Thursday, May 24, 2012

Heart Songs Part II



First, I'd like to confess that I've learned way more from my children than I ever taught them...


Amanda's Mother's Day gift was a heartwarming walk down memory lane for me...  This photo was taken on a hiking trip with our dear friends, Barbara and Tony.  Tony passed away almost two and a half years ago... he and Barbara have been like family to us. 


Amanda was three in this photo... oh, my how the time does fly...  And, yes, being nice does matter... a lot


It might take us a little while to get our feet back under ourselves sometimes... but, we do love to thrive!!  Yes, ma'am, we do. 


Mercy, this was just after the Chicago Marathon, October 19, 1997.  I remember so well because it was the most difficult marathon I ever ran.  Some days are just like that.  At 13.1 miles in, I knew getting to 26.2 was going to take more of a gut check than I wanted... but, my two children and dear friends were there to cheer me on... and I did make it.  I crossed the line with my running buddies.  Still brings a tear to my eye.   Oh, those hard victories are so sweet!


Amen to that...

The dress I smocked for her...

Ahhh... the dance recitals (this photo was taken in the dressing room after her recital).  Big smiles here... the little green and black flapper outfit she wore while dancing her little heart out.  She was always the tiniest one... thin little arms and legs just flying with such intensity!!  Later, she and I would watch that video to cheer ourselves...



This was such a hoot!!  I was in my bathroom cleaning and about to throw out some old make-up when my two little artists arrived on the scene... we had so much fun!  There was lots of laughter!  AND, we figured out how to set the timer on the little camera to get some photos of our wild look!  JOYFUL memory!!


Always....


This was a surprise birthday party for my 50th birthday that Amanda and Evan cooked up!  They really got me!  And, it was such a delightful and sweet surprise (I still tell them I would have dressed better if they had let me know!).  I'm never happier than surrounded by my family and friends.


Then, there's this!  I am so very thankful that Amanda decided not to miss out on being a Mother... because I would have missed out on even more!  To witness your child experience this kind of love... and to experience your own love of a grandchild... doesn't get much better.  The photo was taken by the "clicker nazi" last fall during one of my visits.

Just wait, Amanda... being a Grandmother is, once more, beyond your imaginings.


Thank you... for all the amazing lessons in love that you have taught me... for being such a wonderful Momma to my precious grandsons... and for being the most incredible daughter a mother could ever hope for... I love you bigger than the sky, to the moon and back!    I have been the luckiest Mom in the world to have known the love of my children.  I am even more lucky to, through loving my children and grandchildren, catch a glimmer of understanding God's love for us.  xoxo Mom

Wishing you all a week filled with heart songs of your own... blessings ~ tanna

43 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is just precious beyond words...well I think Proverbs 31 sums it up, and they rise up and call her blessed!

You are truly blessed...and wow on marathon running...the only marathon I have run has been being a home school mom..that is the only running I can do...I am impressed

Of course, I loved the smock dress...oh my, so many memories of those days with my own children and their outfits

Enjoy this wonderful treasure...one that all mothers would love to receive

TexWisGirl said...

this was such an amazing gift! wow!

Kerin said...

Wow!
What a wonderful tribute to you.
Love the pictures and the sweet sentiments.

What a blessing family is!!
Families are Forever!!

Thank you for sharing such a sweet and precious gift with us.

Smiles :)
Kerin

Deborah Hamilton said...

You are blessed to have such a loving daughter and that she took the time to make such a precious gift. I can't think of a better Mother's Day gift. It just brings tears to my eyes!

Jen Price said...

What a beautiful, beautiful, treasured Mother's Day gift!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

What a beautiful daughter showing her appreciation for a beautiful mom. You are truly blessed and so are we for you sharing. Thank you. You take care. Susan

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

You have the most amazing daughter. Must be because you are an amazing Mom! Lovely gift. I would cry every time I picked it up! Truly a treasure!

karen said...

What a beautiful gift :) You have a wonderful family and thank you for sharing it with us!!

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Tanna, what a very sweet post. Thanks for sharing this with us.

tracie c. said...

i think this is one of the nicest gifts a mom could ever recieve! very beautiful loving tribute!
hope you are doing great!
xo tracie

Donna said...

The kind of love you raised Amanda with is so very evident in how she loves you back and how she love the Little Men...what a legacy you have created. When God was thinking about families....yours was the kind he had in mind. Love to you.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

What a beautiful, beautiful gift!! You are a wonderful mother, Tanna. The proof of it is in the sweet gift you received from your lovely and loving daughter. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Have a great day!

Deb said...

you have an amazing daughter...this post made me all misty.....a good misty...

Solar Powered said...

Yep, big tears when I got to the part about not missing out. Amanda and I share this in common...thanks to good Mothers that steered us on the right path through life and especially on the path to becoming Mothers ourselves.

Ginny Hartzler said...

A belated happy 50th!!! When was this? What a wonderful gift, the gift of a lifetime of memories and her thoughts on them!! and I agree, it is wonderful to see your child with a child of their own. Since my son will always be my baby, it is still confusing to see him with a baby of his own! This book is amazing, thanks for sharing it with us. The reward of being a super and loving mom!!!

