It's a good thing I got to go see Mom and Dad twice last week because I didn't get to see them at all this week :( I had a little stomach bug that reared it's ugly head Monday. Until this afternoon, I was still feeling a little under the weather and didn't want to take the slightest chance on taking it to them. Jean went Monday and Glenda thinks she is going tomorrow, so they certainly don't feel neglected! Praise God for loving siblings!
Lord, thank You for my husband, my siblings and their spouses! Please continue to shine Your light upon them, on our loving parents and on our whole family! We are so grateful to You for the example of love, respect and togetherness that our parents have taught us! Please help us to continue serving them in harmony, and help us to guide them in making the best decisions for their future. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Two visits this week!
Any time we get to spend with Austin, as well as our little twin granddaughters, Livi and Madi. is very special. This week, Austin's Mommy let us have him a little extra time because she had an important paper due at school on Thursday. So, we picked him up on Wednesday after school, took him to school on Thursday and then picked him up at 3:00 to take him to his favorite place...the DEER CAMP!!! For an almost-5-year old little boy like Austin, there just isn't a better place! He absolutely loves to go walking in the woods, driving around looking for deer, pigs and other animals, and going down to the river to play in the mud! As you know, due to the drought, the Colorado River is very low right now. In fact, Austin and I walked and waded from one side of the river to the other, and it never got up to my knees! Pretty sad as far as the lack of water goes, but the perfect place for us to play! We spent at least an hour digging in the sand, picking up shells and rocks, following turkey tracks and splashing around in the water! It was an overcast day and a little breezy, so the day just couldn't have been more perfect! By the time we were ready to go back to the cabin, Austin was down to his skivvies! I helped him put on his rubber boots but wanted to carry him up the hill to the truck so that he didn't get itchy on his little legs from the weeds. I wish Ollie, who was standing by the truck watching us, had his video camera on...but he didn't. Anyway, as I tried to pick Austin up, I slipped and fell splat in the mud! Austin and I roared in laughter! I righted myself, washed the mud off Austin and tried to pick him up again. For the second time I slipped and fell into the mud! I though Austin and I were going to pee our pants we were laughing so much! And there stood Ollie just shaking his head at us!!! Needless to say, I have spend a good part of this day doing laundry, but I can't help but chuckle as I load the washer with muddy clothes!!! This is the stuff memories are made of!
We had a wonderful time and, as always, it went way too quickly! We took the long way home from Spicewood and went by Mom and Dad's house so that they could see Austin! We let them know we were coming, but we didn't tell them we had Austin with us! They were elated to see him! We stopped and got their mail for them and Austin had a ball walking in and announcing, "Mail call!" Dad let out a big "Ah" and laughed when Austin walked in the door! Of course, Mom also made a big fuss over him! There's nothing like big hugs, kisses and happy smiles from Mamaw and Papaw!!! We stayed about an hour and a half and headed back home so Austin could have his nap in the car. Grandpa wanted one too, but I didn't comply! It's rare that I don't drive so Ollie can nap, but Austin and I had been up part of Thursday night, so I was too tired to drive!
As I mentioned in my previous post, Jean and Glenda saw Mom and Dad twice this week, and Danny and Lisa drove out and had Sunday dinner with them! They were in great spirits accordingly!!!
Mom is scheduled to have the cataract on her left eye removed on Monday, November 21. I plan to spent Sunday night with her, take her to the surgery and then stay at least until Wednesday morning to make sure she follows the doctor's orders and behaves herself! I am so excited for her to have this done and have been trying to get her to schedule the surgery for a while! The cataract makes her eye sensitive to light and makes her vision in that eye fuzzy. Since she still loves to be able to drive, it is vital to get it done!
Mom also has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in her hands and feet. It is getting increasingly difficult and painful for her to do things like open jars or lids and hold the telephone for any length of time. She has seen a doctor for this and was prescribed a pain killer. Mom is very sensitive to pain killers and has chosen not to take the medication. Glenda has researched acupuncture for this and has found that it is very beneficial if treatment is received on a regular basis. I spoke to Mom today and asked her to call Monday and make an appointment with the acupuncturist in Marble Falls that treated Dad for a while. Mom sounded very excited that acupuncture would help, so I think she will call. I hope so. I nearly cried as I told her that we seem to focus so much on Dad while she is in pain and not taking care of herself. She is simply wearing herself out.
