A LIL' BIT - And a whole lot with it!

This was too cute not to tell you. Naomi, three years old, was telling us her name. "Daddy calls me Naomi O My. Mommy calls me Mimi. My Grandma calls me Eva Naomi, Tati calls me Pumpkin and Baby, Tonton and Nancy call me Mimi, and Grandmaman (that's me) calls me Naomi Lil' Bit".
Naomi Lil' Bit? "Yes, Naomi Lil' Bit".

I thought about it and couldn't figure out what she was really saying, even though the words were clear. Naomi Lil' Bit? What does it mean?

Well, it is the sweetest thing. When she gives me a hug, I always say "Hey Naomi, you lil' bitty one" - Yes! Naomi lil' bit!
Of all the things children say, this is a little bit of Heaven to me. I love it!

She will always be Naomi Lil' Bit, my precious little grand daughter.

35 YEARS AGO... It's a boy!

Barely married a little over a year, just moved 4 days earlier, away from both family and friends and it was time for you to make your grand entrance into this world. Don-André Samuel Roseberry - 8 pounds - 20 inches.
We named you after both your grandfathers and your maternal great-grandfather, my grandpapa.
The first baby in the family (on my side) and a boy!

My Grandpapa was just besides himself when you first visited him in Switzerland. He was delighted that we gave you his name! He had a unique way of pronouncing Don André - like in Don Quixote. It always made us laugh. He gave you "horsey rides" on his knees. You were like a dazzling sunset in his last years.

I didn't know much about motherhood... your Grandmaman was a lifesaver! She adored you and baked special apple pies for you... little bitty ones. When we were on this side of the globe, she sent you "Made in Switzerland" shoes and huge Lego sets, and hand knitt sweaters.
My father, your Grandpapa, loved to take you (and your brother) to the Café and let you order your own grenadine "une rouge ou une verte?" You always choose the same kind, but it was a big moment for you every time. He taught you how to use a knife to sharpen a pencil, how to light a match... away from the body.

And you had a Tati... she was also my Tati. Not having any brothers or sisters, I shared her with you :)
Now, Tati thought you were the most beautiful baby, and later the most handsome little boy. She spoiled you with fancy clothes, fancy toys, fancy food... and a little transistor radio. During a stay at her house, every day after lunch you sat in the highchair at the table while we washed the dishes. And every day you took this little radio apart and put it back together again. No, it didn't work, but you would fit all the pieces inside to where you could place the back panel on and close it. "Remarkable" she would say.

And a remarkable little boy you were. Puzzles, books, Legos, marbles, small cast iron cars were some favorites things. Off course they were daily walks, daily time spent together over an activity or a game. And talks about nature, faraway places an people. And talks about History and family history. And book reading, just the way I was raised.
I could I forget those fun times with your bicycle? When you first learned, you didn't have it quite down how to stop... so you hollered "Attention!" and jumped off!!! Amazing you never got hurt!
Now you pull one of those contraptions with a little girl sitting inside... And your two boys ride their own bikes with Mommy.

There were difficult times in your childhood and later in your teens... But you stood strong in your morales values.

I thank my parents and my whole family for instilling in me what I tried my best to teach you.
I thank God for keeping us until by His Grace we found our way to His House and a new life began.
I thank God for your, my son - son #1.
I thank God for the day He filled you with the Holy Ghost and you took hold of the Truth.
I thank God for the desire He placed in your heart to serve Him.

35 year ago I gazed into your eyes and I was proud. Today I am proud.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DON-ANDRE SAMUEL ROSEBERRY

With all my love,

Mom

WHEN CHILDREN HURT - Love it away

"I need Pepto..."
"Ooooh, I wanna go to your house..."
"My stomach hurts..."
"Are we going to OC Fair again next time? "

Missi's words on Sunday at lunch time - for the last few weeks (name changed for privacy). Should she even know what Pepto Bismol is? Take it on a regular basis? Off course not. But she does. She is stressed out, not sick with indigestion or anything.

The family moved and she is reacting to the new environment. Their living conditions were not the best, but the new ones are worst. The parents are doing what they can - they now rent a master bedroom - versus a small cramped room in a house with one small bathroom for everyone. But the neighborhood... the pretty park at the corner is not a place for young girls, some people rent space in the living room... outside their room and bath the place is quite a shamble... too much to cope with for a sweet, neat, sharp little girl.

