Lucas

Lucas was born on November 9, 2013
He weighed at birth 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 21" in length
He was healthy and perfect in every way!

He was so alert as soon as he arrived!  His eyes were opened quickly.  Jason and Mary stayed with Rosemary throughout the day on Nov. 8th and until he was born, at 4:01 a.m. Nov. 9th.  Jason was amazed at how close he got to the delivery and was able to help the nurse, up to his birth.  

Dad took one look and he was in love.  With Lucas, and more in love with his mother. 

Nana and Austin stopped by on Saturday afternoon, after Austin's baseball game.  He loves baby Lucas.  On a back to school writing piece, I noticed Austin wrote his favorite memory of the 2013 was having Lucas born.  Matthew and Maggie do as well.  She loves holding baby cousin.

All cleaned up, weighed in and ready for mom!

Brother Tim and sister in law Jessica as well as father Tim and our family, Clyde and I, Becky and Jason were there all day and all night!  Long day....worth the wait.

Sweet, sweet baby.  Love him bunches....so much love to go around.

Going home a surprise stop by great mamaws's house.  They had to pick up some supplies nearby and Jason wanted mom to see Lucas.  So, they made a quick pitstop.  He was three days old here.

Well, this will be it for now.  I ran into a snag looking for more photos with other family members and Lucas during his first Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I will make another post soon (hopefully!)  Today is a snow day and the kids are getting ready for their next snack:)  Love, Later!

  

Thanks

Mike started a new series today which is timely for November.  We have all heard before how we need to write down our gratitude.  Things we are blessed to have in our life.  Things we are grateful for, thankful for, our blessings, as I would call them.  He said today to go home and journal them, blog them, or just start counting them.  So, this is an "odds and ends" blog, with the sole purpose of sharing my thoughts on gratitude.

Of all the things I could start with, I am thankful for Clyde.  This note also mentions God, and He goes without saying that we would not have made it many times without Him in our marriage.  So, thank God for Himself!  In 1972, I married my best friend.  He is still the one I want to be with more than anyone.  We can talk (which is rare) or we can be still, quiet, and still be OK with that.  We don't always laugh, we don't always like the same things, but we love being together.  We love going on trips, we love going to the movies, dinner, sitting around a campfire, sitting watching a few programs on TV that we both like.  Among them, Dancing With the Stars, Survivor, and (don't judge) the Bachelor!!  LOL.....we also love to criticize those as well!  We also like Duck Dynasty, American Pickers, and Pawn Stars (forget the exact name of those!)  My hope is that we stay well and are able to happily share our life with one another for the next 20 years!

I am thankful for Jason and Becky and their spouses, Rosemary and Jason K. Jason Allen came first and I was SO happy for a boy.  He was the perfect "big" brother.  He was the child I "cut my teeth" on and made the most mistakes.  I am very thankful he is also the most forgiving person I know.  He loves unconditionally and fully.  He is my sweet son and now I am playing second string to Rosemary.  I am happy with that position!  She is a very sweet girl and I count her among my blessings.  Not to mention she is carrying his first baby and her first baby....a boy, Lucas.  I am thankful for Jason & Rosemary.



Becky came 2 1/2 years later and there isn't a day I'm not thankful for her.  I wanted a baby girl and I got a tiny one.  She came 6 weeks early and weighed in at 5 lbs even.  I hoped to have a girl that I could remain "close" to.  Moms and daughters some times "clash" and have more than their share of arguments.  We had ours but again, we held hands until she was in high school.  I was mom, but we remained close.  Now, although life gets in the way, we are friends.  I am thankful for Becky. 

Jason K. and Becky met at Georgetown College.  He is a loving dad to my precious three grand children and they love him dearly.  He and Becky are a team that work together to make a nice home for their family one that loves God and love one another.  I am thankful for Godly dads, that lead their children to God and show them a good example for them to follow.  I count JK on my list of "Thanksgiving".

This is a picture of my dad, Stanley Porter Stinnett, at his 90th birthday. His birthday is June 25th, and he passed away less than a month later on July 14th, 2010.  I am thankful for dad.  Mom and dad were married 64 years when he died and their marriage is what modeled mine.  Mom worked to make our very modest house a home.  She rearranged our furniture from time to time to make our home look new.  I remember when we got a color TV and air conditioning in our car!  Also, I loved when they bought us a very large stereo in a beautiful cabinet and we went to sleep many nights listening to albums mom played.  She was (and still is, you can ask Kent) a wonderful cook.  She raised roses and brought them into our home to make it smell so nice.  Dad spoiled me the most.  He made sure I had money everyday in the summer for the Mr. Softy ice cream truck. He always made sure I had money for roller skating each and every Saturday morning and each summer of my life, I went off to church camp.  I am VERY thankful for church camp!!  I am thankful for skating and growing up in a home that made sure I was in church Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night.  There was no choice and I loved our church. 

