OK Darla, You Win!!!

OK, Darla, You Win!!!

I can no longer ignore your flatery!!! Thank you for your concern and for launching the search party!! I haven't known quite what to do. I am not good at knowing what to post and what not to post and would never want to post something that would be hurtful or harmful in any way. The weather is a safe subject I suppose but I realize everyone has weather and a weather report each day could be rather monotonous. The report today could be somewhat interesting, however, as we have a beautiful snowfall. The evergreens are looking like a picture postcard. We are promised 6 or more inches. I am certainly thankful for a warm home.

Another safe topic could be talking about myself so I will try that---boring as it may be to some. Snow brings back many memories of days gone by. Long ago and far away when I was a child, I looked forward to our Winter snows. We usually had 3 or 4 during each Winter and in those days, we did NOT have "snow days". Since our only means of transportation was our own two feet, the roads didn't get too dangerous for us to walk a mile and a half to school. Some parents did choose to keep their children home on those days, however. I must have been in the 6th or 7th grade when our teacher and I were the ONLY ones who walked to school that day. Yes, we had classes as usual. I am not sure what I learned that day but at least I was where I was supposed to be. We also looked forward to our snows as we got to make snow cream. It sure tasted good and was a real treat as we seldom had ice cream except when we went into town and bought a little 5-cent cup and ate it with a little wooden spoon. Those were rare occasions indeed. The memories live on.

Merrel and I just returned from Little Rock and Hot Springs. One of his friends passed away and asked that he help with her funeral. That took place on Monday. We then drove on to Hot
Springs and spend some time with Terrell and Joann. Terrell's condition is about the same. Joann is very tired and stressed while caring for him but very faithful and does an excellent job. I pray daily for her and that her health and strength will be sufficient.

Ryon and Jessica, thank you so much for the great pictures of a special little boy. We are looking forward to your posting the MO pictures.

My love and prayers for all,

Dortha

Oh where, oh where has my Grandmother gone?

Oh where, oh where has my Grandmother gone

Oh where, oh where can she be??

Our Grandmother is known by many other names

Gee Honey

Mother

Sister

Care-taker

Cook (thank goodness)

Great Grandmother

Teacher

Provider

Hugger

The greatest Great Grandmother ever (per Kristen!)

I could go on and on - but to say the least - you've been missed. Love -Darla

Such a CUTE birthday boy!

Mavrik looks so cute! I think he has got that birthday thing down. I must say- it was a joy to meet Mavrik and spend time him and his parents. We've had good weather here this weekend. Kristen had a lock-in at the church on Friday night. I think it wore her out- personally I didn't know that could happen!!

I'm about a month behind with pictures, so these pictures are from New Year's of kids and their friends. They are a pretty good group of girls. They actually spend time with the parents instead of just running off to Kristen's room. And the other is of Andrew and his girlfriend. Although he has now moved on. He doesn't want to tie himself down to just one girl. Youth- isn't it grand.

I'm still missing my grandmother's inspirational postings - Darla

Check out the Parot on my shoulder!!

Lots of Presents

Mavrik's 1st B-day

Here are some pictures from Mavrik's B-day out here in California. We had a great time with each and every one of you on our vacation. Cant wait until next year when we see you all again.

His cake shown here was totally edible and quite a creation. The party was a pirate theme so the cake was from pirates of the Carribean.

Love,

Ryon

Mavrik's B-day

I've missed you

I'm sorry I haven't been posting. I'll start posting more!!!!! There hasn't been that much excitement here, just cutting down even more trees.


Kristen

Mavriks west coast 1st Birthday!!

Just want to take some time and show some pictures of Mavrik's first birthday in California....everyone enjoy and more to come!! Take care and we had an amazing time visiting everyone in Missouri, Thank you for making such a special trip and memerable. Thank you!!

We love you all!!

Ryon, Jessica, and Mavrik

A very Cold Monday

Is This a Bad Dog or What????

I think he knows he is in trouble. I suppose this would be pretty good entertainment on a day like this, however. Our temp barely got out of the 20's and the wind was so very COLD!!! We are promised some light drizzle with dangerous streets later tonight and tomorrow. Certainly makes us thankful for a warm home even though we have a very high heating bill for this month. We are counting the days now until Spring time.

Even though today was not a nice day to do anything you didn't have to do, Jan and I decided to go "shopping". We spent a few hours at the Mall and enjoyed being there and having lunch together. Since today is Martin Luther King Day and school was not in session, the Mall was rather crowded. Many parents were there with children in tow. Just the same, we enjoyed the time we spent there.

