Happy Birthday Firecracker...

I have been reminiscent all day of four years ago...it is getting close to midnight and I remember four years ago...hanging out with Heather and Jay at the hospital...waiting for one little Firecracker to come...Firecracker--I gave her that name because she was due close to the 4th of July.  And Heather and Jay decided not to find out if boy or girl...so whenever I would lay my hand on Heather's tummy...I would refer to Firecracker...and though I really don't call Isabel...Izzy...Peanut--Firecracker very often...but many that read my writings know her as such!

This morning I was taken back to four years ago and hearing from Jay who let me know after Heather's doctor appointment that they were going to keep her and a baby was on her way.  I said earlier that I knew something amazing was about to happen.  And so while I headed for the hospital...Oppy and LaLa...(that would be Tim and Lance at the time) headed home from Sedalia, Missouri. 

The waiting was done by both sets of grandparents...after all this little precious one was the first grandchild on both sides!    Also, Uncle Lance and Jay's sister, Aunt Autumn.  Heather and Jay were sure that she was a boy...and they still had not agreed on a boy's name...Jay wanted another Tim...Heather did not!    So a blessing that Isabel Marie Sheridan came out a precious little girl!  (I knew she was all along).   Even though she waited the day and into the night before she made her appearance.   She allowed her mom to reply that the whole process was ridiculous...her daddy pointing out that another hard contraction was coming...the chaos of the doctor wanting a picture...and all of us hanging out.  An amazing time and yes something and someone special was given to us!

I found a picture today and I can't believe how tiny she was...and I look closely and she is in her daddy's hands...How I wish she could have got to hang out longer with him...but may she always feel those hands...

Mary and I went on a walk this morning...and as we came back a dragonfly flew in my path...a reminder from God of Jay...and I knew it was close to the time of day I heard from them...such emotion...but a treasure.

It wasn't much longer and I get a conference phone call from one little Izzybell herself...her mama...and her Aunt Autumn.  Izzy going to hang out with Grammy and Grandad while her mom went birthday shopping...but she invites me to go watch a movie tomorrow night--Monster University--AND Olive Garden...I think she does love that one partially because she usually gets all kinds of olives...I told her I hadn't seen Monster Inc. even to which she told me I could borrow hers...

After talking to them...I had my Pandora playing when a song came on...Heather's Song by Misty River...I am not sure I have heard it before but I checked up the words...but it is just an awesome song...

HEATHER'S SONG 
Written by Rory Block, Brown-Foot Publ. BMI 1989, (on her Turning Point CD)
(c) Arrangement by Misty River - ASCAP, Recorded on Misty River's "Live at the Backgate Stage CD" Dec. 2001, released Feb. 2002

THIS IS A SPECIAL LOVE SONG
FOR ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WORLD,
HERE'S HOPING SOMEONE KIND
WATCHES OVER EACH AND EVERY ONE,
BECAUSE IN EVERY YOUNG FACE,
NO MATTER HOW ANGRY OR SAD,
LIES THE BLOSSOM OF A PURE HEART,
NOT EVIL WRONG OR BAD.

SO IF YOU HAVE A YOUNG CHILD,
BE GENTLE WISE AND KIND,
AND TREAT THEM LIKE AN ORCHID,
SO RARE AND HARD TO FIND,
YOUR LOVE WILL BE LIKE WATER
TO ALL THE SEEDS YOU SOW.
FOR THEY ARE THE FAIREST FLOWERS
IN LIFE¹S GARDEN WHERE THEY GROW.

AND IF YOU KNOW THE OLD FOLKS,
BE GENTLE WISE AND KIND,
THEIR SOULS WILL SOON DEPART US,
AND LEAVE THIS WORLD BEHIND,
THEY'VE GIVEN US THE FUTURE,
THEY TAUGHT US WHAT THEY KNOW,
TO SOON BECOME A PART OF
GOD'S KINGDOM WHERE THEY GO.

THIS IS A SPECIAL LOVE SONG
FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

And for some reason...just needed to include...perhaps because it makes me think of our little ones...of all of us getting older...and so tonight I caught such a beautiful sunset...and it was just a time to say thank you...and so I stopped along the road to snap some pics...as Hello World by Lady A played...

