30 Days of Thanks~ #21 The Cleveland Playhouse

I am THANKFUL to live in a city that is home to one of the premier theater districts in the United States! Our very own Playhouse Square, where I enjoy national tours of wonderful productions like BILLY ELLIOT~ and so many more! I am blessed to be able to share my love for theater with my friends and even my little theater going partner Sarah Rose! Today Deb enjoyed the show with me! The talent of the young boys who play "Billy" were just incredible and who doesn't love Elton John? It was fabulous!

30 Days of Thanks~ #19 & #20 Big Brothers/Little Sisters

Townsend Cayden and Mya Brynn...




I love them!

You Capture~ What inspires you? #18 Thanks!

NOTE: The first two pictures are "borrowed" images. The rest are mine...but truly wanted to share their story!)

On this day, for this challenge, I must say this mom inspires me! Courtney, here with her son, Tripp, have taught me so many lessons. Tripp suffers from EB, Junctional Epidermolysis Bullosa, a cruel, genetic skin disease. I have been reading Courtney's blog over the last 6 months and I am in "AWE" of this young woman. She gave birth to a beautiful baby and has spent the last 18 months having to watch her son suffer daily. Courtney shares her thoughts with us and we show our support with our comments and our prayers. If I lived near her, I would do so much more for her because she is just an inspiration. She makes me a better person, a stronger, more compassionate person just knowing her thru the blogshere and don't even get me started on her adorable Mr. Tripp!
Tripp's Daddy is an inspiration, as well. How hard would it be to leave your wife and son everyday to work? To concentrate on something other than what must be happening at home? God Bless this Daddy who provides so well for his family. Visit and get inspired yourself here!

And, of course, my little Cayden inspires me!
This mommy. Bridget, who loves her little man so very much.

And this Daddy. Cayden is a Daddy's boy and just can't get enough of being with Cyle!
So very special.
What an inspiration! What inspires you? Tell us here! I am THANKFUL to Beth for her... You Capture Challenges!

30 Days of Thanks~ #17~ Jack Of All Trades!

Happy to say, my Jack of all Trades is HOME!! I am THANKFUL for Dave! Here he is pulling into the garage...
We have been two ships passing in the night, as they say, and that night was Oct 11th when I returned home from Italy. I had been gone since the 1st! I left early on the morning of the 13 for Colorado. Dave left for his client road trip on the 15th! I came home on the October 24 and Dave, seen here walking in, on November 13th. That is a long time to be apart!!
The family came over to see Papa and have dinner with a game night!
Molly loves her Papa, that I know!
She is looking at me thinking... "Don't expect me to sit on your shoulders Meme~It won't happen!!" Roxi, you remember what happened when she did...RIGHT?
Anyway, I call Dave my Jack Of All Trades because that is just what he is... he can do ANYTHING and I mean ANYTHING! He is a carpenter, plumber, architect, electrician, mechanic, mathematician, etc! His day job is financial planner~investment advisor! Dave decided his next "project" would be our entertainment center you see here...
"Let's get a bigger tv", he says," but first I will have to rebuild this center."
So he takes it apart...
and he has been busy for the last two nights in his HE MAN~WOMAN HATER CLUB ~ wood shop! It is going to be fabulous! Just wait and see!!
Don't you worry Miss Sarah Rose... your BUNK BED is next on Papa's TO DO LIST!

THANK GOODNESS!

30 Days of Thanks~ #16 ~ Music In Motion

I am THANKFUL to be a teacher of MUSIC IN MOTION! It's a music program I put together from my experience as a pre school teacher. I ALWAYS included music in my day! Now that I "retired" from the classroom, I do MUSIC IN MOTION between the preschool classes! 5 weeks sessions, each themed, each so very much fun! I traveled to Molly's classroom to volunteer my music and have been asked to do their Christmas program this year! Molly and I are both so excited about that~ We can't wait to show you the pictures!

Meanwhile, here are some shots from my Music In Motion at Best Beginnings PreSchool!

We "perform"...
Fun, catchy tunes that we can SING, ACT OUT...
and get our bodies MOVING!!
I can really relate to children... I am young at HEART!

ARE YOU?

30 Days of Thanks~ #15 Beckie and Donny

My Beckie and her Donny! Married in March of 2005, here they are on their honeymoon... looking all sun kissed and in love!

Beckie is the one closest to Tegan. My oldest and my youngest. Always good to each other. Beckie was, and is, always looking out for her brother Tegan. She would tudor him with his school work, she would always take his side when he was in trouble at home and always was his number one fan! Here she shows just how proud she is of him on his graduation day!

Beckie is a great mom! She shows these girls so much love in everything she does and she has taught them how important it is to laugh and be happy!
These sisters are always happy... well most of the time!!

Here is my son in law ... with his favorite Mother in law! Oh wait... I am his only mother in law! Ha! We do have a special relationship! This picture was taken at Tegan's wedding. I wonder what Beckie was doing in the background?? Call me about this pic Beckie!!

A beautiful little family! The Waltons.

I am THANKFUL that they have given me her...
and her...
I am blessed!

So are they!

30 Days of Thanks~ #14 ~ Bridget and Cyle

Our Bridget met Cyle and she also knew he was the ONE! Cyle lived about 2 hours away but Bridget had met him thru one of her college roommates. Cyle relocated here but they are about to move back to Van Wert... another one leaving me!! The drive to their house won't be so bad...

This picture was taken at Clear Lake... the newly engaged!

Dave proudly gave his daughter away...
It was a beautiful day in October. The same day, only 28 years later, as Dave and I were married. October 13th. Dave and I were married on that day EXACTLY 28 years after his mom and dad were married! What are the ODDS?

October 13, 1959 ~ John & Gert

October 13, 1979 ~ Dave & Diana

October 13, 2007~ Cyle & Bridget

I am blessed because they gave me this little gem not long after...

Sarah and Molly love their Aunt Doodie and Uncle Cyle!

I love this picture of my little man, my only grandson Cayden! He is a Little Boy with Big Dreams! He smiles through everything! Cayden was born with club feet and has since been diagnosed with OI ~ Brittle Bone Disease. He has been through so much already in his 2 years but you will not find a happier, well adjusted little guy. Everyone who knows him loves him! I have Bridget and Cyle to thank for him!!

The cute family at Tegan and Kelleys wedding this summer in Colorado!
Cyle is the best Daddy... so good with his son!

They blessed me AGAIN this summer with Mya... She is just about the sweetest thing ever! So tiny and dainty!
I am very THANKFUL for this family of four. They mean the world to me! I am so looking forward to the future with them, just to watch them grow!