~HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSHUA ~I remember moments after your mother gave birth, I said ‘Joshua, I love you’ & you turned your wee head in my direction … & the tears fell, my heart melted, love bonded forever ... then I held you, our first kid-ling.
And, here we are today … 19 years ago you were a wee little dumpling … now you are in love & on your own. The time has slipped by so quickly … every single moment of you we treasured, forever embedded, to recall upon whim.
(Wearing your gr-gr-Grandmother Maggie Carty Neu's handcreated christening gown worn by your Grandmother Mary Caroline Neu Middaugh, & your mother, Caroline Leighanne)
Of the most treasured moments, of many … how we would sit & read book after book every day … the warm tender hugs & sweet kisses from your little arms wrapped around me ... when you won the Halloween baby contest in this darling costume ... swinging high into the sky ... playing baseball, batter up!
... growing plants in the kitchen all winter to plant in the spring (your first pumpkin you planted) ... coloring pictures for the wall … how we would join hands & pray as we drove down roads & would see animals that had 'passed on' ... these precious moments were so enjoyed, our treasured moments of togetherness ... cherished forever ...
... your sweet tooth, tongue licking good! ... oh, how you loved to bake ...
... your building your first bird house & you & Poppy hanging it on our tree (we still have it on that tree 9 years later) ... we had such fun over the years bird watching for hours ...
You are a wonderful young man that we are so very proud of. Stubborn as they come, yet tender hearted, giving of yourself, & a hard worker.
The changes we have seen over the years in you melt our hearts with pride ... & even moreso since Ashley has come into your life, are wonderful … amazing … & so appreciated.
As you continue this journey through life, know that we love you with all our hearts & the pride we have in you is out front for the world to see. We are always here for you.
Thank you for the beautiful moments & memories in love that we ... you, Poppy & I ... have shared in life … we wouldn’t trade them for the world.
Thank you daughter for bringing us this blessed new life that was as precious to us, as were you at your birth, Cari, we love you.
Hugs forever in love,
Mini & Poppy
What a beautiful post full of love for your grandson. He is a handsome chap!
ReplyDeleteGwen
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteThat was so sweet and I know just how you feel. Our one and only grandson will be 19 and the years pass so quickly. I loved how you looked back to those special times..
Hugs,
Maggey
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great celebration of Joshua's life! I am sure he has made you both so proud and thank you for sharing this walk through time with all of us.
Make sure you stop by my blog for a chance to enter in both book giveaways as one ends tomorrow.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Your sweet post brought me to tears.
ReplyDeleteOnly a grandmother could have written with a love so deep,strong,unwavering..and totally without judgement..only joy. I know how you feel...it's the same way I feel about my first grandson Cody.
All my grandchildren are so sweet and precious to me, but Cody stayed each day with me while his mother worked for the first two years of his life. And he spent a lot of nights with me and his "papa", sometimes because he cried so hard when time to go home came.
I do so love him.. and I know you love your dear grandson.. He's so grown up and so handsome, his girl looks so sweet. I hope they're both so happy.
Sweet post and tribute to your son. Happy Birthday, Joshua!
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet, heartfelt post to your beautiful Joshua .. I hope his day is a wonderfull, blessed SPECIAL day .. With a Mini and Poppy like he has .. what more can he want .. He is so special, and loved sooo much !! Happy day to all of you ~
hugs ~tea~xo
Happy Birthday to your Grandson! I hope his day is wonderful. You are looking mighty fabulous too with your new hair, you fashionista!
ReplyDeletePrecious post about your grandson. They are special! Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeletePatti
A lovely tribute to Joshua!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!
How sweet is this?!! Happy Birthday Joshua. [by the way, the Halloween photo you shared? Besides Jack the Ripper, the other is Jason Born...well, Jason Bourne anyway. LOLOLOL ---it's just the way I read it....pay no mind to me. I'm just rattling on and on]
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Oh how special! Happy Birthday Joshua! What a sweet post about an obviously special young man! I love the picture of hime in that sweet heirloom gown. All of the pictures are precious, the one with the bird feeder, him licking his cake and the three of you. OMG what a sweet post. Love my Grandkids and I can hear it that you do too. Have a blessed day my friend!
ReplyDeleteMarydon,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post!! I have yet to be blessed with grand kids.....hopefully someday!!
