These are two books that I recently finished reading. Both started a little slow, but I really enjoyed reading about the people lives. I believe both have a continuing storyline, and I am hoping to find the next book for each in the series. I love to read books that are a series. Once I get involved with a story, I like to continue reading about it. My favorites are books that continue for 4 or 5 books. Over the years I have read the series called "Dragonfly in Amber". I loved it. Some inappropriate language, but basically a historical fiction with some time travel through standing stones. I have reread it through the years many times. I don't mind re reading a book or re watching a movie if it is a fav. It's like visiting a longtime friend.

TuTu Cute!

Yes, seriously, another Kaiya post. But is there anything more sweet than a little girl in a tutu! I love it. Amber got this tutu to have Kaiya's 1 year picture taken in it. I saw a shirt that would go perfect with it, now decision, make or buy...I think it would be the perfect combo..the shirt says "tutu cute" on it. Lovely.!

Kaiya is definitely enjoying the feel of the tutu tulle between her fingertips..

sweet, sweet, sweet.

Kaiya Smiles

Our little Kaiya has such a wonderful SMILE. I just can't get enough of that sweet face. Here she is with Chelsee, and in her new sunglasses, which she loved. Also just a silly, sticking out her tongue half smile pic. Hard to believe that in just a little over a month she will be 1 year old. Chelsee and Amber have been planning a special cake for Kaiya! I won't let the surprise out of the bag...but it will be a cute one that from something that is a favorite of Kaiya's. I'm sure it will bring a smile to her face!

This is Why I'm a Keeper

"Mom, why do you keep all that STUFF?"

The card above is part of why I am a "keeper", and "saver". When I was a young girl I started saving greeting cards that I received. Sad to say I don't have all of them. However, I do have quite a few of them. The card above was always one of my favorites, and it came from my Great Aunt Elizabeth Vandenberg Keller. She was the sister to my Grandmother Mary Vandenberg Westerman. Aunt Elizabeth was a great story teller, so many of my aunts and uncles were. I wish I had the talent that they had in capturing their audience of nieces, nephews and their family members. Aunt Elizabeth wrote many letters to me over the years. I have saved some of them. Now I wish I had them all. When I started saving my cards, I remember keeping them in a special box. I loved reviewing each and everyone of them from time to time. I remember wishing I had the cute hairstyle that the girl on this card had, and Oh, how I would have loved to had the telephone too! The best part was always inside...the sweet message, but the best was how she always signed ....Love Aunt Elizabeth in her beautiful scrolling hand writing.

When I look at this card even today, and the other cards I have, it brings a wonderful memory alive in my heart, even when that special person is no longer here with me. Oh yes, I'm a keeper, a saver....and I will continue to enjoy the cherished memories looking at my"stuff" brings. and YES, I still save most of my cards! Just can't part with them. They make wonderful bookmarks and are a great reminder when I open my book, and find them inside with whatever sentiment is tucked inside of them. Yes indeed, I'm a keeper!

I've Got a Secret

I REMEMBER MAMA

I am so excited. I found an old movie on DVD that my Mom and I used to always watch together (it was an old movie then, even older now!!!). The title is "I Remember Mama". My Mom used to let me stay up to watch old movies with her. This "special" treat started when I was very sick and had to take medicine at regular intervals. Instead of making me go to sleep, then waking me up for the last dose, she would let me stay up and watch TV with her. At that time, there were late night movies on. (Sometimes I wonder if it really was very late, or if in my child mind it just seemed very late!) This movie was always one of our favorites. I ordered it from WalMart, online. The suspense of waiting for it to arrive grew each day. Finally today, my copy came. I have not told Mom that I found and ordered it yet. I plan on having her out for a special viewing, with treats and snacks. I can still remember my favorite parts of the movie and can't wait to share watching it with Mom again. I think we will probably look through family photos while watching. We are always multi-taskers around this house! haha.

