Graduation 2012

The Gift of Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.

For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown


On May 25, 2012 Miss Heidi Jo graduated from high school. We are SOOOO extremely proud of our girl! It's impossible for me to put into words how I feel.....impossible. If I had to simplify the mix of overwhelming and complex emotions that I am feeling I would have to sum it up as BLESSED!! So extremely BLESSED! 18 years ago, after MANY, MANY prayers and dreams and hopes of a child of our own, God blessed Tom and I with the most beautiful baby girl!! Since that day we have been blessed with extreme joy and love and laughter mixed with the blessing of some sorrow and tears and frustration....... The whole spectrum of emotions that go along with being parents...a mom and a dad. Graduation has a way of bringing all of these emotions bubbling to the forefront of our psyche. Of course, we will always and forever be parents. That role does not end with high school graduation. But, graduation is a milestone that makes us stop and think and ponder life. We ponder what is REALLY and TRULY important! It's our loved ones and friends. It's people! It's just another reminder on my path to drink in and savor the little things....the moments....the moments that God blesses us with everyday!

I put together a video with 243 pictures worth of memories along to music for Heidi's open house that took place on May 26th.  It's too long for me to post here, but here is just a smattering of the moments that I will forever hold in my heart. :)

How's that for a smattering? It is indeed just a wee smattering of all of the moments welled up in my heart! Blessed beyond measure!!!

Here is the Senior Page we put in Heidi's Senior yearbook:

Our Beautiful Girl

Along with the wide array of emotions I have already spoken about, my mind is also with Heidi's birthmom very often during this time. Bringing to the surface a whole other gamete of emotions! I know Heidi's birthmom is thinking of Heidi so very much right now. I hope that she has peace in her heart. I hope that God is filling her with complete peace. My wish and prayer is that somehow she can sense that all is well with our girl! Somehow God can let her know. I look at Heidi and I can see her birthmom. I look at Heidi and I can see me. We both have had an influence on who Heidi is today.

Congratulations my beautiful girl!!! Congratulation James!! We love you to the moon and back!

And, let's end the post with one final emotion....FUN! Is that an emotion?? I think it is. May we continue to savor the moments. Every last drop!

Love, Wendy

Perennial

Thank you Holly for correcting me. My new hydrangea is a perennial and not an annual! Meaning that it will come up year after year...hopefully! ;) I think I have that straight in my head now...maybe! lol!  I think I will transplat it outside early fall. What do ya think? Is that good timing to do that. Or should I do it now?? OR wait til spring? hmmmmm? The flowers are already not looking as healthy as they were at first. I will be patient with it though....very patient!

Love, Wendy

Bizarre.....

So, the kindergarten class that I work with gave me this gorgeous plant at the end of the school year!

Aren't they beautiful!!! They are hydrangeas! Yes, I've been educated. Did not know what hydrangeas were until I received these. I love them! Apparently they can be planted outdoors as well, where they come back every year. I think this is called an annual. lol ;)

So, there is nothing bizarre about these hydrangeas. The bizarre part came maybe a week or so later when I went to water the hydrangeas. I received the plant in the kindergarten classroom. I carried the plant straight from the classroom to my car and then straight from the car to the house. I did not pass Go and I did not collect $200. (ie..I did not set the plant anywhere else between the classroom and the car and between the car and the house). ;) I was giving the plant a good soaking when I noticed a small stone frog down in the plant on the soil. "Oh wow! look at this little stone frog in the plant. I didn't notice that before!" Well, just about then that "stone" frog took a big leap out of the water I was dousing the plant with. Bizarre! HOW did that frog get into the plant. The boys insist that they did not put him there. I checked! ;) It was one of those cool frogs with the suction cup feet. Just one of those things that make you scratch your head.

That happened a couple of weeks ago. Now, this morning. I was out planting a few things in my garden. YES, I KNOW I am so very far behind on that, but it's been a very busy spring for us! I only planted a few things. Was trying to talk myself into just not doing a garden this year because I am just so far behind on it, but I just HAD to plant a few things! I planted some tomatoes, cukes, zucchini, yellow squash...that's it. So, I bought one cherry tomato plant that I thought I could make three plants out of. It had three hardy stalks. It came in one of those cardboard containers. The kind that are designed to plant the container and all. Kind of like this....





The one I had was a bit bigger than these appear here. Anyway, so I soaked it really well so that the plant would come out nice and easy for me because as I said, I wanted to separate them. I was holding one hand under the pot and had my other hand on the plant trying to separate it and free it from the pot. Then my hand on the bottom of the pot noticed movement inside the pot! This startled me causing me to drop the pot on the ground. As the plant hit the ground the pot and dirt splattered open exposing the cause of the movement in the pot. You guessed it...a TOAD! A good sized TOAD buried inside the dirt of this pot, which I purchased at walmart a week ago!!

Ok, now that is BIZARRE!!!!

Two weird frog/toad stories in 2 weeks time....

BIZARRE!!!!

Love, Wendy





Senior Prom!

Yes, I am a bit behind I know. ;) Heidi and James went to their Senior Prom on April 28. It was an exciting and fun day for the whole family. As last year, family and friends are invited to "Grand March", where all of the couples are introduced. So much fun! :) Definitely right up Gracie's alley to see all of those beautiful gowns. Actually, it's right up Isaac's alley too. lol! He came away from it wanting a tux for himself!:)

Here they are....two of my most favorite people! :)

Pretty shoes and toes. :)

Updo!

Flowers.

After Prom....the theme of the prom was "carnival" thus the cotton candy. :) Love these two to the moon and back!!

Love, Wendy