Happy St. Patty's Day to ya!

my four beautiful and very irish children!

My girls decorated!

All things green

don't these look yummy;)

Inspiring

This stirred my heart in a deep way, to love unconventionally and to choose to live joyfully.
(remember to turn off music on side bar)

Why?

Why me, Lord?

Why now, Lord?

Why us, Lord?

Whyyyyyy again, Lord?

I'm having a couple of those kind of days. You know, those days when things happen and you don't understand why or when something you think you have under control suddenly unravels all over again. I could ask these questions about many of the "things" in my life right now and quite frankly I am.

Oh Lord, really, I thought that "this" was a closed issue for now...I have the battle wounds to prove that I have already been there and thought I was done with this battle and then

He comforts me......

2 Corinthians 4:8-10

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

Lord, how many times will I fail before I "get it"....I feel so very weak....and don't always have the fight in me to conquer this...or the desire to overcome this and then

He reminds me.....

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.....For Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak He is strong.

Lord, where do I go from here.....how do I love...I mean really, truly love.....unselfishly....wanting nothing in return and then

He shows me in His word....

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

In times such as these, when I feel as though I have lost my footing....He is there and he cares so much for this one little lamb in amongst a whole flock. I am eternally grateful for Him choosing me. I am indebted to Him and I love him for saving me and am thankful for these kind of days where I am reminded of how He is molding me into what he desires.

So "why" post this.....because this is an attempt to capture our life....the good, the bad, the ugly. This is me and this is......walking it out.....with Him leading the way.

Pop-Pop Newman Strikes Again

Yeah....what do you say to this?

When questioned.......very frankly, he said, "I walked away from my toast and now it's cold so I'm melting it" (hellooooo, what was I thinking...of course that's why he has the blowdryer on his toast....) Just the beginning of the teen years.......ohhhhhh my!

Fantasy Island..."de plane..de plane"

We've all read about the "destination weddings" and "elope at the islands" which promise the most romantic settings to commit yourselves to each other in matrimony on the Island of Love....which is some remote beach where the beauty is breathtaking. Come on, BE HONEST we've all imagined it...."your hair blowing ever so gently in the breeze as you walk down the beach to your prince charming as he is gazing adoringly at you.....while your sun-kissed skin is glistening from the dew of your carribean setting. The sun is just perfect...no sweat on the brow as the singing love birds fly overhead while the nuptials take place. The waves splash upon the sand with just a hint of strength and the slight tinge of the ocean air wafting through your senses. The guests sit in awe of the beauty of the moment and with tears streaming down their faces they look in rapt silence as the magic unfolds before their very eyes. A momentary twinge of envy washes over them hoping that someday they too could find a love so strong and beautiful, one that words could never express. When the final murmerings of the couple's love and devotion have been spoken he sweeps her ever so gently up into his strong arms and they ride bareback on a white stallion....into the sunset...............

BUT.....I had the unsettling opportunity to capture the harsh realities behind the aforementioned nuptials...take a look with me now.......
(for added effect double click on each picture)











Imagine the let down I felt as I heard the snap
of the tape recorder playing here comes the bride
while abruptly ending mid song.

the onlookers irreverently got up to get a drink at the "tiki bar"

frrrrt....the attire was quite disappointing

as the uninvited onlookers were an eye-sore

Needless to say, I found myself appreciating, all the more

my wedding from 15 years ago with my sappy(handsome)

prince charming crying while I walked down the aisle.

Crocheting is the new thing!

My friend, Karen came over the other day and taught Maggie, Gracie and I how to crochete. Well, being that I have knitted in the past(scarf....25yrs. ago...one time)I thought that I would be able to pick this up in no time and be making sweaters, vests, blankets, and purses per request. Little did I know, this was going to require some skill and much patience!

Karen, demonstrating how "easily" this is and how I will "pick it up in no time".....mmmm
this is mine........after 3 hours

Maggie and Gracie having fun

This is Maggie demonstrating the belt she made.....ahhh.....yeah...she sure didn't get those crafty genes from me!! She came in later that night and said, "mom, I made a belt!" She even put the button on herself!

These are the beautiful assortment of purses that Karen made! Such talent! She has two boys, so I am thinking she needs to come and hang out with my girls and get her craftiness out!

Fun Memories With Friends

The other day, the girls got the opportunity to go with my friend, Taira and her
daughter Ellie to see the movie "The Little Princess" starring Shirley Temple.
They went over to the Old Jenkintown Theater. They had a great time! While
the girls went, the boys and I got the privilege to watch little Mia...who is just precious!

Gracie and Ellie

Nate holding little Mia

such a sweet baby

Sweet friends

Bob getting a little baby time in!