Favorite Things Thursday

                        I'm joining Miss Melanie  premiere link up called Favorite Things Thursday.







                                                                    Week # 1
                                                    Show Us Your Favorite Book

                                                (sorry but I had to narrow it down to 4)

                                                      
The Lion's Paw was my all-time favorite book of my childhood.  My favorite teacher, Mrs. Thorpe, read it to us in the fourth grade.  It took place in the state I was raised in so I felt so familiar with the settings.   I read it more times than I can count.   I loved that book and I loved Mrs. Thorpe.  She instilled a love of reading in me.  She finished reading it right before Christmas break and it has been  a bittersweet memory for me as she was transferred to another school in our district.   I missed her terribly.


                                                      

In Jr. High (wow, I'm really dating myself) we were assigned the book, To Kill a Mocking Bird" to read.  It was the first book I read that I couldn't put down because I just had to figure out the mystery.  I loved the book and later saw the movie and loved it also.


                                       The last  book that I read has become one my favorites.
                                         
                                            
Through Ann Voskamp's writings, she  has taught me to be thankful in all things.  A lesson I wish I had learned a long time ago because it has change me forever. 

Happy Birthday Mom

                                                           I find myself wondering...                                                             
                                                           Did I give you your due..
                                                        For all that you've done for me
                                                              Did I ever thank you?

                                                     For all of my childhood memories
                                                 For helping me deal with life's stresses
                                                    For helping me accept my defeats
                                                      And celebrate my successes?

                                              Or for teaching me the value of hard work,
                                               Good judgement, courage, and being true
                                        The laughter, smiles, and quiet times we've shared
                                                             Did I ever thank you?

                                                If I have forgotten, I'm thanking you now
                                                       You taught me right from wrong....
                                 I hope you know how much you're loved and appreciated
                                               I hope you, instinctively, knew all along.

                                                         Happy Birthday Mom
                                                      From your loving daughter

Trees of Glory Bracelet Fundraiser

My niece is helping to raise money for the purchase of blankets for the children at Trees of Glory.  They are taking donations for  authentic ethiopian bracelets.   Time is short and they have 20 "love" bracelets to give away.  To help  "Wrap Them In Love" with blankets go to Jessica's post.

The "Love" Bracelet with English and Amharic lettering

                                             side view: bracelet has adjustable tie closure

Family Easter Celebration

We ended our Easter weekend with a celebration at my parents house.    I come from a big family and it's always great to get together.  We celebrated two birthdays also.  Hunter's 10th and Mrs. LeBreton's 90th.

        (Note to family.  Alot of the best pictures would not download.  There is some type of error on my card.  Sorry)

 

                                                   Happy 90th birthday Mrs. LeBreton

Cute cousins

Happy Birthday Hunter

                                                  

Have you ever seen a sweeter group of cousins

My sweet baby boy

       FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS

      HAPPY EASTER

Cousins Easter Egg Hunt

The flower princesses

I'd have to say we have some pretty good easter egg hunters in our family.  I think all the eggs were found in less than 5 minutes.

Jaxon's first egg hunt.

                                                                                          

The big kids

                                                                               

Taylor, Kylee and Lexi did the egg hiding this year.

Cousins Easter Egg hunt 2011

Goodies

Caroline, Meron, Hermela, Caleb and Colton

The men doing what men do, watch.

                                                         (Just kidding guys. Couldn't resist)




                      After the hunt, the kids had lots of fun playing on the swing set and tree house.

Meron

Hermela

Taylor and Aurora

Caroline

Aurora and her beautiful mom, Jana

Caleb

Dylan

                          Jessica and Melissa did a great job putting on the Easter Egg hunt.
                                                      Thanks for the fun time.

Easter Bunny

I so missed having the rest of my family on Easter.  I don't know if I'll ever get use to having them live so far away but i sure do treasure the holidays we can all be together. 

                       Guess what I found on my computer today.  Thanks Easter Bunny. 

Melissa's Easter Brunch

                                          My beautiful first born granddaughter, Taylor

My beautiful baby girl, Carrie

Pop squeak and Wing nut

My sweet Grandson, Dylan

(who by the way,  wants me to hurry up with his picture so he can open his basket)

My beautiful first born, Melissa

This is the child that taught me the meaning of a "mother's love".

Melissa had a most delicious brunch on Easter.  Somehow I didn't manage to take pictures of her cute decorations and beautiful menu spread.  It was really yummy.  I did, however, to many complaints I might add, get pictures of their Easter baskets I made them.  What kids will do (when their mom makes them).

Easter 2011

Happy Easter from our home to yours

I got these cute blocks here.  LOVE THEM!!

                                                   Found the idea for this centerpiece here.

                                                               She is so talented.

                        

                                                                                                                          

Mike was so proud.  He went shopping on his own and picked out the new wreaths.

I love to find things in groups of four.
Four kids
Four grandkids

 


















 





                         With all the fun of the holidays, remember what's important about Easter.
                
                                                              HE IS RISEN  !!!