Charlie's Birthday 10th

This boy. Today he turns ten and I celebrate him and the joy he brings to all who know him. Charlie has a tender heart and such a willingness to share, whether that is making sure dad buys a special pink donut for mom for his birthday morning breakfast or letting his brother “help him” build a favorite lego kit. He is the first to show love when everyone else is frustrated. He gives the best cuddles when he sees my hurt. He is a good listener and he LOVES to tell you the plot lines of a story. He is smart and patient and kind. I love who he is and I can’t wait to see what big things he will do in this world. I can’t be more proud of my sweet Charlie Bear. ❤️

Charlie this is a post your Mom wrote about you on Facebook for the whole world to see.  We are so glad you are a part of our family and you have a special place in our hearts.  Happy Birthday.  Diva and Poppa

Christmas Day 2020

It snowed Christmas Eve, so Christmas Day started later for Diva and Poppa.  We waited till about 10 0'clock before we started our trek to spend Christmas with you and your brothers.  We kept a count of how many cars and trucks we saw in the ditch on our normal 10-minute drive to your house.  We told you that whoever got the closest would be able to open their gifts first.  Oz guessed 5, Charlie guessed 7 and Henry guessed 12.  Henry was the closest.  

We actually counted 16 cars and trucks in the ditch.

It was a fun day because all of you were so excited.  Every gift was better than the last and watching you boys really made Christmas special for us.

We especially liked the gift your Mom made for Poppa.  It was a tic-tac box with coins that had been cut up into quarter pieces.  She labeled it BitCoins.   It really made Poppa laugh.  I liked it because it was clever and homemade.  Poppa keeps it in his desk drawer.

Your Dad got an empty bottle with a label on it that said, Big bottle of Nothing.   He laughed and laughed and said it was the perfect gift.  When your mom asked your dad what he wanted for Christmas he said "Nothing"  so that's what she got him.  Clever Mom.

My favorite gift was from your parents and your Aunts and Uncles.  It is our family tree burned into a real slice of wood.  It has everyone's names and birthdays.  Our family tree is complete for a very long time.

Thank you for letting us spend the day with you.  It was a fun day.  We love you.

Your Diva and Poppa 

saying good bye to Lady

 Dear Henry,

Today Poppa had to put Lady to sleep as she had cancer in her spine and was in pain and unable to use her back legs at all.  I was with you working with you on homeschooling when he took her to the vet.  When Poppa called me to tell me that she was in the arms of Jesus I cried and cried.  You saw me crying and were so concerned to see my tears.

I held you in my arms and told you that Lady had died and both of us cried together.  I needed the hugs and someone to hold.  Afterwards we looked at pictures of Lady together and I told you that you were her best friend.  I can't begin to tell you how precious that time was with you and how much it meant to share my grief with you.  

I miss her every day and it isn't getting much easier.  I miss her greeting us at the door, jumping up in the recliner for cuddles. her excitement for a dog treat, and her pure joy at seeing her boys, especially your dad.

Thank you for your hugs, your tears, your very tender heart and your love for our sweet dog.  It meant more than I can ever tell you.  Diva

 

You are baptized

  Dear Henry,

Today we got to watch a very special event in your life.  We were able to be present at your baptism.  You and your dad had attended the "Cannon Ball Classes" at church to prepare you for taking the next steps in your spiritual journey.  You have been wanting to be baptized for several weeks now but have been unable as we have not been able to meet as a church.

Today, pastor Aaron changed the water in the baptismal pool and invited you and your dad to come for your baptism.  You were able to invite your best buddy Jonas and his mom to watch as well as your family and of course your Poppa and Diva.

You told me afterward that the water was very cold.  We are so proud of your decision to follow Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.  We always love to hear your prayers.  We love you so very much.  Diva and Poppa

How I met your Poppa

I met your Poppa at church in a Sunday School class for College and Career.  I was new to the church and had seen him singing in the church choir.  I liked him instantly and decided to meet him.

I was working as a night nurse (11 to 7) shift at a hospital in Virginia Beach.  I had every other weekend off but decided I couldn't wait for a weekend that I was off so the following Sunday (after working all night) I went home and prepared "to meet HIM".  Yes, dear children, I stalked your Poppa!  I showered, curled my hair, wore my best dress, sprayed on Shalamar perfume, grabbed my Bible, and headed out the door on my quest to meet my Mr. Wonderful.

I arrived early and eagerly waited for him to show up.  He was late. Class started and after a preliminary welcome, we were encouraged to mingle and meet newcomers.  At last, my moment had come and I started my quest to meet him only to be stopped 4 times by people wanting to meet me.  My momma did not raise me to be rude so I missed my opportunity to meet him.

It was a big class (about 25 people) so we were divided into groups by counting off into groups of four.  I listen to whatever number he said and went directly to his group as soon as we broke up. I sat next to him and marveled at how smart and articulate he was.  (I should add that your Diva is attracted to Nerds.)

