From a great distance to see great gramma

Mom enjoying the sun as she waits for her guests

Son Tim from Singapore and his daughters Ami, Lauren and Meghan and their children Jacob, and Sage

Tim and Ami, Meghan with her daughter Sage (18 months), Lauren and her son Jacob (12 months)

and Ami's son Ethan (5).

Tim lives in Singapore, Meghan in Baltimore, Maryland, Ami from Anaheim, California and Lauren from Sydney, Australia

These sweeties are the 3 youngest greatgrands of mom's 9 greatgrands

Thanks to the generosity of friends and family

I was able to purchase the excellent language lessons of Rosetta Stone for learning Polish. It just seemed a great idea for my birthday - I am excited to begin. I will keep you posted.

A birthday to remember

Joanie, Mona, MJ and Tina enjoy the lake view
and then the fireworks

THANK YOU one and all for all the facebook greetings, phone calls and e-mails. Not to mention the balloons, the cakes, the flowers, the cards, the e-cards and the fireworks! We have been celebrating my special day - for an entire week! :-). I am soooooo glad so many remembered and I am tremendously blessed with incredible friends and family! I look forward to this new year with hope and anticipation of the furtherance of His plans and destiny for my life in the nations.

Mom in the new place

A little bit out of town but a beautiful ride and setting
Granddaughter Sarah comes to visit - note mom's new pixie hair cut
Daughter in law Sue and mom enjoy the wonderful patio

The latest change with mom

Notice the 3 cakes :-)
Enjoying the sun
Jim as Uncle Sam

This last week has been quite the roller coaster of a week. The condensed version is that we moved mom into an extended care facility last Monday July 6. The roller coaster part has been all the realities of that and coping with the emotions of the new reality.

The Lord had repeatedly told me not to take matters in my own hand and to wait and see what would happen and indicated I would look back and say - truly it was the Lord. When the boys decided now was the time and talked with mom, she replied that "Yes, it is time and she was ready." What a relief that was to hear. Last Sunday we had unusually wonderful weather and had a grill party on the deck and most all the family was able to come. Mom loves sitting on the deck in nice weather and loves even more having her family around. We celebrated the 4th of July, my birthday and being together.

On Monday the 6th we took mom to the facility. Now we are all in that time period of coming to peace with the decision and the realities of the move. We are sure she will get good care and the medical attention we could not give her but the other aspects of the change have unsettled all of us. Specifically, the trauma of the move has caused her to be very sleepy and at times even more confused. All the sights and sounds are distracting as she was used to a quiet, peaceful house (until the family all showed up :-). Bells, alarms, whistles, talking that has nothing to do with her is a big distraction. The facility is good about us being there whenever we like. Even Libby, my brother's dog can and has visited which was great fun.

Thanks for praying as you can.

Let freedom ring!

Let freedom ring! God bless America and God Bless you!!

A great surprise!

It was only an overnight but we got a chance to make chocolate chip cookies, enjoyed "Red, White and Blue" French Toast for breakfast, hugs from greatgrammy and time for the boys to play catch with dad not to mention falling in love with a stray dog.

Could we be a TV reality show family?

A couple of my nieces think so and since they told me that I have seen some moments that would have been viewer worthy. So, here is the latest episode -
Saturday, June 27 was the 25th anniversary of my dad, "Bits" death. Mom had been wanting to go up to the cemetary to see how the plants were doing so we scheduled 2.30 on Saturday....of course it was pouring down rain but hey, we had the help - MJ, Kathi, Jim & Rhonda so off we went. We then kidnapped David for the "visit". Mom was so excited to be out for a ride even in the rain.

The "dry" run - Jim & Kathi trying out the ramps

How many Irishmen does it take......

I rolled the car window down for this shot :-)

We miss you Bits! - On the tip of the flag - Jim has placed his "Callery for Fulton County Treasurer" badge - don't miss mom in the car

The plants are looking good and we added a bouquet of roses

Recent Happenings

"No rules for kids" Uncle Jack tried to back the riding lawn mower out of the garage. The door actually hit his head and he was flicking glass out of his hair. He is ok, the lawnmover is ok, (David is glad because it is his!) he did the lawn so that's ok and now we wait for the repair.

On the deck

Is mom a Maxine look alike or what?

Forgot to show you the beautiful peonies

and the strawberry shortcake - fresh berries and from scratch shortcake - yummy!

Check out the painting

on the wall - MJ original 1992