Just wanted to put some sunshine in your lives. I know some still have snow, so here is a touch of spring for you...I just went outside and took this picture for you.. Spring is coming!!!



Love to all,
Granny

I received this from a friend. I thought of Abby right away. All the new things she is learning and loving.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to
put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I
couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life
so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
important and happy.

Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10
minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.
--
Then I became a Grandmother!!!! I added this.
--
Blessed are those who can give without remembering
And take without forgetting.
--

Love to all,
Granny

Posted at 10:25 PM PST

I have been hurting for a year now because our church would not allow Branden to return to worship without going through this big program to prove to this group that he had repented. He had!! He had a mentor and he made his peace with the Lord. He had no intention of having to prove it to these men. We resigned from that church and moved on. We stood by our child as we felt they were wrong.

Just recently word got to my ears that a man at the first church, who is known to have mental and emotional problems, is now banned from the property. This is again completely unbelievable to me!! This is not the way God would handle the sick and the sinners. This is also SO WRONG!!!

We have been going to another church, but the feeling is just not there. Personally, I like the worship songs that I can really feel. You could say I are still searching.
I now believe that God purposely got us away from that group, as it was not a health group for Branden to find healing and true love and acceptance within. So now we sit quietly and listen to see where it is that God wants us to be.

We were very welcomed at this other church. The Pastor is wonderful. I just wish I personally got more from the service. I feel as I have been to a funeral or a wake after we leave. That is not good. Branden likes it because the Pastor will sometimes make the body laugh during his short sermon. You notice I said short.. Maybe 10 minutes max. I said he is great.

I was sitting thinking about this other family. They have been involved in that church a long time. They must be devastated. While I was quietly thinking, a thought jumped into my head. It was "Well, he never even contacted Branden while he was incarcerated." WOW... That wasn't my thought. but it was absolutely true. For the year Branden was going through all his legal trouble, that pastor never once contacted him. No call, letter, card or visit. Now that says something, no good for him.

To end this, I am going to stop hurting and look forward. I always have the Blogstream Community Church. I can always find a good message there. (Thank you.)

Bye for now,
Granny

Posted at 6:05 PM PST

We started this year with two Finch. Well, let me see we have had Finch for about ten years now. Not the same pair mind you as several have died. Well for the first time we have a pair that have successfully mulitplies!!!



If you count carefully you can see all five.
And it isn't even spring yet.

Love to all,
Granny

OK, we are in for some changes come the end of the month I think. Branden's PO has put us in to have what is called a "Functional Family Therapist" come to the our home once a week for 12 weeks.

I am truly praying that this will help. G-pa and I have tried for 14 years to raise these two boys right. But it seems we have failed miserably. Don't get me wrong, we have done the best we know how and are not feeling guilty about the boys problems. If this guy can help, I will bend over backwards to do whatever he feels will help. Now if we can just get the boys to buy into this.

I still feel that losing our home church has not helped anything around here. It was like losing our foundation. We have tried another church, but it is not the same. I came away feeling as if I had been to a funeral every week. That is not good. I am sure God will lead us where we need to be. I just hope it is soon, It has been almost a year now. It is a very lonely empty feeling. At least I can attend the Blog Stream Church. (Thank you and bless you.)

We received an invitation today to Anthony's birthday party next weekend. Miss Terri does like the cute invitations. Me, I make a phone call. No postage that way. So next Saturday we will drive to their place and we will also finally be able to give them their Christmas presents. She kept saying she was coming down. Nope, not since November. So I give up, we will deliver.

Well everyone is in bed except me. Think I should head that way. Have a great weekend.
Granny

Posted at 11:09PM PST