As we get older, it seems we get busier and busier. Our days have been filled with weddings, showers, graduations, parties, birthdays and get-togethers. Nary a week goes by that we don’t have an opportunity to gather and celebrate life and milestones.
Our oldest grandson, Jared, graduated Thursday night from Middle School and is heading to high school in September
Jared with his parents, Erin and AJ
Abbey and Jared
Jared and Pop-Pop
Jared and Mom-Mom
Celebrating after graduation
this is how we got to see Jared’s graduation… in over-flow classrooms on tv with stink-o video and audio. Each student got just two tickets and everyone else filled classrooms to watch the ceremony
Our daughter, Erin, also graduated this spring, with honors and a degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice. She has already begun classes for her Master’s. A great accomplishment as she works a full-time job as a beautician, is a mom and cares for her home with AJ all the while helping friends and family.
Memorial Day we visited the cemetery where my parents are buried. It was the first time we saw the new marker that included both their names. I felt a little sad but was blessed as I looked a few rows ahead and saw dear friends visiting their daughters grave. Their daughter grew up with our twins and tragically died at age 24 giving birth to her second child. We spent over an hour together on this beautiful day.
This is what happens when you swerve to miss hitting a bunny in the street. Abbey had just left for work very early in the morning. A couple minutes later she called to say she hit a tree. The air bag inflated and she hurt her nose and arm but was okay. Her car was totaled and sadly just two days prior she paid $500 in repairs. Ouch! I am once again chauffeur in this one-car family driving John to work each morning so I can have the car.
This dear couple have been our friends for over 26 years! We connected at my nephews college graduation party and ended up in so much laughter. Only true friends can find great humor in the unusual topics such as… cremation. Light-hearted conversation that led to funny stories and happy laughter.
John and Ray were college buddies. Ray was a groomsmen in our wedding. Somehow we lost contact and got involved in the busyness of raising children and careers. We re-connected via facebook last summer and became fast-friends again, like we never skipped a beat. We met Jan for the first time last year and it was like we knew each other for years.
These beautiful ladies… well they mean the world to me. They bring love, smiles, encouragement, help, hugs and sweet friendship with every visit! We have prayed together, studied together and walked many journeys together. Our birthday lunch on Tuesday was made even more special because our Texas sister was up for a visit!
Saturday we visited John’s Aunt Marie in Mays Landing.
We took her to lunch to celebrate her
95th Birthday!
She’s a stitch and always fun to be with!
She’s a stitch and always fun to be with!
Jamie invited us for lunch on Father’s Day. Chloe and her Pop-Pop chatted a bit.
Jared’s 15th Birthday fell on Father’s Day this year so last night we celebrated with dinner and ice-cream cake 🙂
We have been crazy busy doing yard work this spring but blossoms like this are a beautiful reward. Each year it returns I am reminded of the sweet person that gave it to me 🙂
And my constant companion that I love to pieces
♥
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
Diverticulitis Treatment Diverticulitis Diet
You really are busy, busy. Loved all your pics…well, maybe not the one of the totaled car…but so glad she's okay!!! HOPE you have a great weekend!
So many fun celebrations. I always enjoy each one of your photos. And Chloe is simply precious. Babies are such a blessing from the Lord.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I consider it an honor that you share so many of your family and friend's special occasions. You do have a beautiful family! Congratulations to your daughter on her accomplishments, and your grandson on his milestone graduation from middle school.
I hope you had a fun birthday! Great pictures!
Lovely photos. You've really shown the highs and lows of family life. Thanks for the glimpse into your wonderful family.
Congratulations on all the graduations. I am so glad your daughter was okay after her accident. God knows what we need before we do.
you and your husband have GOT to be
the most beautiful/handsome grand-
parents ever!
congratulations to your grandson and
daughter!!!
Good Morning,
First I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kind and thoughtful note about the passing of my dearest sister. It was so sweet of you, thank you.
