Saturday, January 9, 2021
2020 Was Quite the Year
No words can quite convey the challenges that the year 2020 hoisted upon our world. A true pandemic, it's broken businesses, families, and even whole industries--like the travel and entertainment industries. I just learned that our favorite local store is closing... another victim to the changing landscape of our world. Trusting God in all things provides the security needed to keep moving.
I am counting my blessing for a healthy and loving family, a good job, and friends who make everything better. Here are a few photos from this memorable year.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Our Family!
For Christmas, I received a present that I've been wanting for a couple of years now. It was a family portrait sitting. So, while Jon was home from Wisconsin, we were all able to get together and have our family pics taken. THE WHOLE BUNCH!
We had such a good time in the process and our photographer was really lively and funny. He kept the process moving and we wound up with some great shots (IMHO).
Here are a few of my favs. ENJOY!
Jon, Kim, Jen
Julie, Steve, Jamie
Steve and Kim
Jon
Amanda and Julie
Jaxon and Molly
Ryan and Jen
Jason and Jamie
And... Last, but not least... THE WHOLE BUNCH!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
New Orleans!
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Wow... another year!
My, how fast time has flown in the last year. Much has transpired since my last post.
When Dad came to visit in December 2012, we had no idea that it would be his last Christmas with us. We had a glorious four months with him, enjoying breakfast, lunch and supper together each day. It was a remarkable time, filled with routine, daily matters, but I will cherish each moment we had together. I have so many precious memories of this time with dad... including prayers of thanksgiving at each meal (that included prayers for each of his children and grandchildren). We had just started the process of establishing new relationships with doctors in the Dallas area when we learned that dad had a heart valve problem. Unfortunately, we discovered this when it was really too late for the doctors to fix. On Easter Sunday, we went to the emergency room and he didn't come home. He passed away on April 9th. Frank was at the hospital with him when he passed away, but Steve, Jennifer, Molly, Jeri, Chris and I had just left after having a wonderful visit with him that evening. There were so many special moments that occurred that day, it's hard to include them all here, but I had gotten a medallion from the college that day that I was able to share with him and a special friend had finished a painting for dad that he had been wanting for several years... a white chapel sitting in a wheat field. I was able to show him a photo of the painting just a few minutes before he passed away. I know he liked it... with tears in his eyes, he squeezed my hand that evening. Little Molly lit up the room that afternoon and she was so precious with him. Again, it was a wonderful day and one that I will remember always.
The rest of the year has been a blizzard of activity, moving things from dad's house and getting his estate in shape. There have been lots of forms and documents between Frank, the attorney, the accountant and me. (Fed Ex has been terrific and been right on time for everything!) I'm learning lots about the business behind dad's farms and I'm sure we will continue to learn as we move forward over the next several years. I'm SOOO grateful for Frank's knowledge and for the assistance of great professionals who understand the legalities of all the things we are taking care of these days.
We also sold our family home to a sweet young family and I'm so thrilled that they are loving the home as much as we all did. I especially love that it's the grandson of one of my mom's special friends. It really helps take the emotional sting out of selling our home.
On a fun note... Molly and Jaxon are growing like weeds, with both of them celebrating their second birthdays this year. Molly LOVES Minnie, Mickey and Doc McStuffin, while Jaxon is really loving his train set and Jake the Pirate on Disney. Both are adorable (I may be a little biased, but I don't think so!!)
Also, Jen and Jamie both got promotions this year-- Jen, at JCP and Jamie at Enterprise. Julie had another great year with a winning season as Jr. High coach in the Southlake Carroll ISD. Jonathan is working as an Industrial Designer at TREK and had an awesome first year, with a new design being debuted at TrekWorld.
Steve has had a bit of a tough year, with two knee surgeries. He ended this year with a partial knee replacement a couple of weeks ago. He is moving better each day-- gaining strength and flexibility. The physical therapist is pleased with his progress (for which we are very grateful!!)