Nothing very exciting planned for this week. Whatever comes along that needs to be done, we will try to do it.

Take care and God Bless,

Dortha

Sat. Morn.

My prayer for you!!!!

I also hope you have sunshine today. We have very low temps----6º this morning---- but the sun helps us feel warmer.

Thank you Darla, for posting a picture of 2 beautiful young ladies. I would like to share their cookies. Also, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I will try to do better. I suppose you could say I took a "vacation" this week. Not much to report and not much initiative when there seems to be no one else interested in posting. I am afraid everyone may be tired of what I write but if YOU want me to write, then I will write!!!! I, too, would be glad if you lived "3 miles" away rather than "3 HOURS" away. I am thankful, however, that we do get to see you often. It is just not the same as if you lived in our area.

Your Granddad will be glad to know you like to hear him talk about his war days. He remembers so many details even though it was more than 63 years ago and he was so young while serving---only 18 when he was inducted.

I hope you have a wonderful week-end and come see us again soon.

Love you,

Grandmother

I have missed your blogs!

Well, I for one Grandmother, have missed your blogs this week. I've checked a couple of times a day, but I assumed you were busy or just resting after all the company. Whatever the reason- I've missed you. One of the things I enjoyed during our visit, was listening to Granddad tell stories about his Navy days. You could tell him, we would love to hear from him also- if he ever wants to write.

Bill and I are feeling like parents of teenagers. They have a busy schedule, while we stay home and work (or play). Andrew had a lock-in at the church, and Kris had a birthday sleepover with friends. But they're my two favorite little people in the world. Although I must say, Mavrik sure did move up in the ranking last week!

Nothing exciting here this week, except lots of work. We're still working on the trees- the gift that keeps on giving!!!! But we have officially moved to the back yard. We have finished everything in the front that we can handle ourselves. Which means the next step for the front yard will cost a little money.... so on to the back yard.

I've enclosed a pic of Kris and one of her friends- baking cookies during Christmas time. That girl has fun, whatever she is doing.

Anyhoo... Grandmother you have been missed, and I've also missed my mommy. Sometimes I don't like living 3 hrs away.

Much love - Darla

Devin Stopped By

It was good to have a visit from Devin today. He is now a Razor-Back fan---showing loyality to his state!!!! We miss Devin on Holland Hill but are glad he is doing well in his new location and we are glad we do get to see him quite often. Take care, Devin, and come again soon.

I love you,

Grandmother

No Excuse!!!

The Dog Chef!!!

I probably should have enlisted the help of this "Dog Chef" last week. He looks quite professional. I did OK alone I guess. I didn't have very many complaints. Jan compiled a list of clients and the number of times each ate with us and came up with a conservative total of 214 'servings'. That included breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. We enjoyed every minute of the week and hope our guests did as well. I miss all of you terribly and find myself wondering where that sweet little guy is and what he is doing now. I felt it was a priviledge to prepare meals for you and spend time with you. I look forward to doing it again soon.

This has been a very different week around here. Nothing much got done but we watched our college students leave for another semester of college. We miss the ones who are attending classes away from home. We feel blessed that Courtney is still with us and is working almost full time plus taking a full college course. She is a very busy young lady and one to be much admired, I might add.

We attended a nice luncheon at our church today so we have been gone most of the day. OK, well, no, the luncheon didn't last all day!!! We spent the rest of the afternoon with friends and I will let you guess what the entertainment there was!!!! Today is a very, very COLD day and it felt so good to walk into a nice, warm house a little while ago. We were promised some light snow today but all we got was a dusting and some freezing drizzle.

I don't have any excuse for not having posted much recently. Everything seemed so "hum-drum" after our company left, nothing seemed important enough to write. We are well and happy and that is enough!!

Love and blessings to all,

Dortha

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to the best parents I could have! I am so glad Dad needed "a cook" when he was going to Oregon. (For those of you who don't know that story, it's worth asking about it) I'm glad he didn't say he needed a driver, because then we would just be traveling around in circles. But because he wanted a cook, all of us have benefited from that, as was greatly evidenced last week and through the holidays. So here are congratulations for the couple who have been together so long and blessed us with a great family. Prayers for many more years together.

Love,
Jan

Thank you, Darla

I'm Celebrating!!!!

