William's Dedication

It was May 13th... Mother's Day...a perfect day for William's dedication! 

I loved the way the dedication was done at this church. 

William wasn't too sure what was going on...

 

Benjamin wasn't too sure why in the world he was up in front of so many people...

Lindsey read some scripture she and Donnie had chosen for William...

Then Donnie read vows they had written for him....

 Pastor Ron prayed over this special family....

I'm sure William will appreciate all this as he grows, but at that moment in time, he would rather have been getting a little nourishment from his mama!

I love the way Benjamin kept looking at his daddy as he read!

William Joseph...

a very special day for a very special little guy!  I'm grateful we were able to be there...along with Uncle Gabe and Oma & Opa (Jean Marie and Betty)...

Benjamin and the fountain

 

On April 11, we went to Palo Alto and to the Stanford Mall. My guy, Donnie, Don, and Susan (Donnie's parents) were heading to a workshop...so Lindsey, Benjamin, William and I went shopping. Well, we didn't get any shopping done because Benjamin was mesmerized by this fountain. It was a great place to take a few pictures!

Joshua's 36th birthday!

 36 years ago today, my baby boy was born.  I KNEW he was Joshua...even though there were no ultrasounds or any tests to see the sex of the baby.  I just knew...I had dreamed about him... My friends and co-workers would ask, "How's Joshua?" when I was pregnant. 

 May 14, 1976... I was in labor...

 and my 9 lb. 3 oz. perfect little Joshua was born!  I had my babies without any drugs...no epiderals... just push those babies out!

 My baby boy, Joshua, had the fatest little cheeks!

 Some of my friends came to visit us at the hospital....  My best friend, Barbara... she's the one with the CIGARETTE!  IN THE HOSPITAL ROOM... WITH A BABY!  My, how times have changed!  Thank goodness!

 I loved this little seat...well, Joshua loved this little seat.  He could be propped up to check out what was going on... I don't even think they make things like that anymore.

 We had come home from the hospital and were sitting out in the backyard.  My Aunt Jane was just coming off her chemo for cancer.  Beside her is Mimi and my mom, the infamous, Saddie.  In front is my cousin, Ray, who we used to call Bonner... and then me. 

 My daddy... he always called Joshua, 'Big Josh'!  He was absolutely crazy about his grandson!

 

Me, Joshua, and Mom

 Joshua is 8 weeks old here...and I'm feeding him Rice cereal!  I wouldn't do that now!

 My cousin, Patti.  Her little brother is Ray (Bonner)...and my Aunt Jane was her mother...

 My little Joshua!

 My daddy loved to hold Joshua...to walk with him...to keep him for me while I did errands, or whatever!

 Joshua...your mama has loved you from before you were even born!

 Your Saddie has always been crazy about you too!

 What a beautiful baby you were...everyone always commented on how adorable you were...and, still are, of course!

 Mimi was crazy about her first great-grandson!

 Aunt Jane was crazy about her first great-nephew!

 You and I, Joshua...we always had so much fun playing!

 I loved to take you to Temple to see Mimi.  Here we are:  Granddad, Mimi, Aunt Terry and then you and I...

 Your daddy always has thought you were the absolute best...you've always loved to help...even now, you're always ready for a 'project'!

 35 years ago...this was your first birthday!  I remember that little outfit.  I loved it!

 We went to Petal, Mississippi....

 and Pensacola, Florida, where you LOVED the ocean...loved the beach!

You started growing up...a happy little guy.  I think one of your nephews looks SO much like you, especially in this picture.

Joshua...my first little man!  I wish I could put in  words what you have always meant to me!

I love you...so much!
Happy Birthday... and happy anniversary to you and Erica!

April car washing

 This was actually back in April when Benjamin was visiting.  It was one of those rare gorgeous days and my guy decided to wash the car.

 He had a helper... who squirted his papa...

 But that was OK...Papa just gave him a little more direction on rinsing the car...

Perfect!

Today is Mother's Day...and we just got home from spending Mother's Day with Lindsey and family....and having William's dedication.  I wanted to post something for MY MOM who likes to read the blog while she eats her breakfast... and seeing as we didn't get home until 10:30 p.m.... I decided to do a short post with some of my pictures I haven't had time to post!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

When inlaws are friends

 

Donnie's parents, Don and Susan, are from Montana!  They were visiting Benjamin and William in April and my guy and I went down and overlapped a little over a day so we could visit.  What we hadn't realized was that we've only been together once since the wedding 9 years ago. On one of their visits to California,we met at a brewery for dinner!

 May 9, 2007

 That means, of course, that Benjamin had never had both his sets of grandparents together...and there are some similarities!

 Grandpa and William...head back, asleep...

Papa and William...head down, asleep...

 

Proud grandparents of Benjamin and William!

William looking into Grandma's eyes...

  

William looking into Mimi's eyes...

Benjamin loved it!   Actually, we all loved it!

What a gift it is to everyone when in-laws are friends!

Hawaii

 My baby boy...my first baby boy...and my sweet daughter--in-law, Erica, are in Hawaii.  That's  not where this picture of them was taken, but that's where they are now.  Last Wednesday, they flew over.  They come home tomorrow.  Their anniversary, and Joshua's birthday, are in a week. 

 I think Joshua said this was lava rock. 

I love it that they went...and I know they're having a wonderful time. Originally, they thought they would be taking a trip to Virginia to look for housing...and then found out they didn't have to move.  The Virginia tickets were traded for Hawaii tickets...sounds like a good deal to me!

 The view from their room...

 Update:  Joshua just sent me this photo of he and Erica from Hawaii!

I would love to go to Hawaii...

Some day.....

Happy Anniversary to you both...and an almost Happy Birthday to my baby boy!