Catching Up - A Visit to Bedford, Ohio

Monday - November 15. 2010

We were fortunate enough to be able to go and visit David, Jeni, Cora Ann, and Molly the first week of November. We love being able to get to see our granddaughter and knowing her even more. She knows who we are, and we are so glad since we don't get to see her as often as we would like. It takes her a few minutes to "warm" up to us, and then the fun times begin. She has grown so much and is learning so fast new things that it is hard to keep up with her!!! She is a pure joy to be around!

While we were there, David and Bill went to Akron to see Bob Dylan in concert! We ladies stayed home where it was so peaceful and quiet! The men had a great time, and it was nice for father and son to be able to do something together!!!

I always try to capture as many pictures of Cora when we are with her. This trip was no exception. She is such a doll . . . hope you enjoy the following picture!

Cora Ann loved the little container that held the claw clips for her hair. She took out the clips and then placed them back in the box . . . apparently it was better than any toy we could have gotten her! :)

Granddad reading "The Five Turkeys" to Cora Ann. I love this picture of them . . . both are so involved with the story! :)

I love this baby girl more than words could ever express! I love her hair . . .she looks so cute!!!!!

Cora brought out her wooden rocking chair that she is now big enough to enjoy!!

Good-byes are so hard, but we know this was for only a little while!

Catching Up - New Job; New Home

Sunday - November 14, 2010

On September 26, David presented a sermon to the First Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio. Immediately after the sermon the congregation ed had a vote - to keep David as their pastor or continue the search for a permanent pastor. It was unanimous - they all voted that David was to be their new pastor.

Finally, after a 22 month hiatus as a pastor, David was going to be at the pulpit again as a full time pastor. God does answer prayers . . . in His own time. This meant he and Jeni would need to find a place to live. the parsonage was occupied and would not be vacant until spring. The search committee put them in contact with a realtor who graciously showed them around Bedford and showed some of the houses that were available for rent of to purchase. As it ended up - they found a beautiful home a couple of miles from the church and that appealed to both of them.

David, Jeni, Cora Ann, and Molly are now in their own home. It is a beautiful home . . .one that had apparently been in disarray and was "flipped" into the house of today. They were so fortunate to be able to find the house, do the paper work, and move in before David's first official day as Pastor of The First Baptist Church. We are so thankful he has a job, and Jeni is going to be able to stay home with Cora! Blessings all around!

Here are a few shots of the house and the church.

This is a view from the street of David and Jeni's first home!

We all know how important the kitchen is . . . they have a great kitchen, breakfast nook, and dining room area!

Another important room is Cora's room . . . no guessing to whom this room belongs too! :):) Notice the border - jungle theme!

The sign identifying the church . . .
The church . . .

The sanctuary . . . looking toward the pulpit . . .

Looking back towards the congregation . . . .

I couldn't help myself . . . this was posted outside one of the Sunday School rooms . . . apparently it was the lesson for the day . . . so typical of that age level! :)

David and Jeni have appeared to find "home," and will hopefully be there for many many years!

Catching Up - Great News

Saturday - November 13, 2010

On October 29 I received a phone call from David. It was a short conversation in that he wanted his Dad and me to check our email! Hmmmm . . . .I thought that was strange in that why didn't he just tell me whatever it was in the email over the phone.


So, I turned on the computer to check my email, and this is what I found . . . the cutest picture of Cora Ann . . . but wait . . . what does it say on her shirt????


That's right . . . there is going to be another little one in our family . . . with a due date around the end of June! We can't wait!!!!


Cora Ann will be a great big sister and wonderful protector of her little brother/sister!!!! We are so excited for another bundle of joy to enter this world and be part of our family. Grand babies - there's nothing like them!

Catching Up - Cora's Broken Leg :(

Friday - November 12, 2010

It was about the middle of October when our precious Cora Ann had an unfortunate accident. Her Mommy and Daddy took her to a park close to their new home in Bedford, Ohio. As with most parks and playgrounds they had the usual equipment that kids love to play on when available. We all remember the fun times we had on the swings, merry-go-rounds, monkey bars, and slides. Wheeeeeee!

