HAPPY HAPPY MARY JO...

And I wonder where this day has gone...I have thought of my "sister" all day long...my brother's wife perhaps but more than that to me...such a special friend...perhaps a soul sister...

She is hitting a milestone...yet looking at her...it is probably not the one you might guess...my brother calls her "smokin hot" most of the time when speaking of his little bride...so many memories flood my mind with "Jo mama" often called...good times...deep conversation times...I wish she didn't live over the mountain...but she does...

So I wish a Happy Birthday though I about missed the day...but one of the things of Jo...she loves me anyway...whether I remember...whether I forget...whether I procrastinate...she loves me anyway!

I sit here in the night...knowing that if she has her wishes she is sound asleep...but should she need to make a road trip...she can stay up with the best of them...

I seen some pictures today...one beautiful one from Bethany's wedding...another one Shane posted...and I think what pic should I include...

This picture probably captures many of the things I so appreciate...oh the obvious that she is an amazing "sewer" !    Especially considering that she is a CPA in her day job.    But the fact that she gives of herself...especially if it is doing...working...

So I give thanks for such an amazing person in our family...and wish her a very happy happy birthday!    Thank you Jo for being my "soul sister"!  

lyp

Happy Birthday Grandma Bessie...

Today is my Grandma Bessie's birthday...I think of her tonight as I go through pictures from the stock show...FAMILY!   Something I learned from her not really in lessons per se...just in being.

I have reconnected with family that I had not been around for many years...of friends that have been the same...

Grandma Bessie left us many years ago...in fact the November after Tim and I married...

And so I just want to stop and think of Grandma Bessie...how we love and miss you.

Happy Birthday...

lyp

Stock Show is a coming...

Was one of those good days...my brother and his "little bride" spent the night and got to share "B's and G's" with them before they headed off for their side of the mountain...via Punkin Center...Limon...Frisco...

My son had made it down by lunch time to work on getting his sheep ready for stock show...you know that it is getting close to stock show...when you got cowboys showing up to check the sheep!!    Trent and Lindy Sharon were out building fence and so they had a couple helpers...one of their helpers a nephew...the other was one of their sons...about the same age his daddy was when I first got to know him.   I heard that there was a littler guy helping...but turns out his Gramma Loretta who lives down the way came and taken him to her house...before the shepherd had told me that I would want to come out and bring my camera...and the shepherd was right...(but don't tell him!).
       

Such a beautiful day here for January...sheets on the line and I ventured out to see what the shepherd was calling me for...And there in the lamb pen was two little guys...My camera wouldn't stop clicking with subjects like these boys...

The shepherd was giving them a tour and loving every minute of it...and as soon as they had checked these out they were ready to move on to the next thing and off to watch shearing...they watched the shearing...I loved watching these little cattle guys...take it all in!

While out...I could not keep from snapping away...from the little boys to the big boys and so I just share some of these blessings that I seen on this particular "bike ride" around the farm...and I came across this particular one and it just OOOOZED with Joy and so this verse seemed to go with it.   His mom had replied to the caption with these words, "I love that caption....great to view his business as a gift from God!!!"    And I know sometimes when you are the momma trying to keep up with these little ones you wonder where your energy will come from...but gifts indeed they are.  And he was definitely taking care of business!    The business of JOY!

                    

 

You might wonder why this little guy is so cute...well let me give you a hint!

 

This guy...a cousin to the other little guy...reminds me of his dad...Wyatt....even if the little one told him he wasn't a Sharon boy...he says, "Yes, I am!"    And I would have to agree...

I had read the other day to expect and watch for the "surprises" God has for you throughout the day...who knew that it would be such a beautiful day...with different "surprises" right in my own yard.   I caught pics of Lance getting one of the sheep ready for stock show...

 

I did get some other pics I loved...but the night is not so young...and so I close with the sun going down on the stock show outfits...hanging on the line...and I think next week at this time...we will be sleeping to get ready for the big show in Denver...

Loved the joy that was brought right to me today... just in these little ones...be it lambs or boys...God has special surprises indeed!

lyp

Forever Young...

This morning at my kitchen table I was reminded of a song that had made me think of losing my cousin Kelly...Forever Young...I found a video that seemed to make me think of him and his motorcycle riding and I start to write carefree life...but none of us have a carefree life...and I think of another song that came up of Forever Young a version by Jay Z and talking of how the words that jump out to me are of having a video life...and perhaps when we lose those...we do only put the memories in the video that highlights them in the light we want them to be played in our heart...

But of course the Forever Young I had was Dylan's words...but sung by...and STOP!

