Our Holidays 2011 (Warning: A long post)

I hope everyone had a wonderful time over the Christmas and New Years Holidays. I know that we did! We are so thankful for each of you.
We began our Christmas by having Christmas Eve at Jeremy and Tracy's this year.  Jerm and Tracy bought Brianna a 4-wheeler for Christmas and they wanted her to have the opportunity to ride it most of the day on Saturday before she had to go over to her dad's on Sunday for the week.  We arrived around 2:00pm.  Bri had been riding her 4-wheeler and immediately wanted to take us for a ride.  PopPops went first.  They were gone for quite some time.  Bri has taken PopPops out back into the woods and they had gotten stuck in one of the wet spots...they had to work their way out.  Luckily they did not get too muddy.  Then Bri wanted to take Nana for a ride.  Of course I said I did not want to go back into the woods.  Bri was a good driver and listened to Nana and did not go too fast. Funny Note:  She said, "It's okay, because I have been driving for a good long while!" I said, "And how long is a good long while?" Her reply..."Oh about 2 hours!!!!"  LOL  I guess to a 9 year old 2 hours is a good long time. 




Brianna on her 4-wheeler on Christmas Eve

Kellie had to work until 4:00pm.  So once Kellie and Shane arrived we all were out watching Bri ride her 4-wheeler and she had to take them on a ride as well.  Once everyone had gone a ride, we went in for dinner.  We had mexican food from Salsa Fresh.  It was yummy!  I brought over some cookies and chocolate filled brownies, and Kellie brought some leftover Crispy Date Bars...we were all stuffed.  We then opened presents with Bri as she would not get to be with us on Christmas day because she goes to her dad's.  We had a really fun time.  I was sad because our church opted for a Christmas Day service with no Christmas eve service this year.  Our family tradition is to attend the Christmas Eve service as part of our preparation for Christmas.  It seemed really odd not having that service this year.




Brianna and Kellie, Christmas Eve



Brianna and Shane on her 4 wheeler Christmas Eve



Kellie, Tracy and Jeremy on Christmas Eve

Nana, Tracy and Kellie at Jeremy and Tracy's house on Christmas Eve



Jeremy and PopPops



PopPops and Nana on Christmas Eve at Jerm & Tracy's house



Brianna opening her presents on Christmas eve



Brianna modeling her pj's.

 Kellie and Burton came to spend the night with us.  It is so special for her to do that.  She has stayed with us for the past 4 years...when she comes to stay with us on these special occasions it means so much to PopPops and I and it livens things up(Thanks my sweet Kellie Bell).  I know that one of these days that will stop when she gets married, but I cherish these times now. 

Christmas morning brought PopPops needing to be to Church early as he was singing with the praise band.   But we first had to open stocking with Kellie...Kellie and Burton came into our bed and we opened stockings.  Burton was all playful after a good nights sleep. 
Our family tradition is to have lasagna for Christmas dinner so before we left for service I put the lasagna in the oven so it would be ready when we came home from Church.  Jeremy and Tracy met us at church and it was an amazing service.  Our praise band always does an absolutely wonderful job of getting the message of Christ across.  There were some familys missing, but there were many familys that had extra people with them.  It was a wonderful way to Celebrate Jesus' birth.  We then came home and had Christmas dinner...Kellie's boyfriend Shane's mother ~ Burnita, was admitted to the hospital on Friday night with Acute Respiratory Failure. (She was very sick) This was caused by an antibiotic that she was given for an infection she got from a hip replacement she had about 4 weeks prior. Burnita is a sweet, sweet woman and it was difficult for her family to see her in such a difficult state, especially during the Christmas holiday). Shane and his dad (Larry) came to have Christmas dinner with us.  It was a nice time to share our dinner with others...It was an emotional time as Burnita was in serious condition on Christmas day!. Praise God she is now home and doing much better. The Mathews family just had their Christmas last night (1/7/12)
After we had dinner which was really yummy I might add...I made an Italian Cream Cake(thanks for the recipe Verna Mae ~ another sweet, sweet woman in my life) to go along with our italian theme and it was the best cake I have made in a very long time...we had alot left over so I sent it to the hospital for Larry (Shane's Dad) to enjoy...I hear that he shared it with one of Burnitas favorite nurses.  We then opened presents with Kellie, Jeremy, Tracy (our newest member of our family ~ love her), PopPops and I.  We had a fun time. We skyped with Josh, Stef, Carter and Coleman for just about 15 minutes as they were getting ready to do over to some friends house.  We (Kellie tracy and I) wanted to play a game, but  PopPops and Jerm did not want to, so we opted to watch The Elf movie together...Jeremy and tracy then went home around 8:00pm and Kellie and Burton stayed over one more night.(YEAH)  We love each of you(our dear children) so very much and are blessed beyond measure by each of you!




