Happy Birthday, Todd!

How could it be possible.......................................

for our first little baby to be all grown up with three little girls of his own?It seems no time since we were eagerly anticipating his birth---where did all the years go? Happy Birthday, Todd! We love you and are so proud of you and the man you have become. Have a great day!! (Sorry about the quality of the baby picture. I had to take a picture of the picture because my scanner wouldn't work!)

Could the Ground Hog Be Wrong?

Today we drove to our Farm to feed the animals. It was a gorgeous day and it made me really ready for spring to arrive. Robins were hopping around all over the place hunting for worms. I was also able to get a good shot of one perching on a tree branch.

This next shot of a robin is down at our pond. I managed to get a few good shots but missed some excellent shots because I literally got "ant in my pants!" I decided to sit on a stump in order to get a closer picture of the robin near the water when I suddenly realized I was apparently disturbing an ant bed which was beside the stump. After jumping up and stomping my foot and taking my shoe and sock off and hopping around, I was able to get rid of the ants but that had scared the robin away. Here is a shot I managed to get before the ant escapade!

Apparently the geese don't mind the cold water because this is where we found them.


Of course, the animals were glad to see us as always because they knew we were bringing food. If you will look closely at the picture of the goats rounding the corner of the barn, you will see a dolly loaded with hay pulled by Farmer Pops. The goats were not letting him get far from them at all!

Farmer Pops below-----

I loved these pictures of one of the cats. Apparently he thought he heard a mouse in the old smokehouse so he decided to investigate. He had already eaten the food we took him but his "barn cat" instincts took over and he decided to investigate.


I can't end the post without a cow picture. I LOVE cow faces!! Here is one watching me hoping I have a handful of hay for her.

So, maybe the Ground Hog is wrong and spring is right around the corner!! I'm ready. Be sure to go over to Susan's blog to see more outdoor pictures.

Mosaic Monday

Well, what do you expect from a new grandmother? I wanted to participate in Mary's Little Red House Mosaic Monday and I couldn't resist this collage of our newest granddaughter and some of her family.

The Winds and the Waves

Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!"

Several times I've posted pictures on here of our beautiful Gulf of Mexico but I think they've all been in the spring and summer when the sun is shining brightly and people are plentiful. Yesterday we rode out to the beach, but it was cloudy and windy and the gulf presented a completely different picture. There were a few people out there but not many. Most of the people we saw were surfers trying to catch a wave while they were high. The difference in the gulf yesterday and in so many other pictures in the past is remarkable. The entire time I watched, the above scripture kept running through my mind. Our God is powerful---these pictures depict that power in a mighty way.

Baby, Buckets, and a Bizarre Few Days

In case you think I'm an indifferent grandmother who isn't excited about posting pictures of our new granddaughter Addison, I'll fill you in on a few happenings and you'll know why there haven't been any new pictures.

