Kristen in Different States

Our goal on our trip was to take Kristen's picture as we entered each state. It was sometimes impossible to stop at each sign. At least we have most of them and I have no idea why they did not stay in order as I clicked them. Anyway----she has proof that she did travel through several states. (I guess we did not get one as we entered Kansas.)

Sorry I do not have time to post more today. Merrel needed help getting the ground in the garden spaded up so he could drop some okra seeds. He was not able to do that with one "useable" hand so I worked with him for 2 hours this morning. I am not very capable of doing that kind of work for an extended time so have needed some rest after we finished. We MUST have okra when our company comes in August and we were running out of time to get it planted. I also helped him get some wires up for the bean vines to climb on. Their feelers are running all over the place and getting all wraped around other plants. We actually have some little beans!!! Looks as if we may have enough ready to take to Hot Springs next week end for our Holland Reunion. I hope so. We will have little yellow squash ready to eat in a few days. The garden is looking good. Hope we can find a way to get it ploughed. That is something I cannot do and neither can Merrel until his Dr. tells him he can which may never happen. He has an appointment on Friday and he is hoping he can use his left arm after that. It is difficult to remember not to use it nor raise it above his head but he has done a good job and has been very protective of it.

More later folks,

Dortha

Yes, We Are HOME!!!!

HOME SWEET HOME!!!!

All good things must come to an end and that is exactly what happened for us at 5:00 Saturday P.M. We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed everything so much but our home did look good after having traveled 5,200 trouble free miles. It was good to spend time with family and friends and to attend the beautiful wedding for Brandon and Dailon. (More details later.)

Sherlyn had kept our lawn mowed, having mowed it 2 times while we were gone and it is not an easy job---one and one/half acres of uneven ground. We appreciate all she did for us, also she kept Jan's customers satisfied by filling in for Jan those 2 weeks. Jaron watered my plants so he gets credit for having done that for me. All I remember that Courtney did was complain that I wasn't here to fix her noon meal each day!!! I am kidding but she did mention that she missed the service she had become used to. I did feed her Sunday and yesterday so she is happy again.

We came home to a VERY hot house. We had not needed our air conditioning before we left but soon found out that we had NO cool air Sat. night. The fan ran but that is all. Needless to say, we were not very comfortable as the temp was 90º on Sat. and since our house was all closed up, it had obtained a lot of heat. We were thankful for some floor fans and we did make it through the night OK. Sunday was not much cooler but I managed to prepare a noon meal for 8 people. Devin was home for the week-end so he, Carley, Jan, Jaron and Courtney joined us. Sherlyn didn't feel like eating. She had worked too long in the hot sun mowing on Sat.

We were blessed with some cool temp yesterday. We had rain off and on during the day and the temp did not reach 70º. Right now it is 59º with a very dense fog. I can barely see Jan's house right across the street. It should lift during the morning hours. Yesterday and today we do not need air conditioning but we may tomorrow and we have a repairman scheduled to come today. I hope repair will not be too "painful". Our air conditioner is less than 2 years old.

We have LOTS of work to do to get things back in place so I better get busy. I need to spend some hours on my computer. It is very bogged down with all the things that stacked up on it during the 2 weeks I was unable to check my mail. I wished for a lap-top. It was hard to wait so long to see what had happened. (Near the end our our "tour", I was able to view my mail while we were in Wyoming but not enough time to delete and sort.) I am thankful for Vicky, Darla and Sherlyn's filling in for me on the blog. I see no reason for them to stop just because I am home. I hope they will continue to post.

Our garden looks good but need to be ploughed and Merrel is not able to use the tiller. He had hoped Jaron would do it for him but yesterday the rain kept him from doing it, today the gound is much too wet and tomorrow Jaron is flying to AZ. I sure hope we don't lose everything. The fresh veggies help so much on the grocery bill plus we surely do enjoy them.

I must get busy. Thanks to everyone who contributed to our 2 weeks away from home.