I thought about saving the movie until Mother's Day, but I know I can not wait that long to watch it with her. So-- time to check the calendar and set up a movie day! Because you know " I Remember Mama"

Mia

So Amber started the Clarisonic want/need off by getting the first one. After Chelsee & Kristin saw how great it was for the skin, they both want/needed one. After research by all of us..lol.. we discovered that it might be a possible answer to some skin care issues that they were having. If this works, it would be better than using medication, and be better for the whole body. So, we found a promotion where there was a great buy two with a price reduction, plus some free stuff. So birthday gifts for both Kristin & Chelsee! Kristin chose lavender and Chelsee chose the turquoise. Also, this was really cool, we ordered them right from the Clarisonic web site. They offer free engraving, so they each have their first name engraved right on the MIA! How cool is that. The Mia is actually a smaller version of the larger Clarisonic, but will be great for travel and regular use. Feels so good to find a product that will be helpful!

Sticky Notes

I'm Praying For YOU!

Wow, what wonderful words. I have a pack of sticky notes that are called. Stuck on You Faith Notes. There are 100 Heavenly Ways to Say "I Care". Little sticky notes with wonderful quotes and bible verses. Tonight as I was flipping through the pages, one page flipped right open and it said, "I'm praying for you" on it. I thought WOW, that is one of the most simple, profound, empowering statements. To say that you are praying for someone, to give them the support of your own very personal prayers. I can't imagine a better way to show support, care and love. To know that you are not alone in whatever is in your life. Not only is GOD there always with you, there is also that special someone, that is saying " I'm Praying for YOU! How wonderful.

A Roll a Day! HA

I have been craving some of the home made cinnamon rolls that I make. I was off today, and thought maybe I would make some. I usually mix them up in my Bread machine, which is so quick and easy to use. I went to get my bread machine, and realized...OH NO..it wasn't in the pantry where I keep it. THAT's when I realized I forgot to bring it back home from Omaha. So no rolls today, or tomorrow..but soon. I hate to admit, I didn't even consider making them the conventional way.

Ancestors

Recently my daughter Kristin and I have been working on genealogy for our family. There is something so compelling to find the stories of family ancestors before us. Above are pictures of Lonnie's great grandparents on his father's side. The top picture is Johann and Phillipina Jahnke, and the bottom is Johann and Albertina Leitow. I wish we had a lot more information about their story of coming to America, and then to Nebraska. Both families were homesteaders in our county, and they were some of the early settlers in this area. We still farm the Leitow family farm ground. When I am walking around the land, and the homestead place where the Leitow's began their American story, I feel a wonderful connection to them. I think about the fact that, at some point, they may have stood at the exact same spot that I am on. That they too enjoyed the beautiful sunrises, and sunsets around their land.

Kristin is like a detective, uncovering facts, and maps, and bits and pieces to puzzles. We were extremely lucky to locate a box of very old photos with generations of pictures. What a wonderful find. Luckily most of the photos were labeled with names. Some of those photos tell their own story...like the story of the Great Great Uncle that we thought had never married. He actually was married to a "mail order bride". We have their wedding picture. Sadly , the union did not work out, and she left him. Amazingly enough, Lonnie remembered a story about that uncle that his Dad used to tell him.

While I have been truly enjoying all the fun stories, photo's and facts about these people, most of my enjoyment comes from spending time and sharing a common interest with my daughter Kristin. We will continue searching and hopefully finding stories. We recently spent some time at the local library using Ancestry.com. I think we were both overwhelmed by all the information available, but anxious to check it out again..soon.

Time in a Bottle

On Feb 7, 2011 Lonnie & I celebrated our 35th Wedding Anniversary. WOW..that went fast. The song "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce was one of our songs..and of course another favorite..."The Wedding Song" and a song from Fiddler on the Roof...I can remember a line from it,but not the title..."Where is the little girl I carried"..... Seems like only yesterday we were saying I DO! and after all this time I'm still glad we did! Remembrances of that day. Beautiful sunny weather...72 degrees. We didn't even need to wear coats. I remember Lonnie's Mom saying to me.."Happy the bride that the sun shines on". It made me feel so special to hear her say that because she didn't say sentimental things very often. I felt so welcomed to her family by those words. Walking down the isle with my Dad..John, he was such a special man in my life. He was my step father, but the only father I knew and he always made me feel special and wanted as his daughter. My Mom wishes for a happy marriage, and love in my life. And my Aunt Rosie opening her home to us for me to get ready for the wedding, and for taking some pictures before the wedding. All in all a wonderful day.