After class, I asked him if he was going to go to church so I could sit next to him.  He smiled sweetly and said "Yes, I am, I sing in the choir!  ( Rats!  I forgot about that.)   I gave him my best smile but it didn't persuade him to skip choir and sit with me.  So I sat by myself and dozed off and on through the sermon since I had been up all night long.  Hopefully, it looked like I was in deep meditation or prayer!

After church," I lingered longer" in hopes of accidentally bumping into him.  When that didn't happen I decided to give up and go home to bed defeated in my purpose.  When I got to my car, guess who was parked behind me?  Yes, dear children, it was your future Poppa.  God is good!

We talked, I flirted, and then he asked me to join him for lunch!  I forgot how tired I was and instantly agreed.  We went out for pizza and it felt very comfortable talking with him.  We laughed, and conversation seemed to flow in both directions. 

 When the bill arrived he discovered the restaurant didn't take credit cards and he only had a dollar in his pocket.  So yes dear children, I ended up paying for our first date and as I like to remind him....I've been paying for it ever since! 

 We met in March, got engaged in April, and were married in July. So you can see that even though your Poppa was shy and quiet when we met he definitely was just waiting for me.  We just celebrated our 46th anniversary this year.  

Summer recap

 

Hello, long-forgotten blog... I'm back!

I always have such good intentions!  However, my follow-through has a lot to be desired.

I love the fall.  I love the cooler weather, the fall foliage, apples cider, pumpkin everything, warm sweaters, mums, my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

This summer was busy with a long-anticipated visit to Texas to meet our newest grandchild Lexi, and love on her big sisters Lyra and Lucy.  We came home with an unexpected blessing...Lady, our granddog, now our dog.  We flew to Texas but drove back in a rental car with Lady and all her belongings.  Our cats were not very receptive to the new family member but gradually realized she was not going anywhere so finally tolerated her.  

We loved having Becky, Emma, and Danny for two weeks in June and July.  It was an action-packed time with lots of activities, games, side trips, Diva Camp, 4th of July fireworks, and yes, the traditional family photo.  We miss them so much so have to get a year's worth of fun in the two weeks we have together.  Emma is 12, she is so tall and a real beauty.  She loves cats, art, girl guides, acting, and animals.

Suzy turned 40 this year.  How can that be?  My children are middle age!  I turn 70 this November!!  Yikes!  Becky starts her work on her  Doctorate this month.  She hopes to finish by the time Emma graduates.  Emma is entering 7th grade. 

The grandboys seem to grow every night.  Oz started 5th grade, Charlie 3rd grade and Henry is in first grade.  I love that they come running to give me hugs whenever we see them at church.  I know to soak it up now because there will come a day when they will be occupied with cars and girlfriends.


We no longer have our two cats JJ and Lucy.  Lucy was having many seizures each day and JJ had some serious intestinal issues and was losing weight.  They were littermates and lifelong companions.  They slept huddled together every night and neither would have done well without the other.  They were almost 18 years old and are missed daily.


My desire is to write more.  I need to get back to water aerobics at the senior center and fill my days with adventures.

Diva's Favorite things

This is one of my favorite pictures of Lexi Anne.  She is growing so quickly.  It is very hard only getting to see her and her sister once a year.  We appreciate Rachel posting new pictures frequently of the girls.

This is another favorite picture of our current household.  Diva, Poppa, and Dog all together.  Lady has filled a big hole in our hearts and is a much loved, comical relief.  She is always ready for a walk or a cuddle.  She knows our habits and loves to nap with Poppa in the afternoon.  Last night she went upstairs to bed without us.  What a dog. 

Some of my Current Favorite Things.....

Dark Chocolate Hershey kisses,
Blue Bunny white chocolate cookies and cream 
weekly visits to the library 
babysitting with the grandboys
popcorn shrimp
grits and cheese
heart-shaped rocks
daisies
dragonflies and fireflies
seeing the scale go down
baby giggles
funny cat videos
pictures of the family
a rock tumbler
adventures
organizing my kitchen storage
using my air fryer
cooking new recipes
double recliner (big enough for Charlie, Lady and me)
spontaneous hugs from the boys
monthly Sunday Sermon with Charlie at the nursing home
pixel art app
video games
birthday cake
Advent calendars
Fall, leaves, sweaters, mums, pumpkin everything, apple everything
Christmas decorations and tree
chicken decorations
taco salad
homemade soup on a cold day
a fire in the fireplace
a warm blanket
hot herbal tea
a good book
flowers on my table
pandora (Christian radio)
turquoise jewelry and also my favorite color
Sunflowers
a new laptop for my birthday (yes, that's a hint)
spending time with friends
learning a new craft
making hearts with melty beads with the grandboys
binge-watching my favorite shows on Netflix
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Hallmark sappy movies
time travel anythings
mysteries
Diva Camp with the grandchildren
prayer partners
checking off lists
hats
haircuts
swing on my porch swing
flowers in the garden
air conditioning in the summer
scented candles
grilled cheese sandwiches
pockets

cool purses