Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Seems like the last week flew by with lots of activities and company! Typical end of May busyness. Ed, Donna, and Allie came Tuesday after our full Memorial Day Weekend. They spent time with Mamaw and Papaw and we enjoyed catching up with them and their busy lives. Donna is going to spend the next ten weeks in the states and work on Their Old House while Ed goes back to Nigeria. Allie is moving to Austin to attend aesthetesian (sp?) school there and is apartment hunting. My new fancy-schmancy washer went out (it knew we were having a house full), but Rodney got it replaced Wednesday and I have been washing non-stop since. Martha and Wes came in Wednesday night and they all left Thursday for Kansas City for Donna's dad's memorial service. Joshua graduated from Kindergarten Thursday and Garrett graduated from High School Friday night. I had to work late Friday (until 7:00) since it was the last day of school for Sabine ISD (which I officially work for). However, since my assigned district is Gladewater and school is not out for them until next Friday, I have another week to work. And since residential facilities (which abound in Gladewater) are currently in TEA and OSEP's bullseyes, I have been scrambling to get paperwork together to submit to TEA and would have to work next week anyway, so what the heck. It never seems to end. Anyway, back to this past week's activities--Saturday we went to Garrett's Graduation party in Longview. It was lots of fun watching the kids swim, and the burgers and cake were terrific (I miss the Butcher Shop!). This week I'll be finishing school and paperwork submission (I hope) and next weekend will be another camping trip--this time to Ratcliff Lake in the Davy Crockett National Forest. If I can only make it through one more week...

Memorial Day Weekend

Tommy and Allison drove up from Houston with their crew for the weekend, and we had a great time! The boys and I walked to our little park and played, we all walked to the Children's Park for a play session and photo shoot, and, of course, ate and visited and watched baseball. Then Cindy and Ray and their bunch came up for a cookout Sunday and we went and picked up Mamaw and Papaw and then we ate ourselves silly. We had brisket and burgers and hotdogs and all the trimmings in one meal, as well as the usual assorted cakes and pies. The boy cousins had a fun time all together, without many fights at all. Mamaw and Papaw enjoyed themselves, then Papaw was ready to leave before Mamaw was. So Rodney and Tommy took them home. It was so much fun to have everyone together! The only ones missing were our Tampa crew, and we really missed them.

Donna and Ed are coming up tomorrow with their kids and spouses, and I'm looking forward to catching up on the news from that side of the family. Two weeks of school left, and I'm hoping to take off a little time. It's been kind of busy around here lately.

Happy Anniversary Cindy and Ray!

Lots of years and four children later, Cindy and Ray are celebrating another anniversary. Many good thoughts and wishes are sent to them by special blog express!

A Busy Tuesday Night!

PaPa and I went to Longview Tuesday night to hear James play in his spring concert. We met Cindy and James and Joshua at Papacita's and had a great dinner--with Josh in his uniform ready for his baseball game and James in his shirt and tie for his concert. After dinner, PaPa and I took James to the concert while Cindy ferried Joshua to his game. Then Cindy met us at the concert. The band was really good and James was impressive on the trombone. Then PaPa and I hurried James to his ball game while he changed in the back seat into his baseball attire. We watched his game until Cindy met us with Joshua and finished the evening watching James hit a hard line drive off the first pitch. I didn't even have the camera ready! He stole and ended up scoring. He's a fast runner and sure can hit the ball! It was fun watching the big boys play. James is one talented young man.

Last night, we went to see Mamaw and Papaw. They were feeling well, but Mamaw was having a little bit of a grumpy day. So was I. Every now and then we all have to grumble a little. Overall, though, she was still in much better spirits than she was for so long. Tuesday, Ed and Donna are coming in with their kids and their spouses on their way up to Kansas City for Donna's Dad's funeral Saturday. They'll stay here with us a couple of days and spend some time with Mamaw and Papaw and see what they can do to take care of getting the farm ready to sale.

Nana Duty

I spent another weekend pulling Nana Duty with Cindy's two youngest charmers. I picked up Joshua and Christopher Friday afternoon when Josh got out of school and had them until Sunday afternoon. I managed to get them home before I came home and crashed! We had so much fun playing and cooking and eating and shopping at Target and playing some more. We even squeezed in a little sleep when those little bodies (and this big one) couldn't go any more. I hope Cindy got recuperated on the fast track because that's how those boys of hers roll!

Christopher's Visit

The little fella came last night and we had a sleepover! After a little trouble going to sleep--I had to reassure him that Bogey had chased all the monsters away from Nana's house--he slept in like none of mine ever did. We had pancakes for breakfast and played and watched "Happy Feet." He's got quite the little personality and is really easy going. He's also talking a blue streak. I'll take him back at some point this afternoon, and then it's back to the office tomorrow. It's been a nice, long Mother's Day weekend, but all good things must end.

Happy Mother's Day, Mamaw!

We have the best memories of all the love Mamaw has shared with her children and grandchildren through the years. Thanks for all the hard work and caring and being there for all of us. We love you, Mamaw!

Happy Mother's Day!

Three of the mothers who mean the most to me are my darling daughters and daughter-in-law. They have devoted themselves to their children, and I couldn't be happier with the results of that devotion--my precious grandchildren. Thanks for all your sacrifices, patience, and love. I promise, it will pay off in dividends unimaginable.