Thankful Thursday

Do you have a favorite food? I think my top favorites  are bacon, cheesecake, fresh fruit and salmon. On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful currently to enjoy many delicious kinds of food. I hope you will share yours too.

Tiramisu Cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. I do have a cheesecake form so I am going to attempt to be like my mom and make a cheesecake from scratch once we get cooler weather.

 Rebekah created this fruit baby carriage for Jacey's  baby shower. She did a really nice job and the fruit was wonderful. Miss Shea Avery Marie was the guest of honor because she couldn't wait to be born closer to her June due date. She arrived on May 19th.

Rebekah and Zach make a good team and make the best salmon with creamy dill sauce. I enjoy all these food, some more than others and hope you share some of yours too.

This is Franklin's grin. I told you he had a rough life before Jake rescued him so he has much to smile about today.  He and Hannah are good pals and he is a bit spoiled too.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Today we celebrated the short 7 month life of Alastor Avery. He helped us heal wounds and reach out to others we still love so very much. In his seven months on this earth he brought us closer together. We will forever miss you your beautiful smile and big blue eyes. But we will never forget the impact you had on our lives. Rest well my precious great grand baby .

I will be here again tomorrow, no matter how brief my post is. Thank you all for your love and support.

HAPPY THURSDAY

These clouds casting a red hue over the landscape today made me smile happy smiles. Plus the fact that Brody spent some time with me. Life looked happy for a while. Visit Brian and share Happy Thursday too. Simplicity for Thankful Thursday. It truly is the little things that add up to make it big.

The faces of a boy who refused to nap. Oh wait, he did after he hid his face and than he just drifted off to dreamland. In the bottom right he was turning off all the fans we had on. After he pressed the off button he would say " Uh oh" and clap for himself. Anyone who is not fond of children have never met this child. He is a born comedian.

I hope your weekend is filled with love and goodness.

The Broken Heart

I have been searching the Scriptures. I wanted answers and God, who is ever patient with me, provides me with His Word.

I am hanging on to this and all of the Scripture I find. Early in the morning of SONday August 4, 2019 our precious great grand boy Alastor Avery was taken from this life. They say SIDS was the cause. It is hard to understand . It is not a good answer. This photo was made by my dear heart friend Joni Kissinger Martines. I am usually good with words. These past days have been terrible. Words do not come to my mind. Yet God places Scripture in front of my eyes.

We had watched this precious boy and his brother on Friday evening. I did not feel well and was tempted to say no when my grandson asked me if I would watch the boys. You see, God always has a plan, and that evening He had a plan for us.

April 13, 2019, this boy was a "Chunky Monkey", and when I said that to him he laughed. He was very fond of Grandfather, because he shared part of his namesake "Avery". He could take or leave me although I could always make him laugh out loud!

April 14, 2019: His passing has left a hole inside our hearts. We join together and love each other harder than we ever have. You never know if this is the last time you will see a loved one or they will see you.

If you look around the world, you will see God really does have a plan . Our world has taken a wrong turn, not just in our country, but everywhere.

Cousin Jaslin enjoying some time with Alastor . He was well loved by all 27 of us in our phamily.

This boy loved this grandfather. Alastor always turned his head to see where he was when he heard his voice.

I try to check in with Tarrah, she is with Logan and he gave us a scare with a high fever. fortunately it broke but we prayed feverishly. I shared this with her and we both agree it applies to everyone. That little one is growing each day and he is a mighty warrior.

For all the outpouring of love with have received thank you.  It is hard to talk with those who care. Not because we don't care about you but simply because this is hard. Just know we appreciate you very much. Belonging to Pam's group, the Shelter:Postmarked has made me realize how important it is to care about others, even those we do not know. Many times I have received cards and notes from people who I was praying for. Nothing makes my day like real old fashioned mail in my mailbox. For many getting something like a card or note is all they have. We should never forget anyone.