Love to all,

Dortha

Thanks Vicky

I was so glad to see the pictures from the wedding. It looks beautiful! I was thrilled to see the wedding pictures, but I must say seeing my baby girl was the best!! I have missed her so much. But I guess I'll have to quit calling her my baby girl, because until I read the captures- I didn't realize that Kris was in the pictures!! I can't wait for her to get home. I know she can tell endless stories- but secretly I love every one of them! Thank you so much Vicky- it was great to see her in the pictures- and everyone else! -Darla

Wedding rehearsal

I wanted to post some pictures of the rehearsal so you can see the other travelers that were in California. Kristen stood in for an absent bridesmaid at the rehearsal and she loved it. Keith and Jessica at least made it to the rehearsal before she was put on bedrest because of a pregnancy complication, the baby is fine, Jessica just needed to take it real easy for a couple of days. Again, we all had a good time and it was a perfect place to have a wedding. I'm sure there will more pictures from others. Vicky

Thank you Vicky, for posting those beautiful wedding pictures. It looked like an absolutely perfect wedding! Congratulations to the newly married couple! I loved her dress- it makes her look like a princess. Well, Holland Hill is missing it's primary residents, but I'm sure they are having a great time. I hope Granddad is doing well with the traveling.
Ryan and I talked with a Marine recruiter yesterday. He's excited to go in. He will probably go in September and he scored high enough on his test that he can pretty much go into whatever field he wants to. I'm really proud of him, but as a mother, I'm also worried what being active could mean for him. Please keep him in your prayers.
Have a great weekend!
Love to all,
Sherlyn

More wedding

Dailon and Brandon's Wedding

Here are a few highlights from Dailon and Brandon's wedding. The weather was beautiful, it was a perfect day and perfect wedding. Congratulations to the happy couple!!! They did a great job planning their wedding and we all had a great time. I'm sure there will be more pictures to share when Dortha gets home. I have not figured out how to use picasa to get all the pictures we took on the blog-so I hope you enjoy these!!

Vicky

I found this picture of me and my favorite Granddad! He is the sweetest, most compassionate man I know. I couldn't ask for a better Granddad. I'll be mowing his yard today since the Holland's are all in California. I hope they are having a blast, but we do miss them. I decided that since the resident Holland blogger was not around to give the weather conditions on Holland Hill, I would do it for her. It looks like we will have a beautiful day for mowing. It has rained almost every day for the last few days and I'm sure the garden likes that, but now it's time to mow. I think it's supposed to be in the 80's today. It's beautiful already. I'm sure the weather in California is even better and I'd bet that Kristen is begging for the beach. I wish we could be there as well, but somebody has to hold the fort down and I'm happy to do it! Yukon seems to be feeling better since we got all those ticks off of him. Maybe after I finish mowing, I can get some of Granddad's flowers in the ground as well. I'm praying for all the travelers and also for those in the wedding party. I pray it's a beautiful, memorable and blessed wedding. I love you guys!
Take Care.
Sherlyn Parham

California travelers

This is a picture of Kristen and her new cousin, Belle. Belle is a beautiful baby girl with a sweet personality. Kristen is so attached, I think she would move in with Belle if I let her!
Well I hope that the rest of the travelers are having as much fun as Kristen is. She is reporting that she loves Arizona and thinks we should move. I think the oranges and swimming pool have a lot to do with loving her surroundings. I told her that if she liked Arizona, then she probably won't want to come home, once she has seen California.
The traveler's should be traveling today, ending up in California. Kristen is excited to get there, but she's also excited to have a long ride- in order to get to read her book in the car. Kristen says granddad is doing good and not having any problems from the traveling. I pray our travelers are safe and are blessed by the time they get to spend together. I'll update you as Kristen updates me! -Darla

Remember our Military!!

We Must Remember Our Troups!!

We owe so very much to our Military. All give some, some give all. They deserve our prayers and support.

Well, all signals are "go" for our trip to the West Coast. We, Merrel, Dortha and Jan, plan to leave tomorrow morning. We will pick up Kristen in Tulsa, visit relatives along the way and arrive in CA on Tues.

Merrel is doing well and the Dr. gave his approval for the trip. I think he is feeling a little better each day and since we are allowing extra time, we can stop when we need to.

