Mom

 Happy Mother's Day

I love and miss you Mom!

Carolyn Schwab

August 12, 1926 - December 1, 2012

Some of my favorite pictures of Mom. 

No words needed...just pictures. I miss her!

You are always with me... 

Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day!

I miss my mom everyday and I find myself gravitating to pictures when I feel like I need a mom "fix." 

Following are a few of my favorite "Mom" pictures.

I love this picture of Mom and Dad, and the fact that the frame is sunflowers makes it even better.  :-)

I know you've seen this picture many times before, but I absolutely LOVE it!

Mom was a trouper and spent the entire day in freezing rain waiting to watch Nikki and her rowing team participate in a race that never happened - it was called off because of the dangerous conditions of the river. Nikki's teammates were impressed that Mom stayed and called her a "Hard Core Grandma." (That's not what I heard when they first said it. Can you guess what I heard? It certainly wasn't something you'd want to hear anyone call your mother.  hehehehe)

Here's another picture I know you've seen before, but it makes me smile every time I see it.

Mom and Sadie spent a lot of time with those pumpkin placemats. Their laughter filled the house whenever the made a new face that was particularly "interesting." Of course, they got Lynn involved and it was even more fun. I still have those placemats and pull them out every Fall for the kids. And yes, they still have fun with them and I know Mom is laughing right with us. :-)

Here Mom is getting ready to help Lynn with the "wedding necklace." Every bride in our family since Mom has worn that necklace. The tradition continues and my niece Ashley wore it last month and Amber will wear it next month.   

And here's Mom on the dance floor at Lynn and Ty's reception. 

We are ALL dancing to "We Are Family!" 

It wasn't panned, but I love how Mom is framed here.

And here are a couple of my favorite pictures of 

two of my favorite moms. 

I need some updated favorite pictures.  :-)

Nikki and awesome, growing family

They'll be welcoming a new baby in mid-September! 

Lynn and her beautiful family

(Avery still loves Peyton, even after almost 2 months)

And finally, there are no moms in this picture, but whenever I see a humming bird I think of my mom and sisters and the years we spent at Burr Oak. We enjoyed many wonderful hours just relaxing, talking, and reconnecting with each other. 

We no longer go to Burr Oak but we still get together. Last year, the sisters made the trek to my house and it was wonderful. They'll all be here again this summer and I can't wait.   

This picture was taken from the kitchen window, so doing the dishes wasn't so bad after all.  :-)

Happy Mothers' Day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday and I miss her! 

I decided to spend a little time checking out some of my favorite pictures of Mom and I thought I'd share them.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Always smiling, even while braving freezing cold temperatures and rain waiting for Nikki's rowing race to begin. (The race never did start because it was postponed due to the bad weather.)

We are a game-playing family and Mom, Sadie and Lynn had fun with the pumpkin face placemats I made. 

The trip we took to Baton Rouge to visit the USS Kidd was tremendous fun. It was hot and sticky, but the kids really didn't mind as they had fun listening to Dad tell his stories and Mom trying to censor him. 

Mom's last "sisters' weekend" was very special and even though she had a really difficult time seeing most things, she had no trouble beating the pants off of us playing cards. I can only imagine what she's thinking here, trying to figure out what these bird clips are.  

Having Mom at Lynn's wedding and putting the family necklace on her was so special. Words cannot express how I felt about her being there. 

And she even joined the bride and groom (and the rest of the family) on the dance floor for a little while.  

I love and miss you Mom!

Carolyn Schwab

August 12, 1926 - December 1, 2012

Mom - Mothers' Day

I love and miss you Mom!!

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Mom. The rowing team called her "Hard Core Grandma" after she braved freezing rain and wind to watch Nikki row at UC.

Here she is playing Pumpkin Faces with Sadie.

And a blast from the past with the salute on the deck of the USS Kidd

Thanks Mom!

Carolyn Schwab

August 12, 1926 - December 1, 2012

Inspiration!

I've been playing around a bit trying to organize my work area better and I like how I've added a few inspirational items. I've had the picture of Mom on my sewing area since it was given to me but it has often been pushed to the back and not visible.

I really needed something to contain the cord around my light (which my brother Jerry gave me for my birthday) so the controller is easier to use and the big flashy diamond ring from Mom is the perfect solution. See the flower in the pencil holder? Mom made that for me a few years back and it's the top of a pen. I use it frequently and since the flower is removable, it's easy to transfer it to a new pen when needed.



 

I have a picture of Dad close by too. It's on the left side of the sewing machine just under my embroidery thread. I've always like this picture!

 



  

Maybe it's because Mother's Day is fast approaching, but I sure do miss Mom, Dad and John. This little set-up is helping me feel like they are close by, providing even more inspiration and are my constant sewing partners.

Mom

I'll be back soon, but thought I'd share this poem that a friend sent me following the recent death of my mom (thanks Linda!).

Mother Is Always With You

Author Unknown

 

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well.

She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep; the colors of a rainbow.

She is Christmas morning.

Your mother lives inside your laughter, and she's crystallized in every teardrop.

A mother shows every emotion...happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy sorrow..., and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take.

She's your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy. Nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space...not even death!

Carolyn Ann (McHale) Schwab

August 12, 1926 - December 1, 2012

 

One of my all-time favorite pictures of Mom!