Ahhhh ... 47!

This is what 47 white tulips looks like and I have to tell ya, 47 feels fabulous! 

My life consists of time with my Mariah and my grand baby's arrival in one week. College tours with Brooke as she enters her Senior year and health & fitness has become a huge part of my life. I feel healthy and strong. 

When a seed is planted, I recognize it. Change is coming. 

It's time to move. 

It was planted as a thought and my initial reaction was, "Oh, no!" The more I ponder so many options, the more wonderful it becomes. The more I realize it is what I am long overdo for as I step into the light at the end of the tunnel of single motherhood for 20 years, it feels as if I am emerging from a cocoon ready to fly freely.

A clean slate, a blank canvas and I am fine-tuning what it is I really want. Where do I want my new beginning? Watching Caribbean Life opens my mind to fresh and new options, what I like and what I don't. I find I look around my house thinking what I am gong to get rid of and what exactly do I want to take with me?

My birthday was beautiful. I had the day off and it was sunny and 80's. On Wednesdays, Mariah and I like to go to the pool, on my birthday we decided to go for a walk (very pregnant and measuring at 48-1/2" she is slowing down! ha ha), we enjoyed our favorite, a sushi lunch and she made a birthday brownie & ice cream. Jeremy stopped by during his work day to say happy birthday and it is so good to see everything washed, ready and in it's perfect place for the baby's arrival. 

A Big Happy Birthday To My Beautiful Momma !!😃💕☀️🌸 Thank you for everything that you are and do! For going above and beyond in everything that you do for the 3 of us , being our biggest support system and loving us unconditionally!!💕💕 You're the most incredible Mom and already make the most amazing Grammy and we are so blessed to have you in our lives !😊💕You're one of my very best friends and I couldn't ever imagine life without you ! I'm so thankful for the relationship that we have not only as mother and daughter but as best friends!❤️ I love that we can read each others minds and tell what each of us is thinking just by our facial expressions, the fact that we understand and completely get each others jokes and think they're hilarious even though everyone else more than likely finds them offensive LOL!😂 The fact that I have always known I can go to you with absolutely anything and that you will fully support me and defend me no matter what, and for loving the 3 of us unconditionally !❤️ And there's so much more, but the list would go on and on... Anyways... Thank you for giving me reasons throughout my entire life to always be so proud of you and brag about you ( and I obviously do every time I get the chance ) 😃 I'm so glad you were able to come up and we were able to spend your birthday together !❤️ So anyways... Just one last big HAPPY BIRTHDAY, to the most gorgeous and amazing women I know, who I am beyond blessed to call my mom and who also just so happens to be the most STUNNING 47 year old who still has ZERO crows feet!😜😘

Happy Birthday Momma, the 3 of us love you way more than you could ever imagine !!❤️❤️

She had me at ZERO crows feet! ha ha I still look closely every year and I still smile at this little quirk that it just my thing. 

I love her words and I deeply love our relationship. 

Brooke verbally states her accolades and it does make me proud. She is so proud of me as her mom and actually tells me all the time. Almost as if she draws strength from it. 

Everyone made my 47th birthday special with their individual special touches from those who know me well and covered me with wonderful details. 

This year brings some pretty big milestones: my grand baby, Brooke turns 18 in 3 months and graduates in 10 months and a move after living in the same home for 14 years. 

Change is good. 

Right now it is that, "I am in labor" magical phone call that has my heart racing. 

The Baby Shower

The day finally arrived and my production details played out beautifully!

Mariah and Jeremy's baby shower is the welcoming party to my grand baby. Much thought and detail went into this celebration with healthy options, presentation, taste, etc.

Here is a snapshot ...

The cake table with fresh blush hydrangea's and photos from her maternity photo shoot.

Shower thank you gifts.

Mint and cucumber water.

Coffee, always coffee!

The cake complements of Aunt Melissa.

Yogurt parfait cups with dark chocolate & oats granola.

Herb cucumber bites.

Color-themed juice with fresh blackberries.

Sisters.

My gift is the high chair, bassinet and baby shower.

My Mariah & Jeremy.

An abundance of gifts.

Cutting the cake.

Just one last request and we hope it's not hard, please bring baby a book in place of a card. By signing your book, we will remember and share your special gift, even when you're not there! 

My special book is Grandma Wishes.

Me and my girls.

Fifty guests in attendance. 

 Mariah's nieces. 

Fresh flower centerpieces.

Fun little touches.

The shower a success and only four weeks left. I cannot wait to hold, breathe in, laugh, smile, love and kiss my sweet grand baby. 

50th Anniversary Celebration

What a weekend! Back-to-back celebrations with a 50th anniversary celebration and the baby shower, the weekend was blessed with incredibly beautiful weather.

Ed & Lee came to Ohio for their 50th anniversary celebration at Progressive Field at an Indians game surrounded by family and friends.

Thrilled they were coming to town, it was a wonderful reunion seeing this guy that means so much to me. When I walked into the suite, I could feel emotion sweep over me and when Ed turned around and saw me mid-conversation with another, he sighed, said "Oh my gosh!", shook his head and hugged me. My gosh I love this guy!

Little Erin, their granddaughter is now 17 and Ellie is starting college this fall. After all these years, although I knew the grands, I had never met Ed & Lee's son and daughter. Twelve years of photos and stories, I felt as if I already knew them. It was so nice to finally meet them.

Two suites at Progressive Field decked out with all you can eat food and drinks, it truly is the best way to attend a game!

The Flats are incredible, Margaritaville Key West-esque and fun, as well as the surrounding clubs. I am so impressed with how the Flats have been revived. 

What a day and great memory!

5 Weeks!

Can you feel the anticipation?! 5 weeks until my grand baby makes its grand entrance into this world!

Every time my phone rings and I see my daughters name and photo on the screen of my iphone I wonder if this is "the call." The call of my little girl a bit afraid and in slight panic with increasing contractions. The plan in place and this momma knowing everything in her (their) life is about to change forever. For all of us. 

Final touches for my grand baby's, "Welcome to the world!" celebration, a.k.a. a baby shower less than a week away. Special touches, fresh flowers, and little details thought of so this shower looks eye-catching with smiles of appreciation. 

My little girl HUGE in pregnancy, this baby is dropping and getting into position. 

Her in love with her belly and the little life inside her. 

We all are.