Cats and Dogs

We are animal lovers.  Here's some pics of our two additional sons and our grands + their cousins...



#1 - Buddy, 8.75 years old (before latest haircut)
part Shih Tzu/Jack Russell
[personality: Charlie's animal version)
 



Buddy's "after" look

 

 

#2 - AJ - 4.5 years old
part Min-Pin/part Miniature Schnauzer
(personality: Mike's animal version)
 

 

These are our grands - both are over 10 yrs. and beautiful! 

We adopted them when Nichole joined our family, and

they seem to tolerate us very well! They make us want

to have some cats again - uh, not with the dogs though.

Onyx

 

 

Pepper

 

 

These are their cousins, now owned by Nichole's parents,

who adopted them from Nic's sister; they are both

Maine Coon Cats - big, soft and lovable

 

Clyde 
I put my foot beside him to show the comparison in size 

Bonnie
 

Do it!

 

How About You?

 

 

Great Blessings

This past weekend we were reminded of just how blessed we are to have had our children move closer to us...in the same state...only 3 hours away.  Carl and I had a great visit with Charlie & Nichole and her parents, the Daviduks.  But, we were reminded that this time of year, you always carry a coat when you leave home.  It was very cold and windy, but the company was warm and welcoming. 

Then we very much said our prayers of thankfulness that they were no longer living in a northern state caught up in the devastating storm of the past few days.  They have friends remaining in the north, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those effected by the intensitiy of Hurricane Sandy.  Living in the Florida panhandle, close to the Gulf Coast, our state and friends/family have been affected many times over the years.  One brother lives on the coast in Alabama and has been affected by storms and the oil spill.  But God is good and in control.  The best we can ever pray for is to be a prepared Christian in the event of any catastrophy.

Our younger son Mike is helping with the Greek Food Festival (Phillips Road) again this year (and yes, we are blessed that he lives right here in Tallahassee).  So, be sure to add this annual event to your calendar for Friday and Saturday.  Our church is holding their Fall Fun Festival also Saturday from 11am-3pm at our property located on Grenville Road, off Proctor Road (or Pisgah Church Road if coming from the other direction).  Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the food, fun and fellowship of this event!

Count your blessings, name them one by one...it's so easy to complain (which I do my fair share of), but when you start comparing them to your blessings...see what God has done.

They're Baaack!

Hallelujah!  Our kids are back from the rugged North, just in time to skip the snow and seclusion a northern winter brings!  Back to the beauty of the ocean and the close ties of family and friendships!

I-10 will be a bit more traveled between Tally and Pensacola now.  But not nearly as traveled as it would be if we could retire...but that is not yet to be.  So, we'll just be thrilled to know Charlie & Nichole are only 3 hours away instead of the 20 hours previously.  They have lots of friends in Tally, so hopefully, they'll be willing to visit us on the occasions when they sneak in to see friends!

What we do know, is there are two sets of parents who are happy campers!  We wish them the best of luck in their new jobs and lives in the Pensacola area.

Welcome Home!

Welcome Fall, Y'all!

Most definitely, I love this time of year...the cooler weather, less humidity, beautiful colors of changing leaves, holidays looming on the horizon.  All part of God's handiwork. 

This time also makes me a little melancholy. October also reminds me that two special men in my life are no longer with us - both my Dad and Carl's Dad had October birthdays.  This Saturday would have been my Dad's 91st birthday.  Carl's dad would have been 96 on the 15th, and Halloween night he will have been gone 24 years.  November 7th will be the 17th anniversary of losing my Mom.  She would have been 91 in December.

Carl's mother is maintaining her health, though her dementia is continuing to increase little by little and she is shrinking some in height and weight, which is to be expected I guess. Currently she is still content at her assisted living facility.  We pray it will remain that way.

But, on to brighter moments...we also have some fall and winter birthdays and anniversaries and happy celebrations with family and friends to come. 

Holidays will be enjoyable this year with Charlie & Nichole closer by and they will celebrate their 1st wedding anniversary on December 24!  Mike has a precious girlfriend.  We have our good health and are now losing some of those many extra pounds. 