The family was all together last Wednesday night at church for a shower for Addison's big sisters (a big-sister shower which was so sweet----they got books to read to her, diapers, clothes to dress her up in, and toys for her) and we were all looking forward to being together at the hospital the next morning and Addison making her appearance sometime during the day or early evening. However, as the day and night wore on, it became apparent to everyone that it would still be several more hours before Addison was born. Todd and Keely encouraged us all to go home and get some sleep with the promise to call us the minute something began to happen. So we went home to grab a few hours' sleep----3 different houses. Even though I couldn't go to sleep, I was at least lying down in bed with our grandson David. He became restless and asked for water to drink. I went to the kitchen with the phone in my hand and got water. As soon as I got back into the bedroom, David suddenly got sick and threw up everywhere----all over the bed, floor, himself, and a little on me. I felt so sorry for him. He immediately grabbed us both a blanket so we could just move to the couch and finish the night! In the midst of all of this, I DID get a message but it was from our nephew who is a sophomore in college saying he would be having an emergency appendectomy that morning. He had planned on being with us over the weekend after Addison was born but that didn't happen, of course. He spent the weekend trying to recover from surgery. Since I thought I was the only one who had been exposed to the virus, I texted our son to say I thought I shouldn't go to the hospital when the other three grandparents went since I had been "contaminated" with the stomach virus. I stayed home while Richard and Sandy and Dorsey (other grandparents) went to the hospital as soon as they got "the call." However, as soon as Pops (my hubby) left for the hospital, we found out the virulent virus had just hit all three houses at the same time!!!! Addison's two sisters were at their house throwing up, too. Thankfully, an aunt was at that house and could stay with them while the other grandparents went to the hospital (she later was one of the victims). All the grandparents (except me) were there for Addi's birth while the rest of us were either home throwing up or on bucket and clean-up patrol. Needless to say, the next few hours were hectic. As soon as Addison was born at 6:15 AM after almost 22 hours of labor for Keely, the grandparents left the hospital and went home to get some sleep. As the day went on, family members began "dropping" like flies with the bug. There were only 6 of us who were unscathed (out of 16), but we were running like crazy for many reasons------cold wash cloths, throw up buckets, clean up and disinfectant trying to decontaminate everyone and everything for Addison to come home in day or so. Keely, our daughter-in-law and the new mother, even got the bug. She was still in the hospital so they were able to pump her full of meds and fluids and she was better the next day. Thankfully, everyone is much better now (including Drew, our nephew), Addison and her mom and dad are home, and we are all very thankful. I'm sorry for the nitty gritty details but that will just give you an idea of why I haven't updated my blog!

Now, enjoy a few new pictures of Addi. We think she's just adorable, of course.

Addison at her first pediatrician appointment (above)

Big Cousin Hannah holding Addison for the first time (above)

Ashlyn (big sister) holding Addison in the hospital (above)

Aubrey (big sister) feeding Addison in the hospital

Our Newest Blessing!!

Addison was born early Friday morning, January 22nd. Of course, she is beautiful to all of us, and, much more important is the fact that she is healthy and very alert. She weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long. We are all thankful for the fact that we can be together with Keely's family as well as all of our family to celebrate this miracle. We waited together at the hospital off and on for 24 hours. Keely was a trooper and we are more than thankful for the team of nurses and the doctor God used to safely deliver Addi. I'm sure there will be more pictures to follow!!

A Convicting Scripture

1 John 3:17-18 (New International Version)

¹⁷If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? ¹⁸Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

In light of the recent earthquake in Haiti, this scripture has really convicted me. Here I sit in my comfortable house after just driving my car to where I needed to go, and there are so many people in Haiti who are suffering and hurting in many ways. I know a little bit of how the people there might be feeling because our older son was in Jamaica on a mission trip when Hurricane Gilbert hit there. We were unable to contact him for over a week so we didn't know if he and the others in the group had been washed to sea, if they were hungry, if they were thirsty, or if they were injured? The unknown was awful. However, our story has a happy ending. The entire group was safe, and, in fact, they were able to help some of the Jamaicans with their many problems. But, from all the pictures I see of Haiti, the situation there is dire. People have no idea if their family members are dead or alive, buried under the rubble, or just what. They have no idea where they'll sleep nor how they'll eat as well as (this would be worse for me), how they'll feed their children. Disease will be rampant. So, as we all sit here in our comfortable homes with all we need, let's be mindful of the people in Haiti. It's easy to donate through Compassion International. Click on the web site and go to Haiti relief to donate. Or, you can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate. 100% of your $10 donation goes to Red Cross for Haiti relief. Read the above scripture again and pray about it. I think you'll be convicted as well.

We Need One Another

Recently I was starting a fire in our fireplace when I was reminded of why we need each other and why it's vital to be a part of a body of believers. I had a match, some wood, some starter material, and some paper. However, if I didn't put all of those together, it would be impossible to start a significant fire in our fireplace. If I struck the match, it would soon burn out without other material. If I tried to start the wood, it wouldn't start without help from the kindling, match, paper, etc. If I just burned the paper, it would soon burn away. If I just burned the starter log without other wood logs to go with it, it wouldn't last long nor give out enough heat for a warm fire.

