~FEASTING ON AUTHENTIC PARIS BREAD~

Last Monday I celebrated another birthday with my family and friends.

I just LOVE LIFE...don't you?

 I sometimes dreaded my December birthday when I was a little child because someone was always gifting me with a 

Happy Birthday/Merry Christmas Present 

 and I just hated it...I was SURE I was being cheated out of something!!!  I suppose when you are little kid the grateful gift-giving & receiving spirit hasn't kicked in quite yet and I don't even like thinking today about how I might have behaved back then.

 These days I'm just happy to be remembered at all during what I know is one of the most busy, hectic and costly times of the year.

 Usually we dine in the evening with our children but this year my Mr. AGPMan and I enjoyed breakfast with our daughter and then spent our lunchtime  with our son and daughter-in-love. They are all sooo generous and never fail to bless me year after year.  I received wonderful, personal gifts and will enjoy each of them...  There is NOTHING quite as satisfying to me than my relationship with my two grown children and I love it that we all enjoy peace and laughter when we are together.

One amazing thing didn't come until yesterday because it was coming from far, far away!  My daughter knows how much I love all things French and couldn't resist a little extra gift for her momma.

 She ordered me a HUGE LOAF of French Bread from the Poilâne Bakery in Paris, France, and I was totally speechless when it arrived.  She ordered it on the 12th and it was baked this past Wednesday morning and shipped to America OVERNIGHT and I received it yesterday mid-day...

Now...I've had Americanized French Bread lots of times in my life.  But NEVER have I had French Bread baked in Paris, France, and then eaten it the next day.  It is WONDERFUL.  The loaf is huge and there is more than enough for several meals...

I know for certain the bread isn't expensive, but the shipping can be!  I'm thinking that next year I may order several loaves myself and combine the shipping to save money via the International Post!

My exercise bike is already calling out my name.  That's OK though!!!  The bread is soooo worth a few more minutes of stationary pedaling!  (Thank you, Adrienne & Brandon!)

Tomorrow I'll be signing off for the year.  Christmas is only a few days away and I want to spend as much time with my family as possible...

Blessings as we await the miracle of Christmas Day.

Love to you...

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY #10 TO MY MISS K~

Ten years ago my life changed forever.  On November 13, 2002 my oldest child became a daddy and I became a Nana.  I didn't realize it then, but our Miss K coming into the world would ultimately change everything I ever believed about Grand-parenting and my capacity to love...

Our Miss K means more to me than any other little girl in the whole-wide-world..

 She makes me laugh and cry and gives me so much love...

She has blessed me from day one...

There is nothing I wouldn't do for her...

Happy Birthday #10 to my beautiful, beautiful grandgirl, Miss K.  Seems like just yesterday you were born...  Where have the years gone?

God has GREAT THINGS in store for you...  I can't wait to see just where His blessings lead you.

I love you most and I'm so very proud of you!

Love, Nana

~~*~~

Blessings as you celebrate life with those you love.

Love to you...

~TRAIN UP A CHILD~

 How can it be that today my oldest child turns thirty?

I should still be thirty...

(At least no more than thirty-five...)

The years have sped by

And in it's wake a lifetime of memories

Have been formed.

 Every once in a while in my son's

~running-everywhere-childhood~

I'd see him slow down and get quiet...

And I'd catch a glimpse

Of the man I knew

One day he'd become...

When the time came for him to spread his wings

I was totally unprepared for his flight.

It came too fast...

Too soon.

Fly away he did...

 I've heard it said that if you love someone

You must let them go.

If they return to you

They will be yours forever...

If not they never were.

 Today I'm grateful for the courage it took to let go.

For in doing so the tiny baby

That turned into a little boy,

Who evolved into a man

Returned to me...

 Amazing human being!

Loving husband to Sarah...

Incredible daddy to Miss K...

Trusting brother of Adrienne

Beautiful son of Steven and Rebecca...