Kellie and Tracy




Kellie Bell opening presents.



Tracy opening presents.



Jeremy opening presents.



PopPops opening presents.





Kellie and Tracy Christmas Day.

Monday, the day after Christmas we flew out to Las Vegas to have Christmas with Josh, Stef, Carter and Coleman.  Our friend, Dave Wallace from church took up to the airport.(Thank you Dave) We arrived around 8:30pm in Vegas.  By the time we got to Josh and Stef's it was well past 9:30pm vegas time which was 12:30am eastern time.  We still had to put the boys tricycles together and I had to wrap the presents.  We finally got into bed about midnight Vegas time..which was about 3:00am eastern time.  But the funny thing is we do not feel the time difference while we are there...it hits when we arrive back home (about 2 days later).   About 7:30am we heard the little guys talking in their rooms.  Nana went in to play with them....oh it was so good to get to hug them and hold them. As well as it was to get to hug their mommy and daddy too.  (We will quite happy when they are able to move to the east coast)  We did not stop from that moment on.  Christmas was fun with them.  They liked tearing the presents open, but would get distracted with other things very easy....it was just fun watching them with things and remembering our children at that age...do you remember!!!! How time flies!!!! Stef and Josh had planned a yummy breakfast, so we then had a delicious breakfast. (Stef is such a planner...she had things planned food wise for the entire week) Then we took the little guys out in the backyard and gave them their tricycles...they knew exactly what to do with them. It was so cute to watch them...Colemen went for the blue one and Carter went for the red one and that was to be theirs...period. Carter would easily go to the blue one, but no way for Coleman, he knew that blue color was his and nothing doing for Carter to get on his.   It was cool that day so we only got to stay outside for about 30 minutes...but we did go outside more the rest of the week and play...if you notice in the pictures...Josh and Stef have a nice backyard...they worked really hard on adding the grass and the patio to it...it is lovely. 

Carter and Coleman riding their tricycles!



Ready, set, GO!



PopPops and Carter playing trucks!

PopPops and Coleman playing trucks!

Wednesday Josh and Stef had an all day date and PopPops and Nana had the little guys all day.  We had a fabulous time.  We ate and played and Uncle Mike was in town and he came over and played with us too...PopPops taught the little guys how to slide down the slide head first...PopPops and Nana just did nothing all day but play with the little guys...it was awesome!!!



Oh, just playing outside.



Having fun in our backyard!



We found PopPops shoes!



PopPops taught Coleman how to go down the slide head first!!!



And PopPops taught Carter how to go down head first too!




Thursday we went on a carriage ride...it was suppose to be a sleigh ride, but it had warmed up and the snow on the road had dissappeared.  But it was fun and the little guys enjoyed it too.  Our driver was so good.  He stopped and let us all get out and play in the snow up in the hills.  At first Carter did not like it, but soon he got into it.  They did not wear their gloves so their hands go cold, but at least they got to get out in the snow.  It was a fun thing to do...I hope that Stef and Josh can maybe do that again next year and if it is snowing when they go that will make it extra fun. 

All of us waiting to take our carraige ride in the woods in the snow




PopPops and Nana with we think Carter in the snow

 

Coleman in the snow

Friday we went to the Bilagio to see how they decorated it this year.  It had all the same attractions that it did last year, but they moved things around and added 1 -2 more items.  The boys were into the penguins.  We did not stay nearly as long this year as we did last year...it seems more crowded...because we were all hungry and we were going to Ceasars Palace to eat...Stef and Josh wanted us all to go to a place called Max Brenners in Ceasars Palace....it was delicious...the little guys were SO GOOD.  We had appetizers and entrees and desserts...we were miserable.  Once we got home and put the little men to bed...Stef and I went shopping...we went to the outlet mall close to the strip and her home.  We had fun shopping...just not enough time. 



Mommy and Coleman being silly!



PopPops and Coleman at the Bilagio

Nana and Carter at the Bilagio



Stef and Josh, Carter and Coleman at the Bilagio



PopPops & Nana with Carter and Coleman!

