Ringing in the New Year...

...this is more about New Year's Eve 2008...

Part II of our daughter (theLuckiestMrs.) and son-in-law's special day as a brand new couple. Today, I am not working at the dental office, so I really want to get this post up...it takes me forever to edit and put up a post! (but I am getting better with Photo shop, etc :o)

Like I mentioned on this post, their photographer was amazing! These are some other engagement photos that he had taken.

This 3rd one is in our living room.  And when I glance at it, I always think of the frames that you buy with the sample photo of the make-believe couples for display at stores.  :o)  But of course...this cute couple is 100% real and truly 100% in-love :o)
(I know, I know...they are our kiddoes...so I hope you permit me to be partial :o)

The following video has photos taken with my sweet sister-in-law K's, cousin B's and my cameras. A few at the beginning are some wedding ones that I did not have earlier. Most of the rest are taken at the reception.

Here are a few of our daughter's great ideas that they used at their wedding.

1. Her bouquet was made of 7 different varieties of white flowers. (And our daughter attached one of my mom's opal rings not only as a "something old...", but in memory of her).  Each of her bridesmaids and her Maid of Honor had a bouquet of one of the flowers represented in her bridal bouquet.

2. At the reception, a table was set with photos of parents', grandparents', great-grandparents' wedding photos.

3. In lieu of wedding favors, money was donated to Children's Miracle Network. (Heartbreaker was the 2007 Georgia Ambassador for CMN.)  But that didnt mean that there was not anything for those attending... There were fun hats, crowns, & noisemakers for every guest to choose from to welcome the New Year in with...

Here are two of the littlest members of the wedding party... trying to pick...

4. With such a very short break with Girly Twirly's dental school and her Mr.'s med school, they waited until their summer break (which also isnt as long as most summer breaks go, but long enough for their honeymoon cruise).  But they did get to go to New York on what they call their "Mini-moon".  They went for 3 days and 2 nights.

This is at the Rockefeller Center 2009.

They stayed at the St. Regis and also at the W.

5. For their wedding guest book, they had a beautiful book, filled with photos and interesting facts of New York.  Everyone was encouraged to sign and leave sentiments anywhere throughout the book.  (Which they took with them. They had fun finding and reading what everyone had written).

(signs made by me :o)

6. The Giant sparklers were lit and held by guests as the newlyweds left under the "tunnel of sparklers". The Sparkler tunnel started from the clubhouse door all the way to where their car was awaiting them.

This first anniversary, our son-in-law (hmmm....I'll have to think of a blogger nickname for him, rather than "theLuckiestMrs.' Mr.") surprised our daughter with a return trip to New York!  They had an amazing time and were able to eat at the Tavern on the Green, on the very last day that the Tavern was opened to serve before closing down permanently.

New Year's Day 2010

Times Square

@ the Tavern on the Green

This was when they were on their 2009 summer honeymoon cruise.

...but that's another story :o)

Well...I had meant to have posted this one right after the "Happy Anniversary" post I had done earlier, but I didnt have all my photos uploaded.  I seem to be in that perpetual "running behind" mode, when it comes to my blog posting and reading!

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Also...here are a few past drawings that have been completed. These three were ordered by a customer to give as gifts. I really do enjoy drawing new subject matter. :o)

She sent me a picture of a ring that looks like Nedra's and then asked if I could draw a simple band for Tommy's that was interlocked.  Ordinarily, I do prefer drawing directly from a photo or image, rather than from a thought. Since what I may think of may not be exactly what the customer is thinking.  However,  I am so happy that she was happy with the end results.

This Initial was drawn from an image that was sent. The whole image is drawn using the last name WILLIAMS.

This one was also done on concept only.  The couple for which this was made for, love to fish. And grouper is one of their favorite fish to fish :o)  ...And to incorporate their wedding bands, somehow.  Fun! Here's well wishes for many, many happy fishing days ahead!

...now, back to my drawing board :o) 

Blessings & Aloha!

3 Beautiful, Heaven-sent Gifts...

Beautiful on the outside and also on the inside...

and these special gifts bring joy to those around them...

especially to my husband and I!

Thank you Lord, for blessing us with our 3 children.

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Our son, Heartbreaker, is in the most diligent and caring hands right now.  Both his sisters are standing by him as "Nurse Nightingales".  Over the weekend, he had temp around 102, the girls brought him to the University's clinic and the doctor has him on some medicines and staying home from classes for about a week...from the flu.