Have a blessed weekend...I will share these thoughts which help me through unpleasant times:

Faith = Trust, Reliance on and Obedience to HIM!  Keep the faith, pray and always remember HE is in control of all; even the things we think we can control. 

 

 

Just In Time

I'm about three weeks late in posting about our most recent trip - to Pittsburgh, PA to see our oldest son and daughter-in-law!  We flew up on August 31 and arrived back home Sept. 9.  Just a couple of weeks shy of cool weather and the beginning of leaves changing color, we still enjoyed relatively no humidity and pleasant weather...but mainly enjoyed getting to see our kids!  Charlie is doing great since his heart attack...he's been in cardiac rehab and was released from that Sept. 14.  That event was one I guess I wanted to delete from my summer memories, because I totally left that event out of my recent summer recab post! 

The first Saturday after we arrived, Charlie, Nichole and two of her nurse friends, participated in their first "Zombie Run"!  They had a blast and had so much fun, but all four agreed it was the toughest workout they had ever been through - they were ultra dirty/muddy and sore/bruised all over.  But their happy smiles showed that they were glad they had done this!  Quite an accomplishment for someone just getting over a heart attack, I thought!

Nichole worked except the weekends and one day during our time there, while she took care of business, the three of us took some time to view some sights and see some interesting places.  There are a lot of beautiful bridges and TALL buildings downtown.  We also saw the stadiums where the Steelers play football and where the Pirates play their baseball.  We also saw and toured a submarine, saw a riverboat, and toured through the Carnige Science Center, which was interesting. Sports Works was adjacent to the Science Center, and it was a really neat place.  Charlie was able to experience his first rock climbing wall and I think he'll do more of that in the future!

There were some WONDERFUL places we all got to enjoy for some meal time...three that stood out were "The Cheesecake Factory", "Mad Mex" and "Bonnie & Clydes" -- yummie, yummie!!!  We also had a fresh, warm Amish donut when we went to the farmer's market and saw some amazing handmade furniture...wish we'd brought our car - we might have brought back lots of goodies and maybe even some furniture!  And, we also went to the gym to work off those extra calories we indulged in. 

Fortunately, we had no airport issues at all and arrived safely there and on return.  Our time with our kids and "grand cats" was enjoyable and we are so glad we made that trip.  I'll share a few pics here in a bit!

Also while we were there we learned some great news...Nichole had interviewed for a job in Pensacola!  She was on pins and needles (no medical pun intended) waiting to hear something back, but we learned this week that she had been offered the job and will start on November 5th!  They will head south on October 13th and we can't wait!  Her family is thrilled as well, of course, because they live in Pensacola!  But, for us, 3 hours away is so much better than 20 hours!  God has been watching over them and we know He will again in this move.

Now, here's some pictures from our trip [they are so not in order, sorry):

Onyx - His favorite spot

Pepper - she rules!
 

LOVED this place!!!!
 

Charlie's first climb - Sports Works/Carneige Science Center

Nichole & Charlie outside Bonnie & Clyde's - great food!
 

Beautiful, but makes me appreciate my "small" city!
(So glad we've started our weight loss challenge now!)

One of the City Views
 

Another view from the other side of the river


 

Two of the many beautiful bridges



USS Requin

Entrance to RoboWorld at Carneige Science Center - very interesting



 

Lost in Space fans....Robot

Bad Robot from Lost in Space

 

Star Wars fans - C3PO & R2D2



 

These were just a few of the pictures...trying to gather pics from 2 sources...decided to ease off!  We'll move on to new adventures and new sites...to infinity and beyond!

Happy Birthday Mike

Today is Mike's 31st Birthday!  It seems so unreal to think that 31 years ago we were in Baptist Hospital in Montgomery, holding our second son!  Charlie was 4.5 yr. and was so happy to have a baby brother [until Michael became "mobile" and got into Charlie's toys - then he wanted to send him back!].  Over the years, they have had their differences, but  are pretty close even though the miles separate them...