We are looking forward to seeing some special people. We haven't been to CA for 2 years and we have never seen little Bella. The wedding will be Sat. , May 31st at 10:00 in the morning. Roger has plenty interesting things planned for us---a beach party on Friday and a bar-b-que after the wedding. He and Anne know how to royally entertain. I will "bore" you with lots of pictures when we return!!!

Love to all,

Dortha

More Iris!

More Iris!!! Click and see them full screen. Hope you enjoy them.

Beautiful Wednesday!!!

Merrel's Iris

Merrel has a whole bed of different colored iris. They are more beautiful this year than I have ever seen them. They don't last very long but I am glad we are here now to enjoy them.

Merrel did real well last night, said he slept good even though he had to lie on his back on an elevated bed. He is up and around today but comes back down to sit and rest often. We have a beautiful day----just about perfect in every way. He wants so much to be outside working in his garden and yard but he cannot do that. Sherlyn is mowing our lawn today. He needs the garden tilled but there is NO way he can do it. He may never be able to use the tiller because of the "shaking". Seems it would be worse than the chain saw that he has been banned from. He will miss being able to do all the outside things but perhaps there will still be some things he can do but right now he just needs to take it east and let his incision heal and his body adjust.

I have loads of things to do before we leave on Sat. so I better get busy!!!

Love you,

Dortha

We're Home!!!!

Yesterday's Picture

Guess what!!!!! We are home!!!!! Home looks and feels good after 7 days and nights in the hospital. We had an excellent, private room and the best of care. Couldn't have asked for more. The Doctors seemed qualified and concerned and we are so thankful for the results.

We left the hospital around 4:00 this afternoon. Merrel has some limitations but nothing too difficult---no driving for one week, no lifting more than 10 pounds, no shower for 3 days, never no never use a chain saw!!! Remember that infamous chain saw I got him for Christmas that he didn't want? We won't have to be afraid now that he will get injured. He has 'willed' it to Ron. Ron deserves a chain saw and much, much more. He was at the hospital each day around 7:00 and didn't leave until late evening. He is trimming our shrubs tonight. He is a WONDERFUL son. Now if Merrel can just encourage the Dr. to tell him he cannot mow the yard nor work in the garden, he will have it made.

We appreciate all the prayers and good wishes that came our way. God is sooooo good.

Love you,

Dortha

After the Surgery 5-19-08

Surgery Day, 5-19-08

Well, the surgery is behind us and the Dr. said it all went well. Merrel was back in his room by 10:30 but had to stay flat on his back until 2:30. He wanted to sit in his recliner and did OK but had quite a bit of pain and felt very tired. I left the hospital at 5:00. He called me at 8:00 to say he had asked for something for pain then he felt quite a bit better. The Dr. hasn't been in after the surgery but said he would be in tomorrow morning and could probably dismiss him. I will stand by again. Ron has been so faithful to spend his entire days at the hospital. Roger has called numerous times and Jan has been in and out as she could. He has had several visitors. Today Vicky, Sherlyn, G. J. and Ryan came to see him plus several folks from our church.

More next time!!!

Dortha

Day of Surgery 5-19-08

Surgery Day!!

Well, the surgery is behind us and all went well. Now it is much later. I started this then had to leave it and didn't realize it was published. I thought it was lost. I will go ahead and leave it since the picture is a bit different. The one in the next post looks as if Merrel is trying to get away from me. I think he was afraid I was going to touch his shoulder which was quite painful. He may have trouble sleeping tonight as he won't be able to lie on his left side.

Bye for now,

Dortha

Celebrating Darla!!

Darla, We want to wish you a very special birthday!! We can remember when you were born- we were planning our wedding and you got to be here for it. You're a sweet niece and we love you very much! Have a great day celebrating!!

