Loving Being Grandparents

Sunday - March 13, 2011

Oh my, where have the last six weeks gone??? We have been busy doing some extra cleaning because we were going to have company; and we are redoing the kitchen and dining room - painting and decor. It is nice to be "retired" in that we can do the work at our own pace! I still stay with Mom, but since Dink and Rhonda are staying, I have a few more days at home! Thus this is when we decided to paint the dining room and get rid of the wall paper in the kitchen. We are taking pictures and will soon have a posting on the renovation!

During the middle of February, David, Jeni, Cora Ann, and Molly came to visit. They stayed with us, but their trip was based on helping David's grandparents celebrate their 70th anniversary. Now that is a milestone that should be celebrated. They came in on Thursday and spent Thursday and Friday with us. We had a really great visit! Cora Ann was a big help to me in the kitchen! Oh how I wish we could see her everyday! The weather was unseasonably warm for February which gave us all some time to stay outdoors!!! It is a joy to be able to see this precious baby girl grow . . . and the memories we hope she will have in that Granddad and Mammaw love her very, very much! We love being grandparents to Cora Ann and her little brother who will be here toward the end of June . . we can't wait!

I would love to share some of our favorite photos from the visit!

Cora Ann loved my little red wagon. . .

. . .opening up Christmas gifts in February . . .

. . . Cora loved sitting on the counter helping me fix cupcakes . . .

. . .and she says, "All dun" . . .


. . . she loved wearing a hat and playing with the big ball . . .

. . . walking around the yard just like Granddad . . . hands behind their back . . .

. . . and oh so cute . . .

. . . on the counter again eating a snack while Mammaw cleaned the kitchen . . .

. . . it is much more fun pulling Cora Ann around in the wagon than the laundry

. . .

. . . David, Jeni, and Cora . . .

. . . Molly stayed with us while her family went to visit family in Huntington . . .

. . . a nice warm bath after a hard day of fun . . .

. . . a great profile picture of our precious baby girl . . .

. . . Molly getting a treat from Granddad . . .

. . . she is such a big girl . . .eating her breakfast . . .

. . . on the counter again for a great photo shoot . . . I love this picture!

We love being grandparents to this precious baby girl, and we anticipate the joy of soon having a grandson to love as much as we do Cora Ann!

Do You Remember Where You Were when . . . .

January 28, 2011

How many times in history has an event taken place and you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing? Many of us who are older have too many times to which we can remember such an event that may have changed our outlook on life as well as the lives of many closely connected to the event. My mother, for example, can remember hearing the news about Pearl Harbor being bombed; President Kennedy being assassinated; Neil Armstrong walking on the moon; the Challenger disaster; and the events of 9-11 to name only a few.

But today, January 28, 2011, twenty-five years ago many of us witnessed the devastation of the Challenger breaking up and killing seven astronauts with 73 seconds after it was launched. This was not the first tragedy for the space flights, but it is one that captivated the nation and the world because of a "non-astronaut" who was on the flight . . . a teacher, Christa McAuliffe. This mission was unique because it was scheduled to be the first flight of a new program called TISP, the Teacher In Space Program. Many of us may have been interested in the space program, but this was one in which we all could relate to this teacher. Why? We all knew a teacher because we were students and/or were teachers ourselves. We should also remember the others who were on that shuttle too - the Challenger crew also consisted of mission commander Francis R. Scobee; pilot Michael J. Smith; mission specialists Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Judith A. Resnik; and payload specialists Gregory B. Jarvis.

I remember vividly where I was and my feelings of what I had just witnessed. I had the same feelings as I did when it came over the intercom in 1963 that President Kennedy had been shot. Shock! Disbelief! Sorrow! I had a group of eighth graders who were watching the launch. Many of those students turned to look at me and asked me what had just happened. Many of them were also in shock! However, there were a few who cheered! Yes, cheered! I will never completely understand those students at that moment. However, once they realized the magnitude of what had just happened and how inappropriate their response had been, they did apologize. But their reaction will forever stay embedded in my memory!

I posted the question of "do you remember where you were when the Challenger Disaster happened?" on FB and was pleased that there were many who responded. They knew where they were and what they were doing! How many times these events of history affect us more than we really think is possible. We all have become a part of that day!

Twenty-five years ago today . . . . where were you when the Challenge Disaster happened?

Happy Birthday John

Saturday - January 22, 2011

For 58 years, 6 months, and 14 days you were my brother to whom I could read like a book; I felt your pain and joy; I rejoiced with good news and cried with sad news; I was happy when you found Laurie and gave me my first niece - Dawn; then you added JD and Lindsay to your family. Oh how happy and proud you were of your kids!!!! Then the grandchildren came along . . . oh what a proud grandfather you were!!! You loved your family so very much, and in return they loved you just as much!!!!

Even though you moved away from Huntington, you were always in my heart, and I thought of you and your lovely family daily. January 22 has become a sad day for me - not because I will be a year older, but because I won't hear your voice! It was always a race to see who would call whom first. If I were honest - which I shall be - you were ahead in the race! :):) I love you John and miss you terribly!! We all do!!! There have been a lot of "John stories" being retold whichhas brought smiles and laughter to our family!!!

Happy Birthday my dear brother . . .I LOVE YOU!

Pictures of the "first" set of Layne twins

We were approximately 3 months old . . .

. . .about 6 months old . . .

. . . our grandfather Layne who loved having his picture taken with the twins . . . we were about 18 months old . . .

. . . toddlers around 28 months old . . .

