To some of the very specialist women in my life - my Mom, Bernice, who is now in heaven.

My Mother-in-law, Gloria, who continues to inspire me at 94 years of age.

My oldest daughter, Jenee, amazing mother to three of my grandbabies.

And my youngest daughter, Heidi, also an amazing mother to my other four grandkids. 

So much love goes out to these amazing women - and to many others who have had an impact on my life - my sister, Sharon, for one.  But there are too many to mention here.  You all know who you are - family and friends - who have been there for me in so many ways.  This may be Mother's Day - but even though you may not be my Mom - you have touched my life in amazing ways!  So this day is for YOU!!!!   Love you all, Maureen

Gift for Gramma

So for Mother's Day I made this set of cards for Paul's Mom, Gloria.  She is such a wonderful lady - a strong prayer warrior - and such an important part of our family.  We don't get to see her much as she lives 2000 miles away, but is faithful about writing.  So I wanted to make her a set of cards.

This is what I came up with - using "Fabulous Florets" - one of my very favorite floral sets.

Gloria loves pink - so I had to include that - but added the blue and purple for some variety.  The set "Oh, Hello" had the perfect verse.  The flowers are each cut out, curved a little with the bone folder, then attached with a glue do.  I really love how they turned out - so pretty for spring and summer. 

See you soon!! ~Maureen

Happy Mother's Day to our Mom's

Today I wanted to honor two amazing women - first my husband's mother, Gloria - she lives far from us, but is always in our hearts - she is a wonderful, Godly woman, who tirelessly prays for us and our family and I so appreciate that.  She is truly amazing - 92 years old and still walks miles each day - I can't even do that now :)  She means the world to us and we wish we lived closer!

Second, I want to honor my beloved Mom, Bernice.  She is no longer with us and I miss her everyday.  She raised nine wonderful children who rise up and call her blessed - her impact on my life is endless.  How I long to some day be reunited with her (and my father) in heaven.

If your Mom is still alive - please give her an extra hug today if you can.  ~Maureen

Back from Michigan and Wisconsin

Paul and I are recently back from a wonderful vacation to upper Michigan and Wisconsin. It was our first trip back there together since my Mom passed away three years ago. We spent several days in Michigan seeing the sites and then traveled down to Wisconsin where we had a nice reunion with all of my family; and spent a couple days with Paul's Mom. I'm going to blog about this over the next week or so, as this blog has become a wonderful place for me to store pictures and memories and go back and refer to from time to time, so please bare with me. I plan to through in some stamping along the way :) These first two pictures were of the Great Lakes -this is Lake Michigan in the morning outside of our hotel - it was so beautiful. Next is Lake Superior on our drive over to Mackinac Bridge - it was breezy and there were some pretty good white caps coming in. I also wanted to share a picture of the beautiful leaves turning color. At the beginning of our trip the leaves were just starting to turn. Lots of green still with patches of gold and red - it was so nice. Then while we were there there was a freeze and a lot more leaves changed. When we were driving back to the airport in Minneapolis the trees were so colorful, but it was raining and I could not get a good picture to share. Then while we were down in Marshfield, WI we took my mother-in-law, Gloria, for a ride around the area. We went past the houses where they lived while growing up, and some of the places that they had frequented. This picture is Saketts Lake where Paul and his family have fond memories of picnics and family gatherings. It was so pretty and peaceful.Finally here is a picture of Paul and his lovely Mom Gloria at the lake. She is 91 years young and still going strong. I am so happy we had a few days to spend with her.