CELEBRATING BOOMPA'S BIRTHDAY!

Jeff, Kim, Kailey, Kendall and I along with Boompa, of course and several waiters, celebrated his birthday today at Shorty Small's.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LARRY DALE!

Today's blog honors my hubby, Larry Dale. Larry is 66 years old today. He was 21 and I was 19 when we met. We married a little over a year later at Central Assembly of God Church in Little Rock, AR. Larry went to North Little Rock High School and played basketball for the Arkansas Razorbacks. He was named the MVP in his state high school all-star game in 1960.

Larry worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers for 42 years and retired from the Tulsa district in 2004. He served as Chief of Navigation and Maintenance and Chief of Planning.

He spends his time now helping around the house, working in the yard, playing golf with some buddies, and going to our kids and grandkids basketball games. The pictures above are:

Larry, Kailey and Kendall

Larry and Caroline

Larry and Noelle

Larry and Dianne

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN JOHN!

Talk about a cutie pie! My brother, Johnny, was one of the cutest kids I ever laid eyes on--of course, since he is my big brother, I am just slightly prejudiced but he is still handsome to me. He always has been and continues to be a true comedian. Our family has split our sides laughing at him for years. Happy, happy 66th birthday, dear brother.

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY, ASHTON!

It's finally here and you are 8 years old. I can hardly believe it. It seems like only yesterday that I was standing in the hospital room as you were being born. Your mom and dad went to such great lengths to make your arrival a joyous one and oh was it!

One really funny thing that happened was this: A little explanation is in order first of all and it has to do with duct tape. Your mom loves duct tape and in fact gave it to the groomsmen in their wedding as one of their gifts.

As I stated above, your mom and dad had gone to great lengths to make your birth special. They brought along special music to play and had all kinds of scripture taped to the bed, etc. I don't know why but at one point they are discussing whether they brought everything or not (mind you the birth was imminent) and your mom cries out, "Chris, we forgot the duct tape." Your daddy immediately responded with, "Oh no, what if the baby falls apart." We all had a good laugh which lessened the anxiety of the moment.
I am including some pictures of you on another birthday--one you were sharing with Boompa and Caroline. We wish you were here to share it with them this year. We miss you so very much! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PRECIOUS!

HOW BUTEFUL TO LOVE YOU!

Dearest Ashton,

This is one of my favorite things to look at--it always makes me smile. When you were a very little girl of 4 or 5, we were visiting in Pennsylvania. You wrote this while we were riding around in the car and then you gave it to me.

How I have treasured it because I treasure the pure and innocent little heart that it came from.

Always stay as honest and pure as you were then. And, precious one, it is so buteful to love you! Happy, happy birthday eve--only one more day and you will be 8. I can hardly believe it!

TWIRLING AND WHIRLING!!!!!!!!

For the next few days the blog will be dedicated to our 5th granddaughter, Ashton Renee Hogue or as she used to say, Ashton Narae Hogue. Ashton has added so much joy to our family. We lived in the same city until she was 2 1/2 years old and then she moved to Pennsylvania with her family. We get to see her two or three times a year but miss her so very much. On June 26 she will be 8 years old and I can hardly believe it but her age is easy to keep up with because she was born in the year 2000.

One of my favorite stories about Ashton goes thus: She was in town visiting from PA and we were keeping her while her parents were gone. We decided to take her shopping and buy her some new dresses. They were quite fancy dresses but she decided that she wanted to wear one and not change back into her summer shorts and top. We had some more shopping to do and then had planned a trip to the park to play.

Larry went to the men's department and was trying on clothes. While he was in the dressing room, she was twirling and whirling and having herself a big time in her new dress.

She was standing near the entrance to the men's dressing room and a man came out and just passed her by without even looking at her.

In the middle of one of her twirls, she pulled up short and said with a pout, "He didn't even tell me that I look beautiful."

She was 3 years old at the time and needless to say I thought that was a real hoot. Typical woman!!

I am posting some of my favorite pictures of her taken that day.

FATHER'S DAY, 2008

Today's blog is dedicated to my husband, Larry. We will celebrate our 43rd anniversary next month.

After worship service at The Summit Church, Kim and Jeff had Larry and me, Michael and Traci and their girls over for dinner. It was scrumptious--brisket, creamed potatoes, squash, green beans and a fruit dessert that was so good.

Kailey showed her pictures from the Africa trip and Caroline and Kennedy told an illustrated story. Caroline told the story while Kennedy illustrated it by tearing paper.