Saturday...New Year's eve, we got  up and played with the little men for awhile.  Stef and I were going to go out and finish our shopping.  Josh had to run some errands so PopPops got the little men.  He said they had a good time.  Stef and I made sure the little men were fed lunch before we left.  We got home around 5:00pm and all the men were ready to eat.  We just had snacky food for new years eve. We played with the little men until they just needed to go to bed.  Nana and PopPops were going to home the next morning and we needed to get all our hugs and kisses in.  Once the little guys were in bed, Josh wanted to watch A Christmas Vacation...he loves that movie.  So we watched it and then we watched the new year come in on the east coast...we talked to Jerm and Tracy and Kellie and Shane and then we waited for the new year to arrive on the west coast. 

Stef made many different dinners while we were there.  We had Lasagna cups, Potato Soup (In the Crockpot), Christmas popcorn, Nutella Hot chocolate...all these you can find the recipe for on her pinterest.   Everything was delicious.  Thank you Stef and Josh for a wonderful week.  It was a very relaxing time spent with each of you!  We love each of you and are blessed beyond measure by each of you!

We had a wonderful Christmas Holiday both on the east coast and the west coast. God has blessed us with amazing children.  May 2012 bring fullness and blessing for each one of you through Christ Jesus.

Going to the Chapel and we're gonna get married....

   Today our son, Jeremy got married.  He married a sweet girl named Tracy and with Tracy came a 9 year daughter named Brianna.  What a wonderful day.  Such a beautiful wedding.  Jeremy made a handsome groom and Tracy was a beautiful bride.  They were married at Cafe' Luna in downtown Raleigh.  Steve was Jerm's bestman ( and was quite handsome, I might add), Kellie was a bridesmaid(and was very beautiful) and Carter and Coleman were the ringbearers.  The ceremony was so sweet and Sam (the minister) had a wonderful message and Jeremy and Tracy's vows were so special.  Jeremy got teary while saying his vows which got everyone else all teary too.  Carter and Coleman did so well...they went down the isle just like they were supposed to, with Coleman stopping to try to pick at some flowers in a pot and then going on down the isle, but they were two cute little guys.   The reception was wonderul too.  The reception area was decorated beautifully and the food was delicious. Steve being the bestman was to say a toast...being the tenderhearted man that he is, he struggled to say what was on his heart, but he did and with many teary eyes we toasted the couple.  The DJ did a great job and it was a fun time by all while dancing the night away.  We saw Jeremy and Tracy off with sparkler in their white ride.
   Our day was a full, busy one as we had a full house.  Jeremy's only living grandmother (Grandma Fletcher) came into town  from OKC on Tuesday; my sister, Pam came in from Moore, OK on Thursday; Josh, Stef and the boys came in from Las Vegas, NV on Thursday night late; my sister, Nancy came in on Friday morning from OKC and her husband came in on Friday night late.  All of these family members came for Jerm's wedding and are all staying at the Beezley hacienda. We had all these people that needed to shower, dress, eat, nap and be downtown at 3:15pm today...we are so good that everything went very smooth and we were right on time. 
   Today we did not lose a son, but gained a daughter-in-law and step-granddaughter. We are so happy to have Tracy and Bri a part of our family.  God has given Jeremy a wonderful woman in Tracy and we pray a full and happy life on their family.  We are truly a blessed family. 

