LUKE

I heard the phone ring yesterday and I raced to pick it up hoping yet not trusting myself to hope then I said hello and all the world was RIGHT! I heard this little, gigglely voice say "Grandma, I know you miss me, but I have something to tell you." It took him several starts and I'm not sure he ever got to the story he actually called to tell me but we had a lovely chat. After I proposed to him multiple times just to hear his laugh once more, he tells me....that is SO Gross, Grandma! Luke Thomas pulls at my heart strings and makes me want to book the next flight to Arkansas.
Placing our adult children in God's hands and asking Him to direct them means He may call them into His Vineyard far from us. It is comforting to know that He is there for them and for us in those lonely times when we long to see them and touch there face. Thankfully technology allows as faster contact than a hundred years ago. Now I must send off that letter that I promised Luke. It really helps sometime to hold in your hand proof that your loved one thought of you and said it in writing. LOL Just being trandparent today. I miss you, Phillip, Merrie Beth, Jason, Steven, Timmy, Luke, and dear little Aaron. Don't grow up too soon little ones. I LOVE YOU!

The Arkansas Ozarks

Aaron

Pivot Rock

Thorncrown Chapel

Steven, Jason

Luke

Luke & Timmy

Christ of the Ozarks

2009 Mother-Daughter

Banquet

Hannah and Sarah

Naomi and Me
Sarah and I

Hannah

Abigail, Sarah and

me

Happy Birthday, Naomi

Happy 33 rd Birthday!

We love you.

Happy Birthday!

The World's Greatest

Grandma
Great-Grandma

The Best Mother
A Gift from God

Happy Birthday..... to my Darling Husband

You are my rock of stability,

My companion in adventure,

You are my

Lover

&

Friend!

All My Love!!!

Christmas in Our Neighborhood

Sarah, Tony, Abigail, Zachary, & Hannah came to our home for supper and to exchange Christmas gifts.

Hannah read the Christmas story after supper and Abigail led in prayer as we thanked the Lord for blessing this past year and His protection on the year to come.

Tony is ready to challenge anyone to a game of Uno Flash


Or perhaps he is talking on a challenge. He has the tools for it.

Zachary is learning to play the trumpet.

Well it could be the violin...he hasn't decided.

Zachary can always fall back on his profession as firefighter if being a musician doesn't work.

For brother/sister time there's now Bible Bingo.

A new picture for Sarah to decorate the house with if she will put aside that new Karen Kingsbury book. Plus a skirt, a rug, a candle, etc.

Abigail can send messages now with her new Text and Talk Set. She can order snacks from her room.

This is her Yorkie puppy that actually breathes but it doesn't have to be let outside for a potty break. Do you think she will trade her poodle (Cuddles) who does require this attention? Don't think so.

This is one of her doll sets. Actually the other doll was a guy doll from Hannah Montana. You'll have to ask her the name I'm still stuck in the Barbie and Ken era. She also received a Barbie Lantern, & Microphone.

Here HE is......Mr. Americaaaaa!

Zachary went to Santa's workshop at school and did his Christmas shopping. He bought Naomi and me one of these cute little snowman pins. Naomi was also thrilled to receive a Bible Cover and tapes as well as fun pads.

Hannah has new MICHIGAN slippers, a skirt, a Bible, a set of pillows & socks.

No, we did not have a robbery while we were exchanging gifts. My husband is all ready for the freezing temperatures that began today with his new face mask. He also got several packs of Peppermints and a black shirt.

A cute flashlight from Zachary that has "grandpa" stamped on it.

These are my new slippers. They are SO warm, I love to send birthday/anniversary cards to my aunts, uncles, and family so I received 3 boxes of cards, perfume,a lace wall hanging, and a keychain that says "grandma." I'm sure I have left somethings out but we had a wonderful time with our family and we would like to say THANK-YOU to each of them. We love you all and praise God that you are all part of our lives. God bless you. Phillip, Naomi Ann and I will be leaving Wednesday evening to go to my mother's home for Christmas. Family time is one of the best parts of Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

We will return from Illinois with pictures. We trust you all have a wonderful time with with your loved ones. Love to you all

What have you been up to?

September 27 Th was the Newman reunion for my Mother's family. I didn't take many pictures this year but I did get a photo of my Mother during the Memorial Service lighting a candle in Memory of my father. This is done for each of our grandparents, their children (and in-laws), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We always have a delicious meal and Mom of course brings her famous home-made noodles. Naomi enjoyed hunting for the bubble gum in the whipped cream without using her hands. I believe my granddaughter won that race. They also enjoyed painting ceramic crafts. I enjoyed meeting all the new grandchildren that my cousins have had born into their families over the past year. Of course we always have a great time at the close of the day with the hot dog roast and chili/bean soup and the hay ride. One of my second cousin's grew her own mum's (over 300) for her wedding last fall and this year she brought them to sell at the reunion. The huge attraction at the reunion this year was a box of photo's that my cousin brought which belonged to his mother (recently deceased) who was a collector of pictures. So many memories were re-lived as we dove into this treasure chest of memories. The annual live and silent auction was so much fun as always. I purchased a couple items my crafty cousin Dianna made. One was a fall wreath for my father's grave. The other was I am saving as a Christmas gift so I shall not mention it who knows who may be reading my blog. LOL

Well the following week my daughter Naomi, granddaughter Abigail and I stayed with my mother. Mom had carpel tunnel surgery on her left hand. We went with her to the out patient surgery and as the nurses were prepping her getting IVs hooked up Abigail said, "I feel sick." She couldn't stand seeing them stick needles into her "nanny." In her defense Abigail really did come down with a 24-hour bug that caused her to be sick and have a fever but recovered quickly. Mom got along very well throughout the week and it has helped her with the pain and numbness she was experiencing. I came home on Sunday and imagine my surprise when she called me on Thursday to say that when she went to the doctor to have her stitches removed she also set up her surgery for her right hand for next Wednesday. So here we go off to Mom's next week. LOL Bless her heart she would do the same for me in a heartbeat! Abigail is excited to be homeschooling so it gives her the freedom to go with me. Her only request was NOT to go in the room where they put needles in "nanny."

HAPPY LABOR DAY

A few of my favorite people people in the world to share a cook-out with. After returning from a memorable weekend with my better half Hannah and Sarah had a nice picnic planned at Munsen Park. It was a very relaxing day. Thank you to the girls who cared for their sister Naomi till we returned home.

Naomi
Hannah
Sarah, Tony, Abigail, & Zachary