COHEN

I love my little Cohen more then words can say.
I can't believe the pure joy she brings to my heart.
It is SO much fun being Her Grand Mother.
We have a special bond; I have to pinch myself,
I am truly blessed.

Thank you Jesus for life and the gift of my Cohen.

xo

Snow Falling

Waking in the morning to snow falling outside.
A beautiful soft white blanket covering the trees and ground.
Peaceful, quiet, enchanting morning.
xo

Plain and Simple

God created the Heavens and the Earth.
We are not humanly capable, or have the mental capacity to think beyond or before.
In the bible God asks us to have a "child like faith" or "the faith of a child".
After our lives end on earth and we meet Him, it is then we will be given the knowledge to our unanswered questions.

God loved his animals first. They never broke his heart. It was after He created man kind that His heart was broken. The hearts of men were corrupt, and evil doers became abundant on God's earth.
As difficult as it was God destroyed all of man kind, except Noah, whom God instructed how to survive a life ending flood.
With a broken heart, God said He would never destroy the entire earth with a flood again; and a new generation of man filled the earth.

Again, corruption and evil in the hearts of men.
God our Father did not want to destroy man kind again. Instead we were given another chance to live.
God sent His only begotten Son to earth in the form of a human man.
His name is Jesus Christ.
Jesus walked the earth spreading the good news of purity and love and kindness and all things and ways that were of God our Father, and a chance of eternal life with God.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
It became, the only way to our Father, is through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Only through Jesus can we get to our Father God.
Living a life in Christ Jesus. Having a pure heart, free of evil doings.
Following our Father God's Ten Commandments.
The more we become like Jesus, The closer to our Father we become.
When we know and love Jesus and we accept Him into our hearts; it becomes difficult to sin.
We become protected from evil and are drawn to the beautiful light that shines from Jesus.

As a last resort, and as HORRIBLE as it was;
Jesus loved man so much that He died for you and I.
When Jesus died, so did our sins.

Through Jesus, our Father God understands us, and "the only way to The Father is through Jesus Christ."

Our Father God rose Jesus from the dead.
He now sits on the right side of our Father God in "Heaven."
Jesus is the eternal light, and the way for eternal life for us.

You now can make your own choice, whether to live, or die:

It is plain and simple.
Acknowledge that you know Jesus walked the earth and died so you may live.
Ask Him to live in your heart; and have a heart like Jesus.
Ask Him to forgive you for your sins.
He will forgive you and your sins will be gone with the wind, and a new, pure you will be as white as snow.

In Jesus Christ, may you live.

xo

My Saturday Morning

Waking in the morning to a new Winter day.
Thanking God for a peaceful night and a fresh new day,
I have much to say:
My dreams are running wild and my thoughts are understood;
My love for Christ is over flowing and my life is feeling good.
Jesus gives me strength and new beginnings are in store;
Fear is gone no looking back there is a new world to explore!

So many dreams so many places I have yet to go;
Warm sunsets I have never seen and wonderlands of snow!

Thank you God for loving me and shining Your bright light;
I feel Your warmth all day long and in Your arms at night.

May God's grace be in our hearts with all we do and say;
I wish you peace and happiness and love in Christ this day.

xo

My Three Sons

I woke up this morning thinking about my three sons.
In category by age, they are Ryder, Vin, and Quinn.
Thinking about them makes me happy.
They are all three handsome, smart, hard working, honest, true, kind, considerate, happy, loving men.
I am truly blessed.
They make me smile when we are together, and I enjoy just hanging-out with them, talking and laughing.
It is great fun when all three of them are with me at the same time; it is a brotherhood affair and we always laugh our heads off!
I want to tell God and the world how much I love them and how truly special all three of them are to me.

P.S. I love my Kesha girl too, and thank God for her and my Cohey.
I feel like the luckiest mother on earth, and I feel like reflecting on the beautiful gifts God has given me.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Frosty!

Jack Frost visited Salem last night while we were sleeping. I wanted to thank him for creating the beautiful frosty wonderland outside, but I have yet to catch him in the act!

I enjoy snow falling from the sky on Winter days. Christmas day seemed enchanting having the snow falling outside! Although it did not stick to the ground it was Sooo pretty and soft.
Last week believe it or not snow fell on Baghdad, Iraq!!!! I saw it on the news either Thursday or Friday. Many of the people who live there had never seen snow before in their life. The reporter telling the story said there was zero violence on that day.
There is something so very peaceful about soft snow flakes falling from the sky. Almost magical.
I am sure the people who live in States that get dumped with TONS of snow every Winter would disagree. But I am talking about the soft, mild snow that falls gently like rain in places that rarely get to experience it.

I wish for everyone reading this post; soft snowflakes, a heart capable of love and forgiveness, and peace and joy in life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
xo

Thankful for my Beautiful Family and Friends

I am just feeling like I want to write "how thankful I am to have such a loving, caring family.
I had a difficult day yesterday, to put it mildly; I found comfort in a special friend who was there when I needed someone to talk to more then ever! My family also gave full support.

