Happy Birthday Diana!!

Today is my wonderful sister Diana's birthday!!! She is so beautiful, funny and creative and I just love her to pieces. What does that mean exactly?? I say that an awful lot, "I love you/her/him to pieces" but I never really looked into what that really means. So I tried out this "new thing" called Google!!! (those of you who were bashing me on Facebook the other day - you know who you are - that is a jab to you!!) and I looked it up. I didn't find any earth shattering definition. I was secretly hoping for some magical mythical explanation so I would look brilliant cause I use this expression all the time...and I found this.
I love you to pieces means that if you were broken up into a million pieces I would love every single one. Every aspect of you. Everything that makes you "you" I absolutely love. :) - well duh!!! I could have told ya that! Either way, that is how much I love my sister Diana. I wish very much that we lived closer together so we could see each other more often. She has been home in the last few years so I have got to see her, but I have never been to her new house (which I think is like 10 years old now). It's definitely on my list of things to do. Maybe once both the kids are in college, I'll have some free time to do a couple of things I have been wanting to do for a while.

I hope you have a super day today sister. I love you to pieces, to the moon and back, a bushel and a peck....you get what I mean!!

Love ya lots,
Chow for now,
Jacqui

Happy 19th Birthday Jade!!!!!

I cannot even believe that today my girl turns 19. I remember (with amazing amounts of detail) the day she was born. The back pain, the going to the hospital to get something for that pain only to find out that I was 6 cm dilated and would be seeing the baby soon! I had decided back in high school (even though Joe has a different story about it) that if I had a girl I was going to name her Jade. I read a book when I was in high school and the girls name was Jade and I liked that name ever since. Jade means "semi-precious gem". Well as far as I'm concerned she is definitely that...although I would take out the "semi" part. She is a precious gem. She is a special person that sees the best in people (even when they don't deserve it), and always takes the time to make people feel welcome, loved and important. That's not to say if you cross her...she'll let ya know that too! I am so very proud of Jade, words cannot even begin to express how much. In her 19 years she has overcome a lot of (for lack of a better word) crap. I'm not going to go into everything here, but through it all she held her head high, took the high road and never looked back. She has grown so very much over the last few years it is just an amazing thing to see. I look at her and I see how I wish I would have been. Strong, confident and not afraid to tell people how it is! She sets a goal and works hard until that goal is reached. Even if along the way the path gets a little "left of centre" she always veers back and gets back on her path again. As much as I am happy that she is growing up and becoming her own person and a responsible adult, I am sad too that as she gets older she will continue to go farther and farther from me. Not just in physical location, but in her life. She won't need me as much, probably won't spend as much time with me and there will be longer periods between when we speak. I know I can't keep her tethered to me forever; which is clear from the last few years where she has spent summers away from home working, but she only has one more year as an official "teenager". That makes me feel pretty old actually! Not sure I'll be able to get used to saying to people "oh I have a 20 year old daughter..."...okay enough of that...she is only turning 19!!! Anyhow, I love this kid more than words can say, and I am so very proud of her and wish her all the best today and forever. 
See you soon kiddo,
Love ya

 Mom

Happy 4th Birthday Charlie

Hey everybody!!!!! I know I have not posted in ages. Things have been crazy busy, but I will try and post more frequently. I have a bunch of things to share with you. Not much stamping, but pics of the family and stuff. So I will try my best to get back on here more frequently. But I could not miss the chance to wish my beautiful dog, Charlie, a Happy Birthday today. I don't know what our lives were like without her. She is so lovable and that loves is unconditional, which we all deserve.
Chow for now, 

Jacqui

33 years and still going strong!

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful parents!!!! Today is their 33rd wedding anniversary. My memory is not very good ( I think I need to do more word searches to exercise my brain!) But I'm quite certain it was not warm like it is today. They got married at the farm house, surrounded by their family and closest friends. I wish them all the happiness for today and for at least another 33 years. I love you both.
Chow for now, 

Jacqui

Rest in Peace, Granny

Last night, Heaven got another angel. Granny passed away peacefully last night at about 10 to 8. Mum, Aunt Donna, Jade, and her dear friend Anna were with her when she passed. I had just left 10 minutes before that to head home to get things organized for our trip to Rochester this weekend. I am so happy she was not alone. I can't even begin to imagine this world without her in it. She has been there for me always, even when others were not. She saw the good in people and had a faith so strong, she was an inspiration. I am happy to say she had her "wits" about her right til the end and she knew us when were talking to her. As much as I am sad, I am happy that she is now with Poppa as she has missed him so much in the 15 years since he has been gone. I trust they are reunited and they are both looking down on us as guardian angels. I'm just going to post a couple of pictures....I can't type any more....I am sad.

Jacqui

Happy 17th Birthday Joel!!

Wow, it's hard to believe my baby is 17 years old today.
He has grown into such a wonderful young man and I am so very proud of him.
I wish you love and happiness today and forever.
Love ya bud,

Mom

Coming soon.....

Wow...December 11th was the last time I posted on my blog....holy....well things were busy.
Christmas was good, my birthday was good, and now New years eve tonight - I'll probably sleep, but it will be good......
I got a new laptop yesterday and we have Internet at the house finally, sooooooo that means I'll be able to post more frequently again!!! yay! 
maybe not every day like my sister!!! But more often for sure.

Have a safe and Happy New Year,
Chow for now,
Jacqui