HAPPY BIRTHDAY E R I N !!!

32 years ago my life changed forever. Erin was the beginning of a very special journey. She is my first born and the one who paved the way for her sisters and brother. She was my project! Nobody told me how to be a Mom and she hung in their with me and helped me to learn and grow. From the very beginning she was a perfect baby. She hardly ever cried and was always happy and smiling. When she turned two, I knew I had my work cut out for me! I used to say, the book that was popular when she was young, 'The Strong Willed Child' was written about her. She knew what she wanted and no one was going to talk her out of it!

If I could come up with 10 words that would describe Erin they would be:

Happy
Intelligent
Determined
Strong
Compassionate
Adventurous
Loving
Beautiful
Crazy
Generous

You are so loved and so cherished and I am so grateful that you came into my life and continue to bring me so much joy!!! Happy Birthday to my #1 oldest daughter....

I LOVE YOU WAY UP TO THE SKY!!!

Tribute to my Dad - Carl Russell Hedlind 1903-1988

1971

I thought it only fitting to honor my Dad this Father's Day. Even though he has been gone for almost 21 years, I still think about him everyday.

My Dad has always been my hero. To me he was the smartest, kindest, gentlest, most honest man I have ever known. He spoiled me and always made me feel like his special little girl. He taught me honesty, patience, values, integrity and tolerance. I never heard him raise his voice or speak an unkind word about anyone he knew. (He did have a few choice words for some politicians though!)

He was passionate about sports and loved to watch the SF Giants and Friday night fights. He was very conservative in his political views and proud of his accomplishments as a banker.

He had so many fascinating stories about his life & was always proud of his Swedish heritage. Things were not easy for him growing up, but he chose to rise above the difficulties and always do his best. He was a great man & Dad and I miss his wise counsel...

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!!

I made these cute, cute watermelon cookies for a work BBQ that I attended. They were not only easy but a huge hit! I also shared them with my Sunbeam class since our lesson was on being thankful we can taste and smell. The kids loved them!

I know it is June but I wanted to post about May since it was such an eventful month in my life. Not only was it Mother's Day and my birthday (on the same day I might add) but also I took a trip to Disneyland, which has become an annual event. with my daughter Megan and her family. This time Shauna joined us so it made it doublely fun!!

CA Adventure - Grammy, Jack, Lincoln & Coleman

Megan, Jack & Lincoln

Happy Coleman

Justin, Jack & Lincoln on the Teacups

Megan, Jack, Shauna & Lincoln - Toontown

Huntington Beach - Megan & Coleman

Jackson

My birthday & Mother's Day fell on the same day this year and I received wonderful wishes, gifts, cards, phone calls & texts from my friends and family.

Erin sent me this beautiful bouquet of flowers. I was so excited when the florist arrived and delivered them. I have not had flowers delivered in years. I spent lots of time just sitting there and admiring them! They were so gorgeous! Thanks Erin!!

Erin

For Mother's Day and my birthday Megan and Shauna created these amazing portraits. I love these paintings and they are hanging in my living room for all to see. I am amazed at the talent that my daughers have & how adorable they all were when they were little and how beautiful they are now!!

Megan

Shauna

Jordan

I felt it was time for me to jump on the band wagon and start a blog. My daughter's and daughter-in-law all have blogs so it is time that Mom got with it. I mainly started this blog so I can express my feelings and post about the events and comings and goings in my life that mean something to me and will hopefully mean something to my children and grandchildren someday.