Visit to Dallas

Now that 3 of us are working, we had to schedule our holiday trip when we could all get off...and had to make it a short trip.  It was great to see everyone, though, and glad the boys were able to go with us.

Proud we remembered to take photos!  A few family members are missing...maybe next time!

There is a God!

My sister emailed me yesterday with the declaration - There IS a God! - with details and photos of her son's unfortunate wreck this week.  All 3 teenagers (driver and 2 passengers) walked away with very little injury.  Police said if one of them had been in the jump seat, he/she would be dead.  The truck fishtailed and rolled......it is a miracle everyone is OK.  Unfamiliar curvy roads can be dangerous!

"I am safe and protected by God 

in every situation."

I am praising God for the safety of all involved!!

These photos just give me chills.  So thankful everyone is OK.

Best friends...30 years later

Met last night with friends from high school and had the BEST time!!  2 of my closest friends from school recreated an old photo I had.....

This is Marnie, Cheri (Me) and Holly...in junior high (8th or 9th grade), on the way to a Six Flags field trip.  Pig tails, really.........??  lol

30 years later.....

We didn't do the exact order....Marnie's on the other side of me.....I wanted to take the photo from the thighs down.......lol.


Edit to add this photo from a friend at the party - my favorite, I think!

I believe it was 11 of us that got together to visit....to catch up...several of us coming from out of town...Indiana, Colorado, Mississippi....

While many people knock Facebook, it is the conduit that allowed us to get together for the 3rd year now in a row!!  Holly lets everyone know when she's coming down to visit her folks and we all try to meet in some way or another.  Thanks Holly!

P.S.  I DID travel without the recliner in the van....and am doing great.  Our 18 and 22 yr old boys came with (didn't have to drive their own car - the recliner takes up the entire van...) and having stayed up all night prior, they slept the entire way.  We felt like we had babies in car seats....when we stopped for potty breaks, we took turns and left the car running and the same with lunch.  *Roll Eyes*  They woke up within 30 minutes of our destination (8+ hour car ride one way).

P.S.  On the drive down, I crocheted 2 new washcloths and they are utter perfection...they are actually a perfect square WITHOUT manipulating them to "look" that way.  Ha!  I've decided natural light makes a huge difference....can't wait to get photos in the light box and show you!

Hope you are having a fantastic week too!

Sneak Peek

Oh, I wish I could post this today but I must wait......for someone to get something in the mail......so until then, here is a sneak peek.....

OOOOhhhh, is that my Peony from last week......with a new jewel in the middle......and what's in the bottom right corner?

Hmmmm.......

I'm hoping the blog reveal can be on Monday, so check back!!  Go Post Office, Go!

Holt's Birthday Dinner

Holt is one lucky duck this year - he got a Red Lobster birthday dinner out of his Dallas peeps and now another Red Lobster Birthday Dinner out of his parents.   And lucky us - he picked something off the value menu - Steak, Shrimp and Lobster Oscar.  *Cough Cough*.  

There is one big difference in the photos - can you tell what it is?

Dallas - My sister was kind enough to take photos with her cell phone:

 Grandma and Holt.

Holt and his Ultimate Feast.

Uncle Craig watching intently while coaching Holt on how to eat crab legs.

And our family dinner tonight (a few days early):

Ryan, 21 and Holt, almost 18.  Where did the time go?  I love their smiles.  Amazing how physically different they are having the same parents!  lol

Steak, Shrimp and Lobster Oscar.

Y'all, Holt has been incredible.  I don't know where the Holt from June went, but the "new" Holt is amazing.   All week, he has been willing to drive me, stay with me, do anything to help, willingly give advice or opinion when asked, never complain, forgo sleep....whatever I need, he has been there.  Just wanted you to know - there IS some good news to share.

Holt, if you are reading this - thank you son, from the bottom of my heart.  You knew I needed someone to step up after dad had to go back to work yet "life" went on and I am so thankful that person was you.   I am really impressed with the man you are becoming.   I love you! 

In other news, Holt has gotten his job back after his summer hiatus and I believe he starts Monday or at least checks his schedule on Sunday. He's excited.

And we are finally moved.  I wouldn't say "moved in" quite yet, but we are here.  

Upwards and onward!

2nd Dallas Trip Update

When I won the Trace Adkins tickets at my high school reunion and even posted the date of July 2nd, I was not personally thinking this through in my head (not uncommon.  lol)  That meant 2 really close trips to Dallas and I didn't know if I could do it.  But, we're home and I'm recovering from 34+ hours of driving to and from in 2 weeks.  (not counting all the driving while there!)    

It never leaves my mind that just 18 months ago, my "driving limit" was 30 to 45 minutes.  What an amazing gift - thank you God again for the SCS - spinal cord stimulator!! 

The concert was great - 3rd row, center seats.  The biggest news was that the front row women did NOT have to all stand up and shake their badonkadonks when he sang that song, which is very good since I do not personally HAVE a badonkadonk.  lol  Just skin and bones back there, folks!  (Does not apply to the rest of my body, sadly.  lol)

Just 3 weeks late, I finally decided where I wanted to have my "birthday dinner" and we took the family to Maggiano's near Dallas.  Love that restaurant and they had never been.  This first photo is my sister Kelley, my mom Debbie and myself.  It's been a long time since we got a photo together and I love how this turned out.

Look how tall Holt has grown!!!! (sshh...I was sitting down.)  He was 6'2 the other day, with shoes on. 

My sister and her husband, Craig.

We are still playing with our new camera and trying to find the best settings.  This wasn't one of them.  lol

Sage was glad to see us - such a sweet dog.  She fell fast asleep and would have stayed there forever if Andy didn't need to get up.  lol

My BIL Jay finished his outdoor landscaping, and it is beautiful!

We're glad to be home.  Next up, moving.  We finally found a place that will be perfect (our current landlords want their house back).  Strangely, the "new" Cheri doesn't like to move anymore.  OK, all you family and friends, pick yourself back up off the floor.  lol  We're hoping the new place is somewhere we can stay until we finally decide what we want to do about buying another house or condo or RV.  lol   


Have a glorious day!

 

Holt - Vacation Photos 2010

Thanks to my sister  for sending me the photos.  Thanks SO MUCH for taking Holt on adventures this summer!

Arbuckle Wilderness Exotic Animal Theme Park Trip

More Fishing!

Holt, Craig (my brother-in-law) and Wyatt, my nephew.

Go carts - Holt in 2nd place.

Go carts - Holt in 3rd place.

At the top of Turner Falls.

Football with Trey (another nephew).

All 3 cousins throwing the football - Wyatt, Holt and Trey.

Looks like they are had a great time!

Have a glorious day!