It was a good day.

KAILEY'S SERVICE IN AFRICA!

My heart is overwhelmed when I get to see the pictures of Kailey ministering to these precious children in Namibia.

One of the main services they provided was to give shoes to the children who didn't have any. Before doing this, they tenderly washed each child's feet.

I love the second picture which shows Kailey with the heart of a servant.

Thank you, God, for your grace and mercy--that my granddaughter was presented with such an awesome opportunity to show your incomparable love toward the world.

CAROLINE NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM!

Caroline, my third granddaughter, was named to the all-tournament team at Arkansas Baptist today. Her team won the tournament against a great little team from Searcy. In fact, the other team led almost all the way until the last few minutes. We felt really blessed to pull out the victory.

TORY GETS THE CANVAS!

Tory is a real scrapper. My son, who coaches, says that when your team has played Tory's team, you KNOW IT! She plays and hustles with all her heart. It was such a blessing to get to see her play today and know that the canvas will be part of a focal wall in her home that will house all her trophies, ribbons, medals and awards. Tory, you are an inspiration. God bless you and keep you and WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART AS UNTO THE LORD. The scripture is taken from Col.3:23.

THE BASKETBALL CANVAS IS HISTORY

I put the finishing touches on the basketball canvas that I painted to raise money to send some little girls to the National AAU Championships in New Orleans. The canvas is quite large, about 3' by 4'.

KAILEY ARRIVES HOME FROM NAMIBIA

After 35 hours of travel, Kailey arrives home tonight from Africa. Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful and safe trip. There will be more pictures to post later but for now here is Kailey seeing her little brother, Kendall, for the first time since his new BUZZ haircut. She had a wonderful time and thank you to all of our friends and family who prayed for her.

MY FIRST WATERCOLOR TEACHER!

This is Angie, my awesome friend from Tulsa. Angie is a former missionary to Singapore and was an inner-city missionary when I met her. I will post at a later date, the incredible story of how Angie and I met but suffice it to say that my life wouldn't have been nearly as rich if we hadn't met. Below our picture is a picture of a picture of some of her art work, namely a silk scarf that she painted and then used to copy to make a cover of a book for me. I am including the first inside page and will always treasure it. It is a book listing 365 promises of God to me and to you.

She and I had lunch at The Olive Garden in Tulsa today and then I spent some time teaching her how to set up a blogspot. She is the only 84 year old blogger that I know. Angie, I am so proud of you and I love you dearly.

JOHN DEERE WOULD BE MIGHTY PROUD!

Kim's barely two year-old son hauls the trash on his John Deere tractor down to the trash pick-up place. It was absolutely the cutest sight I have ever seen in my whole life.

In Corrie TenBoom's book The Hiding Place, she writes:

"Today I know that memories are the key not to the past, but to the future. I know that the experiences of our lives, when we let God use them, become the mysterious and perfect preparation for the work He will give us to do."

My heart couldn't help but be touched as I watched Kim with her son, making even this small experience of a 2 year old's life such a special moment. He thought he was accomplishing the biggest task in the whole world. When this precious child looks back on his childhood memories, can you imagine the tasks he will feel equipped to do later in life because his mom took the time to make daily chores such special events?! Kim, I saw Jesus in you today. I love you.

A GREAT TIME WITH TULSA FRIENDS!

The top photo includes Leesa, Tari, Brandy, and Kim, my precious teacher friends from Tulsa. Hey, Tari, since I measure 5'6", I don't think Kim is 5'7", do you? LOL

Brandy is holding the newest addition to her family, her 17 day-old son. What a joyous time of belly laughing, crying together, reliving old memories and making new ones. Each of you is a joy to me and I love you.

THE BACK YARD!

RESULTS OF OUR LANDSCAPING EFFORTS! whew!

1. The front yard

2. The pergola that leads to the side of the house

3. A row of hydrangeas along the side

4. Rocks and plants on the side--

LUNCH WITH CHILDHOOD FRIENDS!

We had lunch today at Gadwall's in Sherwood with David, Bob, Marianne , and Carole. All of them were childhood friends. They went to school and church together. These are some of our golden friends.

Make new friends,

Keep the old,

One is silver,

The other gold.

I just had to include one of the songs they listened to together way back when and one of my husband's favorites, Little Darling. Now please be very reverent when the guy starts talking to his girl cause it is really serious!

I am including the original version and the "live version." See which you like the best. LOL