Vacation Here We Come!

If I were to choose a destination for a summer vacation you probably wouldn't think I'd choose a hot, dusty campground in Northern California.  But I did!  And it was one of the best vacations I've ever had!  Why?  Because I was with the man I love, my three grown children and their spouses, and my ten grandchildren!!  With everyone so busy in their lives we very seldom get together for more than just an evening or a holiday.  So the time I got to spend with them was very precious!  

When our kids were growning up we always went to Lake Siskiyou near Mt. Shasta every summer for big family campouts.  Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, etc. came and joined us and through the years we we made so many happy memories together.  But as the kids got older and had families of their own we eventually stopped going. So this summer we all decided to go back and make some new memories with the grandkids that had never been there.  So we piled in our cars and off we drove down to California. 

After a long nine hour drive we all pitched our tents in a big dusty, group campsite. It had the familiar smell of fresh air and pine needles that brought back so many memories of long ago. And then we spent the week relaxing and just enjoying one another. 

We sat around the campfire and reminisced, we laughed, we played games, we swam, we laid in the hot sun, we hiked, we fished, we played beach volleyball, built sand castles with the little ones, and talked about the goodness of the Lord.  We just vegged out!  No time schedules, no TVs, no computers, no video games, no distractions - just each other!  And it was wonderful!! 

I am so very blessed to have such an awesome family that I love deeply and can share life with. And now another generation has come to Lake Siskiyou and made some wonderful camping memories of their own.

And so the tradition continues!

I loved it!

Cathy

Seahawks Fever

It's was a great day when my husband and I got to go to the Seahawk Camp as a guests of one of the players!  We were able to be right on the field and saw a day full of action and fun as well as free food and  lots of introductions to some of the many players!

Never thought I'd get this close to Russell Wilson and some of the other Seahawks but found out no matter how famous - most seemed like really nice guys!  Go Hawks!!  ~ Cathy

Days of Spring

Snuggles & Sleepovers

There is just something about having my grandkids over for a sleepover that puts the world right once more!  They make me smile!  They make my heart happy! I become a kid again, running around the yard playing Tag or Hide & Seek with them.  Watching them jump on the trampoline laughing makes me want to get up there and jump with them.  (Which I can't!)  We make forts out of blankets, we sing, we dance, we laugh and be silly! I love every minute of it! Finally, when they are all worn out we snuggle up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a bowl of popcorn and watch movies together. What fun we have on nights like this!

I love being with each and every one of my ten grandkids.  Now, grant it, the older ones don't want to play Hide & Seek anymore or snuggle up with "Grammy" on the couch - but it's still so fun hanging out with them and having that special time together whatever we do!

 I cherish each and every sleepover I get to have with these precious children and teenagers!  I know all too soon they will grow up and the sleepovers will end.  Humm . . . maybe someday I will  just have to do this with my great-grandchildren!  Oh my!  I will really be old then!

I love my grandkids!   ~ Cathy (a.k.a. "Grammy")

~ Like Rain Falling on the Sunshine ~

        I love Spring!   ~    Cathy

Just Breathe

    I took the day off today to  breathe.

Breathe in being just me and exhale the stress that has entwined itself around my mind.

         Unwind. Regroup. Relax.

 My body and mind needed it desperately.

If you know me well, you know I've been helping caregive my 93 year old father.  Just recently he was in the hospital with Congestive Heart Failure.  He's home now and doing better.  But going through this with him has taken a toll not only on my normal everyday life but on my heart, too.

I feel like I'm in the "Groundhog Day" movie;

getting up and doing the same thing over and over and over again, 

day after day after day.

I'm not complaining.

Really, I'm not.

The hours spent with my Dad are treasured and cherished.

But I'm feeling overwhelmed and sad, knowing his life,

his memory, and his heart will only continue to grow

more tired as time goes on.

So, I do what must be done.

Each morning I go over and give him his pills

I cook him meals, I clean his apartment, I do his laundry

I take him to doctor appointments and the many other little

things that need to be done for him each day.

