Blessed I am ~ Ready for 60!

It's was 11:15 when I first looked at the clock this morning.

Not sure if it was due to yesterdays heat, 3 drinks or if this is what 60 is gonna look like :-)

A month ago I received our invite to Khloe's 5th birthday party... 

everyone else invited to the party received a different invite.

Right under our noses, Katie and Mike would enter my house to go through my phone book

and calendar to obtain names and address....sneaks....

My sons and daughter-in-law pulled it off with out a hitch, I was very surprised and very touched.

Because Khloe and I talk pretty often (smile) she actually thought it was her party as well until

the morning of the party...

When told it wasn't her party but mine she simply replied,

" Well, I wasn't expecting that." 

(Not to worry they have something big planned for her as well.)

It was an Ice Cream themed party!

Sundae station and all the toppings.

(The birthday girl is known to put down some ice cream)

 DIL Katie announcing that in lieu of cake we are having DIY Sundaes.

She shared in honor of Poppa (my dad) and his love of ice cream and therefore

of myself and my siblings obsession  love of it!

(An extra special touch in my book)

A girl has to try this a least once!

 Below, my son's Mike and Brian with my sweet Emily whom I used to

babysit back in 1989..I was super happy to see her and her handsome hubby!

Happy me!

My sister Deanna with our little Ellery....

Centerpiece on all the tables :-)

They had the meal catered, perfectly cooked hot pork, beef and chicken sandwiches with a variety of

sauces. Many different salads to boot.

The decor was adorable...

I spent the day looking at it all thinking they did too much!

Clearly visible was the time and thought put into my special surprise.

Surrounded by friends and family that I love,

I hope I make it clear to each just how much they mean to me.

Best daughter in law ever!!

Below, with sister Dona, cousin Linda and sister Deanna.

We may have broke into song, "I've been working on the railroad" for old time sake...

Brother in law Mickey, Son-in law- Ev and neighbor Chris

Neighbors Rainie and Tammy :-)

My bookclub gal pals , boys were out numbered!

Gal Pal book club family~

 David, Rose, Andy, Jane and my cousin Anne.

Son Brian's sweet gal, Brittany with my Brother in law Mickey.

Entertainment :-)

Friends Valerie, Katherine and sister Dona....

Katie and the cook!

The caterer hard at work with his son as helper ....

Daughter Jackie (my girl) smile ~

 Seeking shade with Deanna and Brittany below.

 

Grandson Gavin

Sweet Beans

Grand daughter Aubrie 

Ellery keeping an eye on the sundae Station

Cousins, Aubrie and Ellery

All the work catching up with Mike at days end...

Deanna and Ellery Grace ~

end of day....

Kaite feet up at last, Ev may have been getting tired himself  :-)

Below family sitting around exchanging stories ~ some of them true... :-)

I received many very thoughtful gifts, they didn't know they were all the gifts I needed.

Sister Deanna among many other goodies gifted me her red duck I have wanted for years!

Ya'll know I love birds, they flew in for the party!!

The canvas below (almost stolen my daughter-in-law Katie)

Beautiful canvas  from my Plugger Valerie

Below a new coffee mug  also from Deanna :-)

This bird is solar, can't wait to see it tonight in the dark.Thanks Dona and Summer!

Each gift so special, earrings, clothing, essential oils, a variety of gift cards, blank hand crafted cards,

blank cards hand painted!

Several bottles of wine (smile), one friend gave a bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse which

is our wine of choice we traditionally drink at rivers edge where we married in Montana.

Today I may put my toes in the river pool and enjoy it!

Again so many wonderful thoughtful gifts, not necessary my friends , but know that each warmed my heart....

Though my actual birthday isn't until the 27th, now... 

(and through the end of the month Buster)

Smile ~

Crazy how full my heart is, and what a blessing to have so many special people in my life.

So much echos from my heart today....

Friendship and Facebook ~

Facebook,

an interesting place.

My Facebook page is just that, mine.

If you are a "friend" of mine on Facebook you will see my posts.

You will see them if you come to my page, you will possibly see them on your

news feed of friends.

