Fun in the Empty Nest

Precious Husband and I started married life with five kiddos leaving very little time for just the two of us.  Fast-forward over 26 years and we are now empty nesters.

As a Titus 2 woman my goal is to show our daughters by example how to always keep their husbands number one in priority.  Both our girls have their hands full with their children to be sure but what I want them to know is that this is just a season in their life.  Children grow up quickly and leave the nest and hopefully as wives we have built a strong healthy relationship with our mate that will continue to grow in the empty nest.  God comes first in our life as a Christian woman but then our husband followed by our children.

If you know me you know that I really, really, really love dishes.  I think it will be fun to show off some of my thrifted finds in future blogs.  Precious Husband always smiles when I come home with a treasure cause he knows I will have fun putting it to use or finding a special place for it.  Now that it is just the two of us for meals I have fun setting the table with my thrifted treasures.  Mix and match, seasonal, whatever works and whatever the mood.

My big challenge -- finding room for my fun finds.  My good motherly advice -- put husband first and maybe even serve him on a special plate -- the kids will smile.

Mom's Day Off

No time for blogging today cause I'm out the door to be with my grandkids.   I am giving our daughter a day without little ones so she can do some things for herself -- grocery shopping on the list.  Does a mom ever really have a day off?  I don't think so.  I know I will have fun -- hoping Danielle has enough time for a little fun too.

Little Surprises!

 

I often tell my precious husband that it doesn't take much to make me smile.  This little Johnny Jump Up came up between the rocks on the side of our waterfall last year all by itself.  It was picture perfect for sure.  I get so excited about finding a special surprise like this.  When I found this little smiley face I thought of Psalm 40:2.  Do tell, what makes you smile?  

A Blessing in Our Home

"Aunt Jo" as she was affectionately called by all that knew and loved her moved into our home a year ago this week.  She remained with us till she went to be with her Lord and Savior 8 months later a week short of her 98th birthday.

My precious husband knew how much I loved Aunt Jo and when the time came that she could no longer live alone he convinced Aunt Jo and me that it was time she called our home her home too.

I met Aunt Jo 36 years ago when the Lord brought me to Arizona from California to work at Sunshine Acres Children's Home.  With a 2 year old in tow I was hired to help the nurse in the little infirmary.  Aunt Jo was the nurse that mended little skinned knees and smothered cheeks with kisses all the time telling them about Jesus.  She became a second mother to me.

Aunt Jo blessed my precious husband and me with her presence in our home and we miss her but praise God for our time together.  She touched many lives in amazing ways and I praise God for being one of those lives.  She lived out the commandment of Titus 2:3-5

Still God's Best Advice

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. That commandment, that wisdom, that Godly advice is found in the Proverbs. It is what God spoke to my heart when I was a young woman of 22, living again in my parents home and never married. It was God's commandment to my heart as He gave me a red-headed baby boy to raise as my own. Wow, did I have lots of doubts and questions but what amazing advice He gave me that filled my heart with faith to believe.

All Because . . .

All because two people fell in love -- that's what the board says in the middle of our picture gallery in the dining room. The various pictures are of our seven grandchildren and other members of the family.

As a single person God put it on my heart to adopt my children. Long story short is that He gave me two boys and then He brought a husband and father to us and 3 more children. So that is how I came to have five children born of love not blood. Jason is our oldest, followed in age by another Jason, then Anthony, and then two daughters, Michelle and Danielle the youngest.

Michelle and her husband, Dallas have 3 children and live in Kentucky. Danielle and her husband, Robert have blessed us with 4 children and live in Phoenix.

All that because two people fell in love and proving once again God gives us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him and put our trust in Him no matter how things look.

Trust in the Lord and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Mémère

When we married and talked of grandchildren I told my precious husband I couldn't wait to be a "grandma".  "But you married a Frenchman and will be a “mémère" (pronounced mem-may) my precious husband responded.

26 years and 7 grandchildren later I can truly say, "mémère" is the most beautiful word that has come from any of their little lips!

Truly God has given me the desires of my heart and I never for a minute want to forget His amazing blessings -- especially 7 of them that call me "mémère"!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Happy Birthday Honey! Guess I will use my precious husband's birthday as my entrance into blogland. This is something I have contemplated for a while and sometimes you just have to close your eyes and do it. So here goes . . .