Sold...Sold....and sold~

The months of September-October keep me busy preparing for the Holly Fair...

this year was no different! I made 85 cabinet doors, several of the vintage chairs, 9 antique windows and MANY miscellaneous things...it was a stressful busy few months!   

Dayna and I decided to hold a "Holly Fair Preview Boutique" at my house the day before the big fair...it was a huge success and we plan on doing it again next year. We love crafting, as stressful as it is...its fun to create and make new things~

This window ended up not selling...which was fine by me, I had a place I wanted to put it if it didn't sell, and NOW thats where it resides.

I fell in love with these 2 chests and honestly had a hard time letting them go....good thing I know how to make them and can re-create myself some when the dust settles!

Dayna and I always put so much work into making our booth the "best ever"...we work night and day until we feel like we've done enough...this year was no different. THIS is a picture of our booth on THE 2nd day at the Holly Fair...a new load of goods to fill it up AND THE MAJORITY of them sold. I came home with only a small handful of things, Dayna came home with even less...which to me, was a HUGE success!! Now onto next year's planning and preparing!

..."and the leaves came a tumbling down"

Autumn is such a pretty time with all the changing of the colors, the cooler breeze in the air and the falling leaves upon the ground. One afternoon as the wind blew through our large cottonwood tree, I watched the leaves as they danced through the air tumbling to the lawn below....before I knew it, the entire ground was completely covered....it looked like a golden/brown carpet!

The leaves were fresh and slippery as the ground was dusted with a light coating of snow....

With all the leaves that were scattered across the lawn, you would think for sure that the tree would be bare...but as you can see, it still had plenty more to shed.

I couldn't help but wonder "JUST HOW MANY leaves there were laying on the ground...what a beautiful fall day!

If only the wind would blow them off of the ground now and into the field next door....sure would save

me some hours of raking!

Little Champ!

Kayson is 2 days short of being one month old!!

He is doing so well, continues to thrive and grow and is now up to 

4 lbs 13 oz!!

He is taking a bottle periodically...but is still being fed by the tub in his nose.

The reason for this is that sucking uses up a lot of calories and energy. 

It tires preemies out so they gradually work them up to where they can 

drink from a bottle more frequently.

Kayson is such a sweet baby. He is such a blessing in our family...and a definite

 little miracle baby, and a gorgeous one at that!

He's grandma's Little Champ! I sure do love this little guy!

Where oh where has my little dog gone...where oh where can he be....

I realize that we are well past Halloween...BUT I'm behind on my posting, so bear with me~

My daughter-in-law was in the hospital this year when Halloween rolled around, so I got the privilege of dressing up Little Mister for the big black and orange holiday. She already had a cute costume picked out, so all I needed to do was dress him and put him "into character" a little bit. 

He was the cutest puppy!

He even thought he was quite a stud muffin as he checked himself out in the mirror...

it was so cute to watch him pull faces at himself!

He was so excited to get his costume on and "go get some candy"....and then daddy came~

AND SAT DOWN on the couch (which only meant the candy trip would be prolonged)....

BUT it wasn't anything that a sucker from Grandma's trick-or-treat bucket couldn't make "all better!"

After Little Mister and his dad came back from trick-or-treating, we all went out for chinese. 

As the grown ups sat down with the menu's in hand....Little Mister pulled out his coloring book 

and mimicked what the rest of us where doing....he wants to be all grown up too.

Halloween is for kids...its fun to share in their excitement as they

get to dress up, eat junk and stay up late....

BUT as a grown up....its not my favorite day, 

but 

I'm glad I got to spend it with Little Mister this year!

Blessed Abundantly~

I realize that I am SO VERY behind when it comes to my blog posts...Life seems

to have gotten the best of me and time isn't on my side...BUT ALAS, 

I haven't forgotten about lilacsandlilypads or decided to quit, its just that it hasn't been 

on the "urgent" list lately, and thats the only list that seems to be getting done.