Thank you, Darla, for your kind words and good wishes. You are right, the past year has passed so very fast, in fact, the past 61 years have passed equally as fast. I remember the day so well---it was a Wednesday and the sun was shining. A common phrase at that time was: Happy is the bride that the sun shines on"!!! I have been a happy bride and have been blessed in sooooo many ways------a caring and loving husband, excellent health, a good-enough brain and the world's greatest family. God has been so good to me.

I love you,

Grandmother

Gee Honey....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

To one of my favorite couples!! You have always given me something to look up to, and to be like. I hope both of you get to have a relaxing day, and many blessings for the next year. It doesn't seem like a year since we enjoyed your last anniversary party- but I guess time flies when you're having fun. When I look at our family and see what you started - I feel very blessed. There is something very special about you both. Don't stay out too late playing cards!!!

Much love - Darla

Meals & Walks January '08

Here we have a collage of some of the activities of the week. I think they are self-explanatory. If you have a question, you can post it and I will answer!!! Looks as if I got the same pictures posted more than one time. Sorry about that. Don't know how to remove them except to start all over and I don't want to do that!!!

Dortha

Mavrik's and Sherlyn's Birthdays

Sherlyn and Mavrik have to share January 10th for their birthdays. We were blessed to have the two of them with us on their special day. We wish for each of them many, many more happy birthdays.

I LOVE YOU,
Grandmother Holland

Lonesome Monday!!!

Mavrik & Santa

I realize Christmas is past but thought this picture needed to be shared. Mavrik's first Christmas!!!

Well, we face a new week and have NO out-of-state visitors today. The last ones left yesterday morning and now our house feels huge, empty and quiet. We enjoyed last week so very much and it was hard to say "good-by". We appreciate each one who spent time with us and helped make it such a memorable week. It had been much too long since Ryon had been here. We felt we hardly knew Jessica as we had only met her at their wedding 2 years earlier but it was very easy to fall in love with her and we are so blessed to have her as part of our family. She got quite an initiation and no doubt wished she were back in CA when the storms hit on Monday night. We were so blessed and so thankful that we had no destruction nor damage---only anxious moments and hours for most of the night. Of course, to see little Mavrik is to love him. He is just as special as his Dad and Granddad had told us he was. We were able to watch him take his first steps and soon he was walking all over the place going where and when he chose. We also got to watch him turn 1 year old. I will post some pictures of his "party" a little later. He and Sherlyn had to share the spotlight on the 10th. He kinda' stole the attention but we are glad we could share Sherlyn's birthday as well. She was our very first grandchild and will forever be very special and dear to us. Oh, yes, we are glad Roger could be here also. We appreciate all he does to make our time together so enjoyable and memorable.

Darla, we are glad you and Kristen drove over to be with us and thank you for the honor you gave to me. I felt blessed to be able to prepare meals for everyone. Thanks, also, to Ron, Vicky, Keith, Jessica, Jan, Devin, Jaron, Courtney, Sherlyn, G.J. and Ryan for completing our "party" and making efforts to be with us during the week. We needed Anne and Andrea and family but understand that they had obligations. We missed them and hope they can be with us next time.

Thanks to EVERYONE for a wonderful week.

My love to all,

Dortha

Wonderful Weekend

For all those involved, we had a great weekend; for those who couldn't make it... we missed you.
We were blessed to spend time with family from the West Coast (Roger, Ryon, Jessica and Mavrik). Mavrik is an adorable little boy with an award winning smile; and two parents that love him deeply. And I don't think Ryon could have picked a better lady to stand by his side. We celebrated Sherlyn and Mavrik's birthdays. And got to see Devin play in an Alumni basketball game. It is always a joy to spend time with my mom and family. But the real hero of the weekend was Grandmother. She worked endlessly, fixing delicious meals - day after day. I'm so thankful that Grandmother and Granddad open their home to us. I hope they get much needed R & R this week. It was a busy weekend, but there was plenty of time for talking and visiting. You just can't ask for more!!!
Darla & Kristen

My one and only big sister!

I just had to take a moment to let my big sis know that I was thinking about her on her birthday. I've now celebrated 36 of them with her. Although I must say- I don't remember all of them. I wish I could make a few jokes about her looking old- but she looks great (...for her age!!!!) Sherlyn has taught me a lot over the last couple of decades. I spent most of my youth wanting to be just like her. She made great grades, looked wonderful, usually had more than one guy around, and constantly stood up to our father. I'm blessed to have a sister like her, and I miss her always. And enjoy spending time with her. I hope each day of this next year brings her joy and happiness.