AND AS I GO TO PLAY IT...my computer shuts off...oh you might be thinking it was restarting...and just stopping the songs I had uploading that I had recorded (not very well) of when we listened to Michelle sing the other night...and I think of her giving a toast to her uncle who would have been there with us...and you know I feel he was--his love with each and everyone of us!   Michelle sang beautifully (and I am so excited to see what lies ahead for her) surrounded by many of her family.   I got to hitch a ride up with her mom and dad...and I think of my connection to her and think well her mom did introduce me to the shepherd...and Vonnie (Michelle's mom...my cousin) met Michelle's dad through Kelly...my Great Aunt Helen had talked of ripples...of touching another and another touching another...I had wanted to share one of Michelle's songs here but having trouble uploading...it spoke of scars...ahhh scars...a reminder of the wounds that we have had...and the healing that takes place and leaves but a scar...I have seen the pain...I have watched healing...until what we see is but scars...and I cannot include her song...but hope you hear it elsewhere...


The shepherd took me out to catch my ride and the sunset was amazing...but not to be outdone by the eastern sky and the moon...each amazing in their own right...and again I had thought of Kelly and Forever Young...as he was one of those who will stay forever young...even though in his eyes he may have thought he was getting old...still a young man.   And so I share a picture of the moon as we drove...and of peace...

My "sister" Jo is here and we were discussing what to wear to the funeral today...as we assume there will be those who are representing the Harley...to probably all different...and I love that.   When you touch lives in all places...That you did Kelly...We were talking though of how Kelly usually seemed like he was and we try to put a word on it....Kelly...I say a "sharp dressed man"...even in his Carhart's...I think of my brother Shane the same...and am reminded of the don't worry what you are going to wear...and when I had opened facebook this morning...this was the first thing I seen...

And as I was saying at the beginning of this...my computer shut off...to me seemed to signal to get back on track of what I had started...time at my kitchen table...and I laugh as I read the Jesus Calling devotional...and I share because others may need to hear as well...

"COME TO ME, and rest in My loving Presence.  You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials.  As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I am with you--now and always.  Rehearsing your troubles results in experiencing them many times, whereas you are meant to go through them only when they actually occur.  Do not multiply your suffering in this way!  Instead, come to Me, and relax in My Peace.   I will strengthen you and prepare you for this day, transforming your fear into confident trust."

 "Come unto Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.   Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart. and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30

"No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you nor forsake you."  Joshua 1:5 

 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."   Joshua 1:9

 These words just set with me and was a prayer for Kelly's family and friends for myself...and I begin to play Forever Young...and so I share the video...as the motorcycles make me think of Kelly...I guess I have not watched the show this was from...but the words seem to play in my head...sung beautifully by Audra Mae..It says from Sons of Anarchy...though not familiar with...but do love the video...

 And so I share the written words of this song and I think of Forever Young...that these words be a prayer...a reminder of Kelly...that we might all stay forever young in our hearts...as little children...I think of heaven...and we will be forever young...and though I don't know what heaven is like...I have this picture of Kelly in my mind with the sun beaming on his face on a beautiful day with a Harley wide open...and that little cockeyed smile on his face...wide open...

"Forever Young"

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

 

I have a Kelly sunset pic...but it is still in the making and so I want to work on it...but may we all stay Forever Young...Thank YOU Lord for my cousin Kelly...for all of those that we lost what seemed way too young...

Godspeed...

lyp

 

We will miss you Kelly...

It is with heavy heart...I write...this morning I seemed to have extra things I needed to read and think on...pray on...as if preparing me for something...I had been given the word lackadaisical...and just the whole thing of goals and actions.   I had read on how procrastination could sometimes be one of the worst things because we always think we can do that tomorrow!    Be it make things right with God...with family...with others...sometimes we don't end up always having one more day...I had wrote these words...

I seek a purpose…I seek a cause…I seek who I am…I seek who I was…

I wonder if I will ever see…the person that GOD created me to be…

The shepherd was to have a cancer taken off of his nose and so I was off work when I got the call from my cousin Vonnie...to some Yvonne.   She is my mom's sister, Betty's baby girl.   Vonnie told me that my cousin Kelly had died...Kelly is my age...52 years old!    That is too young...that is close to the age my dad was when we lost him...Those tough guys maybe...put lots of miles on in the amount of time they had.

Kelly was that "cool" cousin.   I cannot hear George Thorogood or Guns N' Roses that I don't think of Kelly...I don't have memories of Kelly biting me when we were little though I heard maybe he had...but I do remember going as fast as he could down a hill in Tuscon with no brakes on the bike and just sliding it on its side.    When it came to some of that stuff...Kelly was pretty much "Bad to the Bone".    He was maybe one of the toughest guys I know in the things he survived...

But there was another side that maybe not as many knew.   Kelly was that one that keeps in touch.   That is there for family.   I remember Kelly coming to a concert of his niece Michelle...because he was in to that kind of scene...no--because he loved his niece and family and supported what they did.   I think of Vonnie's son Bret...who could have been Kelly's son.  They have much in common...that fearless gene.    Kelly and my brother and Shane's son, Ethan all had a special bond as well.    My last memory of Kelly was when I got to get together with a bunch of my Aunt Betty's family for my birthday...and Kelly telling the story to my cousin Mick's kids about the "special" white elephant gift...the sombrero dish...and loved hearing him talk of trying to disguise it so no one would know and they all laughed about getting another one to throw them off.     I caught a couple pictures that I just loved...and wished I had got more...but was already pushing it getting the ones I got.

