Our Love Journey close to home...

For the last few years, our family has been "chasing" LOVEworks Sculptures across the state of Virginia.  For our 25th LOVEworks sculpture, we visited a traveling sculpture at Showalter's Orchard in Timberville, VA.  There was just something about this one...it overlooked the Shenandoah Valley which is a part of where we now call home and it's location was breathtaking.  We visited the sculpture twice - first with my little nephew Xander, and then again in the early evening with a photographer who thankfully agreed to photograph my unusual request.  Caroline did an amazing job of capturing the kid's fondness, and passion, for the letters and I for one, was so delighted with the pictures!  What an amazing way to celebrate our 25th LOVEworks!

Want to join us on our journey?  Visit:  www.virginiaisforlovers.org for LOVEworks locations.

An act of love...

The past week and a half, I have had my share, and quite a few other's shares as well, of migraines.  And although when I have a migraine, I would like the world to stop, it cannot, as I have to take my kids to and from school and make sure they get to their other activities and commitments.  Yesterday was one of the worst of my migraine days and I can say it totally took the wind right out of me.  My son, Gabriel, was very concerned about when this "round" would go away and I would feel good again.  He asked several times throughout the evening if I was "better" yet.  As that wasn't the case, he went to bed very sad for me - which was indeed touching.  This morning, I went to grab my things to take the kids to school, and I saw Gabriel's favorite, and most well-loved Percy (what he calls his polar bears) tucked ever so gently into my purse.  I couldn't help but to smile as he is so protective of his Percys.  I asked Gabriel why Percy was in my purse and he smiled ever so gently and replied, "Percy can be here to hug you today while I am at school so that you can be better when I get home." Such a simple gesture from such a sweet and gentle hearted little boy.  Certainly enough to melt a Mommy's heart.  Love you sweet boy.  And yes, Percy's hugs did make Mommy feel better.

Celebrating one's namesake

As a family, we did not have a summer vacation planned this summer, however I asked my children at the beginning of the summer to make a list of realistic (and yes, we had to review what realistic means) things that they would like to do.  Their list were quite long, as one would expect for three little people, and of course, some were out of our bounds, but we found some grand adventures together as we checked off some of the items on their lists. 

One of the items on Abby's list was to take flowers to her Grandma Margie at the cemetery.  She also wanted to take a flower to my Mommy Ann who she never had the privilege of knowing, but whom she asks about quite frequently.  Abby's middle name is Kniceley and she was named for both of these ladies as well as my other Great Aunts, Uncle and Grandfather who shared their name.  They each had an amazing influence on my life and naming my daughter for them collectively was a way that my husband, and I, chose, to honor them.  Abby has always been very proud of her namesake and it is very important to her.

The kids, my mom, and I were finally able to make it to Crewe yesterday.  When visiting the cemetery, each of my kids wanted to leave a special treasure -- Abby had already chosen the roses, Nicholas asked if he could leave one of his bracelets, that he made, for his Grandma Margie, and Mommy Ann, and Gabriel asked to leave a "memory" stone that he found.

I am blessed that my children have such fond memories of their "Grandma Margie" - she was indeed an amazing, loving, and cherished woman - and that we are able to celebrate those memories together.  I am equally blessed that they want to celebrate my mom's mom, dad, and aunts and uncles that are no longer with us.  My heart is indeed full.

Coming back from winter hibernation...

My apologies for being absent so long....life has been busy for us, and I am sure for most of my readers.  Once Christmas was upon us, we were super busy and since school started (did it really begin..it certainly seems that with the cold weather and the snow the kids are home more than at school!) I can't seem to catch my breath!

So one of the highlights of our New Year's break (those few days between Christmas and New Year's) was a whirlwind of a trip to Jamestown for my boys--and daughter--but mostly the boys.  Nicholas had asked to go to Jamestown for his birthday which was in November and we just couldn't seem to pull it off.  We thought we would go during the Christmas season so that they could see how the "Jamestownians" decorated for Christmas.  Such fun!

Our whirlwind trip began in Luray, and along the way we visited the New Kent Visitors Center's LOVEworks sculpture then we continued to Williamsburg where we spent the night.  We spent New Year's Eve in Jamestown which was a blast.  We went from there to Hopewell and Lynchburg for their LOVEworks Sculptures then to spend New Year's Eve with my Grandmother which has become a tradition with our kids.

On New Year's Day we left Crewe and visited Farmville's new LOVEworks sculpture then to DeCards Vineyard in Etlan before finally returning home.  It was indeed a whirlwind of a trip but fun nevertheless!

Click here to see our family's LOVEworks Journey.

Celebrating the iconic Coca Cola Polar Bears!

So, as most of my followers know, my 8 year old son is passionate (which is really an understatement) about Polar Bears!  He has been studying, watching and loving polar bears since about 9 months old and has stayed very true to his passion.  For several years, Gabriel has asked to dress up as a polar bear and this year we were lucky enough to actually find a costume.  He has almost worn the costume out in just a few short weeks!  When he saw the Coca Cola bears earlier this week on a commercial, he joked that he was a Coca Cola bear.  Then the forecast came in.  And it was to be a "big" snowfall for this early in the season-- and I couldn't resist getting him a few bottles of Coca Cola and letting him have his own little photo shoot!  Gabriel was one happy little polar bear and Mommy, who likes to help the children follow their passions and dreams, could't help but smile!

Leadership Day! Fabulous moments!

Wheew!  We have been on a worldwide of a day here at Convention!  Yesterday was Leadership Day and filled with the most awesome memories starting with a VIP Breakfast with Goody and friends, a day of inspirational speakers (esp. my dear friend Barb Carrico!), and ending with an evening of celebration with my Scattered Hearts team at my up-line's Team Meeting!!!  I am so blessed to have Close To My Heart in my life!  The relationships and friendships that I have made have been absolutely amazing!  I am truly the most blessed gal!!  

 VIP Character Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen - with Sandy and Jillene!

...and Debbie and Barb!

 I found a sweet childhood friend!

FINALLY, my Director's badge!

My fabulous mentor, roommate and dear friend Barb!

 My name badge!  So much happy!

My Scattered Hearts team badge!  

Created in what else??  Studio J!  Love that awesome program!

"It is so a Tonia S./Tonya S. thing!"  With Tonia! 

 Love how our friendship has grown across the years and miles!

How fun! Thanks Tina for making us all Queens for the night!  

Your special touches AMAZE me!

Scattered Hearts "Buckeye Queens!"-

Deb, Chris, Tonia and me!

Love this picture with Alex!  

Love!  

Heart!!  Heart!  Heart!

Want to be in on the fun next year!  Our convention is in mid-July and will be back here at Disneyland and I would love for you to join me!!  E-mail me for more details on joining my team and making it happen!  My e-mail address is: inallsassiness@gmail.com!