But alas . . . . on her last ride down the slide, Cora's leg was underneath her causing it to twist the right way which resulted in a small break in her leg above her ankle and below her knee. Apparently she cried when reaching the bottom of the slide, but was able to walk and run with no indication her leg was broken. Because of the discomfort she was displaying, she was taken to the ER where they found she had a small break after looking at the xray. Oh how bad everyone felt - especially her Mommy and Daddy. The doctor said this was a common type of break for children when sliding down the slide. Her bones are more pliable which is why it was not as bad as it could have been. However, it still is classified as a break, and she had to be fitted with a cast!

The cast is to stay on for at least four weeks and she has adapted to it. It took her several days before she managed to figure out how to scoot, crawl, and eventually walk with it on her leg. You can't keep her down for long. It was rough for the first few days for Jeni because she had to carry her! Cora weighs around 30 pounds! She has a few days left before she goes back to have her leg checked - my how quickly those days have passed us by!

I have had a lot going on or I would have had this posting earlier. Hopefully during the next few days I will have everyone who reads the blog caught up with us, and what we have been doing!

They put a splint on Cora in the ER to help support brace her leg before she was taken to the pediatric orthopedic doctor.

Cora was so good when they put the "real" cast on her leg. She chose the color of the cast she wanted - blue matching her eyes!!!!!

Ahhh . . . she was worn out after getting the cast . . . sleepy time on the way home . . . something she does not do when in the car!!!

Cora is growing, thriving, loving her new home, and loving her family!!!! We love you Cora Ann!

All Have Now Gone Home

Friday - November 5, 2010

It was a sad day for the Whitman family. The last of the "Whitman Girls" has now gone Home to meet her rewards and to have a reunion with her parents, and ten siblings. Aunt Ruby was the last of the "girls" to leave her earthly home. But . . . there is "one" more still here. You might ask how? why? when I had just stated they were all gone.

The "One" is my mother, and she became that when she was at least three months old. Her biological mother died the day after giving birth to her youngest child. My grandfather asked one of his brother's daughters if she would take over the responsibility of caring for his youngest daughter, Irene. She needed to ask her parents, Holly and Polly Whitman. The daughter, Keller Whitman was 21 years old and apparently quite capable at caring for an infant.

Aunt Keller took the main responsibility for caring for my mother, but the other girls, especially the older ones also helped. Granny Polly and her husband Holly were considered "Mom" and "Dad" to my mother. She was part of their family. She became their eleventh daughter! That's right, they already had ten girls and one boy, thus Mom became their twelfth child!!!

They loved and cared for my mother as is she were a biological child. She was their sister!!!! Today we said good-bye to Aunt Ruby! We know she is no longer in pain and that she is back in the folds of her family she had here on earth along with all of her Heavenly family. Mom was sadden (as we all were) at the passing of Aunt Ruby, Mom said, "I am the only one left!" However she knows that she will be able to see them all again someday - all of her siblings, biological and foster sisters and brothers!!!!!

The following are pictures of Mom with her "foster" family; a family that gave her unconditional love, and she in return gave it back to them!

There was only four years between Mom and Aunt Ruby!

Aunt Ruby now had a younger sister!

Polly and Holly Whitman

They were actually Mom's Aunt and Uncle, but she called them Mom and Dad

Mom with Aunt Keller who was the cousin who took on the responsibility of caring for Mom as an infant.

Donald Whitman - the only son of Holly and Polly Whitman. He died at an early age due to a mining accident.

These beautiful ladies were instrumental in raising Mom to adulthood. They were all great role models and true Christian ladies.

Seated: Vivian Hall, Polly Whitman, Lillie Brumfield

Standing: Frankie Whitman, Lucy Whitman, Florence Hainor, Junia Layne, Ruby Whitman, Ella Whitman, and Keller Butcher. There are only nine daughters in the picture . . . a daughter, Nancy Whitman, died of complications from appendicitis.

These ladies were all loved by the family, the community, and the church. They will be and are truly missed!