 

The picture above is me and mom coming home from Cameron & Jennifer's wedding in San Antonio.
Martha, mom & I flew out and enjoyed the time together. 

 

Below, is MJ's first "game ball".  This reminds me of three things I am thankful for.  First Austin.  He was my first grandson.  He is my joy, makes me happy.  Such a sweet boy.  When he was born, I would say "I love you more" and he would say to me "no, I love you more".  Now, he wouldn't say that (ha) or even remember saying it, but I loved it!  He's my buddy.  Next, we had Maggie.  She is the typical tomboy "princess" combined.  She plays ball, runs as fast as most boys her age, and loves having tea parties with the girls.  Plays with her doll babies and all things "girly".  I am thankful for MJ.  



 

Matthew came next, although he is older from Feb. to May, than Austin.  He is eight years old and I am thankful for Matthew.  He is a sweet boy.  He has a big heart that loves others.  He has lots of friends and his teachers love him.  As most know, he is special to our family and was fully adopted two years ago.  He was part of Becky & Jason's family long before that but official when he was in first grade (I believe!). 

 

Well, this is all things I have said many times before.  Photos I have already shared (mostly on this blog) but I can't make a gratitude journal without mentioning them. 

 

I am thankful for my brother Kent that is five years younger than I, stays with mom and takes care of her and their home.  He loves her and she loves him back.  He is her baby boy and they get along so well.  I am thankful for their relationship! 

 

My sisters are the best, I am thankful for Martha and Bev.  They are Godly role models to me of how to be in long married relationships and how to raise children that love each other and have such fun as a family.  I consider them my friends and I am thankful for them.  Thank God for their spouses as well and their children.  I am very thankful for each of them. 

 

I have a host of friends that I am thankful for, but I will end tonight with granny.  She is Clyde's mom and she is amazing.  She hasn't had the "life of leisure" that comes with financial security, a husband that was always "by her side" but she is rich.  She is funny, the grand kids love her, her kids adore her and my Jason and Becky love their granny.  She calls each of her kids every night, or most nights if not every.  I am thankful for my mother in law.

 

I am thankful for flowers, gardens with lots of color, screened in patios (with TV's on them!), large back yards, firepits, sunsets in my backyard, birds, especially hummingbirds, my fish pond....thank you God for my fish pond.  The red convertible that takes us on quick trips like to Paris to eat at the Mexican restaurant, Midway to eat at Darlin' Jeans, and long trips to see the Grand Canyon.  Thank you that we have those "things" but more than anything, these are so unimportant compared to you.  I am so thankful for salvation.  For grace, being forgiven of my sins.  For Heaven.  For the Holy Spirit.  For Jesus dying, giving his life, for me.  I am so unworthy.  I am thankful for you, God.  I have not necessarily put these in the proper order, but this is my thankful list.  There is much more....baseball, I am thankful for t-ball, coach pitch, watching Austin, Matthew & Maggie play ball.  I am grateful for chocolate, eating lunch with my girlfriends, tea rooms, my cell phone and ipad.  I am very thankful for them.  I am thankful for my house, warm bed, new white blanket that keeps us so warm, the holidays coming, family time, friend time, movies on Hallmark.  More and more.  Cracker Barrel, Cheddars, Logan's, Sir Pizza.....Wendy's chili.  McD's large, unsweetened tea.  Well, it's late....I have many more things I am thankful for.  I will add more.  No one will read this!  Way too long, but it's for me.  I don't think I will reread or make corrections, so hoping there aren't too many typos!!!

Sunday School Social at Cedar Ridge Farm

Our ABF (formerly Sunday School) class enjoyed another fun social.  This one was at Cedar Ridge Farm, in Sadieville.  The Giles planned a fun evening, where we were able to act like kids again.  With a hayride, target practice (well, that's NOT for kids), a bonfire with smore's, 4 wheeling, and good food!  Here are a few pictures, for those that asked me to post them!  Hopefully, you can get to this blog and see our night's events.

 

Our guys getting ready for "blessing our food"....the family that prays together.....

 

Now for the ladies of the class!

