Brown eyed boy

Christmas brought lots of fun memories this year....

And for all of us, an opportunity to get to know our little Santa better.  Needless to say, he is SO adorable !  He is calm, very observant, so very studious and has a smile that just knocks me out ! He loves watching his big brother Levi and it makes me wonder what he's thinking behind those BIG brown (tootsie roll) eyes ! wyatt Madden loves to snuggle and , hey, who wouldn't love a little guy who just watches, enjoys the scenery and offers you a BIG sweet smile whenever he catches your eye !  One more REASON to feel so very blessed and to have such beautiful adventures ahead to look forward to!  Wyatt, your NaNa Loves you forever and then some !  You are a precious little boy !

2012 The year in a life

SHINING STARS

Grayer, Wyatt and Levi

The year 2012 has come and gone.  Lessons learned, losses and new loves, growing, changing and 

acceptance.  Sadness and pure joy !  It has been an incredibly humbling year for me as I've learned more about LIFE this year then any other that I can remember.  

It's a good feeling to know that we can still continue to learn at any age..... keeps life exciting and challenging.   A long list of things learned could take pages, for now...I want to share a few things that I've learned that will continue to shape me into the person that I will continue to grow into.

My daughter showed me that babies can be born in a peaceful, natural and beautiful way.  I have to admit that I was worried about her choice to have a home, water birth with her 2nd child.  Often, our concerns and fears are born of lack of knowledge, which in this situation was definitely the case for me.  Mel took time to explain the birthing process, introduced me to the incredible midwives, and taught me by her confidence and excitement, that this was a good choice for her and her family, and thus, for me.  The Birth - day arrived and it was an incredible , peaceful and yes BEAUTIFUL way to be born.  An incredible way to start a life on this earth, and our shining star, Wyatt Madden eased into the arms of his mom and dad, brother Levi and into all of our hearts on August 10, 2012.  Thank you Mel, for all of your lessons and for making the brave and perfect choice for your family and most importantly, for your wonderful new son, Wyatt.

September brought new lessons, and challenges for many of us....as Rick's sister, Robbin fell ill.  And as we were to learn shortly, terminally ill.  The "battle" had begun and Robbin said that she felt that she'd be ok as she had "lots left to do in this world"....she fought, she kept busy living her life, by attending her daughters' wedding, and enjoying her friends in Texas.  Soon she was in the hospital, never really to go home again.  Rick was able to be with her, comfort her, care for her and share  time in a loving and supportive way.  Rick was her strength and security as she left for heaven to join her heavenly family and loved ones.  I've learned once again, what an incredible man Rick is, steady, caring and nurturing....and more importantly, he learned that about himself too.  The sadness of loss is still close to the surface for him and we all feel a little off balance by the change her leaving us has brought.  

October brought a big birthday for Levi Andrew as he turned 2 years old and was getting used to having a little brother.  The excitement of everyday things starts each morning for  Levi as he starts each day  with great energy .  He is a "OH WOW" kind of little guy and it's such an affirmation for me when I'm able to be with him.  His curiousity and love of closeness and affection make my heart so happy as he makes me feel needed, important and loved - just as I hope that I make him feel the same !

Sweet baby "G", Grayer, also had a special birthday this summer and I continue to love watching him navigate his way thru his life...we all could learn to take baby steps, tread carefully and keep trying whenever we fall.  Lessons I'm learning from all my little shining stars...Grayer, Levi and Wyatt.  You are all beyond precious to me !  Every day is NEW when I'm with you !

October also brought a challenge....saying Good-bye to a big part of my heart.....our special Gma/gma great, Leota Church was tired, and was ready to try new horizons.  Always ready for what comes next, Gma taught us her final lesson, in leaving this world, peacefully, with acceptance, without fear, and with complete trust in her Lord.  She left this world a better place and she will continue to be a guiding force for all who  knew her.  I will always love her for her words of wisdom, shared lovingly and honestly, for her genuine curiousity and eagerness to learn.  And for her LOVE of FAMILY !  I could cry every day for my sadness, but she would be telling me that "you are going to have a tough life if you can't deal with change".....and of course, I know that she will continue to shine down on all of us, and I will always hear her voice, and advice if I just STOP.....and listen.  I can be proud and very happy, that she's been such a big part of my life. 

Friends have gotten sick this year, and a long time friend suddenly died.....lessons to be learned ...I'm choosing to look at life as the gift that it is; to share and love and LIVE like I never have before.  I'm grateful, and humbled, because I have truly learned that I am so very fortunate to have the life that I have !  

My shining stars will continue to glow and grow and I will continue loving being their Nana/Nahny...forever !

More pictures and updates to follow, but for now...

Happy New Year 2013 - make it the BEST !

More summer

Our little shining star.....GRAYER ANDREW...... always makes our days special

but this summer, he turned 1 year old !!!

His mommy and daddy had a special party and celebration planned for him !  After all

we're only 1 once !  And GRAYER is definitely someone special to celebrate !!

