My garden is really starting to get colorful. This week my flower beds got a boost. I was thrilled to have my daughter Suzy and Oscar spend a week with us while her husband was gone to a conference in Seattle.

We had a great time despite the rain. We went shopping at our favorite stores and walked all over Dayton and Harrisonburg. For Mother's Day I bought some beautiful bedding plants for the garden. What fun digging in the dirt and actually seeing some beautiful colors in the landscape.


Suzy enjoyed digging in the dirt and planting flowers and plants. We actually had our first picnic on Mother's Day. Mr. Wonderful and Tim fixed us a wonderful lunch under the huge shade tree in the back yard.


Oscar enjoyed the grass, the breeze, the birds, and the leaves dancing in the wind. I love his hat. He reminds me of a little Amish boy in this picture.








Mr. Wonderful picked out this hanging basket for me. He knows I like red geraniums. This basket is red, white, and blue so will be great for the fourth of July too.







I love this picture of Suzy and Oz! Tim came on Saturday and we got to spend all Sunday together. We got some really good spoiling time in with Oz. They left Monday and I'm already looking forward to seeing them in June along with Becky, Jerry, Emma and of course our son Andy.

Labels: Mother's Day, Oscar, Suzy

Years ago The Blue-eyed Girls Club (consisting of my daughter Suzy and I) went to movies . Mr. Wonderful and the rest of the clan were not with us when we we decided to sneak off. This movie came out in 1995 so Suzy would have been 16.

I knew what the movie was about because I had read the book and I carefully explained to my impressionable teen that the movie was about a married woman who had an affair while her family was away. I explained that I personally thought it was wrong, but I wanted to see the movie to see Clint Eastwood as a romantic lead instead of "the dirty Harry" character he usually played.

So....for two hours we sat in silence and watched the drama unfold. What followed was one of the best talks that she and I probably ever had. We began to discuss the movie and the question came up..."When did the heroine cross the line?' "When did the innocent flirtation become an invitation to sex?" We were free to openly discuss their actions and behaviors because they were not us. There was no guilt, shame or reproach but just honest observations.

We were able to see when the interest and flirtation subtly changed and what steps could have been taken to stop it . We also discussed what might have happened to the heroine's family had she run off with the National Geographic Photographer.

As a parent we make all kinds of mistakes.....this particular event I count as a high point of motherhood, what could have been just a few hours of escapism turned out to be a serious lesson on how easily it is to be swept away by our emotions and make bad choices.

Has a movie ever led to a serious discussion with your kids?

Labels: Monday memories, Movies, Suzy

I'm on my way to New York for a week. I will get to be with Oscar for his first Halloween. His mom adores Halloween and costumes so it will be a fun time. I have my lap top and camera so follow my adventures in the land of OZ

Labels: New York, Oscar, Suzy

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess who lived in a beautiful castle three floors above the ground. The beautiful princess lived in the country of New York where people never sleep and every one is always in a hurry.

She married a handsome prince who treated her as the love of his life, his soul mate, and protected and cared for her greatly. Together they went on many great adventures to strange and far away lands and life was good.

But the beautiful princess worked with children and in her heart she wanted one of her very own. This idea grew and grew and only increased after meeting her golden hair niece from the land of the cold north. Princess Emma definitely needed a cousin she thought. So she spoke to Prince Charming and he also thought it was a good idea.



The beautiful princess and Prince Charming had a very handsome baby boy. Prince Oscar had his Daddy's dark hair and dark eyes and his Momma's sweet lips and small frame. He rarely fussed and was the most kissable baby in the whole kingdom. Surely such a remarkable boy as this should be celebrated throughout the kingdom of the land that never sleeps located in the beautiful castle nestled on the third floor.

And so a royal birthday party was planned for his one week birthday that would occur at 11:55 P.M. (the exact time of his birth) because he was much too young to be out after midnight.

The Queen Mother prepared totally decadent carrot cake cupcakes with one candle while the beautiful princess decided to make party hats in lieu of their royal crowns. Right before midnight Prince Oscar was awakening with a kiss, and many warm wishes from his loyal subjects whom he observed were wearing rather strange head gear.

Can you tell which hat belonged to the beautiful princess, the handsome prince and the royal old couple?

Labels: Emma, Oscar, Suzy, Tim

I finally got to hold my boy today and count all his fingers and toes and check out the hair on this boy!
Of course I stole lots of kisses and we had a long talk about his momma and dad.

He is totally kissable and a cross between his parents. I see Suzy's mouth (little bow lips) his daddy's dark hair and eyes and his nose looks a little like both mom and dad.

Suzy didn't sleep much last night as she kept looking at him to make sure he was still breathing and just admiring the wonder of his little life. I heard Tim tell Suzy they have new names now....."Mom and Dad". Of course that made me cry!


Suzy totally hated her picture with baby so here's a much better one of the new family. The epidural is making Suzy itch but she definitely is improving every day. She is looking forward to real food tonight and actually getting her up .



You know his Poppa had to have a turn holding him and talking with him. We put the Mets cap on him because Uncle Andy came to meet his little buddy today also. Uncle Andy says the worse thing that the baby could do would be a Yankee fan.


Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. Both mom and baby are doing well and we can hardly wait to get them home.

