Another Birthday

I'm another year older today! Yikes 33 years!!!! Where has the time gone. Maybe I'll type tomorrow and reflect over those years and how the Lord has seen me through. :)

Tyler's Graduation

Our oldest nephew graduated this past Sunday in Memphis at the FedEx Forum (I hope that's the right name...it's the place where the Memphis Grizzlies play, wherever that is). He graduated with a bachelor's degree at the top of his class in just three years and got to do a speech because he was the student body President at the University of Memphis. Paul and I are very proud of him. He will start soon on his master's degree and then it's off to law school. This boy will definitely be in politics one day.
Paul and I were so glad we were able to go celebrate his big day. Again, we were so proud of our nephew. I still can't get over that Paul and I have a nephew this age and our youngest one who is only one month old!!! That is a big age gap. :) I'm going this coming weekend to see my youngest nephew for the first time. I'll make a post about that when I get back. It's been a very full August so far. Here are the pictures from the graduation:

Here is Tyler up on stage about to give his speech.
Tyler managed to get the whole family on the stadium floor.

The Holton/DeWitt family

Brothers

Don't you think that Andrew looks like Paul?!

Things Happening Lately

1. Paul and I went to Houston for my grandpa's funeral. We got to stay with dear friends who are pretty much family to us. It was a sweet visit with them, yet the funeral was extremely sad. I did get that closure and I am glad that we went.

2. My precious second nephew was born on July 13th. I wish that I could have been there on his birthday. I also wish that I can meet him in person already!!! I cannot wait until I do get to hold him and also get to see Neil again. It won't be long!!!

3. My neighbor brought me over a knock-off bright vibrant red rosebush in memory of grandpa. Paul and I are trying to figure out just the right spot in our yard to plant it. I'll post pictures as soon as we have in planted.

4. Paul finally (well this was last month) pulled our carpet up...we have NO more carpet in the house!!! Yay!!! Underneath our carpet was vintage 1960's genuine solid oak hardwood floors!!! We still have work to do throughout the house. We were planning on moving from this house, but the way the economy is, we think it best to stay put until things get better with the housing market. Plus, with all the tornadoes that went through our area back in May, our neighborhood is the one of the safest places to live. I think we will stay here in this home for a while.

5. Bunni had a growth removed from her head. It looked like a large black freckle, but we thought it best to have it cut off. The vet was going to charge us to have it sent in to the lab to see if it were cancerous. We were like, "No thank you!!!" We couldn't afford chemotherapy even if it were malignant. It's better we never knew what it was. However, I finally took Bunni back today to get her stitches out. Sweet little dog didn't even whimper and sat perfectly still while they cut the stitches out.

6. The heat here is driving me crazy. It's so miserable outside. I love being outside this time of year, and even with the low humidity it's just plain horrible. They say we are under a severe heat wave. We put our hummingbird feeder up yesterday...already the birds are drinking the water like crazy...they were parched.

7. Paul took me to a farmer's market and we got cucumbers, okra, and peaches. I made okra a couple nights ago and Paul and I ate way too much. Also the peaches are to die for. They are so sweet and juicy almost like someone put sugar on them!!! They are incredible. I think we might keep going back to this farmer's market until the end of summer.

You Left Us Too Soon, Grandpa...

Today my very dearest grandpa in the world passed away. He was a man who truly loved Jesus. He taught us the value of hard work. He taught us how to love Jesus. He was a humble man...maybe he didn't have the money, power and prestige that this world thinks so highly of...he lived a very simple life. He loved his family and his sole purpose in life was loving Jesus and shining forth Jesus' love...it was Jesus who simply took over Grandpa's life...during the years of knowing grandpa he seemed to blossom in the end...the last time I saw grandpa he had such a glowing look on his face...radiated Christ's love. I think he was ready to go home with his Savior and to be with grandma. But I just wish I could have given him one more hug, one more kiss on his cheek and tell him one more time "I love you!" I wish I could have been with him in person...at least I got to talk with him briefly this morning before he died...I can't remember the conversation but I had told him I was looking forward to coming down to see him. I was hoping to leave Wednesday. However, Jesus had other plans...He wanted grandpa home with Him.

Vacation 2011

Well, Paul and I sure enjoyed our vacation this past June. I got to go help my sister move into her new home in WV while my husband spent time with his family. Then he came to join me in helping my sister do some more settling in to her new place...like lifting heavy things to move to the basement. I wish I could have helped more for my sister. I mainly helped by watching Neil which was a pure delight!!!! That child is full of joy and love. Everyday was a new adventure with him...from going down the hill, to watching cars zoom by outside the window, to throwing rocks in the creek, examining rocks and coal, reading books with him and just being with him!!! It did this heart of mine some good. Pure enjoyment and pure bliss!!!
On the way back home, Paul and I went a different route and went through Virginia. We went right through Schuyler where the 1960-70s television series "The Waltons" took place. It was a short visit to say the least, but we got to see the small town and the house where John Boy lived!
Also, while we were at my sister's house, we got to take a small trip up the Pittsburgh to do lunch. My sister doesn't live far from Pittsburgh. I loved Pittsburgh...such a very clean and beautiful city. We found Neil an Elmo book while we were there!
Anyway, it won't be long until my second nephew will be here. I can't wait!!! Another little one to love. I'm sad because I won't be able to go to help out with Neil this time. I just can't be gone so long from Paul...he is so busy with work and I need to be here for him. I am hoping to see my sister and her family though soon...especially the newest member of the family!!!! Here are some pictures from our vacation in random order:




This is the old post office in Rockfish. Church house.

Birthplace of Earl Hamner. The "Walton's" house!!!

Goodnight, John Boy!!!

Posing infront of the railroad at Rockfish.

Rockfish! So many episodes of the Waltons mentioned this place!

We went inside this little shop and got a $10 dollar book on the Hamner's homelife.

We drove past where the Waltons went to school.

This is where Ike Godsey had his store! We walked in and got some snacks.

See the little fishies in the creek? So many of them!

Run, run, run!!!! Neil is pulling Uncle Paul...run, run, run!!!! Neil is FAST!!!!

We hunted for little acorns so we could throw them in the creek to make a splashing sound.

We got to see an old abandoned bird house. No birds....all gone. See?

Neil and I enjoyed watching the big cars zoom by!!!! ZOOOOM!!!

Playing in more rocks with the toy trucks and cars. We even had spoons to dig with!

Oh the many rocks we looked at. What a fun adventure!

Paul and Neil looking out at the tractor.

We went to Pittsburgh to have lunch one day.

Storms in Life

No matter what storms come in life, Jesus is always there walking right through it with you.

They're Back!

Our little furry creatures are back. We just love these rabbits! We were a little scared that the fox had eaten them this past winter, but thankfully that did not happen. We captured them hoping around the back yard a couple of weeks ago. They look like they are playing "leap frog" but in a dancing motion. Oh the wonders of God's creation!