I can't believe that I don't have pictures...... I've been waiting to post his birthday

happenings, just hoping that I'd find the many pictures that were taken, pictures of 

decorations, preparations , friends and family, more pictures of the birthday boy himself.  I will

just have to promise to post more when/if they appear.  

GRAYERS party was held at the YMCA. There was a swimming pool so everyone could swim, celebrate and have a few snacks.  The theme was beachy...like GRAYERS' nursery at home. 

Trust me....the decorations were INCREDIBLE !  Little boats with GRAYERS' picture at different

months on the boat sails, served as table centerpieces.  Fish crackers, swedish fish candy...you get the idea !  It was a wonderful gathering... 

I LOVE how this little stars' eyes "crinkle" when he belly laughs !!!  Can't help but laugh too !

He can be so focused........and serious at times

He's such a happy boy !

Loves his mommy.....

and his daddy !

He is loved and cherished !  And has added so much to my life !

I've definitely got stars in my eyes !!  Looking forward to many more birthdays and adventures along the way !!  

Summer Starts

So much to look forward to with summer this year....I'm always ready to head to Pennsylvania and 

get summer started !  Memorial Day weekend brings our New Jersey family to camp.  This year we were looking forward to seeing Missy's pregnant belly and day dream about the little life that is growing there !   Missy's family as well as Rick and I , enjoyed some quad riding, hiking, relaxing and floating in the river time !  So fun and a great way to get the summer started !

I just love Levi's little haircut !  He's getting so grown up and older looking... or maybe we're just thinking ahead - knowing that he will look so big once his baby brother/sister arrives later this summer.
I decided to measure and mark Levi and Grayers' height on the wall in the shed.  It will be fun to see how they grow from year to year.

So good to see this busy family relax and enjoy their time at camp.  Levi's little smile is just too cute!
And of course, Missy's belly is adorable too.  We were really looking forward to meeting this new little Sonners/Murtaugh baby!

Not long after Memorial Day weekend, we had plans to drive to Tulsa to be with Chad, Selena and Grayer.  It would be a special trip...first to celebrate a very important date in our family......Grayers' FIRST birthday !!  Such a big day....and lots of fun ahead!  And another part of our trip, was to stop in Omaha, Nebraska to see Grandma (Great Gma...also, Great, Great Gma) Leota.  She turned 98 years old in May and we just wanted to spend some time with her......

So many wonderful happenings this summer...and this is just the beginning !

Grandma was her cute self and it always means so much to us to spend time with her.  She has a great outlook on life and I always feel INCREDIBLE after seeing her !  She definitely adds meaning to my life and I cherish her !!

More summer starts to come !!

The Best

Happy Mothers's Day to the most incredible moms that I know !

Melissa, watching you with Levi is like sunshine ... you light up and it's so evident the joy and love that you feel for him !  I love hearing your giggles in the background of the videos of Levi that you send to us. Holding Levi is like holding YOU and that brings sunshine into my heart too.


Selena, I've watched you grow from a new bride, learning about your husband and our family, to an incredible, and intuitive mom.  Everytime I'm with you and Grayer, I feel  new love and respect for the beautiful person that you are.  Happy 1st Mothers' Day !

Motherhood is a joy that we all three share...and is one more powerful  and meaningful link in our lives that we will never outgrow.  Thank you for the greatest joy that you have brought to my life through your children !  Enjoy your day Mel and Selena !  You are the BEST !

Love Grows and it shows !

Families grow.......Love grows......

Lives touch our hearts....

And I can't help but pray for all the blessings !!

A friend just told me the other day, that the joy and love on "my face", made me so very beautiful ! I've never been more happy !!! Love grows and it shows !

Love for every day !

The everyday-ness of being with a grandchild is something very special...so while I'm staying with "my boys", either in Oklahoma or New Jersey, I treasure those day to day times. I AM and "airport Grandma". And I'm very, very lucky to be able to travel to be with Levi and Grayer and their families !! Now, Levi's hair trim was something that was MORE than just an everyday kind of event. Levi turned 1 years old and that was a planned time for the long "side burns" to be cut...Grandma Cheryl did the honors and Levi did a great job sitting still for her.

A favorite EVERDAY fun time when I'm with Levi, is to go to the mall and play in the play area. It's like his social hour when he can do some exploring with little games, a little slide and also learn how to play with others. He does a lot of watching when BIG kids are there. He's also learning to move quickly to get out of their way.

Hugs and Kisses are abundant everyday and this Grandma LOVES to get her share ! Levi's mama and dada are hugged and kissed to pieces EVERYDAY.

This Levi smile, is the one that just LIGHTS up when he sees his special people ! He is the BEST start to every day !!

The walks and little adventures along the way are part of every day... Levi seems to be enjoying being 1 years old and all the things to learn. He loves books, loves to be read to as well as "read" by himself. He's learning to walk around furniture, he's learning the tastes of different foods and learning that bed time and nap time aren't so bad :) So much to learn every day !

This Grandma is one lucky Grandma to have such love for every day when I'm visiting my little loves and I have enough love and memories to take home with me, to last til the next time !!