Labels: Baby Jellybean, Diva and Poppa, Suzy

Baby Girl called this morning to tell us her water broke so Jellybean will be born in the next 24 hours. Poppa and Diva are arranging for Cat care, washing some clothes so we can be gone for a week, praying minute by minute for Suzy and Jellybean and getting ready to dash down the road. Anxious Auntie Becky is alerted up in Canada and Uncle Andy is getting ready to break out the baby Mets uniform for new nephew.

Will announce the arrival as soon as we know and you know there will be pictures. We would appreciate your prayers for our new arrival and for the health and safety of both Mom and baby.

Woo Hoo.....what a great day for a birthday.

Labels: Baby Jellybean, Suzy

Letter to my daughter

Happy Birthday Baby Girl....
Who is soon to be a first time Mommy.

Dearest Suzy,

Today you are celebrating your last birthday as a child. Next year you will be celebrating this day with a precious little boy who most likely will help you blow out the candles. Today you are celebrating your special day looking at swollen feet, aching back, and wondering if you will ever catch up on your sleep. Next year at this time you will wondering where the year went and finding it hard to remember what life was like before "Tiny Tim" arrived.

Today I want to celebrate you.....the tiny wide eyed baby, the spunky tender hearted child, the skinny reluctant athlete, the artistic sullen teen, the shy coed, the beautiful bride, the great big sister and the wonderful woman you have become.





Momma's little blue eyed baby girl.....Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating your first birthday! You were so different from your sister. I remember well your first sentence, said with your little hands on your hips and in a tiny little voice that was angry....."I tell MOM!" You were always a Daddy's girl and I see so many characteristics that you both share.






Here's the little spunky tenderhearted child who would entertain herself in her bedroom for hours. One of my favorite memories of you at this age is finding you rocking Becky's doll Mandy and singing to her at 2 o'clock in the morning cause you said "She just looked lonely mom."




The skinny reluctant athlete.....You hated softball and you only scored a goal in soccer whenever dad wasn't there. You always gave it your very best whatever the sport.






The sullen artistic teen.....we survived your teen years! It was hard on both of us. You wanted to grow up much faster than I wanted to let you. I remember how traumatized you were at getting your first job at "Chick-fil-a"






The Shy Co-ed who captured the heart of "Prince Charming". I remember how you used to pick up your tray in the cafeteria whenever Tim came and sat down next to you because you were so nervous.







The beautiful bride....the butterfly emerging getting ready to fly or as one little girl said in awe, "Can I touch the fairy princess?"




The big sister, best friend and mini "me" to your baby bro. Who would have ever thought that the two of you would ever be so close watching you two fight your way through childhood.





The wonderful woman and soon to be mom.....Old Dad and I have watched you grow, mature and become the smart, talented, hard working, creative wife and woman that you are today. Dad says no matter how many babies you have, you'll always be his "button".

We love you Baby Girl,

Momma

Labels: Happy Birthday, Suzy

What a cute picture of Auntie Suzy with our Emma. (You can't even see her baby bump!) This Saturday daughter Becky and I have been invited to a baby shower for Suzy. How sweet to schedule it so we could attend.

We are bringing up lots of clothes, baby items, and baked goods, not to mention a high chair, stroller, baby gate and wading pool.

This Diva is determined to get a family picture taken since it is a rare occasion that we are all together at the same time.

This is a big "shout out" to son Andy who just scored a new job. So if any of you are at Planet Hollywood at Times Square....ask for the cute waiter! We are so pleased at his determination and drive to work and attend college to work on a degree in Business.

Labels: Emma, Suzy

Weekend Wrap - Up or
(Your Mother knows what you've been up to!)


It's been a busy week here in Virginia. Mr. Wonderful and I are getting ready to hit the road again this coming Friday. We will be going to New York to visit with Suzy, Tim, Andy and go shopping for Jellybean's arrival.

We planted a Bloodgood Japanese Maple tree in our front yard. One of our Dogwood trees died so we replaced it with this colorful Maple. I love the splash of color it gives to the yard. Whatever we plan on planting this spring has to been done this week as we will be traveling the next two weeks.

I'm packing away our winter clothing. My winter clothes are too big now as I've lost two dress sizes. It's a nice problem to have. So they are all boxed up ready to take to the mission. I'm going through the attic trying on skinny clothes and deciding do I really like this? Some of those clothes that I saved till I got skinny aren't as cute as I thought they would be.

Good News, Bad News....Emma had the 3 day flu and passed it on to her mom and dad. She is getting into everything ( so you know my baby is better!) Suzy Q ended up with a bad head cold and so congested she could barely breath. Her OB told her she could take plain Sudafed which helped her considerably. I told her she has to be all better so we can do some marathon baby shopping this weekend.

Wednesday is the day we may be able to know "what flavor" our jellybean will be...passionate pink or blissful blue. Either way this Diva will be glad to see a picture of our baby. Emma was a very modest baby so we couldn't tell...hopefully Jellybean will be a little more cooperative.

New York this week, Savannah the following week and my Canadians arrive shortly after we get home. Can life get any better than this?

Labels: Emma, Jellybean, Suzy, weekend wrap up

This is my Suzy with her little Jellybean (in utero). May 7th she will be having an ultra sound to see if Jellybean is a boy or a girl. There is something beautiful about a pregnant woman. She definitely has a glow about her. We will be able to spend Mother's Day with them next weekend.

Labels: People who make me smile, Suzy