Baby showers are the most delightful time for anyone lucky enough to be given the invitation to attend.  They're not at all how I remember them many, many years ago ... that's for sure.  One of the grandmas-to-be made this teddy bear tower of all-things baby.

The cake was made by a friend of the soon-to-be-mother.

Another grandma-to-be read the most beautiful and heart-tugging childrens story .... ever.  We all reached for tissues and wiped away a few tears as she read about a mother's never-ending love for her child through the stages of life and into adulthood.

Baby strollers are a far cry from what they used to be.  Heavens!  Nowadays they're as comfy and elaborate as a Rolls Royce.  The great-grandmas  were delighted to gift Shalyce the latest and greatest version of a stroller... the likes of which I could have never dreamed was possible many, many years ago.

Oh, little Maddix ... you've got it GOOD !  You little sweetie pie.

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Be sure to head on over to the Kitchen Page for SWEET SUGAR COOKIES  HERE !

Here’s how it works:

There are 3,273 photos in my inventory to date.  I’m going to count to three while the inventory rolls by at lightening speed and where ever the arrow hits within the inventory … that’s the photo I have to explain.  Whether I like it or not … it will be explained.  The photo could be embarrassing, it could be ugly, it could be quite nice (hopefully), it could be boring … but that’s the game for today.  And maybe I’ll throw in the photos that happen to be on either side, too.  That will be an option at my discretion.

Here goes: 1…2…3…

OK ... here's the story behind this photo.  We were driving up our long gravel driveway one day last fall and this little guy (or girl?) was off to the side eating grass with its momma.  We immediately slowed the car down to a crawl knowing that one of them could easily get skittish and run in front of us.  Momma deer came and stood on the road as we approached and wouldn't move.  I thought to myself how different that behavior was ... certainly not their normal response.  So we stopped completely.  We watched as her young one began to move toward her and could see that the back leg was completely lifeless.  My heart sank as I watched it hobble to the other side of the road.  But momma was there waiting for her (or him?) and together they slowly walked along side our vehicle as we drove to the house.  Later that same day I noticed the two of them on our back rockery.  The young deer was gingerly climbing the rocks while eating contently, and momma was right beside it.

And then they nuzzled each other.

And then my eyes instantly filled with tears.

And that's the story behind this random photo.

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Christmas 2009 was much quieter than normal and that was just as we planned for.   As a result, there aren't many photos of the holiday season.   In between doctor appointments and medical procedures which began the week before Thanksgiving I did manage to stop here and there and take a deep breath, focus on the moment and be thankful ... for everything.  Here's one day that I just had to grab the camera and stand on our long driveway and admire Mt. Hood.  Only little more than one hour away, we don't take the time to enjoy it up close as we should.  That needs to change in 2010.

Our son and his friends decided to bake cookies for our church's Food & Toy program.  Can't go wrong with Ginger cookies, but what I loved even more about this afternoon was the laughter, music they played, and the right motive they had ... to help other in need.

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Gracie and tree lights are an interesting combination ... she's utterly fascinated by them.

Christmas morning at our daughter and son-in-law's home.  A new family was welcomed into ours back in August, and we had the best time enjoying this perfect day with his mother and grandparents.

If someone in your family has a job that requires them to work holidays, then you know it's not easy to see them leave in the midst of celebration and family time ... but they must.  The highways of Oregon were a safer place to be because of these two wonderful men on Christmas day.  On the right - my daughter's husband.  On the left - his partner.  These are the men you want to see drive up to your stranded vehicle or highway mishap because they have one thing on their agenda ... to help you OUT of that unfortunate situation and to see you on your merry way.

But before anyone can leave for their assigned duty a family photo must be taken.  If you've been following this Oregon Mom's tragic track record of family photo fiascos you already know what's coming. We desperately need the help of a professional photographer so the tall one on the left side takes the entire situation seriously.  And my hubby shouldn't have been influenced by his son's fruit props, but he was.  The crazy red sweatshirt on the right? ... a gift from the tall one on the left.  We are seeking psychological help for that one just as soon as college is paid for .

There's not one photo in the bunch that is worthy of sending Grandma.  But then again, at least we were together to enjoy the day.  We were together, and that's just about as special as any gift can ever be for this mom.

May your days be bright and happy.

May the glory of The Lord shine brightly all around you.

And may someone remind you to put your glasses on and comb out your hair before Christmas morning photos begin.

Oregon Mom's memory: this was the first Christmas in the new home that my parents built on 20 acres outside our small farming community.  I thought we lived in the wilderness.  In reality ... we lived across the road from a pig farm.  In the summertime on a hot day with the wind blowing in our direction ... well, just think about that for one moment.  But still, it was a heavenly spot for our family to enjoy life!  The pink bed lamps and the bedside cabinets were destined for the bedroom my sister and I shared until we hit junior high age ... or was it high school?  It was then we decided we each needed our privacy and more closet space!  To read more about my dad's Charlie Brown Christmas trees, GO HERE.