Enjoyments of Life

   Well, according to my last post it has been almost 4 months.  A lot has happened since that last post.  Summer has come and gone. The whole month of September has come and gone, and we are now into October!  I have decided that I need to blog to remember the enjoyments of life.  I have so many things that I would have liked to share on here, but I now cannot remember them.  So maybe if I blog more then I will be able to remember them better...all I can say is I will try.  I am not sure if anyone reads this, but maybe Nana or PopPops will look back on this and smile one day.
   I can say that Nana and PopPops are blessed in oh so many ways. Our Father God loves us so much.  We are constantly reminded of all that he does for us and all that we have because of Him! Our family, our home, our finances, our health!! 
   We are still working on the Dave Ramsey plan.  PopPops went to the EntreLeadership Seminar on Sept 27th with Dave Ramsey and he said it was a great 4 hours. PopPops is a small business owner and Dave Ramsey has so many helpful tips for business owners as well as personal finances.  For those of you working through the Dave Ramsey plan and just might be struggling with it and wanting to quit, DON"T!!!, just remember that gazelle intensity and move forward...it will be all worth it.  
   PopPops is now leading a small group at CCC.   This is a HUGE step for PopPops for those of you who know him well.  A couple from one of the small groups approached PopPops and Nana back in June and asked us to consider leading their small group.  We prayed and prayed about it most all summer.  We have been a part of a small group for about 8 years and have very much loved our small group, but we also new it was time for us to move on and share with others.  PopPops felt God was leading him to step out and be challenged.  I have to say, he is a great small group leader.  He is also really enjoying it.  God has done a great work in him...I so love him!! We have a wonderful group in our small group, which is not really that small...we have somewhere between 11 - 16 that come each week.
  Nana had a birthday in September.  I had a great birthday.  I started celebrating on Sunday and celebrated all the way through until Wednesday.  Kellie, her boyfriend Shane, Jeremy, Tracy (soon to be Jerm's wife ~ woohoo) and Bri (soon to be Jerm's step daughter and our step granddaughter ~ woohoo!), PopPops and I went to dinner at Tribeca Tavern on Sunday evening. It was a beautiful evening, so we sat outside on the terrace and had dinner.  It was delicious...however, we were all stuffed.  We then went back to the house to open presents.  I received 2 sweaters (a royal blue one and a brown one with a bracelet and earrings to match) ~ loved them and a picture frame (with a pic of Kellie and I ~ so special) from Kellie and Shane, and I received Perry Ellis perfume(smells wonderful) from Jerm, Tracy and Bir.  I have told you that I have the best kids ever!! Oh how I love each of you very much!!! We celebrated on Sunday evening because Kellie has to work until 8:00pm on Tuesdays and Jerm needed to be in Virginia on Tuesday.  Then on Monday I met my dear friend Lisa for lunch(On the Border ~ Yummy!) for my birthday ~ Love her! When I arrived home after work, there was a package on my door from......Josh, Stefanie, Carter and Coleman!  Nana skyped with them and opened my presents...the boys were so cute, they watched me open my presents, of course I had to hurry as their attention is not that long, but they did watch.  (I did receive birthday kisses from each of them though)...I received a precious vase that the boys had made with Mommy's help with their handprints on it and with purple flowers in it (Mommy said each of the boys picked out that color of flower himself ~ how sweet is that!!!) (I have it on my shelf at work so I can see it everyday...it fits perfectly). A pearl bracelet (love it) and a gift certificate to a stationary store online (can't wait to see what they offer!)  The cutest thing was on Tuesday I received a video text from Stef of Coleman telling me Happy Birthday(melted my heart!)!!  Ummm, did I mention that I have the best kids and grandkids ever!!!  How I love each of you so very much!  On Tuesday, one of my sweet friends from work took me to lunch at Kanki, we had the best time with the people around us and she had the cutest little cake on my desk...just the perfect size. Then we had small group at our home and Patsy brought a delicious red velvet cake and they all sang happy birthday to me. What a wonderful way to spend your birthday evening, studying the Word of God and eating with your brothers and sisters in Christ!  My boss had been out of town Monday and Tuesday and he was back at the office on Wedneday, and he left his gift on my desk...a fall baking pan with Pumpkin spice muffin mix!  I cannot wait to make that when the family is all here the end of October ~ more on that in my next post!  But I have not told you what PopPops got me...an iPhone!!! Yeah!!! I am still working on figuring it all out.  I still cannot get all my emails on it, but it is better and I have finally figured out how to get my bluetooth to work on it, I am a big bluetooth user in the car!!! Always need to be safe while driving...especially since most of what I drive to and from work is highway.  But what I like most is the camera...I can take pictures and send them so easy  now...it is the small things, I know. Have I mentioned that PopPops is a wonderful man!!!  So Nana had a great 54th birthday.  You know that number is a special number for me as my dad passed away at the age of 54.  That age of  being 54 means alot to me and I have been extra conscious of my health over the past few years.  My dad was a good man.  He had his faults, but we all do.  God gave him to me as my dad and I loved him very much. 
   We have made some changes to the house...I have connected by email with an old friend...more on each of these in another post too.  See I am setting the stage to remember what to write on next.  I am getting smarter... must be my age! Until next time.
    

Anniversary Weekend ~ 34 Years!!!

