Jake...

has been told by Papa that his toenails will be painted when he sleeps.  Jake says, No way!  Well, Papa won this one!

Sorry, Jake, I just had to show the world.

Love you, thanks for being such a good sport.

Jake, Jake, Jake....

Happy Birthday, our miracle boy.  Nine years ago, we didn't know if our one pound ten ounce bundle of joy, born three months too early would get to stay with us...but he did and we are so glad. 

Jake is our second grandchild, thanks to miracles performed every day at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the will of God, we have him in our life.

We have watched this young man grow from a tiny perfect being to the fine young man he is today.  We have loved him since he was no bigger than a good sized sack of candy. 

...and boy, are we proud of him.

Happy Birthday, Jakearooroo!

We love you!!

The Many Faces Of Ki-Anne With Jake

One good dog...one good grandson!

Been Playing...

Too tired to do much else...the maggots in the kitchen sink will soon hatch and fly away...I hope.  If the clothes get dirty enough, I won't have to use hangers.  The new hay crop in the floor is sprouting and lookin' good!

My life is full of children and they love being here.  Two are now playing guitar and talking...I eavesdrop on their conversation as I sit here.   I hear the kind of questions only an eight-year-old can ask his fifteen-year-old hero.  The answers are wise and kind.  It makes me very proud of both.

Jake returns the favor with Zander and shows nothing but kindness.

All my grandsons are fine young men, they make me proud every day with their creativity,their intelligence, their empathy and their love.
Well, that post took a turn!  I was complaining so I'll get back to that.

I wanted to make a new collage header for my blogs but no success.  I wish I were more computer smart.   Now I must do laundry, dishes, grocery shopping and clean house.  Just what I dreamed of doing on my only day off.

May your dishes and clothes be forever clean and the path to your door always open. Y'all have a great one!

Shelling Peas With Aunt Marcy...

can be lots of fun.

It takes lots of concentration,

can be a group activity,

or be done alone,

with lots of breaks.

Meet Jake's Johnny...

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.  I did but gonna have to do some research to know how old Johnny is.  He can chew and he's not lame so those are two good points.  Johnny is a boy, one descended, one not.  He seems very gentle and very willing to be loved on.

Little Grandma Anna and Big Nana with Johnny, Jake is the photographer and the horse was given to him.  This time last year, Johnny was a rack of bones.  He's in better shape this summer and since no one would buy him, the neighbor gave him to Jake.

 No flip flops today, I wore boots and did a little test run.  Johnny leads...

 sorta!  Johnny will not lift his feet but after a couple of rounds he would stop and back up so maybe, sometime there was some training.  He got a tad excited when I wanted him to turn but yielded nicely when I insisted.  It didn't hurt that Grandma Anna had given me apple slices.

Johnny's markings are beautiful.

He shows roan.  Any one have any suggestions of what kind he is?  I'm thinking Quarter Horse but not sure.  After sweating in the sun and playing with Johnny, we retreated to Anna's cool kitchen and had a  wonderful visit.  I needed that! 

Thanks, Anna.



The Grands With Catch Up

Andrew headed to camp,

Jake playing some football with the dogs

Zander using the ant's telescope

to check out the view

The one and only flower I lay claim to

Andrew is back from camp, with one extra boy for a time.  Jake is playing baseball for the summer.  Zander is...Zander. 

Already 81 degrees outside a little after six am, the roosters are quiet for some strange reason but that is nice for a change.  The camp boys are still sleeping, as is Ki, snuggled in with Andrew.  I put Maggie out and I am the only one awake now in this house.  I soak up the quiet like water in a sponge.

I am lucky to work for three hours today.  We, the entire postal service, are so short handed this happens in many places, juggling and moving people when someone else needs off.  I like the way my friend said it yesterday, "They have cut us to skin and bones and now they're after the bones"

Hubby is scheduled for more heart surgery July 20th and I have managed to get off for that.  My washing machine may still be under warranty but it appears Hubby is not.  I will have to pay for all replacements parts and repairs, plus the service call.

Washer is on the list for repair the 27th and I have been to the laundromat once, so far.  That is a story all by itself.

The vacuum has yet to be repaired, maybe I can work on that this weekend.  Needless to say, the house is a mess but life goes on, with or without the conveniences.

My computer is back up, but still have no volume and no virus protection at all now, so any post may be my last until I can correct that.  It still says my speakers are not plugged in, but they are internal speakers.  I have tried all I know.  Computer says they are working but not plugged!

On the bright side, Hubby will be repaired, I have a job even though he doesn't, my computer is supplying my drug of choice (blogging), I have no know ailments except insanity, and those roosters are still quiet....this day is good.

A Day To Honor Mothers

who do not limit the imaginations of children,

who encourage sports, team work,

and creativity.

Happy Mother's Day should not be limited to the birth mothers.  There are grandmothers, aunts, friends, siblings and teachers that help mold a child, teach by demonstration, and encourage children to excel and enjoy all they do. 

To all of you who have encouraged a child to look closely at an ant hill, played with them in the dirt, traveled through an art museum, a zoo, read a book or simply listened...thank you.  Happy Mother's Day!

Easter, Jake's Birthday and Tornado Warnings!

Marcy's flowers,

food from the garden,

and basement time!

Jake and Zander playing in mud

after the storm passed.

Marcy fed us very well!

Family and friends filled up her dining room

and filled their plates.

We had music played

and play in general.

We also had a birthday boy!

Happy Birthday, Jake!!!

Tulips and Two Boys...

parts of spring break.

Andrew's New Pants...

Saturday, I had a plan.

Pick up E strings,

go to Penney's to purchase Andrew some pants,

go to Wal Mart for groceries etc,

then go eat.

First stop, the music store.

Andrew is playing and people are enjoying it.

They came by to compliment him.

Papa's head is swelling

and Andrew walked with a new guitar

and amp...OMG!

Planning on the next grandson, Jake,

learning how to play.

Then Andrew's black guitar (Jake's favorite)

will become Jake's...don't tell, it's a secret.

We did not get to Penney's, 

We did not get to Wal Mart.  

We ate at Colton's and returned home.

So much for my plans!