Debbie
What a heart-tugging post.......thanks for sharing your feelings about Joshua with us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Joshua!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Joshua!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, andrea
Happy Birthday Joshua. You have a terrific Grandma! (Wow there are so many birthdays in April. Mine included :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, that was so precious! Happy Birthday to your Joshua.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post of your grandson's coming of age, Marydon! Love the photos! (Wondering where the stubborn came from...hehe!) He's a beautiful young man and you are so lucky to have him!
ReplyDeleteBirthday blessings to all of you!
Love,
Coralie
I love this post - you are a wonderful mother and grandmother. My grandson (14) just went home after spending a week with Papa and me and the three of us loved every single minute of it.
ReplyDeleteMarie
Hi Marydon
ReplyDeleteJust catching up - we have been away for Easter.
This is a beautiful tribute to your handsome grandson. I loved reading about him and seeing his pictures. The last one is my favorite I can tell how much he loves his grandparents.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Lindsay
x
Hi Marydon! It was so nice to visit with you this morning. You have such a handsome grandson and I know how proud you must be of him. I like your new haircut, too! I read with sadness about the barn fire. So tragic. I hope this family can recover. You did take great pictures of it. I hope your weekend is wonderful! Twyla
ReplyDeleteHi Marydon
ReplyDeleteThis brought tears to my eyes. They grow up too fast don't they. Our oldest is moving to TX in June and I'm heart broken. Wish me luck.
Enjoy your grandson and all the special memories!
Leann
You have to be the best grandmother, no doubt about it.
ReplyDeletePatsy
Neat post, Marydon... Your grandson is a handsome young man... Do you think you'll be a GREAT Mini one of these days?????
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to Joshua!!!!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy
Marydon,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit here and I can tell I can learn much from you. I will be a grandmother in September (my first born is going to have our first grandchild). Thank you for sharing such a sweet post. Happy Birthday to your grandson.
May the Lord continue to bless you and your sweet family.
Still Seeking HIM,
Bren
What a beautiful birthday tribute to your much-loved grandson. Lucky fellow to be surrounded by loving family!
ReplyDeleteAnd about the label in the sideboard -- it's a brass label, inside one of the top drawers. All I can say about that sideboard is, for what it cost us to have it rehabilitated, it's a good thing we both love it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cass
A very heartfelt and precious post.
ReplyDeleteHe will know for sure that he is loved now... but I am guessing he knew it well before now!
Blessings!
Becky K.
What a beautiful tribute. Happy Birthday, Joshua.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte
What a truly beautiful post! He truly sounds like a wonderful young man that has brought you so much joy! Happy Birthday to him and I wish him well in his life, with what looks to be his true love!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteA x
HELLO SWEETIE,
ReplyDeleteWHAT A WONDERFUL AND SWEET POST :p
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
Happy Birthday Joshua Sweetie...
ReplyDeleteHappy, Happy Birthday. I hope you know Joshua how very much your Mini and Poppy love you with all their heart and soul. When I first met your Mini she told me about all the love and stories and time you three had shared. They are memories that are absolutely priceless.
I cannot wait to meet you and Ashley. Less than a week away now. I pray that you had a beautiful day and received many of your heart's desires. Here is wishing to many, many more to come. Country hugs and much love, Sherry
P.S. Marydon sweetie, you and Harold did a beautiful job. What a fine young man he is. So handsome, and I know the reason he is the man that he is, it's because of the love you and Harold gave to him. He is so handsome. Love ya sweetie. Less than 6 days and I will be home. I love ya. Many hugs and so much love, Your Sis/ Cherry Jelly
Happy Birthday to your wonderful Joshua! What a beautiful young man! Many blessings to him!
ReplyDeleteYou are the hat lady for sure Ms. Marydon! Love and Hugs to you! Anne
Such a special and blessed post for a wonderful family!
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful day, my friend!
ox
Christina
What a great post Marydon!! Happy birthday to Joshua and may he be blessed with many more to come!!
ReplyDeleteHugs~
Hi Marydon and happy birthday Joshua!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a sweet post filled with wonderful memories and precious pictures. Grandchildren are just the best. Love that ya'll have used the christening gown for sever generations. That's so special!
Thanks for stopping by to see me.
Hugs...Tracy