365 Days

Over the last year life has taken some major turns for me and I have not

really felt much like blogging. I am now thinking that I am ready to start sharing with those few of you who read my blog again.

This week is marking an end to the first year with out my Daddy, the beginning of a new manager's position for Michael and the beginning of the finial year of high school for Stephenie. So as those of you who know me know the water works have been working over time. As I look back over the last year of first with out Dad and Daddy T it brings mixed emotions both happy and sad. Not only the for mentioned beginnings I am also watching Katalina start her high school days, Joesph starting his second year in middle school, Sophia moving into 3rd grade and waiting on the arrival of a new niece along with her proud parents Bryan and Bethany.

My art has taken a backseat this past year as the mojo just had not been there. I must apologize to those of you that look forward to cards and such but I just couldn't do it. SORRY! Hoping to get back on track soon. I have done several projects for me (this collage piece about is one) and have a couple more in the planning process too. I will post pictures once I get them all done.

The house has taken priority this past year. While Daddy was in the hospital he and I had many discussions about what and how I needed to do many of them. Some of them have been hard to start and complete as they were to be our projects and he was not there with me in body, he sure was in spirit. I talked many things over with him while doing them. Once again now that I am feeling like sharing again I will be posting pictures.

My heart is heavy with sorrow, full of joy and hope for the future as I write this. I am glad to know that I now have two Angels watching over me. Knowing that God has carried me through the last year it the biggest comfort of all.

She is ???

Seventeen years ago on a beatuiful Palm Sunday I head off to the hospital to see what if it was going to boy or girl! Well we had the little sister that Michael had been telling everyone he was going to have for 9 months. That day I had my Stephenie Wren named after to of the most special people in my life my Daddy and his mother. I am still wondering where the last 17 years have gone. She has gone from my little red headed chubby baby girl to a wonderful young woman. I think she is the most beautiful girl in the world and has become a very strong young lady(used loosely:)). Happy Birthday my baby girl I love more than words can ever express.

She has had a very diffucult year. As she had to at a very young age say good-bye to Papaw, has had the flu twice, mono, only will have had about 16 weeks of her junior year spent at the school and maybe facing surgery in the next few weeks. So I am trying to do some extra special things for her this year to make her birthday weekend fun. She had dinner with her Dad last night at Nagaski, on Saturday for lunch we will be having lunch with Michael, Emily, and Brittany. Sunday well I have a few things planned, but can't reveal today as she might just read my blog. Monday she will be having a message, her first and I am sure if she is like her Mom not the last.

But as with all that has happened over the past 8 months it is a bitter sweet celebration. As this will be the last birthday that she will be celebrating at Ninie and Papaw's house. She had her first one there and pretty much had the last 17 there. Mom has sold the house and will be moving to Arlington by the end of the month. So as we prepare to help Mom move on to another new phase in her life, I am sure there are going to be mixed emotions.

**Photo by Marci Lambert

Finished Art

Here is another first for this year. This is my first canvas that was over a 5x7. It is a whopping 16x20. Which in my world is huge especially since I started it to help with the healing process after Daddy passed away. This is the scripture that carried me through the last seven month. I also have a hard time with doing art and not judging it or comparing it to others work. This piece was the first time I really just let myself go and do art. I really like the way it turned out and it will be the first piece that I will be hanging in my house that I have done.

This morning I went into the studio and it screamed out at me and said finish me! I think that is is only fitting that I finished it today. Today would have been my Daddy's birthday and tomorrow it will be 6 months since I said goodbye to him for this last time on this earth. I still refer to this passage often for strength and the promise that there is a season for everything and a purpose.

Birthday Thoughts

rEven at 44 you must keep up with the trends. Cupcakes are it. My girls(Stephenie, Emily and
Tori) made me a giant one to celebrate my birthday. Mom took all the family out to Steak and Shake for dinner tonight. There are sometimes that a burger and fries with a coke is so good. Tonight was one of them.

Yes they let us light this fire risk in the restaurant. I have you know that I blew out all 44 candles plus the ? in one breath while making a wish! And no spit on the cake. So I guess this old girl still has it.

Here are the 3 bakers. They were so sneaky about making this to surprise me with it.

As I look back over the past 44 years there have been good times, bad times, tough times and times that I would not like to repeat. But I have been blessed with many great things, family, friends and that is what I plan to focusing on this year. So tomorrow on 01.10.10 I will start the 44th year of my life looking for Sunshine and Sliver Linings.

PS! Even though I am trying to look for the positive in everything. I am still learning to live with out my Dad here to be apart of it. The positive side is I had 43 year 7 months and 28 days of love and memories of my Dad and no one can take them from me.