Spring Cometh

Yes, Spring is in the air. The daffodils are rocketing from the earth; the buzzards are catching rising warm air currents; and this yellow-bellied sapsucker is tapping into the sap as it begins to rise once again in the Maple trees.

dog breath be gone!

Good doggy hygiene keeps Candy's teeth looking good. Now if I can only keep track of which tooth brush is mine.

Brayden turns 1

Brayden's original birthday party got "iced out". The weather was bad here so the party was rescheduled for Sunday. We really enjoyed the time we spent with Brayden, family, and friends. Tabitha decorated with a Baby Einstein theme and she did a real good job (with a little help from her Cricut and Suzanne). She used the Cricut to make the Happy Birthday banner.
Here is a picture of Brayden with PawPaw. This is one of the few times during the day that Brayden was caught being still -- and that was before cake.

He wasn't real excited about opening presents. He was more interested in other things going on but Tabitha and Sean were able to keep his attention long enough to get through most of them.

At first he wasn't really sure what to think about the cake, but as you can see before he was through with it he had the hang of it real good. I am surprised he didn't get sick, but even after cake he ate a cookie or two.

He didn't eat the entire cake, this is a picture of him still going after Tabitha took the cake off his tray.

We look forward to many birthday's to come with our precious little man. Love you, Brayden

Cold Feet

Poor birds; they have had to perch on ice covered limbs all day. I noticed these turkey vultures and redshouldered hawk all sitting in the same tree. Kind of a morbid thought, but this tree overlooks highway 7, so I wonder if these vultures were expecting an accident. I think the redshouldered hawk stands out nicely against the gray sky and icy limbs.

Icy Grip

Winter has struck again with a coating of ice that is so far confined to the trees and power lines. We might be in for a long, dark, cold night if the rain and temperature continue to fall!

Please, hang in there! Don't quit on us now!
Brody's tree (crab apple) will bend but not break!

Doesn't look good for the trees. Limbs will be and have been snapping off.

Bradford pears.

Pine trees bowing to old man winter.

Ready. . . aim. . . fire!

I was looking through some old pics and came across these two. Judging from her expression, Tabitha must have found the experience painful.

We will miss you

Troy's dad passed away Saturday morning at 4:40 after a very long bout with cancer. Even though we will miss him very much we know he is in a better place and is no longer suffering. His love for his family was always evident. He would do anything for us. Some people may have seen him as rough but that was only around the edges. He was extremely tenderhearted and he never met a stranger. He may be gone from this world but he will live in our hearts until we get to see him again in the Lord's kingdom. Gonna miss you, dad

Cousins Collide

When have you ever seen such good looking boys in your life? We are just delighted to have both grandsons here together with us. They are both a blast to play with and have their own unique personalities.

The cousins formally renew their acquaintance. "Hello, my name is Brody." "What is yours?"

"Mommy, is this really my cousin?"

"I told you we were cousins."

"I really like him!"

Arkansas Prepares

Well, it looks as if Arkansas is preparing for the arrival of Adam, Justine, and Brody. We were afraid they might miss the snow of NH, so Arkansas decided to produce some of its own. I just hope it doesn't delay any of their flights.

Christmas 2009

Candy opens her second present (raw hide candy canes from the Clarkes) that she proceeds to bury in every pillow and furniture cushion in the house. Her first present was the peace sign shirt Alex bought her.
Brayden enjoyed his magical wall/door with all the gizmos attached. Unfortunately, the toy came with a malfunctioning sound board. Or maybe it is not malfunctioning . . . maybe it is suppose to sound that way. . . like someone speaking Chinese considering where Mattel outsources it manufacturing! Don't get me started with all this "made in China" stuff.

Brayden crawls to mommy, but soon will be walking everywhere.

Mommy/sis

Alex opens gift from sis and Sean

It even snowed Christmas Eve leaving a dusting of white stuff on the grass and cars, nothing major. Unfortunately, it has been a bitter/sweet holiday and in many ways just did not seem like Christmas. To begin with Adam and his family were missing, but should be here in less than two weeks. However, we were able to visit via web cam which was really neat and we hope to take advantage of the technology to see more of them throughout the year.

But most of all, Dad's untimely admission into the hospital Christmas Eve night and the strong possibility of him never returning home did much to dampen spirits throughout our family. We are back to taking shifts at the hospital being with Dad around the clock. Ultimately, we know Dad is on the verge of taking that final journey to a much better place thanks to the Christ child that was sent to this earth to die for the sins of all mankind. My father accepted by faith that gift of salvation long ago and looks forward to an eternity with God. We comfort one another in this knowledge, but are not immune from the sadness of loosing him from our lives. Continue to be in prayer for us during these difficult times, particularly my mother.

Brayden with Santa and Mrs. Claus

I have done a little decorating this year. I haven't gotten my tree up yet, but there is still hope. Brayden was here Wednesday and he wasn't really sure what to think about Santa and Mrs. Claus. He wanted to see, but he still wanted to keep his distance. He examines things so closely with lots of thought, of course in the analytical department he didn't stand a chance but to be a true analyst. Between Sean and Tabitha they can research and study a subject to death. I don't have the patience, but it looks like Brayden will.

We Remember.

December 7th, 1941 is a date that I hope is never forgotten. As we sadly loose more and more of the members of that greatest of generations, let's not forget their contributions and sacrifices that made this country great. Sadly, it seems that every generation since has taken for granted and even abused the freedoms that have been handed them. Like many, I mistakenly thought that September 11th, 2001 would be this generation's "Pearl Harbor" and it would serve to revive a sense of national unity and pride, but it seems those feelings were fleeting and superficial. We are so busy celebrating and emphasizing diversity that we no longer have a sense of national unity. We are so involved in preserving and promoting our individuality that we no longer have a national identity. America is no longer the great melting pot, instead we have become a mixing pot. People want to live in America, but do not want to be Americans. What will it take to bring this nation back to its feet? Will there be another great generation in this nation? I pray so.

Only in Arkansas

Last Saturday, Debbie and I went to White Oak Lake and Poison Springs State Parks. I was after bird pictures and was very disappointed. All that was stirring that day was a Great Blue Heron shown above. But then we came across this very decorative church building that stands right on White Oak Lake just above the boat ramp. The best I can tell from the signs, here is a church that will teach you how to become fishers of men and bass. I have always heard that fishing is some men's religion. Well, here is where they can go to worship!