Mother's Day weekend with COMPANY!!

Rawr!!

Gramma's morning selfie with Ella

I was absolutely DELIGHTED to find out that the oldest Mad-son and his lovely Sarah and of course that bundle of energy and joy, miss Ella, were coming for Mother's Day this year.  Mother's Day tends to be sort of a sad day for me lately.  Not that I can't get the MA to take me to breakfast or anything, but first of all my mom- as I have discussed is slowly slipping away from us, and second, it is just nice to have all your kiddos around.  At least the elusive Mike is here every year!  :)

Mad-oldest son, Jon, and I

So having another Oswald kid around is pretty awesome, not to mention the other parts of his family, including Mr. Mannington the dog!  We had an enjoyable weekend, and were treated to nice sunny weather.  It wasn't super warm, but at least it was not cloudy.

MIke, Jon, Sarah Grace and Ella

Uncle Mike giving either Ella or his mom the side eye for continued goofiness.  Jon knows to never break his photo smile!

I had the best time with little miss.  She was a hoot and a delight and as her mom said, Gramma had a shadow this weekend.  I held her every chance I got, and we played and smooched and hugged and she made a game of taking my glasses off and on and then I tickled and kissed her belly.  sigh.  It was so much fun.

Oh my heart is stolen

That is one big ole pancake!

I informed everyone that really the only thing I wanted for Mother's Day is breakfast out.  I did NOT want to make pancakes!!  And so we went!

Ella and Papa- you've notice by now that the tongue is a thing right now....

Carrying sticks around the yard 

And finding more sticks.... and pinecones.  

Water and a little tv

There could have been a little silliness going on at times

Ella gives my giant hand a gimme 5!

Always so sad to say goodbye.  But we will see her soon!

We certainly wish Greg and Sarah Jane and little Greggy could have been here, but their turn is coming up here very soon!  

It was such a fast weekend, but it was one to hold in my heart and treasure.  So nice to spend time with Jon and Sarah- even if we FaceTime every week, it is still the best to be face to face.  And of course having a Mikey sighting is pretty spectacular as well.

It was such a joyful weekend! 

Mother's Day 2014

Ah, Mother's Day again adjusts it meaning in my house.  In a new role besides a daughter-in-law, I also have a new mom in my family.  Another Grandchild has entered the clan and it is amazing and awesome.

I wanted to call my  mom and talk to her about this new baby boy.  She was such a strong supporter for me when I had my kids. She came up for at least 4 or 5 days each time a baby was born.  For the first one, it was nice to have a knowledgeable person in the house with me (no internet, kids!!) and then for the next two it was someone else to be able to hang out with the siblings.  Back then - and this was only about 30 years ago, there wasn't quite the culture of the dad  being involved in every aspect of the process.  And especially up here in the middle of the northwoods.  The MA was also deeply involved in building up his new business, and he worked then, as he does now- a lot.  So I do not hold any fault- the Grammas were the go to supply of babysitters, internet websites and emotional supporters.

But as most of you know, my mom can't really hold up much of a conversation that would involve discussing the past, or deep, emotional sharing that a new grandson and his new mom and dad  would warrant.  There would be so many comparisons that would need to be made,  and extrapolations that should be worked on, as my son was an active child to say the least and he was SO different from his older brother. And of course, as children are, his younger brother was SO different from them.  Anyway, it is better not to bring on the sadness about things that can't be and see her next weekend when I am in that area.  She does better when you see her.

Anyway, here are a few TBT type pix that I needed to post today.  Because new babies in the house make one more than a little sentimental and just because I am the mom and I can!

Hey, do you know how hard it is to find pictures of me with the kids???  I was always running the camera......  sigh

With baby Mike

My three boysies

Oh boy- this was a while ago

Oh he was a pill

Ella crosses her legs at the ankle like this

Very young Jon

Little Greggy

Gotta figure out how to call Grandma!

Card for Grandma

Flowers from the kids

It is lovely and sunny and I want to get a bike ride in later.  I hope you all have a fantastic Mother's Day, whether you are a mother or not!  And it will be a joy!

Mother's Day 2013 UPDATED

Wow what a difference a year makes!

The obvious difference is the weather, which just barely deserves mention.  I just looked back on my Mother's Day post from last year, and it was SO much different!  Green grass, leaves, flowers......  I just can't.

BUT of course a big old difference is the fact that I am now a new kind of mother- a Grandmother- like we don't all know that!  I just read a little post on facebook recently that said Grandma's are mothers with frosting-and sprinkles!  (I added the sprinkles part in my head right after that)  I spent a part of last night making some nice soft flannel burp towels for the little one, and those will go in the mail tomorrow.  FUN STUFF!  Just wait!  There'll be more!

