Happy Birthday Tami!!!!

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday!

 We hope you have a wonderful day and it's full of everything you love. Hugs & kisses xoxoxoxo 

In Memory of Micah Shaw - In our Hearts Forever

On this Memorial Day we take time to remember our loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrafice for our freedom. As you all know we lost a very dear and special friend on Dec 9, 2007. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of him. He will always be in our hearts and we cherish all the wonderful times and memories we have.

In honor of all of our men and women that fight for our freedom please say a special prayer for them and their families. They are a special group and need our support always! No one wants to go to war but this is a great nation and worth defending. Ask the men and women that are over there doing just that!

Enjoying the Sun

Today is such a beautiful day...we have sunshine here in the NW. For lunch we decided to have a picnic. You have no idea how excited I was since I love picnics. They are so simple but yet so personal.  It was perfect, we found a beautiful park and enjoyed being outside and together. What a relaxing lunch! Here is a picture Stephen snapped on his phone.

Dreaming of a Relaxing Outside Space

I am limited on space with a small balcony but I desire a nice quiet place that I can enjoy being outdoors and be surrounded by plants and flowers. I want to transform our balcony to a cozy outside retreat, to have quiet time for myself, to enjoy reading a book, to have an enjoyable conversation with my hubby, daughter or friends while sipping on a fresh strawberry lemonade. A place to be still!

photo by SDCDeaCerte

I love the contrast of color

photo by

I just love the colors of this, the soft pinks, the natural hues, the girliness of it all

photo via apartment therapy

again another girlie retreat that I adore but not so sure my hubby would ;)

photo by

I love this one for it's coziness minus the cat of course. With that fluffy kitty I couldn't relax very well since I wouldn't be able to breath

photo by

And of course one of these...I love the sound

photo by

I love these colors, my space is way to small for this idea but just imagine hanging out here for an afternoon

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this is simple and sweet

photo by

A Letter to Mom

  Not a day go's by when I don't at some point think of you. You have been gone from us physicaly for 21 years but your Spirit is with me always. I remember so many things we did together and I don't have any bad memorys. When I was 4 years old and I can remeber so clearly you sitting in your favorite chair reading your Bible with your red highligter marking every scripture that would pertain to that point in your lfe, and drinking coffee, cream and two scoops of sugar and you would set it down next to you. I thought I was so sneaky as I would take little sips hoping you wouldnt notice. Before long it was gone and you would just get up and make another cup. I still drink it the exact same way today. I remember you being strict but you had your hands full with five kids. I knew when I came home from school and the house had the smell of cleanser and the pressure cooker was going we better be on our best behavior! We didn't even have to ask, it was get your room clean or Dad would be home soon!

              I know being the youngest I was very close to you and loved to help you clean and try to make the house as nice as it could be, wanting to make you proud and hoping that I was helping to give you a break. I will never forget the time we were cleaning up the side yard and I picked up a 2x4 and spun around to throw it and creamed you right in the head. I think I was about 8 or 9 and I felt so bad I started to cry and I wasn't the one that was hurt. I can remember you hugging me telling me it was OK. 

               By the time I was 11 I was the only boy in the between my bothers that didn't care about baseball and started BMX racing. We used to have so much fun! Brenda was already involved and hooked me up with a bike that weighed about 800 pounds. After my 1st race I was hooked! Soon after you and dad were involved big time, and proceeded to do like all the parents involved in the sport. GO BROKE! It was exspensive but you both backed me 150%. You bought a van and we tried to hit every race we could get to on a school night and then some. Being a kid, of course I thought money just magicly came from the bank.We were racing 8 times a week. One year we drove to Oklahoma, Colorado, Nevada and from San Diego to Modesto chasing the number one plate. Now as a parent I know how hard it must have been. But you were as excited as I was. I have the best memories of you and dad during that time.

             Well, when I started getting older and in High School BMX fell to the side and I started working for my brother Paul when I was 14. Cars were the new interest. I loved it. But I knew you had some concern about that being possibly my career choice. You pulled me aside for lunch one day and asked me what my plans were for the future. I wanted to go to college and be a millionaire by the time I was 30. Kinda funny now that I think about it. Well I started college but never applied myself because the "Bodyshop" was taking all my time, mothers know. Well I had visions of some day being part of my brothers shop. It wasn't meant to be.

