It’s incredible how time flies.  Just last Wednesday I was celebrating Autmn and her 12th birthday.  Now today we celebrate Kelly.

My daughter – my firstborn – came home from the hospital on a snowy day, so bright and sunny that everything glistened.  In those days before the required carseats, I held her bundled in my arms for the trip home.  The only thing peeking out of the bright red blanket-sack were her little round eyes, also bright and shining, alert and taking in her new world. (picture above is Kelly with Autmn, 2003)

The neighbor kids had shoveled the driveway, and the sides were piled almost as high as the car.  I felt like a queen – royalty! – stepping out of the Jeep with that little bundle.  From that day forward, my life was never the same.  She has brought her own sunshine and happiness to my world, and since that day, to quite a number of other lives as well.  Her favorite song was always ‘You are my Sunshine’, which her daddy would sing to her as he played his guitar. 

There is so much to say about my daughter, and the joy that she has brought to me, and still brings to me, but I’d have to write a book.  And although it’s about time I started another one, it’s not going to be today!  I will just say that I am proud of her and the life she is living.  She is a wonderful wife, mother, daughter (and -in-law!), a blessing to her friends and co-workers.  She serves willingly and joyfully in her church and give 100% to any project she tackles. She is a beautiful young lady, inside and out.

My birthday wish for her is health, happiness, success, faith, and family.  And the icing on THAT birthday cake would be love.  Love you, my sweet daughter!  God bless! 

Some people are born into families, some become part of your family.  Some are just simply FAMILY.  Ruth Ann is family. And today, we celebrate the anniversary of her birth.

In 2002 my daughter Kelly married her son Matt.  They made their home in West Alexander, not far from Matt’s parents.  When three little boys were born within only several years, Matt’s parents – Wayne and Ruth Ann – were there every step of the way.  I was there as often as possible, but being an hour away left a lot to be desired.

I for one am so glad that Ruth Ann (Ma to the family!) is there for them.  She teaches them strength and determination, compassion and sensitivity, hard work and how to have fun.  She has shared her life, her home and her love with all of them, and these lessons will live on in the boys through their entire lives.  But most of all, she has shared her faith, let them see God in her own life, and taught them Jesus.

These boys love and idolize their ‘Ma’ – I jokingly (but actually sincerely!!!) have tagged her as Saint Ma! – and they are by far the most blessed little boys that I know.  There is no doubt that they will grow into Godly young men, serving along side their parents in home, community, and church. And she, most definitely, has played a huge part in that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving from your heart, and …..

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RUTH ANN! 

Autmn and I had a great time last night at the theater!  She was all dressed up in her new dress from Jen, and had her earrings and ‘faith’ necklace on that Miss Dianne gave her for her birthday.

  Jen came up after school and helped Autmn with her makeup and did her hair.  Jen is a great family friend to the girls and they really enjoy each other.  Autmn looked great, and so grown up!

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Disney) was very fun, and we knew all the songs and characters.  My favorite was Lumiere, but Autmn of course liked Belle the best. The BEAST was very believable and we both loved seeing his transformation into the prince!

After the show Autmn was able to get her picture taken with the star.  It was definitely a highlight!

We left the theater just as it was starting to snow, but headed to Sweet Frog (Frozen Yogurt) anyway.  Such a yummy treat!  Way too many toppings to choose from.  My favorites were M&M’s and Brownie bites.  Autmn chose marshmallows and gummy bears!  ???  It was snowing pretty hard by the time we made it home, and we were thankful to be tucked in our warm beds.  A great celebration of a milestone in Autmn’s life – Happy Twelve, Autmn!!!

Twelve years ago today a little lady named Autmn Rose Stairs-Burke entered our world in the afternoon.  I had just got to the hospital when they told me she had arrived.  She is my first-born grandchild and that day changed my life.

I have watched her grow, shared her joys and sorrows, taken her shopping and to the doctors and to church every week that I could.  I want to see her grow strong and happy in the Lord, knowing His will and His peace and His direction for her life.

She is a smart student, a happy girl – but a definite ‘live wire’ that gives us all a run for our money.  But if she uses that determination and spirit to achieve great things, then the path she follows will be blessed.

Friday night we are going ‘out on the town’ – to see Beauty and the Beast at the Civic Center. Then after the play we will hop on over to the Sweet Frog yogurt shop and have way too much sweets!

I love you, sweet Autmn!  Have a great year being twelve! 

This weekend Kathy and I went to Albion to visit Mom, John, and Sparky.  This cat – notice the half-missing ear! – at one point would not even come near the house when we visited.  Now he sits on our laps, eats treats out of our hands, and talks to us to get our attention.  Sparky was originally an outside cat – but now is inside more than out.  He sleeps in the basement in a chair on one of John’s old shirts, and loves to sit on John’s lap and rub noses; then they both fall asleep cuddled in the recliner.

Even though is was only 12*, Kath and I braved the temps and went for our morning walk.  Setting a brisk pace kept us warm, and we enjoyed chatting and looking at the scenery.  We saw deer tracks, rabbit tracks, and some tracks that we couldn’t identify. The sun was shining despite the cold, and the farm looked beautiful in the early morning quiet.

You can see the house in the background, and the barn and outbuildings to the left.

It was wonderful to be home for the weekend, for this place feels like home, even though we never actually lived there.  Because home is where the heart is, and our hearts are warm and welcomed in the presence of these two amazing people, a mom and dad who mean the world to us.  We love you, miss you, and asks God’s blessing on you both daily!  Stay safe!

(Just to explain, our parents are masquerading as Skunks.  Please don’t tell them you know who they really are!!! 🙂

Over the past few weeks I have been longing to make a trip to Colonial Williamsburg.  The entire city fascinates me, full of history and life, present and past.

I have never been there when it snowed, although I was there twice in the ‘winter’.  One year a group of us went in late November, and it poured down rain the whole time, until I didn’t have a dry pair of shoes left by the end of the weekend.  It was extra fun to duck into one of the taverns and get a table near the fireplace.  Those were the days to grab a hot apple cider and warm up from the inside out.

The other winter trip was for the Grand Illumination the first weekend in December.  We packed layers of clothes, heavy sweatshirts, and thick socks and boots.  HOWEVER – it ended up being 70* and we had to go to the gift shop and buy t-shirts.  We sat on blankets on the lawn in front of the Governor’s Palace and watched the fireworks.

I love going to Williamsburg any month – when we bundle up or when the display on the bank in Market Square says 100*!  It’s about time to plan another trip down there – Something to dream about! 

(Me and Thomas Jefferson – I was running on Duke of Gloucester Street!)

Well here it is, the middle of the day on Saturday.  If the weather hadn’t turned horrid this week, my sister and I would be enjoying our Christmas visit with Mom and John (far left and center).  Kathy and I have been planning this trip since mid-December, and who would have thought there would be a lake-effect snow white-out, blizzard, sub-zero, stay-home-and-off-the-roads warning?

Well, we SHOULD have thought.  That’s ERIE for you!  Although we are all disappointed with having to cancel the trip, we were all in total agreement.

So I am trying to be productive, and getting things done.  I made stuffed pepper soup (long over due, and smells yummy!), made a couple of trips to Walmart, stripped the bed and washed sheets, emptied the sweeper bags, and my next project is to sew replacement pillow covers for the downstairs couch cushions.  Things I have been putting off.  I also need to switch the bill receipts from 2014 to 2015.  So I think I can keep busy.

But just so you know, Mom and John, nothing quite makes up for the fact that we are missing our family time!  Consider this post a big HUG.  We miss you guys like crazy and will see you as SOON as Mr. Weatherman gives us safe traveling weather.  Love you!  Stay warm and safe…..

Well, I can offer no excuse.  I kept telling myself that once the holidays were behind me, and the house and schedule back to its pre-Christmas status, I would have so much more time.

I never before realized how delusional I was….

Since the very minute the clock struck midnight on December 31/January 1, 2015, my life has been skyrocketed into projects and activities.  Luckily most of them have been more than worthy of my time and attention, but several are just plain work!

I spent 2 full days putting the decorations away, part of another day giving the house a thorough cleaning. We had ‘beef day’, wash day, organizing day, back to work day, trash day, …. way more days than there have BEEN days in 2015.  But being surrounded by people and things that mean so much to me, and being in places that offer familiar comfort and encouragement, has made me realize that being so blessed in my life is the important thing. 

It doesn’t matter if the driveway is totally cleared of snow; or that I left things un-done on my desk; or that I didn’t post in the Word Garden every other day.  Its the life that I enjoy, day after day – yes, even with backed up drains and flooded laundry rooms, sick co-workers and work overload, and driving 3 hours in the ICE & RAIN & SNOW!!! – I have joy.  Thank you, God, for my life, and for letting the peace that passes understanding surround and delight me! 

It’s a wonderful life!

Yesterday was our annual BEEF DAY!  My uncle (back right in tan vest) raises beef cattle, and every year several families band together and split a cow.  HOLY COW!  This one was #6, and we spent the day cutting and grinding and wrapping.

It was a rough start, as the roads were ice covered, and several blocked or closed.  The temperature hovered around 32*, and kept the drive tricky all the way to Smicksburg.  But all arrived safely, and the work began.  Greg and Lynn Pelc from Pittsburgh (our former youth minister and great friend) are on the right. My sister is in the very back in the blue sweatshirt.

My son Nate (far back left), his friends Josh and Dave, my sister and I, plus my Aunt Joan and Uncle Clifford started at about 9am and worked until well after 5pm.  It was a labor of love and a great experience, not to mention reaping a harvest of steaks, roasts, and lean ground beef.

This quarter sort of looks like a Fred Flinstone BBQ!  But after all the cutting and wrapping, we were content to clean up the saws and knives and tables and head back to Greensburg.

A huge thank you to my wonderful friends and family for a day we will all remember fondly, especially every time we cook a roast!  Yum!

The most amazing thing happened today.  Santa misplaced two of his reindeer and they landed – plop! – right in my yard.  I went to breakfast with Nathan, Autmn and Christina, and when I came home, Prancer and Comet were munching in my yard.

Snoopy and company were making them right at home, and they never even blinked an eye when I pulled into the drive.  They are quite happy and content there, so I invited them to stay.  They assured me that Santa would not mind, as there is a new generation of reindeer waiting in the wings.

Thanks – a very huge, loving thanks – to Ron Shafer for making this happen, in more ways than one.  Merry Christmas to everyone, and may all your reindeer be as content as mine!
God Bless!