A Wonderful Halloween 2013

Penelope's 2nd Halloween was lots of fun.  She is now 16 months old & very excited about all the kids in their costumes, but doesn't want to wear the darling "Minnie Mouse" costume her Mommy ordered for her.  Every time Penelope tries the costume on, she acts like it's itching or something, wanting it off! Oh well.  Penelope has a lot of personality & knows what she wants and doesn't want.

Mommy is a Kindergarten Teacher at Gale Bailey Elementary School.  On Halloween night, they had a special Fall Festival with Trick or Treating right there.  Penelope, with her Mommy & Daddy went there for an evening of fun for the whole family.  She would not wear her "Minnie Mouse" costume, but that was okay.  Penelope looked so cute dressed as a pumpkin.  She wore an orange shirt with her orange tutu with her black Mary Jane black shoes.  This is the costume that her Great Aunt Keller send her.  Penelope June looked just precious.  It was a super fun, Halloween!  What a little cutie.

My Special Meaning of Lady Bugs

My Mom & I always loved Lady Bugs.  We would often get each other birthday and Christmas gifts with Lady Bugs on them.  My Mom grew the most beautiful roses I have ever seen.  She always told me that the Lady Bugs on the rose bushes brought her good luck.  Very sadly my Mom passed away May 24, 2010.  I have missed her terribly, her hugs, our daily chats, how special my Mom always made every birthday and Christmas.  I loved when she and my Dad would got out on a date.  Money was tight, so it was a special occasion indeed.  Mom would wear a beautiful dress, silk stockings and her favorite perfume - Channel #5.  She had a small Lady Bug pin that she always wore tucked somewhere in her dress.  It was special to my Mom, her Aunt Jean had given to her as a child.

The very time my husband Rick and I visited my Mom's grave was very emotional.  It was about 4 months after she had passed away and her grave plate had just been laid down.  I walked up to her grave with tears streaming down my face.  Rick got there first.  He said "Sandy, you are not going to believe this".  I couldn't imagine what he wanted me to see.  I walked up the hill.  There on my Mom's grave marker were 3 beautiful Lady Bugs.  I could hardly believe it.  I bent down to reach them.  One flew away, but the other two crawled onto my left hand.  They proceeded to crawl up toward my heart.  I suddenly had the feeling of joy instead of sorrow.  I know deep down that my Mom, with her Angel wings on, flew down from Heaven to let me know while living in Heaven  with God, she wants me to know she is still close by.  I still miss her terribly and my sweet Daddy joined her in Heaven July 28, 2013.  I'm so glad they are together once again.  Blessings.

SItting On A Rainbow, Smiling From Heaven. X0XO

Since my Dad passed away 2 months ago, I have found dealing with this awful grief & sadness very difficult.  Even though I know my Dad lived a happy, fulfilled life, it's still hard.  I loved he and my Mom, missing them terribly. Thankfully, we all got to spend some quality time with him before my Dad gained his Angel wings, flying to Heaven.  My Dad showed me the true meaning of his faith in God in a very profound, amazing way.  Up until the very moment when Dad was cognitively still with us, holding  him in his Hospice bed, I told my beloved Daddy that it was okay to join my Mom in Heaven.  He had fought a tough battle.  I could see how tired Dad was.  I told him it was okay to close his eyes & fly away to Heaven.  Mom was waiting for him note other side.  About that time, my y became alert for a brief period of time. All of a sudden, he began waving up to the sky.  Dad had this amazingly smile of anticipation.  Due to my faith, I know my Mom was sitting on a rainbow, waving at her Sweetie to come join him.  I know I will never look at death & dying in the same manner.  Thank you Daddy & God for sharing your wonderful insight.  I love & miss you so much.  Blessings.

The Value Of An Extended Family (Yes, It Does Take A Village)

Since I did not grow up with grandparents, when we started our family, I knew our extended family would be a big part of our boys life.  As our children grew up, they greatly benefited from the

 fun, love & closeness of playing with Aunts, Uncles & Cousins.  Holidays have always had special meaning in our family. Sadly, my Mom (who adored Christmas) passed away in 2010.  This was 2 years before our 1 year old granddaughter arrived.  Oh how she would have loved little grl.  This past July 2013, my Dad passed away.  Losing both of them makes me very sad.  Will the holidays ever be te same?  Probably not, however maybe this is the perfect opportunity to form new family traditions.  Being blessed in 2012 with our first grandchild is the perfect time to make new, wonderful memories.  The holidays are just around the corner.  I can hardly wait!

The Foundation of Growing Love

Penelope's Family -Reckeweg (silly, fun times together)

 Dear Baby Girl (to be born soon),
This is a picture I took of Grandaddy, Mommy, Daddy & your Uncle Matt. When you are born in June - everyone is going to have such fun.  You'll have SO many people loving you.

Do you know where God's love is, Baby Girl?  God is the love & tenderness of mommy's kiss & God is the warm, stong hug of daddy's arms.   Love you, Grammy

Missing My Mom

 Dear Sweet Baby Penelope,
These are some special pictures I put together in memory of your Great Grandmother Jean Bishop.  She passed away nearly 2 years ago.  Oh how excited Great Grandma would be knowing Jeff and Tabitha were expecting you.  You would have loved her so much - tiny just like your Mommy, a very sweet, very pretty and a caring heart.  I miss my Mom so much and know she is looking down from Heaven.  Until we meet again some day.