BUT since its 3:30am and I am UP...I figured I should at least get ONE post done and

remind myself WHY I get up every day and what I have to be thankful for (being that its Thanksgiving

Day and all...it only seemed right)

I am so grateful for many, many things...more than I could put into words, 

more than I could ever name, but here are a few things that I'm thankful for today

 (in no specific order of importance...they are all number 1)~

1. My Children...I have six, BUT I also have 3 in-law children whom I include when I say"MY CHILDREN". I am grateful for the people they are, for their love and their kindness toward

me but also for their good example in all that they do. Each one of them is so different but they all have many qualities that I love and adore and makes them unique and special to me! I cherish these wonderful children that I have been blessed with, I'm a very lucky mom and I love them all dearly.

2. My husband...I love him more than anything.

He is such a wonderful man, I don't know how I got so lucky...I guess the Lord was 

looking out for me the day he came marching into my heart.

 He is kind and thoughtful and such a hard worker. 

He is the the light of my life and I don't know what I would do without him.

3. My grandchildren....I have 2 sweet little grandsons that are the apple of my eye. I love them dearly!

I am excited to see them, to play with them and have special days that I get to spend with them. Someday I will have a house full of little "mini's" of my kids, and I can't wait for that day...my goal

is to make sure that each one of them thinks they are the "favorite" grandchild, spoil them

rotten and love them to pieces!

4. My home...I have been to other countries, to the "other side of the tracks", to places

where people sleep on park benches, in boxes, in places I would never want to call "home". I don't live

in a fancy house with marble floors or custom made "anything"...but its warm, its dry, its cozy and its full

of sweet memories from years gone by. Its MY home full with  my stuff inside that makes it comfortable and feel "homey", its smaller than some but bigger than many. Its 

the place I love to be, spend time and live... and am so grateful that I have it.

5. My health...I've am just getting over a terrible case of pneumonia that threw me for

a loop. I think sometimes I forget how nice it is to be healthy and strong. I appreciate the days

I can get up and feel GREAT, full of energy and able to do what I need and want to do. I am

thankful for doctors and medicine that provides relief from illness during the "down" times.   

6. Food...what a simple thing, yet there are so many in the world that don't have any or even "enough"

of it. I can go to the grocery store and pick up just about anything I need/want...come home, eat it, enjoy it and have a full belly. I am grateful that I live in a place where I am blessed in such a way.

7. Modern day conveniences...electricity, running water, flushing toilets, indoor heating, AC, all those

things that I often forget (take for granted) about but would never want to live without. 

8. Spring, Summer and Fall...if I had to pick a favorite it would be Summer, but I love them all. I am grateful for the smells, the sounds, the colors and each of these beautiful times of year. I'm grateful for the 

opportunities and experiences these seasons bring as I'm able to enjoy them, do differnt things 

during each season and the peace they give me...as you noticed, winter was NOT on that 

list, but I have to say...I am grateful for snow in the mountains so that I can enjoy

the other seasons full of green trees, grass and beauty that the melted snow brings...although winter itself is at the very bottom of my "like" list I have to say I am thankful for it.

9. Technology, computers, camera's, phones, cell phones, cars, lawn mowers, vacuums, washers/dryers, microwaves, power tools, sewing machines, stoves/ovens, glue guns, television, etc.........

my life would be more difficult, more stressful, more time consuming and not near as much 

fun if I didn't have these things in my life...so grateful I live in a time where its possible to have such

wonderful devices! 

10. Clothing...I have always loved clothes, fashion, accessories, stylish clothes

 and the having fun things to wear...I'm not

only grateful for that BUT, I am grateful that I have clothing to wear, changes of clothing. I'm grateful that its clean, that it fits, that its warm, that it looks nice. I'm grateful that I have socks and shoes  for my feet, PJ's for bed and coats for the cold. So many people don't have

 what I sometimes take for granted, so glad I have the clothing that I do.

11. A toothbrush...ever gone without one??? 

Makes me appreciate that I have one, and an electric one at that.

12. Things that make me laugh...laughter is truly the best medicine for many, many aliments. I'm grateful

for the people and the things that make me smile and bring joy into my life.

13. My extended family...my dear aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, step siblings, adopted siblings, step parents, grandparents, in-laws....

