Keep breathing...

this will be an invigorating post, I can assure you...

Tory, I'm only doing this for you, because I love you so and I know you are patiently waiting for me to update this poor, neglected blog.... (big smile) but come back because I'm going to post for your belated birthday...

The above pictures were from my Momma's 64th birthday party, which we had at Beck's well over a week ago. Yes, I'm a total slacker.

I hope to be able to post some "renovation" pix on here later...The move from our upstairs room to the downstairs room is picking back up....the male children are almost completely moved up to our room, and they've done an excellent job. We've spackled our future room and it needs one more coat before PAINT!! It will be nice to take the lower level over again, cozy it up and what not.

Hope your Wednesday is super fantastic, as I know mine HAS to be. it just has to be...2 more days till ultrasound...place your bets. ha ha. just kidding.

Ketchup!

Charlie's a tenderhearted little dude and he was so cute with Molly.

Whatta good big cousin boy.

the FIVE handsome grandsons...some of them were looking at me, some of them were looking at Tom...I did tell them to keep looking at Tom till he was done but nonetheless...sorry Tom.

The FIVE lovely granddaughters

not sure if it'd make the Christmas card but it's in the running. wonder if I could photoshop the wooden spoon OUT?

as always, picture perfect.

Andy, Duncan, Phebe and Charlie.

All TEN of my parents grandkids

This is a miracle, in and of itself. 18 people, 10 of which are KIDS, 95 degree heat (not including the scorching heat index), tired and cranky babies and to top that off? we were too far back for the little remote to work so we all had to collectively scoot forward. I'd say this turned out pretty awesome! Hoot HOOT!

I have quite a bit of catching up to do...so I will start slowly.

My brother and his 3 kids returned to Cali this past Tuesday. Always sad. It was so nice to get to be with him and all of his kids. It's not wrong to wish they lived in the same area, is it?

I am so glad we were able to get the 18 family member picture above. That was no small feat...These pix were from last Sunday, August 15th (which was also my kid bro's 35th birthday)...we went to church with my parents and then descended onto their house to photograph.

On that note, my parents are on their way here, so I'd best get some coffee brewing.

Hope you are enjoying this overcast, rainy Saturday. I know I am.

Is it August already?

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

So young, such love! Thank you for never being afraid to hold hands, or touch in public. Thank you for giving us a stable place to grow up. Thank you for calling Becky "Peanut" because you knew I was emotionally unstable and jealous of her. thanks. :)

We had a little impromptu anniversary celebration...and this was one of my favorite shots of the evening...Nora's face is priceless!

Forty years later...still smiling AND sitting next to each other. that means a lot. it really does. I love you guys something fierce.

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And I've been a blog slacker (nuff outta you, Dad!) :)

August hits the ground running...August 4th was not only my mother in law's 61st birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom)...but my parents celebrated their 40th (yes, FORTIETH) wedding anniversary on the same day!

O

MY

GOSH.

forty years.

and today, August 10th, is my brother in law's 36th. I will have to dig up a picture of him...so I will be back. I've got lots of catching up to do!

Crash, Boom, Bam...and a bumpity bump

Mom, showing off her seat belt abrasion..youch.

Dad, showing off his shaky self...getting loved by Levner...

This past Monday, April 13, was a bit rough...Started out with my sister's hubby, Scott, making a trip to the ER with some chest pains...left arm and hand pain..never a good sign. Thankfully, after a batter of CT scans, stress tests and labwork, he got a clean bill of health...'tis scary though because he has stroke/heart attack in his family tree...we don't mess around with the ticker! Glad you are ok, Scott!

Becky also quit her job that day...and will be coming to work with David and I. not that that was a bad part of Monday, but it's never fun to tell your boss you are leaving your job, even if the one you are leaving for is waaaaaaaaay cool! (snicker snicker)

If all that wasn't sorta stressful enough...as if....Mom calls me at a bit after noon, cool as a cuke, "Hi, your Dad and I just got into a car accident..." ahhhhhhhhhh, those 6 little words you never want to hear from a loved one...."we're ok, but I'm a little banged up and the other person is ok...and Dad is ok". It could've been a lot worse...and thank the Lord it wasn't...the other participant's car is totaled, most likely? Mom and Dad are still a bit shaken, reliving those crashing sounds in their heads, over and over...but aside from soreness and that nasty seat belt mark on Mom's chest...they are doing well! Thank You, Lord!

I have more pix to post of a visit from our MI relatives...but I hope to get more today....so that will be the next installment...until then...Godspeed to you...safe travels and choose that JOY!

Happy Anniversary, Parents!!

Sorry, Dad, not a very flattering pic of you, but considering that you make this expression on purpose, that makes this posting of it A-OK!!

All of this to say...belatedly...

Happy 39th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!!

I can't believe how long that sounds.

August 4, 1969...and I couldn't find any of my old pictures of your wedding to post on here...

You are very important to us and we thank God for you!! Here's to the next 39!!