That is why we are talking to Mom and Dad about moving closer to us kids. I would love it if they would move to my area so I could help more and so all of us could see them much more often. Mom and Dad love their home and their property, after all, they designed it to be perfect for them! But , it is such a worry for Mom to have to see to all the maintenance, cleaning, etc. She worries about tending the yard and the lack of water in the summer and about the pipes freezing in the winter. She just has too much on her plate. We are starting to look at the options of garden homes in Georgetown, Round Rock and Austin, as well as at homes in my neighborhood. At this point, we are gathering information, but I feel it is something that will have to happen pretty soon. Dad isn't happy about it, but he understands it is what's best for him and Mom. I truly believe that, once they are moved and settled, he will love seeing all of his kids and grand kids more often and that he will be relieved for Mom to have less to deal with.
Please pray with me for Mom and Dad, for their health and well being and for us to help them make the right decision about moving. Also. please continue to pray for rain...Lord, give us, we pray, a plentiful rainfall, and graciously pour out on the parched earth moisture from the heavenly vaults; through Christ our Lord.
May we be united, as family and friends, in prayerfully singing of God's wondrous and generous blessings! Amen!
We had a wonderful time and, as always, it went way too quickly! We took the long way home from Spicewood and went by Mom and Dad's house so that they could see Austin! We let them know we were coming, but we didn't tell them we had Austin with us! They were elated to see him! We stopped and got their mail for them and Austin had a ball walking in and announcing, "Mail call!" Dad let out a big "Ah" and laughed when Austin walked in the door! Of course, Mom also made a big fuss over him! There's nothing like big hugs, kisses and happy smiles from Mamaw and Papaw!!! We stayed about an hour and a half and headed back home so Austin could have his nap in the car. Grandpa wanted one too, but I didn't comply! It's rare that I don't drive so Ollie can nap, but Austin and I had been up part of Thursday night, so I was too tired to drive!
As I mentioned in my previous post, Jean and Glenda saw Mom and Dad twice this week, and Danny and Lisa drove out and had Sunday dinner with them! They were in great spirits accordingly!!!
Mom is scheduled to have the cataract on her left eye removed on Monday, November 21. I plan to spent Sunday night with her, take her to the surgery and then stay at least until Wednesday morning to make sure she follows the doctor's orders and behaves herself! I am so excited for her to have this done and have been trying to get her to schedule the surgery for a while! The cataract makes her eye sensitive to light and makes her vision in that eye fuzzy. Since she still loves to be able to drive, it is vital to get it done!
Mom also has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in her hands and feet. It is getting increasingly difficult and painful for her to do things like open jars or lids and hold the telephone for any length of time. She has seen a doctor for this and was prescribed a pain killer. Mom is very sensitive to pain killers and has chosen not to take the medication. Glenda has researched acupuncture for this and has found that it is very beneficial if treatment is received on a regular basis. I spoke to Mom today and asked her to call Monday and make an appointment with the acupuncturist in Marble Falls that treated Dad for a while. Mom sounded very excited that acupuncture would help, so I think she will call. I hope so. I nearly cried as I told her that we seem to focus so much on Dad while she is in pain and not taking care of herself. She is simply wearing herself out.
That is why we are talking to Mom and Dad about moving closer to us kids. I would love it if they would move to my area so I could help more and so all of us could see them much more often. Mom and Dad love their home and their property, after all, they designed it to be perfect for them! But , it is such a worry for Mom to have to see to all the maintenance, cleaning, etc. She worries about tending the yard and the lack of water in the summer and about the pipes freezing in the winter. She just has too much on her plate. We are starting to look at the options of garden homes in Georgetown, Round Rock and Austin, as well as at homes in my neighborhood. At this point, we are gathering information, but I feel it is something that will have to happen pretty soon. Dad isn't happy about it, but he understands it is what's best for him and Mom. I truly believe that, once they are moved and settled, he will love seeing all of his kids and grand kids more often and that he will be relieved for Mom to have less to deal with.
Please pray with me for Mom and Dad, for their health and well being and for us to help them make the right decision about moving. Also. please continue to pray for rain...Lord, give us, we pray, a plentiful rainfall, and graciously pour out on the parched earth moisture from the heavenly vaults; through Christ our Lord.
May we be united, as family and friends, in prayerfully singing of God's wondrous and generous blessings! Amen!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Home from Warrenton!
Howdy to all my friends and family! Ollie and I got home Sunday from our lengthy show in Warrenton TX. It was a highly successful show, for which we are grateful to God!
