Monday Morning Coffee

 

Good Monday morning, my friends! Thank you for all the Happy Birthday wishes for Steve. He had a wonderful birthday, as depicted in the following few photos. His day started with breakfast at a new place, where Peyton and Christopher surprised him!!! They were vacationing nearby and came to celebrate his birthday with him. This super secret mission was devised and executed by the kids themselves. Steve was so happy! 

We received these pictures of some of their delicious breakfasts.

Not to be outdone, I promptly responded with an image of what my delicious, if not nutritious, breakfast was. I'm sure they were jealous. 

They spent part of Steve's birthday getting some things ready at the new house. Flynn and I were home enjoying school; really, we actually enjoy it! Then Madison, Nicolas, Rhett, and Kyrstin took Steve to a new restaurant for his birthday dinner. They all had a wonderful time, and I am so thankful to my children for making Steve's day super special. 

Saturday, while they were on their way home, my best friend Heather came over, and Flynn helped us make our favorite apples. We have a wonderful friend named Frank, who had a shop here in town, and his wife made the most delicious apples. We bought them for every holiday. Last fall, she passed, and Frank closed the store. One day, shortly before Christmas, Frank came over with apples he had made himself. We were so touched by his thoughtfulness. Frank then offered to come over and teach us how to make them. So one day last winter, he did! And they were delicious as always. 

Heather suggested we make some before I head down to Maryland, so after a consultation with Frank, we did. They turned out great! Although not as aesthetically pleasing as Frank's wonderful wife's, they are every bit as delicious. And I have one set aside for Frank. You may think they look similar to any caramel apple covered in chocolate. You are partially correct. Want to know what makes these apples so extra?? There is a layer of peanut butter between the caramel and the chocolate! Let's keep that just between us.

And finally, while I was sitting home under my fall throw blanket eating apples, Steve was off at the Steeler game! He took Rhett, Kyrstin, and her brother to the game, and although they gave him a hard time about wearing a 49ers jersey, he came out the victor, as our Steelers lost the home opener 30-7. Could make for a long season. 

Have a cozy Monday, my friends. September is moving along, and I fear I am not fully embracing fall as I should be. But then, with temperatures in the 90s, it is hard to do. This week looks cooler, thank goodness! This is the last full week we will be here in Pennsylvania until November, and I miss my pumpkin decor. Soon! Thank you for visiting! I am always thankful you do!

Leaving you with this today. 

The passage of time will never diminish America's courage on September 11, 2001.

BillieJo

 

What We've Been Up To Around Here

Hello, my friends. And Happy Friday! It's time for a recap of life around here.

First up...Madison took Flynn for her back-to-school hair appointment and then for a special lunch and ice cream. Flynn is 13, and when Madison was about that same age, I was pregnant with her. Madison and her friends organized the most memorable surprise baby shower for me! Now these two have the best time together doing all the fun things!

Steve took Rhett and Kyrstin to the Penn State game last weekend, and they had a blast. Steve keeps photos on his phone forever, so he was able to send me this picture at the same time...

Who is that little cutie?

Yep. That is my Rhett at a Penn State game years ago. And...I may or may not have shed a tear.

Madison and Nicolas spent some beach time alone, and I am so happy for them. I am also thankful to them because they helped get things ready at the house down there!

Peyton and Chris are also on vacation at a beach nearby. They are vacationing with Chris' family and always have the best time!

How great is it that they met up and spent a whole day together?? I love that they have so much fun together. It makes this mother's heart so happy.

If I could sum up the joy that is Peyton, this picture would be it!

While all that was happening, Flynn was homeschooling and tubing! 

And dogsitting this little cutie for Madison and Nicolas.

As for me, I finished one of my favorite books of the summer. It is fiction but based on the actual events of the East Coast shark attacks of 1916. The author did a great job of incorporating fictional characters with characters based on real people. It is one I will keep and read again.

I convinced this guy to take a selfie with me yesterday because today is his BIRTHDAY!!!! And this is the first time since 1990 that we won't be together to celebrate. He took a quick trip down to the beach to do a few things at the house. So...Happy Birthday, Steve!!!

Shoutout to Madison for doing all the birthday things for him!

Have a wonderful weekend, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Billie Jo

Oh! This starts Sunday if you are a Walking Dead fan!!!!

 

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

And thank you for all the well wishes on my last post.

See you soon!

BillieJo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends! And Happy Labor Day to you! I have always loved this holiday, except perhaps for the years I spent it driving back to college! Labor Day signifies an end and a beginning to me. It is the end of the carefree summer days and the beginning of a brand new school year. This year, Labor Day means something much more for our family, a brand new beginning of sorts. My husband, Steve, is retiring from the job he has loved since the day I met him! Steve was sixteen years old and was selling cars when I met him at his family's car dealership. Following the sudden passing of his father thirty years ago, Steve, his two brothers, and two brothers-in-law built that small town car dealership into one of our area's biggest and most successful automotive companies. And I am sincere when I tell you they had the best time together while they did! 

Recently, one by one, Steve's family members retired until just Steve and his older and equally awesome brother Todd remained. The two of them decided that they would retire from the business together, and just as they began to think about it, an offer came from another family car business to purchase the entire corporation. God's timing is impeccable! After months of preparation, evaluations, and patience, Steve and Todd officially sold the company they, along with their brother and brothers-in-law, had built and loved for thirty-seven years. Steve is happy, thankful, sad, and relieved. And ready for the next chapter in our lives.

As for me, I realized just the other day I will be beginning this new chapter right along with him. Since 1996, I have been blessed to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. For twenty-seven years, I have sent my husband off to work and was there when he returned. My days were cozy and centered on my family and my home. Looking back, it all went so quickly. I can easily see the various seasons as chapters in the book of our lives...Steve and I, as a young married couple, both working and enjoying life...Being blessed with our first child, followed by two more back-to-back, and then years later, our last...Living a blessed life as a young family, sharing the joys and sorrows of life together. Now, we begin the next chapter as *Ahem* older parents with 3/4 of our children grown and less structure to our days. 

Our family loves the ocean, and we have vacationed in Maryland for years and years. Because Flynn is homeschooled, we are able to spend more time there now that Steve is semi-retired. ( He has agreed to continue working for the new owners in a remote way as a consultant. ) We recently bought a house there and will split our time between here and there. We are heading down to stay there for a few weeks soon. Why am I boring you with all this? Well, I wanted you to know that I won't be decorating for fall here because all my decorations are already down there! So, if you are wondering where my beloved fall is, I will share it from the new house soon! 

Well, if you made it this far, good for you!

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

Thanks for visiting!

BillieJo