Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you....

Happy 80th Birthday, Dortha!! Special birthday wishes go out to a very special lady. We hope you day is a great one and you enjoy every minute of it!! It's kind of hard to top the celebrating we did Saturday, but maybe the memories of having [almost] every family member there will help you celebrate today.

You've experienced alot in your 80 years, done many different things and been many different places. You've had experiences in your life that some of us will never go through and can't even imagine. May God bless you with many more years ahead, so we can plan another party!!

We love you and are very thankful for the wonderful person you are. Again, have a very special day!!

Love to you,
Ron and Vicky

Great Timing!!!

Man, talk about timing!!! As some of you know, I am expecting some very important folks to arrive tomorrow for a week-long visit. As is "customary", everything is suppose to be in perfect condition and in it's proper place when they arrive. Well, I have spent several hours---with Jan's help---vacuuming, dusting and sprucing the place up. We have 3 rooms ready and about 5 or 6 to go and we are running out of time. When I sat down to check my mail, the first thing I saw was the following article. It makes much sense so I think I will try it.



"Remember, a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it. A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture. I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect---in case someone came over. Finally I realized one day that no one was coming over---they were all out living life and having fun. NOW, when people visit, I don't have to explain the conditon of my house. They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun. If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice:



"Life is short. Enjoy it. Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?



"Dust if you must but there is not much time.....there is pop to drink, rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to live.





"Dust if you must but the world's out there...enjoy the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain, as this day will never come around again."



As I said, the timing was perfect for this article to show on my screen. I don't think anyone is coming to do a white glove test and even if they do see some dust, maybe they won't care. I know we are going to have so much fun just being together. We are hoping for our entire family. We know one great grandson will not be able to be here but hope to see all the others plus some extended family members and lots and lots of friends.



Remember, it is not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. I hope I have scattered a little bit of sunshine along the way.



Love to all,

Dortha

This is Devin's Day!!!

Happy 24th, Devin!!!

So well I remember 24 years ago today. You caused an awful lot of trouble---got us up in the middle of the night, we had to drive 30 miles to the Hospital then you kept us waiting for several more hours. Finally you made your grand entrance into this world and we knew right away that you were a "keeper".

If I remember correctly, it seems you might have caused a few more problems over the years but everyone survived and we are very proud of the fine young man you are today. It has been a joy and a privilege to watch you grow from a "roly-poly" baby into a tall, handsome adult. You have carried your own weight since the day you were 16 years old and that alone is commendable. You have been a faithful employee and are now reaping the rewards with your promotions from "cart-retriever" to assistant manager in those few short years.

We are very thankful for you, Devin, and wish for you a very happy birthday and a successful year ahead.

I love you,

Grandmother

If You Build it They Will Come!!!

Some parents had recently built this play ground for their two sons, 3 & 5 years of age. The next morning the mother went upstairs to wake the boys and tell them to go outside and play. When she looked out the window, this is what she saw!!! I believe they need a fenced yard!!!

Our temp has been wonderful the past few days---72 for a high today. Very unusual for August. We need a nice rain but everything is still green and growing---especially the grass!!! Merrel can hardly keep it mowed.

We are on the count-down for our company. In one week and one day, this place will come alive with lots of talking and eating and maybe a little sleep now and then. We are anxious to see every one and hope for safe travels.

Have a good week.

Love to all,

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Kristen

Happy Birthday, Kristen!!

Hello Kristen!!! I hope you are having a wonderful 14th birthday. I am wondering if you would like to be spending your birthday in the pool in AZ. That was a fun time a few weeks ago, wasn't it? I am glad you got to go with us to AZ and CA this Summer. I thought it was a fun trip. I am also glad you came to visit us recently. The week passed so quickly and we still miss you. We now have okra and I wish it had been ready to eat when you were here. We also still have squash. We had some for our Sunday dinner today and Jan, Courtney and Stephen ate with us. We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2 weeks.

I hope you have a good school year. Only a few more years and you will be out of school and have to make a lot of decisions on how you want to spend your life. Enjoy your teen years while you can. After you become an adult, you will be an adult the rest of your life. Teen years are so important and I believe you will make good choices and continue to be the kind, sweet person you are today. I love you and I am so glad you are my great-granddaughter.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Grandmother Holland

Ok, ok, before I get in trouble for putting Mother's picture on the blog without saying who did it, I'll 'fess up!!! She is eagerly, anxiously waiting for her company to arrive. We ALL are so happy everyone is coming for a time of reunion with all the family together all at once. And for Mother's birthday party!! That's all, folks!

