Life

Life has a way of moving on. Sometimes I look back and think how and where did the years go. I have been blessed to have a pretty wonderful life. Oh, don't get me wrong I have had struggles and times when I thought I could not go on, but looking back they are blips on the screen.

Today, we celebrated by little granddaughter, Audrey's birthday. She turned 2. I still vividly remember meeting little Audrey on the day of her birth and now she is 2!?! Did I blink my eyes? She is a joyful, sweet little cherub that reminds me so of her mommy at that age.

Yesterday, our family welcomed a new addition Brayson. He is my niece's son; we are thrilled to get another boy in the family; they seem elusive. My grandson Ethan and Brayson's big brother Tyler are outnumbered by 5 little girls on my side and 1 little girl on my sister's side. I think the boys can breath a sigh of relief!

The heat is oppressive today. I feel dehydrated after spending 2 hours at the park for Audrey's birthday. It is almost like my tongue is swollen and dried out. I am inside now enjoying the cool of the AC and wishing I had a pool to plunge into.

I am going to do one of my favorite things...take a nap.

Happy Birthday Allen

Well hello! I have not written in many months. I said farewell to my brother and just could not write again. Alot has happened since that day. Just two days ago we celebrated the union of my sweet sister and Bill Corley. It was a joyous event and I have not seen my sister happier. I think these two will have a wonderful life together. It is interesting that Sheri chose to wed just 3 days before what would have been my brothers 50th birthday. It is as though we have a joyful event to help counter the bitterness of our loss. Time does heal and life goes on. I will always keep my brother and the memories close. I spent hours with my dearest childhood friends at the reception/party after the wedding laughing and reliving many childhood antics.

It is appropriate for us to celebrate Memorial Day today. I will take the opportunity to say Happy Birthday, Allen. You are missed and loved.

Big Brother

Most people fear "Big Brother", I on the other hand love him. I am the youngest of three children and I have both an older sister and brother. We are stair step children born slightly over a year apart. We grew up fairly close. We had our bouts of disagreements, but we were family and that always kept us close. My brother left home for the Air Force back in 1979. He never really came back other than that the occasional visit, but we kept in touch through phone calls and emails and his occasional visits.

Allen was a very tall, extremely handsome fella, he never had to worry about school he was also very gifted in the academics. He had a flair for the creative, played trumpet and could draw beautifully. My brother could do pretty much anything in my eyes. A real hero to look up to.

He was also a smoker. He started way back in high school and never was able to give it up. He knew it was bad for him and I am sure he tried on several occasions to give it up, but to no avail. In mid October he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was a grim diagnosis; already spreading to his liver. We all cried buckets of tears and although we knew the prognosis was not good, we prayed for a miracle.

The miracle was not to be, my sweet brother, passed from this life to the next last night. He is a believer in Jesus Christ and so in our faith we know that he is walking with those who have gone before him. We have hope that when we too pass on from this life we will see him again. It is still painfully sad. We know his young children will grow up without him. His youngest, just turned 7 years of age November 8th, will he remember what a wonderful man his Dad was? We were blessed to have spent many years with him and our memories will go on forever. I know time heals and our grief will become easier; but for now we grieve a big brother.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me!

(oo) What you want
(oo) Baby, I got
(oo) What you need
(oo) Do you know I got it?
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home
(just a little bit) Hey baby
(just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) mister
(just a little bit) I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone
Ain't gonna do you wrong
(oo) 'cause I don't wanna
(oo) All I'm askin'
(oo) Is for a little respect when you come home
(just a little bit) Baby
(just a little bit) when you get home
(just a little bit) Yeah
(just a little bit) I'm about to give you all of my money And all I'm askin' in return, honey Is to give me my profits When you get home
(just a, just a, just a, just a) Yeah baby
(just a, just a, just a, just a) When you get home
(just a little bit) Yeah (just a little bit)
Ooo, your kisses
(oo) Sweeter than honey
(oo) And guess what?
(oo) So is my money
(oo) All I want you to do
(oo) for me Is give it to me when you get home
(re, re, re ,re) Yeah baby
(re, re, re ,re) Whip it to me
(respect, just a little bit) When you get home, now (just a little bit)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to me
R-E-S-P-E-C-T Take care, TCB Oh (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
A little respect (sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it to me)
Whoa, babe (just a little bit)
A little respect (just a little bit)
I get tired (just a little bit)
Keep on tryin' (just a little bit)
You're runnin' out of foolin' (just a little bit)
And I ain't lyin' (just a little bit)
(re, re, re, re) 'spect When you come home
(re, re, re ,re) Or you might walk in
(respect, just a little bit) And find out I'm gone
(just a little bit) I got to have (just a little bit) A little respect (just a little bit)