Love you,
Ron and Vicky

Happy Birthday, Darla

Happy Birthday, Darla!!! I hope you don't mind getting a greeting one day early!! I may need to go to the hospital early tomorrow. We don't know yet what time your Granddad's pace-maker will be "inserted"------or "installed"------I don't know the proper termonology. We only know it will be in the A.M. and could be early. We should know the time later tonight. I spent the afternoon with him and he is doing well. I am a little concerned about him. When I left I warned him not to take a turn for the nurse. They come in there and call him "Honey" and ask what they can do for him. I may have trouble with him when I get him home.


I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday tomorrow. I think you should not have to do anything you don't want to do. I can just hear Andrew saying, "Mom, you shouldn't have to do the dishes today. Just wait and do them tomorrow!!!" Does that sound about right? I remember so well the day you were born and your Dad called the shop where I was working. The lady I worked with answered the phone (I was not in the shop at that moment) and she tried to get him to tell her if he had a little girl or a little boy and he would not tell her. He waited and told me he had a really cute little daughter. You were exactly what we needed, a very special little girl and it has been a joy to watch you grow and mature into the person you are today. We are very thankful and proud of you. You have brightened our lives in so many ways. I wish we could spend more time together but we are thankful for the few hours we do have together.

I love you so much,

Grandmother Holland

Sat. Report

Merrel waiting patiently for the Doctor. He called me this morning to say he had a restful night and was anxious for his breakfast. He was feeling good but said his heart rate dropped again last night. He did not ask how low it went. We have a BEAUTIFUL day today---full sunshine, slight breeze and 72º with a high of 80. Too bad Merrel cannot be outside enjoying the weather and doing what he likes to do but he seems completely content to spend the week-end in his hospital room. He seems so relieved to know there is help for him to feel better and have more energy. We are all so thankful for the test results yesterday. We look forward to Monday when the pace-maker will be inserted.

I hope everyone will have a wonderful, blessed week-end.

Love you,

Dortha

Good News!!

Ron, Mary, Hugh & Merrel

This is one of the pictures I took in Merrel's hospital room this morning. I can not get the others to upload right now. I will post them later. He has a really nice, large, private room. It even has a computer. I checked my e-mail there today. Pretty neat!!!

We have had a good day. Merrel took a stress test yesterday and the results were not good so today he had an angiogram to see if there were any blockage. Ron and I waited in the waiting room for about an hour. Vicky joined us. Jan also came down. We were delighted and so thankful when the Doctor came in and told us there was NO blockage. Since Merrel's heart rate continues to drop---last night it dropped to 34---there has to be a reason and since there was no blockage, the next step will be to insert a pace-maker. That cannot be done until Monday so he will spend the weekend at the hospital. He seems content to do what ever he needs to do. I think he is so relieved to realize there is help and he should soon feel so much better than he has for a long time. He has been a real trouper---no complaining even when he had no food nor water from last midnight until 5:00 today. He is eating good and sleeping good--at least between "wake-ups". Hopitals are notorious for waking you to give you a sleeping pill.

We are so thankful for God's blessings also thank each of you for your prayers.

Love you,

Dortha

Update for Merrel

Perhaps you are wondering about Merrel's condition. He is in very good spirits, feels good, is very optomistic and anxious for everything to be done that needs to be. He is scheduled for angioplasty later today and if he needs stints, they will be inserted at that time. The fact remains that he may still need a pace-maker but we take one step at a time.

I was planning to drive to Searcy tomorrow for my annual Homecoming. I will not be going. I will not leave Merrel. This will be the second year I have missed going since 1981. I shall miss being there but I need to be here.

Have a good day,
Dortha

Thanks, Darla!!

Thanks, Darla, for your post and the beautiful pictures of your children. I like them too.


Ron and I left the hospital at 8:00 tonight. Ron had been there for 10 hours. Granddad is feeling good but his heart rate dipped to 26 last night. He has had 2 units of fresh, frozen plasma today to try to thicken his blood so an angioplasty can be done tomorrow. If it cannot be done tomorrow then it will be done on Monday. A pace-maker may still be necesssary. All we can do is take one day at a time. We are thankful for the help he is getting and that we decided to take him on in to ER rather than waiting for his Dr. to decide what to do.

