Happy Birthday!

It is terribly late and I am totally exhausted, yet I cannot let this moment pass. Today is my "baby's" birthday! It seems only yesterday when the doctor laid her in my arms and I gazed into her eyes with wonder and awe. She has been a blessing ever since. Brigitta has grown so much this past year and time is rushing by so fast that I can hardly bare it. Sometimes I wish I could just make time stand still so that I can cherish these precious moments a bit longer.

Just for fun we looked up the meaning of our names today . Brigitta's means: Exalted one, or One who is strong. If anyone knows this little girl, she fits her name perfectly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIGITTA!

WE LOVE YOU!

As you can see, Brigitta loves her daddy!

This last picture was taken on the first Sunday

of this month when our family got together

to celebrate the birthdays for September.

Mar-Kay's birthday is in just a few days and we

have some wonderful surprises in store for both of them,

but don't tell anyone because it is hush, hush.

Too Precious Not to Post

Do you believe in Angels? I do! They are around us everywhere, they lift us in our darkest hour. Some of them can even be found among those whom we cherish the most.




I have been going through some trying times lately due to some health issues that have evolved since my last surgery. I have good days and bad days. Today was a particularly difficult day. I can't pinpoint what set things off except that when you are in constant pain normal everyday situations can be difficult to cope with.

My sweet six year old noticed that I was struggling today. While working on her homework she stopped and walked across the room. She gently put her arms around me and said, "It's okay. Sometimes Mom's just have bad days. I love you!" That was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment, that someone loved me and that it was okay to have a bad day.

I squeezed her tight and whispered, "Thank you. I love you too!" Suddenly the cloud lifted and I began to smile again.

I am grateful for the angel that was sent my way today.

An Anniversary to Remember

Today is our 30th year Anniversary! My life is rich beyond measure because of the man I choose to marry. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful loving, caring, patient husband at my side. He is everything to me!

We had such great plans to celebrate this special day. Yesterday afternoon we took off without the children to spend the day together. We walked, talked, shopped, dined and then spent the evening in a motel. We had not been at the motel very long when all of a sudden we both became extremely ill. Would you believe it, food poisoning? We spent the entire evening in agony. After being up all night in the bathroom we both decided we would be more comfortable in our own bed at home. We packed up, went down to the dining room to get our breakfast and then took it to our children at home so that they could enjoy it.

Mar-Kay being the wonderful husband that he is took the children to church and let me stay home in misery. He came home later and crashed.

Last night as we were moaning and groaning we were pretty depressed, but now that we are beginning to feel a bit better we have had a good laugh over the whole incident.

Happy Anniversary Mar-Kay

I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY SISTER

I remember very clearly the day my baby sister was born. My mother woke me in the wee hours of the morning and led me to the living room. I was instructed to stay awake and watch over my younger brothers and sisters. I was only 11 at the time. After my parents left for the hospital every sound that you can imagine frightened me, but I stayed awake and alert until the phone call came. Our family at that time had three girls and three boys, this baby was to be the tie breaker. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I received the phone call that my newest sibling was a girl. Honestly, I don't think I could have taken another brother.

Natasha was the most adorable baby imaginable. Being the oldest daughter I was put in charge of her. She slept in my room and I watched over her and even got up with her in the middle of the night. As she grew she had the cutest ringlets and a round chubby face. She reminded most people who saw her of Shirley Temple. I loved how she would follow me and want to do what I did, even if that meant getting into my make-up and other things. (Oh the stories I could tell) I enjoyed taking her with me as we grew older and she would often join my friends and I. She was that lovable. It was a sad day when I left for college. I missed her terribly. As the years have gone by we have each been busy with our own families, but to me Natasha will always be my baby sister. How grateful I am that we can be together forever.

I wish Natasha lived closer so that we could spend more time together. Not only is she my sister but I count her as one of my dearest friends.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATASHA!

My thoughts are with you on this special day.

I Love you!

The Finished Product

After cutting of several inches

and having it layered,

The curls are back!

Thank you Nora!

In Concert with...

Petty Family Restaurant

Several years ago my sons asked me if I would open a restaurant where they could bring a date and have a unique, entertaining, and delicious time at an economical price. (economical meaning free for them). This is what I came up with:

Over the years we have opened the "family restaurant" for multiple occasions. At the beginning of the summer I sat down with the children and asked them what they wanted to do for fun. One of their goals was to open the restaurant for all of their married brothers and sisters. To them it is a fun exciting experience and they have a blast. For me, it is a lot of work, but I admit, I love every minute of it. This time it was even more rewarding because they brought the grandchildren and we provided babysitting so that they could enjoy the evening.

The menu

The dining area.

Two of our beautiful waitresses.

Everyone ordered Caesar Salad to begin with.

Our other lovely waitress.

Each ordered their own personal deep dish pizzas which included

Hawaiian

Pepperoni

Vegetarian and

Supreme

The babysitting service was run by this

very capable young man.

For dessert the party ordered my special

Apple Crumble Pizza

This picture was taken before it was cooked.

It begins with a thin pizza crust followed by

a special homemade pastry cream.

I take only the best apples and saute them

in a secret blend of spices and then

finally top it with a generous crumb topping.

I would share the recipe but it is a Family Secret

and can only be enjoyed when the restaurant opens.

This morning when Brigitta came down to greet me

she hugged me and said,

"Mom, yesterday was such

a beautiful day!"

I have to agree with her.

It was a beautiful fun filled day

and when evening came, we all crashed.