Yesterday I went to church for the first time since my surgery. I needed to stay home those four weeks in order to be well enough to go back to church, but I have to admit that during those weeks away from the body on Sunday mornings, I began to feel spiritually dry. You see, I think we are like those materials needed to start the fire. We need each other in order to "work properly." Even though I could study my Bible at home, I had visits from many friends from church, and I stayed connected in other ways, I NEED to be with the body of believers that meets together every Sunday morning. I believe that, like the match without the other materials, I would fizzle soon without being with the body weekly. Like the paper, I need the encouragement of fellow believers to do what I'm called to do and without that, I would "burn out" quickly. Just like the starter logs in the fireplace, if I didn't have other Christians to draw strength from, I would just quickly waste away.

The next time you build a fire or are outside at a bonfire, just pull one of the hot embers away from the fire and see what happens to it. Without the rest of the fire, it will soon fade away and go out.

So, as Christians, we need to make being together a priority in our lives if at all possible, because, without the body, it's impossible to grow and mature spiritually. We need the "fuel" that we get from each person there as we worship and serve our Lord together.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.......Hebrews 10:25

Is This Florida??

Having a warm house is not something I take for granted, but I have been a bit more aware and thankful this week. I can't fathom how anyone could live on the streets in this weather and this is Florida which is not nearly as cold as other parts of the country. I've been even more mindful of the homeless and the elderly this week. Council on Aging has been asking for heaters and blankets for the elderly in the area. Yesterday, my hubby told me he was going out for a few minutes. When I asked where he was going, he said he was going to get some heaters and blankets and take them to Council on Aging. I'm so thankful to have a husband who is exceedingly giving and thoughtful. From what we were told, the response for help has been excellent. It's refreshing but not surprising to know that people have acknowledged the need and answered the call.

In the meantime, I am thankful to be warm and cozy sitting by our fire at home. But, I don't want to forget that there are others out there who are not so blessed. I pray I'll never forget.

Christmas-Part 2--and Happy New Year

What a perfect week we've had! After our younger son and his family and my brother and his family were with us at our house for Christmas, we drove up to visit our older son and his family for the New Year weekend. We've had a great time which has just stretched our Christmas fun over a week now. We had Christmas with Todd, Keely, Aubrey, and Ashlyn Thursday night when we arrived.

Todd and Keely opening presents

Keely opening Addison's (due in January) presents

Ashlyn opening her presents

Aubrey opening her presents

After we opened presents, Aubrey made pancakes for all of us. Here she is wearing her new apron. She loves to cook and is good at it!!

After eating pancakes, Aubrey and her daddy decorated a gingerbread house.

The next day, New Year's Day, our younger son and his family who live near-by came over for lunch and to watch Auburn play in the Outback Bowl. (What a wild game but we'll take the W!!) It was fun to have everyone together for the day.

Watching the Auburn game together----no way to relax it was such a wild game!

Immediately following the game, the grandchildren did their "Pay it Forward" skit that they do every year at Christmas. Pops and I give them $20 each that they must spend on someone less fortunate than they are. Some send it to Compassion International and some choose to do something else with their $20.

After we finally won the game and the children did their skit, a game of Apples to Apples broke out and we continued to watch bowl games but not with quite the intensity we watched the Outback Bowl!!
It's been a perfect end to 2009 and beginning to 2010. Happy New Year to all!!

Not a Creature was Stirring, Not Even a Mouse

The house is much too quiet today and on its way to becoming much too clean. Our family has all left now and we're in the process of putting away the Christmas decorations. Gone are the wrapping paper and ribbons and bows. Now we're left with fantastic memories. We had a wonderful time with our younger son and his family and my brother and his family. The house rang with the laughter and play of two of our grandchildren, Hannah and David. We miss everyone already but are thankful for the time we had with them.

Hannah with her American Girl doll

David opening his Imaginext Batcave

We opened presents with our son and his family on Christmas night and we knew we still had the next day to all look forward to my brother and his family getting here. We ate together and opened more presents. But, aside from the fact that we enjoyed the food and the presents, we mainly just had fun being together as family. There's nothing quite like that.