A trip to Universal Studios

Rachael and Justin came for a visit; we headed south and visited Islands of Adventure. The roller coasters were great and we had a ball! I can't believe our two week visit is up already.

I hate for the visit to end. I miss Rachael and Justin so much. I pray one day they will come here to live.

A New Addition!

Audrey Kara * 7 lbs * 20 inches long

June 30, 2008 at 6:33 p.m.

Happiness

Mother's Day

I do not know who wrote this but it has been a favorite of mine for a while. This is dedicated to my wonderful Mother and to my daughter in law, who is a wonderful Mother in her own right and my daughter, who amazes me daily with her wisdom and wonderful ability to mother her own daughter. I Love you all!


Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
Before I was a Mom -
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know t h at bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.
Before I was a Mom -
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

long days and short nights

Well I have all but given up on writing here. Oh, I enjoy it but can't seem to find enough time in the day to do it. Life has a way of flying by! I have had many wonderful events since my last post. A 50th anniversary for my folks, a beautiful wedding for my middle daughter. Between the hours spent working and those taking care of my wonderful husband and our home. I have gone back to school, enrolling in 2 college courses and participating in a pilot course developed by UNF and FIE. I am coming to an end of that class and I must admit I a ready. I love learning but this is stretching my old mind a bit too much.

Well this weekend will see us spring forward into daylight saving time. We will indeed have longer days and shorter nights!

Ugh!

Well a little over a week ago, Philip started feeling under the weather. He has toughed it out and kept working but it has been hard on him and me. He has had several early morning coughing fits that have woken us and sent us on a search for medication that will calm his misery. He has tried a myriad of medications and home remedies that make little or no difference. This morning I woke feeling the worse for wear. I feel weak and wrung out. I have struggled with some intestinal discomfort. I have sat here trying to fight the waves of nausea. Hopefully I will feel better soon.
All this could just be a reaction to our jags losing to the patriots, but I doubt it. I guess a rainy Sunday is the best day to feel under the weather.

Happy Birthday Philip!

Well here's the birthday boy....55 years young!

ILY

My little Farm Girl!?!

Rachael sent these pictures from Nebraska. She looks like she is having fun.

The last one is of Justin. They were at his parents farm in Burwell. They hearded cows so they could get their shots.

Happy New Year

Well after a few difficult days at the end of 2007; we welcome in 2008. Oh Philip and I did not celebrate with any fanfare. It was a simple quiet evening. Today I will go and spend time with my family down at Bill's. We will have our traditional fare of black eyed peas, collard greens ham and cornbread along with a few other delights. Philip has decided to stay home and prepare the yard for the upcoming freeze. We will have our first dose of cold weather the end of this week. He has spent so much time planting he wants to protect them all from the cold.

Well this year will be one much different that others. First, I am now sharing my life with a wonderful man whom I am blessed to call husband. Second, I am learning to be Mom from a distance. All of my children have now flown out of the nest. This is not an easy task for someone like me who loved being a stay at home Mom and took a great deal of pride in raising my children. However I look forward to becoming dear friends to my children and spoiling my grand babies...four now with one more on the way. Life is always changing and we can either change with it or grow bitter in defiance of it.

I am also returning to school this year. I hope to improve my knowledge in my chosen profession of education. Who knows I may even spread my wings a little and see new places. I am excited about what this year holds and I look forward to experiencing it with my love and my friend Philip. To all of my loved ones; may this year be the very best yet and may God bless you and keep you under his loving care. Happy New Year.

A New Chapter

Well sometimes life moves along with nothing spectacular or even different coming in. Then there are times when everything seems to change all at once. I have experienced these times before in my life and to be honest I have not always handled them well. I become moody and weepy. However; this time I feel a bit more prepared for the changes ahead.

