You are a TERRIFIC mom

Dear Jessica, well it has only been about 10 weeks since you have become a mom for the first time. Have I told you what a great job you are doing? I've told you before that being a mother is a high calling on a womens life. It takes an extra amount of love and grace to wake up every day to the challenges of taking care of now, 3 people. One of them being a "little person" totally dependant on you. Oh the sacrifices we make! All so well worth it and amazingly gratifying along the way. You my dear daughter are doing a terrific job. I know that it was alittle scary at first. This tiny baby was a stranger in your home. It took love and patience to get to know all of her sounds and motions as well as she getting to know you. I think that in no time at all, you two bonded and embraced the world of a mother and daughter relationship. There is nothing like that bond and with all your love and the Lord it will never be broken. Cherish every day for it goes by quickly. Just spending moments in one day that is deep quality time will be like jewels in her life. Make memories, good memories and make them her memories too. Remember, she will be the best of you because she will remember the best of you. Love Mom

The Cradle

This is kind of a funny story that is shared with our daughter Jessica and her brother John. We have a wonderful cradle in our family, that was beautifully and lovingly made by their dad years ago. It is made of strong wood and stained in a deep rich brown color. It rocks back and forth and made especially for one of our children. Over the years we have kept it safe in our garage, wondering if it would ever be used for our grandchildren. Jessica, our middle child, who is a "planner" always wanted this cradle on standby. For many years she lived in Tennessee and we lived in Florida. The plan was for whenever we moved to Tennessee, to have the cradle be the first piece of furniture on the moving van. Well that time finally came, May 2007 we were to make our move to the Nashville area. Jessica and Dave were planning their family and now was the time to get that cradle in position and ready to "go". It made it! safely, no nicks or cracks or broken pieces. While we were setting up this special cradle, we realized that all this time Jessica thought that it had been built for her. This was the reason why getting it to Tennessee was so special, to be used by her first child. The realization was that the cradle had been made for our son John who is now 28 years old. We had a good laugh and proceeded to get it in shape for our new grand-daughter who was to arrive that following May. The time finally came and our little Caroline Hope arrived happy and healthy. She enjoyed the cradle only for alittle while and we took some pictures with its big pink bow for our photo albums. But guess what? John and his wife Monica are now expecting a baby in December and he found out that this is his cradle and he wants it to be shipped BACK to Florida. I was just thinking how our lives are so unpredictable and we can feel like we are set back and forth and tossed about, but like this cradle was made, we were made with love and tender care by our Heavenly Father. We can stand the test of time. Love Mom

Grandma Florence

To all my dear children: It has been 24 years since the passing of Grandma Florence. I have hoped that time would not whither away the memories of my wonderful mom. I see little glimpses of her in you my dear children. She was quiet in spirit but had a big heart. Her maiden name was "Buonocore" which means "Big Heart". My mom was a very generous woman, in that I mean she shared whatever she possibly could. She would cook and bake and always sent a dish of something good over to a neighbor or two. She remembered everyones birthday and anniversary and made it a special occasion. Did you know that Grandma Florence never knew how to drive a car? She was definitely a "stay at home mom". It was very comforting to come home from school everyday, greeted at the door with a smile and the wonderful aroma of dinner cooking on the stove. This is a luxury that we all don't have today. It is funny to call that a luxury, when living as we do now, the desire for "luxury" takes you out of the home into the work place. I guess, my children, you are all trying to find that out for yourselves. I so wish that your grandmother had been around to see you grow into the wonderful adults that you are now. I wish that she had met your wonderful spouses and the great-grandchildren that God is blessing us with. Danielle you have grandma's great sense of compassion for people. You enjoy the quiet times in your home and love to cook. You also love to give gifts and choose them carefully and personally. Jessica you have grandma's "dimples" when you smile. (which has been passed down to my little "sweet cheeks"). You always consider others before yourself and make people feel very comfortable and special in your home. John, it was on your 4th birthday that Grandma Florence passed away. You really never got to know how wonderful she was. But you are an awsome cook, just like she was. Maybe there are some things from me that I have passed down to you from the generation before. Maybe there are some things that only God has put in us to pass down to our children and our children's children. Whatever it is, may it be good and loving and acceptable in His sight. Love Mom

"SWEET CHEEKS" My First Grandchild!

Dear Sweet Cheeks, today you are 7 weeks old. Someday you will know how fast time goes by. But right now you are enjoying the sweet peace of days passing and night-time visits with mom and dad. Have I told you how much I love you? I never knew how fast someone can fall in love, I guess it was love at first sight. I don't remember ever feeling this way so soon after giving birth to my own children. Maybe because I was young and anxious about that new experience. But somehow, with a grandchild, it seems different. My cousin Phyllis said it right, "you feel like you did with your first love, it hurts deep down in the pit of your stomach when you are apart and can't wait until you are together again". Sweet Cheeks, you are the first thing on my mind when I wake up and you are in my prayers before I go to sleep. I pray for you to have the hand of the Lord upon your life. To be safe and secure and know that you belong to a Heavenly Father who has blessed you with two Godly parents who will train you and guide you with His love. I also pray that grandpa and I will be around for a long time, to see you grow into a beautiful young lady full of love and desire to serve God and people. I love you Caroline Hope, my Sweet Cheeks Love Grandma