           I am now 19 years old and working like crazy. I met this girl named Marianne, friend of a friend, and as God would have it, her mom just wrecked her Honda and it was in our shop. We struck it right off, then a little bummpy but then my soulmate. Marianne loved you guys so much and was there for me. I am so happy she knew you and that you had asked Brenda before you went to meet Jesus if I would marry her. Brenda said I would.

           I now have a daughter named Awbrey and she and Marianne are everything. I have made some changes in all of our lives and are in such a better place because of it. Awbrey an I were both just baptised and my whole family has made Jesus the center of our lives. I know that is how you would have wanted it. 

I tell stories to Awbrey about you and dad all of the time so she knows about how wonderful you two were. Awbrey has a heart of gold and reminds me of how you were with me. Pure love!

  
   Happy Mothers Day! Love and miss you, but I know will be together again.

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                       Your son, Stephen       

             

Celebrating my Mom & Sending Mothers Day Wishes

I have an amazing mom! She has a heart of gold and cares deeply for her family & friends. I love to watch her talk to with people and make new friends. While here for a visit she had the time to meet some wonderful woman from our church and before going home she made some new friendships. That's one of the many things I love about her, she is a genuine woman and truly cares for others. She has taught me a great deal and I am so thankful to have the best teacher in the world. She is my mentor on how to be a good wife and mother and she has helped show me what truly matters...to love unconditionally and whole heartedly
to have fun and cherish each moment. Not only is she my mom but she is my best friend. I know that what ever I come to her with she will be there to give me some great advice, she will cry when I just need to cry or she will laugh when I'm laughing. She never judges me and always supports me. Watching her with Awbrey melts my heart. She is an amazing grandmother and I am truly thankful for the bond that the two of them have. They have an amazing friendship. Awbrey truly loves her Mimi and cherishes all they do together.  There are so many things that they have done together and hobbies that Mimi has shared & taught her. It touches my heart to see them together, laughing playing and just being goof balls!

So Mom on this Mothers Day we send you many wishes of a wonderful day full of love! We wish we could be there with you and the family celebrating the GREAT Mom's we have in our family at the traditional Mothers Day BBQ. Just know that you are always with me in my heart and I hear your voice in my head always cheering me on. You are such an AMAZING MOM that gives everything to her family. You are full of such grace. We are all truly blessed to have such a loving, caring lady in our life. Thank you for all that you do!!!

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

We love you,
the3burgs

Dreaming of a Picnic

I'm in the mood for a picnic but it's not looking like the best weather for one this weekend here in the NW, but I can dream of one. I love picnics, they are so relaxing, romantic, personal, quiet and you get the best seat in the house. I wonder why I don't go on more since I enjoy them so much? Most likely it's because I'm always running a million miles an hour and forget to stop and smell the poesies.

Sitting under a crystal blue sky, eating yummy food and enjoying the company of those you are with or enjoying some alone time reading a book, whatever you enjoy doing go out and have fun!

photo taken by

photo by Sweet Paul

photo by the Cherry Blosson Girl

phote by Sweet Paul

The Joy of Helping Others

Good morning!

I can't believe that we are only a week away from the walk. So far our Great Strides team has raised $380 toward our goal of $1000. If you've already donated, thank you so much for your support! If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, please take a moment to visit our Great Strides page by clicking DONATE TODAY.

Thank you, every little bit helps!

GREAT STRIDES Walk - Donate today

Hi -

GREAT STRIDES is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's largest and most successful national fundraising event. This year, I'm walking in the GREAT STRIDES walk at the 2011 Vancouver - Esther Short Park walk on 05/14/2011, we will be walking in honor of my friend Melissa's 20 yr old nephew Billy who has CF. Please help me meet my fundraising goal of $150.00 and our team's goal of $1000.00. Your generous gift will be used efficiently and effectively, as nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education.

Making a donation is easy and secure! Just click here GREAT STRIDES Donations and "Click to Donate" button on this page to go to make a donation that will be credited to my team. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated!

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating genetic disease that affects tens of thousands of children and young adults in the United States. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. However, we continue to lose precious lives to CF every day. That's why your help is needed now more than ever to ensure that a cure is found sooner - rather than later. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation, visit www.cff.org.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with CF! Thank you for supporting the mission of the CF Foundation and GREAT STRIDES!


Thanks to everyone for your support!