I will miss your sweet face, I will miss seeing you splash in the bathtub with your brother. I will miss your beautiful blue eyes and your two tooth grin. You will not be able to go to a baseball game with Grandfather and me . You won't celebrate holidays with all of us and for that I am incredibly sad and my heart is broken. But I do know that you are in the arms of Jesus. He loves all the little children and it is the only real comfort I have.  I know that if I continue to love Jesus and His Father and don't allow things of this wicked world to upset me, I will come join you one day. I have heard heaven is very beautiful. I cherish the day you will give me a grand tour. You see Alastor Avery, my faith is all I have to trust in. Nothing of this world makes sense to me. Rest your little soul in eternal peace. I will see you on the other side. I Love you baby boy. My Chunky Monkey.

Heaven's Rocking Chair

© Ron Tranmer

Published: June 2014

Are there rocking chairs in Heaven
where little babies go?
Do the angels hold you closely
and rock you to and fro?

Do they talk silly baby talk
to get a smile or two,
and sing the sleepy lullabies
I used to sing to you?

My heart is aching for you,
my angel child so dear.
You brought such joy into my life
the short time you were here.

I know you're in a happy place
and in God's loving care.
I dream each night I'm rocking you
in Heaven's rocking chair.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/heavens-rocking-chair

L O G A N

Logan is getting sweeter each day. He has lived one whole day and he is a mover and getting his exercise stretching out his tiny arms and legs. His face is precious. Our daughter says he looks big in the photos  but he is very tiny and will remain at the hospital until Oct 18 which was his due date. He is a remarkable gift. Something so many overlook in this life.

I believe this and I stand on this. This tiny boy is a child of God. I believe Jesus has His hand on this boy.

Whatever His reasons are, God does have a plan for each life.

Praying is the best medicine for little souls like our great grand boy Logan. I will ask God to send His very best warrior angel to keep this child company.

Remember one thing about GOD:

I hope your weekend is blessed and beautiful and filled with love. If it is a heat wave where you are, stay cool.

The Green Green Grass of Home

Our backyard was a muddy mess in the rainy and snowy weather. We seem to never have the time, effort or cash to complete the lawn. Well, with the newlyweds help we all worked very hard to make our new lawn look . It is amazing how hard work can transformed a dusty, rocky soil into lush green.

The hubby and middle decided to add a mini fence around our giant tree in the backyard and we had previously added the natural mini fence last year around the tall bush that attracts many a beautiful butterfly.

Mini fences add some charm.

"Look ma, my hands are filthy from working in the ground."

These newlyweds along with my hubby and youngest daughter Hannah lifted these sod rolls to magically transform our yard.

It's so beautiful. I forgot to take a snapshot of the grass planted under my clothesline. It felt good today to hang out our sheets to dry and step on green goodness.

Job 28:24 explains this all so nicely.

"B" is for Boys

My life is filled with boys! Although we had three daughters and two sons, we seem to be have boys all over our phamily.

I don't think I know a little boy who doesn't love this stuff.

Boys and baseball. Both of our sons wanted to play baseball. Our grandson Colton was more interested in chasing butterflies and other fun outdoor activities. Funny all these years later both he and Nick play on a recreational baseball league. This is a favorite baseball quote.  It makes me think back to a time, long ago, when the boys were small.

Lots of boys in our daughter Noelle's clan. Devin ( in the tree) Jayden in the turquoise t shirt, Benjamin in his mommy's arms and Michael (who turns 3 tomorrow) in black. Harrison in khaki pants. Those are great grandboys. Grandsons Andrew and Colton on the right and grandgirl Christal and her hubby and girls on the left.

Smiley face Brody! He is one happy child and he loves to be held. He is hard to resist with those eyes and that heart melting smile. We waited nearly 22 years for another grandson. Thank you Brittany and Jeremy.

Are there any boys in your life?

Anniversary Wishes

Brittany and Jeremy celebrated two years of marriage April 30, 2018. Sharing a wedding photo of them and wishing my hubby a Happy Anniversary too. We celebrate 34 years May 3, 2018.

Wedding belles always make me smile:

The longer the marriage the the happier you become.

This seems like yesterday even though it was a long time ago.

 Wise words and I know some of the Scripture is on my parents wedding certificate.

We were all together at the wedding of Jeremy and Brittany in April 2016.

Brody is the latest of our phamily, he is the first son of Jeremy and Brittany and he says Go Rocklies! He is a tiny fellow and has already been to two of the home games.

Brittany and Goofy with Addy and Jeremy at Disneyland last year.

Nick, Avery and Jeremy

Wedding bells for these two in April 2016.