Monday, December 23, 2013

Just keepin' it real~

Visits with grandbabies, hand made teddy bears, the last of the Pink Scarf deliveries, and a beautiful heartfelt gesture from a dear friend -- all the blessings that are so very special to us in our life.  This is my chance to share some of those most special memories with you~

Mason - 5 years old
Avela - 18 months old
We just returned from a wonderful
visit with our grandbabies in Atlanta. 
It seems like you just turn your back
and they grow so much!


Avela poses by the Christmas tree. 
(ALL the photos in this post were taken with our
Iphone 5 cameras)


You probably already know this-
but-- grandbabies are BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!
~
there was lots of jumping on top of
Papaw's belly!


we celebrated Christmas with our babes
so there were new toys to play with~


the dollbaby lost out-
but Avela took off with both the teddy bears
in her new grocery cart!
~
(the teddy bears have their own special story
later in this post)


Mason was SO excited about the five
one dollar bills that his Papaw gave him ---
he wanted to take us all out to dinner!


EARLY morning building!
Grandbabies do not sleep late
when we come to visit!!


Avela's favorite toy was her
gb's iphone!


Avela's first ride on the merry go round
at the mall


Papaw captured this magical moment
with his iphone~


she is laughing out loud here~


we went to this little Italian bistro-
I said, "Mason, turn around here and smile for your gb".
and THIS -- is the picture that I got.


You can pay for expensive photo props ---
or-- you can plop the baby
on the bed at the Pottery Barn Kids!


but the truth of the matter is really this --
most of the time when you are taking photos of
busy, busy, busy grandbabies,
what you end up with mostly is
this!


 Papaw got to fly a vintage aircraft
while we were in Atlanta-
a Waco YMF



Mason was as excited about the airplane
as his Papaw was!


these precious little Teddy bears
were created by my friend Gregory Patrick.
~
Greg's story of how he came to knit
teddy bears is both unique and heartwarming.
Once a homeless person, Greg now knits these bears
as his means of making a living
 and uses them
to touch the lives of people all over the world.


You can find Greg at his blog
Mad Man Knitting.
He will be happy to make a precious little bear for you-
but --as with all things that are specially 
created and made
one at a time~~~
you will need to patiently wait your turn.
~
Just like me when I make my little nests,
Greg only has two busy little hands and
they are constantly
knitting!


Miss Maddy girl
~
I've been promising photos of our Maddy girl
(actually my sister's grand daughter,
but - we count her as our own!)


Here she is posing with her
favorite Uncle on Thanksgiving day.

Maddy girl will turn 5 years old next month!


A few weeks ago,
I delivered the last of the scarves
from the Pink Scarf Project to my 
friend Donna.


(Kay, me, Donna)

Donna and her friend Kathy 
met me and some friends in Columbus for lunch
and the scarf exchange.
~
For me -- this was the final great moment
of the Pink Scarf Project.
 The true completion of what had been
such an incredible project.
~
Meeting both Kay and Donna was the greatest
experience.  Before this day,
we had only communicated through our blogs
and emails. 
Can I just say ---
they are the
NICEST. PEOPLE. EVER!
(I just can't put into words what this day meant to me.
I could get all gushy here!)

~
You can find more photos of our meeting 
on Donna's blog here
and on Kathy's blog here




Sometimes people do things that
are so heartfelt and special
that it truly is hard to find the words
to express your gratitude.
~
My dear friend Deb
has created these beautiful little smocked gowns
for our most special babies
in my NICU.


Deb told me that the making of the little gowns
had been in her heart for such a long time.
~
This is really Deb's story to tell
and I want you to read it as she
has written and shared it on her blog.
You can find more photos and Deb's special story
here 
and here
and here


And finally~

Merry Christmas to you all
from the Gardener
and me.
~
Treasure every day you spend
 with those you love.


Love,
Vicki

ps -- thank you to everyone who has sent me best wishes for my recent cataract surgery --- all is well -- and round 2 will be coming up soon! More prayers please!

