JOEL AND CASSIE

2012-01-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

She was warm, loving, kind, funny and gentle.

She was a perfect example of love, she was always full of love and concern for everyone around her. And everyone loved her too.

She loved Grandpa so deeply, with all her heart, but still seemed to have a giddy schoolgirlness about her whenever we talked about him, even after all these years.

The looks she would give Grandpa from the corner of her eyes when he would tease her.

It never went unnoticed if you weren't wearing a coat or were wearing flip flops on a chilly day.

She was always worried about us, always wanted to make sure we were fed, warm, happy and loved.

It didn't matter where I lived, she was always more aware of the weather and storms going on around me than I was.

She could always feel every storm coming in her poor achy bones.

She was so thoughtful.

I loved getting a warm card in the mail, all about the weather, things going on back at home, her letting us know we were ALWAYS in her prayers, and she always sent lots of love.

Her jolly, contagious laugh.

So many memories of birthday parties and holidays over the years.

Her warm hugs, and a kiss on the cheek or forehead, that sometimes left a lipstick mark.

Bubblegum AVON chapstick.

When I was little, Gramma ALWAYS had gum in her purse.

Sleepovers at her house, snuggled on the couch, plenty of food to eat, she used to tickle my arms till I fell asleep.

Years ago...Mary and Carol and I were doing some aerobics workout tape in the living room and someone stuck their leg out just as Gramma walked around the corner and tripped her and sent her rolling and she just laughed and laughed!!

The chirp of the fire alarm low on batteries, was a common sound at Gramma's house.

The 1...2.....3! it took for her to get up out of her rocker.

Ringing her doorbell and knowing even if it seemed like it had been awhile you'd eventually hear a "just a minute! I'm on my way!"

Her standing on the porch holding the screen door, waving goodbye as we drove away.

Lawrence Welk, parades and fireworks on TV.

Moo Moos, stirrup pants, bright colored blouses and slip on shoes.

Her carefully penciled eyebrows, perms and colored hair.

Corned beef and cabbage, chicken noodle soup, peanut butter and onion sandwiches, eggs and buttered toast, chinese buffets, crystal light and herbal tea

If a paper plate could be used more than once, it was.

Her kitchen drawers full of foil, bread bags, twist ties and rubber bands, and lots of other things you may or may not ever need.

Her bathroom full of lotions and perfumes.

Her love for birds, flowers and sunshine.

The sounds of her bird clock chirping on the hour.

She loved her family very much, you just knew it and never wondered or questioned it, she just did.

She was so proud of each of us no matter what.

We all love Gramma so much more than she will ever know. She was everything a Gramma should be. She was wonderful! Someone to look up to. Life will never be the same without her, but Heaven sounds even better than it already did now that she is there....

2011-12-06T22:19:00.000-08:00

These have been our little Christmas trees every year......
and they are darling, but.....

We are so excited to finally have a life-sized Christmas tree this year!

2011-11-28T08:15:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

This year we got to spend thanksgiving with family in Kansas. It was SO nice and relaxing. We had a delicious thanksgiving feast Rita and Dwayne made for us... then we played lots of games!

Who was the Farkle champion??? Uncle Dwayne?????
Nope! Me!! Woot! Woot!

We loved staying with Mary and Dan. They took such great care of us and it was so nice to be able to talk and spend time with them.
And there the games continued......Mary and Joel seemed to win most of the time.....

Till Grandma stuffed Joel right in the middle of rearranging his tiles.....she's great :)

Oh.....Little Sammy boy...

We love grandma and all our family in Kansas!! Thank you for making our holiday away from home so wonderful..... we can't wait to see you all again!

2011-10-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, Joel is a month into his second rotation! Only 8 to go! This one is surgery, which he was NOT looking forward to. He thought he would be getting sick and passing out the whole 6 weeks, but to his surprise, he really loves it! He has been right in there assisting in surgery, holding intestines and other internal things, stitching people up from the inside out, draining abscesses, packing wounds, and all sorts of things. He has a new story to tell me every night when he gets home.
The hospital he is working at is about an hour away from our house. So the drive to and from, plus the long surgery hours makes for some really long days, but he is a trooper! I don't think I've heard him complain once. He loves the Dr. he works with, they get along great and have a really fun time.
At this point he is still thinking of starting off in a family practice office. At least to spend the first several years getting really well rounded, before he decides to specialize in anything particular. I am so excited that he has found something he truly loves, and I am really proud of all the hard work he is putting into this!

2011-10-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

This last weekend we went down to Utah for the quickest trip of our lives! We almost didn't make it to the airport on time due to a GPS malfunction.....that may or may not have been helped along by an unsmart phone user. But after 15 minutes of driving aimlessly around downtown not anywhere near the airport, a little bit of a freak out, a husband stressed out at his panicking wife, and the help of one single soul in the entire city of Little Rock walking around at 5 am, we made it just.in.time. I still can't believe we actually made it.

Candace and Byron got married! Everything was beautiful......We got to see our babies, and have a sleep over with them. It was so fun, we love them sooooooo much! We spent our entire day and a half there with family. We loved every minute. It was so good to see everyone! We are already looking forward to Christmas.....

Pictures to come later......

2011-10-11T14:14:00.001-07:00

2011-09-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

My mom is the best cake decorator I know. I wish I would have let her teach me when I was younger (actually there are A LOT of things I wish I would have let her teach me back then....dang you bratty teenage self) Now I have to learn things I could have already known....
Well I decided to take a little cake decorating class....

MmMMmmMm..........homemade raspberry filling.....

My 1st cake

After lots of preparation every Sunday night, batches and batches and batches of icing and TONS of cleanup.....

It was time to make the final cake!

Here she is!
We had a really fun time! And learned a lot. Although I don't think either of us will be making, eating or looking at icing or cake for the next few months....