PopPops and I took a trip to the beach ~ Atlantic Beach.  We only live about 2 1/2 hours from the beach and when the kids were home, we would make it to the beach quite a few times throughout the Summer, but since they have been gone, we don't go as often.  We went this past weekend becasue we celebrated our 34th year Anniversary.  We had a great time.  We have some wonderful friends that have a place at Topsail Island Beach, that offered us their place for the weekend.  We drove down on Friday night...I got off early and we left about 4:30pm...it does not matter what we do, but it always takes us longer then 2 1/2 - 3 hours to get to the beach...but this time we had traffic to contend with on I-40.  Once we made it past the traffic we had smooth sailing.    PopPops and I usually eat pretty healthy, but not this weekend.  We stopped at Sonic in Jacksonville and had a burger, fries and a Cherry Dr. Pepper.  Then we had what is considered their blizzard...it was all yummy!!! We finally got to the beach around 8:30 or so, enough time to take a nice stroll down to the beach and smell the wonderful salty smells and hear the waves. 
There are about 3 couples from our church that have places right in that area...they keep saying we need to buy a place...We hope to one of these days!!
Saturday was a beautiful day...our Anniversary day.  We slept in...ate breakfast...had to run to get a few items at the grocery we forgot to bring with us...came back, ate lunch...decided to go Jet Skiing...now that was so much fun...PopPops drove and I rode behind him.  Then we went out onto the beach and went boogie boarding, which wears you out...the waves were perfect for it.  We stayed out on the beach until about 6:30pm...I love the beach at that time, when the sun is on it's way down, but not quite going down and it is just so peaceful...folks are heading in for dinner, so there are fewer folks out on the beach...I could have stayed another hour, but PopPops was getting hungry.  We went back to the house and changed out of our bathing suits and cooked dinner...we had brought steaks to grill and broccoli to steam and a sweet potatoe for dinner.  It was a perfect Anniversary dinner. We could have gotten all dressed up and gone out to eat for dinner down at the beach, but it was so much more fun to not deal with all of that and just enjoy a quite evening.  We then took a stroll down to the beach and over to the intercoastal waterway by the pier and walked over to the ice cream store and got ice cream and listened to the live music and then went back to the house for the night.
Sunday was another beautiful day...we went to the intercoastal waterway side and sat at the pier for about 45 min and and listened to the sounds around us...we then took another walk down to the beach and them came back and had breakfast and just relaxed for a bit...we had to be back in Raleigh by 3:00pm because good friends of ours were having a graduation party for their son, Nick. Congrats! 
Remember how I said we didn't eat the healthiest this weekend...on our way back to Raleigh we bought a big bag of peanut M & M's and stopped at Sonic in Jacksonville again and got another Cherry Dr. Pepper and a large order a Tater Tots to share...and that was our lunch...I know it was really bad, but it was oh so good. 
PopPops and I talked about how hard it is to believe that we have been married for 34 years, because it does not seem that long ~ I guess when you are so much in love time does not matter???  We did realize that so much has happened in 34 years. We are so happy we found each other 37 years ago at Forest Hill Christian Church in the youth program.  PopPops had been at that church for a long time with his family and my family started going there when I was a junior in high school. (We both went to the same high school, but met at church)  PopPops and I started dating when I was a senior in high school and he was a junior.  Oh how I thought he was so cute with his sweet smile with a dimple in one side and his dark curly hair AND he was taller then me!  We were the sweethearts at church...and have been sweethearts to each other ever since.  How I love my sweet husband...so kind and loving and there is nothing that he cannot fix or nothing that he cannot make.   He has been a good provider and great father and now a great PopPops and always my very best friend and I am so thankful that my Father in Heaven chose him for me.   I love you with all my heart PopPops.  I hope to spend 34+  more years with you. 

First Week in June

NC has been really hot this past week.  Up in the 90's already.  But Nana loves the hot weather.  I am cold natured and the hot weather does not bother me.  Yes, I do get hot, but some people I know really do not like the summer months because of the heat, but I love it. 

This week was a short work week and it seemed to fly by.  I received really great compliment at work this week.  One of my co-workers IM'd me and said that she enjoyed working with me, and that I was a great example of Christ in the workplace.  This is the best compliment I could have ever received.  I sometimes feel inadequate in my example, but I do strive to always live to the best of my ability like Christ.  I am a sinner and I do faulter, but when someone says that they are watching...it makes you want to strive even harder...but isn't someone watching all the time....But anyway...it was a great thing for someone to tell you they noticed.

PopPops and I have eaten dinner a couple of nights this week out on the patio...I am indoors all day and I love to eat out on the patio...we have a large umbrella that we put up and a fan that we turn on.  It is quite pleasant.  I would stay out there all night, but the bugs get to bothering PopPops and we have to come in...they never seem to bother me at all.  PopPops says it is because he is sweeter then I am. :)
June is a busy month for my family for Anniversaries.  Today, my sister Nancy has an Anniversary ~ 16 years.  Tuesday, June 7th my sister Pam has an Anniversary ~ 37 years.   June 11th is mine and PopPops' 34th year Anniversary and June 13th was my Mom and Dad's Anniversary (could have been 50 + years) ~ they are both deceased, and  one of my nephews Jason, has an Anniversary in June as well, I think the 22nd.  PopPops and I are going away to the beach for our Anniversary this next weekend.  We have friends that have a place between Atlantic Beach and Emerald Isle.  We are going down on Friday evening and will stay through Sunday.  It is a great place and we love it there.  Thank you Dave and Anita.