And--


You just have a little over 2 weeks to sign up for the big party!  You can find all the info here-- be sure to bring your friends along too!  It's going to be a wonderful opportunity to make new blogging friends and increase your followers!!

37 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas beautiful Vicki. You are truly such a beautiful light in this world.

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  2. Thank you for sharing the pictures of the Teddy Bears! I visited his shop and his blog and promised myself to order one after the first of the year....he is a little back logged right now anyway.....very nice.

    Lovely blog, love visiting. Merry Christmas!

    Sandy

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  3. beautiful post, I love it all and i love Avela's little shoes!!

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  4. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  5. Dear Vicki,
    Your grandchildren and grandniece are beautiful! I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous new year.

    Arleen

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  6. Oh what an amazing post dearest Vicki!
    The time with your grand babies - special enough, the joy on receiving the one dollar bills, the beautiful hand knitted teddies from the hands of one man who loves to knit, the handing over of the pink scarves (such a special occasion!) and the beautifully sewn and smocked gowns created by Deb!

    Thank you so much for sharing these special events in your life and I wish for you such a peaceful, simple and joyful Christmas in keeping it real!
    Heartfelt Christmas hugs to you dear Vicki,
    Suzy

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  7. Now THAT'S what Christmastime is all about - children and love.

    I hope your holidays are filled with all the wonders of the season.

    Just know that I am proud to call you "friend!!!!!"

    SuZeQ

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  8. Oh Vicki, what a gorgeous photo of you and your hubby! I've been away from blogland for a month. There's so much to catch up on again. I didn't know you had eye surgery! I'm so glad it went well. :)

    What a gorgeous post! Your grand kids are just so precious...and I LOVE those knitted bears!

    Deb's little dresses are so beautiful. Like yourself, she's a gal with a great big heart!

    I can't believe you're now just finishing with The Pink Scarf project. Wow!!! I'm still amazed at ALL the love and work you put into that wonderful project.

    Merry Christmas to you, sweet angel, and to your beautiful family as well!

    xoxo
    Paulette

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  9. Hi mi sweet friend,
    christmal with children is the best thing on earth... enjoy with your wonderful family and have a merry christmas, wonderful hours with your beloved ones, good times and all the joy of the world.
    Hugs and kisses
    Myriam

    PS. Try to get you in the next days to know about your condo.... maybe we will come to the States next summer.....

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  10. Merry Christmas Vicki, you are such a special lady- I am off to see the teddy bears
    Merry Christmas Kathy

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  11. Oh Vicki I am finally catching up and I so enjoyed everything in this post! And oh my word I am a little late, but I will keep you in my prayers for your next surgery. Merry Christmas to you and the Gardener and your entire family Vicki! xoxo

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  12. Oh Vicki I am finally catching up and I so enjoyed everything in this post! And oh my word I am a little late, but I will keep you in my prayers for your next surgery. Merry Christmas to you and the Gardener and your entire family Vicki! xoxo

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  13. Merry Christmas Vicki! Am glad to hear your recent surgery went well.

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  14. Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸✰¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸✰¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸✰¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ☆☆☆And¸¸✰¸¸ a ¸¸✰¸¸Happy ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸✰¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪New¸¸✰¸¸ Year

    TRA LA LA , LA LA LAAAAAAA!!

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  15. Wishing you and yours a most wonderful and blessed Christmas.

    Merry Christmas :)

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  16. your little ones are gorgeous...Mason reminds me of my beloved Godson at that age. He has grown into a fine young man! I wish you and all who you love & cherish a happy and blessed Christmas and a peaceful 2014.

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  17. What an absolutely beautiful family you have Vicki! You are truly blessed! Have a wonderful Christmas my friend and may all your Christmas wishes come true!!
    xo,
    Karen

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  18. Merry Christmas, Vicki!

    What a gift to discover your post in my email box today.
    I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. You bless so many. Thank you!

