Birthdays & Blessings

It's 2:30 am...in 5 hours I'll be 42 years old.

Sometimes my body makes me feel about 90... 

...but in my mind I still think I'm about 20.

It's shocking to look in the mirror... 

...& realize I'm twice that! 

But it’s one’s attitude that counts, right?

I'd like to think that (most of the time) I have a good attitude...

My life is full of blessings & joy~not the least of which are the children in my life represented by these roses...

...I am a very blessed Auntie...

...a very blessed woman.

I'm thankful indeed for so much--my family, my health (such as it is!), and good & faithful friends.

My life is full & my cup is overflowing.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Ice Cream Party!

We celebrated Little Miss TeaRose's birthday on Saturday with family and friends. And in this family...that means tons of cousins!!!

But of course cousins means lots of Aunties and Uncles too (though not all may be "blood" related~that's not the point)! And grandparents too, of course.

 

The theme was ice cream cones. Balloons made into ice cream cones. Ice cream sundaes and cupcakes baked in ice cream cones. Daddy made the cakes (per tradition). Super cute!

Everyone knows Teagan's tastes very well...her gifts mainly consisted of new fashionwear, art supplies, and cuddley new friends!

Uncle James & Auntie Danielle & Cousin Dante threw in some

dance supplies & musical instruments too:

Dante really fell in love with with the biggest bear and tried to take off with it a couple times!

Auntie Roo went a different route and delighted Teagan with a full set of gardening supplies!

As I mentioned in this post, after Teagan opened her gifts, Van performed a special dance for Teagan (to the delight of all the guests!).


Then it was time for cake and singing...

After that...there was more running around like crazy by the cousins and, of course, more dancing!

Look at her go!!! Shake that booty!!! And she has a mouth full of gummy bears! LOL

And then came the sudden need for soft blankets, warm milk, and cuddles!

A Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!!!

You are so loved!!!

Oh Sweet Girl!

Dear Darling Girl~
How can it be? Is it really true? Has it been 3 years since we waited up all day and all night and into the next day worrying while you kept your mama (and daddy) working hard until~finally~you were born!

Your Gramma Cindy and Grandma Sue and I stood outside the door of the room where you were born waiting, holding our breath...until....we finally heard your first cry! And your mommy and daddy cried too! They were so happy you were finally here! And we cried too, standing outside that door, jumping quietly up and down. Your Papa Tom came running down the hall as fast as he could to hear the news!

Then, suddenly!, the door wasn't closed any more and there was your daddy bringing us into the room to meet you for the very first time on that day you were born. After your mommy and daddy got to hold you, then we took turns holding you too. But it was really hard to take turns because we all wanted to be the one holding you!

Auntie M was texting your Uncle James and Auntie Danielle as fast as she could to let them know you had finally arrived. And your Papa Jim too. And your Aunties Roo, and  Lesley, and Melly. Your daddy was texting your Uncle Tomo and your Aunties Jill and Mary and all your cousins. It was a very exciting day for everyone!

And guess what? Life hasn't been the same since~for any of us!! We all love you so!!!

You look so sweetly serene in these pictures (and you are!)...but you are a whirling, twirling,

spinning, tossing, turning, dancing delight too!

I want you to know how much I love you and that I always have and I always will. I love who you are. I love what you do.
Oh Teagan Rose! I love you!

♥ Your Auntie M

Happy Happy Birthday Baby!

Last Saturday the family got together to celebrate a very special 1-year-old's birthday! It was a wonderful time celebrating this amazing little boy's life!!

Beautiful Decorations & Yummy Food............

Funny Hats for Everyone...........

Yummy Cupcakes in the Making........

Cutest Cousins Holding Hands! How Sweet are They???

Happy Birthday to Dante!!!!

Time to get into that cake! Actually, while Dante loved the taste,

he seemed to want to paint with the frosting more than eat it!!!

Love this pic of Dante & his Daddy!



Time for gifts........

First up: the presents from Teagan and Auntie Tiffy and Uncle Mike

Do you see how Dante held up the shirt in front of himself?

Sizing up his new clothes!

Teagan must have had a discussion w/Dante about gifts.

She insisted he wanted an airplane. After searching & searching,

she agreed to compromise with mommy and get a helicopter

instead...he loved it!!!

We learned that Dante's Daddy wasn't the only one who loved Star Wars

as a child, so did all of his Mommy's family! Auntie Greta got Dante's passion

started with these stuffed figures:

Notice the laughter on Danielle's face when she first gets

a glimpse of Auntie Greta's gift:

Here's why: Greta only got him 3 out of the 4 figures below.

Mommy & Daddy got Dante the other one.

And, no, they didn't collaborate on these gifts!

We (Gramma & Auntie M) got Dante more clothes,

some of our favorite children's books, a mirror (what can we say,

the kid knows he's good looking!!) and...

Sunglasses!!!

Love this pic of Dante and his Mommy!

In addition to Yoda,

Dante's Mommy & Daddy got him a Frog puppet that is

nearly as big as he is!

He freaking loved it!!!

Of course, Danielle hand-painted him a growth chart that

was absolutely gorgeous!!! She is going to connect

the 3 pieces with brown ribbon. Adorable!!!

Dante is so cute: he loves to walk around with pieces of his mother's

artwork! He definitely has his parents' gifts of art and music appreciation!

I cannot believe I failed to get a picture of the gift his

Daddy is working on for him:

a handcrafted copper rainstick!

And when I say handcrafted, don't forget that

this is what his daddy does on a daily basis!

While she was unable to join us in person, Grandma Linda's gift for her

little cupcake happened to arrive just as the party guests did, so Dante

got to open her gift too. More fantastic books!

This one played "Jesus Loves Me" and, as I said,

Dante loves music, so he promptly took off

with his new treasure!

But I think his favorite part about Grandma Linda's gift

was the big picture of the two of them together that came out

of the box first. He got sooooo excited when he saw it!

It was so cute and endearing!

Danielle and James threw an awesome party for the birthday boy!

We all had wonderful time celebrating a wonderful life!

I am so blessed to be a part of this lil guy's life...to be his Auntie M

We love you Dante!!!!!!!!!



Party Like a Rock Star