Last Day of April

Sherlyn's Creation

Sherlyn picked these blossoms from her yard so she gets credit for the beautiful contribution. We have heard that April showers bring May flowers and that has certainly proven true this year. The Redbuds and Dogwoods are more beautiful than I can remember their ever being. Their blooms are quickly being replaced with green leaves, however. Our Bradford Pear Blooms are long gone and our trees are fully leafed out now. Some other trees are still struggling because of our much too cold temps, especially at night.

We have sunshine today with a strong wind and 70º temp. I like the temp but not the wind!!! We may have gusts up to 40 miles per hour.

Well, today is the last day of April. Tomorrow will be May Day. I remember when I was in High School how we would wind the May Pole. It was a neat celebration. We have a very busy schedule for May this year. It seems the entire Summer months are already scheduled. The Summer will pass quickly as a result but we have a lot of pleasant occasions to look forward to. Some of those occasions will be celebrating birthdays for some very special people. I will list them today as one comes on May 3rd.

May Birthdays:

Miss Madison..........................May 3rd

Mr. Conner.............................May 6th

Darla......................................May 19th

Mr. Marshal............................May 30th

I wish a Happy Birthday for each of these with many, many more to follow.

Thought for the day: "Do you think it would be wrong for me to learn the noble art of self-defence?" a religiouly inclined young man inqired of his pastor."Certainly not," answerd the minister, "I learned it in youth myself and I have found it of great value during my life."

"Indeed, sir! Did you learn the Old English system or Sullivan's system?" "Neither, I learned Solomon's system." "Solomon's system?" asked the young man. "Yes, you will find it laid down in the first verse of the fifteenth chapter of Proverbs: 'A soft answer turneth away wrath'. It is the best system of self-defense I know" replied the minister. The most glorious victory over an enemy is to turn him into a friend. Try it!!!!

Dortha

Happy Birthday Uncle Ron!

Uncle Ron, I hope you have an amazing birthday! You've always been an amazing uncle to me. Who else could teach me things like how to spell C-O-K-E to get what I wanted when I was way too young? Who better to try and see if I could sit up when I was 3 months old and let me fall over?! You're one of the most consistent and loving people I know and I'm so glad to be able to call you family. You make us look GOOD!
Love You!
Sherlyn

Happy Birthday, Dad! I'll chime in here with the rest of them to wish you a happy day. There's not a whole lot that hasn't already been said, but you can tell that we are all really proud to be related to you in some way or another. I know that our kids love to hang out with "Granddad" and always have a blast everytime they get to visit you. I hope you get to golf today, because I know that's what you'd want to be doing, at least. Thanks for being such a great father and granddad! We all love you very much!

I'm a little behind everyone else, but here are some pictures of yesterday's birthday girl over the past few years. Molly is such a joy to have around! She started out as "the quiet one", mostly due to her big sister never letting her get a word in, but once she got to school, she blossomed into a social butterfly and hasn't stopped since.

She has a very silly side to her and loves to make others laugh. Molly is constantly in motion and lets you know what she thinks. Happy 8th birthday, Miss Molly! We love you very much.

Tribute to Ron from Roger

I have permission from Roger to post a tribute he wrote to Ron on his 50th birthday. Dortha


Happy 50th Birthday, Ron,

Wow, where does the time go? At first it seems impossible that 50 has snagged one of us. But, really as I look back on soooo many phases and periods and events and places and experiences and looks, I guess it must take 50 years to get all of that in.

What a pleasant experience it is to reminisce through our boyhood together: remember the sandlot baseball in Paul's Valley, the bedroom across the breezeway without heat, mowing lawns, riding our bikes to A&W "for a cold one", climbing the pecan and apple trees, shooting BB guns, playing marbles, building model airplanes, going to church, hunting with Granddad, fishing at the river or the pond, watching pigs slopped and cows milked, getting a strawberry cola at the feed store, playing the knife game, going to the cattle auction and on and on through our boyhood together.


Then, perhaps we did less together during junior high and high school, but we roomed together, argued quite a bit (testing our independence), and kept track of each other. I'll never forget when you left for the Air Force. Dad's heart was broken and he wept openly. Although I appreciated the use of your Chevy Impala SS, I quickly realized how big a hole it was in my life to not have you around. It taught me a lot. How glad I was when you were stationed in MO and started coming to Springfield every weekend. Just to have you back around seemed so important and I was so glad.


Through marriage, kids, houses, cars, softball and a lot of growth, we have watched each other not as close in distance but so much closer in heart. Because---I speak for myself---I absolutely realized how special my brother was and how unique our relationship was (and is). There will never, can never, be another person to take your place. Nor would I ever want anyone to. Ron, you are one of the kindest, nicest, best men I have ever known. I appreciate you more now than you can realize.