Nana has only gotten to skype with Carter and Colemam this past week a couple of times because of my schedule and their Momma's schedule and because of them sleeping.  But when I have they have been so cute!!!...Carter and Coleman both can say Nana...melts my heart...Coleman can say Bye Bye and Carter will clap his hands and put his hands up to his face when his Mama sings "If you're happy and you know it".  Just precious.  They are changing alot right now...even from when they were here to this past week, they have shown changes.  Nana and Pop Pops love you Carter and Coleman!!

I teach the 4's & 5's Sunday School Class.  Today I had a larger group then normal and we had a great time. We learned about the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples at Pentecost with the wind and the fire...after Jesus had returned to Heaven.  I love to hear what they have to say and how they perceive things. Sometimes they are more attentive then others...today was an attentive day.   I have a great group of kids and I so enjoy it.    Little children are so adaptable.  Maybe we should learn to be more like little children as adults...hmmmm.

Cupcakes...big thing nowadays...I have found a great cupcake place...GiGi's in Cameron Village...they have a large selection and they make great gifts.  If you live in the Raleigh area, go check them out...if you need an idea to give someone to brighten their day, birthday, or for any special occasion, GiGi's has it...they box them in a cute single box, which makes gift giving perfect. 

A Quick Update Over The Past Few Months!!

How do you like the new page...this is courtesy of my artistic daughter Stefanie.   Thank you sweetie You did a wonderful job, it looks GREAT!  I love you!!

APRIL
~We traveled to Las Vegas the first of the month for Carter and Coleman's 1st Birthday.  It is hard to believe that they are already 1 year old.  The boys were so cute and they did very well considering they had alot going on.  Nana and PopPops are so blessed to have those little guys in our lives and we want to spend as much time with them as possible. Steve's brother Jim, and his wife Paula were also in Vegas and we got to visit with them too.  My cousin Wayne and his daugter Amanda and granddaughter, Taylan came for the boys birthday and we were able to visit with them.  The boy's GiGi (Steve's Mom) came for their birthday, so we had a great visit with many that we do not get to see very often.  It was a wonderful time!
Everyone left by Wednesday and I stayed until Saturday to spend  more time with Josh, Stef and the boys.  Stefanie had a birthday that week too, and I wanted to spend her birthday with her.
~We traveled to Southern Pines a couple of times to visit with my cousin Wayne's son Ryan.  Ryan is in the Marines and he was in Southern Pines learning to be a dog handler for the military.  He was there for the month of April from CA, so we went and had dinner with him a couple of weekends.  We wanted to bring him to our home over Easter, but he was not allowed to leave the town of Southern Pines. 
~We enjoyed Easter with the family.  We normally have Ham and all the fixins, but this year I made a BBQ Brisket and all the fixins.  Jerm, Tracy and Kellie all came to church (we had a great service) and then we came home and had dinner.  It was a glorious and beautiful day.  It will be fun when we have little ones close to hide the easter eggs for...we always had a fun time hiding easter eggs for the kids when they were young.