I am blessed to have a very large and supportive family. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them!

They have always been there for me through the thick and thin of my life...always offering shoulders to cry on, laugh with, lean on, talk to, drive with, vacation with, they are each such special and important people in my life. I love them all dearly. 

14. Friends...I have many, many friends....some that I have had for my entire life, others that I just met a week ago and all those that are in between . I'm grateful for each of you. I have dear friends down the street, next door, across town, over the hill, in other towns and around the bend. I am VERY GRATEFUL for all those special people, life would be difficult without each one of them!

15.Toenail/ fingernail clippers...glad they do they job and serve their purpose in my life.

16. My mind, its ability to think, create and work properly....I may not always have the best memory or 

be able to figure out Algebra BUT my mind serves me well and I'm grateful for that! 

17. Sleep...its needed, loved and so nice after a long, hard day! Its nice to get the rest I need

and wake up in the morning feeling rejuvenated and able to take on another day.

18. My life...and all that it entails. There are many people that say "they hate their life"...I actually love mine. I'm grateful its MINE! I'm grateful I wasn't given a different one...I've tried to do my best to make my

life what it should be, what it ought to be and what my Heavenly Father would want it to be. Its not without trial or hardship, but I wouldn't trade what my life is for what someone else s is...its MINE!

19. My husbands job...its a blessing to have a job right now, one that pays the bills, provides food and shelter and one that we can take care of our family with. So many people in the world are

without a job right now and I recognize that its a very big blessing in my life to have one!!

20. Clocks...I collect them, I love them...they fascinate me, plus...I like to be able to tell time.

21. Being able to touch, see, hear, smell and taste things....little things that make all the difference, they are the little things that give life its ZEST and joy!

22. The ability to talk, walk, move and do the things I want to. My sweet little grandson has

cerebral palsy. He can't just jump up and walk when he wants to, he can't get from one place to another without the assistance of another person. It brings tears to my eyes when I see him try to move his legs and play like the other kids do, to push his bike around the house or run outside. Its something I take for granted  that I can walk, run and move....I have faith that someday he will be able to too.

23. My religious beliefs...without them I don't know what I would do. I know that 

I am a daughter of God and that he loves me. He knows me by name and he is always there for me!

I know that there is a life after this one, a place where my family that has passed, is waiting for me...with open arms (I hope that my journey into the place is still a long ways away). I know that the Book of Mormon is true, that the things written on the pages of this wonderful book really happened and are 

experiences that I can grow and learn from. I am grateful I am who I am, that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saint!

24. I'm grateful for soft blankets...have you ever snuggled up with a scratchy one? Makes me 

thankful for the soft ones that I love to pull up next to my face.

25. Books...I love to read. I wished I had more time to read, but when I have the chance to 

sit down and relax, I love to curl up with a good book. I'm grateful for talented people that make reading

a book, enjoyable, relaxing and a nice get away from the every day hustle and bustle of the world!

AND THERE you have it...25 things I'm grateful for. I could go on and on and fill many pages and books with my gratitude list..I am very blessed and recognize that the good things in my life

come from a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me with so much! I am grateful for ALL that I have!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Welcome to the world Sweet Boy!

Our new grandson

Kayson James Wilkerson 

IS HERE!!

Todd and Dana are the proud parents of this little bundle of joy.

He was born 10 1/2 weeks early

weighing 3lbs 5.5oz and measuring 15 1/2" long.

His fight will be long and hard but 

he has proven to be a tough little guy 

with a lot of fight in him....afterall, he's been trying to come for the past 5 1/2 weeks

but was able to hold off his big entrance until now!

We think he is such an adorable baby and are excited to meet him soon.

Between the family, we have had pneumonia, sinus infections, colds and the awful plague of germs that

come from all of the cold temps for past 10 days. I'm not sure when its ever going to clear our home, let alone our lungs....so until 

we are healthy and strong, we will just get to experience pictures of this sweet baby.

....AND these precious pictures just melt this grandma's heart....I'm in love with him already!!