One of the first things we did was to go to see Mom and Dad on Monday. We had borrowed their flat-bed trailer, so we returned it and took Mom out to eat lunch. Dad had slept late and eaten something so he could take his morning meds, so he didn't want to go. We brought him back something nice to have for dinner later! Danny and Lisa had been there Sunday and had a great visit with them. Glenda and Jean had seen them Friday, left one of their cars there, taken an overnight trip and saw them again Saturday to get the car! Mom and Dad were in great spirits, especially since they had seen all their kids in the last few days!
Now that the weather is cooler, Mom is sending Dad on his scooter to get the mail! I love her insistence on getting him out of the living room and out into some fresh air! Praise God that the temperatures are lower! There was just no way Dad could get out when it was 100 degrees! A little cooler weather has put a bit of a bounce in all our steps! After way too many days of over-100 degree temperatures, the 80's are so welcomed! It's so depressing to drive in central Texas and see miles and miles of parched land, dry tanks/ponds, and dying trees. Please join me in praying for plentiful rain! "... it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." -- Zechariah 10:1
Our guys are gearing up for deer season which opens here the first Saturday in November. That is exciting to me because Danny and Ollie make a point to invite Dad to the lease for dinner and poker. The once-a-month poker night still is in effect, but they get Dad out there more during deer season. Danny and Ollie and even making preparations for Dad to be able to spend the night out there. All the men on the lease really enjoy Dad and I know he loves it out there and loves cutting up woth all the guys.
Mom is doing okay. She is suffering with peripheral neuropathy that is affecting her feet and one of her hands. Her feet feel tingly and sometimes numb and one of her hands has lost most of its strength and aches off and on. I intend on finding a doctor in Austin who specializes in peripheral neuropathy and see if he/she can help her. One of Mom's relatives also has this and is in a wheel chair because it has dramatically affected her feet. Mom is very concerned, of course, as all of us are. Bless her heart, she focuses so much on Daddy that she doesn't often take time out to take care of her needs. Now that the Warrenton show is over, I can get focused on her!
Good news! Jerry, the wonderful man who was helping Mom out at the house, has decided to continue working with her and Dad! He took off a little bit of time to take care of some personal issues, thendecided that he really loved working in the healthcare industry and went back to work for the home healthcare company that Mom hired early-on! YAY! Mom had tried a woman caretaker after Jerry left and was totally dissatisfied. I knew that Mom wasn't going to ever be happy with another woman working in her home. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jerry came back! Jerry is a compassionate, hard-working man whom Mom trusts with the care of Dad, as well as her home and her laundry! That's HUGE!!! Another blessing from our sweet Lord!
I have to run...I will leave you, for now, with this passage from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...
Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him.
Amen!
One of the first things we did was to go to see Mom and Dad on Monday. We had borrowed their flat-bed trailer, so we returned it and took Mom out to eat lunch. Dad had slept late and eaten something so he could take his morning meds, so he didn't want to go. We brought him back something nice to have for dinner later! Danny and Lisa had been there Sunday and had a great visit with them. Glenda and Jean had seen them Friday, left one of their cars there, taken an overnight trip and saw them again Saturday to get the car! Mom and Dad were in great spirits, especially since they had seen all their kids in the last few days!
Now that the weather is cooler, Mom is sending Dad on his scooter to get the mail! I love her insistence on getting him out of the living room and out into some fresh air! Praise God that the temperatures are lower! There was just no way Dad could get out when it was 100 degrees! A little cooler weather has put a bit of a bounce in all our steps! After way too many days of over-100 degree temperatures, the 80's are so welcomed! It's so depressing to drive in central Texas and see miles and miles of parched land, dry tanks/ponds, and dying trees. Please join me in praying for plentiful rain! "... it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." -- Zechariah 10:1
Our guys are gearing up for deer season which opens here the first Saturday in November. That is exciting to me because Danny and Ollie make a point to invite Dad to the lease for dinner and poker. The once-a-month poker night still is in effect, but they get Dad out there more during deer season. Danny and Ollie and even making preparations for Dad to be able to spend the night out there. All the men on the lease really enjoy Dad and I know he loves it out there and loves cutting up woth all the guys.
Mom is doing okay. She is suffering with peripheral neuropathy that is affecting her feet and one of her hands. Her feet feel tingly and sometimes numb and one of her hands has lost most of its strength and aches off and on. I intend on finding a doctor in Austin who specializes in peripheral neuropathy and see if he/she can help her. One of Mom's relatives also has this and is in a wheel chair because it has dramatically affected her feet. Mom is very concerned, of course, as all of us are. Bless her heart, she focuses so much on Daddy that she doesn't often take time out to take care of her needs. Now that the Warrenton show is over, I can get focused on her!
