P-School Gwaduasion

Yes. . . P-School.

Luke is in the second row on the left in the plaid shirt.

Luke graduated from Pre School May 12th. It was a very enjoyable program provided for the parents and other relatives. Luke was well represented in the crowd of people. He smiled at us all, and waved. He is starting to come out of his shy shell. The children entertained us with several songs. One song was about little Duckies. Of course there were lots of arm motions to the songs. One such movement, the kids appeared to be looking far far away.

Teachers and assistants presented the class to receive their diploma's. Mom and Dad were so proud of their little fellow.

Malia was very excited to attend Luke's graduation. As you can see, she was overjoyed !

Proud Mom and Dad with Luke

Congratulations Luke....now it is on to Kindergarten.

Sunday May 9th

What a privilege to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mother, our daughters & daughter-in-law (who are mothers) on Sunday May 9th. There is nothing more rewarding than being a mother. I loved being a mother, from the moment Amanda was born. I know we are not all perfect in our attempt to be the best mother's we can be. (Children do not come with instruction booklets!) I do so appreciate the stay at home mommies. It is not an easy undertaking.

Motherhood:  the qualities or spirit of a mother

I am so in awe with the course of life my mother has journeyed on. She was born 2 years before the Great Depression. She lived in an area of Illinois, even today, is like stepping back in time. Her mother never lived long enough to see her grow and mature, because she passed away when my mother was 4 years old. She spent several years in different homes, eventually being able to stay with her Dad and 3 brothers in her grandparents home. Her Grandmother taught her lots of things that she is able to pass along to our family. Mother's thirst for knowledge lead her to be well educated in various areas of life. How fortunate I am to have my Mother to share life with. She is an inspiration to so many, none more so than myself. Most importantly Mother has instilled in our family. . . love.

Front: Luke, Amanda, Mom, Stephanie

Back: Lauren, Cassidy, Me, Alex, Jennifer w/ Malia, Spencer

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As I Look Back

As I look back on my life

I find myself wondering

Did I remember to thank you

for all that you have done for me?

For all the times you were by my side

to help me celebrate my successes

and accept my defeats?

Or for teaching me the value of hard work

good judgement, courage and honesty?

I wonder if I've ever thanked you

for the simple things . . .

The laughter, smiles and quiet times we've shared?

If I have forgotten to express my gratitude

for any of these things,

I am thanking you now. . .

and I am hoping that you have known all along,

how very much you are loved and appreciated

Author Unknown

 

Unfinished

     Four months ago my Dad passed away. He left behind a family that loved him so very much. He also left some of his projects unfinished. He was able to work in his shop until he got sick in November of 2008. At that time he was helping my sister Jane build a dollhouse for her granddaughter Mallory. The last item he created was a chair for the table in Mallory's house. I was in Dad's shop this morning and found this. I don't know what it is. Mother didn't know what it was going to be. He was always puttering around creating things from wood. I am sure he knew what it could be, but we sure don't. I would love to be able to pick his mind to know what he was planning for this small piece of wood.

Mom and Dad grew up in the era of the Great Depression. You used and reused everything possible. If you could, you would create some way of fixing a broken item. Dad was not any different. I was cleaning my fans and needed a screwdriver. Into Dad's shop I go. Again ... I was amazed. Did I notice his tools that much when Dad was alive? Nope. I notice things now. Here is a broken screwdriver Dad made new again. It didn't go to waste. I am so proud of the creative mind he had.

The reason for our time at Mom's this morning was so Tom could paint her garage door. Dad had bought the paint. It just needed someone to apply it. As you can see, Mother is in her usual position.....supervisor ! ! !

                 

Be sure as life goes by each day, you don't leave things unfinished. The piece of wood Dad was working on, didn't change the importance of his life. It is the small things you should not leave undone. A smile, a simple thank you and most importantly . . .  an I love you. Dad made sure we knew we were loved.

They knew better !

The Greeks believed that the Goddess Iris searched for a woman's gravestone that had a purple Iris above it to signify that the person wanted escorted to Heaven.  In ancient Egypt the Iris symbolizes rebirth.  The greek word for Iris is rainbow.  The flower is used by the U. S. Military to represent strength and power, standing for courage, admiration, wisdom, hope and faith. Iris's date back to the 1600 in Virginia, probably coming over from Europe.

My Iris's - - however, knew they should bloom this year or they were going to be eradicated. They came from my daughters home. She does not have much of a green thumb. (artifical plants die in her care) She was giving away her multitude of flowers, so I decided to move some to my house. The Iris's bloomed fine until last spring. !!Nothing!!. I gave them until this year to show their fancies or they would be removed. As you can see, they kept their promise of blooming.

Sweet sense of Iris

Softly blankets

the senses.

Erect and noble

She slowly nods

at the wind.

Purple velvet robes

Soothes, beckons

and addresses

Butterfly questions.

Author Unknown

Which way do you grow?

Growing towards the Son

Have you ever noticed how the plants follow the sun? We all learned this in school. From the time the sun rises in the morning, the plants are following the path of the sun until it no longer shines. It is built into their system to do so. The roots give them the nourishment they need, and the photosynthesis provides them with energy.

We are so much like the plants that God created. We need to be grounded in His Word. We need to seek Him daily to provide us with guidance. Read our Bibles to nourish our Spirits.  We need to follow His example, so we will become more like Him. God in His infinite Wisdom has provided us with all we need in our lives. Follow the Son shine. It will fill your heart to overflowing and you in return can pass it along.  

1 Corinthians 13:13 . . . but the greatest of these is Love.

 

Down In Nawlins'

Down in Nawlins

We took a little trip down to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We took my Uncle and Aunt back home. It was a scheduled trip, and worked out just right, for their return to New Orleans. We had the enjoyment of being tourist this trip. This was our first trip with out Dad. We missed him not being there.