Mike, hope you have a great birthday - or "birtday" as the family joke goes...we love you and wish you many terrific years ahead!

Through the years....

Mike with big brother Charlie

 

 

Mike at Timberlane Church of Christ Preschool
1985-ish



 



Mike - July 2012



 



 

Winding Down the Summer

Wow!  Summertime has come and gone in a flash!  But, then again, since May our lives have been in a haze.  As posted earlier on, in one week's time, we learned my sweet Daddy had colon cancer, was hospitalized for 5 days, went into Hospice care for 2 and died the next morning...so there were two trips to Mississippi, then on to north Alabama, a couple of weeks later I had arthroscopic knee surgery and a couple of three weeks to full recovery.  We celebrated our 38th wedding anniversary in July, and just last week Mrs. V's 94th birthday and my 59th birthday!  Now school has started, and no pictures to speak of for any of it...

Now, we're off at the end of the week on a new journey...details and pictures are to come!

Have a wonderful week, great Fall and football season to come, and lots of special times shared with family and friends.

It is rare when I have the opportunity to contribute to my Love’s blog.  I consider it an honor.

Melissa was, is, and will always be the most precious blessing in my life, other than my Lord and Savior.  She is my best friend, wife, and the precious Mother of our two wonderful sons.  She is the Secretary (I believe the politically correct title is Administrative Assistant) at the Timberlane Church of Christ, and has been for 27 years now.

Her most difficult job has been putting up with me for 39 years, of which 38 have been spent in marriage, as of the 20th of July.  She denies this, but I and anyone who knows me, knows it to be true.  In the words of my co-workers, “Melissa must be a saint.”  I can only agree; that is exactly what she is.

I thank God everyday for Melissa, and try to tell her that I love her at least once a day (usually 20 or 30).  Some may say that I obsess, but she means that much to my life, love, and spirit.

This day marks her birthday.  It is a precious and special day for me, because without her birth, I would indeed, be an unhappy man.  Her Dad recently passed away, and he will be missed terribly by his family and friends.  Tip was not an easy person to get to know, but once you got to know him, he was a friend for life.  His friends remember him as a wonderful man who expressed interest in their lives and he will be sorely missed.  It warms our hearts to know that he is once again with Olene, Melissa’s sweet Mother.

I will not post Melissa’s age here, although most of her friends know.   She has always looked far younger than her age.  Her inner beauty shines within and without.  I must have done something good somewhere along the line, because the Lord has blessed me with her companionship for all these years.   She has never failed to build me up and back everything that I have attempted through our married life.  That’s saying quite a bit, as I have done some crazy things.  Luckily for me, she has remained by my side through the bad as well as the good.  We both promised that to each other 38 years ago and we have managed to stay the course.

Melissa is her Mother to me in so many ways.  Her Mom was a wonderful, sweet, loving, passionate, and very kind woman.  Melissa has all these qualities and more.   She worries about everybody’s everything.  She wants everything to be right for everyone and thinks constantly about how to make someone’s situation better.  She will do for someone else before she gives a thought to herself, and she has always been a giver and seldom wants to take.  Her friends know this to be true.  In the past, she could seldom say “no” if anything was asked of her, but she has finally learned that she can’t do it all.

I am in awe of Melissa’s writing talent.  It shows itself continuously on her blog.  She writes with passion and as one reads her entries, her feelings and perceptions are truly felt.  I tell her constantly that she should write a book of memories or poems.  She has written wonderful poems in the past and her talent has truly grown over the years.  We all see it, but somehow she doesn’t, which amazes me even more.

I know that Melissa is not happy to have such (basically) wonderful things said about her.  She is somewhat self-conscious about hearing such things, but I have convinced her that her birthday is an important enough event to be placed on her own blog.  She would never do it herself, but I am very willing to post this because I love her dearly and feel the need to sound the trumpets for her loudly.

I Love you, Melissa

Your loving husband and best friend,

Carl

Time Flies...