 

 

 

 
A little girl...she's got chocolate on her face...got little hands...and she waves at me...yes she smiles at me...Hello world...how you been...good to see you my old friend...I see a light a little hope in a little girl...

And I think how one little "Izzybell" Sheridan brings so much joy without even trying...and I think of her staying with Oppy and I...riding by herself in the back of the Power Ranger in her capri's and boots (where she wanted to know, "Oppy why we do chores at bedtime?") but she as big as can be...singing this little light of mine...and I give thanks and know how blessed we are to have one little Isabel Marie...with her light shining bright!

 
The clock has since struck twelve...one little Isabel is four years old...I love FOUR...and perhaps the time is part of the rambling...but those who know me say...PROBABLY NOT!   So I leave with a Happy Birthday Firecracker!   How I love you and your spirit...I see such parts of your mom and dad in you but just a mixture all of your own and I give thanks!!!

I am so blessed to be an Ahma Bell!!!

lya

What if? What's next?

One of those days...had many thoughts of Jay Sheridan...today would have been his 30th birthday...Yes Heather robbed the cradle...I mean she has been 30 for almost three weeks now...I had posted up a picture that I had used in the blog...had many people "like" it...and I think...how many people miss this guy....think of this guy...don't know what to do or say.  And I suppose birthdays and other events just always make us stop and think WHAT IF?   This morning at my kitchen table I had thought alot about one special guy...Thinking much about life...and the words came...

Live as though you are living...

find the joy and not the sorrows...

not "what ifs" but the "what's next"!

 

I suppose there are some that think I talk often of Jay...some that just think I talk often period...but it is something that has been put on my heart...perhaps because he was.   I remember thinking how life just keeps moving and I think of Mary and I discussing songs today and me trying to remember if it is Tracy Byrd or Tracy Lawrence and we talk of the song Time Marches On...that it does.   Whether we are in line or just watching the parade go by...it keeps marching...but I think of Jay...who will forever be young in our mind and hearts...I remember watching him and Heather and Izzy not long before he left us...Jay grabbing and kissing on Heather...Izzy trying to make him stop and they are laughing...and I remember thinking...yeah this is the good stuff...AND it is one of those I tucked in my heart...thinking there would be many more of these moments...

Heather had posted a touching poem...Corrine wrote a special poem...Jake and Amy posted a heart with a blue line...I seen postings of happy birthdays we miss you...and I think...find the joy and not the sorrows.   Though we miss him...we should celebrate that we knew him.   My life was changed from knowing him...not all can say that...though something we should strive for...to live a life as such that you are missed when you are gone.

I was looking through pictures and found of Jay's 27th birthday...I remember giving him a waffle iron for he and Izzy to say...In the morning...I'm making waffles!    A red alarm clock...a wild shirt...Jay was always fun to shop for...but we freeze him at these times...or for whenever we seen him last...and so he will remain forever young in our hearts...in our minds...until we see him again...

I include a few of the pics...I love how he is setting off the alarm and the face giving Izzy...of Heather singing Happy Birthday to him....of him just giggling...yeah sometimes he just giggled...Oh it was not a perfect life...but it was a good life...and often time makes life all the more perfect...depending how we choose to think about it...I am working on the choice of Joy..of instead of What if?   I go for a What's next!    That is a gift I feel that we can give...

And these pictures make me just smile...oh sure I miss him and can have tears as well...but I look at those cammo shorts...of the twinkle between he and Heather...of he and his "Peanut" playing with their new toy alarm...and our day is ended with rain...and lightning and thunder light up the skies...perhaps there's a celebration in heaven!   The clock will soon strike twelve...yep time marches on...Happy Birthday Jay Bird...Happy Birthday!

lya

Another Father's Day...

So I started on this last night and my Internet kept going off and on...so I just quit...but will maybe put a few thoughts on tonight...

Another Father's Day has come and gone...the year's seem to pass by so quickly...I think of my dad...and I miss him.   I thought about the other day at my wedding...I remember just before he walked me down the aisle and he wrinkled his nose at me...I can still remember that part so clearly...in fact it was one of those that you can just feel it.  Probably one of my most special times with my dad...

