Our "Belle of the Ball"

When Megan married David he/they committed to serving our country in the Navy as part of the Seabees. I remember going to his Basic Training graduation in California and while there visiting the Seabees Museum. What an amazing outfit they are. Since then David has gone on to distinguish himself in service and in rank. I'm very proud of him for the danger he puts himself into to protect this country and its freedom. The Seabees are celebrating their 100th Birthday and part of that celebration was a "Ball" which he and Megan attended.

To see more...check out Meg's Blog to the right! http://virginianbeauty2727.blogspot.com/

Extended Family....

Over the years Pat and I have developed very close relationships with certain people who can best be described as "extended family." Melissa Anderson lived with us for a time and is one of our "extended Kids!" ....and now that our kids have kids we enjoy following their "endeavors." Here is Melissa and Rod's baby , Milly (named after an old girlfriend of mine!) who recently was voted, "Miss Baby Sunburst Licking County"....and from this picture you can see why!

Her Royal Princess!
(OK, Melissa....I was just kidding about who she was named after!)
For more pictures go to Melissa's Blog link to the right from our page.

For Those Who Go Way Back With Me...

For those who read my blog and knew me when I was a Youth Leader in the Church of God....Here is a picture of someone with whom I've just reconnected and exchanged emails. Can you guess who it is???......

Scroll down.....

Letitia Henry Cooper now lives in California having moved there from Hawaii and works for Liberty Mutual Insurance. She writes that she enjoyed looking at the blog and checking out the lives of my kids through links on our blog. I love reconnecting with "kids" who have been in our youth group years ago and seeing where their life adventures have taken them.

The Fam Together...

My cousin Butch (Doesn't he look like a "Butch!") and his wife Ilene came through Newark for a visit. As he said at supper it seems the only time they have been here has been for funerals! But tonight was about Happy Time! We all ate out and told stories and laughed and enjoyed each other's company.

We then moved the gathering to Jay and Ruth's and enjoyed stories about fishing, family and fun. This picture is of my brother Bob and sister Ruth....THE SIBS!

Thanks Jay and Ruth for the hospitality!

Florida....Here We Come!

OK...OK...I know it's a goofy picture...but hey...IT'S MY BLOG! Why has it been a week and a half since I've blogged you ask....(Or maybe you don't really care!) I'VE BEEN BUSIER THAN A CAT WITH A LONG TAIL IN A ROOM FULL OF ROCKING CHAIRS!!After the last blog I came down with the same malady the Grandaughters had! I was sick for a week then right into the delivery of 7 Habits at Lakewood High School then to corporate execs in Piqua Ohio. So here we are now anxiously awaiting a getaway to the warmth and climate of Florida! We fly out next Tuesday for a week in the Clearwater area. Bring on the palm trees!

OK..OK..PROMISE THESE WILL BE THE LAST GRANDCHILD PICTURES....For a while!

Going through the pictures taken in Virginia Beach I came across these that just couldn't be left out!

The laughter and fun were such an important part of the trip and I just felt that comes through in these shots. For those who peak in on the blog for nature shots I say...SPRING IS COMING!

GrandPa's Role In The Hard Times

Not sure if you can tell from this picture but on our last day of our visit, Hailey got very.....very....sick. It happened while her Mom and Grandma were away from the house......leaving me and a sick girl! It reminded me of days when her Mom got sick when she was little and how helpless I would feel. With her fever she was so listless and not her chipper self. But alas Mom and Grandma came home and she began to feel better.....and then....the smile came back.....

Is there anythng more precious than a grandchild......

Morning Devotions...

As I love to do on my trips to Virginia Beach, I woke up at 6 AM this morning intent

on holding my morning God connect time at sunrise on the beach. When I got there

it was cold and cloudy and there was not much prospect of what I had anticipated......







I pulled the truck facing east and began to pray and connect with God. I began

thinking of the friends I have...... those I love to just "be around."

"(Who are those friends in your life??)





......AND THEN IT HIT ME.....The ONE who I MOST enjoy "hanging around with....."

IS GOD HIMSELF!

....and here we are together....Me communicating WITH Him in morning prayer....and

Him communicating WITH me....His Grandeur and Presence....and Nearness....

It's times like these that ENERGIZE MY SOUL....That recharge the OL' SPIRITUAL

BATTERY.....and just like I come away REACTIVATED from time spent with close friends......

......Nothing compares.....Nothing compares....Nothing Compares....To time spent with my

Dearest....Closest...Friend...

AND LIFE.....AND AFTERLIFE..... COMPANION!

Our Visit to the Aquarium

This picture exempifies what this trip is all about. It's time with the Grandkids....answering the questions of Hailey's inquisitive mind...enjoying their curiosity about absolutely everything...including in this case a turtle. It's a whole other world through the eyes of children.