(unidentified British nurses, 1899)

His sisters have been taking his temperature about every hour and jotting it down, making sure he's taking his meds and plenty of fluids.  Thankfully, this year, heartbreaker is renting with them in their duplex, so what a blessing to know that they are all together.  For now, he is in one half til this junky flu is done.  and there's plenty of lysol spray & hand sanitizer.  And plenty of handwashing all around!

Monday, Girly Whirly stayed home from her afternoon clinic/classes (she didnt have any morning sessions) and so she stood a watch.  About 3 this morning, Girly Twirly took Heartbreaker's temp and it was down to 98.0 (His and Girly Whirly's normal temps run about 97, which is lower than the average 98.6.). It's been at about 98.5 to 99.5 today.

Thanking the Lord for His healing touch.  Thankful for blessing us with loving, caring children!

We have so many photo of the 3 of them together, but here is a clip of some of the photos I have been able to find.

The 3 little monkeys, 3 amigos, aka 3 musketeers, aka Wynken, Blynken, and Nod, aka the terrific trio :o)

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...Once upon a time...they were itty bitty...

Here is another clip... when they are older.

...more to love and with more love to give...

We are thankful and blessed that Heartbreaker is healed of cancer...

and thankful and believing for a speedy recovery from this flu!

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Thank you for stopping in...

I do so appreciate your time and comments.

Blessings & Aloha!

(I do have more newly completed drawings to share 

and another lovely award (blog hug) that was passed on to me!

...but I will save those for my next post).

Bouncing Babies...

I'm excited to share our Bouncing Baby pics on ROXIO. I won a yr's premium from Katie @Katie'sNestingSpot! Some of you know I'm learning, and learning, and learning as I go! ...and I may be a bit slow. (ok...maybe a lot slow...)

So...for your viewing pleasure! (& if I was excited to figure out how to embed the little Portuguese rooster video" on my last post...whoo-hoo...now, I feel absolutely "computer-tech savvy" excited!

...at least for the moment).

I thought "Bouncing Babies" was appropriate... some of us were a wee bit more "bouncy". :o)

Here are some stats:

*on the birth certificates*

Mr. B: a 10lbs + Christmas baby born @ 4:38pm, Hawaii.

Me: the smallest of us all (of course, that was back in the good ole days!) @ 7lbs + born @2:15pm, Philippines.

Girly~Whirly #1: @ 8lbs.2oz born @ 10:43pm, New Mexico.

Girly~Whirly #2 @ 9lbs.2oz born @ 1:40am, Alabama.

Heartbreaker @8lbs born @ 5:46am, Hawaii.

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Here are a few more babies...each drawn with their name.

The 2 boys are not the same, but coincidentally, drawn in similar names. Brantley drawn in 2006, Brant drawn in 2008.

It's been great having you here!

...I'll be checking out more beautiful babies on this week's blog hop...

Blessings & Aloha!

*added note: a blogger had emailed to ask about the 2 gift certificates towards a drawing order that I have on my last post: Tales of the Portuguese Rooster. No, it does not have to be a rooster :o) The gift certificate can be used towards ANY image drawn with ANY name.

...so, if you would like, please feel free to check out my Rooster Party & see how you can enter. The winners will be picked on Saturday (Sept 5th) after all the Rooster Revelry is done. :o)

P.S. Georgia and Hawaiian Beaches! Part 2

Aloha! (Greetings! and Welcome to some more sunny skies and salty surf!)

If you are here for the first time, I hope you enjoy your visit... and do check out yesterday's Beach Party. Thank you to Gina@theShabbyChicCottage for being such a gracious host!

If you were there yesterday, I'm so glad you came back... Can you imagine if I left all these parties on one post!

This lighthouse beckons you to relax with us on more beautiful beaches.

(Personalized Sketches copy of original)

*Click on image to see the last name used: TEVAR*

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2004, our assignment has brought us to as far away east from Hawaii that we can be and still be in the United States. Savannah is gorgeous and has so many wonderful sites to see. Tybee Island is one of the many beaches near here.

...these were taken in Jan 2005! no snow here... this was right before LittleMiss had to fly back to college... and the luckiestmrs. was coming back from her dental missions trip in Honduras...and before we realized we would be faced with the challenges our 14 year old son's intense 5 months of chemo.

(Personalized Sketches copy of original)

*Click on image to see the name used: JESSIE*

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In the next set, the top photos at Tybee were taken during the girls spring break in 2005. Their sorority sister (& who is like family :o) came down with them. Heartbreaker just had the biopsy done and we were waiting for the results, around when these were taken.

