What’s in your flower garden?

 

"”There are fairies at the bottom of

our garden.”

Rose Fyleman quotes

Yesterday, Liz took these pictures of little Aubrey in our backyard. 

Isn’t she sweet?

Nice job as the photographer, Liz!

JoAnn

Things are moving along….but slowly

The long list of summer projects we have going at our home is finally getting started.   Things seem to be progressing at a snail’s pace, but at least they are moving.  (It took me three days to paint a closet!)

I have been organizing the closet in the newly empty bedroom to hold all of my sewing, painting, craft, and gift wrapping supplies.  (Maddie calls it “the project room”.)   I have been gathering things from  all over the house and putting them together in one place.  (I love that feeling!)  Maybe I’ll show pictures later when I am finished. 

Ken has been working hard on the new “house”.  The next  few steps will include putting on the tar paper, shingles, siding, and windows.  (Yes, it could be a slow process since this isn’t his day job.)

I fell in love with this fabric at HomeGoods the other day. 

I loved it so much I bought it!  (It came as a giant pillow .)

 

It has the colors I am imagining in the playhouse.  Don’t you think it will make a cozy reading spot in the loft? 

Out little Aubrey is making progress, too.  She met with the cardiologist on Friday and he gave us the good news that her heart looks healthy and she no longer needs oxygen.

YEAH!

Before:

After:

The dots on the blanket match the dots on her cheeks!  It is a huge relief not to have the heavy oxygen tank connected to this sweet little bundle! 

Life is hectic here, but we count our blessings every day for all that we have been given.  I can’t imagine a life without our family and friends!

JoAnn

 

Matthew Cuthbert and 24 Pounds of strawberries…

It’s strawberry season here in Utah!

(At least at Costco.)

A few days ago my son, Robbie, called from Costco to tell me they had strawberries on sale.  We agreed that it would be a good time to stock up on some delicious freezer jam, so he said he would go ahead and pick up some fruit and other jam supplies.

HE CAME HOME WITH 24 POUNDS OF STRAWBERRIES!

For some families, that might be just a drop in the bucket for their needs, but we usually put up MUCH less jam than that.

(Guess we will have some ideas for Christmas gifts!)

Robbie took on the responsibility of taking care of all that fruit.

Thank you, Robbie!

He has spent a LOT of time in the kitchen the last few days, but doesn’t his jam look delicious!

Now, about Matthew Cuthbert….

Do you remember reading this classic novel by L. M. Montgomery?

Shy old Matthew Cuthbert wanted to buy a fashionable dress for their adopted orphan Anne (whom he adored, yet realized that sensible Marilla  dressed very plainly),  but he didn’t know the first thing about  dress shopping, let alone having to communicate with a female store clerk.

In his attempt at shopping he ended up buying a garden rake (it was winter) and twenty pounds of brown sugar, but was just too shy to ask for a dress.

He finally got a neighbor, Mrs. Lynde, to make a beautiful dress with “puffed sleeves” and the story has a touching moment when he gives her his heartfelt gift.

“Anne’s eyes filled with tears and she proclaimed, ‘I don’t see how I’m going to eat breakfast.  Breakfast seems so commonplace at such an exciting moment.’”

-L.M. Montgomery

So…

Robbie’s buying 24 pounds of strawberries is quite a different situation than the one in the book , but  it made me think about the novel, and isn’t it nice to remember an old friend?

Well, I’m off to eat some strawberries!

JoAnn

Passing on some interesting ideas….

Today I stumbled across some fun tips.  Since I’m so nice (ha ha!) I thought I’d share the information.

If you like shopping at HomeGoods (We LOVE that store!) you can enter to win a $100 gift card.  Leave a comment on

Mille Fiori Favoriti’s  blog  (the orange link takes you right to the contest page)  telling what you would buy if you were the winner.  Who knows, you just might win!  (I’m really hoping that I win, but I will cheer for you if you are chosen!)

Also,,,,

Did you know HomeGoods has a blog?

(click on the above link)

Another fun idea for those who like unusual and quirky things, beautiful outdoor scenery, and delicious food is a traveling restaurant called Outstanding in the Field.  It is a traveling bus that sets up really long tables in beautiful outdoor settings like on a beach, in the middle of a wheat field, on a mountain, at a vineyard, etc.  They have a guest chef at each location.  If you click on their link you can look at some of their cool locations and check out their schedule.

t

(This photo was from their blog.) 

It must be pretty popular because a lot of their locations are already sold out.  What a fun idea!  (Sorry, I can't remember which blog I saw this on.)

They are hosting one in Eden, Utah on July 17th at a place called Sandhill Farms. 
Sounds like a great event!

JoAnn

Happy Father’s Day!

Thank you to the wonderful fathers in my life:

♥ my father

♥ my father-in-law

♥ my husband
♥ my sons
♥ my son's-in-law

I feel very grateful for such wonderful examples of fatherhood. 

I know many people are not so lucky.

