Life has been busy

I haven't had the time to work on a mystery quilt that I am doing by mail the way I wanted to this week. I am still working on the 2nd clue and the 3rd one arrived 2 weeks ago! YIKES...the last clue will probably arrive next week. I will get this done. I will get this done. I will get this done! LOL

On the happy side, my son who goes to college in Chicago and is now in an apt. there is home for an indefinite amount of time. He will have an MRI on his knee on Friday. If he needs surgery I don't want him to have it until after we get home from Hawaii. That is difficult for him to grasp, but he HATES needles and I just can't enjoy a trip that has been 25 years in the making knowing he is here recovering from knee surgery. He gets that...but it's hard for him...and I get that!

Tomorrow I hope to quilt a bit. I am getting there!!! Slowly but surely, I am getting there!

Here is a pic (sorry it's sideways, but you get the gist) of a quilt my sisters and myself made for the above son's new bed in his new apt in Chicago. He LOVED it!

I feel like a little kid

I know it's Memorial Day...but all I can think about is Hawaii! DH and I will be heading there in 18 days for our 25th Anniversary. Even before we were married, we talked about how we would go to Hawaii for our 25th since that is what both of our parents had done. I just cannot believe that the day is almost here!!!

I am so proud of the fact that DH and I have made it this far. We have had a ton of issues with kids...mostly our oldest, and still continue to forge ahead. Our love and perserverance has endured it all.

Marriage is hard work. To say that "we are happily married" is fine, but it should be clarified with "it has taken a ton of hard work but it's worth it". I am happy to be married to my best friend, confidant, lover, and a person who makes me laugh. There aren't a lot of people in this world who can say that. I CAN!!!!!

SO...I know this is Memorial Day and I am truly thankfully for our military, their families, and our family members who are deceased. But I am sooooooooooo very much looking forward to 10 days in Hawaii!!!

DH...I love you so very much!!!

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

My youngest son Dan wanted to get into firefighting school this summer. He was one of 30 candidates for only 15 spots. He was rejected because he didn't have any certifications (EMT, firefighting, Paramedic, etc). He was bummed but figured he'd just keep working on all of the certs. and hopefully get into the firefighting classes next year.

Well...today he got a call from the fire department and they asked if he was still interested in the school because a person dropped out!!! HE SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is SOOOOOOOO excited as we all are in the family!!!!! This is just a happy day for us!!!!!

I wanted to share! We are THRILLED!!!!!! The picture above was taken at Sea World in Orlando over spring break. I just thought the logo was great! BELIEVE!!!! That's what Dan did and look what happened!!!!!

GRADUATION DAY!!!!!

Graduation day was perfect! My youngest is now a High School graduate and I am so proud to be able to say that all 4 of my kids have graduated from HS. Here are a few pics to commemorate the day!

The first is of Dan seeing his quilt for the first time. It was a hit!!!

This one is of his label. Dan's dream in life is to be a fireman. I had to have his picture in firefighting gear on his label! It's hard to read the wording but that's not the point.

Here's a picture of myself, Dan and my DH in the backyard before the festivities! I just LOVE these pics!!!

This is a picture of Dan in his cap/gown with his quilt. He said he will be sleeping underneath this tonight!!! (smiling HUGELY here!!!)

Post-graduation picture of DH, Dan, and DH's parents!!! Gotta love these pictures!!! Dan's tshirt is a gift from the inlaws! How cool is that???? I have called him "Dan the Man" since he was BORN!!!

DS's graduation tshirt quilt top

I FINALLY got the quilt top done!!! WOOHOO!!! After lunch it's assembling the backing and loading it on the longarm. Lots to do but progress is being made. I took a closeup of the sashing fabric because in the big photo it looks very blurry.
Laurie

Mother's Day...it ROCKED!!!

This is the end of Mother's Day. I had a SUPER day!!!! I worked on my youngest's tshirt quilt for his graduation! YEP...the youngest is graduating from HS next Sunday! WOW...where did the time go????? Then I was presented with a homemade brunch...eggs, rolls, sausage, bacon, mimosas, and fruit. It was great!!!! Everyone had a hand in it from DH to the youngest.

My 3rd child, Kevin is still in Chicago. He chose to stay there this summer and work. He called and we had a great chat. He's sick and as a mom, I wanted to take care of him. AHHHHH...the joys of letting your kids grow up!

My mom has been gone for almost 15 years now and I still miss her terribly. She was my best friend and a beautiful woman. I learned so much from her: compassion, desire, courage, love, honesty, and so much more.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!!!

I also am blessed to have a wonderful Mother-in-law. She raised an awesome son who I am lucky enough to call my husband and best friend. My MIL is truly a great woman and I am proud to call her friend!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MIL!!!!!