Darla, we are glad you came to see us last week. It made Mother's Day very special and thank you for the text to wish me happy Mother's Day. I also got a Mother's Day card from Scott and Heather. Thank you Scott and Heather. I appreciate your thoughtfulness so much.

I am tired and I am off to bed.

Love you,
Dortha

Thoughts and Prayers for Granddad Holland

Well I hope Granddad is feeling better. He's got a lot of nurses looking out for him, and I'm sure they are taking good care of him.
The pictures are from Mother's Day at the park. Both of my kids are growing up too fast! I really like these pictures! I had a great time visiting MO. I wish I could have spent more time with each person- but that didn't work out this time. Maybe during the summer we can spend a few days in MO. Driving home was an adventure- I've never driven through such wind. It felt like my car was fishtailing- but I wasn't moving the steering wheel! When I was almost home Grandmother called to make sure I made it alright- and she told me about the tornadoes that were close to me during my drive. It was probably a good thing I didn't know about them at the time- or I would have been more worried! It was great meeting Stephen and Tom. Two nice guys- for two wonderful, sweet ladies!!!! (Two of my favorites) Keep us updated of Granddad!
Much Love-Darla

Update For M.J.

Update for Merrel. He would much rather be sitting in this chair in his living room than spending the day in a hospital room but for now he needs to be in the hospital room. His Dr. was very concerned about his much-too-low heart rate, 37, and suggested that he go to the ER yesterday. Devoted son, Ronald, came out yesterday morning and drove him to St. John's. (I went down as soon as I got out of my gown and that not-too-handsome house coat.) He was immediately taken to an examining room where he was monitered and given another EKG. Finally at 4:00 P.M. he was moved to a private room. Today he is taking a stress test which will determine what needs to be done next. His Dr. doesn't think he needs a pace-maker at this time, however, the results of the stress test may prove differently. This event was not on our schedule but we want what is best for him.

More info as I know more,

Love to all,

Dortha

Mother's Day Plus two!!!

Mother's Day Dinner 2008.

Sorry I have been slow reporting in. We had a busy week-end and I cannot remember what my excuse is for yesterday and today. I will explain the pictures. You will recognize most of the people but a couple you won't. Next to Jan is her friend, Tom. Next to Courtney is her friend, Stephen. We expected 4 more guests but they were unable to come. We had a lot of fun and apparently plenty food. There were some left-overs.


We are so thankful we were spared from the storms over the week-end but our hearts go out to those who were less fortunate. So many lost everything and several lost their lives. We may have some storms moving in later tonight but probably not as severe as the last ones.


Merrel went for a physical yesterday. For the most part, he got an excellent report. The Electrocardiogram showed a much too slow heart rate---37. He will see his Cardiologist as soon as he can. If he needs a pace-maker, it could affect our trip plans. We should know more in a couple of days.


Love to all,
Dortha

Ta-da!!!

Well, I finally made it onto the blog with my new hair cut! I like it because it is easy to take care of; and it is highlighted!!!! I paid for my own highlights from my new job in the office with my mom! Or with my daddy in Turned Turtle. Sorry it has taken me so long to post- but I've been busy with the end of school, and band concerts and practice. I'm looking forward to going to California with Nana and Grandmother and Granddad Holland. We are planning to have a Mother's Day picnic on Sunday- so hopefully we will get some more good pictures while we are at the park. And to Nana, I can't wait to see you this weekend- I'll be the one skipping school and hiding in the car - so I can come! I wish!!! But I will get to see you the last week of May.
~Kristen~

Connor is 6 on the 6th!!

Happy birthday wishes to Mr. C!! Connor, we hope your day is lots of fun and filled with lots of presents. You have been a very strong boy since the day you were born. Looking at you today, it is hard to believe you went thru so much right after you were born. You are our little miracle and we are so thankful for you and all the joy you bring to us. Connor, have a great birthday!!

