My photo today is an incredibly ironic one. The photo on the left is the scenery from the inside of the chapel out onto the reflection pool and cemetery for the funeral I went to today. 

Celebrating the life of Tim, my family friend I blogged about a couple weeks ago, who perished in an unimaginable motorcycle accident.

The photo to the right was taken in Washington DC many years ago, with the family we were with today who lost their, husband, father, grandpa. 

It was surreal to say the least. 

I was taken back by how similar the view was from the last time I had seen Tim.

God has a way of surprising us in unpleasant situations, with pleasant memories. 

One I will not soon forget! 

By the way that is me in the middle of the photo in the lovely blue pants and top. Not my best outfit choice. Yikes! My two little sisters to my left and right. My mom behind me with a Styrofoam cup of coffee because I think we actually had a thermos of coffee with us! (pre- Starbucks days)

Pleasant family memories shared with wonderful friends that will never be forgotten. 

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY Day 17

This is my beautiful Daughter in law Alex. She is just about ready to give birth to our first grand baby,

                                                 
                                                                (photo's by Jon Bettelli)

                                         
                                                                        Cole Hunter!
Psalm 139:13-16 For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

We love you already Cole Hunter! We are proud of who you are and who you will become!!
Your mom and dad will work tirelessly to help guide you and teach you in the right ways and so will Grandma (G-mama tehehe) and Grandpa.

You are one lucky little guy already!
Here is my everyday prayer for your dad that I have prayed since before he was born just like I have for you!
Numbers 6:24-26
May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you ; May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
I love you Cole and I can't wait to meet you!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY- Day 16

Biking was eventful today. First We saw a black snake then on our way back to the car we see this fire.  Thankfully a controlled burn. Which always seems like an oxymoron to me. 

Then my friend ran over a snake!!!! I HATE SNAKES and we saw two today in VERY CLOSE proximity to us!!!! Way to close for me!!!! 

And then we met these little charmers! Almost every time I ride the river trail I see at least one! They are so disgusting they make me freeze and become over taken with fear! But this time I didn't even see the brown one until my friend I was riding with ran it over! It was thick and long and disgusting!!! The pics I have posted of the snakes are NOT pics I took. I went to the MN DNR website to figure out what kind of snakes I am seeing all the time! I don't really care if they are harmless and " more afraid of me than I am of it" I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT!!!!
Nevertheless a good ride in spite of the nasty snakes the weather was a perfect 80 degrees and blue sky!! So great to have summer back!!!!

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - Day 15

About 25 years ago I heard someone say they were saving their kids jeans from the time they were little  to make them a quilt out of their jeans.

It stuck with me. 

So from the time Jon was born until he left for boot camp, I have saved his jeans. 

I was inspired one night after I got home from a scrapbook weekend with friends. One of my friends was making a rag quilt for her daughter out of her school t-shirts.

I knew I had all of the jeans in a bin and some were even cut into squares already from a previous scrap weekend.

So when I got home in January this year I started working on it that very night.

Pinning was tedious and I thought I wanted to do a rag quilt but half way through I changed my mind so I had to unpin and re-pin everything.

Laying it out was fun. I reminisced a lot looking at those sweet little pockets I remember my son wearing.   I used all of his really little jeans in the center and created a square in the middle. 

I guess I never mentioned the fact that I had no idea what I was doing. I didn't measure a thing.

I also had no idea how to use a sewing machine at this point! I'm serious, I never learned to sew. 

I had no idea how to finish this project but I was determined to do it! 

I googled everything and It worked!

It's not perfect but its almost done! 

I had my friend who does embroidering make a square for me so it wasn't just a blanket but in my wild dreams, perhaps a family heirloom. 

 Here is my almost finished jean quilt. Please don't look to hard at my project. You will always find flaws! Plenty of them.  But you know what? IT'S DONE!! That is good enough for me!
                             I'm a little flawed too! (just a little) But thats what makes things special!
A little bit of gumption and a whole lot of GOOGLE got the job done!!
I am proud of my rough little project.
I presented to my son for his 24th birthday on Mother's day! I think he liked it. I hope he liked it.
My hope is that long after I am gone this little charm will cover my sweet boy and his family. With warmth and my love.

PHOTO A DAY IN MAY - Day 14

                                                          Today was SPECTACULAR!!

                                One of my favorite days of the year! FLOWER BUYING DAY! 

 Ranks right up there with Christmas and The 4th of July for me! Last week my husband said, "Hey Jen feel free to go get flowers for your pots. I can't wait to come home to the house all decorated with flowers."

I love that he sees it and appreciates it, as well as funds it! (tehehehe)

I love annuals. I probably spend way more than I should, but I really enjoy them. They bring me such happiness when I drive up my driveway to my pots full of blooming gorgeousness!!! 

Today was 97 degrees and  it felt amazing to have my hands in the warm dirt!

There is nothing better!

Here is just a sample of the work I did today! 

With our youngest graduating I decided to go with pink to match the grad party decor! 

I know it seems silly to spend a lot of money on annuals but when they look like this I just cannot help myself.

I spent 2 hours in Pahls today and didn't get enough so I ended back there tonight to finish the job.

What a magnificent day it was! I can't wait to get back at it tomorrow.

I have skipped a few days in my Photo A Day In May but I shall make up for it today.

MOTHER'S DAY and my son JON'S BIRTHDAY!! 

First, My Mom

Mom you are the best! You have taught me so much. 

I can count on you and you are always there when I need you.

You are an amazing mom and I am proud to be your daughter!

I love you Mom! 

I am so blessed to call myself mom to these awesome kids! 

I have worked hard to get to this day when all my kids are my friends! 

I have arrived safely! 

This could be the best Mother's day gift I have ever received.

I love my kids more than anything in the world.  

Each one of them with their different personalities has molded me into the person I am today.

Thank you kids for making my job pleasurable. (well most of the time)

Just because my "job" is done doesn't mean I don't have eyes in the back of my head still!! So don't be trying that little bunny ear buck teeth thing in the backseat because I can still see you!!

I love you guys. Thanks for being so awesome!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JON!!!!

I am so proud of you. 

Marine

Veteran

Husband

Going to School

Having your first child. 

It's hard to believe you are 24 years old! 

You blessed my life from the moment I saw your beautiful little face and you have been a blessing to me, ever since.

I could not be more proud to call you my Son! 

Jonathan, I know the plans God Has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future! Jeremiah 29:11 

I can see plainly that this has  taken action! 

I have prayed for success in everything you do, your whole life. Now I see that God's plan for you is coming to be.

Phil. 1:6 I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

It has been my prayer for you since you were little and will continue to be!

I love you Jonathan David more than I could ever convey in words on a page.

You are an amazing man and I love you!

Happy Birthday Jon! You're the best!