There hasn't been a huge amount of things to really blog about since my last post, but the major event was our 38th anniversary on July 20th!  Can't believe it's been that long since our "I do's" were exchanged in Montgomery, Alabama, but then again, so many terrific and also heart-wrenching things have happened over these 38 years!  We've watch our two sons grow into strong, handsome men and welcomed a beautiful "daughter" into our family.  We've opened, then closed a business 10 years later, worked through various jobs, lived in several homes, but only two cities.  Tallahassee is now our home since we've been here 27.5 years.  We've lost Carl's father (1988), my mom (1996), and my dad (just this past May 2012).  Carl's mother has moved to Tallahassee and is actually celebrating her 94th birthday TODAY!  She lives in an Assisted Living facility, but is doing well and will be looking for our faces this afternoon to see what we have brought her for her birthday! :)

God is good and faithful and has seen us through the good and the bad, the ups and downs, and He still holds us tight when we think we can't go another step.  We are blessed with health, food, clothing & shelter; good friends, great church home, and loving extended family.

Blessings to you all....

Settling Down

What a whirlwind couple of months! I really do love to blog, but with so much happening, I just haven't had the desire to post.  I really like adding pictures, but don't have those either. One idea I had going full of pictures...let's just say, we can't find the pictures.  They were on the camera, Carl downloaded them all off the camera and just those pictures are no where to be found.  Not sure what happened, but if we find them, I'll go back and do a post.

My brother Max is recovering well - still having some pain with his broken ribs, but overall, so grateful to be alive and able to get around.

That going well, we headed into July.  July 4th morning I sent a text to our son and his wife to wish them a "Happy 4th" -- in a few minutes, we received a call from them - "Happy 4th...I'm in the hospital" -- wwwhhaaat?!  The evening before, around 9pm, Charlie had pains in his chest, numbness in his left arm, cold sweats and nausea.  His precious wife, an RN (yes, I've shared that many times), took him to the hospital and after exams and blood tests, he learned, yes, he had suffered a heart attack.  He's only 35 for crying out loud!!!  So, after we talked and felt reasonably sure he was stable and doing okay for the time being, decided to stay put for now.   On Thursday, he was given a heart cath and he did have some slight blockage and "unstable" plaque.  So, he had to stay put under IVs and various tests until Monday morning, when he had another heart cath.  After determining he would not have to have a stent or other treatment for now, he was released and finally got back home around 6:30 p.m.

So far so good -- Charlie is taking it easy and eating much better and beginning some "cardiac therapy".  We have bought tickets to fly to Pittsburgh at the end of August for nine days and can't wait to see him and Nichole (and our grandcats, Onyx and Pepper). 

Can't believe it's been two months since my daddy died...what a crazy year 2012 has been so far.  I so pray things will settle down for everyone and have a less-hectic remaining 5 1/2 months!  [we have lost several older members at church, and friends have lost loved ones - hand fulls of persons who have gone on to meet the Father]

Have a great week and I hope to check in a bit more often...at least we plan to have pictures for a great post from our trip to PA!

Catching Up

Can't believe it's already been a month since my sweet daddy died and since I've posted anything here.  This is my first Father's Day without him and of course, it is a sad day.  But, we've worshipped and had hugs from friends and lunch with other friends and now back home.

Since the last post, I've already had artheroscopic knee surgery (June 7th) and did very well, according to my doctor.  I had virtually no pain and am just taking it nice and easy when I walk, but no issues.

But the hits just keep on comin' -- this past Thursday evening, my oldest brother Max, was knocked down by a 70 lb. (+/-) tree limb while checking out some downed limbs in his back yard.  He was heading back into the house when struck, but we are so blessed and grateful his lady friend, Dean, was there to get him medical help.  He's been in the hospital with 6 broken ribs, a broken bone in his shoulder and a partially collapsed lung, as well as a large hematoma on his back side from hitting a rock on the way down.  His dear daughters are with him, as well as Dean, and are trying to get him to do his breathing treatments, drink lots of water and walk as requested...he's stubborn, but I pray he will heal with time and care.