Jan

working fast

I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

8-8-08

8-8-08
Well, those of you who know me well already know who is writing this! This, in my opinion, is the perfect day of my lifetime! Being that me favorite number is 8, that makes this a pretty special day! I'm sure I won't see another one like it. I may have just a little OCD issue; or as the lady who called in on the morning show said, "I call it CDO, which is in alphabetical order-THE WAY IT SHOULD BE! I liked that! Since this is the day that the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
I heard from Recruit Angelo Soriano. He is now in Camp Pendleton for a few weeks. He can see the ocean from his bunks but it was 115 degrees when he first got out there. He also got 6 shots that day-SORE! He says he can see huge ships out in the water right now and wonders if his Granddad was at that very place several decades back? I did ask Granddad and he said he thinks that is exactly where he was because he remembers seeing Marine recruits practicing through the fence. Funny how the world goes round! Ryan is loving it out there now. He's in the 20/100 Club- On his Physical fitness test he gets perfect scores- 20 Pull-Ups, 108 Crunches and then on to a 3 mile Run.! Sounds like fun to me! Not.
He loves the church service at Camp Pendleton because it is more personal. He learned that the Greek meaning of the work 'sin' is to miss the target. Interesting!
I love you Ryan! He wanted me to tell everyone that he can now receive anything (except food) lots of pictures, magazines, anything at all. And he loves hearing from everyone! Thanks for keeping him in your prayers! It means so much!!!
Love to all!
Sherlyn Parham

Beautiful Sunrise

A Beautiful Sunrise!!

If you were not up at 6:30 this morning, you missed seeing a beautiful sunrise. My picture does not do it justice. It is nice and cool this morning---63º. Our high should be in the 80's. That is good and we will be so thankful if we get the promised shower today or tomorrow.

This has been a busy week as will the next 2 be. We are getting ready for and looking forward to our company that will begin arriving in less than 2 weeks. Each day brings us a little closer to that birthday party. I feel so honored and so undeserving for all the attention I am getting and the efforts so many are making to be here. It will be a great time.

Not much to report today and I have work to do so I must get busy.

Love to all,
Dortha

Very Cute!!!

Very cute puppy. He looks like a keeper. You may need to put some things under lock and key if you cherish them. He may not understand what needs to be shreaded and what not!!! Puppies have a habit of taking things apart. Thanks, Kim, for posting the picture.

Here is a picture of Stanley's brother, this is the picture in the ad we responded to. Stanley's face is a little darker, but this is about as close as you can get. He likes to play with his toys, but also likes to cuddle and fall asleep, which I like.

Thanks, Kim

Thank you, Kim, for taking the time to share your day's activities with us. You are indeed a busy lady. Seems you have 3 full time jobs---your family, your employment and your church work and now you have a new family member who will need extra attention. Hurry and get your camera repaired so you can share a picture of Stanley with us. I am sure the children will enjoy him and you have a perfect yard for a puppy---plenty space for him to run and play. Are the children enjoying the new trampoline? You are blessed to have so many special "toys" for them.

I am glad you had a nice anniversary and, yes, the years have passed so quickly. We had recently moved to Holland Hill and it doesn't seem possible that we have lived here for 14 years already. I hope the next 14 don't pass as quickly as these have.

Love you so much.

Grandmother

Thank you all for the well wishes. We had a nice day celebrating 13 years . . .it's hard to believe that much time has passed already.

I'm very swamped with a lot of things going on right now, so I don't have much time to contribute. Plus, my camera lens has to be sent for repairs, so I haven't been taking many pics lately. I just got done managing a golf outing for Ronald McDonald House that was held on Monday. There were over a 130 golfers registered, and we had silent auctions, raffles, and betting holes that I had to oversee. The day was a success, but I'm still getting all the figures together for the various activities of the day.

Brett and I went out last night for our anniversary and had a great time. We went to the Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant that is new here. It was fantastic! Pricey, but excellent for a special occasion.

We also have a luau/backyard party planned at our house for this Saturday for around 75-100 people. The date got bumped up a week so I have 7 fewer days to get it all together. It's also going to involved games and competitions, so there's plenty of organizing to do.

Oh, and have I mentioned we just got a puppy? He's a Yorkshire terrier and his name is Stanley (partly in honor of the Red Wings StanleyCup win this year). I've never been much of an animal person, but this little guy has one of the cutest little faces. The kids are absolutely crazy about him. He's only 7 weeks old, and we are currently taking bets on whether Stanley or Cole will be potty trained first (kidding, kind of.)

Well, that's my week in a nutshell. I'm stressing out a little, but know that everything will come together in the end.

Kim

Happy Annversary, Kim & Brett!!!

These added blessings complete the picture!!!

Happy Anniversary, Kim and Brett!!

My prayer for you is that you will have a very blessed 13th wedding anniversary today. You are a special couple with a very special young family. A lot of water has passed under the bridge during these past 13 years--some good, some not so good but you have faced each trial and blessing with faith and courage. God has blessed beyond measure. I know you are a blessing to many as you serve our Savior and He will certainly reward you. He has blessed you with 4 wonderful children and they are fortunate to have parents who love them and provide a Christian home for them.

I wish for you many more anniversaries and we are looking forward to your visit later this month.

(The picture of the children was supposed to post right here but I didn't do something right!!! Anyway, I tried!!)

