New on the Home Front

This weekend was full of life changes and emotions.  On Friday we went to see Carl's mother in rehab in Montgomery.  We had been told she would be released on Tuesday...so, we thought "good, she'll be doing great".  Not so.  Our thoughts of how she would look and be able to maneuver were totally not reality.  She was being released, but she was not/is no where nearly prepared to be on her own.  She's very weak and unable to even get up on her own or go to the restroom alone...so she has come to our home now for an undetermined amount of time.  And now after her traumatic ordeal, she does not want to be alone for any length of time.
 
The future is always unsure, as God tells us we should not plan for the morrow...and this holds a totally different meaning to us now.  Carl is an only child and his father has been gone for 23 years...we're it..we are her family and we will fulfill what the Bible teaches us to do.  Whether that means a few weeks or months, or for the remainder of her life, we will take care of this soon-to-be 93 year old, former Registered Nurse. Valeria Vinson loves to share with anyone who will listen, that she graduated from The University of Alabama, Bryce Hospital Nursing School June 1, 1941.  Worked her way through nursing training so she could make her own living...she would never have to depend on a man to take care of her.  She has nursed hundreds of people as a floor nurse, director of nurses, charge nurse, private duty nurse, head of recovery rooms.  She's traveled the United States while Carl's dad was in the Navy and wives were allowed to follow...she's now the widow of a Pearl Harbour Survivor and the mother of a wonderful son. 

She has become a more frail, humble, appreciative, less independent version of her former self, but she is family and we'll do our best to see her through this new journey of her life...and ours.

And to Other "Fathers" in My Life

David was the first "in-law" to come into the second generation of the family, when he married my niece Renee. But he quickly became a nephew with no "in-law" attached.  He is a strong husband, father and supporter of all that is right.  He has also taken on the role of patriarch of the Baldwin family since the death of his father and brother, and looks out for his mother, sister & family and runs a successful insurance business to boot!  I love you, David!

David, Kayla, Jared, Matt, (triplets) Renee, Theo, Janay (T-g/f)
The Baldwins

Next came Billy, my nephew by way of marrying my niece Rochelle.  Now, Billy, I haven't been able to be around nearly as much as David, but he's a great guy. Christian husband and father as well, he's a sports enthusiast and also loves his girls.  The last few years, he's had jobs that have had him working out of town, separating his family for months at a time, but he's been a trooper.  I love you, Billy!



(this picture is REALLY old - Hope will be a Senior this year...)
Billy holding Hope, Rochelle holding Allie
[I must say Billy & Rochelle haven't changed, her hair is just longer]
The Knightens

Next, I guess will be Jason - he's my nephew via my sister.  Jason is an awesome Dad and I am so proud of how far he has come.   I certainly won't go into all his struggles, but he is a strong young man, a hard worker and great husband and father. We are so happy he found Tiffany and the family they have been able to form together with his sons.  I love you, Jason!



Jason, Tiffany, Donovan, Logan
The Kirkleys

Then we have Brandon (always Heath to me) - he's Jason's younger brother. In the last couple of years, Brandon has become step-dad to some great kiddos - Megan and Dalton.  Also a very hard worker, Brandon has been considered the "quiet" one, but he has opened up so much since having Christy in his life.  We look forward to getting to know these sweet children more and enjoying happy times ahead.  I love you, Heath!

Megan, Dalton, Christy, Brandon
The Kirkleys

I was unable to get a picture of Brian and Alec. Brian is the step-son of my brother Philip, and he's a great dad as well.  We haven't been able to see or be around Brian since he was younger, but I keep up with him through his mom and through pictures (sorry I couldn't get my hands on one for this post).  Hopefully, we'll be able to resolve that issue and have more family time again.  I love you, Brian!

This post was dedicated to "fathers" within my blood family...if you're just joining my little blog world, be sure to check the earlier post on Father's Day, highlighting my own father and father-in-law, brothers, husband...

But here's also to those wonderful fathers and friends - some we see weekly, some just every now and then - but know you are loved and thought of fondly.  I was going to start listing names, but just knew I'd leave out someone unintentionally, so it's safer to just send out greetings to you all for a fantastic Father's Day 2011.  I love you all!

You Can Do It!

