3o Years of Fun and Joy!

My son's 30th birthday was on the 27th of this month...it's quite the milestone!


When I had him...I was quite young at 21...and.... s.c.a.r.e.d!
I have muddled through parenting...just trying to do the best I could...lot's of praying!




My oldest son changed my life and made me happier than I could have possibly imagined.


I simply did not know joy until I met him. I delighted in all things he did as Rob delights in all he does...he puts his heart into the task and...tries hard to make it fun!






Because of him...I wanted more and more children...I thought I had not wanted children...until I had him!
I love you Rob...Happy Birthday! Thank you...for all the joy you and your family bring me!


For more friday fotos and joy visit Candid Carrie!!

Turn... Turn... He's Four! Turn...Turn...He's Thirty!

The Cutest-Boy-In-America turned four and his Mama made him the coolest cake...he asked for a Dinosaur cake and he got it!


Russ Robinson took these great pictures and many others that day...this is my oldest son's oldest child...and this month my son turns 30! It seems like only yesterday he was the age of the Cutest-Boy-In-America...

Time flies....
Visit Cute Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!




Yes, he is biting it's head off!

Squatters Rights?

It has been a busy, humbling week and ...then I got this picture on my cell phone from my son. So...I called my Mom to tell her that..
"Dad, is doing "his business" on the front lawn!"
Mom said "He is NOT! "
"He is and I have the photo!" I reply.
My Mom screams...
"OH, MY LORD!"
The moral of the story when you think you just can't be humbled anymore...you would be wrong!

I am kidding...My parents are having their bathrooms remodeled and my Dad has a wicked sense of humor!

For more friday fotos visit cute Candid Carrie.

Happy weekend!

friday foto

When we were at Disney my oldest son stood for about 40 minutes trying to get a picture with my camera of his son going down the flume ride.






That's not them!








Not them either!







Nope.

































and there were about 30 others like this and then...woops...he missed it!
While the Cutest-Boy-in-America loved this ride... I loved watching my son try hard to capture his son's enthusiasm on film while I made a mental image of my son that I will cherish!
For more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie!

This is Mickey Mouse Tired...

Our sweet grandson sleeps soundly on his Papa's shoulder after a very long but fun day at Disney World!
This very big boy turns 4 soon and I can't tell you how quickly it has gone by...
He is just the best grandson!
He started preschool and we are so proud of him!

My son and daughter-in-my-heart have raised him and his little sister to be caring and loving little people!
We are blessed!

For more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie...although I hear some squatter has taken over her blog!
For my latest book review go here!

Come on People...Get Happy!

friday foto and Cute Candid Carrie

Riley is checking out the latest from newegg.com...she and Miley were considering making some purchases!






They have made themselves at home at the rental house in Jacksonville...
they are getting used to living out of a suitcase rather quickly.


For more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie and while you are there congratulate her on winning an opportunity to attend the very prestigious Bread Loaf Writers Conference. There are some expenses Carrie will incur attending this conference that I am hoping we can help her with.
If you have enjoyed your many Fridays with Carrie ...please join me in helping her with travel expenses as it is costly.
She is very talented and it is my pleasure and joy to be her friend...I know many of you feel the same way!
Email me or comment of your desire to help and I will let you know where to send the love!
And if you would like to blog about this...all the better!
Please visit Carrie and tell her how proud you are of her!

It's a Pool Party for a Little Lady!

My grand daughter's second birthday party was last weekend and it was so much fun.

Her parents held a pool party in her honor complete with crown!


She loved trying on her new clothes saying "On" each time she got a new outfit!




She loved eating cupcakes and ice cream! Her cupcakes were lovingly made by Mommy and her older brother.

My sweet girl is fearless like her Mommy, Daddy and her brother...Here she is swimming...kind of...she makes my heart stop!
For more heart stopping pictures go see Cute Candid Carrie for friday fotos!

Car Rides!

My entire family loves dogs and we all have at least one! My children's dogs are like family members.
I love them all and they are my grand doggies!

This is my handsome son-in-law and my two grand doggies Harley and Rocky (He's the one looking adoring at Daddy)...they were coming to Gigi's house!

For more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie!

That Girl...Reads and Writes!

This will be my guest blogger for Bloggy Book Club on Sunday, May 31...My Daughter!
Bloggy Book Club hasn't really gone anywhere since I started it...well, it's really a membership of "one" ...Me! Rachel's book club that meets in real life just finished up The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain .....so...since I am changing Bloggy Book Club a little and asking for guest bloggers who have read the book that I choose for that month. Rachel will be the first...she doesn't blog yet but that may change. She is an English major from UF and she loves to read!

So, if you have suggestions for June's Bloggy Book Club and you would like to guest blog or just have me link to your blog for June the 28th ...let me know!
This picture was taken in Orlando over the Memorial Day weekend...for more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie!

Disney on....Rain!

