FFF~ my Grandparents...

I decided to dedicate this FFF post to my Grandparents.....I was very very close to my Grandparents on my Fathers side...they were my WORLD and how i miss them! My Grandmother and I were best friends she will never be replaced!..

I thought I'd share these prize pictures with you...

Shirley and Francis (Francie)@ 36 yrs old

Grandpa enjoyed every moment of being a Grandfather and it showed in EVERY picture..(me on right)

and a Great Grandpa even more....(w/Bradley)

The same goes for my Grandmother ....(my siblings and I )

W/ Ashley

Francis 1933-2007

Shrirley 1933-2004

*** Both died of smoking related illness (I HATE SMOKING)

Sadly they didn't get to meet Ken(Grandpa met ken) or my sweet Abby..

I'm sure they would have loved them!

What is it about grandparents that is so lovely?

I'd like to say that grandparents are God's gifts to children.

And if they can but see, hear and feel what these people have to give,

they can mature at a fast rate.

~Bill Cosby

Daniel's 11th bday and report card time!

We sponsor a child through Mayan families and you cant imagine what this does to my heart when i receive updates about this precious boy....

I CANT WAIT TO MEET HIM someday!

Daniel just had his 11th birthday and I'm sure this made his day to get a cake ...Many children will never get a cake in Guatemala...

SO MUCH IS taken for granted in this country!!

and Report card time too....

(my kids don't look this happy w/ their report cards)

For more info on Mayan families go to www.mayanfamilies.org

Wonderful Wenesday...

~ Drama queen

~ layed back

~ Stubborn

~ Imaginative

~ Dino loving

~ animal loving

~ bug loving

~ Daddy's girl

~ Mommy's Travel buddy

~ Spoiled Little Sister

~ Beauty

~ great sleeper

~ Healthy eater

~ Mayna's BFF

Just some GREAT QUALITIES that makes her so special!

Amish Bedroom furniture

I have had my bedroom set since 1999 and I won it (ha) during my divorce!

I'M SORRY BUT You should never sleep in your bed with your new hubby that you had in your 1st marriage..THAT AIN'T RIGHT!

*******

So a nice Amish man named Mr.Yoder is making us a custom set...It has taken 8 weeks to make and will be here in a few weeks!!! HAPPY to say the least!

It will be in Cherry wood...

The 2 dressers the 2nd one wont have a mirror

****Side note- I WILL BE HAVING A BIG BON FIRE WITH THE OLD FURNITURE..All are welcome(except the ex hubby)! HA HA bring marshmallows!

The top 5 things on my Bucket List..

BUCKET LIST;
A list of things to do before you die.

Comes from the term "kicked the bucket".

My Top 5

1. Learn to speak Spanish fluently or close enough to fluent

2. Travel to South America for a month long tour or LONGER

3. Live to see my future Grandchildren become parents!

4. One day go back to school (I have no clue doing what!)

5. Live close enough to the ocean that i can walk!

What's your top 5?

~Facts About Domestic Violence~ Us before and after

This is a picture of us during the HELL...1998

As a victim of Domestic Violence with my first marriage when i see facts and statics like this i shutter and thank God for many Angels who helped me through my journey...

****

Facts About Domestic Violence:

- FBI statistics indicate that every 12 seconds a woman is beaten by her husband, boyfriend, or lover.

- Battering happens to women of every culture, age, color, nationality and educational socio-economic level.

- Of the children who witness domestic violence, 60% of the boys eventually become batterers, and 50% of the girls become victims.

- 64% of all women will be battered at some time in their lives

- 60% of battered women are beaten while they are pregnant.

- 95% of all spousal assaults are committed by men.

- Children raised in violent homes are 74% more likely to commit assault.

- 52% of female murder victims are killed by their partners

- 1 in 4 female suicides were victims of family violence.

- Battering is the single major cause of injury to women — more frequent than auto accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. It is the leading cause of emergency room visits by women

Us today ...I LOVE that this HORRIBLE chain was broken.

IF you are being abused go to

National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-SAFE

My name is Leslie and im addicted to ........

Korker Bows for my girl ....I'M ADDICTED to them

And when no one is looking i wear them too....

FFF~ Swimming fun w/ dear friends..

Who is that man with the Farmers Tan?

Daredevil Mayna ....ONE

Heck with 2 I'm going in....

"AGAIN,AGAIN" says Mayna!

Chillin in the hot tub....THE BEST part..

Thanks Aimee,Andy and Sweet Mayna for making life so fun and Wine sharing

JUST THAT much more enjoyable!

Aimee did you realize we have known each other almost a year?WHAT!

HAPPY FRIEND ANNIVERSARY to us! LOL

The Mama's boys..

~Don't wait to make your son a great man - make him a great boy. ~

Author Unknown

Abigail- A Fathers joy..

The meaning of the name Abigail is "fathers joy. Gives joy"

Marie(her middle name) means-Wished-for child; rebellion ( i dont see rebellion NOW but im sure in 10 yrs i might!)

I couldnt Agree more...

The first time she fell asleep in her daddy's arms on the visit trip 2006

3 months old

Today discovering the world

2009

***if you want to see Indy Guate tot reunion pics go to my Dear new buddy Hannahs@ Me-Me and Monkey's BIG Adventures - (my camera isnt as nice so i didnt take many pics!!)

My girl the dino....rrrrrrr

Over the weekend we went to a Guatemalan Adoption get together in Indy..The children's museum was AMAZING...

They had a GREAT dinosaur exhibit and Abby was in HEAVEN!

"hi my name is Abby and IM ADDICTED to dinos!"

"GRRRRRRRRRRWWWWWW,YEAH IM BIG AND SCARY!" "oh just laying some dino eggs!"

(her face is priceless)

Well since dinos are extinct she had to get 2ND best!

Im outta here...

I'm off to Indianapolis,IN to spend time with about 13 other Guatemalan Adoptive Families.....We are staying at a Indoor water park ......

I have the wine packed and ready to go!

SEE YA SUNDAY with pictures!

Just alittle off the top please?

OK try 4 inches off the sides!!!

Abby got a lot of hair chopped off and I LOVE IT!

Before After

But she looks soo much older!! SNIFF sniff

Wednesday Weirdos

These 2 are nuts!

America's Next Top Model 1970s style

Me modeling old school style...

1974 @ 16months

I love my cut-off overalls

1975 2 years old

Why didn't my mom save this cute outfit?

Happy 11th Birthday Grant Ryan

Today is my dear son Grant's 11th Birthday!

He was the happiest baby !

3months Age 1


Grant with his baby sister Abby after she came home in 2006!

He is a GREAT big brother and little Brother to Ashley and Brad..

THEY may tell you differently!

Happy Birthday to you my sweet boy!

True Beauty..

My dear Friend Aimee Captured this pic of my Daughter today at a Amusement park (it pays to have friends with nice cameras!)GRACIAS...

I have posted about this a few times about how i find a pic of Abby that reminds me of her

Birth mother.....

I THINK THIS ONE IS A WINNER.....WOW WOW WOW breathless.....

They are GORGEOUS..how special that they inherit SUCH BEAUTY!