Has it really been a year?

I am blessed to be part a large family. My mom, a get up and go 82 year old, is the oldest of 13. Most of my favorite memories revolve around the family holidays, and family camping trips. The last Christmas we were all together there were 56 of us. That was before Grandma and Grandpa died and the great grandkids started to come on the scene. I really miss the family functions that seem to evaporate once the grandparents are gone. We had a yearly family reunion, but it was never the same.

This year the family reunion was was to be on the third weekend in July, but we cancelled. None us had the heart to have one. In June my Uncle Jim Flanery died. He had been in failing health for several years, but it didn't make it any easier.

Then the last of July my aunt Shirley died. Like my Uncle Jim she had been in failing health for years, didn't make that any eaiser either.


My aunt marge had a surprise (not) 80th birthday party for my Uncle Bill on July 8th. What a grand time for all who attended. When we left Bill told me he loved me. I can't think of a time he ever told me that. My uncle Bill died unexpectedly three days later. He was my rock, He was a good man, He was always there. My world is a little less secure without him. I know he is with Jesus, and I take great comfort in that. But my human heart aches with the loss.

Barb

The Return of the Case of Missing Brains

Yep, happened again, missing brains all around!
Here is Dan with bucket number 5
Fireworks and buckets, go figure

God Bless the U.S.A

God, mountains and the 3 Stooges

The new photo is of the front range in Rocky Mountain National Park at sunset as seen from the moraine. No, I did not take this one. Talk about drop to you knees beauty. This is the place I am closest to God. The mountains refresh and recharge me. When I am there and witness to one of these breath taking displays I know God has his paint brush in hand. How do I know?
Beats me.
I just know that I know that I know.

I know God loves me more than anything else he created. He's not always crazy about some of the things I do, but He loves me none the less
I know He will always be with me.
I know He has a great sense of humor. Why else would he have put the idea for that paddle ball thing in someones brain???
I know He loves to laugh
I know He thinks the 3 stooges are funny.
I know He loves music. Have you ever wondered what would be in God's ipod?
I know He's a great writer - Best seller.
I know He loves my dog as much as I do.
I know. . .I could go on and on.
It boggles my mind that the God of all that is or ever will be shares my life, cares for me, helps me pick myself up with I fall and then He has no memory of why I fell in the first place. That He loves me so much, He wants to be a part of my life.
How do I know that? Beats me. . .I just know that I know that I know.

What are the special things about God that He shares with you?

May In Estes Park

What a difference a couple of days make.
Same shots, now you can see the valley

May???

Oh, my! this picture, taken minutes ago, is of the driving snow storm that has been pelleting Estes Park Colorado for the last 2 days. The pictures are taken from a live video cam on top of one of the buildings of the Aerial Tramway on top of Prospect mountain that overlooks the valley.
Normally the view seen in picture 2 is a beautiful panorama of the whole estes valley 1000 feet below. McGregor ranch, Twin Owls peak, and the Stanley Hotel. Today you can't see the valley, or the mountains for that matter :)

Mango Margaritas, Chimichangas and Engagement Rings

Yesturday was Aubree's (my oldest nephew Dan's girlfriend) 21st birthday. She wanted to go to Hector's for dinner and Mango Margaritas. There was a spattering of friends and family, 16 all told. Food, fun, family and friends. What better? I noticed Dan was kinda out of sorts and jittery, when I asked him what was wrong he said he was real nervous, that he was going to ask Aubree to marry him. It was all I could do not to jump and shout right then. About halfway through dinner Dan went to the restroom, came back, got down on one knee next to Aubree and proposed. At first she thought he had dropped his napkin. Needless to say there were lots of tears, shouts and applause from all around.
She said yes. I had told our waitress what was going on so she was ready as was most of the wait staff who was standing in the archway.
It's great to see Dan so happy. He has had a rough road the last few years and hasn't always made the best choices. But like the song says, "When you think you've fallen way to deep and the climb is way to steep, you find that God's love is always deeper still." When Dan got to his lowest and called out, God lifted him out of the mire.
Dan knows and is thankful for how blessed he is to have a family who loves him and now Aubree. She is the answer to our prayers.
Daniel hit the jackpot as did she. I couldn't be happier.