MAY
May was a full month
~We had our Celebration Sunday at CCC  the 1st Sunday of May...we have a big brunch at 9:00am and then we have a wonderful Worship service from 9:45am to 12:00pm.  We have this 4 times a year at church...it is a wonderful time of worhsip and praise.
~For Mother's Day, Kellie's friend Kendall was getting married at Lake Gaston on the Saturday before Mother's Day.  Kellie was in the wedding so, Steve and I went to the wedding which was beautiful...it was outside of Ben's (Kendalls husband's parents home) by the lake.  After the wedding we followed Kellie and Shane (Kellie's boyfirend) to Shane's parent's lake home.  They have a lovely place.  We had hoped to go out on the boat for Mother's Day but it turned rather cold...It was a pleasant day just getting away and spending it by the lake with nice company.  Thank you Larry and Burnita for a wonderful time. 
~We received a call from a long time friend ~ Steve Sims.  He said that he was going to be in Raleigh for a class and would stay over to visit if we would be around...we were so happy to hear from him.  We called him back invited him to stay with us Friday and Saturday night (he was flying out on Sunday Morning).   About 4 days after we talked with Steve, Stefanie called and said that Josh had a class in Boston for one week and a class in Atlanta the following week and that she and boys were  thinking about coming to visit for those 2 weeks would that be okay?   OF COURSE THAT WOULD BE WAY OKAY!!!  So we had to call Steve back and let him know we still wanted to visit with him, but he was not goimg to want to stay with us, as we would have a full house.  He understood.  We went to dinner with him on Friday night and so enjoyed catching up with him after so many years.  Then he came over on Saturday and enjoyed the afternoon and evening with us.  He was able to visit with our whole family...I am sure he left thinking we are a crazy bunch...but that is us!!
~Stefanie, Carter and Coleman came for a two week visit.  We had a blast.  It was so much fun watching them daily for those two weeks in their normal routine.  Peeking in on them in the morning as they were in their pack-n-play after they had woken up and they were ready to get out of bed and have them smile at you, that was so sweet. Watching them play and play and play.  Giving them snacks and just playing with them all evening day after day...it was wonderful. We got 2 pack-n-plays, 2 booster seats, toys and lots of food for the boys.  Stefanie was worried about everything we had out on the end tables so we put it all away, (Nana and PopPops wanted the boys and Mama to enjoy their time here).  PopPops put up a blockade to keep the boys in the safety of the living room.  It worked really well to keep the boys in, but Nana was clumsy and fell over it.  I was thankful that I did not break anything, but I was bruised up and looked awful.  We got to visit with Josh too as he came to visit inbetween his 2 classes over the weekend.  It was fun having them all here for the weekend.  We also got to have Aunt Kellie spend alot of time at Nana and PopPops house.  She wanted to be around Stefanie and the boys as much as possible so she spent most of the nights here...it was fun having her here all the time too.  The two weeks that Stef and the boys where here gave Nana and PopPops a taste of how it would be if Josh and Stef lived closer. That time will come...we just need to be patient and look forward to and be thankful for these special times as they come.
Josh and Stef, thank you for your willingness to come to Nana and PopPops for the two weeks...we know you did not have to and we thank you for making the sacrifice to come and spend this time with us...we will cherish this time forever.  We love you all very much.

~Yellow Jackets!!!!! While Stef and the boys were here I had some flowers to plant and so we took the boys out to the front yard to play while I planted the flowers as it was a really pretty evening.  I have a large cement basket that Stef got me a few years ago that I plant flowers in each year.  There had been some weeds that had grown in it and I needed to get those out before I could plant the flowers.  I had my hand hoe and I started digging out the weeds and all of a sudden something came up and stung my hand...and I said ouch something stung me and I brushed it away, then something stung me again on my hand...I thought well that was crazy...all of a sudden Stef yelled Mom, you are swarmed by bees...I yelled at her to grab the boys and get in the house...I was worred about them finding those little guys and stinging them.  Stefanie said Mom they are all over your shirt, I was trying to brush them off and move away all at the same time...another one got up under my sleeve and stung me, so by this time I had been stung 3 times.  Stef got the boys in the garage and I came in the garage and I still had 1 on me, but I got it off and we came on inside.  Come to find out they were Yellow Jackets that had made a nest in the dirt...I did not know that is what they do...So when Steve came home later that night, we had him put gasoline on it and burn it...I waited until just a few days ago to attempt to take out all the dirt in the basket and add new soil...I wanted to make sure that there was no more Yellow Jackets around.  Yellow Jackeet stings are quite painful...luckily I was not allergic to them.  Stefanie looked online for all the symptions of an allergic reaction and we were all prepared, but I evidently are not allergic to Yellow Jacket stings.

~This memorial day weekend we have worked around the house and ate out with dear friends...Steve and Cindy Barrett...watched a movie and just enjoyed each other. We have been looking for new cushions for our white wicker couch out in the sunroom...we cannot find any that are the same size of our couch...we think we are going to have to have some custom made.  We are also looking for a table and chairs to go out in the sunroom.  We find chairs and do not like the table or we find the table and do not like the chairs. It is still early in the season...I am sure we will find what we want...even if we have to paint it.   May will be ending soon and the month of June, the beginning of Summer will be here. 
I love the Summer months.  I love the warm weather and the carefree times that the Summer brings. Nana and PopPops still have to work as usual, but its different in the Summer. 
Enjoy your Memorial Day!!

Almost the end of March ~ my how time flies!!!