Love you,

Gramma and Granddad

More Beautiful Flowers

I searched for the picture I took Sunday when we had a late birthday dinner for Ron. Obviously this is the wrong picture. I will find the right one later but for now, I will just tell you about the dinner. We had a "country" dinner for Ron---fried chicken and gravy, fried potatoes, brown beans, green beans, salad, cornbread, chocolate cake and brownies. I knew he was tired of all those Rib Eyes and special choices he is used to so now he knows how country people eat!!! Jan, Courtney, Devin, Carley and, of course, Vicky joined us. We always have a lot of fun. We enjoy telling Carley about Devin's "other life"----namely those times when we didn't know what to do with him. He was notorious for having a strong will and knowing how to use it to his advantage. We are thankful for the kind, gentle, caring person he is today.

Not much news today except the weather. We will have showers today and perhaps 2 to 4" of rain tomorrow. We have a busy schedule for the week----Our monthly dinner at church on Thursday and I will attend a Mother/Daughter Banquet Friday night. Also, Jan is expecting a friend from Wyoming and Darla promises a visit so it will be an interesting week.

I wish a good week for each of you,

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Connor

Happy Birthday Connor

Connor, I hope you have a VERY special 6th birthday today. Do you get to stay home from school? What ever you do, I hope it will be everything you want to do. I am looking forward to seeing you this Summer.

Love you,

Great-Grandmother Holland

I've been missing you guys!

It feels like I've been gone for too long. I'm glad to see the rest of you have kept this blog rolling. It seems there has been a lot going on. Birthdays and trips- seems like lots of fun. But I think my favorite, is the picture from Sherlyn. Our little boys - looking sooooo innocent! If we only knew then what we know now! I love the look in all of their eyes, and the smiles on their faces. They just grew up too fast.
I feel like I have been 10 ft under with work. Last week I worked through the night for a couple of nights. I've been extremely busy, but I can get so much done without having interruptions. Hopefully this week I will finish many of the details, and be able to put a lot of the work behind me. I'm looking forward to coming to MO towards the end of the week. I'm not sure yet when I will be able to leave, but I know that I'll be coming home Saturday, so I can spend Mother's Day with my kids- I think they have been missing me lately!
It was really good to catch up on the blog, I've missed feeling close to everyone. Hope to see most of you soon. I must get myself back to work now, I have several appointments tomorrow. Love - Darla

Sunday Dinner

The sound of silence is very welcome after yesterday's storms and wide spread distruction. We have been spared any damage but the lightening and thunder was disturbing yesterday morning. My heart aches for the many who lost loved ones, home and businesses. We are thankful for God's protection in our area. We have clouds and 47º temp this morning but we do not expect any more storms today.

Number one son, Ron, had a birthday earlier this week and I promised a birthday dinner for him at a later date. Well, tomorrow is that "later date" so I will be busy today getting food and dining room ready for a special meal for a special person. I will report results later.

I wish for everyone a wonderful weekend.

Much love,

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Madison!!

Happy Birthday, Madison.. I understand you are having a party today and I wish for you a wonderful time on your second birthday. You are a blessed little girl with great parents and now a sweet little sister. Wish I could be at your party but since I can't, I will look forward to seeing you soon.

Love you,
Great Grandmother Holland

After The Storm!!!

Another Stormy Night

We awoke to severe thunder and lightening around 5:00 this morning. Very strong winds and 1/2" of rain in a short time. We still have heavy clouds and some wind but we are much more blessed than many in our surrounding area. Lots of trees down, power out in entire towns, buildings damaged and/or destroyed and the storms continue to travel East with winds measuring from 70 to 100 miles per hour. We are so thankful we have been spared any damage. God is good!!!

I have some plans for the weekend but need to "fine-tune" them and will report later.

Hope everyone is safe from the storms and will have a good day.

Love,

Dortha

National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer

We know we need prayer every day of our lives but perhaps we need it more today than ever before. Our country is at a cross-roads and our future is uncertain. Only God can save our nation and give us the leader who is right for us. Prayer is the answer. We also need God EVERYDAY to keep us from harm and the storms that may come our way tonight. In Him we trust.

The wind is very strong today and will continue to grow stronger nearer night time. We may get rain, hail and possibly storms. We are in His hands.

I am off on a little errand. More later.

Love and prayers,

Dortha