Here's to a celebration for your birthday (slightly after the fact, but you missed the 28th for a very good reason). I hope you take great satisfaction in the fabulous man you are at 50.


Annie and I are very glad to give you and Vicky a little "getaway" as a birthday gift and we look so much forward to spending time together in Scottsdale next month.


God bless you is my prayer. You are loved so very much,

Always your brother,

Roger

Happy Birthday,Ron

Happy Birthday, Ron

This picture may cause you to wish you were back in Jamaica today rather than sitting in your office. I hope you are having a great birthday anyway. I am so glad you chose me to be your Mother. Watching you grow and mature into the wonderful person you are today has been a blessing. You have always been kind, loving and considerate and a real blessing to our family. You are now a wonderful leader and example to your own special family. I could not be more proud and thankful for you. I never thought of you as being a "trouble teen". You were never disrespectful and were always willing to help with whatever needed to be done. As you have said, "Jan didn't have to do anything because she was a girl and Roger didn't have to do anything because he was the baby but you had to do everything because you were just 'right'", and still you did it willingly. I am VERY thankful for you and.................

Love you very much,

Mother

Happy Birthday, Ron!!

Happy birthday wishes to my wonderful husband!! You are also a great dad and granddad!! I love being able to work with you everyday and admire your hard work and integrity!! I have so much fun with you and love sharing my life with you. I hope your day is special and you are blessed with a happy, healthy year ahead.

I love you, Ron
Vicky

Happy Birthday, Molly!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOLLY!!!!

Molly, I think this picture is of last year's birthday and I hope you are having another good party today. Sunday is a good day to have a party. Then you don't have to miss school. You are a special little girl and I am glad you are my great-granddaughter. I hope I get to see you this Summer. I wish I had pretty hair like yours. Have a really great birthday.

Lots of love,

Great-grandmother Holland

Happy BIrthday Molly!!

Today we celebrate Molly's 8th birthday!! She is a very special little girl with a heart of gold! She is always ready with a hug and always going at top speed. Molly, we hope your day is extra special!! We wish we could be there to help you celebrate. Happy Birthday, Molly!!

We love you bunches,
Gramma and Granddad

I GOOFED!!!!

Looks as if I need new batteries for my little bird-brain. Sorry I got the date wrong on my greetings for Scott and Heather. At least I can say "Happy Anniversary" on the right day and Scott can just start his birthday celebration a day early. I will try to do better next time!!!

Love you anyway,
Dortha

Happy Birthday, Scott

Happy Birthday, Scott

Sorry to leave little Bella out of the picture but I like this one of the 3 of you and I don't have a recent one with Bella. I hope you are having a wonderful day and will get all the attention you deserve and get to do all the things you want to do. I remember so well 36 years ago today and how proud your parents were to have a little son and how thankful we were to have our very first grandson. We had to wait a few days before we got to see you as we lived several hours away but we knew right away that you were a "keeper". You have blessed our lives in so many ways and we will always cherish the memories of the Summers you spent with us in OK. The years have a way of flying by and those little girls can grow up while you are not looking so don't let that happen. I love and appreciate you, Scott.

Grandmother Holland

Happy Anniversary, Scott & Heather

Happy Anniversary, Scott & Heather

I am sorry I am a day late wishing you a Happy Anniversary. I just forgot to look at my calendar. I am remembering how beautiful your wedding was and I am so thankful I could share the day with you. Has it really been 5 years???? You are now blessed with two beautiful little girls to share your lives. God has been so good to you and I know He has many blessings in store for you during the years ahead. Remember to give Him honor and thanks for all you are and all you have.

My love and daily prayers,

Grandmother Holland

Spring has Sprung!!!!

We are seeing Green!!!

Finally it feels like Spring time. Our world is turning green!!!!! After months and months of drab and dreary days, we are enjoying some sunshine and warm temps. We don't need the rain we are expecting today but perhaps the sun will peep through the clouds part of the day. The rains stopped long enough last week for our garden spot to dry out and get plowed. We now have seeds in the ground and all they need to do is sprout and begin to grow. We enjoy our fresh veggies so much and they also help with the food budget.

Spring time is my favorite time of the year. I like watching the world come alive with new life after the cold and bleak Winter months. Our flowers are blooming, our grass is growing and the air is fresh and warm. Our bedroom has a sliding glass door and we have opened it a bit the past two nights. I enjoy listening to the "night sounds". The crickets are chirping, beetles are making their "noise", and the frogs are croaking. I awake in the early mornings to the song bird's greetings. Life is good and our world is beautiful. Cherish each day.