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Oh my, Tanna. That book is a true treasure, a work of heart. And you have raised a very precious and loving daughter. Now that's a book that you could read every day and never tire of. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

Ana said...

Oh my...This is the sweetest Mother's Day gift ever! Love, love, love it. You are truly blessed my sweet friend.

Much love,
♥Ana

Marie said...

What a wonderful gift! That was so nice.

Love,
Marie

RoeH said...

Neat book!! Man - the great things that can be made today.

Kathy said...

What a wonderful memory book!

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, This is beautiful. I could have kept reading and reading. I didn't want this post to end.
It truly is a testament to the love that you give.
Blessings dear friend. Catherine xoxo

Judy S. said...

What a wonderful gift, Tanna. It must have truly made your heart sing!

Chatty Crone said...

WHAT A GREAT GIFT - you daughter is a blessing. Wonderful gift. sandie

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This was a wonderful post about a most thoughtful and beautiful Mother's Day gift from the heart form your daughter, Tanna! Amanda is ceertainly a blessing and those little men couldn't be cuter!

I am on a wedding high from my daughter's wedding this weekend. My knees are just beginning to recover from all the dancing I did..lol!

Kelly said...

What an endearing gift! That took time and love to put together. I know you will always cherish it.

Amanda said...

I simply believe that I am the luckiest girl in the world. Strike that. MOST BLESSED. I count my blessings every day that you are my role model. Love you BIGGER than the sky - to the moon and back! =D xoxo

podso said...

It's obvious Amanda is her mother's daughter! Such a sweet and loving gift to show her love and thoughtfulness. A treasure for you for sure, to keep near, not tucked away somewhere! Have a wonderful weekend!

steph said...

i love this post...bigger than the sky--to the moon and back! What a loving, deserving tribute to you. Hugs!! have a wonderful weekend!

Betsy Brock said...

Oh my goodness..what a neat gift. And wow oh wow can I see the faces of lil man and his lil brother in Amanda's childhood face!

Betty@SouthernGrace said...

Newest follower! Oh my...your post is just the most beautiful thing I've ever read. tears..tears..tears...
So happy to meet you. Hope you'll visit me too.
betty

Wanda said...

Oh Tanna ~ it that just the most unspeakable beyond words wonderful. I have known for a long time reading your blog how special you are....and this just proves it again in such a tender and precious way. What a treasure.

I've opened a new blog sharing short stories of my life and struggles, joys and tears. Check it out at http://gotaminuteortwo.blogspot.com

Sending love

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

WOW! That is an amazing gift!!! Just full of creativity and LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!

You are blessed FOR CERTAIN! Which I know you ALREADY KNOW! :)

((((hugs!))))

Vicki Boster said...

Tanna- what an amazing gift- the chance to relive precious memories and to make them last forever-- so thoughtful of your daughter to make this gift for you. It is priceless--
Vicki

Lauri said...

WOW, what a gift!! That is amazing, truly. I have to admit, I'm slightly (Ok, a lot) envious of Amanda's ability to convey her love and appreciation for her Mom in such a beautiful, creative, and inspiring way. I feel so much love and appreciation for my own mother but have such a hard time telling and showing her. You and Amanda are so blessed to have such a special relationship and such creative talents.

I also LOVED the walk down memory lane and seeing those precious photos of you two. I didn't know Amanda yet in some of those younger photos, and seeing her in those made me realize how much her boys favor her. So cute!

Debbie said...

I just spent time getting all caught up on what I missed during my trip. You have been a busy blogger! That's such a great thing to see, too. I loved that shawl called Color Affection. That pattern is amazing, isn't it? Even more, I really loved your Mother's Day gifts. The hugs were precious, and I'm passing that idea along to some folks I know who have long distance Grandmas.

Now, THIS part? It made me get a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. What a beautiful, beautiful idea. You have a very special daughter. I'll bet you didn't know that, right?

Reading your blog has given me a peace about long distance relationships. I really needed that peace. Thanks.

Shug said...

Absolutely Priceless again...Your daughter is so thoughtful and she comes up with the most priceless gifts. These are the best kind of gifts to receive. You are a very sweet mom and you have a very sweet daughter...
hugs.

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Wow. What a wonderful and beautiful treasure! The love in that book is just priceless. You raised a special person to do something like that. LOVE it!!

nanny said...

Amanda outdid herself this time !!! The pictures are so perfect with words just as perfect!
I sure can see Alex's cheeks on The shot about being nice!!! Beautiful shot of you two, yes very beautiful!

Bonnie said...

How absolutely precious! What an incredible blessing your daughter is. I know you will cherish this book forever.

Anonymous said...

Girl, I am crying over here! How beautiful and touching! Happy Belated Mother's Day! ;)

Dianne said...

Beautiful! What an amazing gift! All those sweet and precious memories...

corners of my life said...

Such a wonderfully thoughtful gift. You must be so proud of your daughter.

Christine said...

Love this!
A treasure that will be on the bedside table. Then you can peek at your favorite little ones over and over.

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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.