. . . here we are at about 5 years old . . .

. . . Olan Mills pic when we were 6 . . .

. . . we were about 7 . . . missing teeth . . . :):) . . .

. . . Happy Birthday . . . 1970 . . .

. . . instructions for Pappaw on how to hold the grand-baby - Courtney . . .

. . . sibling love . . .

. . . August 17, 1996 . . .

John, we all love you and miss you so very much!

Happy Birthday John

Being Crafty

Monday - January 10, 2011

I was raised in a home where working with your hands was a way of providing for your family as well as making gifts for family, friends, and friends of friends. My grandfather worked with wood as well as growing one of the biggest gardens I have ever seen. He had three different spot on the farm in which he would grow vegetables that would be harvested and stored for the winter. My grandmother preserved the vegetables as well as sew and crochet clothes and other items used around the house. It was their way of life, and it was something they passed on to the next two generations.

As a young girl, I remember helping my grandparents with the garden, canning, and harvesting of the vegetables. Dink, John, and I would go up and spend most of the summer with them to help. We have many great memories of spending the summer with our grandparents. I would watch my grandmother crochet after all the work was completed. I apparently showed an interest in crocheting, and Mammaw started teaching me the art of crocheting.

After getting back home, Mom took over the teaching me how to crochet. Crocheting is an art that I am afraid is about to fade away. Technology, albeit the TV, computer, XBox, or Wii, is taking over the younger generations "free" time. I am so thankful that my grandmother and mother taught me to crochet.

Crocheting is not the only craft that I have taken an interest. I also do cross-stitching, plastic canvas, beading, and soon will try my hand at quilling! Since retiring my evenings now may be filled with me crafting instead of non-stop and never completing grading essays, daily work, and test for well over a hundred students. Ahhhhh, I do not miss that part of my job!

The following pictures are of some of my endeavors at being "crafty!"

A counted cross-stitch of a Victorian Santa . . . using 21- count fabric and beads for a "snow-effect look.

One of the first things I do is to get the materials out that I think I might use when beading!

Next, I organize the materials I finally decide to use, and then put them in my little containers.

One of my finished projects . . .

A couple more finished projects!

I crocheted some capes and hats for some little ones . . . pink ones . . .

. . . a variety of different colored hats . . .

. . . some had a scarf to go with them . . . one year for Christmas I made more than 40 sets for family and friend . . . whew . . .

. . . using cotton thread I crocheted dishcloths . . .

. . . another pink cape and hat . . .

. . . a red set . . .

. . . a white set . . .

. . . a different style of cape with a matching hat . . .

. . . and one of the easiest and fastest projects is the making of coasters and hot pads . . . one day soon, I hope to make matching place mats!

Another thing I love to do is read!!!! Many will say that is because you were a teacher . . . an English teacher of all thing . . . which is what I should love to do! I had a love for reading long before I became a teacher! I can remember going to bed with a flashlight so I could read well into the night. When Mom went to bed . . . we all were to be in bed! :):) I love reading my devotional books, and then looking the verses up in one of our Study Bibles; I also love historical fictions, and certain biographies!!

All of these are things I do when staying with Mom; having a need to keep calm; and when I want to try and make something special for the special people in my life!! I hope the recipients know that all was made with love . . . the same kind of love my grandmother and mother used when they made these special gifts!

Our Wish for You - 2011

Saturday - January 1, 2011

2011 is officially here. Many of us make (and eventually break) New Year’s resolutions. We make them knowing deep down that we more than likely will not follow through with them for the entire year. Life seems to get in the way! A friend of mine posted a Happy New Year’s wish she had come across and shared with all her friends on FB. I asked her if I could borrow it and she told me she that it was one that had been written and shared with others, but the author was unknown and that it was fine with her! Thank you Sonja for posting this!

It seems as we get older, we tend to experience more loss and sadness – especially when you have a large extended family to which you are close. As we get older, I believe we start really understanding that we are not invincible and that life cannot and should not be taken for granted. It doesn’t just happen to other people; it can and does happen to us as well.

For the past 20 years we have lost grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents and siblings. Even though we know they are now in a far better place and that they are rejoicing with the angels, it hurts – sometimes it hurts so much – especially around the holidays and birthdays. This past year was no exception with our loss. We lost loved ones, and we loss our faithful companion who had been with us for over fourteen years. We both still miss him very much each and every day.

2010 did bring some stability and happiness to some of our loved ones! David is now the Pastor of First Baptist Church Bedford, OH; Cora is going to become a big sister in June, 2011; Jeni is getting to be a stay at home mother; Bill’s surgery was a success with no sign of cancer; and Mom celebrated her 90th birthday in February.

What will 2011 bring? God is the only one who knows the answer to that question. Each day we are here on earth is a gift from God. We know that as we get older those days are more precious as each day passes. We don’t take it for granted that Mom is still with us. We thank God every day. She has been really battling the high blood pressure for a long time, but for the last three to four weeks it has been a real battle with two trips to Now Care, a trip to the ER, a call to the doctor, a visit to her doctor, and with a scheduled appointment to go back on the 11th, if not before. We are all trying our best to help her.

We want to wish all of you a Happy New Year with the following as a reminder of how easy we can brighten our days along with prayers!

Our wish for you:

“Comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

sunsets to warm your heart,

hugs when spirits sag,

beauty for your eyes to see,

friendships to brighten your being,

faith so that you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

courage to know yourself,

patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life.”

Happy 2011 our dear family and friends!