And just like that...it's been 14 years!

I know I've said this before...truthfully, I could say it daily - I miss my grandma! Today marks 14 YEARS since she passed away...and I still miss her as painfully as if today only marked 14 days.



I think about her when I make bread - and have just recently, within the past couple of years, stopped thinking to myself as I'm kneading the bread that I should call her and see how she's doing. (Yes, I could still dial her phone number.) I make bread because Grandma made bread. I love the whole process. I love the challenge of not killing the yeast. I love gently covering the dough and waiting for it to rise. I love (and so does Jacob now) "punching it down". It goes without saying that I love the smell of freshly baked bread in my home. But mostly - I just love the memory of all of these things being done countless times throughout my childhood with my Grandma.



I think about her while I watch my children grow. Madilyn was my newborn 14 years ago. Jason was only 14 months old. I never got to share my children with Grandma. But I do get to share the priceless nurturing traits with them that she passed on to me. My kids may never know how much they truly owe Grandma Nichols!



I could go on and on sharing the times I think of Grandma. She raised a wonderful daughter - she raised a happy granddaughter - her influence is raising wonderful great grandchildren...and I can say without reservation that there will be many more generations that will benefit from the wonderful woman that she was. I miss you Granny Goose!

PLUG!

None of our kids are very fond of sudden, loud noises. They come by that honest - neither is their mother. Joseph is going through an especially sensitive phase right now - and unfortunately for him, Gracie is going through a very loud phase right now! The other night, during one of Gracie's "wind ups" (the long, red faced inhale before the even longer, even redder faced cry) Joseph warned everyone at the table by yelling, "Plug!!!" and putting his hands over his ears.



Jacob finds "Plug drills" to be hysterical - He will sneak up behind Joe and say, "Plug!" and Joseph, without batting an eye, will put his hands over his ears...I'm sure assuming that his little sister is about to blow! We sure enjoy Joseph!

...More Maddie

As I'm sure most of you suspect, our home has people coming and going...always! Maddie's birthday was no exception. Thursday night is Scout night and Youth Night and Achievement Day night (hmmm, they should rename that)...anyway - we had to rush through Maddie's gifts in order to make it to the church for everyone's activities.

Grandma Janet stopped by to visit the Birthday Girl and give her her gift...



A lime green vest...Maddie's favorite color!



Then we rushed through family gifts...(more hideous lime green...nail polish)


(She did get more than just nail polish from her family - in the interest of time and bandwidth, we're only sharing this one picture! lol)

Then it was time to rush rush rush out the door to the church. Tonight happened to be Madilyn's Young Women's Evening of Excellence. Aunt Jane organized a wonderful evening...a Fiesta!...complete with a little surprise recognition for Madilyn.



Grandma Janet helped gather the sombrero and the beads...



Madilyn was a great sport and left her festive attire on all evening!





And just when you think her birthday must surely be over...NOPE! One more party!! Madilyn and two of her friends, Jessica and Taylor, all had birthdays within a few weeks of each other. With the crazy schedules of summer, it never worked out for the girls to have their parties so a joint surprise party was planned!!







Here's the gang! What a great group of kids young adults ;) This is where, as a mom, I'm really tempted to write something mushy about how grateful Brandon and I are that our children are surrounded by so many great friends...I'll refrain!



Happy Birthday, Maddie Belle!!
Your nerdy family loves you!
xoxo

14 Years Ago

Madilyn Joy Lee
Sunday October 1, 1995
7 lb 11 oz

Ready to go home from the hospital.



Birth Announcement picture - this girl is all Briskey (Thomas)!



This is one of Maddie's favorite pictures. It was taken at Grandma Janet's house in August just before Madilyn's 2nd birthday.



We'll celebrate her birthday tonight, complete with more pictures that we'll share later - but I wanted to get this little stroll down memory lane up first thing today!

Happy Birthday Maddie Belle!!