My visit to PA included celebrating the FIRST birthday of my FIRST grandson, Tucker! His birthday is actually TODAY so in his honor, I made this photo mosaic. His mom and dad hosted a cookout birthday party on Sunday, May 24. Just like their own wedding day, the weather held out until the very end of the festivities....then strong gusting wind and downpours of rain!

This is Tucker Patrick Devine, and family, celebrating his FIRST birthday. :)

Included in this mosaic is Tucker's mom, Emily, in the green shirt (and pregnant with little boy #2). Tucker's dad, (my son) Tim, in the orange and white striped shirt and ball cap. And in the bottom center photo is my sister, Kay, her husband, Al, and "tuckered out" Tucker is resting his head on the shoulder of my niece, Molly.

Happy Memorial Day! I am spending a few days relaxing with family in PA.

Today I attended our small community's Memorial Day Service. It was meaningful and allowed for time to reflect on the many acts of sacrificial service our military has given throughout our country's history. My own father, who is now 93 years old, served during WWII in the Pacific Theater Operations. I have two sons who served in the military as well. Navy and Air Force. Today was a day to honor the many veterans of our country. I have always loved seeing the many cemeteries in our country that are adorned with flowers and flags to commemorate our veterans and honor loved ones. The above photo was taken in Darien, CT at the Spring Grove Cemetery.

As the second photo indicates, I am thoroughly enjoying the relaxing country air in my hometown of the village of Beaver Springs, PA. At this moment, I am sitting on my sister's front porch watching a baseball game which is being played on the local middle school ball field. (across from her home). Life is good :)

See you in CT on Wednesday!

Good morning bloggers! Here's hoping that everyone has a great day and good week ahead.

I am looking forward to a week of vacation from work BUT FIRST I have this coming week of work to ENJOY. I will be training a new nanny this week! The new nanny will be going along with us to spend the summer in Maine. She will be one of the summer nannies who will be providing child care for the younger children of staff members at camp. For the next three weeks, though, she will be working with the children here in CT. The "new girl" has previously babysat on occasions through the past winter so at least the children will be comfortable with her. (hoping that they won't be inclined to go through that "show off" / testing period that often goes along with meeting new sitters)

Back to my impending vacation! I will have the next TWO weekends off work and the entire work week in between! 9 days! YIPPEE!

My plans are to:

• enjoy a leisurely Saturday, including my weekly Bible Study at the mall, then
• leave early Sunday morning for a few days visit in PA.
• PA plans include visiting with former "church friends and family" at the local restaurant in Beaver Springs,
• lunch with my sister and her family (a new boyfriend for my niece, I hear!),
• then celebrating the FIRST birthday of my grandson.....all that on Sunday!
  

Monday is Memorial Day and I will

• visit local cemeteries and honor our veterans by attending the local Memorial Day Service. I am SO looking forward to spending time with my daughter, as well. I don't know her schedule yet, but I'm hoping to visit with her on Sunday AND Monday! (I DO know that she has off work on Monday).

Tuesday morning I have scheduled

• a 'check-up' for my van at a local auto repair shop and I am SURE that the morning will include
• breakfast out with my mom! I also hope to squeeze in a trip to State College to
• visit my daughter at her new (to me) place of employment,
• take her out for lunch or dinner and
• do a bit of shopping.

In between all that, I want to visit with my parents, who I haven't seen since last September. My dad is 93 and my mom 89 so every visit is important and appreciated. OF COURSE, I will be popping in and out of my son's home to cuddle with my grandson! A one-year old is so fun...I hope to enjoy some 'play time' with him! Maybe a walk to a nearby park will be included in my visit.

Any time I have a break from work, I also like to spend some carefree days back in my own home in CT. This vacation, I am hoping for SUN so I can relax on the beach! (most likely I will relax on the beach even without sun!) I also love the library so I will not worry even if it does rain! Saturday, May 30, I will be attending my weekly Bible Study in the mall, followed by a baptism service at a nearby river! Friends who attend the Bible Study will host the baptism at their home, which conveniently borders the Housatonic River and park! We will follow the baptism with a picnic. I'm really looking forward to Saturday, May 30! Rounding out my vacation will be my church's annual "Unstructured Service". This service is open to anyone who would care to contribute what God has laid on their heart. Music, testimonies and praise fill this service, so I will enjoy that visit to "Calvary Baptist" one last time before my summer in Maine.

That about sums up my coming plans....like I said, I have to enjoy THIS week first! And now....it is time for me to prepare for my work day!

Wishing you all God's very BEST for this day!

Another wonderful day! I worked from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

My work day consisted of:

• attending a Mother's Day Tea (brief musical program by 2, 3 and 4 year olds) and refreshments in their classrooms,
• lunch...of leftover beef vegetable soup served over rice....which was actually fairly well received by the children :)
• nap-time for the youngest and 'quiet-time' for the 4 year old.
• By 2:15 we headed out the door to pick up the 5 year old at her school and then due to an imposing thunderstorm and rain,
• we headed to the library for an hour or so. We had a lovely time at the library since I toted along some drawing paper, stencils,'writing' tablet and assorted pencils. The girls really enjoyed finding a table in the "Children's Section" of the library and doing, what they called "homework"! (Just wait until they are FORCED to do the real thing!! Wonder how that will go?) The 2 year old played very nicely with the many puzzles at the library as well as a car that he carried with him into the library. The older children selected a few new books to check out and
• then off we went to the family's church's public supper that is held every Thursday night. We have been attending this supper since the beginning of Lent and the kids seem to enjoy it....and I don't have to cook!! Tonight's meal was very good; pork loin, macaroni and cheese and fresh cooked green beans. Always on the menu are chicken nuggets for the kids and a really nice buffet of assorted fruit and light desserts. My work day ended at 6 p.m. with 'mom' taking the children home from the supper. Of course, in between all that 'scheduled' activity of the day, my responsibilities include all the normal household tasks that any 'stay-at-home' mom would be doing during the day. You know the saying, "my work is never done"!

Following the afternoon thunderstorm, the evening turned out to be quite nice so I decided that a walk at the beach and some scavenging for 'sea glass' would be therapeutic! After about 40 minutes of combing the beach, I ended up with a large handful of nice sea glass! I spent much of my time praying as I combed the beach so the time was well spent and very relaxing!

As I sat in my car for a few moments before I left the beach I noted how still and calm the water of the Long Island Sound looked. I had to get out and snap a photo! (in the distance, even on this somewhat hazy evening, you can see Long Island in the distance!)

It's times like this evening....of sheer quiet, peace and joy....when I wish that a photo could capture the heart and emotions of a moment. Even though, I'll share the photo with you and assure you that the evening was one of intimacy with God and experiencing the fullness of Him. I pray that you, too, would experience God-filled days and know His joy and peace like only He can give!

Wow.....how quickly the days fly by! "May Day" has past and we are already approaching Mother's Day!

Today I was invited to attend a "Mother's Day Tea" that is held annually at the pre-school where my charges attend. I have gone to this event for the past two years and it is always nice. I recall that the first year I attended, my employer ('mom') was not able to attend as she had just given birth to the third child in the family! I can hardly believe that this little guy will turn TWO years old this Saturday!

Rain is forecasted once again for this day and already the roads are wet. Though wet weather might keep us from an afternoon of outdoor fun at a local playground, I will not let it dampen our spirits! I am praying for a wonderful day filled with God's Love and all the 'fruit of the Spirit' that He will bring forth from me! Lately, I've been in need of PATIENCE!

Hoping you all have a glorious day!