dahlia jo

a new baby is always 

a reason to post lots of photos

grandma mary {one more time}

Shared by our son Blaine today:

At 3:45 a.m. on March 22, 2016 Lindsay and I were blessed with the arrival of little Opal Josephine. We have also been blessed by the love and generosity of many friends and family that have helped us prepare for our new journey. Our hearts are warmer than we ever thought possible. We look forward to the adventure of guiding her through this beautiful world, and can't wait for her to meet everyone who makes it so much so.

Oh, and a special thank you to her namesakes 

Lindsay's late great grandmother Opal and 

my late great grandmother Josephine!

sweetness

Ezra Sparrow {3 months old}

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

twenty-five

My youngest son turns twenty-five today.
He has recently moved back home and is attending
college to become an elementary school teacher.



He has always been good with children and we know
that this career path is a good choice for him.



Mr. Corners and I each spent 30+ years teaching before retiring
so . . . this apple isn't falling far from the tree.

Happy Birthday Seth
We love you!

happy birthday

Happy Birthday Amanda


Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I pray for her to have a joyful life.
I hope she knows how much she is loved.

twenty-eight

happy birthday to my first-born son


fish pedicure {with a free beer} in Siem Reap, Cambodia
what a way to celebrate for only $1!

thirty

Happy birthday to my favorite son-in-law.
On his last visit to our home this is what he had for breakfast.
No kidding five.



How does he stay so skinny?!

twenty-six

Happy Birthday to son #2
{the young man with the camera}

Angkor Wat ~ a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia
{his wife, Lindsay is holding their nephew, Cedar
his sister's husband is chatting with the guide}

twenty-four

Happy birthday to my youngest son.

seventy

My sister has a big birthday today.
To celebrate we invited a few of her girlfriends for a small gathering.
She is the "redhead" in the crowd.
The young ones in the photo are her daughter and granddaughter.



Happy Birthday Pat

twenty-nine

Happy Birthday Amanda


Phnom Penh, Cambodia
32 weeks

This is my child with mission in her heart and an amazing depth of spirit. She strives to make the world a better place and understands the joys of ordinary life. She is an amazing, intelligent, thoughtful woman. When she, my first-born, joined our family my life changed forever.

We look forward to meeting her in Bangkok, Thailand in February to welcome the new baby. Being the mother of a mother will be a welcome journey and a true blessing.

Now she is about to become a mother herself - I pray for her to have a joyful life. I hope she knows how much she is loved.

twenty-seven

Happy birthday to my oldest son. I am so proud of the man he has become. He is a loving son/brother, loyal friend, creative socializer, responsible worker, and seasoned city boy. This young man is always thoughtful, adventurous and fun to be around. I love touching base with him when he calls to catch up each week on his walk home from the gym. When he was young my last words to him every time he headed out the door were "make good choices" . He has!

I pray for him to have a joyful life and I hope he knows how much he is loved.

twenty-five

Happy Birthday to my middle son. As his wedding approaches in 19 days, I can no longer think of him as a child - I'm so proud of this amazing young man. He is a caring, thoughtful, fun-loving young adult and is a social organizer for his circle of friends. He has many life changes ahead of him as he moves with his bride to Fort Collins, CO and begins a graduate program in watershed science. Giving up a job and following your dream takes courage and I know he will succeed. He loves life and makes the most of every adventure. Now he is out there in the world - I pray for him to have a joyful life. I hope he knows how much he is loved.

twenty-three

Happy Birthday to my youngest son. Unfortunately for him, his birthday is always during the last week of school and both his parents are teachers. We could fool him for many years and celebrate a week later. Then . . . he learned to read a calendar and the gig was up. He has always been very patient about it but I know it was hard.

This past year, when he was 22, I could still think of him as a child - I'm not so sure about 23. He is a funny, thoughtful young adult with one more semester of college before he's off to find his way in the world.

I hope he knows how much he is loved.

flirty thirty

These sweet young girls that I work with just had a
Flirty-Thirty Party.
Thirty is a great decade of your life.
I know they will enjoy every minute of it.
Happy Birthday Amy and Ali . . .

twenty-eight

1983

This is my child with mission in her heart and an amazing depth of spirit. Her mission work has taken her to Taylor University IN, Seattle WA, Vancouver BC, Terrace BC, New York City and now Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am truly awed by this child. She is everything I strive to be. Ever since she was a little girl she has been the social director of our family and her friends. This remain the same in her adult life. She keeps things organized and makes sure that all her friends are entertained and well cared for. She understands the joy of ordinary moments. She is an amazing, intelligent, thoughtful woman. When she, my first-born, joined our family my life changed forever. Being a mom to her and her brothers has enriched me more than they can ever imagine.
I am so honored to be her mother.
I am so proud to be her mother.
I am so grateful to be her mother.
Now she is out there in the world - I pray for her to have a joyful life. I hope she knows how much she is loved.

fifty

When I turned 50 my cousin Renee sent me this poem.
Ever since I have shared it with my friends as they turned 50.
Now . . . it is her turn.
Happy Birthday Renee

What then? Shall we sit idly down and say
The night hath come; it is no longer day?
The night hath not yet come; we are not quite
Cut off from labor by the failing light;
Something remains for us to do or dare;
Even the oldest tree some fruit may bear;

But other something, would we but begin;
For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) from: Morituii Salutamus

twenty-six

1985

Happy birthday to my oldest son, the first to find his way in the grown-up world. He was putting together 100 piece puzzles at the age of 3 so it is no surprise to me that he has become an engineer. His smiles helped me stay afloat and his tears broke my heart. Today he's a quiet, loyal, very sweet, kind of shy adult. He's always thoughtful and polite. He loves music, football, his lifetime friends, camping, and his family. Some girl is going to be so lucky to have him! I just hope she loves football too. I am so proud of the man he has become, but I still miss the everyday joy I felt watching him grow. Now he is out there in the world - I pray for him to have a joyful life. I hope he knows how much he is loved.

twenty-four

July 1999

Happy Birthday to my second son, the energetic one and the child that still "checks-in" most often. He has become a thoughtful adult but I do miss the days when he would come downstairs an hour after bedtime for a chat and reassurance. As he returns to graduate school to leave the world of business behind and start a path to environmental sciences, we know he will succeed. He's at that age where I now see a handsome man and not that little boy any more. Makes my heart ache and yet also makes me feel completely happy. He loves life and makes the most of every adventure. Now he is out there in the world - I pray for him to have a joyful life. I hope he knows how much he is loved.

twenty-two

Florida 1990

Happy Birthday to my youngest son, the one most like me and the child of my heart. I remember the exact moment when I knew we needed one more child to complete our family circle. It is a joy to watch him become independent and find his way but I do miss the days when he counted on me for everything and I always knew where he was. I tried to prepare him for the world and then had such a hard time sending him off. This has been the hardest one to let go - my fourth and my baby. Now he is out there in the world - I pray for him to have a joyfull life. I hope he knows how much he is loved.