Attitude of Gratitude

Good Friday morning and welcome Through My Back Door. It is a beautiful morning for us to sit out here and have our coffee.

I love being outside and have been spending lots of time here and here.

So grab your coffee, have a piece of cake and we will sit and have a chat.
Lots of things have been going on through my backdoor. I had a birthday last week and the celebration went on for a while. What fun! I love celebrating anything!lol
Had some company for a few days and am expecting more in June. Looking forward to these visits.
Haven't been in the mood,nor have I had time to do anything in the house. I have some plans though. Does that count?
Monday was a cook out at lunch and then a birthday party that night with the card group. In our group we all put 20.00 in  card, so everyone gets 100.00 on their birthday. We give other small gifts too. It is so much fun to get that $$. I am putting mine toward a mustard FW coverlet.

Like this but mustard. (They actually call it brown, but it is more mustard).
I am grateful for that group of girls who have been my friends for many, many years. They know me well and like me any way.lol
Tuesday Deb,Michael, and I went to Dollywood for the day. We had such a good time. I hadn't been in years. Curtis and I always got season passes and went several times a year. We enjoyed the shows. Deb and Michael used to do the wood carvers show, so we always went up when they did that too. Anyway they gave me a season pass for Mothers Day, so we used them Tuesday.
Yesterday was domino day here. Since I was gone all day the day before, we had sandwiches and chips. Bought dessert too.
I will do better next time. I am grateful for that group too. We do have a lot of laughs.(Some complaining too.)lol

It won't be too many days until we go here! I can actually hear it calling my name.
I cannot wait to eat here.

But this is my favorite place of all.

Dewey Destins!!!!! I can almost taste the shrimp. It will be a few days, but I am already getting excited.lol
I am enjoying this weather so much. Just perfect. I love setting on my porch and seeing this.

And this.

Thank you for coming Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: The house is getting some attention. Someone saw it today who liked the interior.Yeah!!!lol
PSS: After I posted this blog, we got the call that Beth is in the hospital. She is only close to 7 months. Will you pray for Beth, Ryan, and Amelia? The next 48 hours are critical and we need prayers. I thank you in advance.

Just so you can see who you are praying for.
PSSS: Also please keep remembering Tamra and her family. I feel like all I have been doing lately is asking for prayer. But as I am fond of saying, "it is what it is". I started not to go ahead and post this post, but I KNOW bloggers pray. With an attitude of gratitude I thank you, my blogging friends.

Mrs Shoemaker, Thank You

Good morning and come on in. The coffee is on, there is plenty of sweets, so help yourself, and lets visit. I am so glad you stopped in. My Ohio company left yesterday and it is very quiet here this morning. They were just what I needed and I enjoyed having them.

All of you know how much I love my grands. You know Andrew has just finished his first year of school. Kindergarten was a big step for not only him, but his great grandma as well. You see, he is a special little boy. He was born in September before Curtis went into the nursing home in June. I like to say, Andrew saved my sanity.(There may be those who would disagree)lol Anyway, after Amanda's experience with breast cancer, I was concerned about him starting school. I told the girls,(Amanda and Deb) we have got to pray hard he gets the "right" teacher. I wanted someone who would appreciate his uniqueness. He is absolutely one of the sweetest little boys ever. (Everyone who knows him agrees) You have seen children that their sweetness shows in all they do and he is one. Always kind, thinks deeply, and wise beyond his years.Ex: I am always telling him, he is my favorite boy in the whole world. I will add, but don't tell Uncle Curt, because he thinks he is. The other day Andrew said to me.(I am quoting)"Mamaw I can just hear it now. When I have a son, you will say, you are my favorite boy in the whole world, but don't tell Andrew. He thinks he is!!!!" Can you believe this? I was stunned. As time for school to start approached I grew anxious. What if he got a teacher who wouldn't like his sense of humor? If she/he squelched this unique little boys wonder and total absorption with life. Oh the what ifs just went on and on. He on the other hand was so ready for this part of his life to begin.

Here he is, smiling from ear to ear. Ready to start his school journey.

Well, God is good and He answered this grandma's prayers once again. He was blessed to get a teacher who not only  nurtured, encouraged, and appreciated his uniqueness, but genuinely liked him. You could just see and feel it when you were around the two of them. (I had the opportunity to go to a Read In at school one day and this is a teacher who loves her job. Having spent so many years in the system, I know to some it is just a job, but to many more, it is a calling.) So I have to not only thank God for putting Andrew in the perfect place for his first year, but also thank Mrs Shoemaker for making this family have a wonderful year too.

This morning at awards day.

The Math Award and Fantastic Friend !

He makes us so proud!

So, as his kindergarten journey has ended, now I have to think about first grade!!! Oh no Lord, here I am again, asking You for another good teacher. BTW, Mrs Shoemaker, do you loop?

 I just have to share this with you. We did a celebration of life when Curtis died. The children and grandchildren who wanted to speak did. Andrew asked if he could speak and I said yes. (Amanda, on the other hand had eyes as big as saucers, when I said yes)lol  He got up in front of all those  people and told the things he remembered about going to the nursing home to visit.He remembered Curtis giving him Match Box cars and candy. He ended with I never saw him do anything bad, so I agree with what they said,(Referring to his Mama and Aunt Beth, who had spoken before him)

Do you see why he is so special to me?

Thanks for coming Through My Back Door where life is good.

betty

PS:  Please keep the prayers coming  in for Tamra.

PSS: Again, Moore, OK is so on our minds. We cannot even begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing. I KNOW we are all praying for them

PSSS: I am so blessed with blogging friends. Thank you all for the cards, letters, messages. We are a wonderful community of caring folks. I am proud to be one of you.

Thankful

Good Sunday evening and it is so nice to have you visiting Through My Back Door again. It has been a long 2&1/2 weeks, but I am glad to see you again. The coffee is on and there is cake, so help yourself. I don't want this to be a sad post, that is not how I believe in living, but I do want to thank you for the e-mails, comments, cards, and prayers. We felt them and are thankful for each and everyone of you. Most of you know Curtis had been ill for 7 years and in a nursing home for the last 6. It didn't make his death easier. Not one bit. The hole in my heart and life is just bigger now.  We are thankful for his salvation and ours. We know we will see him again and he will know us. What joy to look forward to.
I want to share a card Andrew made me.

The front.

The inside.

The back. I asked him if that was Coco (that is what some of the grands called Curtis) and me holding hands. He was quite insulted as he said, "No, that is Coco holding God's hand!" In case you can't tell the back says no more "sinen"(sinning)
I love fresh flowers and these were from some cousins.

The worlds best son in law made me a Cherry blanket crane a few weeks ago. He came and hung it for me this week.

I had to move the Spinner to the bedroom. Change is needed anyway and she needed to be in there with the Spinning Wheel.
This is a short post, but wanted to get back into the routine of living. I value the friends I have made here in blogland, and am Thankful for each of you, and so happy you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: Remember Josh.

Please pray for him this summer as he is doing a summer mission with a church in Ohio. He will be working with youth. I can't think of a better role model.
PSS: I want to share something special next post.
PSSS: I am so excited, my dear friends are coming to visit for a few days, from Ohio. They are just what I need right now.

Thank You

Seems so inadequate. Thank you for the FB comments, e-mails, and most of all the prayers.
                            Curtis

                 July 27, 1940-May 9, 2013
betty