Gabriel thru the Years

Just a few pictures over the past 21 years -

Happy 21st Birthday to Gabriel

Today is Gabriel's 21st birthday. Where did the years go? Hannah and his friends at college celebrated with him. I wish we could be together on his birthday. Instead, he's studying for a couple of big tests and we have having pizza for lunch in his honor. Happy Birthday Gabriel!! I am blessed to be your mom and I'm so thankful that you have great friends to celebrate with.

Here are a few pictures. Hannah's not in them. I'm guessing she was behind the camera!

Gabriel and his sweetheart Sarah

Friends who came to celebrate

Megan and Breana - Hannah's best friends

Wedding Reception

A few years ago - 25 or so - I taught a little boy named Randy. He was a sweet kid. Did pretty well in school, at least I don't remember him doing poorly. After his 4th grade year, I got married and moved around a few times and lost contact with most of my students. When we returned to VA, I learned that he was in Hollywood! He played a goofy deputy in "Good Intentions" , a friend (or cousin?) of Elvis in the CBS mini series of Elvis and a few other things.

He got married last week and had a reception tonight for local friends and family. And we were invited! It was fun to talk with him and meet his sweet wife. You just never know what kids will grow up to be. I know I never thought when I was teaching that class that any of them would end up in Hollywood.

At the wedding reception of Randy McDowell. I taught him in 3rd and 4th grade.


Holly and Randy

Masculine Gift Cards

Some cards I made today for Ellie Marie Designs!

What Do You Blog About?

For some reason, blogging while living in Romania was so easy. Perhaps it was because I needed the connection with English speaking people. Maybe my schedule there kept me home more. Or most likely it was because the daily tasks in life like doing laundry or the kids fixing their own cereal were a bit more adventurous.

I miss blogging. And hopefully I will come up with some interesting things to write about. Meanwhile, I hope you'll read some of my older posts. I'm working on transferring some of them to this blog.

What do you usually blog about?

Gabriel and the Carton of Milk

The Dreaded Enemy

Gabriel and a Carton of Milk

The following is a blog entry that I wrote (on my very old blog) nearly 5 1/2 years ago when we were living in Romania.

November 3, 2006
Yesterday morning I woke up with every intention of doing a full day of school. I ate my usual breakfast, just a bowl of cereal, and was getting ready to take a shower. As I was walking into the kitchen, towards the bathroom, Gabriel was walking by with a rather bloody paper towel around his finger. “Mom, I cut my finger opening the milk.” Yikes! He certainly did a good job too. We do not have the normal gallon jugs here but one liter boxes that must be cut.

Kitchen sheers are the preferred safe method but although I have three pairs, they tend to wander away. So rather than search for them, Gabe opted for a knife. This was one of those bigger than a Band-Aid cuts and thankfully John was home to handle it. John examined it and bandaged Gabe’s finger and said he’ll be just fine. I slammed my finger in a car door at age 10. My mom took me to the ER and I didn’t need stitches. John cut his finger with an ax, age 30 and I took him to the ER. He didn’t need stitches either. We avoid Romanian hospitals if at all possible. Romania has come a long way since the fall of Communism in 1989 but the medical field is still a scary place. Please pray that Gabe’s finger heals without any problems.

While John was examining Gabe’s finger, Gabe started feeling a bit queasy. Could it be that my 15 year old son, taller and stronger than me and lover of action flicks, is qualmish at the sight of his own blood? We told him to lie down on the couch for a while. After I was sure he was ok, I finally took my shower. After family devotions, which were two hours later than usual, I decided that this would be a good day to watch some World War II movies that I had been wanting to watch with the kids. So even though we did not do the lessons that I had written down on our schedule, we still had a lot of learning going on.

Gabriel is nearly 21 now and fully recovered except for the fact that he apparently sliced a nerve and his finger is numb where he cut it. Doesn't bother him thankfully or affect him in any way. Praise the Lord!

Surprise Prize

I received a package in the mail this week. I knew something was coming but didn't know what was in it. I won a prize on one of the Etsy teams that I joined! Winning is always fun and so are surprises. Sue from Grist Mill Designs made me this beautiful necklace and earring set.


I just love them! The color combination is gorgeous. Sue has lots of beautiful and unique items in her shop. You might just find that perfect Valentine's Day or Mother's Day gift there. Click here and visit Grist Mill Designs today. Don't you love shopping online? :D