I will experience the empty nest, and being a newly wed this is not necessarily a bad thing. Philip and I love our family but look forward to some alone time. I would normally feel a little guilty saying that but now I think my children, each being with the love of their life understand the need for couple time. My oldest left long ago and he spent his first Christmas at home with just his wife and children, and I understood their need for this. My youngest has not been out long but she to has seen the need for time with her little family. Rachael my middle child has been home the longest. She has become a dear friend in her adult years and we being single women developed a bond.

She has graduated college and found her soul mate and will move to Nebraska this week. Rachael will learn so much about herself these next few months and Justin. They will return to Florida in May to be married. I am happy for her and although we all will miss her; we wish her well and will lift her in prayer. Yes, this is a new chapter for us all.

Our college graduate

We are so proud of you Rae!

Our Christmas Greeting

On our first Christmas Philip and I and ofcourse Clay wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1314875533

Sea and Sky Spectacular

Philip and I, along with my Dad, Rachael and Sheri and Bill spent Sunday afternoon at the air show down at the beach. It was a spectacular show and the day was just perfect for sitting on the beach. It was cool, crisp and bright blue. We were a little early and the show started relatively slow. I was beginning to wonder if it was worth the drive when the Blue Angels came in with a roar and really put on an excellent performance.

While sitting on the beach we ate a picnic lunch. Rachael somehow lost her balance and fell over in her chair. She kicked up the sand and needless to say that was the end of our "sand"wiches! If that were not enough for the people around us to wonder what was in our water bottles, while watching the show, Philip had dug a small hole at his feet. Upon his standing to leave he took a step in the wrong direction ending up in his hole and on his fanny. He has a good sense of humor and that comes in handy in situations like that. We made our way home and both of which found we should have used the sun screen!

Little Pebbles

I look so cute!

It runs in the family :)
Clay has yummy food.

Happy Halloween

Well whether you are one who celebrates; or whether you are one who chooses not to Halloween is here. I am not into the sinister side of the day, I do however love how it allows children to use their imagination and be anything the wish to be. This jack-o-lantern was carved by myself and my daughter Rachael. It was a fun but very long experience. My grandchildren will dress up and do the traditional Trick or Treating. My oldest grandson will be Thomas the Train and is twin sisters will be 1950 Be Boppers. My youngest granddaughter will sport a Pebbles costume from the Flintstones. It should be a fun day for all. Philip and I plan to sit out front to hand out Candy to the neighbor children. Happy Halloween.

A note to parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles …


Millions of children celebrate Halloween each year with costumes, parties, and hi-jinks. But what are they celebrating? Where did these customs arise?

Some Christians strongly denounce any involvement in this spectacle of ghosts, witches, and evil spirits. Others wonder, "If it's 'All Hallow's Eve,' what in the world is 'holy' about it?"

The truth is that Halloween's deepest roots are decidedly pagan, and unlike Christmas and Easter, it as kept those pagan roots, despite its now Christian name. The controversy surrounding this holiday goes back well over a thousand years to when Christians confronted pagan rites of appeasing the lord of death and evil spirits. But the early Christians didn't simply speak out; they tried to institute a Christian alternative. All Hallow's Day (November 1) was a celebration of all "the holies" - those people who had died faithful to Christ.

Light against darkness. Life against death.

But Halloween in our culture has become an odd mixture of tributes to Draculas and roaming spirits, TV superheroes and comic characters, and participation in innocent harvest festivals and costume parties. Through the centuries, Christians of most persuasions have tried to transform this pagan holiday into a Christian one. How does one take a genuinely Christian stance today?

"Trick or treating" becomes a special problem. Children love the adventure of going out in costumes, but some parents have rejected trick or treating entirely. They argue that no matter how universal and supposedly harmless, "blackmailing neighbors for candy" is hardly appropriate. Instead, some create a wide variety of wholesome parties. Others carefully supervise their children as they canvass the neighborhood, perhaps having them add "God bless you" to their thanks for treats.

Certainly of all people, Christians should be joyful. The challenge is to use the creativity of the Creator to celebrate both the light and life He brought into this world, and His victory over evil - and evil spirits - which extends into the next.

A few more pictures of our trip