Daddy's...I loved my dad and he loved me...a blessing...a perfect man...no...but he showed me and taught me things even though he was one of those who said...do as I say not as I do...and today I got to spend time with the Firecracker...her daddy's peanut...and this is her third Father's Day without her daddy...yet I watch at the joy she shares...and I am thankful for the mama she has...for her Daddy's dad...and so many other men that have become a part of her life...making a joyful little girl that seems to make one smile without even trying.

I had came across a picture awhile back...Izzy and her daddy.   I looked at this one and look at those lips...they are the same...maybe it is their "sweet staches!"   Izzy much like her dad can have the most serious faces in some of their pictures...this one taken at the Lincoln County Fair I think...

Thankful for the time we had...but sure wish we could have had more...But there is a bond that some of us may never understand between this daddy and daughter...and for that I am thankful.


I won't go on like you know I can but just wanted to stop and think of the DAD'S...those that we can see...and those we can just feel.  

They say that sometimes our relationship with our earthly father's is  how we try to define our Heavenly Father...I have thought about this from time to time and wondered if that was the case...I think about my dad and I always thought about his strength...how he loved us...how he made it through some hard times and came out such a man that I respected and admired...he always made us feel that no matter how times were...we would make it...FAITH...I thought I was young when I lost my dad and realize that it was nothing compared to sweet little Isabel...one taken by cancer...one taken by trying to serve and protect against the evil around us...but both live on with us all...tucked away in our hearts...for that we are blessed...and so I find this picture of my dad carrying me and think yes that is how I often think of my Heavenly Father...I thought of that...What did I give God for Father's Day...not even a card...so I take time now and say thank you.  Thank you to our Lord and thanks to all those daddy's we love...to my special "dad" in law...

Happy Father's Day Dad...we miss you and love you...This sure makes me think of my nephew...my son...my brother...and like little Izzy's lips and sometimes her personality...they are a part of us...God Bless...

Tomorrow would be Jay's 30th birthday...wish you were here for us to give a hard time!

lyp

I have a dream...THE BUNKHOUSE...

So didn't quite make it for yesterday...so come by the BUNKHOUSE TODAY!!

You know sometimes how you want something...like this morning...while at my kitchen table...I get a call from one little Firecracker.    A blessing in itself...and she is telling me that she will soon be having a birthday and won't be 3.   So I find out what she wants for her birthday..."chocolate cake with some chocolate frosting and sprinkles on top and ice cream with chocolate in it...AND BALLOONS!"   To which I say of course you need balloons for your birthday and she says, "Yeah we know Ahma!" and says something about her mom and Aunt Autumn not knowing...or being crazy or some such think and that only her and I remember things.   To which I hear opposition from  her mother!    But then when discussing what I  had for breakfast I tell her I didn't have milk for cereal and she informs me that I need to get some milk today because she is coming to my house today!   To which I am so excited.   My kids will be coming shortly!

And so I continue on with my theme...and I think of one of my favorite songs...You can't always get what you want...but if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need!   But I think of a special friend who is working on her dream...what is it..."living the dream!"    Why her dream would be to get up early every morning so others can have delicious doughnuts (and More) and make her special coffee...I don't know...but Trud has always been a special one...This is how I first remember her...she was usually my baby...I love this old Polaroid of her and her mom...

Years have passed yet she still has that special something something that just makes you smile...I wonder if she still has some of those red boots!

And so tomorrow...Saturday...June 15, 2013...after much hard work...my friend Trudy is opening her dream...how many of us get to say that!   The Bunkhouse General Store...coffee...baked goods...and all sorts of cool stuff.   I am so excited for her and so proud of her....probably not as excited as she...though she might just be tired about now...but last night we got to "try out" some of the specialties...we had the sandwiches that were awesome...I think it was the homemade bread...or the "real" meats...or the special sauces...OR...the apple pie alamode...it was all so good!   I hope you all get a chance to try it out...AND those are only part of the signature Bunkhouse items...Fresh roasted COFFEE...Trudy shared a couple of videos that just made me laugh...You will have to determine yourself on the coffee...

But this one is about how excited Trudy was...and why shouldn't she be!!!

