The big party

Sunday dawned bright and sunny...NOT! It was sorta drizzly and cold so lots of my guests spent the party indoors! Not so fun when you have a barbecue but you make do.

This is one of the few photos showing the awesome glasses Magenta let me borrow (well maybe they don't know I borrowed them but Amy said it was okay!)
I got my hair done in the morning, lots of curls and spray-it looked perfect for a 50's homemaker.
Laurie and Tracy did an awesome job on a program of songs and slang and "Karin" trivia-

Karl manned the BBQ-he was still out there long after I thought he would be done-what a trouper!
Some posters Amy put together of some 50's facts:

Yep-I baked...German chocolate cake, chocolate and pecan cake, chocolate cake with pistachio filling and 7 minute icing, pineapple upside down cake and lemon meringue pie. The cookbooks and toys are all part of the 50's also. Oh and the table too!
CD's of pirated 50's music I made-shh! don't tell on me....
Portraits-you knew there would be some with two photographers in the family!!
my man-
my brother Mike and dad Gene-
all my children-
Amy and Karl-
Karl's parents-Werner and Nancy Baumgarten-

Nick and Gabriele-
Gabriele's parents-Ken and Holly Crown-
Jim and Teri Owens-I have been friends with Jim since high school and Teri since Clark-
Tracy Varney and Laurie Sturgeon-
Doug and Marie Newport-

John and Lois Kimber-we used to trade off childcare each week-

Judy Howard-

Chuck and Sharon Staley-
Karl and June Swanson-

Nancee Lillard-good friend, confidant and nail tech-
Dr. Nick and Daniella Carulli-Gary's next best friend-
Jack and Lori Holt-I have known Lori since 3rd grade!!

Eric and Shelly Toews-Shelly is Laurie's daughter and I have known her since she was a pee-wee-

and this little chick-a-dee wearing her great-grandma's apron...
couldn't have done it without her! She was my graphic designer and grand hostess!!

Thanks to all who came and to all who sent notes, it was an amazing day and I felt so loved....

American Idol

Well the season has ended and we really hoped Crystal Bowersox would win. I know she'll do great though...really liked these songs with Alanis tonight!

What I wanna be...

when I grow up...

As I approach my milestone birthday of 50!! I have been thinking about what has been and what I would like to be for the years coming up. Here are a few of the things I have come up with-

Accepting-of myself, right where I am, right as I am.
Helpful-I want to reach out more and aid another in their journey.
Slow to speak-I am working on weighing my words before speaking.
Honest-To be able, in kindness, to be truthful with others.
Patient-as a daughter, to the man who came along side my mom and became my dad. Who is now to the point of making decisions about the next few years.
Industrious-I didn't get a lot of "projects" done in the last year.
Thrifty-finally learn to not spend all we earn.
Studious-how to be a better mom to my adult children and their loves.
Traveler-I hope to travel-places we can drive to and see these great United States.
Healthy-in body, mind and soul.

and I want it now!!! lol ;)

God will sustain me as I work towards these goals, he really needs to because I tend to be an impatient student...

Mother's Day

It looks like it's going to be a grand Mother's day morning...the sun is shining bright. The flowers look great and we have some fun stuff planned for the day. But I awoke with a need to acknowledge what being a mom has meant to me and to say thanks to a few people.

All I can remember wanting to be as a little girl and then later as I grew up, was a mom. A mom that was able to be home for her children, that played with them, baked cookies and read them
stories. My dream came true and I still find it exciting to see what new ways I can share my love.

These women taught me by example what unconditional love was. I felt adored and cared for as every little girl hopes for. Grandma's mom died when she was 8 and she began working as a young child. She worked most of her adult life as a telephone operator and was retired by the time I was 8. We spent a lot of time with her and a lot of her influence taught me how to have fun in the moment. My mom was a single, working woman with 3 young children. She was often "done" by the time she got home from work, but the thing I remember most about her was that she was always telling us that she loved us. A moment I cherish as a mom was when she said to me, just days before she passed away, " I wish I could have been the kind of mom you are." It was the only time I had ever heard her acknowledge me as a mother. I reassured her in the fact that I appreciated the impact she had on me but I sure do wish we had more time...
Well without this guy I wouldn't be talking about being a mom at all! Gary has given me not only two great gifts but by working really hard, has allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom. He was always ready to take over if I was at the end of my rope by 4pm or to rough house with the kids so I could get dinner ready. I have cherished his support and been so glad to have him by my side constantly.
Our firstborn has become an amazing woman! She is loved by so many and is wonderfully gifted.
It is still a bit shocking to me when she starts talking numbers and housing costs and bankruptcy rates...she sounds so grown up! But she is still my little girl that loves to shop and do crafts with me. Watch girly movies and eat chocolate with. I adore you-always have and always will...
My gregarious boy-oh how much fun I have had watching you grow up! Those who work with him will tell us about things he said or did and I am awed because I still see in my mind the little boy who would go out in the yard next door and play baseball. All alone, you would hit and run bases and slid into home, all the time talking away to yourself. Did you know I was watching you from the window, reveling in your imagination? I cherish your sense of humor and your willingness to do things for others. You are an awesome man!!
The next two photos are of the people who adore my children almost as much as I do. For that they have a truly special spot in my heart. They are different than the two I gave birth to, but I still consider them my children...knowing the God loving hearts of these two made it easier to relinquish my hold of Amy and Nick's lives and hearts.

Last but not least are my friends. They cheered and cried and supported me through all the phases of being a mom. They are still there for me even though my active work is mostly done as a mom. They have shown me how to be better by example as well as their words. This photo shows just some of the great women who have been there for me through the years. Thanks to you all for allowing me to be who I am and gently guiding me when I needed it.

May those of you who are moms have a grand day today and be treated like the princess(queen) that you are. I sure wouldn't be who I am without you...

A walk through the garden

I love spring-the fresh air, the weird weather, the beautiful flowers...there is always a sense of hope in the spring. The feeling that we are being awakened after winter's heaviness. I took a walk through the backyard with my camera the other day....

azaleas blooming and peonies ready to burst

close-up of my tree peony-just love that color!

the combo of dark purple lilac and pink peony-beauty!

spirea and two colors of lilac-

the overall photo of the tree peony-last count was 21 blossoms!

The promises of this spring? Time with family and friends plus the wedding in July...so much to look forward to!