Anyway, this adds a whole new twist to Mother's Day and how awesome is that!  I have found a few pix of my mom, it just seems right to put them up here.  The problem is that there are not a lot of them. I have a whole box of old pix upstairs that I hope to find (major reno of the upstairs stuff going on) and I plan to update this post when I find them!

I got a lovely little bouquet of flowers from Greg and SarahJane which was awesome, and I assume Mike will find his way over here at some point.  Jon and Sarah are a little busy, so they are excused!  :) I do plan to celebrate my day by hitting the gym later this morning and just generally lazing around a bit.  I have to get a walk in though, I avoided the cold yesterday, but it can't be skipped today!

I am sure my mother would not be thrilled with these pix!  HAHA- but it is just how I think of her.  I think she's beautiful

So, whatever your day is like, make sure you take some time for Mom.  If you are remembering her, visiting her, calling her......  indulge in a moment to embrace her in your own way.  Your mom helped form the person that you are- not all of it, some of it is your own fault- LOL- but you know what I mean. There are so many facets to being a parent, and whether you are one yet or not, there is something you can do to make the day special!  For yourself and for her.  If nothing else, in your own thoughts.

Until next time- be a joyous giver!  And someone bring me some warm weather again, huh???

Stay tuned for more photos!

Mom and dad on right with Grandma Oberley, and my aunt and uncle Audrey and Ralph- in Florida

Mom and Dad on their wedding day

Mom and dad with ME!  :)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Everyone either has a mom, used to have one, or is a mom, so I think it should be a day to celebrate!  Of course, as most of you know, I think life should be celebrated all the time, so this should not be a big shock to you.

I was thinking about how I was going to address this Mother's Day post and I kept thinking of my mom and my kids. They all have such a big place in my heart that I had to go with the duality of what Mother's Day is to me.

I wouldn't be a mom without my boys.  They are the center of my heart, my loves, my babies.  They have filled my life with joy.  And now they are bringing girls into my life, which is an additional pleasure. Sarah Grace and Sarah Jane are absolutely amazing.  I feel complete when they are here and I miss them when they are not.  

Of course, the Mom in my life is amazing too. I have always gotten along well with my mom. (Well, except for mornings from the age of 14 - 17, and then I pretty much hated everyone!)  Lol. I talked to her every week for many years!  From the time I went to college until recently, that was part of my weekend routine.  She was always there for me, she tried to counsel without being judgmental, pushy or bossy. She was supportive no matter what I did or said, she never intentionally made me feel guilty about anything and she gave me unconditional love.  I can only hope that I am a mom who my kids are comfortable talking to about anything and not feel like I am passing judgement on them.  I have tried not to interfere in their lives- of course there may be conflicting reports on that!  HA!  But I haven't really.  Of course, no relationship is perfect and I recognize that, but I am happy to say that my mom rocked.  I was loved.

Just like I talked about losing my dad last year, I am also losing my mom.  My mom has that nasty condition that is known as Alzheimers.  It is slowly taking away her memory, her life, her self.  She no longer lives at our family farm, we had to move her out a few years ago into a very nice place in the Milwaukee area.  We are fortunate that my brother lives very very close and can attend to her when needed.  She is traveling down the same path that my Grandma did after my Grandpa died.  Very sad indeed.  I can hardly bear to think about it, and can not without tears.

But this is not about regret or sorrow.  This post is about the joys of being a mom and being the child of a joyful person.  Which my mom was.  And what I hope to be!

My first love at first sight- Jonathon

My middle dynamo- Gregory

My Greggy, and my mom, Barbara

***the weird shiny brown spots are from me taking pictures of shiny pictures!

Life was interesting!

And then came my baby, Mikey

First day of Kindergarten!

Life was never dull

My mom at Jon's wedding

 I had a HARD time finding pix of myself with the boys. I was always behind the camera!

Trip to the circus- school event with Mikey!

"Little Debbie" and mom and dad

The "girls" with mom and dad

Loved child!

Mom and I

My babies all grown up

Partying with the kids- Go Brewers!!

The elusive Mike and his mom

One of my favorite pictures of them!

Jon and Sarah Grace

Greg and Sarah Jane 

My first girl!

 I wish I had more pictures of Aunt Doris.  Aunt Doris was Fred's aunt, his mother's sister and I adored her with my heart and soul.  She was my other mother and my friend.  I miss her deeply.  I am so lucky to have had her in my life.  She loved me and the feeling was mutual.

Aunt Doris- my other mother

Mother's Day today:

If I can't have my kids, at least someone else made breakfast!

The joy of a gorgeous Mother's Day day!  

I hope the elusive Mike shows up today!  I bet he will- I'll update with a pix of the two of us then.

Michael and me!

Until next time, have a wonderful day.  Talk to your mom, think about her, remember her the way you need to if she is gone.  That is the way to cherish her and she will feel it.  It will give you joy.

Happy Mother's Day everyone