I'll try to do a better job of keeping this blog updated in 2014. Many blessings to friends and family who check in on this blog from time to time. Have a great new year!!! :)
When Dad came to visit in December 2012, we had no idea that it would be his last Christmas with us. We had a glorious four months with him, enjoying breakfast, lunch and supper together each day. It was a remarkable time, filled with routine, daily matters, but I will cherish each moment we had together. I have so many precious memories of this time with dad... including prayers of thanksgiving at each meal (that included prayers for each of his children and grandchildren). We had just started the process of establishing new relationships with doctors in the Dallas area when we learned that dad had a heart valve problem. Unfortunately, we discovered this when it was really too late for the doctors to fix. On Easter Sunday, we went to the emergency room and he didn't come home. He passed away on April 9th. Frank was at the hospital with him when he passed away, but Steve, Jennifer, Molly, Jeri, Chris and I had just left after having a wonderful visit with him that evening. There were so many special moments that occurred that day, it's hard to include them all here, but I had gotten a medallion from the college that day that I was able to share with him and a special friend had finished a painting for dad that he had been wanting for several years... a white chapel sitting in a wheat field. I was able to show him a photo of the painting just a few minutes before he passed away. I know he liked it... with tears in his eyes, he squeezed my hand that evening. Little Molly lit up the room that afternoon and she was so precious with him. Again, it was a wonderful day and one that I will remember always.
The rest of the year has been a blizzard of activity, moving things from dad's house and getting his estate in shape. There have been lots of forms and documents between Frank, the attorney, the accountant and me. (Fed Ex has been terrific and been right on time for everything!) I'm learning lots about the business behind dad's farms and I'm sure we will continue to learn as we move forward over the next several years. I'm SOOO grateful for Frank's knowledge and for the assistance of great professionals who understand the legalities of all the things we are taking care of these days.
We also sold our family home to a sweet young family and I'm so thrilled that they are loving the home as much as we all did. I especially love that it's the grandson of one of my mom's special friends. It really helps take the emotional sting out of selling our home.
On a fun note... Molly and Jaxon are growing like weeds, with both of them celebrating their second birthdays this year. Molly LOVES Minnie, Mickey and Doc McStuffin, while Jaxon is really loving his train set and Jake the Pirate on Disney. Both are adorable (I may be a little biased, but I don't think so!!)
Also, Jen and Jamie both got promotions this year-- Jen, at JCP and Jamie at Enterprise. Julie had another great year with a winning season as Jr. High coach in the Southlake Carroll ISD. Jonathan is working as an Industrial Designer at TREK and had an awesome first year, with a new design being debuted at TrekWorld.
Steve has had a bit of a tough year, with two knee surgeries. He ended this year with a partial knee replacement a couple of weeks ago. He is moving better each day-- gaining strength and flexibility. The physical therapist is pleased with his progress (for which we are very grateful!!)
I'll try to do a better job of keeping this blog updated in 2014. Many blessings to friends and family who check in on this blog from time to time. Have a great new year!!! :)
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Two Years Tomorrow...
As I sit here this evening, reflecting on my life... I just have to count my blessings. So much has changed in the last year with joy upon joy. Both Molly and Jaxon celebrated their first birthdays in 2012 and then, tomorrow, Steve and I celebrate our second anniversary.
We got off to a little bumpy start to 2013 with Dad having pneumonia, but he's much better now and he's made the move to live with us and share time in New Orleans with Frank and Carolyn. We are having so much fun spending quality time together. And... I'm getting to practice my cooking skills again after taking a bit of a break during my single years. :)
I'm finding it harder to keep up with the blog, but I'm going to make a concerted effort to post occasional notes because it's so fun to look back and see all the special moments that have occurred over the years.
I was just looking back at the July 2012 post where Jonathan was getting ready to start his new job. The year has brought him so many successes. He is tackling his dream job head-on and it's a joy to watch from the sidelines. Jen, too... She is making her way with a wonderful job and she had an incredible promotion this year.
Steve's kiddos are doing great, too, and we have had many "proud parent moments" this last year.
Next on the horizon are all the beautiful spring and summer bulbs that Steve so diligently planted last year... hundreds of them... and I cannot wait to see their pretty blooms (just like these that have already poked their little heads above ground!!)
We got off to a little bumpy start to 2013 with Dad having pneumonia, but he's much better now and he's made the move to live with us and share time in New Orleans with Frank and Carolyn. We are having so much fun spending quality time together. And... I'm getting to practice my cooking skills again after taking a bit of a break during my single years. :)
I'm finding it harder to keep up with the blog, but I'm going to make a concerted effort to post occasional notes because it's so fun to look back and see all the special moments that have occurred over the years.
I was just looking back at the July 2012 post where Jonathan was getting ready to start his new job. The year has brought him so many successes. He is tackling his dream job head-on and it's a joy to watch from the sidelines. Jen, too... She is making her way with a wonderful job and she had an incredible promotion this year.
Steve's kiddos are doing great, too, and we have had many "proud parent moments" this last year.
Next on the horizon are all the beautiful spring and summer bulbs that Steve so diligently planted last year... hundreds of them... and I cannot wait to see their pretty blooms (just like these that have already poked their little heads above ground!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)