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Mother's Day is coming up in May and the children's ministry at our church has a mother/daughter tea the Saturday before Mother's Day every year. Tables are sponsored by individuals and tickets are sold. Each table is decorated according to a children's book the sponsor picks out. At the tea, the book is read and all attendees are served finger sandwiches, scones, tea and etc. It's really great fun. I decided to practice making the deserts I would make for the table I will sponsor. I am choosing to make cupcakes for our desert. You will see in the future my table, book and etc. As you can see, I'm not exactly a pro at baking, but I will practice more. I guess I have to call on my professional baking daughter-in-law (Alix) for a few lessons. But, I have a month to work on it and Jimmy seems to enjoy them with a little ice cream on top!

Helping Hands

As I said before, Jimmy and I are remodeling our extra bedroom. We've already begun building the panelling but have quite a bit to go. We needed more lumber to complete the room and had to call Clark for help in picking up additional supplies from the hardware store in his truck (thank goodness SOMEONE in this family has a truck!) Clark agreed to meet me at the hardware store last night. I would deliver Huston to him and he would pick up lumber for me and bring it to our house. (Great for ME I'd say!) While Huston and I waited, Huston decided he wanted to sit on a RED mower - the same color as "Lightning McQueen", from the "Cars" movie (his FAVORITE). He also decided to take a ride with the lumber as we traveled through Lowes picking out lumber. I think we all had a little fun last night.

Huston came to spend the night tonight, for his usual Tuesday night "visit" with Lovey and "Jim". Tomorrow, he goes to BSF with Lovey and then naps and plays the afternoon. I was worried that he would ask questions about Tanner I wouldn't be able to answer without crying. I picked up Tanner's ashes today from the vet and placed them on the shelf along side Maxine's. It was a very difficult day and really wasn't in a great mood to do a lot of explaining. But you know children...their minds are so sweet and simple. Huston asked were Tanner was and I said, "She's not here, Honey." I expected him to carry on with more questions, but he didn't. What a sweet child he is. He simply went about playing, accepting what I had given him. God is good, allowing me to answer the truth, the best I can today. The next time he asks, perhaps I can explain more, if he inquires further. Huston so loved to let Tanner out of her room, give her a cookie, feed her and let her outside to potty. And Tanner loved to drag her toys out to play while the children were here. Man...I will miss that scene!

Jimmy's Memorial to Tanner

She was around when the boys went off to Baylor ... to become young men. She provided needed comfort in the loss of parents ... encouragement and support during wedding activities, made the trek to a 'new' home in San Antonio and welcomed the sight of new birth ... Huston and Emery. (She still couldn't get over out how fast Emmy had grown!)

Sure, we all must grieve in one way or the other - mine is to simply do so 'afterward' and in memorialized text. (Yeah, you'll recall the Christmas after Dad passed away ... !) But, she was a part of our family for 11 years and 5 days -- and, I suppose, when the nest empties ... pets become more a 'part' of what remains.

In the end, she left this world as she had remained steadfast with us ... in peace, comfort and love -- yeah, I've had about 5 dogs in my lifetime: Spike, Shim, Max, Maxine and Tanner -- and she was the best! No doubt!

(I guess I didn't mind picking up her poop so much after all ....)

We will miss you, 'Good Girl' ....

A New Guest Room

Today has been a great day. Jimmy and I finally started re-decorating the extra bedroom upstairs. I hate that room and have wanted to re-do it for quite a while. I have known exactly what I want to do, but would need Jimmy's help and carpentry skills to assist me in my plans. Today's work began with our usual trip to Lowes Hardware for all the special wood products and tools needed. I have unloaded old furniture and have very little left in the room. We promised each other we wouldn't have the usual first day's "battle of the sexes" as we often do when workingt on projects together. Usually the first day is @#?&*! But today was really quite nice. Let's pray the rest goes as well. Jimmy warned me that this project will take a while and I will have to be patient. That is really hard for me but I will do my best. When I get going on something...well, lets just say, I become consumed with wanting to get it finished ASAP and have everything perfect. I'll keep you posted.

Our Little "Lady Bear" Emery helping mom and dad at the hardware store.

Here we go!

Hi everyone! Well, I'm going to try my hand at this...I'm off facebook - too much talking going on back and forth from people I've never heard of. Just couldn't keep up. Hope to keep everyone up to date with all that is going on in our family.

We've had some sad news this week. Our precious Tanner was put to sleep on Thursday. When Jimmy and I returned from New York on Wednesday, we were told by the vet that she had cancer and wouldn't make it. We were able to keep her home for a week and on Thursday, Jimmy and I took her in and were with her when they put her down. I must say, as many of you have experienced, it was a very difficult time for us. We had her for 11 years and loved her dearly. It was quite traumatic for me since she was really my dog, chosen and cared for by me 11 years ago. She will be truly missed.

Yesterday was our Whitney's birthday. Though she and Graham are in Chicago, we feel like we are with her wishing her a big birthday celebration. As many of you know, Whitney has been a news anchor woman and has been applying in the Chicago area for positions in the area. She hopes to know by this week of a couple of positions that have come available. Keep her in your prayers.

Our two angels, Huston and Emery are getting ready for Easter. Clark and Alix are readying things and Jimmy and I will get to spend Easter Sunday with the four of them at church and then the club for lunch. It is always a special time for us to see them since the "Easter Bunny" will be there for all the children.

I look forward to posting pics from that fun event and will keep you updated when the time comes.