November in California - #3

Three of Jordyn's friends came for her 17th birthday dinner celebration. Sweet girls!

Allison and I made four pie crusts in preparation for Thanksgiving pumpkin pies! Into the freezer they went, to be filled later.

We had a delightful lunch with Rich's cousin Marlene and husband, Frank. We love visiting with these dear, sweet people!

Joel, Nan, and Luke had Jeff and Caroline and kids and Rich and me for dinner. Another great family time!

We spent a Sunday "hanging out" with Jeremy, Renee, and Maddie. Playing with Maddie, making pie crusts with Renee, and enjoying lovely conversation - what a great day!

Papa and Maddie drawing with Etch-a-Sketch.

Jeff "put in an order" for me to make peanut butter cookies, so Katelyn and I made him a happy man. BTW, they think it's funny I travel with an apron! I've learned that they will put me to "work"! :)

Goofy pic, but what's better than licking the beaters - especially with a granddaughter!

Making the most of every moment together!

November in California - #2

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was laid to rest on November 10. In keeping with her wishes, we had a simple graveside service. The men of the family carried her to her resting place next to Dad, while her daughters read scripture. Kathy read Proverbs 31:10-31, which described our mom. Nancy, our sister-in-law, whom Mom called her fourth daughter - and who spent countless hours reading scripture to Mom, read Psalm 91, one of Mom's favorites. Cheryl and I read Psalm 23 and I read Psalm 24, again some of Mom's favorite scriptures. Her great-granddaughter, Baylee, sang "Amazing Grace". Mom had asked Baylee to sing it for her when she visited just three days before her passing. It was very sweet. Fitting words from Jamee and Todd's pastor were spoken and we did our best to honor her Lord and Savior and honor her.

I am blessed with the greatest siblings: Steve (Lisa), Cheryl (John), Kathy, Joel (Nan). Thanks to Mom and Dad for raising us to have a deep love and respect for each other!

Mom (and Dad) had nine grandchildren. Those who were able to honor their grandmother were:  Jeremy (Renee), Jeff (Caroline), Julie (Todd), Jamee (Todd), Brett, and Luke - in front. Dax, Ty, and DeNae were not able to travel to California and they were missed tremendously.

22 great-grandchildren benefited from Mom's continual prayers! Maddie, Jordyn, Lauren, Cole, Ty, Katelyn, Allison, Owen (as well as Baylee and Jenna) celebrated her life. Chloe, Matt, Dylan, Caroline, Riley, Aiden, Nolan, and DeLaney live out of  state were not able to attend.

Lauren, Ty, Baylee - lovely girls - inside and out.

Jordyn, Lauren, Ty, Allison, Katelyn - beautiful second cousins.

Jenna, Jamee and Todd. Sweet!

Maddie and Renee. More sweetness!

Owen. What a great little kid!

Baylee, Cole, Brett, Caroline. Lots of love and hugs going on!

Caroline, Jeremy and Joel. Greatness.

Maddie made herself right at home in Aunt Kathy's little leather chair. She sat in it just like she does in her little leather chair at her home. She likes to say, "Taking a load off!" Funny little girl.

What a wonderful day we had sharing memories and truly enjoying each others' company. We miss Mom more than we can say and think of her often. My sibs and I all have thought of things we wanted to share with her and then realize she's gone from us. Not uncommon, I suppose, but sad nevertheless.

We treasured our time together, and as Nan prayed, we are committed to staying "tight".

November in California

After my mother's passing on October 31, we spent most of the month of November in California. It was a wonderful time of loving our family! Brett flew there for the weekend we laid our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to rest. We treasured the few hours we had with our three sons and California families. Esther and girls were sorely missed!

We NEVER take for granted each and every opportunity to hug our grandchildren.

This expression on Maddie's face is what you get when you say, "Smile, Maddie!"

The love of sisters!

Mother and daughter! Can you tell?!

Jeff and Caroline always have such yummy eats!

Our three sons! We SO love that THEY love being together.  Lots of laughter and good-natured ribbing!

Counting our blessings!

Happy Birthday Maddie!

Today Maddie is celebrating her second birthday! - on Thanksgiving! How thankful we are for this precious little girl, born to Jeremy and Renee.

I love this photo as it captures the wonderment of such a fun and cheerful little girl. Maddie is very articulate and has an extraordinary vocabulary for her age, she loves playing outside with her friends, loves to "help" in the kitchen and loves the recorded books that I have made for her. She's a "tough" and sturdy little girl, always ready to share her love. One thing I especially love is to hear her sing "Jesus Loves Me".

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise..." - Psalm 8:2

Maddie, our prayer is that you grow to love Jesus more and more and that when you can comprehend His great love for you, you take it into your heart!

Love you so much!

Papa and Grandma

Happy Birthday Jordyn Rose!!

We are celebrating Jordyn's 17th birthday today!! Isn't she a beauty! Lovely thing about this is that her beauty comes from the inside out. Jordyn has a great laugh/giggle, loves to bake, works really hard at her studies, loves little children, is a great soccer player, and admittedly a bit of a "Princess" (but in a good, fun way) - and all 'round great teen!

"The Lord will keep you from all harm -- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." - Psalm 121:7-8

Jordyn, I pray you stay close to Jesus, that you always know you are safe in the palm of His hand. May He always be your Guide!

Love you to the moon and back!

Papa and Grandma

Branson - #2

We had a lovely lunch and visit at College of the Ozarks. It was our first time there and we loved what we saw. This is a small Christian school of about 1,500 students, about 65% from the Ozarks, all with limited financial means. It's known as Hard Work U! We love the concept that students work 15 hours/week mostly on campus as the way to pay their tuition. When they graduate in four years they leave WITHOUT a load of financial debt. Awesome!

They have a dairy farm where cows are milked at 5 am and 5 pm, a jelly and fruitcake kitchen (fruitcake was actually very yummy!) that ships much of its products, and the typical education buildings. We came away very impressed.

Campus Chapel built in 1956 in the Gothic style - by students!

Gorgeous stained glass windows!

The chapel is open for anyone to enter, pray, worship. Rich played the piano.

We then drove down to Arkansas, taking backroads in the Ozarks. Gorgeous! We saw three deer jump across the road, right in front of us.

Loved this covered bridge over the Crooked Creek Crossing.

An evening show to see Clint Black at the Andy Williams Moon River Theater and then one of our favorite groups, Pierce Arrow and we went home very rested and happy. Truly a great little get-away!

Branson - #1

We spent five great days in Branson just relaxing, reading, sightseeing and taking in a couple of shows. Rich plays LOTS of "Words with Friends", we played shuffleboard and tether ball a couple of days at our resort, and basically enjoyed just "hanging out". We've been to Branson 8-9 times since we bought our timeshare in 2005 and this was the first time we were there alone. We really enjoyed it. You have to get away from the computer at home once in a while!

Having lunch at the landing and the"top of the hour" light show began, just as the steamboat was passing by. All well timed! Love the rainbow!

We drove through one of Rich's favorite places, Saddlebrooke. It's a lovely development located between Branson and Springfield and trees were resplendent with their fall foliage.

A scenic drive back to Branson.

We've had such a gorgeous fall! Thinking about the change of season today, I thought seasons change but God's love and protection never do. He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!