"Happy Birthday, Brandon Kent.  You bless me.  You bless our family.

Love you most~~xo Mom"

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

(Proverbs 22:6 KJV)

~~*~~

Blessings as you celebrate LIFE with those you love...

 

~ANOTHER YEAR OLDER...Still Feeling Fabulous~

(JUST A QUICK NOTE!  MY DECEMBER GIVEAWAY ENDS TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!  DON'T FORGET TO ENTER HERE!  SOMEBODY IS GOING TO WIN!!!!)

 

~December 17, 1958~

(About to Misbehave)

I feel like I just did the post about turning 51 and now I'm turning 52.  EEEK!  This year sped by fast!

I actually celebrated my birthday last week and enjoyed a sweet night out with my little family.  We dined at a fabulous Oklahoma City restaurant called Deep Fork Grill (Yummo!) and I loved every bite of my Chicken Parmesan. :)

1965

(Misbehavin')

Today I'm lunching with my beautiful daughter, Adrienne, and my sweet Momma at one of our favorite eateries!  I'll be winding down my website offerings this weekend and so I'm really looking forward to a night out alone with my hubster!

 2010

(Still Misbehavin')

Today I'm grateful that I've reached a time in my life when I'm truly content with where I am.  I'm thankful for the blessings of God and for the incredible love of family and friends!  I wouldn't trade where I am this very moment for anything in the world.

Thank you, God!

Help me celebrate, won't you?

EAT CAKE!

(the really fattening kind)

Love to you...

~CELEBRATING ADRIENNE...Happy Birthday To You~

 

~OUR NEW BABY GIRL~

(Scrapbook Memories)

Dear Adrie Girl~

Twenty-six years ago today your daddy drove me to the hospital and at 9:34 in the morning you were born.  Expecting to have baby boy #2 (which would have been just fine!) we were totally unprepared when we were told the baby I had carried for nine long months was a girl!  We didn't have a girl name chosen and only had a handful of baby girl clothes (which were gifted to us just in case!).  It honestly took us six days to agree on a name for you...

 

 ~FRIENDS FOREVER~

(Meeting You For The First Time)

I can remember saying the name "Adrienne" over and over and over out loud!  Your daddy loved it, but it seemed like such a BIG name and you were such a tiny baby!  How glad I am we finally chose it for you though...  It was meant for you~

~BABY DEDICATION DAY~

(You Are Now The Age I Was Here!)

I've loved watching you grow up!  I loved every single part of your childhood and was so proud when you started school...

 

 ~GOING TO KINDERGARTEN~

(Sweet and Petite)

~STARTING FIRST GRADE~

(So Shy and Quiet)

I loved making your clothes for you...

~BEGINNING OF THIRD GRADE~

(Coming Out of Your Shell)

Seems like it was yesterday you waved good-bye to me as you walked into your kindergarten classroom hand in hand with big brother, Brandon.

Then one day you were going to your Senior Prom...

~SENIOR PROM~

 (The Most Precious Girl)

And graduating from High School...  And then life around your childhood home was never quite the same.

~CLASS OF 2003~

(You've Made Us Proud!)

Once you graduated and started college you met the love of your life and in just a matter of time you married your beloved...

 

~ADRIE and MICAH~

(Running Here and Running There!)

~WEDDING DAY 2007~

(Beautiful Inside and Out!)

You looked stunning on your wedding day and will always be the most beautiful bride I have ever, ever seen...

~STILL LOVELY~

And will always remain the most beautiful daughter I could have ever hoped to have.

Thank you for your deep rooted faith in the Most High and for the grace and love you show to those around you.  Thank you for honoring us as your parents and for all the joy you have brought into our lives since the day God first placed you in our arms...

I pray today for God's peace to wash over you and that this will be one of your happiest and most blessed birthdays ever.

I'm so glad we are friends~

Love you most...Mom

Blessings to you as you celebrate the lives of those you love...