Looking forward to some time with our son and "daughter" in Pennsylvania the end of next month...we'll have to rearrange our original plans, since Carl's leave was depleated a bit being with Dad and my surgery.  But, that's okay - a few days is better than another year going by without seeing them.

Blessings for a great week...love to all.

"How Sweet It Is"

These last two weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and fast-paced events.  In a span of seven days, our precious Daddy learned he had stage four cancer and "expired" (as he always called "dying" in his quirky way).  But he was surrounded by a caring staff of nurses and doctors, his loving family (some via telephone), friends who called or visited, and he was free from pain until the last couple of hours. 

"Tip" Baker was a blessed man, with a long, full life and for 90.5 years, he certainly didn't look or act his age.  He learned to use a computer in his late 70's and had been on Facebook the last few years.  He kept up with world events, encouraged family and friends with frequent "forwards" and The Daily Motivator.  He worked out at the clubhouse exercise room, met weekly with a men's church Bible study and coffee club, took care of his wife's daily needs [sadly, she is suffering from dementia] with the dedicated help of her daughter, Linda, and loved family and friends.  He loved Alabama football, Braves baseball, and listened to Rush Limbaugh.  He enjoyed movies on the television via NetFlix, handled his own finances, continued to drive and as they were able, he and Carole would attend ball games (all sports) played by Carole's great grandson, Adam.

Our Dad was a mess...we spent those latter days recalling funny times and special memories from his childhood and our own with him.  He even wanted his address book so he could go through it, wanting to be sure certain folks were notified when the "time came"...or, "they'll learn about it by word of mouth".  And folks did hear and each of the children and Carole's family, received numerous visits, calls, cards, emails, and texts from people expressing their sympathy over our loss.

Countless times I've been asked "how are you doing?".  I truly am doing well -- I have no regrets and feel so very blessed to have had my father with me and my family for so many years.  He knew he was loved, he was in remarkably good health [even through open heart surgery, stomach surgery due to ulcers, carodid surgery] over the years until the very end.  He had his faculties, good mind, and sweet spirit until the final breath.  There will be moments of saddness and loss, but to know he is back with our precious mother again, and with the Lord, that is priceless. 

As a family, we decided to have his footmarker inscribed, "How Sweet It Is"...he used that phrase often when there was something he liked that had happened, or a really good meal was put before him...and now the very best is yet to come! 

We love you, Little Pa!  Gone from our lives, but we look forward to the hereafter with you and Mom!

The following is a poem written by our great-niece, Kayla Renee Baldwin. She wrote this as a project in Literature class, and finished it the day Daddy died...we placed a copy of the poem in his casket and her older brother, Theo, a member of the United States Marine Corp, read it aloud at the graveside service...

This poem is in memory of my great granddad, Lil Pa.

This writing is based on true events.  Our great granddad Tip Baker has stage 4 cancer with a mass on his colon which metastasized to his lungs, liver, and adrenal gland.

Now that you’ve lived ninety years,
    your time for peace is almost here.
You’ll soar up to heaven’s gate,
   with friends and family there to wait.
With his hand of striking fear, Death
    will take you from those who hold you dear.
You will meet Death with God on your side,
    knowing you’ll have no existing fears to hide.
No more sorrows, no more pain
    no more worries, only peace and relief to gain.
You wish me not to mourn for you,
    so this plea I will try to do.
You wish not to go on anymore.
You have seen what all there is to see
    and lived life the way it’s meant to be.
I will miss you more and more. Your
   Memories I will always keep stored.
Even though this cancerous thief
    takes you from me, I’m happy to
    know you’ll live peacefully for eternity.
Now I say a little prayer in hopes that
    God may hear me and give me an answer.
As you lay you head down to sleep,
    I pray thee Lord your soul to keep.
And if you die before you wake, I pray
   Thee Lord your soul to take.
 

It's Not Good...

...these words were difficult to hear on Tuesday night. My brother Philip, sharing the news that our Dad has stage four cancer which has metastasized to his lungs, liver and adrenal gland.  Hard to swallow and the days ahead are unknown for what will transpire.

