Sunday, April 28, 2013

So Proud!

Joshua...

He's been in school for the last 6 weeks...training for his next adventure with the U.S. Marines.  Friday was graduation day...and I'm so incredibly proud of him!

He graduated as an honor graduate...in Leadership, the highest honor he could possibly have.  Erica was there for the last 9 days, also going to classes.

Now, they are moving to Bangkok...yes, Bangkok..as in Thailand! 




What an adventure they are getting ready to start...

Even though we don't see them very often now...just knowing they're halfway around the world...I already miss them more!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Strawhouse

 What a nice day!  I had a People to People leaders meeting today...we had to travel 3 hours to get there, but what a gorgeous drive it was.  Redbuds in bloom...madrone in bloom...sunny skies....

Once we arrived, it was in the 80's ... a bit nicer than our 50 degrees or so!  We just shopped around most of the day (after my meeting)...and then started toward home.

Fortunately, the Strawhouse was open...a great little cafe right on the Trinity River.  It was gorgeous...I got a latte and we shared a dark chocolate/espresso/mousse dessert that was heavenly...and we sat out on the deck enjoying the river...and the scenery...
The Strawhouse... great place!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Happy Birthday, Mom!

85 years ago, this picture was taken of Bonnie Lou and the rocking chair she had just gotten from her Dad's mom.  He had gotten the chair on his first birthday...then it was passed down to my mom on her first birthday.  I have it now!

85 years ago!
 I don't know how many times I've posted this picture, but I love it!
This would have been the end of 1954 or the beginning of 1955...since I was born in August of 54.  Other photos were taken this day.  This was a story published in the newspaper about my dad letting our St. Bernard out of the backyard to go after some boys who were taunting him.  
My mom became a grandmother with the birth of Joshua...   
This was right after Joshua was born.  Aunt Jane had just finished a chemo treatment. Sitting on the back porch is Aunt Jane, the original Mimi, and Mom.  Ray and I are sitting in front.

 She became a great-grandmother with Thalia...
 She's always loved hats!
 We've been able to meet in Colorado at John David and Becky's...This was Thanksgiving 2011... 
 We've also met in California...This was Christmas, 2010...
 On this Christmas break, we were all together....I love to get photos when we're together...well, I just like to take photos anytime!
 This is July, 2011.  GRITS and Patti came to Dallas to visit...
 
John David and Becky had moved to Colorado...but were back in Texas for a wedding...Look who also showed up?  Addison!
 This is back to Thanksgiving, 2011 in Colorado...Saddie with Thalia...
 and with Sami...
 and with John David and Joshua...
 This photo, in my opinion, is one of the best pictures of my mom!

 The girls had gone out to eat pizza...and do some shopping!




 Back to Christmas, 2010, John David and Becky flew in and surprised about everyone, but we were also missing Addison.  He hadn't been feeling well, thus the sign!
 That Christmas, Mom got a calendar with lots of photos of her great grandkids...and others, of course...

 Emerson wouldn't have much to do with his great grandmother that year, but she kept trying to get him to warm up to her.
 This past Christmas, we met again in Colorado...
 Erica and her grandmother-in-law...



 Most of the girls and their new scarves...
 This past July, Mom came to visit....and picked blueberries for the first time.

 Joshua also came up to visit...but not Erica and Thalia.  Lindsey, Donnie, Benjamin, and William also came up.  Gabe also came to visit, but came by himself.  I was happy to have my boys, but would have loved to have had the rest of their families too!

 We took a trip down to the waterfront.  This picture is the angle of a painting I did years ago.
Mom and Joshua, her first grandson.
 Another great picture...taken in July 2011, I think!
 The girls in November, 2011

There are a lot of memories over 86 years of life!  

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I wish we could all be together for your birthday!

I love you!