So I caught a pic of Trudy and her pal...and I thought it seemed to capture the feel...just grabbing a cup a joe while hanging out with your friends.   So may God bless you Trudy on this endeavor and I encourage you to stop in tomorrow if you happen to be in Fowler, Colorado.  

A lot of hard work has gone into this...the shepherd even got in on some of the fun with Mr. Hardy...not sure if these two should really spend a lot of time together...

And Kelly...I couldn't resist...because I had to include this pic even if Doris might be a little blurry...BUT we know you are a hard worker...and this proves it...

You have put so much hard work into this and now it is time for the fun part...I found this pic Trudy of our mom's giving the high five...way to go Trudy...just thought of friendships...

There is a special picture hanging above the cool red couch...of Trudy's dad...as you sit there and enjoy the WIFI...and I bet old Curtis is smiling...like the commercial for suits say...I think you're gonna like the way you feel...

So here is to an awesome day...and many more!   Love you Trud and know others are gonna love your dream...thanks for sharing it! 

lyp

Whose in your frame...

Needless to say I didn't get this finished the last couple nights...so I will see how far I go tonight...

and NO...this has been quite some time and as I was going through pics I seen that this was still hanging out there and since it was Derek's birthday...Happy Birthday...NOW back to February...

A day off and this morning when I looked at the date...February 18...my mom and dad's wedding anniversary...also the anniversary of when the shepherd asked me to marry him...not the day I answered but that's another story...

So since I had wedding on the mind...I thought I would put some pics of a wedding that I got to work with Jeff Rylant and his amazing assistant Tonya as we got to take pics of the Impson wedding for Sarah and Derek...

As I headed out the door to go to the wedding I seemed to be reminded of an idea of maybe taking along a picture frame...and see if we might use it...My prayer for the day was JOY for the day...and was fun to watch as the joy that seemed to be captured in the frame...how I seen people put on smiles...and some people I would ask who they wanted in their frame...most did not want someone to have to be in the frame by themselves...I think there is something to this...Who do you want in your frame?  Even though I have actually been called the crazy lady with the frame...QUIET!!!

There are some instances that you want just a snapshot to capture a moment...but those pictures that you frame...those are the ones that say...this is someone special to me or I want to remember this always.  I go through and pull out some of those "frame" pics and a comment or two on part of them...(I did "Pennify" them a little...so I didn't do a whole bunch and still have many other favorites...but I pull out a few...)



Isn't that cool how Sarah had this embroidered on her dress...

Of course your brothers are in your frame...

Your best man...no matter when he gets there...the point is He was there!





Times of fun...Father of the groom and a drive by bunny...

 



 The Groom and Mom and Dad...

 Close up...framing a mama's love...a father's pride...and a young man's joy...

 

 

OR who are these guys...thought these were just funny...

nothing like good friends who make you laugh!

 

 And no matter how grown up you may be...you will always be her baby...

 And the roots go deep... (Gotta love those grandparents)

And this one well just look at that face...

 And so here comes the bride's side...

 And a beautiful bride she was...


And the joy of little ones is contagious...


Well there would be a lot more joy if my mom were closer...
and I wasn't sitting up here...



Friends in our frames...
okay this one didn't have a frame but it was one of my fave's...


Proud parents...
who just want the best for their baby girl...

Ahhh the love...of a mama and a daddy...

 

And those daddy's love you a long time...

 

 Even before they see you...


SO I SAY MAY YOU DANCE...

 Not just your wedding day....but always...

 Okay for you wondering...had two different backgrounds...

 Dance like no one is watching...

 

 

 May you remember to have FUN in your frame
(this couple made me laugh...WORK IT!)

 

 
Remember to pay attention to the SWEETNESS
 (okay in fairness,
the best man I don't think thought I was getting him...just the cake!)

 Remember to show your love...
My partners in crime...so much fun taking pics with you...

 

 

 And so me and Uncle Tim say God bless as you travel this journey...

This photo taken by Jeff Rylant

 

lyap



San Antonio...Kristy's surprise...

And so decided to put some of these pics in a story...because Kristy's expression was PRICELESS...A good time with good friends...

 

lyp