Our first slated stop was in Tunica, Mississippi at the Horseshoe. As you can see, Mother does not know a stranger.

We arrived in New Orleans Wednesday afternoon and got to the airport in plenty of time to pick up Jane. After a good nights rest, Thursday morning, we (Tom, Rob, Jane, Barbara and me) embarked on an excursion to the French Quarters. We always make it a point to visit the district when we are in New Orleans. It is a fascinating place !

Jackson Square is one of the most photographed areas in the French Quarters. We are just like other people. We visit the area too. Below is St. Louis Cathedral.

Another visitor to Jackson Square.

The French Market is also well known. Lots of shopping for those who wish to spend the time browsing or goofing around.

Notice the Mardi Gra beads on the railing

I had the feeling we had landed in Europe. This building reminded me of some we saw there.

Thursday evening we decided to saunter down to the the Riverwalk for a tasty meal. The Crazy Lobster provided us with a most tempting feast. You have to love that Cajun cooking.

Mother's favorite place of the whole trip was . . . (drum roll) . . .  Yep.... Harrah's

Friday evening we celebrated my Uncles Birthday with cake and ice cream.

 He was 89.

Saturday we traveled to Illinois to visit one of my Mothers friends. Mom grew up in Akin. We went to where she lived with her grandmother, her school (it had only one room), stopped by where her parents and brother and sisters are buried in Little Spring Cemetery. We also stopped by the church Mother attended when she was just a little girl. It is falling apart....literally. This is a side view. As you can see, the back half of the church has fallen down.

It took some doing, but I crawled through some barbed wire to get these photos. Much to my surprise, under part of the fallen roof I found these.

Pews !

It broke my heart to think this church had been abandoned and left to fall into disarray. After some more investigating, (once I thought I was going to fall into a pit) I saw the piano. Left alone, inside along with the pews. If I had had the time, I would have worked my way inside what was left of the building.

Now we are a very fun loving family. We love to laugh and poke fun at each other, at the other persons expense. Far be it from us to let a situation go by that we can't laugh at.

Well . . .  here is my sister Jane's new place of 'business'? I thought her rates were a little high, considering the location and limited activities in the area.

April 18th was Dad and Uncle Hod's birthday.

It was the first we celebrated without Dad.

It was Dad's first birthday celebration in Heaven.

I will celebrate with you some day.

Poppy's Hide'n Chase

Luke and Malia had an unexpected time for fun today at Grandma's and (as Malia calls him) Poppy.
Jennifer and Malia stopped by for a visit. Luke was coming over to stay while Amanda and Kyle went to Parents Conference. The two wild child's were to be in one spot at the same time. They are a joy to watch. Both of them have so much energy. Like other older people, I wish we could bottle their energy and put it in pill form. Malia loves to run at top speed and make a turn on a seconds notice. Luke enjoys rough and tumble fun. Mix the two together, and you have a game of Hide and Chase involving Grandpa. It was so hilarious to see them 'attempting' to hide and be quiet from Grandpa. Malia was not cooperating with Luke's idea of Shhhhh...
Of course Grandma had to run and get the camera for a photo op. *some of the pictures are a little blurry...I was laughing so hard it was difficult to keep the camera still.

Malia did survive the event. I hope her Mother and Dad allow her to come over again !

Resurrection

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Our Savior was crucified, buried and rose on the third day to fulfill the scriptures and the promise of God. How glorious to know that He will be returning again. God in His infinite wisdom accepted Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.

There has not been a single man that has affected this world more than Jesus. 2000 years ago a single man of 30 years of age began His ministry and at the age of 33 died a horrible death for mankind. He never traveled more than 200 miles from his home. He did not own anything, and died with only the clothes on his body.

The empty tomb, the resurrection of Jesus, is our promise from God that He conquered death.

Praise His Holy Name. May the message of Easter fill your hearts to over flowing and that you will come to know Jesus on a personal basis.

Sound Memories

This morning I woke to the sounds of doves.

     Isn't is facinating how sounds, pictures, taste and touch can generate memories. The dove songs of this morning brought back memories of visiting my Grandpa and Grandma in Illinois. The town of Akin is small. One stop sign, one grocery/postoffice, and two churches. Waking at Grandpa's was always a quiet occurence. The sound of the doves was all you heard. The soft cooing served as your alarm clock. A gentle gradual stir to start the day. You did not hear semi's traveling on a highway, no train whistles, very little traffic from the towns population heading off to work. Most of the people living in Akin are older folks. I remember Grandpa sitting on the old church pew located between two trees, to provide shade, waving to community residents as they passed by. Sometimes people would stop and sit and chat for a spell. No one is in a hurry. There is really no place to go. The town may have been a small community, but we always found lots to do, be it pounding on the piano, playing with Rita from across the street, or exploring the neighborhood. Memories spurred by the doves song.

     I often reminisce of Saturday's in 'the house across the road'. We would anxiously await Dad to come home from working until noon, we frequently had hot dogs, Fig Newtons, and chips for lunch, Sky King would be on the TV, and the sun would be shining in the open front door. It is the suns bright light that stirs my remembrance. We three girls had a very simple ideally innocent childhood. Laughter, sistership, pure childhood play filled our days. Saturday's, with the open front door and morning sunshine, will always bring a smile to my heart. We had no worries, we had parents that allowed us to be, and we were fiercely protected. I have a sad heart for todays children. They miss the innocence of childhood as I knew it. I am so thankful to have been born when I was and to have had parents that loved us so much to provide a home rich in love.