Good news! Jerry, the wonderful man who was helping Mom out at the house, has decided to continue working with her and Dad! He took off a little bit of time to take care of some personal issues, thendecided that he really loved working in the healthcare industry and went back to work for the home healthcare company that Mom hired early-on! YAY! Mom had tried a woman caretaker after Jerry left and was totally dissatisfied. I knew that Mom wasn't going to ever be happy with another woman working in her home. We all breathed a huge sigh of relief when Jerry came back! Jerry is a compassionate, hard-working man whom Mom trusts with the care of Dad, as well as her home and her laundry! That's HUGE!!! Another blessing from our sweet Lord!
I have to run...I will leave you, for now, with this passage from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4...
Praised be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who are in trouble, with the same consolation we have received from Him.
Amen!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Here I am!!!
I don't know where time goes theses days, but, wherever it goes, it's doing it way too quickly!!!
Mom and Dad are well. They, like all of us, are staying indoors as much as possible to avoid the heat! Mom walks down to the road for the newspaper and tends to her plants outside in the mornings before Dad gets up, and then they spend the rest of the day in the house. Often, they go out for lunch or dinner and they don't miss Mass on the weekends!
Their helper, Jerry, has decided to retire. That's good for him, but not so great for Mom and Dad. They really liked him and he was a great help for Mom. She trusted him with some of her laundry and house keeping chores, which was a huge step for her. He took great care of Dad and Mom didn't have to worry a bit when she would leave Dad in Jerry's care. That's life I guess...subject to change! Winston Churchill said that there is nothing wrong with change, as long as it's in the right direction! We'll just haveMom in seeking more help and making sure that she is happy with the results. It is sadly true that good help is hard to find!
Danny and Lisa spent last Saturday at Mom and Dad's. I know Dad loves his girls, but there's no one quite like that son, you know! Danny is such a wonderful, Godly man and I am so proud to be his sister! He is an elder in the Lutheran Church in Elgin that he and Lisa have attended for many years. He is a reflection of a respectable father. "What was silent in the father speaks in the son, and often I found in the son the unveiled secret of the father." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
The previous Saturday, Glenda visited with Dad and fixed lunch for him while Mom attended a bridal shower for one of the daughters of dear Church friends. Of course, Jean is still visiting on a regular basis also. We all are so blessed to have each other! Glenda tells all her kids' friends to be sure, when they have kids, to have more than one because they will need each other, especially when their parents are older! We didn't think of that...Jean and Jimmie have one daughter, Glenda has 2 kids, I have one, Ollie has one, and Danny has one!! The great part, for our kids, is that they were raised close in proximity and close in heart, so they are like siblings to each other. At least we did that right...all with the loving example of our parents!
I'm hoping to visit with Mom and Dad tomorrow, as long as they don't have other plans. I am going to call Mom as soon as I post this. Mom and Dad love to listen to our stories of mine and Ollie's "treasure hunting" for our antiques business. I am sure that I have told you that Ollie is a bookseller and specializes in old and out of print or specialty signed books about Texas, as well as old Texas maps, documents, slave documents and old photography. My part of our business is selling things that are old Texas pieces...furniture and oddities. So Ollie and I are always "on the hunt." It amazes Dad what we find and loves to hear all the details of our travels and of the purchase to us selling it! We are often borrowing their flat-bed trailer to haul our finds! Last week we followed some leads to Hebbronville and Burnet Texas, and found good things at both places! We are preparing for our big upcoming sale in Warrenton that will be held September 22 through October 1. Come see us! We are in a building called Cole's at the intersection of Hwy 237 and FM 954. In Cole's, our aisles are named, and we are on "Waco Dr."
For now, I will leave you with this passage from Isaiah 41:10...
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Amen!!!
Mom and Dad are well. They, like all of us, are staying indoors as much as possible to avoid the heat! Mom walks down to the road for the newspaper and tends to her plants outside in the mornings before Dad gets up, and then they spend the rest of the day in the house. Often, they go out for lunch or dinner and they don't miss Mass on the weekends!
Their helper, Jerry, has decided to retire. That's good for him, but not so great for Mom and Dad. They really liked him and he was a great help for Mom. She trusted him with some of her laundry and house keeping chores, which was a huge step for her. He took great care of Dad and Mom didn't have to worry a bit when she would leave Dad in Jerry's care. That's life I guess...subject to change! Winston Churchill said that there is nothing wrong with change, as long as it's in the right direction! We'll just haveMom in seeking more help and making sure that she is happy with the results. It is sadly true that good help is hard to find!