~FREE GRAPHICS - YOU BLESS ME and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES~

~THANK YOU SO MUCH~

The past two days I've been face deep in my studio working on restocking my suffering website and finishing up special orders for Fall Harvest Pillows.  I've so wanted to visit you all and have especially wanted to stop by and say a big personal THANK YOU to those of you who left a comment on my last Post.  I haven't made it back to very many of you but I PROMISE I will.  I've just had a super-busy week so far and haven't had much quality blog-time (did I just say that?)...

In the meantime I want you to know that your kind words of encouragement blessed me and my guy in the most profound way.  Thank you, thank you again!  I'll be sure to keep you updated on how things are going as we prepare for his schooling to begin.

~A COUPLE FREE GRAPHICS FOR YOU~

~NOTHING SCARY HERE!~

Today and tomorrow I'll be sharing with you several sweet Fall-time graphics that I hope will work for you in your Autumn decor.  I've altered a few of them which is always so much fun!  The two vintage graphics above have been cleaned up and a border has been added.  Hopefully you can use them for something!  Come back in the morning to see even more.

Something else for today...

~WITH MY SISTERS~

Jenny & Linda 1996-1997

My big sister, Linda (whose given name is actually FAITH...it's a long story!) is celebrating another birthday today!  She is healing up from her accident from a couple months ago and we are still so thankful she wasn't killed.  The three of us girls don't have very many pics of us together as children (even less taken with our Bro!) and the ones of us as young adults I think I've already shared (visit my post from last year to see LOTS of pictures!).  I did however find this one!  I think it was taken around 1996 or 1997!  I can KINDA tell by my BIG HAIR and the furniture in the background (long before romantic cottage decor!). :) :)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SISTER OF MINE!  MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH ALL THINGS GOOD AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE AND ALL YOU MEAN TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

I LOVE YOU~BECK"

Thank you again for your kindness and well wishes for my Mr. AGPMan and for sharing your heart with mine.

Have a wonderful, blessed day!

Love to you~

~A LITTLE RED NURSE'S KIT and a Handful of Nuns~

~LAST YEAR~

An Open Letter To My Father

Dear Daddy...

I have so much to say...but, where does the heart of this 'middle girl' of yours begin? I have a lifetime of memories of you and yet today, your 80th birthday, they seem totally unwilling to emerge from the safety of their hiding place. To make sure I never lose them I've tucked them away, far from the savagery of the beast who has taken up residency in your mind. That monster has taken enough from me....taken enough from all of us.

You were 28 years old when I was born and from as far back as my mind can travel you were there for me. During the wee hours this morning I tried my best to recall my earliest memory of you, and even though I was a bit afraid I'd get it wrong, I figured in the end it wouldn't matter. You've been there for me since the beginning of my life. That is the one constant that has never changed.

I was only four years old when I first heard the sound of your familiar footsteps walking down the long corridor of L.A.'s Queen of the Valley Hospital. You were coming to visit your very, very sick daughter. By your account, I was trying desperately to fight off an issue of blood that had invaded my fragile body. My face, as you told it, was whiter than the cotton sheeting stretched across the mattress of my child-sized crib. Every evening when you clocked out from work you'd come spend time with me. How I longed to see your smile and hear the comfort that came from your deep, soothing voice. It's sweetness lulled me to sleep on many of those fright-filled nights. You promised me you would come and you did.

~BETTER DAYS~ 

You told me stories and stayed close by my side when the nurses strolled in wearing those funny shaped hats while pushing silvery carts piled high with cotton, needles and shiny glass vials. I counted on your gentle presence to remind me I was never alone and to not be afraid. You'd fluff my pillow and bathe my brow with soft, cool cloths. You covered me with warm blankets and combed my mousy brown hair. You'd pat my tiny hand and say what you'd always say~ "Daddy is here Becky Sue! Daddy is here!"

