Happy Birthday Grandpa

Goodness it's been a while since I have visited the old blog...let's see if I still know how :)

Olivia and I made a cake for Grandpa Andy today. It was an adventure!

She did great with the mixing and scraping

While we were waiting for the cake to bake and cool Olivia made Grandpa a card

Proud of her work

Once the cake cooled it was time for frosting...Grammy had some reservations but went ahead anyway

She took the job very seriously and it's going pretty well

Still not too bad --only a few crumbs in the frosting :)

Getting kind of scary

Not sure there is any hope

Best quote of the day...At this point Olivia looked at me and said, "I think this looks LOVELY...grandpa Andy will LOVE it!"

A little sprinkles cover a multitude of frosting sins :)

Grandpa Andy happened to call about this point in the story. The conversation went something like this-- Olivia: "You must come home soon because we are planning a surprise party" Grandpa: "For who?" Olivia: "You" (insert adorable giggling)

After supper it's time for two little girls to put in the candles

Ella's went in a little deep

All in a row

Looks pretty good a lit up

Time to make a wish and blow --I bet he's wishing for more evenings just like this one

The day ended with Olivia and Grandpa dancing after supper along with lots of other silliness

A pretty successful "not so surprising" surprise party!

Thirty-two Happy Years Later

My sweetheart and I in 1979

Thirty-two happy years later!

What a blessing it has been to share every moment of the last 32 years with such a wonderul man...Happy Anniversary! I love you!

Crafty Grammy is in Over Her Head

No surprise that Olivia wanted to "do a craft" today. We decided on a turkey wreath.

She worked very hard...singing all the time :o)

Cute wreath completed...now grammy asks the fatal question...where should we hang it up?

She tells me we will hang it on our float. Silly grammy asks: "What float?" Darling grandgirl answers: "The one we are going to make...outside...big enough to ride on!" Yikes! Grammy is now in WAY OVER HER HEAD! Besides all the crafting, Olivia and puppy spent alot of time galloping and galloping on her stick horse.

This was (in Olivia's own words) the Ballerina Cowgirl--cute, isn't she?

Little Ella who is not so little anymore spent some time coloring...

And "reading" to the puppy...and dragging toys all over the house :o)

Olivia's plan is to make our float when she comes back on Friday...better stock up on some building supplies!

Beyond Measure

If everything was gone tomorrow but this...

I would still be blessed beyond measure.

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!" Psalm 126:3

Unexpected Blessing

Once again it has been forever since I have had time or the motivation to get something on my blog. The past few weeks months have been full of some very difficult challenges. Wednesday of this last week I was faced with one of the most difficult personal experiences I have ever endured, but God is good and faithful and I believe that healing is on its way. First thing Thursday morning Andy and I woke up to a sweet, unexpected blessing when another baby bird made its appearance in the aviary. Meet Sweet Little Baby Bird (named by Olivia of course)

These birds are zebra finches...the one with the bright orange cheeks is the daddy. Olivia named him Purdue...grandpa was happy about that.

The pretty little white finch is the mama, her name is Snowball.

Olivia was super excited to meet the new baby

She had to introduce "sweet little kitty" to "sweet little baby bird." Grandpa asked what we would call her when she wasn't a baby any more...she said I haven't decided yet!

She was telling me that looking at sweet little baby bird just made her want to cuddle her...so cute!

Grandpa Andy snapped a couple of good shots of two of my favorite blessings all dressed up in our homecoming gear. These girls never fail to make me smile.

Love this one of Olivia and I. I especially love the sweet, slightly stinkery smile.

And one of grammy and Ella...she's getting so big and her smiles are so sweet.

I'm sure there are some really hard days coming...but God has blessed me with the best husband, an amazing family, supportive friends, peace that transcends any circumstance and lots more smiles to come!

Operation Saving Baby Bunny

Meet the newest guest in the Felix zoo...appropriately named by Olivia as "sweet little baby bunny"...

A few days ago Andy found some baby bunnies in the corner flower garden. I was less than excited as darling little baby bunnies eat EVERYTHING in sight. Olivia had an entirely different opinion however.

She fell in love at first sight...

Andy and I were both afraid from the beginning that the mama had abandoned these little cuties

Olivia sang to her new friend...

She asked if "sweet little baby bunny" was friends with granpa's fish :o)

She absolutely did NOT want to give it up but we made her put it back in the garden...I know WHAT was I thinking?!?

Unfortunately it rained last night and turned pretty chilly. When Andy went out this morning he found one little baby had not survived the night and found this one mostly cold but still breathing. My kind-hearted hubby couldn't bear to let it lay out in the cold and die, so he held it in his hands to warm it up. Found it a new towel-lined home and brought it inside. Tom and Jen brought us some baby formula and we began syringe feedings.

Poor little thing could barely open its eyes. I was sure he was a gonner. Jennifer started the feedings out with lots of helpful observers.

Apparently baby bunnies respond well to excessive amounts of attention and tender loving care.

FYI... I have NOT volunteered for the 2 a.m. feeding.

He/She's looking pretty good tonight...If "sweet little baby bunny" survives, he/she will need a new home as she will not be allowed to reside in my garden...any takers???