I did not ask or accept you as a friend because we agree on things.

Not because we have the same faith or political views.

It happened because I chose to have a connection with you, 

or because you wanted to connect 

with me.

I share on my page, my thoughts, my ideas, my highs and lows,

my grandchildren and children.

My vacation logs, photographs, verse that may lift me up and therefore

I share in hopes it may do the same for one of you.

I read your posts not because you have the same views as I, 

but because I'm interested in your thoughts and views.

You may be a great white hunter, you may own a gun.

I don't get  hunting and I don't like guns.

I will not lecture you on hunting, it does not determine how I feel about you.

I will not tell anyone they don't have a right to own a gun.

We are free to make our own decisions, and to have differing thoughts on the issue.

It interests me what my "friends" think and why.

What I won't do is begin to tell you why your thoughts or feelings are wrong, or how misinformed you are.

Why, because they are just that, your thoughts and feelings.

I have a respect of others and I have no desire to disrespect you in anyway.

I'm aware politics is a tough issue especially this election year... 

If I hear a political person speak and they strike me as genuine, I will state just that.

Guess what you don't have to feel the same, I am not trying to convince any one about any thing.

 I do not want any inappropriate photos or language on my page and if

it occurs I simply delete them.

I frequently add to my posts,

"this is my opinion you don't have to agree, no haters please, this is not a debate, just my thoughts and feelings on my page."

I've read  that means I expect you to agree with me or you shouldn't post.

Let me be clear.

I am not asking you to respond in like/agreement.

I do not expect nor do I want friends that only agree with my views.

It means I don't want to risk someone insulting me or others on my page.

I do not like confrontation on Facebook or otherwise.

I would never dream of going on someones page and ripping them for their views,

nor will I inform them how ridiculous their thoughts or views are.

I will not post negative remarks on your page and I do not want negative on mine.

The world has more than enough negative, I do not wish to add to it.

 After listening to Ben Carson recently I posted,

"Ben Carson, truth."

I was later quoted as saying "Amen to Mr. Carson's claim of Hilary is with Lucifer."

My comment was, based on I believe Mr. Carson is truthful.

I do know when someone is using a figure of speech versus literal.

Please know, Lucifer has been around much longer than Hilary.

Please don't read into what I write, I won't read into what you write.

If you want clarification it's why we have messenger, for private conversation.

I for sure don't attempt to convince anyone my party is "the Christian party."

I happen to be a Christian and we happen to have more in common than not.

Because I am a Christian does not mean I believe any one person is a Christian because they say 

they are. I don't claim to know anyone's heart. 

I do not believe all the actions, words and views of my party are in alignment with the teachings of Christ.

I do not look to politicians for that.

I have a Bible for that.

I am a Christian it does not mean I am anti anyone.

I am a Christian, I am not perfect nor do I want others to believe I think I am.

I am very flawed, I am trying to find my own way in this life as I trust your are as well.

For me I found a better way and that is Christ.

I don't insist you share my beliefs politically or spiritually.

Friendship for me is not based on us agreeing on everything.

I want my friends to be true to themselves and I respect that very much.

If me living my truth on Facebook upsets you, 

I will not be offended if you choose to remove me as your Facebook friend. 

I will not think poorly of you, rather that matters to you or not.

I accept you as a fellow human being and I desire to be sure you sense that I respect you.

Some I know are saying, it's why I don't like Facebook, it's why we don't speak of

faith or political views.

I don't always agree with that...I sense hearing others thoughts help us to know each other

better. Not to convince others to change their ways to match mine. 

I am on Facebook because I love being in touch with a large extended family, with 

classmates that matter to me because we have our awesome Alma Mater in common. 

With friends old and new....

I enjoy seeing your families, sharing in your successes. 

I love that I know you are in a struggle and I can then

pray for you as you go through that time. 

I'm here because I genuinely love others right where they're at rather I agree with you or not.

You matter to me.

I don't discuss politics in person unless I am asked my thoughts.

I do not push my faith off on anyone, it's a very personal choice to be respected

rather we agree or not.

Facebook 

a  place I can be myself.

