Bramblewood Stitches: Grandma and Pappy

Life has been happening. That is the reason I have for being away from my blog and stitching for so long. I have been keeping up with your blogs as best I can, not always leaving comments, but please know that you are part of my day when I take some time to sit and have a break with my cup of Chai!

My boys have kept me busy. We are finally wrapping up the school year, thanks to all of those snow days! It's a bittersweet ending...my oldest will be entering high school next year. I'm excited for him and sad for myself all at once. The last fourteen years have passed so quickly, I can only imagine how fast the next four will go!!

Baseball is still going on for my oldest. He plays until the end of July.

And this year, my youngest put baseball to the side to train for triathlons. Well, I am so proud to report that in his first triathlon ever, he placed 4/7 in his age group and 25/63 overall. On the way home, he commented that he felt good about himself ~ it was a mommy moment!

He loved it so much, he competed again the following weekend and placed 3/7 in his age and 14/33 overall! He was so excited to place third and it made my husband's Father's Day even more special!

There are two more triathlons in this series, one in July and one in September. I think it is safe to say he has found his sport! And he says it is better training for a future Navy SEAL!

One thing is for sure ~ triathlons make for one hungry boy!

We've also celebrated our 21st anniversary and my husband's birthday ~ again, time passing by in a flash! Oh, and I finally finished all 43 hours of my training and have about a month left of my six month probationary period.

I wanted to share some news about my niece, Kellen. You may remember that she has William's Syndrome. Well, last August, she started painting, working with a local artist in Fredericksburg, VA where they live. I sent her my favorite sheep picture and look how fantastic she did!! I told her if she ever sells it, it's mine!! I will share some more of her paintings in future posts.

Kellen also competed in the Special Olympics playing tennis and taking gold for singles and doubles!

On to the stitching...

There has been very little stitching and a couple of lovely gifts.

Yep, there it is...my little bit of stitching! Actually, I have also been trying to finish a gift for another niece who just graduated high school. It is a piece I won from Kim at Wisdom with Needle and Thread at the beginning of the year. I thought I had plenty of time and well, she graduated Tuesday night ~ I am almost done the stitching and then I need to assemble and will share a picture when it is done.

I received these goodies from Julie at Julie's Knit Sew Craft Corner. It was a complete surprise and made my day! I love the sunflower cushion and all the extras will come in handy for finishing. Thank you so much, Julie ~ I love sunflowers and the ladybug makes it even sweeter!

June, of Butterfly Wings, sent me a beautiful gift for my birthday. Not only is her stitching and finishing beautiful ~ but it brought back memories of my grandmother with its smell, like roses, just like a powder that my grandmother used many years ago.