The bottom Tybee Island beach photo was taken of two of the Hawaiian cousins that came with family to spend time with us. Heartbreaker had one more round of chemo after they flew back to Hawaii, so was sporting the bald head.

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Another summer full of sandy scenes, carefree crab catches, and happy hearts!

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This was for Heartbreaker's Make a Wish trip to Hawaii. It had been just under 16 years since he had been back to Hawaii... It was the perfect trip, except his sisters were in the midst of classes so weren't able to come. Mr. B and I went with him, with much excitement!

Heartbreaker got surf lessons...and was quite a natural...thanks to his athletic genes from his father :o) ...he got to snorkel with his dad...I relaxed underneath the palms. ...we had breakfast right out the entrance of our hotel and onto right on Waikiki Beach. ...& went to a great Luau. ...the final 3 days of the week long trip, we were able to fly to the Big Island and stay and see family. It was truly a Paradise vacation :o)

& How blessed, blessed, blessed we are that he is strong, healthy and a wonderful witness to what the Lord has brought him through!

(Personalized Sketches copy of original)

*Click on image to see the name used: SPENCER*

...this fish was an order for a cute little boy for his bedroom-and was similar to the fish seen while snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, Oahu.

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Before I bid Aloha to a wonderful time spent with you, I must not forget some exciting news.

I was contacted by Jennifer@TheToyBoxYears about receiving a lovely book titled "The Friends We Keep" (this link will go to her hilarious view about alternate grandparent names! and you can see her cutie patooties in her slide show on her sidebar).

and also by Katie@Katie'sNestingSpot about winning the free Roxio upgrade. (this link is all about her little designing darling creating a fantabulous fairy house & fairy!) Thank you girls for having such wonderful giveaways. You have to go visit these bloggers with their absolutely adorable, beautiful babies!

*added note: since I have been asked this question a number of times...I thought I would mention here as well: Yes, every drawing that I do is drawn entirely using ANY name and it can be of ANY thing. Thank you for asking and feel free to contact me with any other questions :o)

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(photo by our daughter, aka theluckiestmrs)

Hope you had a relaxing visit to all the beaches here...feel free to kick off your sandals and have a seat, like our daughter here on the Ft. Lauderdale sand...

or if you want more, be sure to go to Gina's@theShabbyChicCottage.

So, again I close with Blessings & Aloha! ('til we meet again).

I love finding your comments, so please don't forget to let me know that you were here.

Heartbreaker's Last Work Day...Fabulous Award...Prize Winnings

Wednesday, was our son's (aka Heartbreaker, his big sister's name for him...but he says he is the heartbreak-ee) last work day before we drive him back to the University of Kentucky.

So...while in Savannah, after dropping a couple of my resumes off, I thought I'd take a couple of pictures of him at his work...proof that he wasnt goofing off all summer. (He was blessed with getting hired at Dr. C's highly regarded medical offices. And he was also able to be a camp counselor to two week-long church camps.)

(photo by mom)

I'm so glad it doesn't bother him that I run around taking pictures.... and everyone there has been so great to work with. He really enjoyed working in the medical records room.

(photo by mom)

Working at Dr. C's office was the best summer job, since the working atmosphere was very positive, he learned a lot, and he was encouraged and motivated about his long-range goal...he's interested in the medical field. Perfect timing and circumstances.

(photo by mom)

It was great that Dr. C stopped to take this photo with H. Dr. C is so very busy! Heartbreaker truly admires Dr. C. Their family has been a blessing and H has built a wonderful friendship with them.

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Something FABULOUS that happened in the last couple of days...

"Ahem...I want to thank...Mama M...and...

This FABULOUS Blog Award is so chic and totally fab.u.lous!

Mama M, I love your blog, your cute kid photos, your humor, your help..."

It requires a list of up to 5 current obsessions and that I re-award it to 5 bloggers.

OBSESSIONS: (I'm not too good about thinking outside the box, so my list is inspired by Mama M's):

1. Our family...I wish that we were closer to our 3 chick-a-dees...the 12+ hour drive does not make getting lunch or having a quick visit possible. And then with other family in Wisconsin, Hawaii, California, Minnesota, Alabama... gee whiz!

2. My hubby...he is my greatest fan and companion! Now that we are empty-nesters and he isnt deployed and flying helicopters all over the world, we get to spend time together...often doing nothing but just being together...and that's just fine with me. (Although a Caribbean or Mediterranean or Alaskan cruise would be awesome).

