My Sunshine, my only Sunshine...

Today is a day that the sun usually shines. In fact, this is only the second time I remember it not being 'sunny and 70' as Gary always tells us it will be. But this spring has been unseasonably cold this season with more rain than just April showers!

Today we celebrate 61 years of life of this man who brings wide rays of sunshine into all our lives, most especially mine! He truly is my sunshine, my only sunshine... he makes me happy when skies are gray. Tonight we'll celebrate and, hopefully, the weather will cooperate too. However, I am looking for a little sunshine in my life today, one way or another :)
Here are some pix of our birthday celebration...

Madelyn could not wait to get inside and wish her papa Happy Birthday!

Big birthday hug from Collin.

They are serious about their TV viewing! I think Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was on...

Oh yes, they're calling Mouseketoodles!

I think Papa's more into it than Mads! :)

Collin being goofy and posing with Uncle Dude.

My girls <3

Lots of help blowing out the candles.

My boys <3

Happy Birthday to a great man, greatly loved!

Easter

It's Easter... I am thankful for all that it means today and every day. Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! The grave could not hold him, his love is greater than all our sins. The Easter season is by far my favorite. We remember the great sacrifice of God who gave His only son to die on that cruel cross for me, and for you. It is overwhelming and thank you is never enough...

We had the week off and enjoyed visiting and having dinner with these two sweeties who are now enjoying a 4-day cruise...

Easter Saturday was sunny and mild but the grass had just been fertilized so we had an inside Easter egg, pronounced by both these two sweeties "a-gg," hunt...

Madelyn's were easier to find but she was no less enthusiastic! Collin had to search deeper but it didn't take him long to find the hidden treasures.

Collin was so proud of the Goofy shirt mommy got him...

really, he was more enthusiastic than he looks here :)

And this bright ball of sunshine brightens up even the most dreary day!

We also enjoyed gathering family and friends on this special day. We are missing some who couldn't be here this year, but thankful for others who could...

In their Easter outfits.

Another basket of Easter goodies.

All of our Easter guests - Collin, Mommy & Madelyn...

and Grandma, Shelley, and GG :)

Happy Easter everyone!

Our Jannie

Whew! the last two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind of festivities and fun! You add four family birthdays in a span of eight days, family and friends in town over the weekend from Indiana, and sister Jan here for 10 days, well, you've got festivities and fun! This post is about our Jannie (that is what the little ones call her and it has stuck!) Jan moved to New Hampshire over 30 years ago, settled there and along with her husband, Dave, raised their family - Bryan and Sara - there. I can't think of anywhere else in the world she could or should be. The amazing thing about our Jannie is how she has maintained the strong ties of family back home better and in more meaningful ways than anyone else I know of could. She managed to care for the needs of our parents from a distance, many times better than I ever could close up. I applaud her for this and will always be grateful. She is as close or closer to her siblings than if she lived next door. You see, the things that are important to Jan have been important enough to work hard at. Although for her it is not hard work at all, it is her sheer pleasure. Anyone who know her, knows that! Her nieces and nephews benefit from strong ties to her because they know, beyond a shadow of doubt, how much they are loved by her. She is very much a part of their every day lives. Now she is making sure that continues in the next generation. Just look at the smiles she brought to these little faces...

She is so thoughtful and giving. This darling vest was made by hand, 

with love, by Aunt Jannie. Special indeed!

She searches until she finds the perfect gift and never fails to come up with a bell ringer! 

This game, CHICKYBOOM, was a blast to play and as unique as Aunt Jannie.

Madsy looking at Aunt Jannie saying, shhhhh, 

before placing her chicky on the balance beam.

Collin taking the game seriously and he was very good at it!

Madsy girl also got a tambourine, 

then Jannie showed her how to put it to good use - hilarious!!!

Collin got a very cool, stylish new hoody. Nothing but top-notch where Jannie's concerned.

Jannie, I loved spending the last several days with you! From Scrabble to shopping, walking, talking, breakfast, lunch, dinner (oh my!), sitting next to you at church (I wish it was every week!) I think we had one of the best visits ever. Maybe we say that every time?! Thank you for all you do for all of us and for just being you! 

I love you Jannie...