Thanks to some wonderful friends, I'm giving this one more shot to see how we do...just so you'll know, this will be an on-going hit or miss, so patience will truly be a virtue!

Love to all who may come across this site today and know that the following verse hits the nail on the head!

Blessings, my friends!

Throw in the Towel?

Apologies for the Father's Day post...I believe I will hold off on other posts until I can gain some additional knowledge in creating better looking material. It's the thought that counts, but these men from my Father's Day post certainly deserve something better...and poor Philip's picture dropped down below Ed's...oh, well...there is more to worry about than blog posts, so I'll sign off and wish everyone a wonderful day! At least God sent us some rain last night...what's up with all the smoke over South Georgia and North Florida? Evidently wild fires somewhere..."Father, please be with those in the path of such vicious rage and keep those fighting those fires (in Arizona as well) safe in your loving arms."
And borrowed from a friend of mine...TGIT=Thank Goodness It's Today!

Father's Day

Father’s Day

Just an ordinary Sunday in June
is set aside to honor our Father’s of earth,
A good meal and family fun together,
celebrating with laughter and mirth.
Fathers are those macho men
who are not crazy about all the fuss,
The shirts and ties as “thoughtful” gifts
often sit in the closet to collect dust.
There is a gift they would treasure far more
than wrapped gifts of a material nature.
That is the hugs, the love and respect,
the everyday remembrance, for sure.
Our Heavenly Father is like that, you know,
He wants us to talk to Him each day,
To obey His will and share our lives
with others along the way.
So here is a special wish to all
who are fathers among us this day,
May you have peace, happiness, joy, and love,
on this, your Father’s Day! ©

Melissa Baker Vinson
6/15/97

Fathers need to be honored as well. Here's an early post and another (old-note date) poem to wish a very happy Father's Day to my Dad and in honor and memory of Carl's dad. I'm also honoring my sweet husband and my brothers, who have all been awesome Dads! Have a fantastic day, gentlemen - you are loved and appreciated more than you'll ever know!

[since I could not get these pictures in the location I wanted them, I'll have to give you a hint as to who everyone is...top, L to R: Harold "Tip" Baker, my dad....Cecil Vinson, Carl's dad; next row L to R: Max Baker, Philip Baker and Ed Kirkley (Cathy's hubby and another "brother"); and last picture down, but most certainly "tops" in my book...Charlie (our oldest), Carl, and our youngest, Mike.]

Flag Day in America

Today is "Flag Day" in America! I love the American flag...the red, white and blue...and all it stands for...freedom, liberty, one nation, under God...we may not all have the same views, but we have been blessed with this nation and we better appreciate it!

Love these pictures and hope you'll like them too...have a blessed day and fly your flag proudly and pray for our troops at home and abroad, who serve our nation proudly.

Take Life As it Comes

Just a couple of weeks after our convention, we received the news that my Dad had some "issues" with his health (he lives in Mississippi - 8 hr. from us). His stepdaughter, who so unselfishly helps care for him, as well as her mother, was going on vacation with her entire family, which would leave Dad and Carole in their town alone. In steps my precious brothers...Philip took the first few days initially after Dad's issues...which turned out to be medications, thank goodness...then our older brother Max, took the second shift of the week. Carl and I, along with Mike, went Memorial Day weekend to finish up the shift-work before Linda and her family returned home. We all had a great time and it was good to see Daddy and Carole again...doesn't come often enough.

On our trip back to Florida on Memorial Day, Carl kept trying to call his mother...no answer...no answer...no answer. 190 miles from home and getting concerned, he called his cousin, who willingly went to check on her...3 papers in the yard, mail in the box - not good! After calling the police, who were not legally allowed to break in, dear cuz told them to stand back and watch! He got in through a window, and hearing someone in the house, soon-to-be 93 year old Mom, called to him from her master bath...she had lay in the floor 58 hours before being found, after having fallen on Saturday morning - this was Monday afternoon! Cutting to the chase, she was taken by ambulance to the hospital. We got to Tallahassee, dropped Mike off to get his dad's car, we did a U-turn and got back on the highway heading to Montgomery! Mrs. V. did great, had surgery, stayed in the hospital 4 days and is now in Rehab. We'll be going this weekend to see her again and try to determine our next step in this new adventure!

Long story short (really?), our end to May was quite exciting and the story is yet to come!