God's blessings to You!xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

For My Friend Bruce Thomas

Bruce,
Thank you for sharing that the loss of Dan Fogelberg took you by surprise too.
We not only share the love of our beautiful grand-daughter Cohen; but also a love for the same kind of music.
Here are the lyrics of another great story telling song by Dan that I thought you might enjoy:

Lessons Learned

You
With the past at your back
And the future unsure
Asked for the chance to try love once more
Well aware of the consequences should the dream fall through
You threw down your last defenses wanting to find something new

You found me
In a sea of confusion drifting with the tide
Living
On love that had long since died

But every time that our eyes meet, baby
I feel more alive
And I'm reminded how much you've made me
Believe in the love that survives

Lessons learned are like bridges burned
You only need to cross them but once
Is the knowledge gained
worth the price of the pain
Is the spoil worth the cost of the hunt?

Borne
On the first warm winds of feeling newly found
Fly
But remember don't look down
Take as much as you think you ought to
Give as much as you can
Don't forget what your failures taught you
Or else you'll learn them all over again

Lessons learned are like bridges burned
You only need to cross them but once

God bless you Bruce!
xo

Rain and Peace

Today was very peaceful while the rain came down in buckets keeping me company.
I enjoyed working on several projects inside and just being alone "thinking".
I'm the type of person who needs solitude from time to time to gather my thoughts, and when I can't find it, I'm unhappy and will do what ever it takes to have it!
Today it was much needed and the rain falling was the only sound I wanted to hear.

Thank you Father Creator for the rain. It is a blessing and a gift.
xo

Happy Birthday to a Special Man

It was New Years Eve. I was at Alessandro's greeting guests at the front door. It was a cold crisp night and every time someone opened the door from outside a bit of the night air came in to remind us.
I looked up, and there he was. Looking more then handsome, wearing a long cashmere wool chocolate/truffle brown coat. Eyes bright and shining with a beautiful smile to match wishing me a "happy New Year".
My heart missed a beat as I gasped at how wonderful he looked, and how enthusiastic he was as he shared an article in an art magazine with me.
The man was no other then my special friend and boss, Roger Yost.

Roger has a birthday on January 6. Although he is a little bit older then me, one would never no it as his youthful spirit is never ending and he seems to get younger with each birthday!

If you have never had the pleasure of meeting him and sharing a conversation, I can tell you he is one of the most opened minded individuals I have ever known! His passion for art is more fun then I can explain and his sharp sense of business is amazing! He can put on a suit and fit right into the corporate world; and I have also experienced him rolling up his sleeves and enjoying the outdoors and plants.

Sometimes you meet people and they remind you of, or act like someone else you know; and although he does remind me of a couple of famous movie stars, I can truly say "there is only one Roger Yost"!

I know God lead my path to his, and I have learned a wealth of knowledge from my friend, my boss, Roger.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE SPECIAL MAN I HAVE GROWN TO KNOW AND LOVE.
May God continue to bless you in this year of new beginnings.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

A Day for a Hike

It is beautiful and clear outside right now! The sun is shining and I see blue sky!
Our Creator loves us and He knows our thoughts.
I love the rain, but will admit, I thought it would be nice to have a bit of a break.
Here it is!!!
And I am off to go hiking in the woods.

God bless,
oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Dan Fogelberg

I have been wanting to write about a man I never knew personally; but loved and enjoyed through his music. Dan Fogelberg.
I was one of his best fans in the 80's and sang a lot of his songs to my children.
He has a soft, kind beautiful voice that touches a person's heart;
a bit like my son-in-law Vin Thomas.

Every Christmas I would look forward to hearing my favorite Christmas song by Dan on the radio,
"Same Old Lang Syne".

Met my old love at the grocery store. The snow was falling Christmas Eve. I stole behind her in the frozen foods and I touched her arm and sleeve. She didn't recognize the face at first, but then her eyes flew open wide; she went to hug me and she spilled her purse and we laughed until we cried.
We took her groceries to the check out stand, the food was totalled up and bagged, we stood there lost in our embarrassment as the conversation dragged.
We went to have ourselves a drink or two, but couldn't find an open bar. We bought a six-pack at the liquor store and we drank it in her car.
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now, and tried to reach beyond the emptiness, but neither one knew how.
She said she married her an architect who kept her warm and safe and dry. She said she'd like to say she loved the man but she didn't like to lie.
I said the years had been a friend to her, and that her eyes were still as blue. But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude.
She said she saw me in the record stores and that I must be doing well. I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell.

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time; reliving in our eloquence another 'auld lang syne'.......The beer was empty and our tongues were tired and running out of things to say. She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away.
Just for a moment I was back in school and felt that old familiar pain, and as I turned to make my way back home, the snow turned into rain~

Out Christmas shopping one evening I heard that song and cried a bit. I can see my own life in the words. I thought about what a beautiful story teller Dan was and wondered what it would be like to hang-out with him and be his friend. I wondered if he knew Jesus?

When I got home just in time to turn on the news the first thing I heard was that Dan Fogelberg had passed away. I was in shock and just couldn't believe how my thoughts had just been of him and now he was no longer on earth.
I prayed for him. I begged that he was a Christ follower and that his soul would be with God.
I cried and felt sad.
I went to my computer and found his web site; he was a man of God. He knew and loved Jesus.

I will look forward to meeting the man I loved but never knew in heaven one day. I look forward to sitting beside him and talking to him; I will have a chance to tell him how much I enjoyed his music and how it touched my heart.

Through his music he will continue to live on earth and in my heart.
God's peace and love to Dan.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo