Happy Memorial Day

The sun is shining, the pools are open, school is almost done (if not already). The heat is blazing, grills are grilling, the beer is cold and the patriotism shines in all forms on this day of remembrance... 

"And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave."

~Joseph Drake

In honor of all those men and women who lives have been lost in war.  In honor of all of soldiers currently serving our country and in honor of all of our veterans who have bravely served with their hearts, their minds and their souls. I know I am so very proud and blessed to be in this great country of ours. 

By pure chance, My son had a shirt on the other day that sums up this weekend perfectly:

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR ARMED FORCES Present past and Future!!
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So what's going on this week around the Chatter? 

Well lemme tell ya. 

First, mark your calendars for next Saturday, June 4th.  Steele Creek Outreach is having it's second Family Fun Day Fair held at River Hills Community Church in Lake Wylie from 11:00-2:00 p.m.

This is a family fun day you don't want to
miss. They will have a variety of activities such as: face painting (by yours truly), live music, fun balloon making by Royal Ruckus, paper bracelet coloring, cupcake decorating, fun tattoos and much more; plus great food and drinks for everyone. There will be a raffle from some of your favorite local eateries and a silent auction with lots of fabulous options! All proceeds will go to Steele Creek Outreach, a local non profit Incorporation that assists the homeless in Mecklenburg and York Counties.
**Price $20.00 per family and can be purchased at the door.**   This includes: 2 slices of pizza and 15 tickets that can be applied to games, additional food, fun balloons, and/or the silent auction. Additional tickets will be sold at the event. For more information visit their facebook page be clicking HERE

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The Cupcake Girl is doing something pretty special that you need to check out... Read below a special note from Jen: 

"With all of the devastation out West with the tornado's, I feel the need to try to help. SO for every order the month of June, The Cupcake Girl will give 25% to Samaritan's Purse for disaster relief. It's not a lot, but together we can try to help families who have lost everything. Just trying to make life sweeter....one cupcake at a time!"

Jen you rock and so do your cupcakes!!! Make sure your check out her blog and facebook page and order some fantastic tasting cupcakes for any occasion as well as for a GREAT cause!!

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Summer is kicking over at Sew What Mommy. Make sure you check out some of their new adorable summer appliques and other great new items from Amy and Jen.

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Okay so, I Must give a shout out to the very gifted and talented Christine Barbera with Thoughtful Creations.  when asked to design a birthday basket for my mother in law for her birthday, she went above and beyond and came up with a creation that when I first saw it was utterly speechless.  While providing Christine with just a few nuggets of information on my mother in laws tastes and preferences, she came up with an extraordinarily design that just beautiful and uniquely detailed to fit this very special lady in my life.

If you are looking for a special gift for a special someone checkout Thoughtful Creations on Facebook.

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So for the past few weeks you may have noticed some advice and organizational tips being posted.  Well, I am happy to announce that Carolina Neat Freak is now a sponsor of Lakeside Chatter and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I sat and met with Kristin Lawrence last week and immediately responded to  this awesome gal and her wonderful talent for organizing not just your stuff but also your life.  I walked away totally impressed with not just her business but also her outlook.  "I LOVE it" she tells me when I asked if she enjoyed helping people get organized.  

She is a true gem and I hope all of you Chatter readers will check her out.  Look for a full feature article coming this week!

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Hope you all have a fantastic week and please check back soon and often and leave me comments as I just love love it when I hear from all of you!!  

With Love and Blessings,

Mary

For Squad B - A Moment.

If you would like to sign up to take Squad B a meal please send me an e-mail at maryickert@gmail.com   and I will send you all the info!!

Below is their story...

Have you ever had a moment…. 

Where you feel as if the world could come to a complete standstill? 
When something so utterly unexpected can happen in a split second and a story unfolds before your eyes….
And in that moment when your eyes lead you to that story all you can think is one word…..
Please….
Please Help...   

Have you ever felt this way?
Staring and watching and crying and breathing.
You must breath. 
Because they will need you. 
You will need to be strong and go inside yourself to that place you know you have…
There is no absence of fear,
there is no way out.
You are there, in that moment.
And you must hold on tight.
You must hold your breath for one more second as you tell yourself…
It will be okay.
It will be okay.
It will be okay.
And someone will be there holding your hand while you cry, while you pray while you grip back with all your might.
They have been there with you and back.
They understand the sound that has escaped from your mouth.
Please help…

And they DO.

This post is dedicated to Squad B with Station # 38 located in Southwest Charlotte on Shopton Rd West. They were on call a few weeks ago when a boy about the same age as my youngest son was hurt in an accident.  His mother, a dear friend of mine had to succumb to something, we as humans, all sign up for when we become a parent.  The absolute vulnerability of seeing your child hurt, scared and in need of much help and medical care..  My friend is a very strong lady, but her son is even stronger.  He is home and resting and safe and will recover from his injuries.... Thanks to this particular Squad who was there that day. 

Many of you may not know but Charlotte Firefighters are also first responders when a call comes in.  If there is an emergency you will most likely see a firetruck pull up before the ambulance thanks to their mandatory EMT training that every Charlotte firefighter goes through.  Each firefighter has either their EMT- D ( standing for defibulation) and can administer a variety of first aid services that are critical in the first hour of an injury or illness.  Some Firefighters are also trained Paramedics, which includes a more advanced knowledge of Emergency Medical services and the know how of administering medications (i.e. needles) in the field. 

Without a doubt firefighters put their life on the line every day they go into work. Some days there are no calls. And some days there are more calls than they no what to do with. Each day is different, but one thing stays the same. The hours are long, irregular and often at times go unnoticed. With that being said, they are also responsible for their own meals. While all of the stations are equipped with kitchen facilities, all the meals are either cooked by them or they are on the good graces of Charlotte Take Out.

YOU CAN HELP!!

Coming next month we you will have a great opportunity to help give back to our community and show Squad B how much we appreciate what they have done not just for my friends family, but all for the families they serve in our neck of the woods. Each week Lakeside Chatter will be arranging to have a meal delivered to them on one of their overnight shifts.  You will be able to sign up for a night, view what night's are available and see what other people have signed up to bring to help cut down on repetitive meals. As of now they are covered through the first week in June. So check back soon and often and be on the lookout for the meals link to go out. I will also include a link on Lakeside Chatter's Facebook page.

A special thank you to Rob over at Station # 38 who allowed me to come by yesterday and ask some questions and take a few pictures. I am so grateful for all of these men and women and take comfort in the fact that when life's moments happen, there is somebody always on duty who can provide not just help but also, courage and inspiration to lead us out of the fire and towards the notion that no matter what, in the end, everything is going to be okay.



"But sound aloud the praises,

and give the victor-crown

To our noble-hearted Firemen,

who fear not danger's frown."

~Frederic G.W. Fenn, , "Ode to our Firemen," 

1878

Monday Chatter (and a lil bit Chris Daughtry)

Well here we are officially entering the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The weekend that screams summer is here.  School is almost out and our service men and women are beyond awesome!!

So here is what is happening around the Chatter this week:

But First.........

I am still recovering from my celebrity sighting this weekend....  For those of you who know me I am a huge Chris Daughtry fan.  I mean HUGE.  So when I got a glimpse of him at the All Star Race this past weekend I was a bit "excited" (okay I went into full dork mode and my beloved husband who was with me threatened to leave me if I didn't knock off the giddiness).   Here is a picture....

Yup, he waved at me....  We are BFF'S now.... Hehehehehehehe....  Of course full blog post coming soon. 

For now, Back to Business!

Check out "Gals Who Rule The Chatter  If you haven't met these lovelies just yet please wander over and read about their amazing hearts, awesome business's, blogs and organizations.

My first recommendation of the Summer....

If you have little ones who love nothing more than and old fashion water balloon fight than look no further. 

3 and 1 Ballon Pumper by Discovery Kids.

Basically you can use for water balloons or to blow up regular balloons.  My boys love this.  Not just to throw at each other, but also on the yard, our driveway and their bikes (they needed cleaning Mommy, see.)

Great Fun for a hot afternoon.  We found ours at Bed Bath and Beyond for $9.99. 

Did ya see my Blog Club?  Have a blog you would like to recommend for Le Club.  Send me the link and I will add as long as it is suitable  (a.k.a nothing dirty people) 
Here is a new one added today Called Vol25 and was seen in Artful Blogger one of my new favorite mags...
Make sure you read her blog Vol 25   and visit her Etsy Shop.   She does amazing work.
I love how creative she is. I am already a huge fan and think you will be too.  Here is one of her pieces.  It is practically Lakeside Chatters motto so I had to share....
Thanks to Jessica with Vol 25.  You rock!!!

Provided by Vol25 http://www.etsy.com/shop/vol25

Organization Tips brought to you by Carolina Neat Freak: 

Kitchen Organizer

Group like items together--
store all bake ware in the same cupboard, all wooden spoons in the same ceramic crock, all spices in the same drawer.




Garden Tool Container

A sand filled trough will keep small garden tool from vanishing--and keep them in good working order.





Make sure to visit my sponsors as well.  Just click on their icons under "Chatter Sponsors" and pay their websites or blog a visit.  They would love to hear form you. 

That is it my peeps.  I am off to go download more Chris Daughtry pictures....  I only took like 20 or so...  I mean someone had to stalk him, it may as well of been me.  And if my hubby (also named Chris) is reading this I love you more than you know and when all is said and done this picture by far is my favorite from the race day..... 

My true love (and true BFF) in his element. Now THAT is worth all the chatter in the world.

With Love,
Mary

Blog Along with Me

Sometimes, I come across some pretty amazing blogs.  They are blogs that I am not even searching for.  They are blogs that just appear sometimes from out of no where.  Showing me an image telling me a story, offering me a much needed dose of hope, laughter or simply just a quote or saying....

How I love these blogs and how they can sometimes turn my day from sad to happy.  Down to up and when I least expect it, teach me something new about myself, the way I handle my life, my relationships my faith and my heart....

Sometimes these blogs will talk to me.

When I am down.... and feeling overwhelmed, when my heart is heavy for whatever reason, I feel a sense of kinship with someone out there who at that moment is blogging about something similar...
It as if a stronger heart and soul has decided to pick me up, dust me off and say "Today, you are going to be Okay."

And while some of these blogs are deeper than others, witty, silly and at times emotional most of them show a glimpse of life, love and happiness that can be seen and felt in ways they were intended for....

To make us smile!

Make us laugh or cry!

To weave and spin us in a new direction!

And To Make us feel beautiful!

By just being the person we are, seasoned with experience, with grace, beautiful moments that hold joy beyond words.... 

 It is then I see the amazing effects of lagunage and images of art carved from love to be shared amongst friends in a world where we all Belong!

.

See the sections below and click on whatever you are in the mood for. 


PHOTO BLOGS:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/
http://yepimawriter365.blogspot.com/

FUNNY BLOGS:
http://themeanestmom.blogspot.com/
http://www.alifeintranslation.com/
http://www.complicatedmama.com/
http://thebloggess.com/
INSPIRING BLOGS:
http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/
http://greenawaltfamilylife.blogspot.com/

SWEET AND SASSY:
http://littlemissmomma.blogspot.com/

SPIRITUAL:
http://www.chasingseagulls.com/

A BIT OF EVERYTHING:
http://stephen-babyvladimirandmythoughts.blogspot.com/

BLOGS ABOUT BLOGS:
Coming Soon..

UTTERLY GOFFY
Coming Soon...

SUNDAY MORNING
Coming Soon...

Raise your hand if you Taught your Mom how to Text?

Evan though it is slated as a Mother's Day sentiment I saw this, and had to share. 

Organizational Tips

Brought to you by Kristin Lawrence, professional Organizer and Owner of Carolina Neat Freak which will soon be featured here on the Chatter. 
For now these are great ideas and great way to use space and old material you wouldn't usually think you would need.

Organizing Tips of the Week!!

Pantry Door

A Pantry door covered with chalkboard paint, can serves as the perfect place to keep a running shopping or "to do" list.
This photo shows a wall using the chalk paint but same concept applies since you can erase and reuse again and again. 
Brillant!!

Tray Protector:

Simple mats cut from wallpaper remnants or decorative paper work magic on serving trays. Drinks are less likely to slide around, the tray is protected, and snack time is brightened up by this unexpected bit of color and pattern.

Thank you Kristin.  Can't wait to learn more on how to be better organized around the home and okay around my LIFE!

Perfect Summer Salad

It is that time of year where everyone's garden's are starting to bust out the fresh seasonal vegetables that help make those summer time salads super fresh and extra crisp. And as much as I would like to admit that I do indeed own one of those Garden's I cannot tell a lie.... I missed the inherited Green Thumb that both my Mom and Dad possess. Not for lack of trying however. Yet when one manages to kill even the inside plants it is probably best not to attempt an outside garden project.

Luckily I have neighbors who take pity on me and always happy to unload extra produce on my door step. To my left is my Basil hook up, to my right and down the corner is my tomato hook up. And when all else fails I do have great luck at the following:

 

• The PeachStand in Fort Mill, SC
• The FreshMarket
• Just about any Harris Teeter

This is super easy to build and makes for a crunchy mixture of reds greens and the garlic which It can be light or heavy (we prefer somewhere in between so I use two cloves) the flavors go well together, I make this for me and my hubby several times a week in the summer
 
Recipe:

1 Ripe Garden Tomato.
1 Ripe Avocado.
1 small cucumber.
Fresh basil Leaves.
Mozzarella Cheese (shredded works okay but if you can buy the block cheese or the Mozzarellas "pearls."
Two cloves of Garlic.
Edamame beans (shelled and rinsed).
Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar to taste.
Fresh cracked Pepper to taste.

Dash of salt.

Peel and core Avocado. Dice and cut with the tomatoes and Cucumber into bite sized pieces add to bowl.
Wash and rinse basil leaves and tear into pieces toss in along with edamame, garlic (minced through garlic press or finely chopped) and cut up chunks of Mozzarella cheese. 
Season with olive oil and vinegar, add salt and cracked pepper to taste. Toss until everything is coated
lightly. Add more S&P if preferred and or more Oil and Vinegar.
Chill for 20-30 minutes before serving.

 

Feel free to get creative and add can add the following:

Mushrooms.
Black Olives.
Green Onion.
Cooked Corn.
Hardboiled egg (whites only).
Sunflower Seeds or Pine Nuts.


Also.... 
Not a fan of Edamame??  Try chick peas or rinsed white beans.
Not crazy about Basil?  Try fresh Spinach or Arugula.
Feta or Sharp Cheddar in place of the Mozzarella works well too.

Enjoy and feel free to leave me a comment if you try this at home. 

I would love to hear from you.

 

TGIF!!

Happy Friday Chatter PEEPS!

Sorry for the delay in posting here, my week was cut in half thanks to lack of power for 18 hours (post about this coming soon).

But it is Friday and I wanted to send out all my love to everyone who helps make this job so fun and so special.

The Cupcake Girl - This is the Last weekend to place an order and receive 10% off if you mention you read about her on Lakeside Chatter.  Her cupcakes are super delicious and she offers a variety of flavors and allergy free options as well.  Visit her blog today to place your order and also check out her new logo. Super cute!!

Sugar Creek Garden Center is having their 2nd Annual Arts and Craft fair Tomorrow, May14th between 10:00-3:00 p.m.  Visit here for more information on this fun event for the whole family.

Contemplating teachers or Graduations gifts?  Check out gift basket ideas from Thoughtful Creations.  Each basket small or big can be specifically customized thanks to Christine and her crazy unique creativity.  You won't be disappointed with any creation she comes up with large or small. 

Make sure to also visit Plumfield Shop on Etsy for more gifts ideas, not just for teachers but also for new baby, birthday's weddings or just fro yourself.  Make sure to read Lauren's Blog as well, she takes great pictures and has great posts on food, places to visit and other unique bits and pieces on daily life.

Again Thank you to everyone who helps support Lakeside Chatter and especially thank you to my readers, the new the old and the soon to be...  Please feel free to leave me comments and touch base with me in e-mail or on facebook.  I love when I hear from each and every one of you....

Coming Soon: 

Welcome new Chatter Sponsor "Carolina Neat Freak"  More info coming in the next week, but super excited to have Kristin on board and can't wait to learn more about how to be better organized ( is so need this).
The Bloggers Club: I new feature where I will be sharing, commenting and showing off other blogs that offer inspiration hope and laughter. 
Smile for Mommy - While this isn't the "official" title of my new blog it will be close.  I continue to pursue my love for photography and thanks to my husband who got me a membership to The Lightfactory for Mothers Day I will be adding more photos and offering more photo journaling along the way.  Hope you all plan to stick with me and visit me there as well as keep up with my family life on Momsie. where the real fun happens. 

Hope everyone has a Great weekend!!!
With Love,

Mary

Blue Cheese Biscuits

They have been my go to recipe for years.  Perfect bite sized "yum yum's" (as my 5 year old calls them) for just about any event ( I have used them from football tailgating to baby showers to holiday appetizers or "just becuase".). 
Out of all the appetizers I have made in the past this one is the most asked about and is ALWAYS a hit (assuming of course you are a fan of blue cheese).  I haven't tried these with any other type cheese but feel free to explore and let me know how they come out.  For now here is the Recipe:

 What you will need:
1 Can Pillsbury "Grands" Biscuits.  I use the Homestyle one but can also use Buttermilk.
1 Stick of Butter.
1 container of crumbled blue cheese.

Preheat oven according to biscuits instructions.  Open can and layout on a cookie sheet.  Cut into quarters (I use a pizza cuter for this, easier and faster)

 

Next melt you stick of butter slowly and when it is half way melted add the blue cheese. 

Depending on how mild or strong you want the blue cheese taste to be, adjust accordingly, I have used only half container in the past for a very mild flavor, but most of the time I use the entire tub.  You can do what erv you prefer or even just use 3/4 of the container for a medium taste. 
Once the cheese in start stirring and switch over to a wire whisk.  Stir frequently until all the cheese has melted into the butter and you get a thick yet smooth consistency.

Next, using a basting brush dab the cheese mixture on all of the biscuits.  Coating heavily.

Put in oven and cook according to biscuits instructions but wacth them as they can cook pretty quickly.  They are usually done between 12-15 minutes.  Finished product looks like this:

Transfer to serving dish and serve warm.  Enjoy!!

Have a "go to" recipe you would like for me to share on lakeside Chatter.  Feel free to send it to me at lakesidechatter@gmail.com and will pick one recipe a week to post and shre with everyone. 

Reflections, (and I miss my Boobs!)

Well, I stared off this Mother's Day post to write about my love and joy about being a Mom.
And Then I started to look through some old pictures to accompany said post.
And then I got a burst of creativity and started a video "slide show" with all of my pictures since becoming a Mom.
This however was taking forever and decided instead to make a snack (sesame crackers and garlic humus, my latest food addiction).

Then I decided to get back to my blog... and pick up where I left off, but in classic “Me” like fashion I had switched gears. I felt the need to focus on the entire Mom's in my life, how lucky I am to know so many wonderful women....

And then I thought that was also going to take too long and be border line "sappy", and thought well how about a "quote" or a poem about Mom's....
Of course with more pictures to go along....

And then I stumbled upon this picture:

And then this one...

And the next thing I knew this post turned into thoughts and reflections on my two Pregnancies.... Relatively fitting for Mother's Day I think..
It goes something like this...

Reasons why I don't miss being Pregnant:

1)      The Backache and Sciatica combo. Nope, I don't miss that one bit. Both showed up in both of my pregnancies. While my lower back ached constantly, I was also having painful leg spasms that shot down from my butt to my foot I was only allowed Tylenol and an ice pack. Totally bogus!!

2)      Couldn't Poop. This one speaks for itself honestly and no need to elaborate but man, what a cruel thing for your body to hold out on you like that when you are eating for two and carrying around a watermelon. I still hold a grudge towards my "slowed" digestion system for that one.

3)      Nausea followed by starving for anything, followed by more nausea, followed by could eat a Big Mac and a Plate of General Tao’s Chicken, followed by more nausea and wicked awful heartburn.

4)      No alcohol.

 I truly did miss this sadly, in fact in this picture of me, and my Ultra Sexy Gingham Maternity bathing suit, you will see I am holding a beer. But alas, it was a super crappy nonalcoholic version of beer called O'Doul's (BAH). I just had to participate somehow since my whole family can't seem to stay on the beach without an ice cold beer in hand. I grew up this way. Have beach? Have Beer (or Bloody Mary's)! And since I married a man who loves this philosophy as much as I did I was truly having withdraws on this trip. Some might mention I was a bit "cranky" and I am sure I was... But I was fat and achy couldn't enjoy my usual Bud Light and I was tired people! Which brings me to number 5...

5) Fatigue... Oh lord. The first trimester and the 3rd trimester all I wanted to do was sleep... And most of the time I couldn't. If it wasn’t the heartburn it was my child playing hockey within my uterus. His favorite scoring shot? My ribs or (for extra fun) my "Who Who." Also called the "Pelvic Floor" as my OB described to me one in a matter of fact type way. He was male. I sometimes hated him.

6) Swelling and Gas. I think it is safe to say that the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy I was easily mistaken for a Hot Air Blimp. Puffy, swollen, stretched to the max and full of hot air. This was also the phase where my husband (for some reason) decided to point out the fact that my nose had "shifted"
I sometimes hated him too.

7) Insecurities and a bit of the "crazies".. On the days when I didn’t hate my husband I was convinced he was going to leave me. In fact so convinced was I one day that I actually followed him to the local Starbucks and waited for him to flirt with the barista who was much slimmer, cuter and Non-pregnant than me. He of course never left me, and only reassured me of his love for me when I would fling my swollen butt into his arms and plea with him if I was pretty and hoped he still found me attractive while me and my "shifting" nose turned red and runny from all the crying.

Reasons on Why I miss being Pregnant.....

1) My BOOBS!!!

Back when I was still pumping and had clevage

 I didn't have any before pregnancy (I am barely a 34 B and when I say barely I mean BARELY...) After the kiddo's and rounds of nursing and pumping I not only lost my sassy girls I also suffered from a case of "Invert-a-titus". Not sure what that is??  I will explain. Take your boob, turn it inside out and flatten. Leave only the nipple. There you go.

2)       The ability to eat what I wanted when I wanted and how much I wanted. I was lucky. Both pregnancies were normal and healthy. Sure I gained 40 lbs each pregnancy but that wasn’t my fault.  I had decided to breed with a man who comes from a long line of heavy pounders. . His own mother birthed him at over 10 lbs. She still hasn't forgiven him. I can’t say I blame her...

3)      The butterflies.... Sigh I really do miss this part. That first flutter  the first tickle coming within. I loved and savored just about every minute of that. And as the baby got bigger I was able to provide my husband with nonstop entertainment of watching my huge belly jump up and down, slide from side to side and when we were feeling extra crazy would lay the TV remote on top of me and watch it get kicked off. Good times!!!!

4)       The Ultrasounds process. Okay how wicked cool are ultra sounds now? Even in my day (only 6 years ago thank you very much) they weren't as cool with all the 3-D and movie like effects... But I remember being so excited for each and every ultra sounds we had. To see, to hear to watch, was truly a wonderful moment for me and my husband who was just as memorized as I.

5)       Pampering. From getting out of having to take any part of when we packed up and moved from our old house to our current one, to also being able to park much closer to stores thanks to the “Reserved for Expectant" mothers parking spots. I got offered seats all the time, was given extra special glances (usually from the sweet little old ladies) and on occasion my husband would suffer through an obligatory foot rub and then reward himself afterwards with a glass of scotch. The extra TLC was great and of course always appreciated.

Of course what I will miss the most, the real story here is that exact moment when you become a Mom weather it is your first second or fifth, that very breath you take the minute you see him or her…  Well that is something every Mom could never ever get tired of nor could ever get enough of.  I don't think a day has gone by when I haven't thought about or reflected on that since first glance at both of my boys.

My first Eye Contact with Evan in the recovery room

And Ryan who was a NICU baby.

And all the swollen, nose shifting, backaching, heartburning lose the bobbies moments I sure am glad that My world is fully of Mommy hupla.  The good the bad, the scary and downright entertaining that has left me with six wonderful years to reflect on and be greatful for.
So here to all the Mommies out there, and all the past, present and future moments all to be taken with the camera of our own hearts, to be treasured for a lifetime of  reflections

With love,
Mary

P.S.  I still found a Quote.

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

"Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking it's life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

"You will simply call her, 'Mom.'"

• Unknown