Meet the newest additions to the Mandell Family

We had a party to celebrate our new little ones.  It was Rachel's and Parker's birthday months too.

Grant, Noah and Mae meet for the first time.

 Me with Noah and Parker

Bunnie, Sally and Mae

Jared and P played old school Duck Hunt

"Happy Birthday"

I made a three layer strawberry cake, filled with fresh strawberries, that started to explode out the sides and the icing slid off all over the fridge.  It is the thought that counts right?!  :)

 I don't know who likes who more!  Parker & Jared

Uncle Robert and Parker playing you can't catch me!

Auntie Lorna and Mae

We had so much fun!  Can't wait until we get to meet Lyla our newest little girl addition.  We missed Pam, Eileen, Simon, Joey & family and Aaron & family!  This summer we will all be together!

Another blessing, God never ceases to amaze me!

Jared said it best, ‎"Along life's journey with its many ups and downs, the Lord sends reminders, encouraging us that He can see a much bigger picture than we can see. He has a plan. He can do the unexpected. He can provide in ways that we never envisioned." I received such a reminder today. The Lord is indeed faithful!    


I say, "So true!  You are very wise. The Lord has provided for us every day and it is such a joy to watch him work through you as he continues to provide.  God is Good all the time!!"

29 Years Ago Today

     Where does the time go?  Today is the "29th" birthday of my precious first born.
     It seems like yesterday that I left the hospital at about this same time in the morning to return to my parents and wait for my labor to advance.  I had been in labor for more than 24 hours with contractions 4 to 5 minutes apart and two 8 hour visits to the hospital, waiting for the contractions to progress.  Robert and I went to my parents because we were advised we might not make it back from our home in time if labor started to advance quickly.  We arrived around 6:00 am and were greeted by my dad at the door.  Mom joined us in the kitchen and as we were recounting the past several hours at the hospital my water broke all over the kitchen floor.  Back to the hospital we went.  Six hours later, which was about 34 hours from when my contractions originally started, they decided to take an x-ray to see why I was not progressing.  Jacob was smashed, face first against my hip that did not move out like it should naturally, because it was an artificial hip.  Thirty-six hours of labor and they finally did a cesarean section! He was born at 2:40 that afternoon, on January 3, 1982.
     A precious gift from God!  He has been a blessing in my life since the day he was born.  Like any parent and child, we have had ups and downs through the years, "butting heads" so to speak.  However, not one day has gone by that I have not loved him more than the day before! Happy Birthday Jakey, Jakey Bo Bakey! You will always be my bouncing baby boy, my pride and joy!

2011 The Year For Changes

Wow, 2010 flew by in the blink of an eye. So many things I did not document that I want to be able to look back and remember. I will spend some time and post things that happened over the last year. Maybe the year in review....LOL I started this blog for myself so I could look back and relive the special moments of my life through pics and tails told. I have not been a faithful blogger. I'm making myself a promise to do better this year, in keeping track of my memories to peruse and enjoy in later years.