pencil skirt

My mom had my sister when I was 12 years old.

She has always been a baby to me. 

She still is a baby to me. 

When I started my first year of college, she started kindergarten.

Last week, we were hanging out and she looked at me and said ...

"Is that a pencil skirt?"

I still view her as a baby, so I was shocked that she had even heard of a pencil skirt.

And not to mention, she was right. I was wearing a pencil skirt.

I asked her where she heard that and she said ...

What not to wear. 

Oh she is growing up so fast.

happy mommas day

I hope that each and every mom out there feels extremely blessed and pampered! 

Today is your day!!

pap

My grandfather passed away on Monday. 

Not really sure how or if I even want to write about it. 

Maybe after the funeral I will find the words.

He was an amazing grandpa. 

Please pray for my family.

I know he is with our Savior, and I praise God for that. 

I can't wait to be with him someday.

you are my sunshine

E and I painted this chalkboard above our dresser awhile, but the weather has been so crummy that I have not been able to get a good picture - until yesterday!

We simply painted the chalkboard right onto the wall, and added the molding as we frame.

Easy peasy. 

I know that I have shared before, but I'll tell ya again :) The "you are my sunshine" poster is in memory of my parents and grandpa/pap singing me and my siblings that song as babes.

On the bottom of the board I wrote the scripture from 1 Peter 3:15 -

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 

This verse is so so special to me! This is the verse that I had carved into the inside of E's wedding band. 

I could say so much about this short verse, but that is another post for another time.

I hung twine and attached photos and other memorabilia with miniture clothes pins. 

Family shot from out wedding and an oldie from h.s. graduation.

Vintage hankie, post card from E and I's honeymoon to Moorea, Tahiti {amazing}, and an old letter E left on my windshield one night while we were dating.

Another hankie and a little card that I put up to poke fun at E's hoarding nature.

Our wedding invitation that E made  and  list that I wrote for him during our first year of marriage. It's kind of blurry, but it's a list of things that I would like to do that weekend :)

Since the family was coming. we finally hung up some drapes. And, since the family was coming our bed was actually made for once. A perfect opportunity to snap a picture to share with you!

 

love notes

Love notes are one of my favorite things. This year I practiced my sewing skills on Eric's valentine. I thought that my crooked stitches would make you smile.

My sister also made a special Valentine this year. My sister, Lauren is the queen of homemade cards.  This year she made Pap a Valentine in hope of lifting his spirits. 

We had a little birthday party for my Grandma last night. This year was a little different, we celebrated in the hospital so that Pap could be included.

Last night, I snapped this picture when Pap started crying after reading his Valentine from Lauren. His faithful wife of over 50 years {also known as my Grandma} was there to comfort and encourage him.

This my friends, is true love.

pap

This is my Pap.

This is my Mam and Pap (otherwise known as  Grandma and Grandpa).

This is them dancing at E and I's wedding. 

During our wedding, we did a little dance-off to see which couple in the room had been married the longest. The song started with all married couples dancing, then the dj would announce lengths of time being married. E and I were the first to exit at like two hours or something. 

Mam and Pap won. I'm not exactly sure how long they have been married. I know it's over 50. Probably closer to 60 now. 

I have the most amazing memories of my grandparents. When I was in 4th grade my family moved away from my grandparents from Kentucky to Pennsylvania. While you would think that the distance in miles would also create distance in our relationship, it was exactly the opposite. Mam and Pap would come and visit us probably at least four times a year, and usually stay for a week at a time. These are truly some of the best memories of my entire childhood. Spending those weeks with them has been a blessing in more ways than I probably even realize now. 

I can remember long bike rides, hanging Christmas decorations, vacations to the beaches in Maryland, and so much more. I especially remember Mam and Pap visiting shorty after my sister was born {my sister is 12 years younger than me}. While there are blessings to having your grandparents close, I truly believe that you can have a major influence and meaningful relationship despite the distance. 

I am telling you all this, because I am also asking for your prayers. 

Pap has been diabetic since the age of 40 and also suffered a major heart attack many years ago. While he has lived a very fulfilled life, in the last year his body is starting to give out. 

In the past six months he has been in and out of the hospital many many times. 

He is currently in the hospital. He was admitted last Sunday due to him exhibiting symptoms of a stroke. He was very confused and disoriented. 

When they took him to the hospital, they did scans and said that he had not suffered from a stoke. Instead, they said that his liver was damaged and as a result not functioning properly. Because his liver wasn't functioning the way that it should, it was releasing ammonia into his body. This was causing his confusion. They placed him on a new medication and said that this med would clear the ammonia out and he would become fully oriented again within 48 hours.

Well, it has been over 48 hours and he is still very confused and disoriented. I am still hopeful that this medication will work. 

I am asking for your prayers. Please pray for his health and that the medication would be effective. Pray for God's peace over Pap. Pap has been a believer for many many years, and I would love for you to pray for his continued trust, faith, and hope of meeting God face to face.

And just as important, please pray for those taking care of him. Pray that God would give the nurses and doctors wisdom. And I am asking that you would pray for my my mom, her three sisters, and Mam. Please pray that God would also give them trust, faith, hope, and health. 

Thanks. It is comforting to know that you will be praying. Praise God for his goodness and the promise of heaven.

a couple days late

Merry Christmas to you and yours (a couple of days late).

I hope that you enjoyed celebrating the birth of the savior of the world.