Good morning,

Hope this finds all of you in good health during this horrible time for our country and the whole world. We have chosen to stay in as much as possible. A good time to catch up a few things, like this blog. Sad that something like the COVID19 makes us all realize what is important and life.

Hubby and I have played some games. Something we did in the beginning of our marriage because we had no money for anything else and moving to a new town, no friends. lol

In the year since I have updated a lot has changed in our family.

We have two great grandkids, William 1, and Lucy 2 and a third boy due in July.

We had one more grandson get married, another getting married in October.

Seven grandkids are now home owners.

All 13 grandkids and spouse/ significant others are employed. Only one so far isn’t at the moment. She worked in the office of the college she attends which is now on line.

We are all very fortunate at this time, that a family and friends are safe and healthy.

Hubby has the Yahtzee out, so it must be time for our morning Dr. Pepper and a game of Yahtzee.

Take care all of you. Enjoy this time with your families. And remember to practice social distancing if you go out and hand washing.  Stay safe.

Rose

Good morning. Hope all of you had a wonderful holiday weekend. We had a long but fun time celebrating one granddaughter's wedding and the high school graduation of another granddaughter the next day. It was the last of our thirteen grandkids to graduate high school. So far four of the girls are married and our first grandson's wedding is this fall. Looks like a few more in the near future. We buy each grandchild a set of luggage for graduation. You don't know how glad I am that I am done picking our luggage. And you would be surprised how much luggage has changed over the years.

Today is back to work day. Basically didn't do a whole lot last week. Amazing the extra things you have to do when you are leaving town for a few days.
So today is catch up day. Not counting laundry. 

I came across this school related idea. Would be fun in summer school and a great idea for fall. 

Have a great Monday. Hope you can dodge the raindrops.
Take care,
Rose

Reading in our Kindergarten Book Boats...such a fun idea!
via: https://www.facebook.com/joyce.h.acton

Happy Mother’s day to all you mothers out there.

Here in Iowa it is another cloudy, cool day. We had rain over night and more chances today and during the week. Still waiting for spring to come for more than one day. It was sixty degrees yesterday and fifty five predicted today when rain by evening. Sounds like summer will beat spring here again this year. Eight five predicted for Wednesday. The sun and warmth sounds good but we know when it goes from fifty five degrees one day to eighty five two days later there will probably be storms in between.

I am definitely ready for some “sitting on the deck” weather.

We have a granddaughter getting married on the Saturday of Memorial day weekend. And another granddaughter, actually or ‘baby” granddaughter” graduating high school the next day. It will be the beginning of a busy summer/fall. We have four weddings so far this year, the last of the year will be a grandson in October. It will be busy but a fun time.

We are very lucky that so far all our family gatherings have been fun events. We are now 35 strong and we are able to all be together for most the family gathering. We are now in that period when that isn’t always possible. We will have a granddaughter teaching high school math in Taiwan and won’t be home till after our family Christmas gathering. Another grandson has moved to southern Illinois and one to Nebraska.  Their drives to family gatherings have gotten a bit lengthy for short weekend gatherings. Thank heaven most live close.

Have a great spring, if it ever gets here. And enjoy the day.

Take care,

Rose

Hi Everyone,

Don't know what happened but life got busy and I put a few things on the back burner. Decided it was time to take them off before they are overcooked.

A lot has changed since I last updated my blog. We had our second great grandchild, a boy named William. So now our great granddaughter Lucy will have a playmate at family gatherings. And there is even more changes going on in our family. Our youngest granddaughter is graduating High Schoolin May and going off to college in the Fall. Another granddaughter it getting married in May and a grandson is getting married in October. Two of my four daughters are planning on moving in June. Looks like the makings of another busy, fun year.

Just a little note to let you all know that I have added new bundles to my store for big savings and updated a lot of my older bundles.

Have a wonderful spring and hope to update this blog more often.

Take care,
Rose

I'M BACK. First day of school that is.

In just two days it will be August. And that, where has the time gone, means it is “back to school.” I remember how it was when all my girls were home and the sound of a quieter house sounded so good. Now my house is quiet, especially since I don’t do day care anymore, there are days (just days) when I would love a bit of that “noise”. I came across this today in my morning readings in my quiet house. Enjoy.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

To all the moms who are furiously juggling a multi-colored Excel document of appointments, camps, vacations, work schedules, BBQs, parties and other obligations, who feel like summer has become busier than the school year, and dream of walking into to see the “Back to School” displays which will officially start the countdown until the first day of school… this prayer is for you:

May you have clarity of thought and a morsel of sanity today. May you know that His grace is enough. For every season, every tantrum, every question, every failure. It is enough. Always.