I enjoyed reading your post about your beautiful family. My Grand daughter will start 8th grade in late Aug. so she is one year behind your Jared (such a handsome guy)
They sure do grow up fast don't you think.
How proud you must be of Erin…good for her!
Have a sweet day and big hugs for you, Elizabeth
This blog post just warmed my heart. For I know that you know that it is in relationships, not things, that one truly finds happiness here on earth. Blessings to you and yours.
Thank you so very much for your friendship and loving support.
Hi Lorraine,
Wow, you do have a lot going on!!!
Erin is very pretty !
Love,
Lorraine in NY
Such a sweet, sweet post. I am so glad Abbey was ok. Lovely pictures ♥
~ Lisa from Indiana ~
Wow, what a wonderful series, as always. I enjoy seeing all of the faces, happy faces. Congratulations to your grandsons…his Mom Mom hardly looks old enough to have a grandson graduating from middle school. Your daughter, what a busy, busy gal and her talents must be amazing, and you all must be so proud of them all. The 95 year old aunt, she is a cutie, and what a marvelous occasion of celebration. What would we do without our family and friends. Thank you for sharing so beautifully~
I love all you share here, but the posts about your family and friends are my favorites by far. Raider is almost always the fitting finale! Congratulations on all good things going on and thanks for sharing them.
What a wonderful post, Lorraine. Does that Jared look like his Dad, or what? Congrats to him AND to your daughter as she goes on to study for her Masters.
Poor car-poor girl in the car-poor you as the family chauffeur.
That picture of you and your Bible study friends. The lady on the far left looks exactly like the girl that used to play the crazy upstairs neighbor on Will & Grace (which I was NOT supposed to be watching!;>) lol Anyway- she looks just like her.
Hope you had a good day- xo Diana
Congratulations to your daughter and grandson. I really like that picture of your husband and Chloe, too precious! Busy life, lovely family!
your life is truly full…and truly blessed, from graduations on..and celebrating a 95th birthday…and pats on everyone's backs…what a blessing
my but you have been busy. congrats to the graduates. Glad to hear that Abbey wasn't seriously hurt in that accident. Too bad about the car
Sounds like a busy weekend, graduations, father's day, birthdays, and all the rest of your week! Life is full but wonderful, right?
Congratulations to your daughter and grandson, lovely graduation pictures.
Glad to hear that no-one was hurt in the accident, looks like it was quite an impact.
You have a lovely family and I think it's wonderful how you all spend so much time together.
You have so many beautiful friends and family! That car accident does not look good–thank goodness everyone is okay! It breaks my heart to hear about your friends daughter who died giving birth. I can relate because I came very close to death giving birth to my first daughter. Now she is my best friend and I have 3 more kids. Wish it could have worked out that way for your friends daughter too. Did the baby survive? That is so hard!
Have a good week!
Wow – amazing whirlwind of a week-end. I am tired just reading about it.
I just loved this post, full of love and family and friends. Your granddaughter is such a doll! Sounds like you've been very, very busy with lots of fun events. Hugs ~ Mary
Such a lovely family post!
Such a lovely family post!
You have certainly had a busy , time!Graduations, birthdays, get together's etc etc! Your daughter has done so well in her studies especially while living such a busy life. So glad Abby was OK after her collision. God is good!
Congratulations to Jared and Erin. I know you are so proud of them. I enjoyed the photos of all the special events in your lives. Chloe looks like she is thriving now.
So sorry to hear about Abbey's car but I'm thankful she was not hurt badly.
Raider is cute as ever. Have a wonderful week, Lorraine.
I really enjoyed this post! Your life is so full and happy! I enjoyed the pictures of your family! Congrats to your grandson and your daughter on their graduations. What an accomplishment for your girl! Hope you have a nice week! Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed reading your blog. You are blessed! I, too, am a schnauzer mom of three. Faith, Hope (Faith's litter mate) and Trixee (Faith's grand daughter).
Enjoyed my visit and reading about the things going in your corner of the world! That little constant companion of your is too cute!!!