Nineteen, Goodness Gracious!

She was born on a Tuesday. Early in the morning. She was planned and wanted oh so very much. I went to an infertility doctor for some time. She weighed 2lbs 9oz. She lost the 9oz and had to start over at 2lbs. She seriously looked like an albino squirrel. She was covered in white fur, the lanugo that covers babies in the last trimester.

She is nineteen today!

Happy Birthday Baby!

Where did nineteen years go? She is in her second year of college already and I cannot believe it. She does not look her age. She gets mistaken for a thirteen year old often. She is always gracious about it.

CC, I love you more now than I ever have. From that tiny neonate to the lovely young lady you have become you have been a pure joy. I especially love that you have a heart for others. You put people first and that is a wonderful gift. Now, if you would just clean your swamp….I mean your room.

She has had every color of hair available in a box. This pink is especially cute. One of my favorites was platinum blonde but it was way too expensive.

She calls her Mama every day. Sweet.

grace surrounds us

Olive

He Knows Little Things Matter

It’s Joe’s Birthday!

Happy Birthday My Darling Love!

Here is a list, in no particular order, of just a few of the many qualities Joe has that I appreciate.

 

1. He knows little things matter…he notices tiny mushrooms in the grass and always shows me.

2.   He loves the old house and is partially blind to it’s faults.

3.  He is enjoying the yellow house and understands the magic it has.

4.  He makes the best popcorn…on the stove…not in the microwave for heaven’s sake!

5.  He reads books and we discuss them.

6.  He is a Christ follower.

7.  He appreciates art…sometimes modern art…yuck…but still.

8.  He loves his children and grandchildren.

9.  He loves my child and she loves him…this does not always happen…he made this transition easy.

10.  His brother is his best friend…that’s cool…right Bob?

11.  He took care of his parents when they were ill.

12.  He works hard and his customers like him…older ladies bake for him at Christmas.

13.  He can drive expertly  through any large city(while I cannot).

14.  Man, can he hang a chandelier, with Italian instructions! You can read about this here.

15.  He can cook…priceless.

16.  He will go to yard sales and thrift stores with or without me.

17.  He bought our wedding bands in Italy. We traveled to Florence…oh my.

18.  He found a lovely historic log cabin for our wedding ceremony.

19.  He flirted with me, unashamedly…that’s what started all of this!

20.  He tells me he loves me every day… multiple times.

21.  He kisses me hello and goodbye.

♦To Be Happy Be In Love♦

grace surrounds us

Olive

Olive at the Noodle House

I woke up on my forty-eighth birthday in  the yellow house. I wanted to do that. It is a magical place for us. June fourteen, Flag Day, was the day.

Our new neighbor and friend, Fancy, took me out for lunch. We met another friend of hers, who is now my friend. Blessings multiplied.

Then I captured the C-Cat and drove to the old house and Joe said we were going to get CC ,our daughter, at college and have supper.

It could not have gotten any better than that.

But it did!

Joe drove  past the college, after picking up CC,  to Bonaire, Georgia.  In this small town ,close to the Warner Robbins Air Force Base, is the best Vietnamese food. It is the Saigon Noodle House.

I like that name. Say it over and over. I am going to the Noodle House…Noodle House….Noodle House!!! Noodles, Noodles and more Noodles or rice if you like.

I am enamored with this cuisine. Fresh vegetables, lean meats, and thin rice noodles. Yummy!

The people who own it are warm, friendly and just darned nice.

I don’t know what they thought of us, sitting there taking a lot of silly photos.

We three had barbequed pork with grilled shrimp over rice noodles with a little salad all served in a very large bowl. It was unspeakably good.

We were delighted to be together. Can you tell?

grace surrounds us

Olive