Changes...one day at a time~

A few days before our trip was over we got a call (actually while we were in Victora Canada) that our

daughter-in-law was taken by Life Flight to the University of Utah hospital. She is expecting our 2nd grandson, Kayson. She was having some serious complications that forced doctors in our area to send her somewhere that they would be better equipped to handle the problems she was facing. At the time she was flown out she was only 24 weeks along. I felt helpless being so far away, knowing that I was needed at home. We cut our trip a day short and came home to help with whatever we could. 

Dana was "sentenced" to strict bed rest and will be staying in the hospital FLAT IN BED, until Kayson 

enters this world...which we hope will be many, many weeks down the road. 

Today, she is 29 weeks...and has been in the hospital for 5 weeks. I admire her courage to

do what the doctors have instructed her to do. She has laid flat in bed for 5 weeks...NO GETTING UP for anything, no raising her head, no drinking or eating while sitting up, no nothing.She is determined to keep Kayson "in" and give him every chance that she can, to keep growing for as long as he can, right where he does it best, inside. 

SINCE Dana has been in the hospital, I have been taking care of Little Mister 

each day while Todd is at work. He is such a good, good boy. He never gives me 

a bit of problem. I've had to RE-learn what its like to have a baby in the house again (for more than a

couple to hours, a few times a week). Its been challenging to juggle the responsibilities that I already

had with the new responsibilities that I NOW have with taking care of Little Mister.

I won't say that the changes haven't been without struggles...but hopefully they will continue to get better. 

I've got to say that this adorable little face does nothing but make me smile...he is a HAM!

Grandma, IN ALL HER WISDOM, gave this little man a peanutbutter and nutella sandwich for lunch...was it a succeess?....lets just say he loved "digging" the "stuff" off the bread, but wasn't a fan of the sandwich itself....can't blame me for trying~

He is full of smiles, giggles and lots of jabber. 

He has TWO favorite things, "Lightning McQueen and Elmo"....both of which he

is very vocal in letting you know which he wants,

"Ming-a-Ming (lightning McQueen) and "Elmo"

are two of his favorite words.

I could just "eat"  this sweet little guy right up....he's so adorable! 

He just melts my butter!!! I treasure his sweet smile!

Little Mister showing Aunt Halle "Ming-a-Ming"~

Taking care of Little Mister has been "educational" and I've learned many 

new things about myself...things such as:

1. I like baby food...its good, I haven't found any that I don't like~

2. I can get a lot done in a 2 hour "nap time" slot...if I move quick

3. Folded laundry is over rated....if it happens its a blessing, if it doesn't, its life

4. Being on the treadmill at 7ish actually makes me feel good (vs 10-11ish)

5. I CAN DO HARD THINGS and I"M STRONGER THAN I THINK I AM!

6. Sesame Street isn't my favorite show...

7. Leaving the "frozen/dead" garden in tact bothers me...never thought it did, but it does.

8. I can take a 5 minute shower (and get CLEAN)...even if it doesn't  happen until NOON

9. I am OLDER than I look

10. Gerber Baby Cheeto's are BETTER than the REAL thing!!

11. It's okay to wear the same jeans more than once (saves on laundry..which I don't have time to do)

12. Toddler jabber beats the heck out of TV or Radio sounds...

AND I can UNDERSTAND it better too!

13. I DON'T have to get 20,000 steps a day to be pooped by 5:00pm

14. Giggling is infectious,,,and good for the heart and soul

15. I'm okay with cheerio's and captain crunch on the floor of my car

16. Its okay to "sit" during the day

17. I can come up with countless analogies to a "poopy diaper" especially

when it comes to politics~

18. I need to appreciate the little things more in my life

19. Trips to the grocery stores are really fun...especially through the eyes of a 2 year old

20. I have friends that I didn't know I had....I am very blessed!!

Life is full of surprises, life is full of challenges, life is full of blessings. Never say never, never say "not me", and never makes plans you're not willing to change....live life to its fullest, live like there's no tomorrow, enjoy

what you have and count your many blessing~

I'm sure I will learn many, many more things about myself as time goes on...

thats the process of life~