But our Dad is a believer, a child of the King, and he will be the winner, regardless of what happens in this life and how soon.  He is loved by a multitude of family and friends and we will do what we can to make his latter days comfortable and full of memories.

Pray for Dad's peace with his news and comfort in the days ahead.  Due to his age and condition, we doubt he will choose to go through any treatments other than comfort care.  Pray too, for his wife's family, who also have difficult decisions to make regarding Carole's care.

We love and appreciate our dear friends who hold us up and help us move forward...God is Good - to Him be the Glory!

I love you, Pa!

Baby "Tip"

Young man, approx. age 18

 

90 years and counting

Happy Birthday My Love

April 17 is the birthdate for my sweet husband!  Don't want to embarrass either one of us, but here's some pictures through the years.  We've changed physically a good bit, but we still love each other, enjoying the good times and supporting each other through the difficult times...

Happy Birthday, Carl!

Here's to many, many more!

Check out those eyelashes!



Company Commander at Lanier High School

Our Wedding Day, July 20, 1974

Coffee with His Mother, 1977

Maclay Gardens, 2010

And most recently, our family on Christmas Eve, 2011
Carl, Melissa, Nichole, Charlie, Mike
 [One of Carl's proudest moments, after having the  honor of presiding
over the marriage of our son Charlie to his beautiful bride, Nichole]





The Down side to Spring

I'd love to say that Spring is a most wonderful season in beautiful Tallahassee...and it is!  But it sure came fast this year - a lot of the azaleas and dogwoods around here have already bloomed - hopefully there will be more to come.  But the sunshine and crisp mornings and low humidity have made these days such a blessing from God.

There is also a down side to this time of year for me.  At least it has this year.  I find myself selfishly wanting to be retired and enjoying the outdoors, taking trips to see family whenever I want, taking day trips to the beach, stopping in to visit a shut-in or someone in the hospital or someone lonely.  I don't want to be at a desk all day and then have no energy or desire to do anything after work.  [There are some Thyroid issues and possibly some other health-related things which drag my energy levels down, but this is the pits!] 

I want to be organized so badly, but don't take the time to do anything about it.  All the paperwork at home (personal, Mrs. V's and Woodmen), at the office are just in piles and I can't find a thing when I need it!   Everything is a shambles and it's eating away at me.  The house is dirty and every room is filled with things I need to do something with...a giant yard sale is on the horizon! 

Maybe this is just some "spring fever" issues.  Maybe it's really a "heart issue".  But all I know is I have got to get some things under control or I'll continue to be miserable and take others down with me along this sad road.

These sayings I found on Facebook today really hit home, so I pray [something else I haven't been good at lately either] I can get my life in order and be on the upswing very soon.

Blessings to everyone - we're going out of town this weekend, so maybe that will help - even though we'll be working in Montgomery, I pray it will help...

A Giant Tree Has Fallen in the Forest

                                        

William C. "Bill" Owen

1942 - 2012

Bill Owen was a strong, honest, loyal, dedicated man.  He was loved by family, friends, associates and will be sorely missed.  Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, he attended Leon High School and the University of Florida, where he earned his law degree.  He practiced law here in Tallahassee and was also on the Board of Directors of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.  For several years he had been serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and only retired from that position in February of this year.  He led the company with integrity and by example.  We shall miss his presence at local, state and national functions, but his memory and leadership will be a lasting tribute.

The Florida Gators and the game of Golf were his passion...only next in line from his wife, Carolyn and his children, grandchildren and friends...and his law practice.  On Wednesday morning the auditorium at Faith Presbyterian Church was full of those wishing to pay their respects to Bill's family and memory.  That speaks volumes, to have people at a service from all over the country.  Bill was that type of man and his family should be proud of his legacy.

Though our Woodmen "rituals" have been changed over the years, I want to share some of the words from the older funeral passage practiced for many years...I believe they are fitting for such a dedicated Woodmen Fraternalist...

