Playing with Papa

Although it was time to say goodbye,
Papa didn't want the fun times to end.

What to Eat.?

Sunday morning, I found Morgandy spending
5 minutes staring at these boxes

So here's how the problem of what to eat was solved.

Moments with Morgandy ...part 1

Waiting for Pre-school programs to begin...
she gave dramatic performance...priceless

Now time to celebrate a job well done.

Back home and willing to pose again

I loved my time with this precious girl.
(and her parents)
When she senses that
something may be wrong, you might
hear her say...
"Remember, God made you to be happy!"
I love her sweet compliments, such as,
"Oh Grams, that is so nice of you."

Moments with Morgandy...part 2

Decorate cookies

Decorate Gingerbread house

Decorate Christmas tree

Not sure about preforming at Preschool

My Mom....

Mom known as Grando with Lana

Mom has been here for a visit and
is has been a joy to hear the funny stories she
retells. I will someday write them down, cause
they are a connection to the past.
Recently I mentioned that homeowners insurance
can be difficult to get in this area, for new homeowners.

She recalled their insurance agent calling Dad to
ask about the wiring in their old home.
Dad's response, "It was wired the same year Joan (Mom)
was born, and I will replace it when I see that she needs
re-wiring."

I wish we could have her legs rewired, she struggles to
stand...that is hard to watch.

Stay tuned for other Grando stories, or share your favorite.

Love you, Grando!

Happy Birthday Myra

Nov. 4, 1977
God blessed us beyond...
and she is far beyond...
When times were rough
and I lacked wisdom (A lot)
I ask God to be with our
precious kids in spite of us...
HE did and She is a precious child of God

Her sweet Morgandy copies
her Mothers nurturing ways

A beautiful daughter
and loving wife.

A fun sister for Lana &Alex

A loyal friend...

Thank YOU, GOD for the honor
and privilege of loving Myra

A Mom's Wisdom

Adam, Jonathan, Leta & Ben

I've learned so much from my sister, (sometimes a little to late)
We love to share kids stories, even though they are no longer kids,
and recently she recalled one about her 3 amazing boys.
They were all being grounded for something and the punishments
were as follows....
Ben...no soccer
Adam ...no friends or phone calls
Jonathan...no Nintendo

She knew she had the punishments right when Adam approached
her with a plan.
"Mom, You know how the Bible says to bear each others burdens?
Well, that's what we want to do, I'll take Jon punishment, he
will take Ben's and Ben will take mine, then we will be obeying God."

He left the room and Kathy heard him say, "See guys, I told you that
wouldn't work."

A comfort to me, is thinking that Adam is up in heaven and hearing Jesus say,
"Good try, Adam."

Happy Birthday Morgandy

The sweetest baby, just loved by all.

Before we knew it, you had your 1st birthday, and it was a fun day.

Then you turned 2....

Today you are our big 3 year old.
It is so much fun to be with you.
We hope you had a terrific 3rd Birthday
We love you for always and ever!
Grams & Papa

Her response...

I loved spending 6 days with Morgandy, just wish I'd had a camera. However the conversations we had were a sweet as any pictures.

About Golf...I was watching the Presidential Open, when Morgandy decided the best place to hit the golf ball was in the big hole, "Sand Trap. I explained that it wasn't the way the game was played. Her response, "When I get big and play golf with Papa, I'm going to hit it in the big hole."

About time out....It was getting close to bedtime, and I thought time-out may be in order.
Her response, "I know, you can read me a book, say my prayers, give me a kiss and hug, then you can have time out."

About the bed time stories... the Bearenstein Bears and Pharaoh had not made good choices.
Her response, "They all need to calm down, (Zen style) hands out, eyes closed and say "HUMMMM"

About going to the bathroom....I suggested she use the bathroom before she put on her puffy Cinderella dress.
Her response, "I did! Are you kidding me?"
"No, I said, " but I think your kidding me."

About the stairs.... I was bringing up her stroller after a walk to the park.
Her response, from the top landing, "Come on Grams, You can do it!"
I was bringing up groceries and from the top landing...
"I am King of the Castle, and your a dirty rascal."

About the puzzles...She would dump all 3 puzzles out at once and even through she ask if I wanted to help her, I learned that I needed to know her system...which ended up being , just sit and watch. When the cardboard pieces bent a bit, she decided they needed tape.

Bringing a huge suitcase made a wonderful boat for all the dolls and playing soccer with the ball, really was playing hide and seek with it. Eating food from her play kitchen, we had to take turns choosing healthy food, although pizza qualified.

There was a lot of, "Don't help me!"

I loved it all, and look forward to the new things Morgandy learns and does. She is a delight!

