Happy Birthday, Mama!

My Mom would have been 70 today. We are celebrating her life here on earth as well as her life now in Heaven. When she became ill, she decided that she would offer up her suffering so that her grandchildren (which number 26 on earth right now with more by her side in Heaven) would never lose their faith. Suffer she did, but what a precious gift to leave her grandchildren!

I am ecstatic that you finally have a granddaughter to carry on your name, Mom! We will make sure she knows what a wonderful, faith-filled woman you were while here on earth, and surely are in Heaven! We love you, Mama!

Mama's Day

Five years ago today, my Mama went to Heaven.

I wanted to share the first pictures of my Mom with Peter and Drew.

Her grandchildren were everything to her-she offered up her suffering with the cancer so that her grandchildren would not lose their faith.

Here is Mom with Peter in 2000.

Mom with Drew in 2003.

I know she was with me in 2005 when Michael was born,
and she will be with me this year as our new baby is born-
her 26th grandchild.

I love you, Mama!

Friday's Foto Finish Fiesta

Better late than never...This picture is one of my favorites from my parents' 45th Anniversary Party. With thoughts of my Mom this week, I wanted to share this. Mom died 5 months after this party, so I was so glad that we had been able to be together with all of my siblings, nieces and nephews. Mom is having a stare-down with my niece, Annie, who will be leaving for college again next week with 2 of her sisters.

For more great pictures, check out Candid Carrie!

D is for Dad and Mom

Today would have been my parents 49th Anniversary. My thoughts this week have really been centered on them, and on their marriage. Their marriage was, and continues to be, a wonderful example to Andy and I. With the way many marriages end in divorce today, I consider myself blessed to have grown up in a two-parent household.

I thought I would take the time to talk about how my parents met today. Mom and Dad met at a wedding. It was Dad's cousin, and Mom was there as someone's date. Dad always said he couldn't take his eyes off of Mom that night. By the end of the night, he asked her out. On their first date, Dad actually proposed to Mom! (Talk about love at first sight!) Mom always said that even thought she told Dad he was crazy, that she knew that she would end up marrying him. In fact, the August that Mom met Dad, Mom was set to go to New York with some of her friends. She canceled the trip, knowing that she had met the man she would marry.

So, Mom and Dad met in August, were engaged in November, and married on April 4, 1959. They had 45 wonderful years before Mom died. I am so glad we got the chance to celebrate as a family that year.

After Mom died, Dad found a letter she had written on their 25th Anniversary. In it, she said that her prayer was that she preceded my Dad is death because she didn't think she could go on without him. I think that this is why my Dad survived so long with his cancer, literally years longer than he should have. It was so that Mom wouldn't have to live without him. Dad died a mere 19 months after she did. I am so thankful to have had their example and their love. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!