Sometimes we go for drives

sometimes we walk around Costco

 (he likes to eat the samples) 

we've even gone to Starbucks and

sat and had coffee together.

Many times we just sit and talk.

Mostly he talks and I listen to the many stories of his past

that I've heard over and over again.

But I continue to listen.

 

 He is no longer the strong, invincible father of my childhood.

I am the strong one and he, the weak.
But he is still the most kind, gentle, and sweet father
he's always been.
(With just a touch of stubbornness thrown in!)

 

I will continue to do my part in making these twilight days

of his life as happy as I can because I know each day I have left with him

is a "GIFT".

  I just needed this day to breathe. 
 

Thank you, Lord.

Cathy

                                                                             

P.S.  What did I do today to unwind, regroup, relax?  Why . . . I wrote this blog! 

My Beautiful Sister ~

It's funny how so many memories come back to you once you loose someone you love.  Memories you hadn't thought about in years.  Memories that make you smile and sometimes laugh out loud. Memories that bring tears to your eyes with sadness yet happiness at having known and loved someone so special.  I have been living in those memories this past week as they've come rushing in waves as I've thought about my sister Linda. She recently lost her long and hard fought battle with Lupus and it's many complications. 

Linda was 10 years old when I was born and I grew up idolizing her like a little sister does. She was funny, kind, talented and beautiful.  She was everything I wanted to be like. When I was nine years old she got married and moved to California.  I missed her so much and every year our family would drive down to visit her. Many years later my mom told me that on those trips I would cry all the way home and make everyone else in the car miserable because I didn't want to leave her. Those separations lasted over the course of the next 49 years as we continued to live out of state from one another. Yet, we stayed connected and close in ways only sisters can.  There were many plane trips back and forth from Washington to California and eventually North Carolina where she moved. Our families went camping together, the two of us spent time in Hawaii together three different times exploring three different islands.  We took vacations together with our husbands . . . .  We tried hard to spend as much time as we could even though we lived apart.

It was amazing how much we were alike.  Both of us loved to eat! We both loved to shop, to explore, to read, to watch sappy movies, to lay on the beach and get dark tans.  We both loved history - especially Civil War history.  We once took a trip with our husbands to Virginia and Washington DC and explored all the Civil War battlefields and stayed in old Plantation B & B's.  What fun we had!  My last vacation to see her was about a year and half ago and even though by then she was in a wheel chair, we still got out and went to the beach, enjoyed the sunshine and ate our favorite meal - fish and chips with gobs of tarter sauce!  So many happy memories . . .

When we got the call from her husband a little over a week ago that she was back in the hospital and we might want to come see her - I didn't hesitate. But I never, ever thought I was going back to North Carolina see her die.  She had always bounced back no matter what she faced.  I just knew she would again - but this time . . . she didn't.  I am so thankful I got that one last day with her.  She knew I was there and we talked, held hands and shared love.  At one point she looked up and said, "Hobby Lobby" - one of our favorite stores.  We both smiled.

There was a season in Linda's life where she lost her faith.  She walked away from what she had been taught as a child.  My mom and family never stopped praying and years later she returned to her faith in God. A testament to the power of a praying mother.  A few hours before she died she started quoting the words to an old hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".  Her husband, her two daughters, my brother and myself gathered around her bed and started singing that old hymn.  It goes like this:

Precious Lord, take my hand
Lead me on,
Let me stand
I'm tired, I am weak, I am worn
Through the storm,

 Through the night
Lead me on to the light
Take my hand precious Lord, 

                                                                                                 Lead me home ~

Linda was tired, she was weak, and she was worn.  And I know the Lord did lead her home to Heaven where she is now well, blissfully happy, and in the presence of Jesus, surrounded by so many precious people she loves.  Someday I will see her again.  

Until then, my wonderful big sister ~ I will always hold you close to my heart.  

Cathy

Precious In His Sight

Many years ago I learned a little song in Sunday School that goes . . . . .

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world 
Red and yellow, black and white 
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world. 

