M&M Teacher Appreciation Gift

On the last day of school, I sent little sister with a cute gift to give to her third grade teacher Miss Wright.  We bought 2 packages of M&Ms and a clear plastic jar.  I was inspired by this website Domestically Speaking that had a perfect poem to accompany with the gift.

Green is for the inspiration you give me each day.

Blue is for your patience in showing me the way.

Orange is for your warmth and caring style.

Yellow is for the way you always make me smile.

Red is for my life that you have touched this year.

You’re a very special teacher just like this jar, that’s clear.

You place knowledge in our children’s hands

and melt into their hearts and lives forever.

You’re a "Magnificent" & "Marvelous" teacher

Thank you for being my M&M.

Spring Butterfly and Floral Wreath

It has been a while since I last crafted something.  I was in desperate need of a colorful spring wreath to hang on my front door since my oldest daughter thinks I never decorate my house for holidays or seasons.  So I went to a local Dollar Store to gather some supplies.

Spring Butterfly Floral Wreath

Supplies

One wreath 

Flowers: baby breath, yellow, orange, pink, and purple

Batches of butterflies (brown, orange, pink,and blue)

Glue gun and glue sticks

pliers (to cut the flowers)

My total spent at the Dollar Store was $10.00, which is cheap compared to a craft store! As for the time arranging and gluing it together, it took me about two hours.  Now isn't that a pretty cheerful wreath? I absolutely love my spring wreath and look forward to making other wreaths in the future!

Happy Mother's Day in Heaven!

Dear Mother, 

Last year I recall bringing you a boutique of beautiful flowers for Mother's Day.  You also requested some new dresses and even though you were diabetic, I spoiled you with a sweet treat...   You were very excited and happy to see Karen, Nate, and me! 

 I have many fond memories of you.  You were very kind towards others and an animal lover.  You loved music, singing, cooking, and crocheting.  Thank you for being a fun Mother!  We sure had marvelous adventures together such as swimming, roller skating, bowling, playing at the park, shopping at the mall, eating at several restaurants (like Sizzler when you yelled out to the waiter, "More Shrimp Please"), and having Baskin's Robins Ice Cream cones, etc.  You spoiled me rotten when you bought me that huge Barbie house on my 12th birthday, you reluctantly drove me to the store to buy me junk food late at night when you would rather be sleeping, and always gave me shopping spree money!  

You always comforted me when I felt sad or was hurt. I truly enjoyed bouncing ideas and goals with you in person or on the telephone.  I loved that you always understood me, supported me, and encouraged me during my hard times.  You were very patient with me and loved me very much. I always could count on you and appreciated all you have done for me. You were a wonderful example to me.  I always admired your faith, determination, courage, and strength.  

I think about you all the time especially while I go jogging and hope you check in with me once in awhile.  Last week while I was at Walgreen's purchasing my first red lipstick, I thought of you.  I have never tried bold colors like you wore (blue eye shadow, bright pink lipstick, and red lipstick) and I was surprised that I didn't look too bad with ruby lips!  I will always think of you when I apply that red lipstick and feel confident like you did all gussied up! 

I am sad that I didn't get a chance to say good-bye, sit by your bedside, or hold your hand before your unexpected death.  I will never forget my last precious moments with you.  It was in June 2011 when Karen and I came to see you at the nursing home after you were discharged from the hospital.  You had a terrible kidney infection and a broken leg (from a fall in the shower).  You were lying in bed swollen from all the antibiotics and had a difficult time eating your dinner due to your Parkinson's Disease. So Karen and I took turns feeding you.  Before we left, we both hugged you, kissed your cheek, and said, "I love you, Mom!"  I am very grateful for that time we shared together with you and hope you will remember my beautiful last moments with you.   I hope you know how much I love you!  I miss visiting with you in the nursing home, seeing your warm smile, wrapping my arms around you, and kissing your soft cheeks.

 I will never forget you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day in heaven!

Love your daughter forever, Jenny       

I scrapped some pages of my sweet Mother and some pictures from her funeral.

Miss You Mother, 2011

Page Two 

Credits: Shabby Princess June 2011 Templates, Blossom and Sprout kits from Shabby Princess, and I used the Mareen's Print font.

April 2012 Summary

April blew by quick due to us being extremely busy in our household.  We had a couple birthdays, Easter, spring break, my dad from Vermont came to visit us, accomplished a lot of yard work, new church callings (hubby is a scout master assistant and second counselor to the young men while I teach 5-6 year old primary children), and our puppy Jagger kept me on my toes since he acts like a toddler eating/chewing everything in sight and occasionally has potty accidents in the house.

Big sister turned 13 years old on April 5th and had a birthday party with some friends!  I cannot believe that she is officially a teenager!

Her birthday theme was her favorite colors Orange, Purple, and Blue!

 The kids played the following games: darts with balloons on sheet rock, Goldfish catch, cartoon couples match game, truth and dare, bubble gum relay, etc. They ate pizza, bread sticks, cake, and ice cream.  The teenangers  appeared very happy and entertained.  Big sis even made a groovy play list on her iPod, which they jammed to during the party.

Our beautiful little sister turned nine years old on April 15th! She requested a very rich chocolate Reese's peanut butter cup cake.  We bought moose tracks ice cream, devil's food cake mix, chocolate frosting.  I did two round cakes and put ice cream in between the cakes. Then frosted it and crumbled Reese's cups all over... We stored it in the freezer.  YUM!  She loved her girly presents a pink fuzzy blanket, a purple kick ball, sock monkey slippers, fairy dolls, Strawberry Shortcake play set, and a purple Lego set.

Little Sis read to Grandpa Coleman while he was in town.  He visited for a couple days during the third week of April.  We had a lovely BBQ with my sister's family on a Sunday evening and hung out.  On another day, he and I went to my mother's grave and had lunch together.  Then we ate enchiladas at my place for dinner one evening and my sister stopped by after work.  It was a great experience for my girls to be reconnected with him since it has been over six years since he last came out.

Big Sis reading to Grandpa!

 Yard work and gardening is a lot of work!  I have already spent many hours weeding, ack! We trimmed rose bushes, thinned fruit trees, fertilized the lawn, chopped limps off our out of control English walnut tree, planted seedlings and flowers!  I absolutely love having a greenhouse!  It has been cool this spring and my plants survived thankfully.  I hope we have a successful harvest in the next couple months! 

I adore my little "puff ball" or "toasted marshmallow" bichon frise/poodle puppy! Jagger makes me laugh and smile everyday!  I enjoy taking him on walks, car rides, kissing him, and cuddling him. He is entertaining when he chases his tail, plays with his favorite squeaky lady bug toy by pushing it on our legs while we walk, and prances when he moves around the house.  He definitively has "The Moves Like Jagger!" John and I are determined to learn how to groom him (nails, haircut, etc) since taking him to the groomers costs a lot of bling bling! Isn't he the cutest puppy ever??? XOXOX