I love you,

Grandmother Holland

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy 13th Anniversary to Kim and Brett. We're thankful for the two of you and your family!!
Who could have imagined 13 years ago that you would have your four wonderful, loving children and the life you have today. We love you and hope today is full of memories and you are able to celebrate in a special way. Sorry I did not have a picture on my computer that had the two of you together, we need to do something about that. Have a very special day and may you be blessed with many more years together!!

Love to you and your family,
Mom and Dad

Sunday Night

Proof Positive that Darla got her Fried Chicken and Earthquake Cake!!

We have had a good day but we lost our young visitors. Bill and Darla drove over to retrieve their children today and I have proof that Darla did get the fried chicken and earthquake cake she requested. It was good to see them but we will miss Andrew and Kristen. They were very good "house-guests" and even helped with the mowing and that helped Merrel a lot. Doing all the lawn work plus the garden work is almost too much for him since we are now having really HOT days. He almost got too hot one day last week while working outside. He can't keep doing that until the temperature cools some. We don't want him to have a heat stroke.

I hope everyone has had a good day.

Love you,

Dortha

Darla, You Are a Dear!!!

Oh, Darla, you are a dear!!! I heard that birthday you referred to had been cancelled. Anyway, that lady has had sooooo many and so much attention. I appreciate those nice things you said even though I feel very unworthy. I am glad if I have been able to help a few people along the way. I have tried to be an "encourager" and hope I have helped in some small way. I have always felt that an encouraging word can mean much. I remember so well something that was said to me when I was 15 years old and it has stayed with me all these many years. As some know, I had to go away from home in order to continue my education past the 9th grade. The nearest high-school was 18 miles away and I had no transportation except a bus that passed through our little community three days a week. I would ride the bus to Searcy each Monday morning, stay----all alone--- in a room (bedroom) all week then ride the bus back to my home on Friday afternoon. I had to walk a mile to reach the bus and would stand by the side of the road---with my school books and my suitcase--- until it came by. Well, one Monday morning the ground was covered with snow and the bus did not come. That morning, I had walked a little farther and was waiting inside the only store in our community. When I, and the other people who were there, realized the bus was not coming, two men said they were driving into town and told me I was welcome to ride with them. I don't remember much about the conversations during the trip except that they were impressed with the effort I was making in order to get my education. They also shared their feelings that they felt, of all the young girls in our community, that I would be the one most likely to succeed and make something worthwhile of my life. The positive trust they had in me meant so much and if ever---through the years--- I might have become discouraged or were tempted to make an unwise decision, I immediately remembered the encouragement those men gave me that day and the faith they had in me. I have always felt that a word of encouragement to someone could be more rewarding than to criticize. Sometimes we just need to know someone believes in us and feels we are important. We may not always measure up to the standard someone set for us, but we need to be recognized for our efforts. I remember a song we used to sing that says, in part, "If I can help somebody as I go along, then my living shall not be in vain." That is my desire.

Thank you, Darla, for your love. I love you too, so very much. I understand that you are coming tomorrow to retrieve your children. We shall miss them. We are glad they wanted to spend the week with us. Yes, you will get fried chicken tomorrow!!!! We are anxious to see you. Be safe.

Love you,
Grandmother

If I remember right....

If I remember right,I think there is one person that was left off the August birthday list. I don't want to be dropping any names, but she is a real classy lady. Her faith, wisdom and love are beyond measure. Speaking of measure, I've heard that she has done a lot of measuring in her life- be it material or cups of flour. She is always there with a hug, fried chicken and a helping hand. I don't know of one family member that has asked for help and was ever told 'No'. Those hands have held many babies, kneaded much dough, sewn many of stitches and always been folded in prayer. Now I don't want to give it away, but I think we need to add one more special name to our August birthday list! Much Love- Darla

A New Month!!!!

Flowers for YOU!!!

How better to begin a new day and a new month than to receive a nice bouquet of beautiful flowers???

Can this really be the first day of August? In August we begin to have thoughts of Fall and wonder where the Summer went and what did we do to make lasting memories. Our trip to California and "regions beyond" will forever be fond memories for us. We enjoyed so many special things and events, it almost seems like a dream and that we would have been priviledged to have such a wonderful journey. We shall forever be thankful for the ones who made the trip possible for us.

I am happy to report that Ron is feeling some better today. He is still on pain medication but seems to be improving. He has not heard from the x-rays that were taken on Tuesday so we will assume that no news is good news.

Our days are beginning to really feel like Summer. We have not been out of the 90's but have had no rain for several days and it doesn't take many days with this heat for the plants to begin to suffer. It would be nice to have a good shower although none is in our forcast for the week-end.

Time for our August birthdays and anniversaries.

Birthdays:

Kristen.........................August 10th

Devin...........................August 12th

Anniversaries:

Brett & Kim..................August 5th

Kelly & Andrea.............August 30th

I wish a good and happy day to all,

Dortha