Good Grief!

How is it April and I haven't blogged? I know it's not the TRENDY thing to do these days, but, I have my blog printed out every year instead of printing out photos! So, I love to document things here! 

In January we celebrated my parents anniversary!

In March, Baby W was dedicated to Jesus. 

There is no baby boy sweeter than this one! 

What a precious baby #9 is!

Poppy had a birthday in February!

A shout out to him...........

He started WHOLE 30 last fall and has lost close to 50 pounds!!!!

I had a birthday in March...the BIG one is next year!

Hubs treated me to dinner at CHEF AND THE FARMER!

It never disappoints....and I even got to talk with Chef Vivian!

Our #2 grand had her art displayed in The Mint Museum.

Quite an honor for this baby girl!

Also in March we bought a *fixer upper* because we want to be

Chip and Joanna! :)

Here is the BEFORE and the inspiration photo for the AFTER!

Wish us luck!

Easter came early this year.

Can you say cold and rain?

Repeat after me: Cold. Rain.

I host my family every Easter. 

There were 33 of us...16 of those were children.

Nuff said.

In my next post I will share some photos we had taken of our family!

Until then...........

Nonny loves you BIG!

Put A Fork In It!

2015 is all but over. 

It's been a good year for us. A very good year.

 It felt strange to not have a baby born in the family this year.

 Real strange. 

But we are so enjoying all the little ones we are blessed with 

and are so thankful for their good health!

I like to choose a WORD every year to focus on and try to improve myself with.

I don't think I picked one for 2015.

If I did, I didn't do a very good job focusing on it. LOL!

For 2016 my word is

P A U S E.

I saw this posted 

(author unknown):

I am opinionated and too often I SPEAK BEFORE I THINK.

P A U S E

 should help me choose my words carefully and not regret

words that I could/should have kept to myself!

2015...Put A Fork In It!

Christmas 2015

Once again, it was LOUD and CRAZY.

That's just how we are.

Normally I fight against that for some reason.

This year I decided:

"It IS what it IS."

It didn't change a thing

Except my stress level.

Still LOUD.

Still CRAZY.

But family was there.

And Jesus was there.

And it's my family.

Me and my parents

All the cousins under 10 in their matching Christmas pajamas 

from Nanny and Granddaddy!

Our nine grands.

We love big.

We love well.

We love Jesus.

So thankful for each one of them.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Christmas Card Carousel 2015

Joining Faith's Christmas Card Carousel!






front of card:
This is our family on our annual family beach trip. 
I included my parents as well!

back of card:
Our nine grands

Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday To Our TWO YEAR OLD!

Our youngest granddaughter is TWO!!!

She is spunky and cautious and was the slowest one to warm up to me........

......AND Santa!

She is an absolute JOY
And is the easiest baby ever!

Happy Birthday to our
Baby Doll loving
Mommy loving
Paci loving
PRECIOUS beyond words
Youngest granddaughter!

Nonny and Poppy love you BIG!

Happy Birthday To Our FIVE YEAR OLD!

This big boy
Our oldest grandson
Is turning FIVE today.

He is pretty amazing!

His heart has compassion like you've never seen!
For people.
And for animals.
And for the feelings of others.

He is dagum "smart as a whip!"
And doesn't miss a trick......
Which is good AND bad!
He definitely keeps us on our toes!

I adore this boy!

I pray he uses his intelligence and compassion
to bless others.
And I pray he lives every day of his life 
for the one who created him.

Nonny loves you big B!

You and your 
toy loving 
friend loving
water loving
HEART!

Happy Birthday BUDDY!
Love, Nonny

Happy Birthday To Our SIX YEAR OLD!

This baby girl was born six years ago.

She was grand #2, 
and we welcomed her to our family
 with so much excitement and anticipation of what it would be like 
to be grandparents to more than one grand!

She did not disappoint!

Good grief! How could we NOT love this smiling angel???!!!

You know when you are expecting your first baby and you wonder if you could EVER love another one like you loved the first one? That's exactly how it feels with the grands too. And then, the next one comes, and you love just as big as with the first!

A is stubborn and spunky;
artistic and fun

 independent and feisty

and has an opinion on all things related to fashion!!!
She is gorgeous and humble 
and knows EXACTLY what she wants,

....and I love everything about her!

"And though she be but little, she is FIERCE!"
William Shakespeare

Sweet A, 

I pray you take that precious, sweet, determined spirit 

and serve Jesus in a BIG way!

I really do love everything about you!

Happy Birthday!

Love, Nonny

Happy Birthday First Born

I was 19.

Didn't have a CLUE what I was doing.

But God, in His perfect ways

38 years ago,

Loaned me this boy to love:

He is still cute.
He is still my first born.
And he might even still wear initials on his shirt.

But,
How in the world is he turning
38?

I'm proud of you, B!
Go do great things.
And always remember the ONE 
who made you who you are.

Happy Birthday Ace!

Love, Mom and Dad

I'm Nonny To An EIGHT Year Old!

On the day of your birth I had no idea how much room I had in my heart to love you. 
You were one of the most alert babies I had ever seen.

I fell completely in love with you....and you loved me in return.

You still do.

And I still do too.

You have a servant's heart and always put others before yourself.

That's a quality that makes me so proud of you.

Girlie, If you don't become a school teacher, I will be SHOCKED! It's your favorite thing in the whole wide world to play!

You are more than ready to be EIGHT! The world needs more girls like you. Go be a light! 

Nonny is proud of you!

Happy Birthday E. C. !

Nonny loves you BIG!

Happy 4th Birthday C + T

They were born WAY TOO EARLY and fought for every breath just to be here. But God, in His gracious way, allowed them to bless the socks off us! 

I pray every day that their lives will always be a reflection of HIM.

May God Bless these boys all the days of their lives!

Happy Birthday C + T.

Nonny loves you BIG!

Who Would Have Ever Dreamed?

Every year I love you more.

Every year brings changes and a newer you.

I promise to love the new you every year.

Thank you for making me feel safe.

And secure.

And for loving me in spite.

Because 

EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED IN A MARRIAGE IS RIGHT HERE.

Happy 40th year.

photo by:jenny conklin

Back To School

Five of the nine had *back to school days* recently!

I love those first day mornings! Their hair is combed and all slicked back. Their clothes are new and ironed. They get up and get ready in time to actually eat breakfast and have their pictures taken. Their lunch boxes are packed with healthy food and their moms feel pretty darn good about the new school year! It's a new beginning...a chance to get it right! 

So thankful we have a chance to get it right every day!

"His mercies are new EVERY morning"

Lamentations 3:23

It's His Birthday

My baby boy turns 34 today!

You are a GOOD soul J.

So thankful for you and your heart for Jesus and people.

You do life well and dad and I are blessed to call you son.

Happy Birthday!

Love you BIG.

Mom