A place where friends and acquaintances will know my thoughts and views

in order to know more about who I am.

It is not in order to be friends only if we agree on all things.

I have read much that I strongly disagree with on the pages of others.

It isn't grounds for friendship or not.

Facebook for me is keeping in touch with others

 without it that would  nearly be impossible...

Just a friend needing to share her thoughts this Friday morning...

My intent is never to offend or have conflict with anyone for any reason.

Its what echos from my heart today....

Love was there all along ~

It's seems we tend to speak of love or a lack of love.

What we love, what we want out of love, and that we want to be loved.

Merriam Webster defines love

  ~ a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person

  ~ attraction that includes sexual desire 

  ~ the strong affection felt by people who have a romantic relationship

  ~ a person you love in a romantic way

I think most of us think that falling in love is likely the most important

event that can take place in our lives.

I agree, this can be a very good thing!!

To this blogger, romantic love is not the best or most important part of my life.
Don't be alarmed :-)

There is a greater love than that found in marriage, families and friends
and it's all consuming!

It is so great that it enters into the very deepest part of our hearts, at its root.

It is the love of Jesus Christ,

the One who died on a cross for us

and who lives within a believers heart.

James 1:17

Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, 
who does not change like shifting shadows.


His love is constant and it never changes! 

For those that believe, 
we may say His love is greater and the most important 
of our loves....
BUT....
What if we honestly take a look at our hearts;
What love are we putting first in our daily lives?
Are we making idols of a relationship
with friends, spouses, children, sports or hobbies?
What are we loving first?

I know for myself there were many years I doubted that God 
could really fulfill my desire to love and be loved.

If only He loved us, would be enough?

I've found He not only can, but does fill me up with His Love.
No love is greater than God's love for us.
It has no beginning and no end. 
His love trumps our greatest sin !
It matters not what we have or haven't done,
He loves us.

I know for me, this discovery of how great God's love was for me
came only when I decided I really want to know God Himself.
I got to know God by spending time in His Word, in prayer and in meditation.
You don't get to know anyone without investing the time in doing so.

So if you want to experience the Greatest Love of all,
rather then waiting for love,
seek it! 

Proverbs 8:17

I love those who love me,

and those who seek me find me.

~

For those I  love, and for those I've yet to meet,

I wish you all this kind of love.

Love it's more than a feeling,
it's alive!
God's love,

 ~ a strong and constant affection

 His love is constant,

and nothing compares.... 

 

It's what echos from my heart today

 

Time, where did you go?

I missed the entire month of June! I do believe that's a first for me....

The first six months of this year have flown by,

I've barely enough thought to wrap them up in a nice

bow of this is what has happened!

And now our busiest month of the year has arrived.

July

~

My youngest sons' love Brittany has a birthday today, the 4th.

My friend since kindergarten Gail Suzanne has a birthday on the 7th.

The returner of my joy in July 2008, Great niece Ruby Lu has a birthday on the 8th.

Our son in law Ev has a birthday on the 14th.

My hubstir and I celebrate 16 years of marriage on the 17th. 

Hubstirs birthday is on the 18th.

Our Grandson Calib's birthday is the 20th 

Grand daughter Khloe/Sweet Bean's birthday is the 21st

My brothers birthday is the 24th

My (60th YIKES) birthday is the 27th

Our annual play at the Moonlight Amphitheater with Ellery and Khloe (and their Mom and Dad) is the 28th.

Yep, busy right here in river city....

well actually San Diego..

Then as soon as we get to August,(assuming we'll make it) we begin to ready for our family

summer get away to the mountains for three days!

So look forward to having kids and grands under one roof!

Wishing you all a great July,

I hope you are enjoying your summer thus far.

Lets not even think about that silly election .......

Not having a candidate....message from God perhaps, 

like,

 here's what happens when I'm not in the mix....

 ~

In other news, 

 

This sweet girl Khloe, announced to me that she asked Jesus to be her Savior.

Now she will "get to heaven to see Cabo (her long since dead cat), her fish Red and Nanny and Poppa"... (grin)

Best day ever for this Namaw.....

It's what echos from my heart today......