I hope each of you will have a beautiful day!!

My love to all,

Dortha

Decisions!!!

We need to make some decisions concerning our transportation. We are now paying $3.25 a gallon for gasoline. Yesterday I saw some stations that were charging $3.49. No doubt we will soon be paying that amount and more. What do you think??? Should we trade our cars for 2 scooters or for one cycle?? I think the cycle would be a bit more "classy". There is not much room for luggage on either, and we want to go to California this Summer. I suppose we could pull a trailer.

I had a really good trip to Searcy yesterday (I got home at 1:15 this morning). The fellowship with the family and friends was great. Some were there from the East Coast, some from the West Coast, some from Missouri, from Illinois and of course, from Arkansas. The lady who passed away was a very special friend. Her first great grandchild arrived shortly after she passed away. I am so thankful I was able to go to the Memorial Service.

I got up at 6:15 this morning and got some food prepared for our Sunday Dinner. Devin had invited himself and Carley and Sherlyn promised to come if we had chocolate cake. Well, we did have chocolate cake plus a few other dishes. Jan also joined us. Courtney has a new boy friend and she was to meet his parents and have dinner with them for the first time today. He goes to her church and they make a very handsome couple. He even opens the car door for her---a rare breed, these days!!!! I like him already!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great week-end. Time for us to leave for our evening church service.

Love to all,

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Jessica # 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESSICA

Happy birthday, Jessica. I hope you are having a wonderful day. We feel so blessed that you are a part of our family. You are a very special person and we wish you and Keith many blessings and many happy years together.

Much love,

Dortha

Today is Jessica's day!!

Happy Birthday Jessica!! We hope your day is extra special and you enjoy every minute of it!! We are thankful to have you as our daughter-in-law and that you make Keith so happy!!

We love you,
Ron and Vicky

Belated Happy Birthday Andrea!

Andrea,
I can't believe someone didn't post that family picture where you were crying and oh so tired of pictures! You must have paid a lot of people off! Well, we love you anyway. And we miss you so much! It's been way too long since I've seen my little girl, I mean you and Kelly and family! I was so glad to hear that you are coming in August. I hope you had a GREAT birthday! You deserve it!
Love you!
Sherlyn

Fri. Night

EVERY DAY SHOULD BE VETERANS' DAY!!!

We live in the land of the free because of the brave!!! We appreciate our Veterans and our Military each day and they are worthy of our daily prayers.

We had 3 days of sunshine this week. We have since had 2 days of clouds, cool temps with light rain and possibly will have more rain next week. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day and I will be thankful as I will be driving to Searcy for a memorial service for a very dear friend. It will be a long trip for one day (450 miles round trip) and will be a much easier drive if it isn't raining.

Devin is here for the week-end and he made reservations for himself and Carley for Sunday dinner on Holland Hill. Sherlyn and Jan will join us also. Courtney will have dinner with her boy friend and his parents. I hope guests won't be too disappointed with their meal as I won't get home until the wee hours tomorrow night.

I wish a blessed week end for all.

Love you,

Dortha

Happy Birthday, Andrea!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Andrea!!!!

I hope you are having a great day with your special family. Seems too long since we have seen you and we are looking forward to your coming in a few months.

The years have a way of passing much too fast. Seems such a short time since you were a little girl and you would spend the Summers with us. That was a special time just as you were a special little girl. After your 3 brothers arrived, your parents were prepared for another boy but God knew they needed a little girl. You have been able to light up the family in so many ways and have achieved so many goals. We are all thankful for you and the wonderful person you are today. May God bless you greatly on this---your special day.

I love you,

Grandmother

Andrew's 1st Birthday with GJ and Ryan!

I'm so glad that I found this picture! It was taken on Andrew Bailey's 1st Birthday at a mall in Dallas, TX. Looks like GJ and Ryan were having loads of fun! But Andrew was the cutest baby ever! I guess that's why he's so handsome now! We will have to be sure to show this to his future girlfriends, I know they'd be impressed! What are Aunt's for?!
And yes, Ryan did dress himself as you can tell. He had his own special sense of style!
This picture just brought a smile to my face and I hope it will to yours too Darla. I miss you and hope everyone is doing well. I know that you're always busy, but if you have time, I'd love to hear from you! I love you! Love you too Andrew Bailey! Kristen, I would love to see a beautiful picture of my niece if you can post one on here. I love you too sweetie! Have a great day!
Love,
Sherlyn