     "...we are reminded this day perhaps more forciably than ever of the uncertainty

      of human life, and while we have witnessed the removal of another stately tree

     from the forest of Woodcraft, may we all be mindful of the lesson it may teach us.

     Today we share the sorrow of those who mourn, realizing that on any tomorrow

     it may be one of us who may receive the call to exit this earthly forest.

    

      Our hearts are sad today and every impulse of our soul is that of sympathy for

     those who loved our faithful Sovereign best.  His absence from our forest will be

     keenly felt.  The kind expressions of his voice will be replaced with an unbroken

     silence.   And yet, my friends, he should not be forgotten.  His kind acts and his

     pleasant words should be treasured as priceless gems upon which your mind

     will love to dwell in the fondest of recollections.  He has fulfilled his earthly

     destiny.  The battles along life's pathway have been bravely fought.  The race has

     been completed, and the prize awaits the victor at the closing of the day.  The

     influence of his life, however, shall not soon pass from us.  He has left a worthy

     heritage in the hands of the true and trusted Sovereigns who gather here today

    to do his memory reverence..."

To those of you who are not associated with Woodmen of the World these words may sound strange.  But to those of us who are  a part of this wonderful fraternal organization, it is comforting to be part of this great "family fraternity" which is "with you through life"...and in death...

And closing, the words written in the funeral program...

     "May the road rise up to meet you,

       May the wind be always at your back.

          May the sun shine warm upon your face.

             and the rains fall soft upon your fields,

                 and until we meet again,

                     May God hold you in the palm of His hand."

Rest at peace old friend...

                            

Babies and Weddings and Deaths, O My!

Once again, the first quarter of 2012 has brought so much joy, excitement and grief!  I've blogged before of the many losses our church family has experienced, but just since that post, we have had more serious illnesses among us, and this morning I learned of the passing of a great man - within the Tallahassee community and our Woodmen family.  More to come on this most recent loss once it has been shared more publically.

Now, to the more upbeat news on babies: since the fall of last year , we have celebrated at least six new babies and I know of at least two more due in the coming months.  Seems like I've become one of the "last to know", so there may be more coming up!  What a blessing for these little families!

After a lull in weddings, we now have two out-of-town weddings two weekends in a row in May!  That's Carl's busiest time of year at work, but we're going to work hard to try to make them both (or I may have to hitch a ride to one by myself...we'll see).  Blessings and best wishes to the love birds!

Spring Break will officially end this weekend, so Preschool will be back in session, as will our public schools.  More traffic back on the roads, and excitement filling the air for the end of the school year!  At church we have nine seniors graduating in a few months.  The circle of life keeps moving - this is the largest class of my recollection we've had since the class of 2000, when there were eleven.  We pray we will have more little ones moving into our Faith Lane, more 5th graders moving up to Faith Quest, then more 8th graders who will move into Faith Way.  But, with all the new babies and the way time flies, it will be no time before Faith Lane will be hopping big-time.

Blessings to you all!

I'm Positive It's Hard to Stay Positive

This cute picture was posted by a friend and I just had to share it.  But the sentiments numbered above are most certainly true and will move us into a better frame of mind if we allow them to.

As the week winds down, I'm happy to share that...I learned how to edit the website at church (believe me when I say, it is definitely still a work in progress, but at least I'm getting there), I've enjoyed the beautiful weather we're having in Tally (though the temperatures are average for late May/early June), sitting with friends during a loved-one's surgery is the right thing to do, dinner with friends is also the right thing to do now and then (even if you think you "can't afford it"),  showers for and celebrating with soon-to-be newlyweds is fun, praying for and visiting the sick is necessary (and does us just as much good as it does the ones you are visiting and/or praying for), we should grieve with those who lose a beloved pet just as we do when there's a human loss, the telephone is a blessing when your loved one(s) are hundreds of miles away, we can't control what those in leadership do/say (but God is in control and others will have to answer for what they say and do), and reading/practicing these "10 Rules" everyday will help keep you walking more closely toward a positive attitude!

Have a blessed weekend!