    Love,
    Terry

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  19. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time with your adorable grandchildren. :-) Those hand knit bears are really cute! Have a very merry Christmas! :-)

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  20. Merry Christmas Vicki, your pictures of your lovely Grandchildren are so special, have a wonderful holiday.
    love Lynn xxxx

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  21. Merry Christmas Vicki to you and the gardener.
    Pam G.

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  22. Wonderful family photos Vicki! Those children are so beautiful and I can tell you had a great time! Donna and I really enjoyed our visit. Thank you so much for including us in this special project and for letting us get together with you and your friends..we loved it! We love you! Donna had total hip surgery today and did wonderful. We'll keep you in our prayers for your next eye! I'm glad all went well for the first one. Merry Christmas!

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  23. What adorable grands you have! I know the song in your heart when you see them! The bears and dresses are just remarkable. I love stories like that.
    We, too, we're so happy and honored to meet you. It was a day that seems surreal. We handed out more scarves this week and everyone is so glad to have them. Thanks from our hearts to all who took your precious time to create or buy one. Happy Holidays!!!

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  24. Vicki, those grands are beautiful, love those little feet and toes. Maddy looks like a handful -grin.
    As well, love your fingerless gloves; those are fabulous!
    Merry Christmas to you and the Gardener and praying for your next surgery.

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  25. There is SO much wonderful in this post - beautiful children; their equally beautiful grandparents; adorable bears that I will be ordering; Wee Care dresses that brought tears to my eyes. Merry Christmas, Vicki - LOVE YOU!!!

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  26. Beautiful Grandbabies and thank you for everything you do with your knitting in helping others!
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    *M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
    To YOU Vickie and to your Family!

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  27. What a beautiful family. :)

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  28. Merry Christmas to you. Thank you so much for the Pink Scarf Project. I loved being a part of it. I am now knitting some Prayer Blanket/Shawls for a local church. You are totally a lovely lady.
    Hugs, Cory/Pink Dogwood.

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  29. My friend Carrie works at the airport where the vintage plane pictures were taken. I'm only an hour North. Merry Christmas. I wish you peace joy beauty and good health for the new year.

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  30. What beautiful photos your Iphone captured. I am sure it was difficult keeping up with those precious little ones. It made me smile to think of Mason being so delighted with 5-1$ bills. A child's joy is so contagious!
    Those sweet bears! I am off to read more about them and their creator. Thank you for mentioning the Wee Care gowns, it is an honor to be making them.
    xo my friend,
    Deb

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  31. I can't believe how big Maddy Girl has gotten. Gosh how time just speeds by. Lots of beautiful stories and faces shared in this post. Happy holidays! Love and blessings, Tammy

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  32. Hello Vicki, I always enjoy visiting your blog and reading your lovely postings.. Your grand children are so very special The teddy bears are pretty neat.. I wish you and the Gardener the most Happy and Healthy New Year.. Hugs Judy

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  33. It's lovely seeing all the kiddies but it is the vintage aircraft that is sure to catch ex-RAF hubby's attention! What a treat for the gardener!
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2014 (and all the best for the surgeries!)
    God speed,

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  34. Dear Vicki,
    isen`t visits with the grandchildren the best of happy occations to experience...I think so!!
    I can see yours are so happy having you and your husbond playing and having fun, with them...just like my Mathilde is.
    I`m happy you had such wonderful hours.
    Dearest Vicki I wish you and your husbond a very blessed,-happy and healthy new year 2014. I send you love, and warm hugs.
    Deb did a most wonderful job,creating these lovely little gowns for the babies - and you my dear have had so many fantastic situations and experiences about handling over all the pink scarves,the thing you so wonderfully organiced and collected, first.
    Your, Dorthe

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  35. Sometimes I feel like I get too involved in what's going on with me physically. I miss out on my friend's battles because of this and it hurts my heart so badly that I didn't realize you had cataract surgery. I didn't get the chance to pray for you and that just kills me.

    I'm so sorry, Vicki. You are such a sweet, dear friend. One of my best. One I know is always there for me. You are so precious to me.

    So, here's to you and all of your wonderfulness! I love you dearly, Jan

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