Raising Adults.....

There are volumes of books that share how to raise children.  I read some, did the best I could do and then one day they are no longer little children.

       Recently I read something that really got me to think.  The premise was that you do NOT raise children, you DO raise adults.  What a concept!!! 

      It made me think about my adult children and how much I love them and am grateful to them for the people they have become.  This weekend was completely joyous.  Jim and I got to spend time with both of our children and in doing so we came back feeling so amazed at how capable they are and how proud we are of  both of them.  

     They cooked us wonderful meals and they shared their lovely homes.  They both work hard at their jobs and in their marriages, and they have a relationship with God.  I have not stopped  thinking about how blessed I feel.  I do miss the little children that used to live in our home, but they have been replaced with an incredible gratitude that I have for the adults they have become. 

It becomes twice the blessing when they marry people that add that much more joy to our lives. I feel truly that I now have two daughters and two sons. How wonderful is that?

 Dustin is a little camera phobic....hard to be in a family that takes endless pics. This is a favorite picture I have of Dustin caring for my Mom. It shows his loving heart and deep respect he has for Oma.  Qualities that make me love him very much.

I have to end this post with another favorite photo of this weekend.  Oma came along when I performed my "magic" on Jonathan and Jill's garden. This is a yearly Easter present....in lieu of Chocolate Bunnies.  The garden turned out so lovely, but the most important gift of the weekend was the time we could all share. This sweet photo says it all!!!!

The rest is the best.....

Busy lives seldom allow enough time for vacations....but Jim and I build in as many mini getaways as we can schedule. This time was special for many reasons.  It allowed us to bring Mom along so she can meet her latest Great Grandson Matthew.

We enjoy beautiful visits to magnificent places.  We always make time for picnics and sometimes we invite strangers to enjoy our feast. 

We find time to learn some California history.....

We search out delectable pastry shops with windows as delightful  as their yummy goodies!!!!

It is always about the shopping....and this shop even had flowers on their roof!!!!

But the most memorable thing about our small trips away from home, is time spent with friends.  We come home refreshed and marking our calendars for our next getaway.  Life can't be sweeter than that. 

Yes....St Patrick's Day is very lucky!!!!

    I always had heard of the Luck of the Irish....but knew it was true when they handed me a beautiful baby girl on St. Patrick's Day.  Her Dad was beyond proud and named her as Irish a name as he could come up with. Her brother was shyly impressed with his baby sister.  Her Oma began to dream of all the baby things she could knit for this sweet addition to our family.

The years have gone by so quickly.  Our little girl is all grown up, married her prince and has created a life of her own.  So this year our birthday girl was a hard working teacher, so the party had to come to her.  We brought the yummiest of pastries, and Oma provided the pretty flowers. The teachers came in to share their birthday greetings and the children showered the teacher with flowers, gifts and the sweetest notes.

     I will always think of the day they handed me this sweet and beautiful little girl and remember how blessed I felt.  My life felt so complete.  I had my little boy and my little girl.  I had a husband who loved and provided for us, and  a mother who taught me by her example to be selfless in caring for the family God had provided for me.  

     Yes today is a lucky day, but they are all lucky days when you realize what a gift each day becomes.  Happy Birthday Meghan....may all your days be blessed with the Luck of the Irish.  May you  continue to find joy in all things.  

Who Knew?????

One of the difficult parts about teaching is that I watch my students make projects, but I don't get to "play" along. So this week Sara took on the roll of teacher, so I could play student. It was SEW much fun!!!

Who knew you could take some clothes line, a glue stick and some fabric ( including the "what was I thinking when I bought this fabric") and turn it into something fun and useful?

What a fun evening of creativity and laughter. With Sara's wonderful teaching we all became basket makers! Each one as different as the basket maker who made it. I can't thank Sara enough for introducing me to one more obsessive hobby!!!!

When I got home I decided it needed a bitty something....how about some seashells that were part of Meghan and Dustin's wedding decor?