Birthday Blessings

I guess you can say time is catching up with me and getting away from me all at the same time! I'm not used to being behind but this week there is no avoiding it. We've been so busy having fun and celebrating birthdays!!!
Sunday was our sweet Madelyn's birthday. It's hard to believe she is two and changing with each day. What a special joy she is to all our hearts. She is the perfect combination of sugar and spice! We sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY BIRTHDAY and HAPPY BIRTHDAY over and over again. She could not get enough of it. I think that is just how she views life at this point, cannot get enough of it and goes for the gusto with her energy and enthusiasm. She keeps us smiling and wears us out all at the same time! Here's our sweet Madsy girl on her special day...

If this is not a full cup of sugar, I don't know what is!

See what I mean about all the gusto!

Have fun being 2 sweet girl, but please don't go from 2 to 20 too fast, okay!

In between these two beauties we celebrated our son's 30th birthday too. Here is the March birthday crew. We managed to get them all in one spot to sing Happy Birthday to Uncle Michael...

Last but not least, our Collin turned 4 today. He is such a big boy! He wanted a spider man bicycle and was so patient about it when he opened all his gifts and no spider man bike. Papa told him (teasing) he was going to get him underwear and we found out just before heading over to see him that he not only believed him but was looking forward to getting underwear from Papa. Soooo, of course, we stopped at Target on the way and picked up a pack of spider man undies. Honestly, I think he was as excited about the undies as he was the bike! He thanked Papa for the undies and Grammy for the bike - ha ha!

Honestly, doesn't he look as happy about the undies as he does about the bike! Come spring, I think he may change his mind.

We saved Madelyn's big gift and gave it to her tonight. She loved her Cozy Coup. Daddy has some assembling to do!

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY

COLLIN!

And MANY MORE to You and All Our March Birthday Blessings!

The Big 3-0 for our BOY!

Happy Birthday to our son, Michael. Today you are 30, whew!!! Three decades come and gone just like that. But, not without sweet, fond, precious memories. Michael, we enjoy you every day and always have. You are the son we could never have even dreamed of. Everyone says the same, sweet things about you that we have always felt, so I know we're not just biased!

This morning when I surprised you with a visit to your school, I don't know who was more tickled, me or you! Each time you introduced me to your co-workers and said 'this is my mom' it made me feel, still, so proud to be your mom! 

We love you so much and appreciate the love and respect you have always shown to us as your parents. Here's to another 30 great years Michael!

Love, Mom & Dad

Sweet wife...

Sweet sis...

Sweet kids...

and sweet new TV!

March Mad, I mean Gladness

If you're a basketball fan, March = Madness as in the NCAA tournament. If you are a McGuire or Mrowca, you're caught up in birthdays rather than basketball. This week starts our family birthday palooza!  Madelyn turns 2 on March 20th, followed by Michael who hits the BIG 3-0 on March 22nd, Collin will be 4 on March 23rd, and Ed will be ----- let's just say getting close to 60 (YIKES!) on Sunday. We have a big week planned that includes all our peeps being here. Jannie is coming all the way from New Hampshire, how sweet of her to plan her vacation so she could be here for the birthdays. Ed and his family will come in from Indiana for the weekend. Family time is our favorite, we would all agree. Sure, it's hectic when everything happens at once but that's one way to get everyone together so we will take it! Looking forward to a fun-filled week with pictures to follow.....

Note to Self

This is the song that rang in my ears and some thoughts that ran through my mind this morning as I was driving to an appointment just a short distance away this morning...
Why is it sometimes so easy to BELIEVE what you believe and other times not so easy. For me, it is me, myself, and I! Self tends to worry, doubt, and be our own worst enemy. I BELIEVE every word of this beautiful song. I have a maker, He formed my heart. Before even time began, my life was in His hands. He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and He hears me when I call. He is my Father, He calls me His own. He'll never leave me, no matter where I go.
My last post was on prayer and that prayer changes things. I BELIEVE that too! Sometimes rather than pray first, I let myself get in the way. The self that tends to worry, doubt, and is my enemy, not my friend. Then I go to my Father, the one who formed my heart, the one who holds my life in His hands. The one who knows my every thought, sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call. It is then and only then that this overwhelming peace that He promises floods my soul and allows me to truly BELIEVE what I believe.
So, note to self: Get out of the way and let God be all that He is, has been, and ever will be - my maker, my Father, and the one who said He will never leave me, nor forsake me.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7