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!

Grizzlies Game in Memphis

A few weekends ago when we drove over to Memphis because of the bad storms we got here, Paul's sister took us to a Grizzlies Basketball game. It was the first ever professional basketball game I've ever been to. It was definitely L-O-U-D because it was in the playoffs! Memphis won the game and overall it was an experience of a lifetime. Here are some pictures of my sister-in-law, nephews, Paul and me at the game:

Alabama Tornadoes 2011

We survived the tornadoes that ripped through our town last weekend. I wanted to share some of the photos we took on our way to Memphis. We decided to stay with Paul's sister in Memphis because we didn't have electricity. These pictures were taken in Lawrence County which is near the Mississippi border. It was pretty bad damage!!! The last picture is taken at a local Wal-Mart right before we left...the people were literally standing in long lines trying to get inside!!! It was crazy!!! Here are the photos:

Christ the Lord is risen today!!!!

You are risen, Jesus!!!!You endured the shame for me on that old rugged cross!!!! You endured the most horrific death ever experienced on that cross for me!!! Oh how I praise you!!!! Thank you!!!!! Your love is so fresh, so deep, so strong, so over-powering!!!! You reign high and lifted up!!!!

Good Friday

Thank you Jesus, for dying for me on this Friday so many many years ago!!!! You loved this world so much that you went through the most horrific death ever imagined!!!!

Happy Birthday, Neil!!!!

Today is my nephew's second birthday!!!! It was a great time visiting with my sister and her precious son this past week. I took a lot of pictures and videos, but I feel safer not posting any. Neil, you are so cute!!!! I especially LOVE the video of you dancing with the Easter Bunny at the mall. Have a wonderful and blessed second birthday today!!!! Love, Uncle Paul and Auntie Liz

Happy Birthday to my Mom!!!!

Today, April 2nd, is my mother's birthday. Happy Birthday, Mother!!!! This year will be fun because we three sisters can be together to celebrate your birthday...even though it'll be a little late. Happy Birthday!!!!

Oh How We Miss Moab!

Paul and I have been depressed lately because we want to go on a vacation so bad. This year because the oil prices are so high, we probably won't be going too far. In fact, we had hoped to go to Michigan or Wisconsin or Minnesota. Nope, reality finally has set in...we just can't afford it, even with a time share. The last big trip we took was to Moab, Utah. Oh how we miss that spectacular place. The desert is an amazing sight to behold. There are so many verses in the Bible pertaining to the desert, too: "The Lord said to Aaron, "Go into the desert to meet Moses." So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him." Ex.4:27 "He opened the rock and the water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert." Psalm105:41 "He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs...: Psalm 107:35 "to him who led his people through the desert; His love endures forever." Psalm 136:16

Examine Yourself - PLEASE hear this.

This video is about an hour long....PLEASE hear it...it's so worth it!!!!

A Sweet Picture

Paul's sister sent a picture of our sweet little niece celebrating Uncle Paul's birthday yesterday. She's a girl like us...we love birthday cake! :)

Happy 37th Birthday, Paul!

Today is my husband's thirty-seventh birthday. My does time fly by. I met and married Paul when he was thirty-three. I can't believe four years have come and gone already. Anyway, I wanted to share a poem for Paul's birthday. It was given to me from a friend and it sums up exactly what I want to share with Paul. I love you Paul!!!!

Love

Love is patient.

He’s preparing me for you;

I can feel it in my heart

You must be someone incredible.

I can’t wait to live as one

Love is kind.

I want to bring you good all the days of my life.

Faithfully I wait for you,

Saving all the secret treasures I can

Just to see your face, hear your voice

Accept these gifts with your soul.

Love never fails.

I pray for you.

The beautiful creation of man - God’s man.

I wonder what your passions are in this crazy world,

The secret dreams, the chase of ambitions,

the explosion of joy.

Our commitment is for eternity

With irreversible vows, “I do.”

Love Him with all your heart

Put Him before me, whatever the cost.

He is the way to intimate love

I can’t wait to watch Him live through you,

To see you rise early just to meet with Him.

Seek and you shall find His love,

And ours shall be joined in His.

Hold on to our Common Ground.

Wait for me, My Love.

-By Lauren Blind

Create in Me a Pure Heart

All I want is to draw closer to God. I want to abandon everything and follow CLOSER THAN EVER to His heart!!!! My heart desires this above all else. Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Get my heart ready for your return!!! I want to be ready!!!

"I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!" Psalm 51: 11-9-15 The Message

You Never Let Go

I came across this song today as I was praying for two dear women who have just found out they have cancer. Please pray for these two women. They are amazing Christian ladies and so on-fire for Christ. They are truly prayer warriors, too...and have prayed for my family so many times! I offer these sweet sisters of Christ up in prayer today. I ask that you pray for them as well. To my mom if she reads this...please pass this song along to them.

Great Quote

I thought this was a great quote from a very special lady, Mother Theresa:

"It is not how much we do...it is how much love we put in the doing."