We went to Disney for my Birthday...if you go to Disney.com and register you receive a certificate for one free pass on your actual birthday. Well, this year my birthday fell on the rainiest- day-of-the-year! But...I had fun...I went to the Haunted Mansion...still haunted! I went to Pirates of the Caribbean...and now Jack Sparrow is there...really cute! I saw a parade...my favorite and had lunch with a cute guy...not Mickey...my Hubby!
It was a great, soppy wet day!





Visit Cute Candid Carrie for more friday fotos

Have a great weekend!

friday foto...Saturday!

As you can see...I am a day late and more than a dollar short for friday foto...it has been that kind of week! Here is a fun carriage ride that we had with my youngest son and his fiancee in St. Augustine. This very sweet couple will be married November 21, 2009 and I could not be any happier!
I am busy cleaning, reading (always reading) and doing yucky paper work!!!
Have a great Saturday and visit Cute Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!

Friday Foto

My Grandchildren...

The Cutest-Girl-and-Boy-in-America!

Photo taken by Russ Robinson

For more Friday Fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie

A House with A View...

This is the house we are renting in St. Augustine, Florida. It is a charming bungalow with a front and back porch. It is in walking distance to the Fort, Sebastian's Winery and all the city's churches!

Anyone interested in info about this house can email me at rondasrants@gmail.com and I will give you the owners info...I highly recommend St. Augustine, Florida and this house for your next vacation!
For more pictures of the house and links to places to visit go to Travel with Ronda and for more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie!

friday foto Fort

Here is the Fort, Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida...My Hubby and our dogs, Riley and Miley!

This town will be our home away from home for the next month!

Happy Easter!!!

For more friday fotos visit Cute Candid Carrie.

Happy Birthday Ry-Baer

Happy Birthday Ryan!
My Baby...

When you were about 8 or 9 you came to me and said that your older brother had told you that you were not planned! You were upset...

I told you that while you hadn't been planned you were like a surprise birthday party!
That's the truth...
it was like God himself threw me the very best surprise birthday party!
It was like winning the baby lottery!!!
I thought I wouldn't have any more baby moments but I got a bonus round...
You are kind and patient and gentle...just like your Dad...and you are the spittin' image of him!!
Happy 24th...Thank you for always making us so proud!
Love, Mom
For more friday foto visit Cute Candid Carrie

26 Years Ago...We Were So Blessed!

Dear Rachel,
I prayed for you...I sat on the floor in the kitchen at night and prayed and cried for another baby... quiet so your Dad wouldn't hear.
I wanted another baby so much. I hated that I envied other mother's their sweet babies and while I was excited about all your older brother's milestones, I knew it took me further and further away from all the baby memories we had shared.
We had decided to stop trying and just embrace our family of three...I didn't think I could go through another miscarriage. Your Dad while sad...honored my decision. And then...like something out of a movie...on our 5th wedding anniversary...
I totally surprised your Dad when we found out I was already pregnant with you...an answered prayer as far as I was concerned! I often describe you as the heart and soul of our family...always loving, loyal...so very tenderhearted.
I love that you set goals for yourself and attain them. I love that you love God, politics, The Florida Gators and Britney Spears.
I am proud of the young woman you have become and while I won't take the credit for you...I will say you are exactly the girl I prayed for... although... I had imagined you with darker hair!
I love you and I hope you had a wonderful 26th Birthday!
Love, Mom
P.S. I owe you Chicken and Yellow Rice w/ peas on top!

Visit Cute Candid Carrie for more friday foto!

Air Riley

Our Golden Retriever Riley has completely recovered from her surgery but while her incision was healing...she kept scratching it and at times would make it bleed!
Our Vet suggested a T-shirt which we thought was cute...Riley wasn't thrilled with her new fashion accessory!
She continued to try to scratch it anyway she could...
When you have an itch...you want to scratch it!


Happy Friday and visit Cute Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!

friday foto Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley arrived from Betty's...and we brought him outside to feed the cat fish that live in our lake out back...our ever declining lake. Florida is in a severe drought...too bad there isn't a stimulus package for that!

We had hoped the weather would be warm enough for the beach...but not quite yet!
So instead we took him to the Museum of Science and Industry or MOSI for short.

Stanley is such a poser!


Hubby and Grand daughter in the wind machine...she loved it!

Grand Daughter took very good care of Flat Stanley...she is such a little Mama!

Stanley lent us a hand in the tug-of-war!

Not much of a hand...I have to say!
Thanks Rhonda we had a fun time with Stanley and next time we will take him to the beaches of Florida...which are amazing!

Stanley is headed first class all the way to Angie!

For more friday foto visit Cute Candid Carrie!

friday foto ...Give the Picture a Caption!

I do not know who took this picture or what My Hubby and The Only Daughter are doing but...the picture cracks me up! Frankly...it's a miracle anything can make me laugh right now!
So...
For a $10 gift certificate to Starbucks...give this picture a caption...make either me, The Hubby or The Only Daughter laugh and you win!!!
Happy Friday!!
Visit cute Candid Carrie for more friday fotos!