The Family

I'm sad that the photo quality isn't very good, but Gram needs a new camera. I had to include this photo of Bo's birthday. All my kids, Aunt Becky, Aunt Judy & Uncle Don, and Jarrod.

Together under one roof

All four kids, in the kitchen, making hamburgers. I can't tell you how special these moment are to me. When you get us all together, it can't help but be a party. My big sister (Judy) and brother-in-law (Don), drove down from NM for the evening. Now that's a devoted Auntie. (haha) Sure wish they could have stayed longer. Don did hook all my electricty up in the bathroom before they left. Let there be light! Bathroom is almost complete.
To top off the celebration of Bo's Birthday, Brooke's mom called. A week ago, I was praying for Brooke just to have another day with her, without sedation. Today, she is walking the halls of St. Lukes. Wow is God awesome.

Thing turns 14

This shock of blond hair is my BoBo. He has a few days left before he has to get it cut. Football starts soon. Fourteen years ago tonight, I was getting ready for an induction first thing in the morning. Bo was born in Hillcrest Baptist Hospital around 2:00, with quite a crowd present to witness the miracle. Sherry Dennis, Terri Bukowski, and ofcourse Paul. Phil had just left and was still in the parking lot.
Thanks to epidurals, birthing a head that wears a size 7.5 was a breeze. Bo weighed 10 lbs 5 oz. A huge big ole boy. Today he is currently growing .5 inch per month. 5'6" at his physical.
His birthday will be spent digging. His daddy needs help. Happy Birthday Bo, we love you!

Soccer "The Family"

Lovely reception. We got to see lots of the ole soccer community. Yvonne played select with Lacey growing up. Cain played and coached a lot of the South Dakota bunch that we have grown to love over the years.
We did find out some disturbing news. Cain will be coaching 9th Grade football for University High. They are our rivals...GO BO!

Happy Couple

Amazing News

Brooke called last night from Houston. They have taken Kay off the Tandem pump that was pumping blood for her. Her heart jumped right in step and started working. They then took her off the respirator...and she started breathing on her own. WOW! The prognosis before yesterday, was, heart transplant as soon as possible. She was very high on the list. Last night they were talking pacemaker, and sending her home. While still guarded, Brooke was extremely happy. She said she was emotional...but didn't know what to do. Laugh or cry, celebrate or hold her breath. I can only imagine.

Knowing what the Doctors were saying just a week ago... makes this very clearly miraculous. We are thankful Lord for the hundreds of people praying for Kay. We have had reports that prayer on her behalf are being said in cities way outside of Waco. So this morning Lord, I am thankful that Brooke is able to have a conversation with her mother today. A second chance, an opportunity to say things that a week ago we thought might go unsaid. Thank you for allowing Billy to speak to his wife again. We thank you also that your healing power encompassed George, Kay's father. Who we thought was having heart trouble also. Turns out to be gall stones. Painful..but fixable.

Today Yvonne and Cain are getting married. We think the world of these two kids, and feel like we were a tiny bit involved in they're getting together. We certainly are proud of them, two Texas kids that went all the way to South Dakota to meet. They have now both graduated college and have come home to Texas to marry and raise a family. Cain is origionally from Elsa. In South Texas, but he has taken a teaching job here in Waco at University High School. Yvonne will do something wonderful with her degree I'm sure of it...but for now... purchasing and setting up house is the first thing on her agenda.

Where's Logan?

All most everyone. Logan was at Phillip's, naturally. She spends every sunday out at Lake Whitney at his house.

We had a good weekend with the family. We hung with Brooke and Jarrod yesterday. We went to the creek. It was fun, but almost dry. So we opted for the pool at Kay and Billy's.
Brooke came home to relieve some stress, and get a few things caught up. She will be headed back to Houston today. Kay is awaiting a heart transplant, still heavily sedated. If one didn't show up this weekend, they will proceed with the internal device that pumps her blood. Then she can be released from the hospital if she stays close.

My Parents - as teenagers

JULY 13

Lois Winifred Freeman Vance was born on July 13, 1921, to Gertrude and Henry Freeman. She was the 13 child if my memory serves me. She was a precious, sweet soul. She has been gone a long time...16 years... WOW. Can't believe it has been that long. I still miss my mother. I complained to my sister once, that I wish I could dream about momma, but I just couldn't. Judy told me, perhaps it's because you are so much like her. . . WOW... I don't know if it's true, I'll hang on to that, because it makes me feel so good.

Update

I know several of you are aware of the grave situation that my husbands ex-wife Kay is facing. Three weeks ago she suffered a heart attack. After surviving a quadruple bypass, she was in a room and looking well. The night before she was to come home, she flat-lined. This was to happen a few more times before the decision was made to Life Flight her to St. Luke's Hospital in Houston. Our Brooke is with her, along with her step-father and grandparents.
I spoke with Brooke this afternoon and she updated me on the situation. They have started the approval process for a heart transplant. The powers that be meet on Tuesday, and as I understand it, will make the final decision on whether she will be a candidate. If approved she will be on the A1 list. (Most Critical). Kay passed the "absolutely not" hurdle. The next level of disqualifiers is a less black and white, a little more grey. This includes age, insulin dependent diabetics, smokers, drinkers etc. So we wait...
Pray for Kay, and that God will have complete control of things. Pray for Brooke as she goes through this heart wrenching stretch of life.

MHS Lineman Camp

Bo at football camp. He is lifting weights every morning with the team, but during this week he was playing. Having a good time.

Lacey took JaiceyBelle to the park recently. They had lots of fun playing Simba on the rocks.

The birthday speech always starts the same. The year changes of course. "19 years ago today...."
I always wake them up with that. It's harder now when they aren't home on their birthday. Anyway! 19 years ago today I was in San Antonio's Humana Women's hospital being induced. Logan was born mid afternoon, and we were on our way home from the hospital before she was even 24 hrs old. In fact, I stood in the front yard and watched fireworks over Randolph AFB on the evening of the 4th. I think to this day, she likes to believe that the fireworks are in celebration of her birth. I like to think so too. Happy Birthday my little Loganberry.