3. Getting my Etsy shop going... and letting more people know about it. I get orders locally, but am excited that I can direct people interested in the artwork I do, to view the samples on the Etsy shop. I used to get questions asked all the time...like "Are your drawings on-line?" or "When will you be doing that, so I can show so-and-so,,,". And I am so happy that I finallly got my new business cards printed, so that I wouldn't have to write my crazy-long url address down! I use to have to do that and I would practically have to write in a spiral all the way around the back of my cards! (another thing learned...do NOT make your URL address ridiculously long-I was clueless and thought it had to be the same as what my title of my blog was going to be.)

4. Kit kats, peanut m&ms, cake, soft serve icecream, pizza, chinese food, mexican food, aw, I think I like just about any food from any country...the sky's the limit! And to think that I was such a picky, picky eater as a kid! I wish that I had a bit of that"pickiness" as an issue now, cuz then I might not have to think about exercising to lose and maintain my weight. (exercising should be on my list here, but... oh, well),

5. blog reading, blog writing, blog learning, blog hopping, blog "what-am-I doing?"...etc...

Mama M had blogging on her list and boy oh boy...I do agree! but it really is a lot of fun... I love meeting and getting to know about other bloggers.

Now, next to receive this FAB Award~

1. Molly's Country Memories Home Place: Molly has been with me from my earliest days...oh so long ago! (well, not really long ago, cuz I haven't been blogging long...but still, she is one of the first FABULOUS bloggers that I have met). Molly is a talented artist, crafter and sweet commenter.

2. Just Add Glitter & Stir: Maggi had hosted a FABULOUS Christmas Party back in July. She has lots of creative ideas and was the host with the most-ess...she made sure to stop and visit everyone's parties. & of course, we can't forget her cute little Toot!

3. Sweet Tea Diaries: Angela is amazing! What I love about this blogger friend is that from the beginning, she has been such a help and she was wonderful to leave a comment or email. Even though she has so many blog followers, she made me feel like I have known her for forever :o) ...full of fun finds, great giveaways, & stories of past and present that are always FABULOUS to read.

4. The Company She Keeps: BLC's FABULOUS blog is one of the first blogs that I have followed since I began blogging. ...a sweet blogger that shares her sweet family stories full of family love.

5. A Little Loveliness: Melissa's FABULOUS posts are full of great information, stories, and especially her beautiful photos of her beautiful children.

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...& one more thing...

When? Tuesday!

Why? Cuz my entry was selected!

Who? Denise from Lauren Nicole Gifts!

Where? from her shop...in my mailbox...to my bathroom!

What? 6 of her ingenious, creative towel markers! You can read how these came to be, here.

Denise, does such great work and the details and packaging is so amazing! How cute are these?

(photo by me)

I had to get them on some towels immediately...even though at this moment it is only Heartbreaker using this bathroom (*edited since I first started this post...so actually with heartbreaker back at college...there definitely won't be any towel mix ups!*) hehe but they will be handy when everyone is home for Christmas :o)

and I wouldn't put them where I have them shown on the towel...that was just so I had a semi-interesting view of the towels in that bathroom. They would be great on one of the corners.

(photo by me)

So...this has been a "last-summer-work-day", FABULOUS, prize-winning couple of days :o)

Blessings & Aloha!

ENCOURAGE...

(this heart-shaped parchment clipart

designed by Anastasia Maksymenko, edit by me)

(clipart by FeaturePics, edit by me)

*I aspire to encourage those around me...*

There are so many scripture verses that are uplifting and encouraging. The following verse was and is dear to my heart. In 2005, during our son's challenging time with cancer chemotherapy treatments, this verse was one of great encouragement & hope, as well as it brought peace & comfort.

(clipart found on google search, edit by me)

Jeremiah 29:11 is such an encouraging verse for any situation.

Blessings & Aloha!

(I have mentioned this before, but would like to again. I sign off with "Blessings" for I pray that these are abundant in your life.

and "Aloha" because although Aloha means many things, "love & affection" are the sentiments I close with.

Aloha. 1. Aloha, love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, charity; greeting, salutation, regards; sweetheart, lover, lover, loved one; beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, lovable; to love, be fond of; to show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection; to venerate; to remember with affection; to greet, to hail. Greetings! Hello! Good-by! Farewell! Alas!