Thank you for your patience, example, sacrifice, fun,

and most importantly,

your LOVE.

I hope you all have a great Father's Day!

“Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom.  If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters.”

-Ezra Taft Benson

“There is nothing that can take the place of a listening father.  His ears and heart must both be in tune.  There is no substitute.

-H. Burke Petersen

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. 

~Clarence Budington Kelland

JoAnn

P.S.  Love the bell bottoms, Ken!  (The hair is quite interesting, too!)

P.P.S. A father carries pictures where his money used to be.  ~Author Unknown

One more thought:  No, that is not Maddie, Brooklyn  and Joshua-but it looks a little like it could be them!

Smile…

“Laughter is an instant

vacation.”

~Milton Berle

 

Cute cousins enjoying a visit on Memorial Day.

Don’t they just make you want to smile?

JoAnn

 

Finding the beautiful things…..

I’m supposed to be cleaning my bedroom. 

It has been badly neglected.  Somehow, that is the room where I put all those things (junk?) that I’m not sure where else to put, thinking that I will just find a solution “later”.  (My biggest problem is paper clutter.  It takes me forever to file things!) 

Well, today is supposed to be that “later”.

Sigh….

I am moving some things down to the newly vacated bedroom that Katie left me, but that room needs painting and cleaning, so do I clean that room first?  It is complicated at best.

I guess I will just take a minute and post some pictures that remind me that there is always beauty in nature, and that despite those projects we don’t look forward to doing, the end result is always worth it.

Enjoy!

The “snow bunnies” return from school.  Now they are looking for a summer home.

The roses are starting to bloom.

Katie and Michelle have been discovering their new neighborhood.

What a pretty hike around this pond.

Utah has some famous mountains.  Can you believe there is still snow on the tops and it is middle June?

Is there anything more peaceful than calm water at sunset? 

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Michelle!

JoAnn

P.S.  It is starting to look like a playhouse!  Yeah!

New beginnings…..

It has been a week of new beginnings for us.

#1

Aubrey’s sisters no longer have to wait around like this to spend time with her.

It is much more fun to hold the baby now that she is home.

 

#2

 

The first wall of the playhouse went up.

(Can you believe they wouldn’t take it down and do it over again so I could capture the actual lifting of it?)

Someone is already planning the decorating…..

#3

Joshua started life as a ONE YEAR OLD!

(Well, he had his party-his birthday is tomorrow.)

#4

School is out and summer vacation has started!

(photo from Google.com)

It has been a great week!

Now, I just need time to catch my breath.

JoAnn

Aubrey Elizabeth

Yesterday, little Aubrey’s kind doctor, Doctor McKenna,  explained to us that she was born with a condition called Trisomy 21, better known as Down’s Syndrome. She has all or part of an extra 21st chromosome that can cause cognitive and physical differences in her little body.

While she doesn’t really have very many physical characteristics associated with Downs,  she does have some breathing problems.  She may be on oxygen until her body gets stronger.

She will probably take longer to reach her developmental milestones, and will have limits on certain abilities.

She doesn’t seem to have the heart problems which are very common, and she is a good eater, both of which are great blessings.

Her parents love her dearly and her big sisters are so excited to have her come home (We hope soon!).

Little Aubrey will face some different challenges (the unknown is the most frightening part), but she has already won over so many hearts!  We know that special needs children require extra work, but that they bring an abundance of love and joy to a family.

We feel very privileged to have her

join our family!

I found this poem that expresses my feelings better than I could:

The Creed of Babies with Down Syndrome

Author unknown – submitted by Hope Colen

My face might be different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you

To teach you to love

As god in the heavens

Looks down from above

To him I’m no different

His love knows no bounds

It’s those here among you

In cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I’ve chosen

Will help me get started

For I’m one of the children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I’ll do as you do

But at my own pace.

Thanks for all the prayers!

JoAnn

Baby Update…..

Maddie and Brooklyn were excited to see their baby sister again today.  While they waited, they got to eat some special snacks provided by the nurses and catch up on some reading.  (Please ignore the open bathroom door- I wasn’t paying attention!)

 

It was as exciting as Christmas!

Aubrey is getting stronger every day!

It must be all the special care from the nurses, doctors, and all the prayers and support from so many people who love her.

(Thanks!)

She is looking alert and doing so much better.

We love you little Aubrey!

Hurry and get well so we can start spoiling you!

Love,

Grandma Jo

Welcome, little Aubrey Elizabeth

Yesterday, we welcomed a new little granddaughter, Aubrey Elizabeth.  She was kind of small (6 pounds ten ounces, and 18 1/2 inches long).  Last night my husband and I took her sisters Maddie and Brooklyn to meet her.  They were so happy so see their mom.

Maddie picked some flowers for her mom.

We didn’t get to meet Aubrey in person since she ended up in the NICU due to some breathing problems.

(We hope she gets out of the unit today!)

But the girls got to peek at their new sister.

 

See you soon little Aubrey!

(We already love her!)

JoAnn

P.S.  Two days of school left!