May you know that you are wildly loved by your Father, just as you are. Not because of what you accomplished today, or didn't. Or how you feel about God at this moment, or whether you complained, or spent time reading your bible, or messed up in the worst way, or celebrated a victory. He adores you, just because. 

And with of this knowledge, may you feel empowered to love your children the same way. The way God asks you to, the way your kids deserve, and the way you want to.

May you feel equipped to tackle every challenge, every situation, and every day with courage and joy even if you have to "start over" 10 times by 9 a.m.                                                  

May excitement fill your heart every morning for all that the day can be. Your children are your treasure, and this day is a gift-- may you fully embrace it all. 

May you lay your head down at night with a heart that is bursting and memories too plentiful to count. May you know unspeakable joy at the end of the day.

May you recognize that though these days are so (so, so, so, so) long, the years are short. They are a breath. And as you exhale yours in the darkness of the night, may your cup overflow with thanksgiving. May your dreams be sweet and your sleep be restful. 

Sleep well, Momma, knowing that the work you are doing is good, and your Father is smiling on you. 

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-daily-prayer/

Enjoy these last days of summer.

Rose

Middle of June! Already?

Doesn’t time fly? Doesn’t seem like it should be almost the middle of June. The weather is still wacky Average high is 82 and we have had temps in the upper 90’s with high dew points. The weather makes it feel more like the middle of July and August. Definitely not normal. Sure makes a person wonder what July and August will be like.

Easter was a quiet gathering this year. Weather was cold and dreary and just seemed to set the mood. Or maybe because of our wild Christmas party, it just seemed quiet.

So far this has been a quiet year for us. No weddings, no high school graduations, one college grad but since he is going on to graduate school and he was taking a family vacation the day after graduation, no party. Sounds like that could all change for next year. Our granddaughter and grandson are expecting their first child in January. That will make two great grans for us. We will have our youngest granddaughter graduating high school in May and a strong possibility of a wedding or two that summer.

For now we are just enjoying the quiet visits with family and trying to stay cool.

Take care,

Rose

Food for thought.

Came across this today on Facebook and I think it is a good read for any of us that deal with little ones. The author is Unknown but they "hit the nail right on the head" as the old saying goes. Definitely makes a person stop and think.

 “I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.”

From the diary of a 2-year-old:

Today I woke up and wanted to get dressed by myself but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me sad.I wanted to feed myself for breakfast but was told,“No, you’re too messy, let me do it for you.”This made me feel frustrated.

I wanted to walk to the car and get in on my own but was told, “No, we need to get going, we don’t have time. Let me do it.”

This made me cry.

I wanted to get out of the car on my own but was told “No, we don’t have time, let me do it.”

This made me want to run away.

Later I wanted to play with blocks but was told “no, not like that, like this…”

I decided I didn’t want to play with blocks anymore. I wanted to play with a doll that someone else had, so I took it. I was told “No, don’t do that! You have to share.”

I’m not sure what I did, but it made me sad. So I cried. I wanted a hug but was told “No, you’re fine, go play”.

I’m being told it’s time to pick up. I know this because someone keeps saying, “Go pick up your toys.”

I am not sure what to do, I am waiting for someone to show me.

“What are you doing? Why are you just standing there? Pick up your toys, now!”

I was not allowed to dress myself or move my own body to get to where I needed to go, but now I am being asked to pick things up.

I’m not sure what to do. Is someone supposed to show me how to do this? Where do I start? Where do these things go? I am hearing a lot of words but I do not understand what is being asked of me. I am scared and do not move.

I lay down on the floor and cry.

When it was time to eat I wanted to get my own food but was told “no, you’re too little. Let me do it.”

This made me feel small. I tried to eat the food in front of me but I did not put it there and someone keeps saying “Here, try this, eat this…” and putting things in my face.

I didn’t want to eat anymore. This made me want to throw things and cry.

I can’t get down from the table because no one will let me…because I’m too small and I can’t. They keep saying I have to take a bite. This makes me cry more. I’m hungry and frustrated and sad. I’m tired and I need someone to hold me. I do not feel safe or in control. This makes me scared. I cry even more.

I am 2. No one will let me dress myself, no one will let me move my own body where it needs to go, no one will let me attend to my own needs.

However, I am expected to know how to share, “listen”, or “wait a minute”. I am expected to know what to say and how to act or handle my emotions. I am expected to sit still or know that if I throw something it might break….But, I do NOT know these things.

I am not allowed to practice my skills of walking, pushing, pulling, zipping, buttoning, pouring, serving, climbing, running, throwing or doing things that I know I can do. Things that interest me and make me curious, these are the things I am NOT allowed to do.

I am 2. I am not terrible…I am frustrated. I am nervous, stressed out, overwhelmed, and confused. I need a hug.

-Author unknown