It is funny this blog on mine...I think of all kinds of things to say on it while I am driving to work or working around the house, but when I actually sit down to post something...my mind is completely blank.  Figure that one out. 
But many things have been happening with Nana and PopPops since I last posted about our lives.  PopPops had a birthday in February ~ he is now actually the same age as Nana.  He never lets me forget that I am just a little bit older then him.  The kids (Jeremy and Tracy) and (Kellie and Shane) came over for dinner on Sunday evening , February 13th for dinner and  presents (because Kellie had to work on Wednesday night the 16th) we had stuffed peppers (PopPops likes them now, he never did like them before, but I found a recipe that is yummy ~ using red, yellow and orange peppers).  Kellie baked and decorated PopPops a Butter Pecan cake.  That  was yummy too. I love you PopPops and I hope we have lots more birthdays of yours to celebrate in many more years to come.   
PopPops did get the foundation and the duct work completed for the Sunroom, so now we can have the doors to the room open all year around.  It is really nice to have that room as an extension to our family room.  We have a white wicker couch out there and a odd chair and a piece of exercise equipment (a Boflex), but PopPops says that he will move the Boflex out as soon as we find a table and chairs to put in the corner.
Financial Peace continued through the month of February and it has been as really good workshop to attend and be a part of. We met a new couple in the class the first week and they are in our breakout group  They are young and are really excited about the plan.  They are so cute and it is really awesome to see them so excited at such a young age about their financial future.  I really like our breakout group.  There is a good mix of ages and ideas and personalities that have all come together.  I hope after Financial Peace is completed in April that we will be able to stay in touch and help each other stay focused.  
March.
March is one of those months that make you dream of the spring because it can give you a taste of the warmer weather right around the corner and then tease you with it.  We had alot of that this March. 
Kellie Bell had a birthday this month.  She loves her birthday.  When she was in her teens she would start telling everyone (friends & family) in the early part of February that her birthday was March 11th.  Not that we would ever forget it...but she loves her birthday so much that she would just tell you every week...my birthday is March 11th. That's my girl.  She wanted Lazagna, so everyone(Jerm, Tracy and Shane) came over for dinner on her birthday, and I fixed her Lazagna, salad, garlic bread and she wanted cheesecake swirl brownies for her cake.  We then skyped with Stef , Josh and the babies so they could watch Kellie open her presents and we had a fun time.  Love you my sweet Kellie.
Our Church ~ Cary Christian has a great program called 'Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" twice a year.  We had the first one for the year on Saturday, March 12th.  You sign up for a couple of Sunday's prior to the date to either be a host or a guest.  You know where you are going, but you do not know who else will be there, only the host does.  The host makes the main dish and provides the drinks, and everyone comes adding to the meal.  This time PopPops and I were hosts.  I made Brisket and everyone brought dishes to share.  We had a great time (we had 13 people) and great food.  It is always so fun to have everyone say, oh I wondered who was going to be here tonight when they arrive and find out who is at the house.  It is a great way to get to know each other in your congregation. This time around I think CCC had 5 host families and 60 people were involved.  If you would like more information on this fun way to help your congregation get to know each other, just let me know. 
I received a really nice honor at work in March.  The CEO of our Company and 4 of the top Executives make a point of visiting each of the regions every year.  If you are an officer or above, you are extended an invitation to attend a luncheon(with 150+ people) and get to hear them speak.  Well, I am not an officer or above, so I do not get the priviledge to go to the luncheon.  However, this year I was invited to a breakfast with the CEO and the top executives.  This breakfast was for the top achievers in the our area that were not officers.  There were only 30 people in the breakfast and we were able to have very personal conversations with them.  It was such a great opportunity. 
Our small group is still studying the book Crazy Love.  It is a tough book...we have some really good discussion and it has made me really take a good long look at myself...I have not really liked all that I have seen...so I have some things that I really am working on changing.  It is so hard.  But change is good.  Do I always like it...no, but I know it is necessary.
I have to tell you...I have never really liked basketball...I know, I know, how can I not like basketball living in NC with such great schools, but that is the truth UNTIL this year.  For the strangest reason I have kind of gotten into the March madness this year.  I have even really looked forward to the basketball games.  It is crazy I know. PopPops likes it though.   I even have a team that I really would like to win from the final 4...can you believe that.    Not that I would like to watch basketball every weekend, all weekend long, but it has been fun watching and cheering for different teams during the Sweet 16, then the Elite 8 and now the final 4.  (I just realized that I started my blog on March 23rd and here is it 5 days later and I am talking about the final 4).
I am finished with all I am going to write about February and March...I am sure I have left so much out that I thought at some point I should write about.  Maybe I will do a better job for April.  PopPops and I are heading to Las Vegas on Friday, April 1st for the twins ~ Carter and Coleman's birthday.   I know that I will have that to write about in April, along with their Mommas birthday too.