 

 

Clyde in his element:)

 The girls got our turn.  Tricia here (Cheryl and I had already fired:)

Clyde misses his Harley, so this is our once a year substitute.  I'm not sure if it is working, but we enjoyed a ride around the farm.  It was beautiful.

David was a great driver of our wagon ride, think he has had lots of practice with that tractor!

 Day is done, gone the sun.....

 

 

 

 

My flash didn't work, but wanted to share this photo of Sam.  It was his first Smore!  He thinks:)

We are so blessed to be part of this group of adults in fellowship, lifting each other up as well as our families.  What the world needs more of....love. 

 

Vacation 2013

Vacation this year began in Holmes County, Walnut Creek, Ohio.  The Amish take you back to a much slower pace of life!  I tried to get pictures of their daily lives, but they don't want you to take their faces, so I have some from the back or side views.

 

 

 

This was taken at The Farm at Walnut Creek.  Bev & Larry went there and loved it, so we went as well.  There were tons of animals, a wagon ride, and Amish workers planting fields, milking & more.

 

 

 

 

Clyde helping separate the cream from the milk.

 



 

  We stayed in Canada at the Marriott Fallsview.  This falls is on the USA side taken from the Canadian side.

 

This was taken from our motel room, Marriott Fallsview.

 

This was taken as we were finishing our boat ride, Maid of the Mist.  It takes you down and very close to the falls.  You feel the mist off of them.  The one to our right is Horse Shoe Falls, the one that's the biggest and most photographed.  Beautiful.  We loved it.

 

This is on our way to Niagara on the Lake, where we stayed one night.

 

Larry & Sandra Rice, our next door neighbors went with us.  We all met and made the reservations and planned our trip.  It was pretty perfect in all ways.  We enjoyed our time with our good neighbors!  We all loved the falls, our motel, the grapes and the meals we shared!

Summer 2013

School has started back in Fayette County.  Without me.  For 23 years, I was there on the first day of classes.  I didn't have a school duty (outside of my classroom) so I would help the  kids that were out looking for their classrooms, or just any help I could see....mostly just giving hugs and welcome them back.  We have a few new students and parents that need help finding their room or just a point in the right direction.  I usually know of a few families that I had the parents at CME (like Ashley Morris Safie) or those from SCC (the Salyers, Kristen Piercy Knowles) and more that I try to find and give extra love and support when they bring in those kindergarteners.  Not this year.

This year I hope someone did that for Maggie at Rosa Parks!  I hope someone directed her in the right direction when she gets "turned around".  I hope someone gives her help if she needs it in the cafeteria, or to get to after school program (Trailblazers), or if she is confused.  God bless MJ and help her as she needs it.  Bless Mrs. Zoll this year and help this class to "bond" and be good friends soon.  By the way, Dorothy Zoll was Jason Allen's Kindergarten teacher at Breckenridge Elementary.  He is now 36 so that was appx. 31 years ago.  She is my friend, Martha Deener's, sister!  We loved her 31 years ago, and she seems the same sweet teacher now!  So, hoping for a GREAT year!

Matthew & Austin are in 3rd grade.  Matthew has Mrs. Andry, that moved up from 2nd, again this year.  Becky loves her and so does Matthew.  So, I see a good year of learning, catching up, and continuing to grow for him.  He has his moments of "shutting down" when things get too hard for him, or he feels he doesn't "get it fast enough".  He has already improved by leaps and bounds from the uncommunicative child we got in our family at age three.  He has no problem communicating now!  He and Austin have been very protective of Maggie, helping her on the bus, and I'm sure showing her the ropes.  She is lucky to have two big brothers.  Although, at times, she may not think so.

Austin has Mrs. Calvin, and I know her from my former principal, Barbara Albaugh. Joe Albaugh (Barbara's husband) is her dad.  Mrs. Albaugh gave me my job at CME all those years ago.  So, this world isn't so large afterall.  Another connection, Caron Troop Cron is Austin's para (asst).  I love her and her family.  She was a friend of Becky's in highschool and I worked with her mom, Penny.  Austin appears to be the one with confidence, an attitutde of "want to win", hard worker, direction follower, and my sweetheart.  He helps nana and pap and is the one to look forward to seeing us most with hugs and "hi nana".  However, he is sensitive and unsure how much he wants to leave home (mom & dad) and just likes to "stay close".  Not sure if this is accurate, but there are times he would rather be with his family than to be with us, and he loves being with us.  Saying that, he will do well at school, but a little teary too. 