I've included a picture from Christmas, and I'm sure my sisters will love this picture!!! Only my sisters can have this much fun, totally sober!!!! It's all about the hat, man!!!!

Much love to my big sister! -Darla

Thanks Kim!!

Thanks, Kim, for your posting yesterday and for sharing the great pictures. With your new camera, you will have to do it more often. We enjoy seeing you and your family and your beautiful home. It was so good to see you over the Holidays. Glad you could visit us.

Kim, you are right----your grandmother has spent several hours in the kitchen the last several days but I have enjoyed every minute of it and our "guests" have either enjoyed the results or at least they haven't critized!!!! We have enjoyed having Roger, Ryon, Jessica and little Mavrik. They will all be leaving early Sunday morning and then this house will seem very empty and quiet. We will have some pictures to share later. I haven't taken time to down load them but I will get it done.

I wish a good day to one and all and am so glad each of you are a part of my family and my life.

Love you,
Dortha

Happy Birthday, Mavrik!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAVRIK

Today is the day Mavrik turns one year old!!! He is just as special as his granddad tried to tell us and we are glad we have the privilege to see him first hand and especially to share his very first birthday with him.

Mavrik, I wish for you God's blessings and a GREAT and WONDERFUL life.

Love you,

Your great grandmother

Happy Birthday, Sherlyn

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SPECIAL GRANDDAUGHTER!!!!

I wish for you a very good day and a happy and prosperous year ahead. May God bless you in a very special way.

I love you,
Your grandmother

1. Connor got a helicopter, but the bigger kids got a kick out of it, too.
2. Keith and Jessica's wedding reception leftover glow-in-the-dark earrings were a hit with the girls. They are so glad to have a whole case of them!
3. Cole and Mommy in one of their quieter moments.
4. It took several tries, but we think we got everyone smiling and standing straight. The collage cut off the edges here, though.
5. Baylea was SOOOO glad to be off school for several days.
6. Connor had a blast in the go-karts with Granddad.
7. She would not let you pass her, even if she had to cut you off at the turn.
8. There was a "choo-choo fwain" just his size.
9. This competitive girl takes even bumper cars seriously.
10. The boy knows how to have fun.
11. Molly, the panda.
12. I found them asleep on the bottom of the stairs. Exhausted?
13. Decorations up the staircase.
14. Window treatment courtesy Blinds Plus. Installation by Kim.
15. After all that holiday eating, I don't need to spend any more time in this room.
16. I love Christmas! Everything looks so plain now that it's all packed away.

I know Grandmother is super busy with all that company in town, just thought I'd share some of the things we did over the holidays! We had a great trip to Missouri, it was good to see everyone. Kim

A Beautiful Morning!!

In God we MUST trust. Our lives and our future are in His hands. May He have His will in the coming election that will greatly affect our lives.

Well, we have a beautiful sunrise and are promised a nice day---48º and lots of sunshine. I know our guests from CA will appreciate the nice weather we are promised for the week end. They will be arriving tomorrow afternoon. It will be good to see all of them but especially good to see little Mavrik whom we have not yet seen. I understand his granddad thinks he is a pretty special little guy.

Today I will be grocery shopping. Seems my son told my grandson that this is a good place to "hang-out" and that we serve 3 "squares" a day. I wonder how he would feel if I served square sandwiches 3 times a day. That would qualify for square meals, would it not? Well, I won't do that and I hope no one will be disappointed with the meals around here.

I better get busy. Please have a good day.

Love you,

Dortha

January Birthdays

Here we are in a brand new year and a brand new month. That means it is time for the January birthdays. We have some VIP's this month.

I had trouble finding a recent picture of the birthday lady but you will see her in the collage above. She will be the one with the long, blond hair. The little "cohort" is, of course, Mr. Mavrik!!!! Can you believe he was born on Sherlyn's birthday? SOOOOOOOOO

The birthdays are:

Sherlyn .......................January 10th

Mavrik.........................January 10th

We are looking forward to Mavrik's bringing his parents and his granddad to visit us on Sat. so he will be spending his first birthday in MO. That will be GRRRREAT!!!

Love to all,

Dortha

Happy New Year!!!!

I wish for each of you a very wonderful and prosperous NEW YEAR!!! May God's blessings be yours through out the year.

My prayers and much love,

Dortha

Happy New Year!!

Make it great
in 2008!!

Happy New Year to all my dear family.
May God richly bless each of you as you seek Him.

Love you,
Jan