoiling too. ;)  G-pa can't wait to get over his cold so he can cuddle his grandson too. :)

It is wonderful seeing my son Chris become a Daddy!  He is so tender with his son and I know that he will be a fantastic father and teach Bradley all kinds of cool and useful things.

This is Grandma Tammy and Grandpa Bruce (Heather's parents).  Look how happy they are!  Jeff and I are thrilled that we get to share being grandparents to Bradley with them. :)

Rest up my precious little one and let your mommy and daddy get some much needed sleep.  They worked really hard to help bring you into this world and have a huge job ahead of them raising you to love the Lord and to help you grow into the fine man that Grammie knows that you already are.  I love you Bradley...more than you can even imagine and can't wait to see you again tomorrow!  Welcome to the world!

Maybe Baby?

Chris and Heather had their appointment today with the doctor and it looks like tomorrow has been decided on as the day to try to convince Bradley that he needs to make his grand entrance into the world. :)  I know that he is all comfy, warm and safe in his mommy's tummy but the rest of us are really really anxious to meet him.  So Bradley, Grammie is praying that you will cooperate with the doctor and your Mommy and Daddy and make your magnificent entrance tomorrow.  Grammie is waiting to hug and kiss you and got you yet another present!  It involves monkeys...;)

"Birthday" Come and Almost Gone ;)

Today is officially my grandson Bradley's due date and I know his Mommy and Daddy would love to be holding him in their arms right now.  However, my grandson, being the precious, loving and considerate boy he is decided to wait for Grammie to get over her cold first so that he and Grammie could snuggle together shortly after his birth.  He knew Grammie could not wait too long to hold him...it would be sheer torture and she would drive G-pa nuts!  So thank you my precious little boy for loving Grammie and being so considerate...you may expect an extra birthday gift...just because!  Grammie loves you!