Wishing all my CME friends a healthy start to this school year and a very fun filled one.  I enjoyed this week at the Horse Park and just couldn't believe "all that" was going on when I normally would be in school.  I loved staying up late, sleeping in, and eating lunch out with a couple of former teachers on the first day of classes. 

I hope to add some pictures later from my iphone that I didn't download on here.  I need to go home and mow:)  It's a beautiful Friday so I'm good with that! 

Jason's Birthday

Today is Jason's 36th birthday.  How blessed we are to have him as our son.  He has always been so respectful and loving to me.  He loves his sister, his nephews and niece, and his wife more than anyone.  To say he is "over the top" happy to be having a baby boy before this year ends, is not saying enough.  He is grateful, thankful and just blessed.  Here are a few pics from tonight:

Jason, Rosemary and Lucas (coming in November:)

Jason K. is working out of town and we missed him!  Mommy & mini me.

Our special friend, Carver, came to help celebrate!  He is a DOLL baby.  He was SO good.  Not one "peep" from him.  Super cute!  Oh, he brought mom & dad too.  Casey's birthday was yesterday and we have celebrated with him a few times throughout the years.  New friends are good, old friends are best!

Carver was the "center" of attention with the Keith children.  Well, him and their electronics.  Austin & M.J. both held him....check out Austin making sure Maggie didn't drop him! 

 Jason's favorite gift!  Personalized baby bibs for baby Lucas, from Becky.

"Hey mom & dad, those are for me!".....Love, Lucas

If anyone needs a cake, contact me and I'll hook you up with Lauren Mays!  Her cakes are delish!!!!

This was so sweet of she and Casey to bring tonight!  Made just the perfect ending!

We had the sweetest waitress tonight.  She was so patient, gave plenty of refills, kept bringing us "samples" of sauces, chips, dips....so, we gave her a piece of this cake!  Chocolate with filling.  Really good!!!!

This will be the best year ever for Jason & Rosemary and we are so thankful to welcome Lucas before year's end.  Thank you God!

Garden in July

Fourth of July has come and gone, once again, and I find we are in the hottest days of summer.  Day lilies are finally blooming and at the same time, wilting from the heat.  The Shasta daisy blooms at the same time as the lilies and it requires little to no care.  I have a patch way out back in a bed that is at it's best now.  Most of the year it's rather unsightly, just green foliage.  Now, the purple garden phlox is blooming, along with the daisy's.  In the back of the little round bed, is a spreading mound of Obedience plant, that blooms pink. 

Also, now is the second growth of the Knockout roses, but, unfortunately, the Japanese beetles have "hit" with a vengeance.  I hate them!!!!  I have tried Sevin, spray, both types.  One I mix with water, one straight from the bottle.  However, it only kills on contact of the bug, doesn't prevent them from munching.  So, I find "picking" them off and dumping them in water works OK.  Anyone have some home remedy that works, I am listening.  I did Pintrest it, but didn't come up with anything especially new. 

I have planted a few new Balloon flowers (purple) and a new white Coneflower.  I also stopped at a day lily farm in Garrett Co. and bought four lilies from the nice lady there, Mrs. Graham.  She gave me one more for being a first time customer.  She knew my sister, who lives nearby and has bought from her before, and she taught each of my nieces in school at Camp Dick. 

So, I'll try to download some pics from around the yard.  Keep in mind, middle of the summer, heat.

Pink Taffy 

  



I will add the name when I am home:)  Eating lunch and blogging!

*I have to add, this one was a little too close to a yard full of this same color...oops.

 Now, I'm inside at night and don't remember which number this one is:) 
I believe, it's name is Tom Wise

 

I love catching a butterfly on the Lantana.  Sweet.

 

Each summer I take the same photos of the same kind of butterflies, on the same bushes.  However, they are new to me each time I see them.  I love hummingbirds, but I truly love butterflies as well.  And, they come around much more often.

 

Ha, a different angle!

 

 

Bees sure love the coneflowers, and I love honey. So, a win win.

 

This year the pond lilies have had bigger "pads" and larger blooms.  Wish they covered more of the pond, as it's not too clear with all this heat:(

 

Well, this is one reason I love summer.  Coming out to lunch and using my time to write on my blog.  If any one of my BFF's would have come in the door, she would have LOL.  I have my laptop up and in use (blog on it is best), I have the ipad open, can't waste time while photos are downloading:) and I had to open up the iphone to download the photos from it to the laptop!  So, I am covered in technology.  Wish I knew half as much as the hardware may indicate.  Unfortunately, this is about as much as I know.  Oh well, at least I have a post to my blog from my summertime garden!