Didn't the students do an incredible job? I LOVE Sara's purse in the background. I need to make one of those pronto!

So let the Easter bunny know that I am doing my part.....I am twirling clothesline endlessly. This is horribly addictive, but so much fun!!!!

Bunnies, bunnies everywhere.....

I love Spring, I love bunnies and I love quilts! Put them all together and you have a home that seems Easter ready even if Easter is a month away!!!! The above bunny welcomes you by my front door. Doesn't it just make you want to dig in your garden????

You can never have enough bunnies on a quilt....and these naughty bunnies are jumping all thru my flower patch!

Some bunnies have day jobs and can be quite industrious......

There are also lazy bunnies who just lay around all day.

There are bunnies who both bring baskets to help them gather....

and these bunnies work as a team.....

This is my latest Spring contribution....a lattice quilt using April Cornell's newest line.

Here is a close-up of the flowers growing on the lattice. Which reminds me.....time to get those pretty flowers planted. It will be time to sit in the garden before I know it. I can't wait!!!!

Get Thee to the Convent.......

When life seems to lack PEACE, it is best to PIECE. There is no better place to quilt than at the convent in Temecula. This weekend was a mixture of creativity, serenity, a sisterhood of the best quilting friends and I couldn't have had a better time!
I worked on three projects, but this one was certainly Merry ( as in Mary Englebreit) and Bright
Thank you Juanice for putting together our retreat and sharing your adorable niece, who in turn shared the most yummy girl scout cookies!
Thanks to Linda for being the best roomie....and for driving too!!!! Always best to have a girlfriend who loves the same shops too. Quilter's Coop is a huge temptation , but we managed to keep our purchases to one overflowing bag!!!!
Tiffany is just our sweetest addition.....and it didn't hurt that she brought us all strawberry shortcake as an appetizer before lunch!!!!
Here is Tiffany's project.....and of course I HAVE to make the exact same quilt. Her ( cutest ever) daughter Kayla designed the applique. In fact Tiffany has FOUR daughters who I am sure will be the best quilters some day.
Our final luncheon at the retreat house. The Sister's decorate our tables with such cuteness, and our meals are delicious and much to plentiful. I can't wait for our next retreat. Thanks everyone for making my weekend the BEST!!!!!

A Star is Born......

Welcome to the world Matthew James Robinson. Matthew is the son of Brianne ( my sweet niece) and Ronnie and has already made his television debut.

On the local news station there was a story about security and newborns, and needing a star for the feature they chose the cutest baby ( ok....a bit prejudiced here).

Matthew handled the role of newborn with great talent. He slept soundly in his Dad's arms and wriggled his feet to show his tag. He looked sweet and content, and I hear his big sister Ashley will soon have a real doll baby to enjoy at home.

Matthew says it will be a few years before he is giving autographs. In the meantime I hear that the Robinson family is doing very well. We are so happy to hear the blessed news.

Happy Days......

Happy Birthday Jonathan !!!!!

Two proud ladies who enjoyed the birthday party

Wow.....one beautiful living room.

Love my kids.....

It was quite a weekend.....a joyous celebration of Jonathan's 32nd birthday. I need to hear that "you don't look old enough to have a son that age" !!!!

So what did Jonathan get for his birthday? How about new wood floors for his and Jill's home. Most important thing to mention is that Jonathan installed them himself, with help from a special angel in the form of Jill's Uncle. All I can say was that he was one proud birthday boy and he sure made the smile on Jill's face light up!!!!

Their home was transformed from lovely to stupendous. Add to that the two remodeled bathrooms the kids have worked on since January and they feel like they live in a brand new home. I am so proud of both of them.

We had a great dinner together, followed by yummy dessert and coffee. I always love the time I can spend with our kids. They are the joy in Jim's and my life...they are how we count our treasure.

I share a few photos of our happy time together. Also a random photo of some fabrics I am dying to win at the V and Co. blogspot ( sorry I haven't learned to do links yet....but check them out ). Happy Monday everyone....now lets go out and have a great week.