My Granny

I stay with my Granny on the weekends, well, not the whole weekend...I split it up with my sister!
I was overwhelmed at first...I received a typed three page instruction list on how to take care of her the first time!
My first thought was ...
I am not qualified to do this!
and My second thought was...
Oh, my God don't let me kill Granny!
I love sitting with her and hearing the same stories over and over and OVER!
There is a comfort to hearing your family history spoken from the authority of that history...she struggles to remember what happened 40 minutes ago...but memories from 40 years ago unfold effortlessly!
I also love walking through her home and looking at all the pictures that document our family...the odd placing of a 60 year old picture next to the picture of a recent addition to our family...just adds to my love!
I will cherish this time I have with her and I am grateful to God for the gift!

Eat, Drink, and Be from Mississippi

I just finished Eat, Drink, and Be from Mississippi by Nanci Kincaid and I really liked it!

The book cover states:
At least the young man on Truely Noonan's doorstep is from the South. Truley and his sister, Courtney, are transplanted Mississippians who have made their fortunes in California, but they're due for a change. They have more money than they ever dreamed of, homes with spectacular views, and their brother-sister bond is sweet and strong.
But their marriages have disintegrated. Something inside rings hollow. They are both lost.
The young man, Arnold, doesn't exactly look like a savior. A troubled teenager from the streets, he is talkative, thuggish dressed, and clueless. Truley and Courtney turn Arnold into their mission, introducing him to books on tape, buying him new clothes. Arnold resists their good intentions at first, but he needs a place to stay, and at least he has good Southern manners. Then something shocking happens that show Arnold in a new light- and it's no longer clear who's been changing and teaching whom.

I received this book from a drawing at Lattes and Life and The Hachette Book Group sent me a copy...and boy, did I hit the Jack Pot! It was a great read...interesting characters that you were sad to stop reading about...and for me that is sometimes rare to find.
My only complaint...this book is told in the third person and it is from a male character who other characters basically describe as someone who doesn't want to see things...
Let's think about that a moment...I am reading the perspective of someone who doesn't want to see things!
Many times while reading this novel I was praying the next chapter would have another character tell what was going on because the character of Truley Noonan either didn't know or wasn't telling.
This left me with a feeling like I never got the full story...which I guess might be good as I let my imagination fill in the gaps!
I enjoyed this book none-the-less!

Happy Birthday Ry-Baer

Happy Birthday Ryan!
My Baby...

When you were about 8 or 9 you came to me and said that your older brother had told you that you were not planned! You were upset...

I told you that while you hadn't been planned you were like a surprise birthday party!
That's the truth...
it was like God himself threw me the very best surprise birthday party!
It was like winning the baby lottery!!!
I thought I wouldn't have any more baby moments but I got a bonus round...
You are kind and patient and gentle...just like your Dad...and you are the spittin' image of him!!
Happy 24th...Thank you for always making us so proud!
Love, Mom
For more friday foto visit Cute Candid Carrie

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Happy Birthday to my future daughter-in-my-heart!

Almost from your first date with my son you have been a part of our family because of your sweet and good nature!

Soon after that first date...I asked Ryan to tell me about you and his entire face lit up and he said "Mom she is so beautiful and her laugh is just great!"

That conversation is a memory I'll always have to treasure!

I love this picture of you and Rachel...
It was a fun day!
Thank you for all the joy you bring into Ryan and his family's life!

Harley and Rocky

Our family loves dogs and between us we have 7 dogs. These are my daughter's and son-in-law's dogs and they are just the best..My grand doggies!
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