WTR

WT Queen, Kathy Laird, (Sister-in law) host of the event

Darby & Brenda Laird, Bro & Sis-in-law

Jim Bob, little Brother, and host of WTR


Every Sept, my brother, JimBob and friends
gather for a week or week-end of camping,
fishing and camp fire performance. It's a real treat
to come together and enjoy a little time
with each other... a great family time, plus 100 more .

Names

Recently I have heard others consider the names
of their children...a job in itself. I was ask how I decided
on the names for our children.
I knew that being one of 3 Debby's (in school) each year
wasn't what I wanted for my children.
So, I checked off names in a name book,
and Marcus only read those names
To my surprise, the meaning really mattered to me.

Myra Dawn
Wonderful Beginning
(and she is)

Lana Carol...a light in the dark
(that's true)

Alex Laird
Defender of People
( definitely a Man with compassion)

Both Fathers

Today in worship, we sang, I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!
For me and my siblings, that song will bring back memories of our Dad. He not only loved singing that song, but totally live it. Do you know how much his confidence of a loving God lowered the fear factor in our young minds. Dad understood that those attending church were an "Imperfect people loved by a Perfect God"
Thanks to my Dad for showing us the assurance of eternal life.
What an awesome gift from both Fathers!

There are other precious memories of songs:

I don't even know how she learned this hymn, but at 2 1/2yrs old, Myra held her baby sister, Lana and sang, "Sing to me of Heaven, sing that song of peace, from the tolls that bind me, it will bring release..." That song is very heavy, but all I saw at that time were 2 adorable girls, a gift from God.

Recently while waiting at the bus stop, Morgandy stared sing "Blue skies and rainbows and sunbeams from heaven, are what I can see when the Lord is living in me..." A seed is planted...
My nephew, Ben, would sing himself to sleep with this song.

Lana use to request a song, when we attended the country church of Marc's family. As a child, she always ask to sing, "Revive Us Again"...because she loved the lyrics, Hallelujah Thine the glory, Hallelujah, Amen...

When in Africa, I heard Ben & Kym use a hymn as part of the boys bedtime routine...such a comfort for those boys, to unite in song with their parents, a song about God's love for them.

Worship songs are a powerful instrument in our relationship with our Father, and for me, it is a gift from both fathers.

I am thankful that so many worship hymns have shaped our lives.

Noah Ark and more

through Morgandy's play

God said load the ark with animals
and food, so my plastic food will do.
Wonder who will eat the ice cream cone?

so finally we can leave the ark,
and I know there was a rainbow

on the mountain, we feel like
"Kings of the world"

Papa didn't come on this helicopter,
because "the door is closed and
it is to small."

Priceless!

Everyone wants a picture of my shirt,
here's half of it, covering up "Big"

A greeting for her Daddy
"Daddy's home!"

The wheels on the bus go round & round,
and Papa talks like Donald Duck
and wiggles his ears.

Cover my month when I laugh out of control,
so I can sound like an Indian

My after nap video time.

why does everyone want to see my
"BIG SIS" shirt?

I loved it when Morgandy wasn't understanding
what I said and let me know...
"I don't know what your talking about!"

or when Myra and I sat in the backseat with her,
and Marcus and Patrick were in the front seat...
"Look, we make a triangle with Daddy and Papa"
(Almost right)

or, when something was said and her response was...
"That sounds like a good idea!"

It's the time together that is priceless!

She would like this.

Bertelle... Behind her new home.
With her brother, Owen Craig at Mackey Reunion
Easter, 1997
With Marcus at the Mackey Reunion

I bought a book while in Savannah, and think of Bertelle
everytime I read it.
Bertelle would agree with George Washington's
110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour...
Here's a few of them.

1.Every action done in company ought to be with
some sign of respect to those who are present.

2. When in company, put not your hands to any part
of the body, not usually discovered.

22. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of
another, though he were your enemy.

44. When a man does all he can though it succeeds
not well blame not him that did it.

58. Let your conversation be without malice or envy,
for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature;
and in all cases of passions admit reason to govern.

73. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly
nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly & distinctly.

Not only would she like the wording of these rules,
but she mastered the context of them.

I love that sweet memories of our love ones comes
from simply reading something or seeing a plant,
hearing a song, or watching the same traits in other
family members.

Thank you, Ben

for being a great husband & father

For your compassion for others
and passion to teach and learn.

This week, I have taken your words to heart.
You came home from a rough day
and I ask you if stuff like this makes you ready to
return to America.
You replied with great wisdom...

"You don't quit just because things are hard."

Even though life is so good to me,
I don't like when stuff is hard.
So, for now, I will take your advice,
knowing that my "Hardships" are foolish
compared to what you & Kym endure
daily to show God's love to others.

Like Nathan, when I think of you
and my entire family,
It's just right to say,
"Good Job, God!"

Love You!