Danny and Lisa spent last Saturday at Mom and Dad's. I know Dad loves his girls, but there's no one quite like that son, you know! Danny is such a wonderful, Godly man and I am so proud to be his sister! He is an elder in the Lutheran Church in Elgin that he and Lisa have attended for many years. He is a reflection of a respectable father. "What was silent in the father speaks in the son, and often I found in the son the unveiled secret of the father." ~Friedrich Nietzsche
The previous Saturday, Glenda visited with Dad and fixed lunch for him while Mom attended a bridal shower for one of the daughters of dear Church friends. Of course, Jean is still visiting on a regular basis also. We all are so blessed to have each other! Glenda tells all her kids' friends to be sure, when they have kids, to have more than one because they will need each other, especially when their parents are older! We didn't think of that...Jean and Jimmie have one daughter, Glenda has 2 kids, I have one, Ollie has one, and Danny has one!! The great part, for our kids, is that they were raised close in proximity and close in heart, so they are like siblings to each other. At least we did that right...all with the loving example of our parents!
I'm hoping to visit with Mom and Dad tomorrow, as long as they don't have other plans. I am going to call Mom as soon as I post this. Mom and Dad love to listen to our stories of mine and Ollie's "treasure hunting" for our antiques business. I am sure that I have told you that Ollie is a bookseller and specializes in old and out of print or specialty signed books about Texas, as well as old Texas maps, documents, slave documents and old photography. My part of our business is selling things that are old Texas pieces...furniture and oddities. So Ollie and I are always "on the hunt." It amazes Dad what we find and loves to hear all the details of our travels and of the purchase to us selling it! We are often borrowing their flat-bed trailer to haul our finds! Last week we followed some leads to Hebbronville and Burnet Texas, and found good things at both places! We are preparing for our big upcoming sale in Warrenton that will be held September 22 through October 1. Come see us! We are in a building called Cole's at the intersection of Hwy 237 and FM 954. In Cole's, our aisles are named, and we are on "Waco Dr."
For now, I will leave you with this passage from Isaiah 41:10...
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Amen!!!
Friday, July 29, 2011
HAPPY #87 DADDY!!!
On July 29, 1924, my Dad was born to Mabel and Sewell Smith in Elgin Texas! He was their first child, and he was born on Mabel's 17th birthday! I am so proud to say that he is my father! God blessed our family with him! His life's accomplishments are too numerous to list!
Thank you God for Harvey Smith!!
Thank you God for Harvey Smith!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Upcoming Birthday!
Howdy everyone! While I think about it and am at my computer, Dad's 87th birthday is Friday, July 29th! If you'd like to send him a card, his address is...
6850 CR 120
Marble Falls TX 78654-7914
I spent part of the day with Mom on Thursday. She came to Austin for a couple of doctor's appointments. I like to go with her when I can so I can ask questions on her behalf. She likes that! All is well with Mom...I think she is healthier than I am!!! She is an amazing Godly woman!
6850 CR 120
Marble Falls TX 78654-7914
I spent part of the day with Mom on Thursday. She came to Austin for a couple of doctor's appointments. I like to go with her when I can so I can ask questions on her behalf. She likes that! All is well with Mom...I think she is healthier than I am!!! She is an amazing Godly woman!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Surprise" Visit!!!
My long-time friend Cindy who lives in Reno NV is in Austin visiting her kids, grandkids and me this week! She and I drove out to see Mom and Dad Tuesday. I had talked to Mom on Monday and told her we were coming, but she forgot!! Cindy and I arrived about 10:30, as I had told Mom we would, and, when we knocked and went in, she had the most surprised look on her face! She laughed and said that she had forgotten all about us coming and that she had only been up 30 minutes or so! She was just about to head out the door to walk down to get the newspaper and then work in the yard and Dad was still in bed asleep!!! We laughed and told her no worries, I had brought the paper up, so we would just go help her work in the yard and let Dad wake when he was ready. Mom mainly wanted to clean and change the water in the bird bath and water some shrubs and trees. As you can imagine, Cindy and I mostly watched because Mom likes to do things herself! That's fine...I am thrilled that she can! I am so like my Mom in that I would much rather be out working in the yard rather than in the house!! I am blessed that Idid inherit a bit of her green thumb, but Mom can put a stick in the ground and it will grow and probably bloom!!! The drought is really hurting her crepe myrtles and shrubs, just like most of us. What's we do to deserve this?!!! Pray for rain!!!