These little ones are precious in His sight but they are very precious in my sight, as well.  They are my grandchildren. All ten of them!  They are my legacy. My joy.  My heart. As a grandmother, or "Grammy" as they call me - I desire the best for them, for a happy and good life, for a bright and wonderful future. But my most ardent prayer is they will always have tender hearts toward the Lord and live for Him always. They are such a blessing and gift to me and I am so grateful I get to share in their lives.

 Feeling blessed today!

Cathy

Winter is Here!

Christmas is over . . .  the New Year has just begun . . . and now as my days are finally beginning to slow down I am looking forward to enjoying this blessed season called Winter!  Even though it's long and seemingly never ending it is such a good time to reflect on the Lord and give Him my focus.  The holidays were absolutely wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of the hustle and bustle but now I'm excited for a slower pace of life as the new year, with all its endless possibilities is ushered in. It's time to refresh my soul with the goodness of the Lord.

Happy Winter everyone!

My Child

Today, I want you to know that I believe in you.

I believe
that you are a strong and courageous woman.
I believe

that you are a wonderful wife and mom.
I believe

that you are an amazing friend.
I believe

that you have a destiny and a purpose.

I believe
that you have the strength within you to accomplish all that you desire to do.

I believe
that those dreams in your heart will be realized.

I believe
that those whom you love and are praying for will be restored back to right relationship with Me, and with you.

I believe

that when you give your love away, you will receive more.

I believe

that when you feel weak, you will receive the grace to endure.

I believe

that you will run this race set before you, and that you will finish strong.

Do not lose heart. I believe in you my precious daughter!

 Love, Jesus

I found this on another blog and thought is was beautiful.  Hope it encourages you today like it did me ~

Cathy

Daddy's Girl

If you were to ask me growing up if I was a daddy's girl I would of said, "No, I am much closer to my mom."  My dad was strong, hard working, kind and very quiet.  But mom and I were the ones who always talked and shared hearts.  Even after I got married and had a family, when we all got together my husband and my dad would usually be off watching sports together while mom and I visited.  But all that changed about three years ago . . . . when my mom died.  That's when our relationship changed, as well.

My dad was 88 years old at the time.  He continued to live alone and did many things for himself but I found myself visiting him more often, bringing him meals, driving him to doctor visits, calling him every day, and just spending alot more time with him. Over the course of these past three years we have grown so close and I have gotten to know my dad so much more than I ever have.  The stories, the laughter, and the memories he's shared - what precious gifts they've been to me.  And now as time has passed . . . . in my eyes my dad is no longer just a good father and a quiet, private person - he's a big old wonderful teddy bear full of love.  Maybe he's always been like that and I just didn't take the time to see it.

Today is his 92nd birthday. I cannot express how much he means to me and how much I love him. I am so thankful I still have him in my life.  I can now honestly say, "I AM A DADDY'S GIRL!"

Happy Birthday Dad!  I love you very much!
Cathy

Goodby . . Hello . . .

Goodby my beautiful flower garden . . . . .

Hello  leaves of yellow, orange and red . . . . .

And pumpkins of all sizes and colors . . . . .

Goodby sipping lemonaide on lazy summer afternoons . . . . .

Hello drinking pumpkin spice lattes on sunny, crisp mornings . . . . .

Goodby cut-offs, sun dresses and flip flops . . . . .

Hello snuggly scarves . . . . .

And cute boots . . . . .

Goodby building sand castles at the beach . . . . .

Hello snuggling with a good book by a cozy fire . . . . .

And drinking hot apple cider . . . .

Goodby baseball . . . . .

 Hello football . . . .

Yes, it's goodby to Summer ~ and hello to Autumn!

It's been such a great summer but I am so excited for this new season that's just beginning!

Cathy

Sail Away . . . if only on a ferry!

"Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed

by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."

~ Mark Twain ~

 My husband and I  set out for adventure on a beautiful summer day!

The skyline of Seattle was beautiful!

The water sparkled like diamonds . . .

and Mount Rainier looked like a water color painted in the sky!

Someday maybe?

Lunch on the island

So many boats! Who owns them all??

The new ferris wheel on the waterfront!

What an fun day spent with the man I love. 

I couldn't of asked for a better adventure than that!

Cathy