Happy, Happy Birthday to the Yankee!

Happy 59th, Sweetheart!



In Praise of Mom

One of my goals—during my first year of blogging—is to introduce you to those whom I hold most dear to my heart. 

Thus far, you have been given a brief introduction to my incredibly talented Yankee husband, several glimpses of my precious granddaughter, Lana, and an in-depth intro to my lovely daughter, Asheley.

Since this is the time of year when everyone in the blogosphere seems to show off their moms, I thought I would join in on the celebration. 

And yes, I am aware that Mother's Day was yesterday.  But my mom's birthday is today, May 10th, so I decided to postpone my tribute by a day and combine the post for Mother's Day and Mom's birthday.

I am the eldest of five children—all girls. 

When my mom got pregnant with me, she was in Germany—thousands of miles from home and family,

for the very first time in her life.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for her to be in a foreign country, where she could not speak the language, where she knew few people, other than my dad—who was often gone on military maneuvers—and where she had to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy without support from loved ones.

Yet, she made the best of her circumstances for my sake, as well as my dad's.

Throughout the years, as I have spent countless hours pouring over family photos and videos, I have gazed into the same sweet, loving face of a woman totally devoted to her husband and children.

I have learned so much from my mom about what it means to be self-sacrificing, totally giving of oneself to meet the needs of others—especially loved ones.

She has the most caring nature and generous spirit of anyone I have every known. 

And, the love she has for her family has been a beacon of light that has been a constant throughout the good times and the bad.

Though each of her children—myself included—have given her much cause for work and worry in raising us, she has always fulfilled her role of mother with patience, kindness, and an understanding heart. 

She has been the most wonderful role model of a loving, devoted wife and mother that I have ever witnessed. 

And her example has molded and shaped who I am as a wife and mother more than she will ever know.

My prayer for you Mom, this Mother's Day and birthday, is for...

health, happiness, and a long, long life...

and to be blessed beyond measure, as you have blessed me.

I LOVE YOU MOM, WITH ALL MY HEART!!!

"Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"  Proverbs 31:28,29

An Earth Day Birthday Giveaway!!!

I'm sure most of you are aware that today is Earth Day.  But, did you know that it happens to be the fortieth anniversary of that environmental movement?  

That's right!  Forty years ago, today, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson proposed a nationwide protest to heighten awareness of and appreciation for the earth's environment.  Over the past forty years that movement has gained such momentum that it is now observed in 184 countries around the world.

 But, April 22nd also happens to be a day of celebration for another reason...

It's my birthday!  ; )  

And...I have an awesome idea for how you can help me celebrate.  Rather than you give me presents, I'll give presents to you!  Sound exciting?

This will be another very special giveaway at the Brambleberry Cottage. 

I wasn't sure I could come up with the ideas for forty different presents–to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of Earth Day.  And, if I couldn't think of forty, I certainly couldn't think of 53–my age, as of today.

So...will 22 do?

But, instead of twenty-two different winners, there will be ONE VERY HAPPY WINNER!

I'm involved in yet another show–which I left for today–so you'll have to wait patiently to see the glorious goods for this giveaway. 

But, I will tell you this...

they involve some of the items I've shared with you in the past several posts–items from Cline's, the Big Classic Antique Show, and the Lexington Flea Market .  Does that pique your interest?

Good!

Here's the scoop:

• 
  
  Leave a comment on this post for one chance to enter the giveaway.
• 
  
  Grab the button for this event from my sidebar and place it on your sidebar (close to the top would be appreciated)–to invite others to participate–and you will get an additional entry.
• 
  
  Leave a comment on any of my additional posts, between April 22nd-May 22nd, and you will receive an entry for each comment left on those additional posts.
• 
  
  Join as a new follower, and you will receive two additional entries (Already a follower? You'll be given one additional entry).
• 
  
  Publish a post, on your own blog, about this giveaway, and you will receive three additional entries...each time you post about the giveaway during the month-long event.

The winner will be announced on May 23rd.

And, although I know the suspense is just about to get the best of you, you'll have to wait a day or so to see just what I have in store for this celebration giveaway. 

You'll love it...really!  ; )

EDIT:  For those just now entering the giveaway, click here to see the goodies in the giveaway.