She loves coming to church. "I can't wait !" She just had a Birthday - 9 years old. She is "little Mama" and helps Daddy when Mommy is at work. Quite a girl. I know it's a pretty good life compare to some, but how does it stack up with "our" children? Jesus is looking down and His Hand is over her. There are many just like her. This is where the Church of the Living God steps in - with love, hugs, kisses and prayer. What an awesome privilege we have, with it is a responsibility that none of us can afford to ignore - because Jesus is looking down.

I read this on Mervi's blog this morning:

A good excuse for the heart
Is to bend down and help someone.
http://www.passthisway.blogspot.com/

UNSPECTACULAR - You're it!

Something new -
Jolene tagged me - http://www.jolenejmendoza.blogspot.com/
Meme terms & conditions
1. link the person who tagged you
2. mention the rules on your blog
3. list 6 unspectacular things about you
4. tag 6 other bloggers

Here are 6 things about me:

1.- I love to sit outside under a big umbrella and listen to the rain
2.- French baguette with a bar of milk chocolate... Mmmm...
3.- I like doing the dishes (normal daily load - not 3 courses dinner party of 6 LOL)
4.- Sparkling mirrors and faucets are a pet peeve of mine
5.- I don't like shopping in big stores unless I know exactly what I'm looking for.
6.- I "save" harmless moths, bugs, spiders etc... and throw them back outside if they get in the house

Tena -http://inhistime.wordpress.com/
Karen - http://khopper.blogspot.com/
Shannon - http://www.xcelonline.com/eph456
Carol - http://writeathome.wordpress.com/
Noel - http://faithmotivatesmiracles.blogspot.com/
Gayla - http://gaylasgabfest.blogspot.com/

TIME - Mine or yours?

What does her future hold?
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Playtime on Sunday afternoon.
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This little boy is a year older now, not strong enough to make the right choices.
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Time is running out for our world. Time is running out for the children of the world. It is not my time or your time - it's God's time. Let's give it!

DEEP WATERS - Count me in

(This is Crystal Cove, my program is not letting me download new pictures.)
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Late this afternoon we went to Newport at the Little Corona del Mar beach. It's a small place with tide pools, lots of great spots to sit, perfect to watch the frothy waves unfurl and crash endlessly on the rocks. Many times, as it was the case today, you will see scuba divers, professional photographers, young families with a pooch or two. It is a picturesque beach.
If it wasn't for the occasional jet, you might think yourself to be somewhere away from crowded sunny California. When you first get in the water, it seems that there are too many pebbles, but take a few steps and, there, you're in the sand.


When we finished playing, I went and sat alone on a rock as the tide was coming in. After a while I could not see the pebbles in the water ahead of me. The powerful rolling waves covered everything.


You need to get in deep enough, most of the time the edge is uncomfortable. Eventually you'll want to get out.

You need to get in deep enough for the "pebbles" to disappear. In shallow water, they stick out. Not very inviting.

You need to get in deep enough to let the powerful waves carry you. As long as you are in control, it's hard work and it will wear you out.

FENDER BENDER - Better coverage

Monday, I never look forward to Mondays. I like to spend time at home, linger. But everybody has to make a living!
So I was on the road, almost at my destination.
I was driving easy, going thru Canyon Lake and coming to a stop when, BAM!!! Everything went crashing in the car, CDs flying, the sunroof opened - I had been hit. When I got out of the car and saw the vehicle behind me, I thought that mine would look the same. The whole front end was on the ground, lights hanging etc... the young lady appeared shook up. Then behind her was the culprit, a third party, a small truck, teenagers driving too fast, not paying attention to traffic. They had hit her and propelled her unto me. When I finally looked at the back of the Camry, WHAT? I could not see any real damage. A closer look revealed deep scratches on the bumper and a small indent. Nothing to speak of. I was astonished. When someone took pictures, they could not believe it. It didn't seems possible that THIS car was in THAT accident! But it was! I was driving it!
After complying with the police officer, I was on my way.
Don't tell me that God does not work miracles! Both vehicles looked pretty bad - not mine. Thank you Lord for your protection. I'm glad I had spent plenty of time with my Friend earlier in the day... The young lady had said to me " I want a car like yours", but I know it was the Coverage that made the difference.