 

Kelly had such a quick wit...and could make you laugh so hard...while maybe cracking that smirky smile of his.  The faces he could make.  Not one to say a lot of words but one of those UNIQUE one's.   Just always thought of him as my "cool" cousin.   One who though I didn't see often...will miss him dearly...I am not sure he realized how much others thought of him!    And if you would have tried to tell him...you probably would have got a look...

This morning with the fog coming in...knew there was something...while in the surgery center today there was these trees on the wall and it said Our Family Tree written on the wall.  Though I was not close enough to see...there was a little girl pointing out to her mom that there was one missing...and I thought of those leaves that have fell from our family tree...and I hope and pray that I see them again one day...

So I think of my Aunt Betty...Kelly's siblings...their children...while I thought the "cool cousin" to them probably the "cool uncle"...and though I am not sure the reason...know my thoughts and prayers are with you all!   May you keep those precious priceless memories in your heart...and don't put off until tomorrow...telling someone you love them...

lyp    

Where does it go...it goes on...

And so this morning I look and there on facebook is one little Firecracker...Izzy Bell...heading off in the very cold Limon morn for preschool.   It hits me...where has the time gone?   Izzy is older than some that start as she has been blessed to have the support of one Grandad...Grammy... Auntie... Mama...and sometimes an Ahma and Oppy...that has allowed her to stay home a little more in these precious few years.   Oh there are all kinds of thoughts and camps on what one should do.   However, one little Isabel told her mom awhile back that it was time for her to go to school!    So they checked it out and then decided she could wait until after Christmas...and so here today...she began.    And the pictures made me think of her mom.   So excited to take on the world...

Not sure if this is when...but it sounded like she told her mom to hurry up mom you don't want me to be late for my first day.   This picture looks like she was either cold...or keeping her mother straight.

When I called and asked how it went...Izzy said "good".   Her mom said her favorite part was probably going to the gym...sounds like her mom for sure!  But I thought about her dad as well today.  Wishing he could have been here to take it all in as well...I didn't talk long as they were going to go out to dinner...meeting up with friends...

And in the blink of an eye I picture one little girl who was so tiny...rockybying her...playing paddy cake...and now she is going to preschool.   Oh I know kids do it all the time...but it is just another milestone...in which life as we once knew it will never be the same...and again I think about her mom...when going off to college and I a little teary (I know that is hard to believe) tells me well there isn't anything we can do about it.     And I think of how it is that John Wayne attitude that may have helped her out in some of what she has went through..."Just what the hell do you want me to do about it sister?"  attitude that says this is what happened...but life goes on...

And on it goes...with a little Doc McStuffin backpack and her favorite purple boots...it goes on...

(Pictures "borrowed" from Heather Sheridan)
lya

HOME...Happy Birthday Josh...

And New Year's...a time of reflection...a time as of today of lots of NEW LIFE here at the funny farm...but today I give thanks for family...and so thankful that a part of our family is HOME safe and sound.   Josh has returned HOME from Afghanistan to join his little bride...my niece...my brother's precious princess...

I do not hesitate in saying how many prayers were said for his safe return...and so this is a HAPPY NEW YEAR!   A blessing as I stop and think of HOME...a song I used for part of a wedding video for Josh and Bethany...and one of the songs was Home by Phillip Phillips...and part of the words say...(I know probably not one Josh would pick as his favorites...but one I love and makes me thankful for HOME and the smile his being home brings to my brother and family).

Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you're not alone

Cause I'm gonna make this place your HOME!

 

 

And I think of Josh and Bethany...seeing them recently though briefly...I loved seeing them together...ready to be HOME!    I put in a few of my favorite pics that were included with this song for their wedding video...ones that just make me smile that you are back HOME Josh!   I loved these pics of their engagement taken by Rene Tate Photography and can't believe the time that has passed...which what time does...

 

 

 



I love how they seem to be the only two in the world...

May you always love and protect this precious gift!

YES LOVE IS...

I have enjoyed getting to know Josh and look forward to knowing  him more...after all we do share a car...ha ha...OKAY...I will hush as I am learning...Josh is a man of few words...doesn't really I don't think like his picture taken...though he is very photogenic...so Bethany and I will work on that one...or at least humor us JOSH.   ANYWAY...so glad you are HOME and HAPPY BIRTHDAY and God Bless!

I did have fun on last year's birthday blog...putting wedding pictures to Whoa Black Betty...but much happier to have you HOME!!!   HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!   So I stick it in again!! :)   May you make many many more fun memories...

lyap