The newspaper should have been my clue that Mom had forgotten we were coming! Mom always gets up, gets dressed and walks down to get the paper so it's waiting on the table when Dad gets up. It was still down at the road when Cindy and I turned in to go through the gate. It just didn't occur to me why it was still down there!! I guess I wouldn't make a very good detective!!!
Dad was awake and sitting at the table reading the newspaper when we got back in the house from watering the yard and such. He couldn't believe it when the three of us walked in the door! He pointed at us and then at Mom with a quizzical look on his face and then he got a big laugh when Mom told him she forgot we were coming! He was so happy to see Cindy! It had been quite some time since they last saw her.
Once again, we assured Mom not to stress or rush. She and Dad ate a kolache and then she took him to get him shaved and dressed. Around noon we all went "up on the hill" to Russo's for lunch. Dad loves their steaks and Mom loves their East Meets West salad! Russo's has a wonderful atmosphere and their view is spectacular. It's owned by a couple who lived across the street from them when they lived in Meadowlakes in Marble Falls. So, it does feel "homey" when we dine there, and, the food is great!
After lunch we all took a drive through Dad and Leslie Stephen's last land development, Stone Mountain, which is just down the road from Mom and Dad's place. Dad is so proud to show it off. Talk about spectacular views...from many of the lots you can see all the way to Lake Marble Falls and further! There are quite a few homes built in the subdivision, and they are lovely! Dad always enjoys that trip! Just FYI, there are still lots available!!!
Cindy and I left around 3:30 to get back to town for my grandson Austin's T-ball practice! We were picking him up from "school" and taking him, and you never know what to expect with traffic, so we left about 3:30. I always leave with my heart warmed from all the love my parents show us! "The love of a family is life's greatest blessing." I believe that wholeheartedly. Dad always hugs me tightly and then looks directly at me smiling to say "I love you," then Mom and I wave and say "I love you" as I drive away. That's always one of the highlights of my existence. My heart is warmed, I let out a big sigh, smile and drive away thanking God for them.
Thank you Lord for my wonderful parents. They are faithful examples of Your love and teachings through their devotion to each other, their family and their friends. Keep them safe in Your loving care and be merciful to them. Amen.
The newspaper should have been my clue that Mom had forgotten we were coming! Mom always gets up, gets dressed and walks down to get the paper so it's waiting on the table when Dad gets up. It was still down at the road when Cindy and I turned in to go through the gate. It just didn't occur to me why it was still down there!! I guess I wouldn't make a very good detective!!!
Dad was awake and sitting at the table reading the newspaper when we got back in the house from watering the yard and such. He couldn't believe it when the three of us walked in the door! He pointed at us and then at Mom with a quizzical look on his face and then he got a big laugh when Mom told him she forgot we were coming! He was so happy to see Cindy! It had been quite some time since they last saw her.
Once again, we assured Mom not to stress or rush. She and Dad ate a kolache and then she took him to get him shaved and dressed. Around noon we all went "up on the hill" to Russo's for lunch. Dad loves their steaks and Mom loves their East Meets West salad! Russo's has a wonderful atmosphere and their view is spectacular. It's owned by a couple who lived across the street from them when they lived in Meadowlakes in Marble Falls. So, it does feel "homey" when we dine there, and, the food is great!
After lunch we all took a drive through Dad and Leslie Stephen's last land development, Stone Mountain, which is just down the road from Mom and Dad's place. Dad is so proud to show it off. Talk about spectacular views...from many of the lots you can see all the way to Lake Marble Falls and further! There are quite a few homes built in the subdivision, and they are lovely! Dad always enjoys that trip! Just FYI, there are still lots available!!!
Cindy and I left around 3:30 to get back to town for my grandson Austin's T-ball practice! We were picking him up from "school" and taking him, and you never know what to expect with traffic, so we left about 3:30. I always leave with my heart warmed from all the love my parents show us! "The love of a family is life's greatest blessing." I believe that wholeheartedly. Dad always hugs me tightly and then looks directly at me smiling to say "I love you," then Mom and I wave and say "I love you" as I drive away. That's always one of the highlights of my existence. My heart is warmed, I let out a big sigh, smile and drive away thanking God for them.
Thank you Lord for my wonderful parents. They are faithful examples of Your love and teachings through their devotion to each other, their family and their friends. Keep them safe in Your loving care and be merciful to them. Amen.
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