Affaire at Tiffany's

So over the moon excited to be teaching at this wonderful event.
Won't you join me in the beautiful California weather for an event that will knock your socks off. Kim knows how to put on an event with amazing detail!!

Lonnie

Meet the Little Cheese

I'd like to introduce you to the newest addition to our little family!
Meet
Eli Rhyon Maahs

This Grandma has been a little busy getting this posted.
He was born on September 1.
Isn't he most the most precious thing ever!

xoxo
Lonnie

Homefront News

First off....we want to wish this soon to be new member of our family, Rhyon a safe return from his current deployment to Afghanistan. We're so proud of you!
Hoping these next 7 months fly by for him and us.
Stay safe and we're praying for you!

These to never cease to amaze me. They both just got granted some amazing scholarships for school and some fabulous internships.
Stephanie will be headed to Iowa for the summer.
She'll be doing an internship at Iowa State University.
Thinking I will be paying her a visit...
considering there has to be fabulous antique shopping there!
Melissa will be finally a little closer to home.
She got an internship in Pendleton with NRCS.
Now she'll only be 6 hours by car instead of 6 hours by plane.
You girls make your Momma proud!
Keep up the good work!

This little beauty just celebrated her 25th Birthday!
I can't believe it!
It just seems like yesterday she was the little baby!

And rounding off this week....
Brian turns 22.

Boy these kids are growing up!
Just seems like yesterday they were following me around
like little ducklings.

So proud of them all for all there accomplishments!

xoxo
Lonnie

Friends and Laughter = Happiness

I've been reading a lot lately about the importance of girlfriends in your life for your well being and happiness.
And I completely agree!
I've been lucky enough to meet some of the most amazing women,
whom I consider best friends.
We've come together in this wonderful art world and have made relationships that I am so excited about.
It's not just about art...even though that's how it started.
It's about friendships, families, business and just being silly.

How often do you get that at home in the hustle and bustle of it all???

You can just let loose....and laugh! and I mean really LAUGH!!
How often can you steal cupcakes from someone else's room
(yes Stacy and I did that...thought I was gonna pee my pants from laughing so hard)
stick chopsticks up your nose,
(that was Colleen...not me)
tell silly jokes and laugh! Laugh at yourself and your friends!
Just be a kid again!
I want to thank you all for being a part of this amazing life of mine!
(and thankful my husband gets it and knows how important it is for me)

I've gotten to spend lots of time with these few amazing ladies below
and many more I don't have pictures of.
But these girls below......you're the best a girl could ask for!
Thanks for being my travel buddies and partners-in-crime!

Thanks from the bottom of my heart
for being
MY FRIEND!

Me, Kerry Lynn, Colleen and Stacy
and once the laughing started
there's no stopping it!

Karla, Natalie, and Iva

Our crafting moments!

Our rain soaked day in the Garmet District in LA...totally worth it!

Waiting from yummies at the cafe!

Shea, Debbie, Colleen, Me, Stacy and Natalie
and yes....Birds of a Feather Flock Together!

and notice......we're all smiles! That's a healthy dose of happiness I would say!

LOVE YOU GIRLS WITH ALL MY HEART!

XOXO

A Little Lacking in the Blog Department...A Family Update

Boy have I got some family updating to do.
So many things happening here on the homefront.
Seems like life has taken off on me and I'm in need of catching everyone up on what's going on with this family of mine.

First off, on December 23 we welcomed this new little granddaughter into our world.
Mike and Jenn blessed up with
Paige Rosemary Murphy.
Isn't she the cutest thing ever?

And then Christina and Patrick, the newlyweds, blessed us with news they're expecting on
August 31st.
Let's just say they are over the moon excited.
And so are we!

Then in February, this little guy turned 2.
Wow how time flies.
Love this little guy to pieces!!

Mid March brought the completion of Brian's diesel mechanic program.
All done and working like crazy! Woohoo!!!

And then these two...gotta love them.
Meet the newly engaged, Melissa and Rhyon.
We're excited for them and can't wait for him to become an official member of this crazy family!
Might be a bit yet...with Melissa finishing school and Rhyon serving us proudly in the Marines,
they want to finish up those duties first!

And finally, Chris, the baby of the family!
We welcome him into adulthood!
Can't believe he's really 18...Oh My!

Life's been a little crazy busy. But wouldn't have it any other way!
Now I need to get on it and keep you updated on what I've been doing.
But that's for another day!
I promise...not 3 months from now! :)

xoxo
Lonnie

Happy Anniversary!

Twenty-five years ago I married my high school sweetheart!

Thanks for being a wonderful husband, father, and best friend!

You make me smile everyday!

xoxo

Lonnie

Months of Sadness and Happiness

Oh boy......where do I even begin. I've been away for so long. When your college daughter says you've not posted in forever, you know that's an issue. That they take time to read this silly thing, makes me happy!

Well, my last post was when the hubby, daughter #2 and her fiance, and I headed to Spokane for the fabulous Farm Chick show. It was amazing to say the least. Found some wonderful treasures...as did Christina! Got a chance to see a few smiling faces I've come to meet over the years! That was as much fun as the show! Just hoping next year's show isn't the same weekend as Chris' graduation from high school!

You know how summer is.....kids home from college and out of school, everyone working summer jobs, lots of yardwork, spending lots of time with grandson, Peyton and just plain farm life! Really can't even begin to tell you what we did......it's been so long ago!

August started off with a bang. Getting ready for fair week....which means being second in command at our church food booth! And then life throws you something you weren't ready for....Joe's sister died suddenly from a massive heart attack at 47. No warning signs....nothing. Joe's family is so close.....closer than most families I know. Well when tragedies strike....this family rallies. Within hours everyone was home! And let me tell you....it's been hard....extremely hard. She has 3 kids, 19, 17. and 15 and a husband that's not sure where life's going. It's not fair....everyone's grieving and still asking why. I guess that's normal...whatever normal is.

Now we're watching the final stages of lung cancer take another one close to our family. She's like another Grandma to my kids and my mother-in-laws best friend. What a ferocious disease this is!

But with all sadness...comes happiness. We all got to come together in September to watch Christina and Patrick get married. It was such a bright spot after so much sadness. Wedding chaos was good to keep our minds on track. And what a wedding it was..... rain doesn't damper this family.

Now everyone is settling back into normal routines. Whatever that is... Christina and Pat bought a foreclosed house. So painting and cleaning are on the top of my list of to do's. The twins are back at school...both at Oregon State. Yeah!!! And definitely loving it! Chris is a senior in high school. Brian's home working on the farm and will finish up his degree Winter term. Jenn and Mike are expecting a baby girl in December. Peyton is the apple of our eye. Grandpa is in a blissful state whenever he's here!

And me....not really sure what's next? A trip with the fantastic girlfriends to Omaha in November for sure! But after this kind of year, I'm not taking anything for granted! Kinda looking at life through a whole new set of eyes. What's really important???? Family and Friends. That's where my priorities are!!!!

xoxo
Lonnie