Happy Heart Day!!

Happy Valentine Day!!

strawberry shortcake...

We're having a Strawberry Shortcake party for Addison for her little school friends and immediate family. I put together these invites....so much fun!!

#1 Pinterest project...

I found this project on pinterest that I loved. It was originally suppose to be a wreath. It's made out of eyelash yarn - wrapped around a styrofoam circle and then it's to have a wide pink ribbon to hang on a door with pink daisies pinned to it. I changed it to a 'spring centerpiece' with an easter twist and the girls love it.

sweet girls...

sometimes there is not a lot to say...but I want to remember these sweet little faces

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

The first week of January Grandpa Badertscher or Great-Grandpa Badertscher, as the little girls call him, had a birthday. Grandpa and all of his children came over to celebrate with food and cake and of course ice cream.

The girls were in the playroom with their toys when we first sang Happy Birthday to Grandpa and blew out candles and since they love singing the song so much....we let them sing to him again and Grandpa sang along with them. I just love this little video!!

In my line of work I am able to witness the one of the most wonderful miracles on earth, the birth of a newborn baby. I love every moment. From the first time those little eyes open as their skin touches air, from the first breath that they take. I usually have tears running down my face as I watch a dad kiss his wife as she holds their precious bundle. They both are crying in joy. It's an amazing experience that never gets old.

However, lately watching Grandpa fade away as Parkinson's takes more and more of him, I am amazed at God's keeping power. I love watching him take part in meeting (not the way he might have once before, but ever helpful still the same). I love listening to him pray. I love seeing the struggle for victory still there. It's so encouraging to watch him continue.

So... Happy Birthday Grandpa....Thanks for your example and for staying 'steady and true'!

New Years at Grandpa Terry and Grandma Pat's

My co-captain Olivia. We got up early Friday morning. Jason and Christa needed to make arrangements for the upcoming funeral for Christa's dad. Nate had to work there in Wooster. Grandpa Terry was still in Columbus for work and Grandma Pat had to work at the office. So, I pretended to be Jen Campbell and played mama to 4 girls. It was a blast and I LOVED every minute. Yes, I was extremely exhausted by sunset, but a great day!! We first went to eat at Bob Evans for breakfast. Then we went to Buehler's. The girls picked out flowers for the mommy 'since her daddy had just died' as sweet Victoria put it. They wanted her favorites calla lillies, but settled for a white winter bouquet of roses, lillies and various other white posies. It was gorgeous. We just had to get something for Grandma too. Then we went to Starbucks where us girls got some hot chocolate and a skinny peppermint mocha for Grandma. Then we showed up at Grandma's office to drop off her little surprise. The girls went and visited the dr's and rn's with Grandma while this mama took a breather. Then back on the road we were again. We went to WalMart for some groceries and then.... We met Grandma Pat for lunch at Chipotle.
Grandma and all her granddaughters ate at one table and (Nate joined us for lunch too) we ate at the table beside them. The girls had a blast!! We then went to East Union bulk food and stocked up on deli meats and cheeses. We also purchased our supplies to make stromboli for dinner.

The next day we headed for Alice Noble Ice Arena where we showed off our ice skating skills...hahaha. Addison could not wait!!!

Mama and Daddy took turns with Addison after Kendra refused to get on the ice.

Grandma Pat with Olivia and Victoria.

Thanks Aunt Christa for the sugar high :o) Kendra refused to take her helmet off. Even though she threw a fit and would only let Aunt Christa take her on the ice...she wanted to keep her helmet on...smart girl, I guess.

Liv goes around for round 2...

This was New Years Eve and BBQ ribs we were havin'!!
We had all left the table but Grandpa Terry refused to leave one piece of meat on the bones. He cleaned them all up!

That night we went bowling at Wayne Lanes. Everyone did fantastic with the exception of me. I was never blessed with coordination in the hand to eye department when it involves a ball (basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, bowling, kickball). You name it I struggled with it. I hope with all of my might that our kids get Daddy's incredible I-can-play-every-sport talent. Anyways, I want to blame my jean skirt wearing for my horrible bowling score, but I'm pretty sure it was just my norm. So I didn't embarrass the rest of my bowling party that I arrived with (and so I would have a vehicle to go home in) I sat out for the next game and watched the girls.
Addison getting ready to throw a strike.

Kendra waiting to push the ball down the shoot.

Grandma Pat and her girls.

Grandpa Terry holding Kendra

Kendra stealing ice from Uncie Jason's cup.

missing them again this year...

It was a hard year - It doesn't even seem like it's been a year! We stopped to see their gravesites and to let the girls tie balloons to cousin Logan's name. They really have them looking nice with all the red and green. Logan's closeup turned out blurry.

I know it might be a little weird to take the girls here but they love to remember here. We talk about Grandad and Logan and the girls (well Addi mainly) tell stories of being with them.

I think it's good for me too.

To remember what they were.

To remember where they are.

To remember where we want to be.