Friday Favorite

"They are the moons shining over me"
That is the last line of a book I recently read...
causing me to reflect on the many women who
imprinted my heart in many ways.
No doubt, my mother tops that list...
but I am so thankful that her friends embraced
all of us, and we were undeniably loved by amazing
families. Not related, by blood, except for the blood of Christ

To top that list, is my Mom. How did she turn
out so steady...after losing her Mom as a teen
and placed with an Aunt, when her step-mother
didn't have a place for her. (Choose to use her room
to rent to students.) However, Mom put that
injustice on the back burner, so we could have a
relationship with our grandparents.
Mom made the effort to find a church family,
and when our Dad followed a few years later
I remember feeling complete.

(Grando, Morgandy & Lana)

She loves her grandkids and great grandkids
and it is such a treat to see their love and
respect for her.

(Kathy, Grando, Terry, & Ben )

Mom has been embraced by all her grandkids
friends, and some of them would call and ask her
name, only knowing her as Grando...now wanting
to invite her to their weddings or special occasion.

(Mom, Elizabeth & Dick)
Elizabeth & Dick along with Ralph & Mary
became extended families to us, an added bonus.
I loved that Elizabeth welcomed everyone to her
home...never embarassed about the way 7 people lived.
Recently, I thought of her, when I hear of the following
sign...
"If you are coming to see me...Welcome
If you want to see my house...make an appointment!"
She showed me that stuff is never more important
than people. Also, hearing, "I love you" was as normal
as breathing.

I was also forever changed by my Mom's friend, Mary.
She always made sure I had a hug & kiss after church...
and even as a teenager, I would seek her out for the
love of Mary.

These women also taught me so much...friends of Mom's
are Moons that shine over me.

My Dad's Aunts also made a huge difference in my life:
They loved my Dad so much!

Aunt Ollie...naturally loud..funny story teller
Aunt Mytle..organized...nurturing
Aunt Ann... loving and fancy
Aunt Fay... kind and sweet

I love to reflect on the many moons that shine over me,
thanks to my precious Mom & Dad. So very blessed!

I love you, Mom!

Voted Once

So, I went to vote, much different here than Texas.
They verify your D.O.B. and address. So my D.L. had our new address, but their computer had the old address, which I finally gave her. She told me to go to the next line, and wait for my name to be called, as they print my ballot. Then she ask me to return and update my address on the computer, and they called my name and held up my ballot. But I was in the wrong line to get it, so they laid it on the table.
I return to the correct line, ask for my ballot, on the table, but they said they were printing a new ballot for me. I ask what they did with my first ballot, and they said they tore it up...but one of 2 folders was still there.
Who knows what really happened to my first ballot?
Wish it wasn't so crazy and unreliable these days.
It's sad when there is cause for concern.

PaPa Pray

Morgandy ask her PaPa to pray one evening.
As he was thanking God for the time together
and for the blessing of Morgandy,
we heard this sweet voice say,
"Food, Food, Food, Food PaPa"
Finally he got it right and thank God for
the food.
Not surprising to God, I sat their laughing!
I've done that all my life... believing that sometimes
God enjoys delight while talking to Him.

Favorite pics in Canada

Don't just sit here, get in Grams purse
and find the dental floss.

Why do you want pics of me
with all this neat stuff to see?

Just like Aunt Kathy,
I can handle this lemon.

Papa, I don't have time to stop
with 2 babies.

Funny Stuff

I'm up, already for church, checking e-mail, & listening to the news.
Here's what I hear...

Breaking News...cold front hits Orlando, bringing a low...61
so go out and enjoy it now, cause it won't last long.

For an Amarillo girl, that sounds so funny!


Also overheard a young boy (5-7 yrs old) leaving the store with his dad and 2 sisters. He was wearing his football uniform and was proud he was prepared for the parking lot poles. He told his Dad, "Wow, it's a good thing I'm wearing my cup, in case I run into a metal pole of something, isn't it Dad?"
Everyone kept on walking and his Dad quietly acknowledge the comment.

That reminded me of the memory of my younger brother, Darby, wearing a Kotex napkin on his leg, covering an injury while playing front yard football...all because Mom told him they were sanitary napkins. Was he wanting me to die of embarrassment...with the whole world seeing him?

Sure do love having brothers...they still embarrass me and make me proud.

Friday Favorite... con't...

Lana & Nathan!

I am so thankful, that my favorite Lana
has added Nathan to her life and
to our family!

Friday Favorite

Talking to one of my favorites who feels
that Morgandy has taken her spot :) I got to thinking
that it's would be fun to have a Friday Favorite blog
from time to time...so here's to a fallen favorite,
(that's what she thinks, anyway!)
Lana, aka: lanabanana, lanabear, lany, little L,
middle child, fun-loving, a people person, full of passion,
loves to serve, loves spending time out in the beauty of
God's creation!

She definitely leaves a trace of herself,
with every one she touches and leaves them
feeling blessed that they know her.

She is sure that she is a favorite to
Grando & Morgandy

For sure, the favorite sister of Myra & Alex

You can expect fun and the unexpected
from Lana

She loves being involved,
has a heart for mission!

Lana, thanking you for the love and blessings
that are mine...because of you!

Final Debate!

Didn't want to hear it...have had enough, already!
But I did, and still see a wolf in sheeps clothing
and i'm sure it's not the first one to run and possibly win!

That's all I have to say about that!

My sweet tooth!

It's a sweet habit... Marcus brings home
from L.A. or Las Vegas! And he's been
there almost every week lately!
What a treat! Thanks babe!

I miss her!...and her parents!

Gotta check and see if the water is ready!

"Grams, You are funny!"

" SHH! Rachel Ray is on...get your pots & pans!"

"We are sleepy...but just a sit down will do for now"

Forty years later...

...Marcus returns to Union Grove Homecoming

but 1st greeted by Gary & Roberta's scarecrow

McCrary row call around the U.G. Lion
Gary, Ray, Signa, Craig, & Marcus ( missing Twila)

Saturday Morning Ranch House Breakfast
good food, great family!

WTR

Jim Bob waiting for a request

Darby & Brenda... taking in the music

Just finished a plate full of JimBobs
fried fish!

Lana brought Nathan to the famous WTR