Aloha

[Alo = presence, front, face] + [hâ = breath]

"The presence of (Divine) Breath."

****I missed last week's blog hop...so I hope you don't mind :o) I am slipping in some of our favorite KID PHOTOs of our 3 Hawaiian Sweethearts...Mr. B's sister made all the ti leaf skirts****

Our Hula honey, Keiki Wahine #1, aka "TheLuckiestMrs."

7 months old

Our Hula honey, Keiki Wahine #2, aka "LittleMiss".

7 months old

(this was a glossy photo from my wallet, so there is a slight reflection)

Our Ukelele Baby, Keiki Kane, aka "Heartbreaker".

7 months old

(with his Daddy's Kamaka Ukelele)

Oops! I'm also adding:

My brother (this is one, taken in Taiwan, that I happened to have. All his baby pics are at my dad's).

My sister (she is 9 months younger than our older daughter :o)

(this was taken at my parent's home in WI @ 3.5 yrs old, when we visited...and this hula cutie wasn't too sure about dressing up like this :o)

Thank you for stopping by and please leave a comment, before you continue on with the blog hop!

Christmas in July...It's a Party!

Mele kalikimaka! (a Hawaiian greeting from Coastal Georgia!)

Feliz Natale! (Thanks for the Portuguese, Delima Dilemma :o)Feliz Navidad! Froeliche Weinachten! Joyeux Noel! Christmas Alegre! Buone Natale!

Веселое рождество! メリークリスマス! 圣诞快乐!

... in other words...Merry Christmas!

There's a wonderful bit of Christmas Cheer going around. So, I'm glad you stopped by...

I'd like to share a picture or two...well, actually quite a bit more than that...so come on in and take a peek.

"Maligayang Pasko!" (coming from you straight from the Philippines...it's mini me at age 1!)

...Here is my mom and I (age 3yrs old) all nice and toasty inside, while it was super chilly on this Massachusetts' Christmas!

Meanwhile, in the beautiful tropical weather of Hawaii...a couple of years before I was even born...came a wonderful (10 pound +) Christmas gift...that I claim would be all mine... Mr. B! He was a Christmas baby...born on December 25th! (also, he was the 3rd generation born o Christmas baby...his Auntie Florence..and his Great-Auntie Maggie).

Mr. B with his big brother looking at what Santa brought...

"Hey, does he come with a horse or a tricycle?"

...1 year old

He's not looking to sure about the guy with the beard & big belly...

He never was short-changed on the gifts and birthday cake! :o)

What a handsome Christmas boy!!

2 years old!

I love this one of him and his brother... (see his hand? he was always pretending it was a plane and he was flying it! hmmm...his dream to fly would become reality as a helicopter pilot for the Army :o)

"Howdy & Merry Christmas!"...from our oldest daughter (who at birth, weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz.) aka theluckiestmrs. at the age of 17 months.

Our little "Kewpie doll" is dressed warm for the unusual snowfall that came down in

San Antonio, Texas that year!

"Merry Christmas, y'all!" from the newest member of our family...here in Ft. Rucker, Alabama.

Our little (9lbs. 2oz.) baby doll was only 16 days old at Christmas...

(If she had followed the family tradition of one born on Christmas...she says she could have been 10lbs. 2oz! ...um, no thank you :o)

...and it's back to Hawaiian-style... "Mele Kalikimaka!" from our handsome keiki kane (baby boy) and his two sisters.

Our little man was 7 months here... (since I mentioned the other's birth weights...he was 8 pounds even...thank goodness! I was not looking forward to that "1 pound more" trend that happened with our girls.) I love this photo taken in Hawaii when they were little...now these 3 beautiful kiddos are grown, in college and left my hubby and I as "emptynesters".

...I'm so happy you stopped in! You're welcome here any time!

Please leave a comment whenever you do, so I know that you were here.

...I'm leaving you with this drawing of Old St. Nick.

It was drawn for a customer, entirely with her unique name "Alpha".

***For all those that leave a comment...I'd like to give a little gift for each of you...10% off any drawing ordered from now to the end of August.***

Be sure to go to"Just Add Glitter and Stir"

for more Christmas fun!

Blessings & Aloha!

(...remember the reason for the season:o)

We are spending this last weekend with our daughter before she has to fly back to college...

so I'll try to finishing making my rounds to all the wonderful Christmas in July parties and meet all you wonderful hostesses!

Thank you for stopping in!

*don't know how to get this to quit underlining?*...oh well :o)