You were very good at bribing me and promised to bring me my own nurse's bag if I tried my best to get well. One Sunday morning (I know it was a Sunday because you were in a suit and tie) you brought to me a little red medical bag, complete with plastic syringe and stethoscope (and tiny candy pills that I wasn't allowed to eat). It was your gift to me, a present to encourage me to grow stronger. I practiced my 'nursing skills' on you and gave you lots and lots of pretend shots...

I think it might have been around that time you started referring to me as "Your (My) Becky", but I can't be for certain. But, I like to think so.

I remember the day when you and Mom got the news I was well enough to go home. The Catholic Nuns (always prayerful, reverent and kind) danced around the sides of my bed, arms outstretched to the heavens, singing "It's a Miracle! It's a Miracle!" And it was. God had found favor and showed His mercy and healed me.

No doubt because of your earnest, consistent prayers.

Today it will be me that will walk down the long corridor of the nursing center, the place you now call home. I promised you I would come and I've kept my word. I will fluff your pillow and bathe your aging brow with a soft, cool cloth. I will cover you with blankets and comb your ever thinning hair. I will bring my guitar and sing to you sweet little songs from my childhood... I will pat your hand and say "Becky Sue is here, Daddy! Becky Sue is here!"

What I wouldn't give for a little red nurse's kit and a couple of those faithful Catholic Nuns! Maybe combined with the earnest, consistent prayers you taught me to pray, God might again find favor, show His mercy...and heal you.

For today, this will be all I ask of the Most High.

Happy Birthday, beloved Father of mine. You are my hero.

Your Adoring Daughter, Becky Sue

~LOVE GROWS WHERE HER BABY BOY GOES.~

~THE SWEETEST BOY~

This Side of Heaven
and His Very YOUNG Momma
1982

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Rebecca.

She longed for nothing more than to grow up and marry a very handsome man and have two babies.

In 1978 she married her Prince Charming.

In 1982 her first little baby, a beautiful boy, was born.

She named him Brandon Kent.

Brandon and his mother were very, very close.

He was her miracle child.

Life was good and he was a wonderful little boy...

And gave his mother so much happiness and love.

But, Brandon began to grow and grow.

As the years passed he grew older and wiser.

After many years of living in her nest he said...

"Momma...I must spread my wings. I need to make my own way."

Rebecca cried and cried.

~SUCH A WONDERFUL MAN~
and His Aging Momma
2008

And cried some more.

On the day Brandon flew away she took him aside and said...

"I'll love you forever.

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living~

MY BABY you'll be."

And then...the strangest thing happened.

Brandon turned to her and said...

"I'll love you for ever.

I'll like you for always.

As long as I'm living~

My Momma you'll be."

And life continued to be good.

THE END

Happy Birthday, Brandon! I'm sooo incredibly proud of the man you have become. You have risen up and called me blessed...just like God promised me you would. Although I will forever miss the baby and boy you were, nothing fills my heart with more joy than watching you become the man you've been called to be.

I love you...forever and always...Momma

Blessings to you as you celebrate the lives of those you love...

~TO MY BELOVED...Happy Birthday With Love~

~My Mr. AGPMan~
1957

From the very beginning of your life you were beautiful.

And during all the years I've known you you've remained so.

I'm blessed you chose me. Blessed to call you mine.

~YEP! You WERE SO COOL~
Dating in 1977

The years are passing.

We've changed a lot.

We've both grown older.

~POSITIVE BABY-TEST DAY~
1981

You've been a loving, available, committed father.

What beautiful adults your children have become!

It is YOU they have risen up to call blessed!

~FOREVER BY MY SIDE~

From day one you've been an awesome husband.

I've never been afraid to face the world for you've always been right by my side.

~MY BELOVED~
Happy Birthday

I love how your once dark hair is now streaked with silver...

You were gorgeous when you were only 20~

But I think you are more handsome today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BELOVED!

I pray I will one day deserve you~

Beck