Hannah and her mom, Jenn, checking out one of Hannah's gifts

Stephanie, our 15 year old niece

David, Jenn, JD, and Ann, our sister-in-law

Steve, my brother, opening one of his gifts

We missed our older son and his family but they were with the other grandparents and we plan to see them soon for a belated Christmas. We also missed our nephew Drew who is a trainer for the Auburn football team and had to be in Orlando for practice and other activities before the Outback Bowl on January 1st. As much as we missed him, we're so excited for him to have this experience. I know he's having a great time getting to be a part of all of the pre-game festivities. War Eagle, Drew!

Merry Christmas to the Farm Animals, Too!

We were ready to get out for a while today and go somewhere other than physical therapy. SO, we took a quick ride up to our Farm to feed the animals. We had four bundles of hay, 4 bags of feed for the cows and the goats, and 2 bags of kitty food plus some canned food. It was a beautiful day for a ride in the country.

Here's Santa's sleigh (AKA Pops' truck) loaded with goodies for the animals.


Two very contented cats

Here's our pond. You can see how the floods throughout the south have affected the pond. It's out of its banks all the way around (note the water line on the tree--the water is going down but more rain is expected on Christmas Eve).
Where is the grub and what's taking so long?


We left to come home knowing that all the animals were taken care of and would be warm and content for Christmas.

In Sickness and in Health

Wow, I wonder if my hubby actually knew what he was saying when we spoke our marriage vows over 44 years ago. However, let me just say that I am SO thankful for him these last 10 days following knee replacement surgery. He has had to go above and beyond the "call of duty." When one has this type surgery, one is almost completely dependent on someone else for the first few days. He was there for every move I made. I really felt bad for him to have to be there all the time, but I really wanted him there with me, too. When we came home, he had to be creative in many ways in order for me to take a shower, sleep, eat, and just about every thing else. He came through with all of the above. SO, I thank God for a caring, loving husband who has taken care of me the last few days. Thankfully, I am much better now and can do most things for myself so he's getting a break, but I would not want to go through this without him.

A Special Christmas Present/Decoration

Recently I decided to retire at the end of this semester. I've worked with many special people, but one in particular and I have job shared the last twelve years allowing both of us to work part-time. She's been my prayer warrior, encourager, and special friend as we've both been through serious illnesses, family deaths, as well as celebrations of life and large and small victories. There aren't many friends/co-workers like Ramona and I appreciate her very much and will miss her. Yesterday she stopped by my house and left a special present at the door for me---I didn't even know she had come by. As I've mentioned before, everyone in our family has graduated from Auburn University so we bleed orange and blue. Ramona's loyalty is to another team across the state so I REALLY appreciate this gift--it was a supreme sacrifice for her to pay money for this! Take a look at my cute little Auburn Christmas tree!

A Christmas Card Carousel

Even knee surgery and physical therapy couldn't keep me from taking part in Faith's Christmas Card Carousel! When she announced on her blog that she planned to host that, I wanted to take part in it. Be sure you go over to her blog to check out the many cute Christmas cards that people have linked there. Ours is a picture of our grandchildren when we went on a "field trip" back in May to Colonial Williamsburg. Since that was such a special trip to us and hopefully to them, I wanted to put their pictures on our Christmas card. They dressed in colonial costumes and walked around Williamsburg all day. What fun we had!!

Home for Christmas!

I wrote in a post last week that I found out I needed to have knee replacement surgery before Christmas. Last Wednesday was the day. I had a host of people praying for me and I went into the surgery feeling a peace from all the prayers. The surgery went well and I came home from the hospital yesterday. Tomorrow I will start out patient physical therapy. I have missed out on many of the "blog parties" going on during the holidays, but am thankful to be home and have the surgery behind me. For those of you who were praying for me, thanks so very much. Now I'm home and looking forward to Christmas and being with family. Merry Christmas to all of you and remember-----------Jesus is the reason for the season.